[The analysis of dynamics of indicator of mortality of population of the Siberian Federal Okrug resulted from toxic impact of alcohol in 2011-2020]

The purpose of the study is to investigate dynamics of mortality of population of the Siberian Federal Okrug resulted from toxic impact of alcohol in 2011-2020 and to comparatively analyze mortality of population of the regions of the Siberian Federal Okrug with general Okrug values. The study uses statistical data of the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation. The analysis was applied to mortality of population of the Russian Federation, the Siberian Federal Okrug and the regions of the Siberian Federal Okrug (the Republic of Altai, the Republic of Tuva, the Republic of Khakassia, the Altai Kray, the Krasnoyarsk Kray, Irkutsk, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk, Omsk and Tomsk Oblast) resulted from toxic impact of alcohol. The comparative analysis of regional and general Okrug indicators of mortality was implemented. The statistical processing of data included common methods of calculating extensive and intensive indicators, indicator average error and evaluation of reliability of differences. It was established that in 2011-2020, mortality of population of the Siberian Federal Okrug resulted from toxic impact of alcohol decreased by 3.3 times. The decrease of mortality of the population was registered in all regions of the Siberian Federal Okrug. The fastest decreasing of mortality of population occurred in the Altai Kray (7.7 times), the Republic of Tuva (7.0 times), the Krasnoyarsk Kray (6.4 times). The investigation of dynamics of mortality of population in the regions of the Siberian Federal Okrug resulted from toxic impact of alcohol permits to identify characteristics of toxicological situation at the regional level and to determine strategic directions of the regional policy of chemical safety and population health protection.

Differences in overall survival of penile cancer patients versus population-based controls

PURPOSE

To assess whether 5-year overall survival (OS) of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP) patients differs from age-matched male population-based controls.

METHODS

We relied on the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database (2004-2018) to identify newly diagnosed (2004-2013) SCCP patients. For each case, we simulated an age-matched control (Monte Carlo simulation), relying on the Social Security Administration (SSA) Life Tables with 5 years of follow-up. We compared OS between SCCP patients and population-based controls in a stage-specific fashion. Smoothed cumulative incidence plots displayed cancer-specific mortality (CSM) versus other-cause mortality (OCM).

RESULTS

Of 2282 SCCP patients, the stage distribution was as follows: stage I 976 (43%) versus stage II 826 (36%) versus stage III 302 (13%) versus stage IV 178 (8%). At 5 years, OS of SCCP patients versus age-matched population-based controls was as follows: stage I 63% versus 80% (Δ = 17%), stage II 50% versus 80% (Δ = 30%), stage III 39% versus 84% (Δ = 45%), stage IV 26% versus 87% (Δ = 61%). At 5 years, CSM versus OCM in SCCP patients according to stage was as follows: stage I 12% versus 24%, stage II 22% versus 28%, stage III 47% versus 14%, and stage IV 60% versus 14%.

CONCLUSION

SCCP patients exhibit worse OS across all stages. The difference in OS at 5 years between SCCP and age-matched male population-based controls ranged from 17% to 61%. At 5 years, CSM accounted for 12% to 60% of all deaths, across all stages.

Factors that modulate platelet reactivity as measured by 5 assay platforms in 3429 individuals

Background

Assessment of platelet function is key in diagnosing bleeding disorders and evaluating antiplatelet drug efficacy. However, there is a prevailing "one-size-fits-all" approach in the interpretation of measures of platelet reactivity, with arbitrary cutoffs often derived from healthy volunteer responses.

Objectives

Our aim was to compare well-used platelet reactivity assays.

Methods

Blood and platelet-rich plasma obtained from the Framingham Heart Study (N = 3429) were assayed using a range of agonists in 5 platelet assays: light transmission aggregometry, Optimul aggregometry, Multiplate impedance aggregometry (Roche Diagnostics), Total Thrombus-Formation Analysis System, and flow cytometry. Using linear mixed-effect models, we determined the contribution of preanalytical and technical factors that modulated platelet reactivity traits.

Results

A strong intra-assay correlation of platelet traits was seen in all assays, particularly Multiplate velocity (r = 0.740; ristocetin vs arachidonic acid). In contrast, only moderate interassay correlations were observed (r = 0.375; adenosine diphosphate Optimul Emax vs light transmission aggregometry large area under the curve). As expected, antiplatelet drugs strongly reduced platelet responses, with aspirin use primarily targeting arachidonic acid-induced aggregation, and explained substantial variance (β = -1.735; P = 4.59 × 10-780; variance proportion = 46.2%) and P2Y12 antagonists blocking adenosine diphosphate responses (β = -1.612; P = 6.75 × 10-27; variance proportion = 2.1%). Notably, female sex and older age were associated with enhanced platelet reactivity. Fasting status and deviations from standard venipuncture practices did not alter platelet reactivity significantly. Finally, the agonist batch, phlebotomist, and assay technician (more so for assays that require additional sample manipulation) had a moderate to large effect on measured platelet reactivity.

