Global prevalence of urinary tract infection in pregnant mothers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a prevalent infection during pregnancy that can lead to complications for both the mother and the foetus. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the global prevalence of UTIs (both symptomatic and asymptomatic) during pregnancy, based on previous studies in this area. Furthermore, this study aims to identify any factors that contribute to heterogeneity in the prevalence of UTIs during pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines on August 8, 2022. To conduct the systematic review and meta-analysis, a search was performed using the keywords "urinary tract system", "UTI", "pregnancy", and "gestation" was performed in several databases, including Web of Science (WoS), PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Embase, and Google Scholar, without a time limit until September 18, 2022. The analysis was performed using a random-effects model, and the heterogeneity of the studies was assessed using the I2 index. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (Version 2) was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies, which included a total of 30,641 pregnant women, showed an overall prevalence of UTI (both symptomatic and asymptomatic) to be 23.9% (95% confidence interval: 16.2-33.8). Meta-regression analysis was conducted to examine the impact of two factors, namely study sample size and study year, on the heterogeneity of the meta-analysis. The results revealed that an increase in sample size, and the study year was associated with a decrease in the prevalence of UTI in pregnant women (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of our study indicate a global prevalence of UTI in pregnant women to be 23.9%. Therefore, it is recommended that all pregnant women undergo regular UTI screening tests and receive prompt treatment if diagnosed with UTI. Early detection and treatment of UTI during pregnancy are crucial to prevent complications that may affect the health of both the mother and the foetus.

Stochastic models in seed dispersals: random walks and birth-death processes

Seed dispersals deal with complex systems through which the data collected using advanced seed tracking facilities pose challenges to conventional approaches, such as empirical and deterministic models. The use of stochastic models in current seed dispersal studies is encouraged. This review describes three existing stochastic models: the birth-death process (BDP), a 2 dimensional ( 2D ) symmetric random walks and a 2D intermittent walks. The three models possess Markovian property, which make them flexible for studying natural phenomena. Only a few of applications in ecology are found in seed dispersals. The review illustrates how the models are to be used in seed dispersals context. Using the nonlinear BDP, we formulate the individual-based models for two competing plant species while the cover time model is formulated by the symmetric and intermittent random walks. We also show that these three stochastic models can be formulated using the Gillespie algorithm. The full cover time obtained by the symmetric random walks can approximate the Gumbel distribution pattern as the other searching strategies do. We suggest that the applications of these models in seed dispersals may lead to understanding of many complex systems, such as the seed removal experiments and behaviour of foraging agents, among others.

Genetic diversity and pathogenicity of Fusarium species associated with fruit rot disease in banana across Peninsular Malaysia

AIMS

The aims of this study were to identify the Fusarium isolates based on translation elongation factor (tef) 1α sequence, to determine the genetic diversity among isolates and species using selected microsatellite markers and to examine the pathogenicity of Fusarium isolates causing fruit rot disease of banana.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One-hundred and thirteen microfungi isolates were obtained from fruit rot infected banana in Peninsular Malaysia. However, this study was focused on the dominant number of the discovered microfungi that belongs to the genus Fusarium; 48 isolates of the microfungi have been identified belonging to 11 species of Fusarium, namely Fusarium incarnatum, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium camptoceras, Fusarium solani, Fusarium concolor, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium sacchari, Fusarium concentricum and Fusarium fujikuroi. All Fusarium isolates were grouped into their respective clades indicating their similarities and differences in genetic diversity among isolates. Out of 48 Fusarium isolates tested, 42 isolates caused the fruit rot symptom at different levels of severity based on Disease Severity Index (DSI). The most virulent isolate was F. proliferatum B2433B with DSI of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

All the isolated Fusarium species were successfully identified and some of them were confirmed as the causal agents of pre- and postharvest fruit rot in banana across Peninsular Malaysia.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Our results will provide additional information regarding new report of Fusarium species in causing banana fruit rot and in the search of potential biocontrol agent of the disease.

Area deprivation predicts lung function independently of education and social class

The cross-sectional association between socioeconomic status (at both the individual and area-based level) and lung function, as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second, in a large population-based cohort was investigated. The study population consisted of 22,675 males and females aged 39-79 yrs. They were recruited from the general community in Norfolk, UK using general practice age/sex registers, as part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC-Norfolk). It was found that being in a manual occupational social class, having no educational qualifications and living in a deprived area all independently predicted significantly lower lung function, even after controlling for smoking habit. The influence of area-deprivation on lung function, independent of individual socioeconomic status and of individual smoking habit, suggests that apart from targeting individuals who are at high-risk, such as smokers, environmental determinants also need to be examined when considering measures to improve respiratory health.

Occupational social class, educational level and area deprivation independently predict plasma ascorbic acid concentration: a cross-sectional population based study in the Norfolk cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC-Norfolk)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the independent association between three different measures of socioeconomic status and plasma ascorbic acid level.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional population based study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

20 292 men and women aged 39-79 y who participated in the EPIC-Norfolk study.

RESULTS

Individuals in manual social classes, who had no educational qualifications or those who lived in the most deprived areas had significantly lower levels of plasma ascorbic acid compared to those in nonmanual social classes, with at least O-level qualifications or who lived in less deprived areas. The magnitude of effect for each measure of socioeconomic status was greater in current smokers compared to current nonsmokers.

CONCLUSION

Education and social class were stronger predictors of differences in ascorbic acid levels, an indicator of dietary health behaviour, than a deprivation index based on the Townsend score. This suggests that education could be particularly important in influencing large socioeconomic differentials in health related behaviours and potentially, health outcomes in the UK.

Residential area deprivation predicts smoking habit independently of individual educational level and occupational social class. A cross sectional study in the Norfolk cohort of the European Investigation into Cancer (EPIC-Norfolk)

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the independent association between individual and area based measures of socioeconomic status and cigarette smoking habit.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross sectional, population based study.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

12 579 men and 15 132 women aged 39-79 years living in the general community participating in the EPIC-Norfolk Study in 1993-1997. The association between social class, educational status, Townsend residential deprivation level, and cigarette smoking status was examined.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cigarette smoking status at baseline survey.

RESULTS

Social class, educational level, and residential deprivation level independently related to cigarette smoking habit in both men and women. Multivariate age adjusted odds ratios for current smoking in men were 1.62 (95% CI 1.45 to 1.81) for manual compared with non-manual social class, 1.32 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.48) for those with educational level less than O level compared with those with O level qualifications or higher and 1.84 (95% CI 1.62 to 2.08) for high versus low area deprivation level. For women, the odds ratios for current smoking for manual social class were 1.14 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.27); 1.31 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.46) for low educational level and 1.68 (95% CI 1.49 to 1.90) for high residential deprivation respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Residential deprivation level using the Townsend score, individual social class, and educational level all independently predict smoking habit in both men and women. Efforts to reduce cigarette smoking need to tackle not just individual but also area based factors. Understanding the specific factors in deprived areas that influence smoking habit may help inform preventive efforts.