scholarly journals The Microbial Hypothesis: Contributions of Adenovirus Infection and Metabolic Endotoxaemia to the Pathogenesis of Obesity

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amos Tambo ◽  
Mohsin H. K. Roshan ◽  
Nikolai P. Pace
Keyword(s):  
Massachusetts General Hospital ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Systemic Circulation ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Adenovirus Infection ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Grade Inflammation

The global obesity epidemic, dubbed “globesity” by the World Health Organisation, is a pressing public health issue. The aetiology of obesity is multifactorial incorporating both genetic and environmental factors. Recently, epidemiological studies have observed an association between microbes and obesity. Obesity-promoting microbiome and resultant gut barrier disintegration have been implicated as key factors facilitating metabolic endotoxaemia. This is an influx of bacterial endotoxins into the systemic circulation, believed to underpin obesity pathogenesis. Adipocyte dysfunction and subsequent adipokine secretion characterised by low grade inflammation, were conventionally attributed to persistent hyperlipidaemia. They were thought of as pivotal in perpetuating obesity. It is now debated whether infection and endotoxaemia are also implicated in initiating and perpetuating low grade inflammation. The fact that obesity has a prevalence of over 600 million and serves as a risk factor for chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus is testament to the importance of exploring the role of microbes in obesity pathobiology. It is on this basis that Massachusetts General Hospital is sponsoring the Faecal Microbiota Transplant for Obesity and Metabolism clinical trial, to study the impact of microbiome composition on weight. The association of microbes with obesity, namely, adenovirus infection and metabolic endotoxaemia, is reviewed.

scholarly journals Consumption of Select Dietary Emulsifiers Exacerbates the Development of Spontaneous Intestinal Adenoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2602
Author(s):  
Emilie Viennois ◽  
Benoit Chassaing
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Gastrointestinal Cancers ◽  
Cancer Initiation ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Chronic Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Low Grade Inflammation ◽  
Intestinal Adenoma

Inflammation is a well-characterized critical driver of gastrointestinal cancers. Previous findings have shown that intestinal low-grade inflammation can be promoted by the consumption of select dietary emulsifiers, ubiquitous component of processed foods which alter the composition and function of the gut microbiota. Using a model of colitis-associated cancer, we previously reported that consumption of the dietary emulsifiers carboxymethylcellulose or polysorbate-80 exacerbated colonic tumor development. Here, we investigate the impact of dietary emulsifiers consumption on cancer initiation and progression in a genetical model of intestinal adenomas. In APCmin mice, we observed that dietary emulsifiers consumption enhanced small-intestine tumor development in a way that appeared to be independent of chronic intestinal inflammation but rather associated with emulsifiers’ impact on the proliferative status of the intestinal epithelium as well as on intestinal microbiota composition in both male and female mice. Overall, our findings further support the hypothesis that emulsifier consumption may be a new modifiable risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) and that alterations in host–microbiota interactions can favor gastrointestinal carcinogenesis in individuals with a genetical predisposition to such disorders.

scholarly journals The Impact of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Aetiology and Development of Uveal Melanoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1700
Author(s):  
Melissa Chalada ◽  
Charmaine A. Ramlogan-Steel ◽  
Bijay P. Dhungel ◽  
Christopher J. Layton ◽  
Jason C. Steel
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Uveal Melanoma ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Genetic Mutations ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

Uveal melanoma (UM) is currently classified by the World Health Organisation as a melanoma caused by risk factors other than cumulative solar damage. However, factors relating to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) susceptibility such as light-coloured skin and eyes, propensity to burn, and proximity to the equator, frequently correlate with higher risk of UM. These risk factors echo those of the far more common cutaneous melanoma (CM), which is widely accepted to be caused by excessive UVR exposure, suggesting a role of UVR in the development and progression of a proportion of UM. Indeed, this could mean that countries, such as Australia, with high UVR exposure and the highest incidences of CM would represent a similarly high incidence of UM if UVR exposure is truly involved. Most cases of UM lack the typical genetic mutations that are related to UVR damage, although recent evidence in a small minority of cases has shown otherwise. This review therefore reassesses statistical, environmental, anatomical, and physiological evidence for and against the role of UVR in the aetiology of UM.