Conclusion

Caution must be exercised when extrapolating findings between assays, and the use of standard ranges must be medication-specific and sex-specific at a minimum. Researchers should also consider preanalytical and technical variables when designing experiments and interpreting platelet reactivity measures.

Factors related to depression in adults with oral health problems in Spain (2017 to 2020)

Background

The need to study the link between gender, depression, and oral health is becoming increasingly evident. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence and evolution over time of depression among women and men with oral health problems and to evaluate the association between depression status, lifestyle-related variables health-related variables and use of dental health services in those people.

Methods

We performed a nationwide cross-sectional study on 25,631 adults with oral health problems residing in Spain from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 and the European Health Survey of Spain 2020, including as the main variable self-reported diagnosis of depression. We analysed independent variables such as lifestyle-related variables, health-related variables, and variables related to dental health services. Sociodemographic characteristics were considered as control variables.

Results

The prevalence of depression among adults with oral health problems in Spain was 7.81% (10.14% for women, 5.39% for men), with a notable decrease from 2017 to 2020 in women. Depressed women had a slightly higher percentage of filled or capped teeth, and had more covers (crowns), bridges or other types of prostheses or dentures, while men had more caries. Women also made more frequent, regular dental visits for check-ups and mouth cleaning, whereas men often needed extractions. Unfavourable associated factors in both genders were: perceiving their health as good, average, poor, or very poor, and having 1-2 and ≥ 3 comorbidities. Conversely, not being a current smoker was related to less likelihood of depression. In women only, not engaging in leisure-time physical activity produced more unfavourable associated factors.

Conclusion

The prevalence of depression among adults with oral health problems in Spain from 2017 to 2020 was 7.81%, but this figure has been steadily decreasing over time. In addition, the favourable and unfavourable associated factors could help us inform health professionals and authorities in order to prevent depression and enhance the care of this population according to gender.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Non-COVID-19 Deaths: Population-Wide Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Health care avoidance in the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely reported. Yet few studies have investigated the dynamics of hospital avoidance behavior during pandemic waves and inferred its impact on excess non-COVID-19 deaths.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to measure the impact of hospital avoidance on excess non-COVID-19 deaths in public hospitals in Hong Kong.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study involving 11,966,786 patients examined between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021, in Hong Kong. All data were linked to service, treatment, and outcomes. To estimate excess mortality, the 2-stage least squares method was used with daily tallies of emergency department (ED) visits and 28-day mortality. Records for older people were categorized by long-term care (LTC) home status, and comorbidities were used to explain the demographic and clinical attributes of excess 28-day mortality. The primary outcome was actual excess death in 2020 and 2021. The 2-stage least squares method was used to estimate the daily excess 28-day mortality by daily reduced visits.

RESULTS

Compared with the prepandemic (2016-2019) average, there was a reduction in total ED visits in 2020 of 25.4% (548,116/2,142,609). During the same period, the 28-day mortality of non-COVID-19 ED deaths increased by 7.82% (2689/34,370) compared with 2016-2019. The actual excess deaths in 2020 and 2021 were 3143 and 4013, respectively. The estimated total excess non-COVID-19 28-day deaths among older people in 2020 to 2021 were 1958 (95% CI 1100-2820; no time lag). Deaths on arrival (DOAs) or deaths before arrival (DBAs) increased by 33.6% (1457/4336) in 2020, while non-DOA/DBAs increased only by a moderate 4.97% (1202/24,204). In both types of deaths, the increases were higher during wave periods than in nonwave periods. Moreover, non-LTC patients saw a greater reduction in ED visits than LTC patients across all waves, by more than 10% (non-LTC: 93,896/363,879, 25.8%; LTC: 7,956/67,090, 11.9%). Most of the comorbidity subsets demonstrated an annualized reduction in visits in 2020. Renal diseases and severe liver diseases saw notable increases in deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated a statistical method to estimate hospital avoidance behavior during a pandemic and quantified the consequent excess 28-day mortality with a focus on older people, who had high frequencies of ED visits and deaths. This study serves as an informed alert and possible investigational guideline for health care professionals for hospital avoidance behavior and its consequences.

