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Transfusion Medicine Reviews Apr 2018Antigens of the Gerbich blood group system are expressed on glycophorin C (GPC) and glycophorin D (GPD), minor sialoglycoproteins of human erythrocytes. GPC and GPD help... (Review)
Review
Antigens of the Gerbich blood group system are expressed on glycophorin C (GPC) and glycophorin D (GPD), minor sialoglycoproteins of human erythrocytes. GPC and GPD help maintain erythrocyte shape of and contributes to the stability of its membrane. There are six high-prevalence Gerbich antigens: Ge2, Ge3, Ge4, GEPL (GE10), GEAT (GE11), GETI (GE12) and five low-prevalence Gerbich antigens: Wb (GE5), Ls (GE6), An (GE7), Dh (GE8), GEIS (GE9). Some Gerbich antigens (Ge4, Wb, Dh, GEAT) are expressed only on GPC, two (Ge2, An) are expressed only on GPD, while others (Ge3, Ls, GEIS, GEPL, GETI) are expressed on both GPC and GPD. Antibodies recognizing GPC/GPD may arise naturally (so-called "naturally-occurring RBC antibodies") or as the result of alloimmunization, and some of them may be clinically relevant. Gerbich antibodies usually do not cause serious hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTR); autoantibodies of anti-Ge2- or anti-Ge3 specificity can cause autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA).
Topics: Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Blood Group Antigens; Erythrocyte Membrane; Erythrocytes; Glycophorins; Hemolysis; Humans; Ligands; Malaria; Plasmodium; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax; Prevalence; Protein Domains
PubMed: 29540278
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2018.02.004 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023No study has comprehensively quantified the individual and collective contributions of various risk factors to the growing burden of diabetes in the United States.
INTRODUCTION
No study has comprehensively quantified the individual and collective contributions of various risk factors to the growing burden of diabetes in the United States.
METHODS
This study aimed to determine the extent to which an increase in the prevalence of diabetes was related to concurrent changes in the distribution of diabetes-related risk factors among US adults (aged 20 years or above and not pregnant). Seven cycles of series of cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data between 2005-2006 and 2017-2018 were included. The exposures were survey cycles and seven domains of risk factors, including genetic, demographic, social determinants of health, lifestyle, obesity, biological, and psychosocial domains. Using Poisson regressions, percent reduction in the β coefficient (the logarithm used to calculate the prevalence ratio for prevalence of diabetes in 2017-2018 vs. 2005-2006) was computed to assess the individual and collective contribution of the 31 prespecified risk factors and seven domains to the growing burden of diabetes.
RESULTS
Of the 16,091 participants included, the unadjusted prevalence of diabetes increased from 12.2% in 2005-2006 to 17.1% in 2017-2018 [prevalence ratio: 1.40 (95% CI, 1.14-1.72)]. Individually, genetic domain [17.3% (95% CI, 5.4%-40.8%)], demographic domain [41.5% (95% CI, 24.4%-76.8%)], obesity domain [35.3% (95% CI, 15.8%-70.2%)], biological domain [46.2% (95% CI, 21.6%-79.1%)], and psychosocial domain [21.3% (95% CI, 9.5%-40.1%)] were significantly associated with a different percent reduction in β. After adjusting for all seven domains, the percent reduction in β was 97.3% (95% CI, 62.7%-164.8%).
CONCLUSION
The concurrently changing risk factors accounted for the increasing diabetes prevalence. However, the contribution of each risk factor domain varied. Findings may inform planning cost-effective and targeted public health programs for diabetes prevention.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Pregnancy; United States; Female; Nutrition Surveys; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus; Risk Factors; Obesity
PubMed: 37213641
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1174632 -
Journal of Cystic Fibrosis : Official... May 2022There is no data exclusively on the relationship between health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and lung disease severity in early school-aged children with cystic...
BACKGROUND
There is no data exclusively on the relationship between health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and lung disease severity in early school-aged children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Using data from the Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic Fibrosis (AREST CF) we assessed the relationships between HRQOL, lung function and structure.