scholarly journals Riding the waves: the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on a national surgical training cohort

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orla Hennessy ◽  
Amy Lee Fowler ◽  
Conor Hennessy ◽  
David Brinkman ◽  
Aisling Hogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Training ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Surgical Services ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Surgical Trainees ◽  
Secondary Survey ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic on the 11 March 2020 resulting in implementation of methods to contain viral spread, including curtailment of all elective and non-emergent interventions. Many institutions have experienced changes in rostering practices and redeployment of trainees to non-surgical services. Examinations, study days, courses, and conferences have been cancelled. These changes have the potential to significantly impact the education and training of surgical trainees. Aim To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training, educational, and operative experiences of Irish surgical trainees. Methods Surgical trainees were surveyed anonymously regarding changes in working and educational practices since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic on 11 March 2020. The survey was circulated in May 2020 to both core and higher RCSI surgical trainees, when restrictions were at level five. Questions included previous and current access to operative sessions as well as operative cases, previous and current educational activities, access to senior-led training, and access to simulation-/practical-based training methods. A repeat survey was carried out in October 2020 when restrictions were at level two. Results Overall, primary and secondary survey response rates were 29% (n = 98/340) and 19.1% (n = 65/340), respectively. At the time of circulation of the second survey, the number of operative sessions attended and cases performed had significantly improved to numbers experienced pre-pandemic (p < 0.0001). Exposure to formal teaching and education sessions returned to pre-COVID levels (p < 0.0001). Initially, 23% of trainees had an examination cancelled; 53% of these trainees have subsequently sat these examinations. Of note 27.7% had courses cancelled, and 97% of these had not been rescheduled. Conclusion Surgical training and education have been significantly impacted in light of COVID-19. This is likely to continue to fluctuate in line with subsequent waves. Significant efforts have to be made to enable trainees to meet educational and operative targets.

“Air pollution arrested not imprisoned”: The impact of laws invoked on Covid-19 city lockdowns

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Mensah Aboagye ◽  
◽  
Nana Osei Owusu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Environmental Problem ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
World Health ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Air pollution continues to be an environmental problem that poses a lot of health risks to the young and aged. Developed countries have invested heavily to curb this environmental problem, causing severe threats to human lives, yet the results do not look convincing. In developing countries, the situation is difficult than they can imagine, resulting in governments borrowing to fight what looks like a lost battle [1-3]. The in-depth study of this environmental menace - air pollution, suggests that the government enacts stringent measures to help fight this battle. This is because air pollution has natural (volcanic eruption) and anthropogenic (human activities) causes. In December 2019, the deadly Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak was soon declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) [4]. Majority of countries have had their share of the impact of this outbreak. Many countries resorted to city lockdown to strictly control the movement of people and economic activities as recommended by WHO.

Abstract 14849: Gender Differences in Impact of CYP2C19 Polymorphism and Low Grade Inflammation on Coronary Spasm in Patients with Vasospastic Angina (VSA)

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomonori Akasaka ◽  
Seiji Hokimoto ◽  
Noriaki Tabata ◽  
Kenji Sakamoto ◽  
Kenichi Tsujita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Coronary Artery Spasm ◽  
Coronary Spasm ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Cyp2c19 Genotype ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Hs Crp ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Grade Inflammation