Ferritin: A Biomarker Requiring Caution in Clinical Decision

OBJECTIVES

To determine the ferritin inter-assay differences between three "Conformité Européenne" (CE) marked tests, the impact on reference intervals (RI), and the proportion of individuals with iron deficiency (ID), we used plasma and serum from healthy blood donors (HBD) recruited in three different Switzerland regions.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Heparinized plasma and serum from HBD were obtained from three different transfusion centers in Switzerland (Fribourg, Geneva, and Neuchatel). One hundred forty samples were recruited per center and per matrix, with a gender ratio of 50%, for a total of 420 HBD samples available per matrix. On both matrices, ferritin concentrations were quantified by three different laboratories using electrochemiluminescence (ECL), latex immunoturbidimetric assay (LIA), and luminescent oxygen channeling immunoassay (LOCI) assays, respectively. The degree of agreement between matrices and between the three sites/methods was assessed by Passing-Bablok and we evaluated the proportion of individuals deemed to have ID per method.

RESULTS

Overall, no difference between serum and heparinized plasma ferritin values was observed according to Passing-Bablok analyses (proportional bias range: 1.0-3.0%; maximum constant bias: 1.84 µg/L). Significant median ferritin differences (p < 0.001 according to Kruskal-Wallis test) were observed between the three methods (i.e., 83.6 µg/L, 103.5 µg/L, and 62.1 µg/L for ECL, LIA, and LOCI in heparinized plasma, respectively), with proportional bias varying significantly between ±16% and ±32% on serum and from ±14% to ±35% on plasma with no sign of gender-related differences. Affecting the lower end of RI, the proportion of ID per method substantially varied between 4.76% (20/420) for ECL, 2.86% (12/420) for LIA, and 9.05% (38/420) for LOCI.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum and heparinized plasma are exchangeable for ferritin assessment. However, the order of magnitude of ferritin differences across methods and HBD recruitment sites could lead to diagnostic errors if uniform RI were considered. Challenging the recently proposed use of uniform ferritin thresholds, our results highlight the importance of method- and region-specific RI for ferritin due to insufficient inter-assay harmonization. Failing to do so significantly impacts ID diagnosis.

Population and Conservation Status of Bighorn Sheep in the State of Baja California, Mexico

The bighorn sheep in Mexico is classified as at-risk by the Mexican federal government. In the state of Baja California, wild sheep can be observed throughout the length of the state from the USA-Mexico border south to the Agua de Soda mountain range. This research aimed to document the historical trend of the bighorn population based on aerial surveys conducted in 1992, 1995, 1999, 2010, and 2021, and the abundance, distribution, and structure of bighorn sheep populations in Baja California, based on an aerial survey conducted from 8-14 November 2021, covering thirteen mountain ranges. The estimated sheep population in 2021 was based on the number of individuals observed; the sightability of the animals; the area sampled; and the total area of habitat available. In 30.5 flight hours, 456 bighorn sheep were observed, with an estimated population of 1697 ± 80 individuals. The observation rate was 16 sheep sighted per hour of flight, and the ram:ewe:lamb ratio was 62:100:19. When the results of the 2021 flight were compared to the results of the previous aerial surveys, there was a large variation between the data, which was related to the lack of consistency between the sampling designs used in each study. Nevertheless, a statistical test of the results of aerial surveys conducted in the state suggest that the Baja California bighorn sheep population remained stable between 1992 and 2021. This study highlights the need to standardize wild sheep aerial surveys by defining flight paths and establishing a consistent duration of flights. On the other hand, Baja California authorities should consider modifying the current conservation strategy for bighorn sheep to increase the species' population in the state by initiating community-based wildlife conservation programs in rural communities.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome by household food insecurity status in the United States adolescent population, 2001-2020: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Household food insecurity (FI) is a modifiable social determinant of health linked to chronic health outcomes. Little is known, however, about the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in pediatric population-based studies by household FI status.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of the MetS by household FI status over the past 2 decades.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from the 2001-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants were nonpregnant adolescents ages 12- 18 y in United States. The prevalence of MetS [elevated waist circumference and >2 of the following risk factors: elevated blood pressure, and fasting glucose, triglyceride, and/or low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations] by FI status was evaluated using chi-square and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The estimated prevalence of MetS was 2.66% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.28%, 3.09%] in the final analytical sample (unweighted N = 12,932). A total of 3.39% (95% CI: 2.53%, 4.53%) of adolescents from FI households had MetS compared to 2.48% (95% CI: 2.11%, 2.9%) among adolescents with no household FI. Hispanic adolescents had the highest prevalence of MetS (3.73%, 95% CI: 3.05, 4.56) compared with adolescents who identified as non-Hispanic White (2.78%, 95% CI: 2.25, 3.43), non-Hispanic Black (1.58%, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.10). Adolescents with household FI (23.20%) were more likely to have MetS [odds ratio (OR): 1.38; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.88; I=0.039) compared with adolescents with no household FI, but in fully adjusted models this was not significant (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.72).