METHODS
125 children aged 6.5-10 years enrolled in the AREST CF program were included from CF clinics at Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne (n = 66) and Perth Children's Hospital (PCH), Perth (n = 59), Australia. Demographics, HRQOL measured by Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R), spirometry, multiple-breath washout (MBW) and chest CT were collected across two years. Correlation between CFQ-R scores and lung structure/function parameters and agreement between parent-proxy and child-reported HRQOL were evaluated.
RESULTS
No correlation was observed between most CFQ-R domain scores and FEV1 z-scores, excepting weak-positive correlation with parent CFQ-R Physical (rho = 0.21, CI 0.02-0.37), and Weight (rho = 0.21, CI 0.03-0.38) domain and child Body domain (rho = 0.26, CI 0.00-0.48). No correlation between most CFQ-R domain scores and LCI values was noted excepting weak-negative correlation with parent Respiratory (rho = -0.23, CI 0.41-0.05), Emotional (rho = -0.24, CI 0.43-0.04), and Physical (-0.21, CI 0.39-0.02) domains. Furthermore, structural lung disease on CT data demonstrated little to no association with CFQ-R parent and child domain scores. Additionally, no agreement between child self-report and parent-proxy CFQ-R scores was observed across the majority of domains and visits.
CONCLUSION
HRQOL correlated poorly with lung function and structure in early school-aged children with CF, hence clinical trials should consider these outcomes independently when determining study end-points.
Topics: Australia; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Health Status; Humans; Lung; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 34801433
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2021.11.005 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2021CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy) is a small vessel disease caused by mutations in that lead to an... (Review)
Review
CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy) is a small vessel disease caused by mutations in that lead to an odd number of cysteines in the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeat domain, causing protein misfolding and aggregation. The main symptoms are migraines, psychiatric disorders, recurrent strokes, and dementia. Omic technologies allow the massive study of different molecules for understanding diseases in a non-biased manner or even for discovering targets and their possible treatments. We analyzed the progress in understanding CADASIL that has been made possible by omics sciences. For this purpose, we included studies that focused on CADASIL and used omics techniques, searching bibliographic resources, such as PubMed. We excluded studies with other phenotypes, such as migraine or leukodystrophies. A total of 18 articles were reviewed. Due to the high prevalence of mutations considered pathogenic to date in genomic repositories, one can ask whether all of them produce CADASIL, different degrees of the disease, or whether they are just a risk factor for small vessel disease. Besides, proteomics and transcriptomics studies found that the molecules that are significantly altered in CADASIL are mainly related to cell adhesion, the cytoskeleton or extracellular matrix components, misfolding control, autophagia, angiogenesis, or the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway. The omics studies performed on CADASIL have been useful for understanding the biological mechanisms and could be key factors for finding potential drug targets.
Topics: CADASIL; Cysteine; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gene Frequency; Gene Ontology; Genetic Association Studies; Genome-Wide Association Study; Genomics; Humans; Models, Molecular; Mutation; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Prevalence; Prognosis; Protein Aggregation, Pathological; Protein Conformation; Protein Domains; Proteomics; Receptor, Notch3; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Transcriptome
PubMed: 34298974
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147357 -
BMC Medical Education Mar 2022Medical school curricular hours dedicated to ophthalmology are low and declining. Extracurricular ophthalmology activities, such as participation in community vision...
Demographics, clinical interests, and ophthalmology skills confidence of medical student volunteers and non-volunteers in an extracurricular community vision screening service-learning program.
BACKGROUND
Medical school curricular hours dedicated to ophthalmology are low and declining. Extracurricular ophthalmology activities, such as participation in community vision screenings, may serve an important adjunctive role in medical school curricula. The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Vision Screening In Our Neighborhoods (ViSION) Program is an example of a voluntary medical student-directed community service-learning program.