Background: Several cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme families have been identified in extra hepatic tissues such as heart, vasculature, kidney, and lung. CYP2C19 localized in vascular smooth muscle and endothelium contributes to the regulation of vascular tone and homeostasis. However, it is unknown whether CYP2C19 genotype is associated with the vascular tonus in patients with VSA. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of CYP2C19 genotype on coronary artery spasm in patients with VSA. Methods: We examined the distribution of CYP2C19 genotype in patients with VSA (n=129) who were diagnosed by intra-coronary acetylcholine infusion test and healthy subjects (n=455) as control group. CYP2C19 genotypes were divided into 3 groups; (1) CYP2C19*1/*1: EM, (2) one loss-of-function allele (*1/*2, *1/*3: IM), and (3) two loss-of-function alleles (*2/*2, *2/*3, *3/*3: PM). Moreover, we measured the level of high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) as a degree of low glade inflammation in each group. Results: The ratios of CYP2C19 genotype (EM, IM, and PM) were 30, 42, and 28% in VSA group, and 32, 49, and 19% in control group. In short, PM frequency was significantly higher in VSA than in control (28% vs 19%, P=0.026). In VSA group, the ratios of CYP2C19 genotype were 36, 44, and 20% in male, and 20, 39, and 41% in female, respectively. Briefly, the PM frequency was significantly higher in female than in male (41% vs 20%, P<0.001). Moreover, the level of hs-CRP was significantly higher in VSA group than in control group (0.17±0.367 vs 0.10.±0.240, P=0.02). When patients were stratified by gender, the level of hs-CRP was significantly higher in VSA group in female (0.11±0.198 vs 0.06±0.105, P=0.031) and male (0.20±0.438 vs 0.12±0.277, P=0.044). Multivariate analysis for coronary spasm indicated high age, hypertension, and high level of hs-CRP as predictive factors among all subjects. PM is a predictive factor for coronary spasm in female group only (OR3.1, 95%RI 1.525-6.317, P=0.002), but not in male (OR0.829, 95%RI 0.453-1.518, P=0.543). Conclusion: The CYP2C19 two loss-of-function alleles (PM) and low grade inflammation may be associated with pathophysiology of coronary artery spasm and the regulation of coronary tonus, especially in female.

scholarly journals The Zarit Burden Interview in Portugal: Validity and Recommendations in Dementia and Palliative Care

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Gonçalves-Pereira ◽  
Steven H. Zarit
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Zarit Burden Interview ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analyses ◽  
The Impact

<p>The impact of dementia on informal or family caregivers became a public health issue. One well-established tool for the assessment of emotional, physical and social impact on caregivers is the Zarit Burden Interview. Worldwide, it is widely used in epidemiological studies, drug or psychosocial clinical trials, and health services research. The original focus on burden among dementia caregivers has spread to other clinical contexts, mostly in old age and palliative care. Given these diverse applications, issues around the validity and reliability of national translations are crucial to assure that all evidence gathered is indeed of high quality. Moreover, caution is needed on the use of cut-offs for categorizing levels of caregiver strain or of subscales derived from recurrent exploratory factor analyses in small-scale local studies. As with other translations of measures in the health field, researchers and clinicians in Portugal must be aware of how to address bias in using the Zarit Burden Interview and interpreting findings.</p>

scholarly journals The Role of Extent of Resection in IDH1 Wild-Type or Mutant Low-Grade Gliomas

Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 808-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toral Patel ◽  
Evan D Bander ◽  
Rachael A Venn ◽  
Tiffany Powell ◽  
Gustav Young-Min Cederquist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cox Regression ◽  
Extent Of Resection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Low Grade Gliomas ◽  
Grade Ii ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND Maximizing extent of resection (EOR) improves outcomes in adults with World Health Organization (WHO) grade II low-grade gliomas (LGG). However, recent studies demonstrate that LGGs bearing a mutation in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene are a distinct molecular and clinical entity. It remains unclear whether maximizing EOR confers an equivalent clinical benefit in IDH mutated (mtIDH) and IDH wild-type (wtIDH) LGGs. OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of EOR on malignant progression-free survival (MPFS) and overall survival (OS) in mtIDH and wtIDH LGGs. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of 74 patients with WHO grade II gliomas and known IDH mutational status undergoing resection at a single institution. EOR was assessed with quantitative 3-dimensional volumetric analysis. The effect of predictor variables on MPFS and OS was analyzed with Cox regression models and the Kaplan–Meier method. RESULTS Fifty-two (70%) mtIDH patients and 22 (30%) wtIDH patients were included. Median preoperative tumor volume was 37.4 cm3; median EOR of 57.6% was achieved. Univariate Cox regression analysis confirmed EOR as a prognostic factor for the entire cohort. However, stratifying by IDH status demonstrates that greater EOR independently prolonged MPFS and OS for wtIDH patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.002 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.000-0.074] and HR = 0.001 [95% CI 0.00-0.108], respectively), but not for mtIDH patients (HR = 0.84 [95% CI 0.17-4.13] and HR = 2.99 [95% CI 0.15-61.66], respectively). CONCLUSION Increasing EOR confers oncologic and survival benefits in IDH1 wtLGGs, but the impact on IDH1 mtLGGs requires further study.