CONCLUSIONS

Using the most current NHANES data, the estimated prevalence of MetS in adolescents in United States was slightly higher among those from FI households. However, after adjusting for potential confounders, the relationship between household FI and MetS was nonsignificant, highlighting the complexity of factors contributing to MetS in this population. Hispanic adolescents share a disproportionate burden of MetS compared with their non-Hispanic counterparts.

Non-genetic phenotypic variability affects populations and communities in protist microcosms

Intraspecific trait variation (ITV), potentially driven by genetic and non-genetic mechanisms, can underlie variability in resource acquisition, individual fitness and ecological interactions. Impacts of ITV at higher levels of biological organizations are hence likely, but up-scaling our knowledge about ITV importance to communities and comparing its relative effects at population and community levels has rarely been investigated. Here, we tested the effects of genetic and non-genetic ITV on morphological traits in microcosms of protist communities by contrasting the effects of strains showing different ITV levels (i.e. trait averages and variance) on population growth, community composition and biomass production. We found that genetic and non-genetic ITV can lead to different effects on populations and communities across several generations. Furthermore, the effects of ITV declined across levels of biological organization: ITV directly altered population performance, with cascading but indirect consequences for community composition and biomass productivity. Overall, these results show that the drivers of ITV can have distinct effects on populations and communities, with cascading impacts on higher levels of biological organization that might mediate biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships.

Population and conservation threats to the vulnerable Sarus crane Grus antigone in Nepal

Globally, biodiversity is declining due to habitat loss and degradation, over-exploitation, climate change, invasive species, pollution, and infrastructure development. These threats affect the populations of large waterbird species, such as Sarus crane (Grus antigone), which inhabits agricultural-wetland ecosystems. Despite the burgeoning built-up areas and diminishing agricultural and wetland spaces, scant research investigates the impact of these changing land uses on the globally vulnerable Sarus crane in Nepal. During the pre-breeding season from April to June 2023, our comprehensive study meticulously scrutinized Sarus crane population status and factors associated with the occurrences and conservation challenges across 10 specific districts of Nepal. Our study documented a total of 690 individuals of Sarus cranes in five districts. The Lumbini Province has 685 individuals, occupying 11 roosting sites. Conversely, the remaining five districts have no Sarus cranes presence during this period. Wetland, farmland and built-up areas exhibited a significantly positive influence on Sarus crane occurrences in the Lumbini Province. Additionally, we recorded 47 fatalities of Sarus cranes over the past 13 years in the Lumbini Province due to electrocution and collisions. Our study provides a baseline dataset crucial for developing conservation policies, particularly during the dry season when Sarus crane populations tend to congregate in larger flocks. The adaptation of the Sarus crane to urbanized landscapes exposes them to several anthropogenic threats in the coming days. Therefore, protecting wetlands and farmland areas and adopting transboundary conservation approaches are imperative for the long-term conservation of the Sarus crane and its habitat.

Norms for Usual and Fast Walking Speed in Adults 45-69 Years Old From the French General Population: Constances Study

OBJECTIVES

Walking speed (WS) represents an objective measure of motor function and health. We aimed to develop usual (UWS) and fast WS (FWS) norms for the general population using a regression-based approach, while considering age, sex, height, and education.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

French Constances study (45-69 years).

METHODS

UWS/FWS were measured over 3 m (dynamic start) using photoelectric cells. We addressed selection effects (related to survey sampling and nonresponse) and missing data using a combination of inverse probability weighting (IPW) and multiple imputation (MI). Norms by sex, age, height, and education (

RESULTS

Analyses are based on 44,772 participants (51.2% women) with a mean age of 56.8 years (SE = 0.2) for women and 57.3 years (SE = 0.2) for men, and a mean height of 161.4 cm (SE = 0.1) for women and 174.2 cm (SE = 0.1) for men after IPW/MI. WS estimates decreased after IPW/MI. The mean UWS was 116.9 cm/s (SE = 0.8) in women and 120.7 cm/s (SE = 0.8) in men, and the mean FWS was 168.7 cm/s (SE = 1.0) in women and 182.8 cm/s (SE = 1.2) in men. In the multiadjusted model, UWS/FWS decreased with age and increased with height and education. Men had faster FWS than women; they had slightly slower UWS than women in the low-education group, but there were no sex differences in the high-education group.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

We developed UWS/FWS norms by age, sex, height, and education for the French general population (45-69 years) that are available through a web app (https://cesp-proxy2.vjf.inserm.fr/NORMES-VM-EN/). These norms can be used to identify in midlife persons with lower motor performances than the general population, given their age, sex, height, and education, who are at higher risk of adverse outcomes.

