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Park H, Yoon EL, Kim M, Kim HL, Kim MK, Kim YM, Jun DW. Comparative evaluation of non-invasive tests for risk stratification for cause specific mortality in at-risk population of hepatic fibrosis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7189. [PMID: 38531925 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56085-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Our study aimed to conduct a comparative evaluation of various noninvasive tests (NITs) for risk stratification in at-risk population for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), focusing on cardiovascular and liver-related mortality. A total of 21,715 adults aged 40 years and older were enrolled at baseline. The mean follow-up period was 12.39 years. Three types of NITs (fibrosis-4 index [FIB-4], NAFLD fibrosis score [NFS], and steatosis-associated fibrosis estimator [SAFE] score) were used. When using the low cut-off as a 'rule-out' strategy, there were no significant differences in cardiovascular mortality between the 'rule-out' (low-risk) group and the 'rule-in' (intermediate- or high-risk) group based on FIB-4 (aHR = 1.029, P = 0.845) or NFS (aHR = 0.839, P = 0.271) classification. However, the SAFE score exhibited higher sensitivity in predicting cardiovascular mortality compared to FIB-4 or NFS (73.3% in SAFE score vs. 29.6% in FIB-4 or 21.3% in NFS). Only the SAFE score could effectively differentiate the risk between low- and intermediate- or high-risk groups for all types of mortality (all P values for aHR < 0.001). The low cutoff value of the SAFE score discriminated not only liver-related mortality but also identified the cardiovascular high-risk group in the community cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyul Park
- Department of Family Medicine, Myoungji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eileen L Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Korea
- Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Mimi Kim
- Department of Radiology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye-Lin Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Kyung Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Public Health, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Mi Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate School of Public Health, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dae Won Jun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Korea.
- Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.
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Orr B, Ma G, Koh WL, Malik R, Norris JM, Westman ME, Wigney D, Brown G, Ward MP, Šlapeta J. Pig-hunting dogs are an at-risk population for canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in eastern Australia. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:69. [PMID: 32054524 PMCID: PMC7020351 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3943-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine heartworm disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, has global veterinary importance. In Australia, the prevalence of canine heartworm infection decreased markedly following the introduction of over-the-counter macrocyclic lactones. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of canine heartworm infection in at-risk populations of dogs in eastern Australia and analyse published prevalence data from Australia. METHODS In total, 566 dogs from eastern Australia were tested for the presence of D. immitis antigen. Four cohorts were studied: pig-hunting dogs from Queensland (Cohort 1, n = 104), dogs from remote New South Wales (NSW) (Cohort 2, n = 332), urban pets from rural NSW (Cohort 3, n = 45) and ex-racing Greyhounds from Sydney, NSW (Cohort 4, n = 85). Serum samples were screened for D. immitis antigen using a reference laboratory microwell-based assay (DiroChek®) or a point-of-care immunochromatography test kit (Anigen Rapid®). Risk factors associated with the odds of D. immitis antigen seropositivity were identified using binary logistic regression models. Seropositive blood samples were tested for the presence and quantity of D. immitis DNA using a species specific real-time (q)PCR assay. A metanalysis of the Australian canine heartworm literature was conducted. RESULTS The prevalence of dirofilariasis in pig-hunting dogs from Queensland (Cohort 1) was 12.5% (95% CI: 6.5-18.9%), with a subpopulation of dogs from Central Queensland having a prevalence of 21% (95% CI: 12.3-33.4%). Age was significantly associated with D. immitis antigen seropositivity (increased risk with increased age). The odds of being > 5 years versus ≤ 5 years was 3.7-times (95% CI: 1.1-12.5) greater in antigen positive versus antigen negative dogs. No D. immitis antigen positive dogs were detected in dogs from NSW (Cohorts 2-4). The Australian canine heartworm disease literature includes 98 peer-reviewed publications (1901-2019) with 30 studies reporting on D. immitis prevalence in dogs. Throughout the publication peak period (1980s), the primary antemortem diagnostic test was detection of microfilariae. CONCLUSIONS Canine heartworm infection in dogs used for pig hunting is a previously unexplored topic in Australia. Pig-hunting dogs are infected with canine heartworm in Queensland, Australia, placing pet dogs and cats at increased risk of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn Orr
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Gemma Ma
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Wei Ling Koh
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Richard Malik
- Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Jacqui M Norris
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Mark E Westman
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Denise Wigney
- Greyhound Adoption Program (NSW), PO Box 24, Belrose West, NSW, 2085, Australia
| | - Graeme Brown
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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Kothari D, Patel S, Kim SK. Probiotic supplements might not be universally-effective and safe: A review. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 111:537-547. [PMID: 30597307 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Last few decades have witnessed the unprecedented growth in the application of probiotics for promoting the general gut health as well as their inception as biotherapeutics to alleviate certain clinical disorders related to dysbiosis. While numerous studies have substantiated the health-restoring potentials for a restricted group of microbial species, the marketed extrapolation of a similar probiotic label to a large number of partially characterized microbial formulations seems biased. In particular, the individuals under neonatal stages and/or those with some clinical conditions including malignancies, leaky gut, diabetes mellitus, and post-organ transplant convalescence likely fail to reap the benefits of probiotics. Further exacerbating the conditions, some probiotic strains might take advantage of the weak immunity in these vulnerable groups and turn into opportunistic pathogens engendering life-threatening pneumonia, endocarditis, and sepsis. Moreover, the unregulated and rampant use of probiotics potentially carry the risk of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance transfer to the gut infectious pathogens. In this review, we discuss the safety perspectives of probiotics and their therapeutic interventions in certain at-risk population groups. The embodied arguments and hypotheses certainly will shed light on the fact why probiotic usage should be treated with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damini Kothari
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Seema Patel
- Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, 92182, USA.
| | - Soo-Ki Kim
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
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Peters RD, Petrunka K, Khan S, Howell-Moneta A, Nelson G, Pancer SM, Loomis C. Cost-Savings Analysis of the Better Beginnings, Better Futures Community-Based Project for Young Children and Their Families: A 10-Year Follow-up. Prev Sci 2016; 17:237-47. [PMID: 26319616 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-015-0595-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the long-term cost-savings of the Better Beginnings, Better Futures (BBBF) initiative, a community-based early intervention project for young children living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods during their transition to primary school. A quasi-experimental, longitudinal two-group design was used to compare costs and outcomes for children and families in three BBBF project neighborhoods (n = 401) and two comparison neighborhoods (n = 225). A cost-savings analysis was conducted using all project costs for providing up to 4 years of BBBF programs when children were in junior kindergarten (JK) (4 years old) to grade 2 (8 years old). Data on 19 government service cost measures were collected from the longitudinal research sample from the time the youth were in JK through to grade 12 (18 years old), 10 years after ending project participation. The average family incremental net savings to government of providing the BBBF project was $6331 in 2014 Canadian dollars. When the BBBF monetary return to government as a ratio of savings to costs was calculated, for every dollar invested by the government, a return of $2.50 per family was saved. Findings from this study have important implications for government investments in early interventions focused on a successful transition to primary school as well as parenting programs and community development initiatives in support of children's development.
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