scholarly journals Revised World Health Organization (WHO)’s causality assessment of adverse events following immunization—a critique

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Puliyel ◽  
Pathik Naik
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Causal Association ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Post Marketing Surveillance ◽  
Definition Of

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently revised how adverse events after immunization (AEFI) are classified. Only reactions that have previously been acknowledged in epidemiological studies to be caused by the vaccine, are classified as a vaccine-product–related-reaction. Deaths observed during post-marketing surveillance are not considered as “consistent with causal association with vaccine”, if there was no statistically significant increase in deaths recorded during the small Phase 3 trials that preceded it. Of course, vaccines that caused deaths in the control-trials stage would not be licensed. After licensure, deaths and all new serious adverse reactions are labelled as ‘coincidental deaths’ or ‘unclassifiable’, and the association with vaccine is not acknowledged. The resulting paradox is evident. The definition of causal association has also been changed. It is now used only if there is “no other factor intervening in the processes.” Therefore, if a child with an underlying congenital heart disease (other factor), develops fever and cardiac decompensation after vaccination, the cardiac failure would not be considered causally related to the vaccine. The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety has documented many deaths in children with pre-existing heart disease after they were administered the Pentavalent vaccine. The WHO now advises precautions when vaccinating such children and this has reduced the risk of death. Using the new definition of causal association, this relationship would not be acknowledged and lives would be put at risk. In view of the above, it is necessary that the AEFI manual be revaluated and revised urgently. AEFI reporting is said to be for vaccine safety. Child safety (safety of children) rather than vaccine safety (safety for vaccines) needs to be the emphasis.

scholarly journals Live wildlife trade in markets - a scoping review to inform risk assessment of emerging infectious diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria J Brookes ◽  
Okta Wismandanu ◽  
Etih Sudarnika ◽  
Justin A Roby ◽  
Lynne Hayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Epistemic Uncertainty ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
The Impact

Wet markets are important for food security in many regions worldwide but have come under scrutiny due to their potential role in the emergence of infectious diseases. The sale of live wildlife has been highlighted as a particular risk, and the World Health Organisation has called for the banning of live, wild-caught mammalian species in markets unless risk assessment and effective regulations are in place. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a global scoping review of peer-reviewed information about the sale of live, terrestrial wildlife in markets that are likely to sell fresh food, and collated data about the characteristics of such markets, activities involving live wildlife, the species sold, their purpose, and animal, human, and environmental health risks that were identified. Of the 59 peer-reviewed records within scope, only 25% (n = 14) focussed on disease risks; the rest focused on the impact of wildlife sale on conservation. Although there were some global patterns (for example, the types of markets and purpose of sale of wildlife), there was wide diversity and huge epistemic uncertainty in all aspects associated with live, terrestrial wildlife sale in markets such that the feasibility of accurate assessment of the risk of emerging infectious disease associated with live wildlife trade in markets is limited. Given the value of both wet markets and wildlife trade and the need to support food affordability and accessibility, conservation, public health, and the social and economic aspects of livelihoods of often vulnerable people, there are major information gaps that need to be addressed to develop evidence-based policy in this environment. This review identifies these gaps and provides a foundation from which information for risk assessments can be collected.

scholarly journals The Impact of Covid-19 Public Health Policies on Persons with Disability and their Caregivers in Malta

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-37
Author(s):  
Andrew Camilleri ◽  
Samantha Pace Gasan ◽  
Andrew Azzopardi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Essential Services ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Restrictive Measures ◽  
The Impact

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global health pandemic, due to the spread of a novel coronavirus, later named “Covid-19”. The spread of Covid-19 led to social isolation, distancing and a number of restrictive measures in Malta.  The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent restrictive measures on persons with disability and their caregivers and families in Malta. Using thematic analysis, the study found that a variety of impacts ranging from a sense of isolation, lack of essential services being provided, additional difficulties encountered at the place of work and education and measures that were not sufficiently tailored for persons with disability issued by public health authorities. Underlying the additional difficulties brought about by Covid-19, structural difficulties to access essential services as well as ignorance from policy makers and politicians and the added “vulnerable-ization” of persons with disabilities were found to be highly impacting factors that pervade the experience of persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

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