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Key Words

• Walking speed
• aging
• population
• reference values
• selection bias

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MESH Headings

• Male
• Adult
• Humans
• Female
• Middle Aged
• Aged
• Walking Speed
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Linear Models
• Walking/physiology

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Comparative Study of the Effect of Pollen Substitute Diets on Honey Bees during Early Spring

The nutritional quality of a colony significantly affects its health and strength, particularly because it is required for population growth in the early spring. We investigated the impact of various artificial pollen substitute diets on colony performance in the Republic of Korea during early spring, a critical period for colony health and growth. The colonies were provided with different diets, including the commercial product Megabee (positive control), our developed diet Test A, and four upgraded versions (Diet 1, Diet 2, Diet 3, and Diet 4) of Test A. The negative control group received no supplementary feed. Over 63 days, we observed 24 experimental colonies and assessed various parameters at the colony and individual levels. The results revealed that Diet 2 had the highest consumption and had the most positive impact on population growth, the capped brood area, colony weight, honey bees' weight, and vitellogenin levels. These findings suggested that Diet 2 is most attractive to honey bees and thus holds great promise for improving colony maintenance and development during the crucial early spring period.

Wildlife endogenous retroviruses: colonization, consequences, and cooption

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are inherited genomic remains of past germline retroviral infections. Research on human ERVs has focused on medical implications of their dysregulation on various diseases. However, recent studies incorporating wildlife are yielding remarkable perspectives on long-term retrovirus-host interactions. These initial forays into broader taxonomic analysis, including sequencing of multiple individuals per species, show the incredible plasticity and variation of ERVs within and among wildlife species. This demonstrates that stochastic processes govern much of the vertebrate genome. In this review, we elaborate on discoveries pertaining to wildlife ERV origins and evolution, genome colonization, and consequences for host biology.

Genomic Variants and Worldwide Epidemiology of Breast Cancer: A Genome-Wide Association Studies Correlation Analysis

Breast cancer (BCa) is the most common cancer and leading cause of cancer death among women globally. This can be explained by the genetic factor of this disease. This article aims to correlate the epidemiological data, worldwide incidence, and mortality of BCa with the Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the susceptibility and severity in different populations. Two hundred and forty genetic variants associated with BCa susceptibility/severity were selected from the literature through Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). The allele frequencies were obtained from the 1000 Genomes Project, and the epidemiological data were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO). The BCa incidence, mortality rates, and allele frequencies of the variants were evaluated using Pearson's correlation. Our study demonstrated that 11 SNPs (rs3817578, rs4843437, rs3754934, rs61764370, rs780092, rs2290203, rs10411161, rs6001930, rs16886165, rs8051542 and rs4973768) were significantly correlated with the epidemiological data in different ethnic groups. Seven polymorphisms (rs3817578, rs3754934, rs780092, rs2290203, rs10411161, rs6001930 and rs16886165) were inversely correlated with the incidence rate and four polymorphisms (rs4843437, rs61764370, rs8051542 and rs4973768) were directly correlated with the incidence rate. African and South-East Asian populations have a lower risk of developing BCa when evaluated in terms of genetic factors since they possess variants characterized as protective, as their higher incidence is associated with a lower frequency of BCa cases. The genetic variants investigated here are likely to predispose individuals to BCa. The genetic study described here is promising for implementing personalized strategies to screen for breast cancer in diverse populations.

Novel recruitment approaches and operational results for a statewide population Cohort for cancer research: The Healthy Oregon Project

Background

Cancer health research relies on large-scale cohorts to derive generalizable results for different populations. While traditional epidemiological cohorts often use costly random sampling or self-motivated, preselected groups, a shift toward health system-based cohorts has emerged. However, such cohorts depend on participants remaining within a single system. Recent consumer engagement models using smartphone-based communication, driving projects, and social media have begun to upend these paradigms.