METHODS
We used a mixed-methods cross-sectional approach, including an online survey and semi-structured interviews. JHU School of Medicine students enrolled in MD or MD/PhD programs during the 2019-2020 academic year were surveyed regarding demographics, career and service interests, involvement in ophthalmology-related activities, and confidence in their ophthalmology-related skills. Survey responses were compared between ViSION volunteers and non-volunteers using Fisher's exact chi-square tests. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via webconference with 8 prior or current ViSION volunteers and responses analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Data were collected when ViSION volunteers were in variable stages of their medical education and involvement with the ViSION program.
RESULTS
A total of 118 medical students were included, representing an overall response rate of 24.6% of JHU medical students. ViSION volunteers reported greater involvement in ophthalmology-related research (42% vs. 4%, p < 0.001), intent to apply to ophthalmology residency programs (35% vs. 1%, p = 0.001), and confidence with multiple ophthalmology knowledge and clinical skill domains. In particular, ViSION volunteers were more likely to feel confident estimating cup-to-disc ratio using direct ophthalmoscopy (20% vs. 0%, p < 0.001). In open-ended survey and interview questions, most volunteers attributed at least some degree of their ophthalmology skill development and desire to pursue ophthalmology and public health careers to their ViSION experience.
CONCLUSIONS
Medical students who volunteered with a student-led community vision screening program were more likely to have a prior interest in ophthalmology than those who did not volunteer, but only 1/3 of volunteers planned to pursue a career in ophthalmology. Overall, volunteers reported higher confidence performing ophthalmology-related clinical skills, suggesting that student-led community vision screening programs may provide an important avenue for medical students to explore public health aspects of ophthalmology, while practicing ophthalmology exam skills and learning about common ophthalmic pathologies, regardless of their career intentions.
Topics: Career Choice; Demography; Humans; Ophthalmology; Social Welfare; Students, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vision Screening; Volunteers
PubMed: 35246114
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03194-0 -
PloS One 2022Mapping population distribution at a fine spatial scale is essential for urban studies and planning. Numerous studies, mainly supported by geospatial and statistical...
Mapping population distribution at a fine spatial scale is essential for urban studies and planning. Numerous studies, mainly supported by geospatial and statistical methods, have focused primarily on predicting population counts. However, estimating their socio-economic characteristics beyond population counts, such as average age, income, and gender ratio, remains unattended. We enhance traditional population estimation by predicting not only the number of residents in an area, but also their demographic characteristics: average age and the proportion of seniors. By implementing and comparing different machine learning techniques (Random Forest, Support Vector Machines, and Linear Regression) in administrative areas in Singapore, we investigate the use of point of interest (POI) and real estate data for this purpose. The developed regression model predicts the average age of residents in a neighbourhood with a mean error of about 1.5 years (the range of average resident age across Singaporean districts spans approx. 14 years). The results reveal that age patterns of residents can be predicted using real estate information rather than with amenities, which is in contrast to estimating population counts. Another contribution of our work in population estimation is the use of previously unexploited POI and real estate datasets for it, such as property transactions, year of construction, and flat types (number of rooms). Advancing the domain of population estimation, this study reveals the prospects of a small set of detailed and strong predictors that might have the potential of estimating other demographic characteristics such as income.
Topics: Income; Residence Characteristics; Singapore
PubMed: 35381028
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266484 -
Revista Brasileira de Reumatologia 2017To evaluate the parameters associated with quality of life in patients with Paget's disease of bone.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the parameters associated with quality of life in patients with Paget's disease of bone.
METHODS
Patients with Paget's disease of bone were evaluated with SF-36 and WHOQOL-bref questionnaires. Patients with other diseases that could cause significant impairment of their quality of life were excluded. We searched for correlations between the results and: age, time from diagnosis, type of involvement, pain related to Paget's disease of bone, limitation to daily activities, deformities, bone specific alkaline phosphatase, the extent of involvement and treatment.