Methods

We initiated the Healthy Oregon Project (HOP) to support basic and clinical cancer research. HOP study employs a novel, cost-effective remote recruitment approach to effectively establish a large-scale cohort for population-based studies. The recruitment leverages the unique email account, the HOP website, and social media platforms to direct smartphone users to the study app, which facilitates saliva sample collection and survey administration. Monthly newsletters further facilitate engagement and outreach to broader communities.

Results

By the end of 2022, the HOP has enrolled approximately 35,000 participants aged 18-100 years (median = 44.2 years), comprising more than 1% of the Oregon adult population. Among those who have app access, ∼87% provided consent to genetic screening. The HOP monthly email newsletters have an average open rate of 38%. Efforts continue to be made to improve survey response rates.

Conclusion

This study underscores the efficacy of remote recruitment approaches in establishing large-scale cohorts for population-based cancer studies. The implementation of the study facilitates the collection of extensive survey and biological data into a repository that can be broadly shared and supports collaborative clinical and translational research.

Correlation between the non-use of cooking oil fume extractors and bone mineral density in population aged 45 years and older in China: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

The correlation between the non-use of cooking oil fumes (COFs) extractors and bone mineral density (BMD) have not been clarified. Consequently, this study attempted to explore the impact of non-use COFs extractors on BMD in population aged 45 years and older based on a cross-sectional study.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional study within the framework of an ongoing prospective population-based cohort study in China. The multivariate linear regression models were used to evaluate the correlation between the non-use of fume extractors in family cooking and total lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), total hip BMD and levels of bone metabolism markers.

Results

A total of 3433 participants were included in the final analyses, of which 2607 (75.93%) participants used fume extractors. The results of models indicated that there were significant correlations of the non-use of fume extractors on total LS BMD (β = -0.024, 95% CI, -0.036, -0.012, p < 0.001), PINP (β = 4.363, 95% CI, 2.371, 6.356, p < 0.001) and ALP (β = 4.555, 95% CI, 2.593, 6.517, p < 0.001) levels.

Conclusions

This study verified that the use of fume extractors is an efficacious measure to prevent LS bone loss. For the sake of public bone health, people should install a fume extractor in the kitchen and use it routinely when cooking.

Plasma Calprotectin Levels Associate With New-Onset Hypertension in the General Population: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Low-grade systemic inflammation is a relevant pathogenic mechanism underlying the development of hypertension. In this study, we hypothesized that plasma calprotectin levels, as a biomarker of neutrophil-mediated inflammation, is associated with developing new-onset hypertension in the general population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Plasma calprotectin levels were determined in 3524 participants who participated in the PREVEND (Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease) study, a prospective population-based cohort study. Plasma calprotectin levels were studied for associations with the risk of new-onset hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure of at least 140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm Hg, or the first recorded use of antihypertensives. Participants with hypertension at baseline were excluded. Median plasma calprotectin levels were 0.48 (0.34-0.66) mg/L, and median systolic blood pressure was 117 (109-126) mm Hg. Plasma calprotectin levels were significantly associated with the risk of new-onset hypertension (hazard ratio [HR], per doubling 1.30 [95% CI, 1.21-1.41]; P<0.001), also after adjustment for age and sex (HR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.16-1.37]; P<0.001), but not after additional adjustment for potentially confounding factors, including baseline systolic blood pressure (HR, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.90-1.11]; P=0.996). Stratified analyses showed significant effect modification by sex (Pinteraction=0.023) and urinary albumin excretion (Pinteraction=0.004), with higher HRs in men (compared with women) and in individuals with higher urinary albumin excretion (>9.3 mg per 24 hours) compared with lower urinary albumin excretion (≤9.3 mg per 24 hours).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher plasma calprotectin levels are associated with an increased risk of new-onset hypertension in the general population. This association is dependent on baseline systolic blood pressure and is particularly prominent in men compared with women.

Fungicides as a risk factor for the development of neurological diseases and disorders in humans: a systematic review

Although studies show that pesticides, especially insecticides, may be toxic to humans, publications on the neurological effects of fungicides are scarce. As fungicides are used widely in Brazil, it is necessary to gather evidence to support actions aimed at safely using of these chemicals. We investigated through a systematic review of publications on the use of fungicides and consequences of exposure related to nervous system diseases or neurological disorders in humans. The protocol review was registered on PROSPERO and followed the guidelines of the PRISMA-Statement. As far as it is known, there is no apparent systematic review in the literature on this topic. The search was comprised of the following databases: PubMed; Web of Science; Scopus and EMBASE, using groups of Mesh terms and strategies specific to each database. Thirteen articles were selected for this review. Regarding the substances analyzed in the studies, some reported the use of fungicides in general, without separating them by type, while others summarized the categories of all pesticides by their function (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.) or chemical class (dithiocarbamate, dicarboximide, inorganic, etc.). However, most of the articles referred to fungicides that contain the metal manganese (Mn) in their composition. As for neurological disorders, articles addressed Parkinson's disease (PD), neurodevelopmental outcomes, extrapyramidal syndrome resembling PD, cognitive disorders, depression, neural tube defects, motor neurone disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Most investigations pointed to exposure to fungicides, mainly maneb and mancozeb, leading to the development of at least one neurological disease, which suggests the need for further multicentric clinical trials and prospective studies for greater clarity of the research problem.

Positive feedbacks in deep-time transitions of human populations

Abrupt and rapid changes in human societies are among the most exciting population phenomena. Human populations tend to show rapid expansions from low to high population density along with increased social complexity in just a few generations. Such demographic transitions appear as a remarkable feature of Homo sapiens population dynamics, most likely fuelled by the ability to accumulate cultural/technological innovations that actively modify their environment. We are especially interested in establishing if the demographic transitions of pre-historic populations show the same dynamic signature of the Industrial Revolution transition (a positive relationship between population growth rates and size). Our results show that population growth patterns across different pre-historic societies were similar to those observed during the Industrial Revolution in developed western societies. These features, which appear to have been operating during most of our recent demographic history from hunter-gatherers to modern industrial societies, imply that the dynamics of cooperation underlay sudden population transitions in human societies. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.

Mortality trends, disparities, and social vulnerability in cardiac arrest mortality in the young: A cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND

Cardiac arrest (CA) is a leading cause of death in the United States (US). Social determinants of health may impact CA outcomes. We aimed to assess mortality trends, disparities, and the influence of the social vulnerability index (SVI) on CA outcomes in the young.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) related to CA in the United States from the Years 1999 to 2020 in individuals aged 35 years and younger. Data were obtained from death certificates and analyzed using log-linear regression models. We examined disparities in mortality rates based on demographic variables. We also explored the impact of the SVI on CA mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 4792 CA deaths in the young were identified. Overall AAMR decreased from 0.20 in 1999 to 0.14 in 2020 with an average annual percentage change of -1.3% (p = .001). Black (AAMR: 0.30) and male populations (AAMR: 0.14) had higher AAMR compared with White (AAMR: 0.11) and female (AAMR: 0.11) populations, respectively. Nonmetropolitan (AAMR: 0.29) and Southern (AAMR: 0.26) regions were also impacted by higher AAMR compared with metropolitan (AAMR: 0.11) and other US census regions, respectively. A higher SVI was associated with greater mortality risks related to CA (risk ratio: 1.82 [95% CI, 1.77-1.87]).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis of CA in the young revealed disparities based on demographics, with a decline in AAMR from 1999 to 2020. There is a correlation between a higher SVI and increased CA mortality risk, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to address these disparities effectively.

From ejection fraction, to myocardial strain, and myocardial work in echocardiography: Clinical impact and controversies

Enhancing an echocardiographic tool, aimed to detect even subtle left ventricular (LV) systolic function abnormalities, capable of obtaining both early diagnosis and risk prediction of heart disease, represents an ambitious, attractive, and arduous purpose in the modern era of cardiovascular imaging. Ideally, that tool should be simple, reliable, and reproducible, in order to be concretely applied in routine clinical practice. Importantly, that technique should be physiologically plausible and useful both at the population-level, as well as in the individual subject. For a long time, LV ejection fraction (EF) has been considered the first-line parameter for assessing LV global systolic function, strictly related to the prognosis, at least in some settings. However, LV EF limitations are well-known, even though frequently overemphasized, including its load-dependency. Therefore, myocardial strain techniques have been proposed, deemed able to disclose even subtle early LV function anomalies. Nevertheless, many disadvantages of myocardial strain have been reported as well. More recently, myocardial work (MW) analysis has been introduced as a new echocardiographic tool for the evaluation of LV global systolic function, attempting to overcome EF and strain disadvantages. However, MW has shown many limits as well. Notwithstanding, LV EF still remains a landmark functional classification marker for heart failure and cardiac oncology, allowing reliable fast reassessment of LV function changes during patient management, in order to guide treatment in individual cases as well. Notably, global longitudinal strain and MW parameters seem to show better meaningful results at the population-level, but controversial clinical impact, major limitations, wide cut-offs spread and overlap, when the single value needs to be applied to the single case. Taking into account the recent literature-based evidence, the scope of the present narrative critical review is trying to delineate the different types of information given by the described LV global systolic function parameters, both at the population-level and in the individual case, in order to trace a comparative analysis of advantages and limitations in clinical practice.