RESULTS
Fifty patients were included. Results of the SF-36 total score and its domains, physical and mental health, were significantly correlated with bone pain and deformities. Marital status was significantly correlated with the SF-36 total score and Mental Health Domain. BAP levels and disease extension were significantly correlated to SF-36 Physical Health Domain. After multivariate analysis, the only parameters that remained significantly associated with the SF-36 total score and to its Mental Health and Physical Health Domains were pain and marital status. The WHOQOL-bref total score was significantly associated with pain, physical impairment and deformities. WHOQOL-bref Domain 1 (physical) score was significantly associated with marital status, pain and deformities, while Domain 2 (psychological) score was associated with marital status, physical impairment and kind of involvement. After multivariate analysis, the presence of pain, deformities, and marital status were significantly associated with results of the WHOQOL-bref total score and its Domain 1. WHOQOL-bref domain 2 results were significantly predicted by pain and marital status.
CONCLUSION
The main disease-related factor associated with SF-36 results in Paget's disease of bone patients was bone pain, while bone pain and deformities were associated with WHOQOL-bref.
Topics: Aged; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Osteitis Deformans; Osteoarthritis; Pain; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 28967630
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbre.2017.06.002 -
The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care... Jan 2022Patient-reported outcomes are important for understanding recovery after burn injury, benchmarking service delivery and measuring the impact of interventions....
Validation of PROMIS-29 domain scores among adult burn survivors: A National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Burn Model System Study.
BACKGROUND
Patient-reported outcomes are important for understanding recovery after burn injury, benchmarking service delivery and measuring the impact of interventions. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-29 domains have been validated for use among diverse populations though not among burn survivors. The purpose of this study was to examine validity and reliability of PROMIS-29 scores in this population.
METHODS
The PROMIS-29 scores of physical function, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, ability to participate in social roles, and pain interference were evaluated for validity and reliability in adult burn survivors. Unidimensionality, floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency, and reliability were examined. Differential item functioning was used to examine bias with respect to demographic and injury characteristics. Correlations with measures of related constructs (Community Integration Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Post-Traumatic Stress Checklist-Civilian, and Veteran's Rand-12) and known-group differences were examined.
RESULTS
Eight hundred and seventy-six burn survivors with moderate to severe injury from 6 months to 20 years postburn provided responses on PROMIS-29 domains. Participants' ages ranged from 18 years to 93 years at time of assessment; mean years since injury was 3.4. All PROMIS domain scores showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.87-0.97). There was a large ceiling effect on ability to participate in social roles (39.7%) and physical function (43.3%). One-factor confirmatory factor analyses supported unidimensionality (all comparative fit indices >0.95). We found no statistically significant bias (differential item functioning). Reliability was high (>0.9) across trait levels for all domains except sleep, which reached moderate reliability (>0.85). All known-group differences by demographic and clinical characteristics were in the hypothesized direction and magnitude except burn size categories.
CONCLUSION
The results provide strong evidence for reliability and validity of PROMIS-29 domain scores among adult burn survivors. Reliability of the extreme scores could be increased and the ceiling effects reduced by administering PROMIS-43, which includes six items per domain, or by administering by computerized adaptive testing.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Diagnostic Test or Criteria, level III.
Topics: Burns; Disabled Persons; Female; Humans; Independent Living; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Physical Functional Performance; Psychometrics; Quality of Life; Rehabilitation Research; Reproducibility of Results; Research Design; Social Interaction; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivors
PubMed: 34284470
DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003365 -
BMC Geriatrics Nov 2022Since the traditional models missed the possibility of formulating personalised programs centred on a person's priorities and values, it was a pressing priority to shift...
BACKGROUND
Since the traditional models missed the possibility of formulating personalised programs centred on a person's priorities and values, it was a pressing priority to shift from traditional disease-centred to a function-based approach of healthy ageing, which is defined as 'the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age'. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of high intrinsic capacity (IC) of older adults and to examine the socio-demographic and lifestyle factors associated with IC among older adults in India.
METHODS
The study utilises the individual-level data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) conducted during 2017-18. The total sample size for the present study was 24,136 older adults (11,871 males and 12,265 females) aged 60 years and above. Descriptive statistics, along with bivariate analysis, was employed to present the preliminary results. Additionally, multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to find out the association of socio-demographic and lifestyle factors with IC and its components.