Atrial fibrillation mortality trends in individuals with heart failure

Atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently occurs concurrently with heart failure (HF). The two conditions can exacerbate each other, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality. In our analysis, we evaluated mortality trends related to AF in individuals with underlying HF. Cross-sectional analyses were performed using publicly available data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention database to compare AF-related age-adjusted mortality rates across age, gender, racial/ethnic, and geographic subgroups. Mortality trends were evaluated by fitting log-linear regression models followed by calculation of the average annual percentage change (AAPC) using the Monte Carlo permutation test. We identified a total of 55,917 deaths within the United States from AF with comorbid HF between 1999 and 2020. Males, older adults, White populations, and non-metropolitan regions had higher age-adjusted mortality compared to females, younger adults, Black populations, and metropolitan regions, respectively. The AAPC among younger adults was significantly higher compared to older adults. Our results demonstrate existing disparities among age, gender, racial, and geographic subgroups related to AF mortality among individuals with comorbid HF. Although decreased overall mortality was observed within younger populations compared to older populations, the prominent AAPC seen in younger populations warrants further investigation. Detection of AF among younger adults with comorbid HF should prompt the intensification of preventative and treatment measures.

Burden of Disease of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Denmark - A National Register-Based Study of Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and their Closest Relatives

Background

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive genetic disease with a prevalence of 1 per 3,600-6,000 male births. Individuals with DMD are typically diagnosed at age 4-7 years; median survival is 30 years. They require multidisciplinary care, personal assistance, and often special education.

Objective

The aim was to assess the burden of disease in DMD in Denmark. This includes incidence, prevalence, use of healthcare services, labour market participation, educational outcomes, and overall attributable costs due to DMD. Impact on the closest relatives (siblings and parents) was also investigated.

Methods

The comprehensive Danish national health and administrative registers were used to assess the burden of disease following individuals with DMD and closest relatives from five years before, and up to 20 years after DMD diagnosis. Individuals with DMD (and relatives) from 1994-2021 were included. All outcomes were compared to matched control groups without the disease drawn from the Danish population.

Results

213 unique individuals with DMD were identified. They had lower grades in school, required more special education and more healthcare and home care compared to their control group. The extra costs of special education summed to EUR 180,900 over the course of 11 years elementary school. They had an annual average productivity loss of EUR 20,200 between the age of 18 to 30. The extra healthcare costs of DMD in the 20 years after diagnosis were estimated to EUR 1,524,000. If an individual with DMD lives to be 30, total extra costs sum to EUR 2,365,800.

Conclusions

Using national register data this study presented detailed results on the burden of disease of DMD, including impact on closest relatives. With 60 additional hospital admissions and 200 extra outpatient contacts in 20 years healthcare costs, but also costs of home care and special education, increases as disease progresses.

Spatial and temporal analysis of juvenile blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) demographies identifies critical habitats

Reef shark species have undergone sharp declines in recent decades, as they inhabit coastal areas, making them an easy target in fisheries (i.e., sharks are exploited globally for their fins, meat, and liver oil) and exposing them to other threats (e.g., being part of by-catch, pollution, and climate change). Reef sharks play a critical role in coral reef ecosystems, where they control populations of smaller predators and herbivorous fishes either directly via predation or indirectly via behavior, thus protecting biodiversity and preventing potential overgrazing of corals. The urgent need to conserve reef shark populations necessitates a multifaceted approach to policy at local, federal, and global levels. However, monitoring programmes to evaluate the efficiency of such policies are lacking due to the difficulty in repeatedly sampling free-ranging, wild shark populations. Over nine consecutive years, we monitored juveniles of the blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) population around Moorea, French Polynesia, and within the largest shark sanctuary globally, to date. We investigated the roles of spatial (i.e., sampling sites) and temporal variables (i.e., sampling year, season, and month), water temperature, and interspecific competition on shark density across 10 coastal nursery areas. Juvenile C. melanopterus density was found to be stable over 9 years, which may highlight the effectiveness of local and likely federal policies. Two of the 10 nursery areas exhibited higher juvenile shark densities over time, which may have been related to changes in female reproductive behavior or changes in habitat type and resources. Water temperatures did not affect juvenile shark density over time as extreme temperatures proven lethal (i.e., 33°C) in juvenile C. melanopterus might have been tempered by daily variation. The proven efficiency of time-series datasets for reef sharks to identify critical habitats (having the highest juvenile shark densities over time) should be extended to other populations to significantly contribute to the conservation of reef shark species.