RESULTS
The mean IC score was found to be 7.37 (SD = 1.6) in this study. A proportion of 24.56% of older adults was observed to be in the higher IC category. Increasing age was negatively associated with high IC for older men and women. Older people who smoke tobacco (β = -0.23; CI: -0.32--0.13) and chew tobacco (β = -0.11; CI: -0.18--0.03) were less likely to experience high IC compared to their respective counterparts. Older adults who reported episodic alcohol drinking were less likely to have high IC (β = -0.20; CI:-0.32--0.07). The engagement in moderate physical activity (β = 0.12; CI:0.01-0.23), vigorous physical activity (β = 0.12; CI:0.05-0.20) and yoga-related activity (β = 0.18; CI:0.09-0.26) were significantly positively associated with high IC. Among the five domains of IC, education was significantly associated with higher capacity in each domain, and increasing age was found to be a significant predictor of lower capacity in each IC domain except locomotion. Older men and women engaged in vigorous physical activity had 35 and 19% significantly higher odds of high capacity in sensory (aOR = 1.35; CI: 1.12-1.62) and psychological (aOR = 1.19; CI: 1.06-1.34) domains, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The study revealed that lifestyle behaviours including tobacco use, episodic alcohol drinking and physical activity are strongly associated with IC among older adults in India. The findings suggest that healthy lifestyle behaviours should be encouraged among older adults as an effort to improve their IC, which is the key determinant of functional ability and quality of life in later years of life.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Aged; Quality of Life; Life Style; Exercise; India; Prevalence
PubMed: 36368936
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03558-7 -
JAMA Network Open Oct 2022To address inequities in life expectancy, we must understand the associations of modifiable socioeconomic and structural factors with life expectancy. However, the...
IMPORTANCE
To address inequities in life expectancy, we must understand the associations of modifiable socioeconomic and structural factors with life expectancy. However, the association of limited neighborhood resources and deleterious physical conditions with life expectancy is not well understood.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association of community social and economic conditions and resources for children with life expectancy at birth.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This cross-sectional study examined neighborhood child opportunity and life expectancy using data from residents of 65 662 US Census tracts in 2015. The analysis was conducted from July 6 to October 1, 2021.
EXPOSURES
Neighborhood conditions and resources for children in 2015.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was life expectancy at birth at the Census tract level based on data from the US Small-Area Life Expectancy Estimates Project (January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2015). Neighborhood conditions and resources for children were quantified by Census tract Child Opportunity Index (COI) 2.0 scores for 2015. This index captures community conditions associated with children's health and long-term outcomes categorized into 5 levels, from very low to very high opportunity. It includes 29 indicators in 3 domains: education, health and environment, and social and economic factors. Mixed-effects and simple linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between standardized COI scores (composite and domain-specific) and life expectancy.
RESULTS
The study included residents from 65 662 of 73 057 US Census tracts (89.9%). Life expectancy at birth across Census tracts ranged from 56.3 years to 93.6 years (mean [SD], 78.2 [4.0] years). Life expectancy in Census tracts with very low COI scores was lower than life expectancy in Census tracts with very high COI scores (-7.06 years [95% CI, -7.13 to -6.99 years]). Stepwise associations were observed between COI scores and life expectancy. For each domain, life expectancy was shortest in Census tracts with very low compared with very high COI scores (education: β = -2.02 years [95% CI, -2.12 to -1.92 years]); health and environment: β = -2.30 years [95% CI, -2.41 to -2.20 years]; social and economic: β = -4.16 years [95% CI, -4.26 to -4.06 years]). The models accounted for 41% to 54% of variability in life expectancy at birth (R2 = 0.41-0.54).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this study, neighborhood conditions and resources for children were significantly associated with life expectancy at birth, accounting for substantial variability in life expectancy at the Census tract level. These findings suggest that community resources and conditions are important targets for antipoverty interventions and policies to improve life expectancy and address health inequities.
Topics: Censuses; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Life Expectancy; Residence Characteristics
PubMed: 36239940
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.35912