Epidemiology Commons^™

Diet And Toenail Arsenic Concentrations In A New Hampshire Population With Arsenic-Containing Water, Kathryn L. Cottingham, Roxanne Karimi, Joann F. Gruber, M Scot Zens, Vicki Sayarath, Carol L. Folt, Tracy Punshon, J. Steven Morris, Margaret R. Karagas

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: Limited data exist on the contribution of dietary sources of arsenic to an individual's total exposure, particularly in populations with exposure via drinking water. Here, the association between diet and toenail arsenic concentrations (a long-term biomarker of exposure) was evaluated for individuals with measured household tap water arsenic. Foods known to be high in arsenic, including rice and seafood, were of particular interest.

Methods: Associations between toenail arsenic and consumption of 120 individual diet items were quantified using general linear models that also accounted for household tap water arsenic and potentially confounding factors (e.g., age, caloric intake, sex, smoking) …

Molecular Detection Of Culture-Confirmed Bacterial Bloodstream Infections With Limited Enrichment Time, Miranda S. Moore, Chase D. Mccann, Jeanne Jordan

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

Conventional blood culturing using automated instrumentation with phenotypic identification requires a significant amount of time to generate results. This study investigated the speed and accuracy of results generated using PCR and pyrosequencing compared to the time required to obtain Gram stain results and final culture identification for cases of culture-confirmed bloodstream infections. Research and physician-ordered blood cultures were drawn concurrently. Aliquots of the incubating research blood culture fluid were removed hourly between 5 and 8 h, at 24 h, and again at 5 days. DNA was extracted from these 6 time point aliquots and analyzed by PCR and pyrosequencing for …

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines Abdominal Adiposity and Caregiver Recall

Asthma And Risk Of Non-Respiratory Tract Infection: A Population-Based Case-Control Study, Duk Won Bang, Hyeon J Yang, Eell Ryoo, Majdi N. Al-Hasan, Brian Lahr, Larry M. Baddour, Barbara P. Yawn, Young J. Juhn

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: Asthmatics have increased risks of airway-related infections. Little is known about whether this is true for non-airway-related serious infections such as Escherichia coli bloodstream infection (BSI). We assessed whether asthma is associated with a risk of developing community-acquired E coli BSI.

DESIGN: The study was designed as a population-based retrospective case-control study.

SETTING: This population-based study was conducted in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

PARTICIPANTS: The study included 259 all eligible community-acquired E coli BSI cases in Olmsted County, MN between 1998 and 2007 and 259 birthday-matched, gender-matched and residency-matched controls.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Only community-acquired E coli BSI …

An Epidemic Model Structured By The Time Since Last Infection, Jorge Alturo Alfaro Murillo

Open Access Dissertations

Epidemiological models structured by time since infection have their origin in the seminal work of 1927 by Kermack and McKendrick. Compared to ordinary differential equations (ODE) models, they are able to capture differences in infectivity of the individuals in a more suitable manner. Their use declined in the second half of the 20th century, probably because the theory for ODE models is more robust, complete and has proved successful in providing insights and predictions for many epidemiological problems. Nevertheless, it is important to understand in what occasions the inclusion of time since infection may alter the outcomes in a significant …

Bibliographic Review Of Research Publications On Access To And Use Of Medicines In Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries In The Eastern Mediterranean Region: Identifying The Research Gaps., Arash Rashidian, Nader Jahanmehr, Samer Jabbour, Shehla Zaidi, Fatemeh Soleymani, Maryam Bigdeli

Community Health Sciences

BJECTIVES:

We assessed the situation of academic publications on access to and use of medicines (ATM) in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). We aimed to inform priority setting for research on ATM in the region.

DESIGN:

Bibliographic review of published studies.

SETTING:

LMICs in EMR.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Publications on ATM issues originating from or focusing on EMR LMICs covering the period 2000-2011. Publications involving multinational studies were included if at least one eligible country had been included in the study.

INFORMATION SOURCES AND DATA EXTRACTION:

We conducted comprehensive searches of the PubMed, Social Science …

Comparison Of Hpv Dna Testing In Cervical Exfoliated Cells And Tissue Biopsies Among Hiv-Positive Women In Kenya, Hugo De Vuyst, Michael Chung, Lacopo Baussano, Nelly R. Mugo, Vanessa Tenet, Folkert J. Van Kemenade, Farzana S. Rana, Samah R. Sakr, Chris J.L.M. Meijer, Peter J.F. Snijders, Silvia Franceschi

Pathology, East Africa

HIV-positive women are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) (especially with multiple types), and develop cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer more frequently than HIV-negative women. We compared HPV DNA prevalence obtained using a GP5+/6+ PCR assay in cervical exfoliated cells to that in biopsies among 468 HIV-positive women from Nairobi, Kenya. HPV prevalence was higher in cells than biopsies and the difference was greatest in 94 women with a combination normal cytology/normal biopsy (prevalence ratio, PR = 3.7; 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.4-5.7). PR diminished with the increase in lesion severity (PR in 58 women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial …

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Perceptions or Reality of Body Weight

Mapping Disease At An Approximated Individual Level Using Aggregate Data: A Case Study Of Mapping New Hampshire Birth Defects, Xun Shi, Stephanie Miller, Kevin Mwenda, Akikazu Onda

Dartmouth Scholarship

Limited by data availability, most disease maps in the literature are for relatively large and subjectively-defined areal units, which are subject to problems associated with polygon maps. High resolution maps based on objective spatial units are needed to more precisely detect associations between disease and environmental factors. Method: We propose to use a Restricted and Controlled Monte Carlo (RCMC) process to disaggregate polygon-level location data to achieve mapping aggregate data at an approximated individual level. RCMC assigns a random point location to a polygon-level location, in which the randomization is restricted by the polygon and controlled by the background (e.g., …

Associations Of Smoking Status And Serious Psychological Distress With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Ke-Sheng Wang, Liang Wang, Shimin Zheng, Long-Yang Wu

ETSU Faculty Works

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been a major public health problem due to its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. Smoking is a major risk factor for COPD, while serious psychological distress (SPD) is prevalent among COPD patients. However, no study focusing on the effect of SPD on COPD has been so far conducted, while few studies have focused on the associations of SPD and behavioral factors with COPD by smoking status.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations of SPD and behavioral factors (such as smoking and physical activity) with COPD.

Materials and Methods: Weighted logistic regression …

Never Smokers -- Are They More Sensitive To The Respiratory Health Effects Of Ambient Air Pollution?, Zuhair Saleh Natto

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Several studies show an association between ambient particulate matter (PM) and all-cause mortality. The Adventist Health and Smog 1 (AHSMOG-1) study (N=6,338) has previously found associations between ambient air pollution and incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using the spatial interpolation method from the three nearest fixed monitoring stations to residence and workplace. However, few studies have assessed the risk of death among disease specific subgroups such as those with COPD.

Objectives: The aims of this study were 1) to assess the effect of chronic exposure to ambient air pollutants on risk of all-cause mortality among persons with COPD …

Overcoming Shortage Of Pharmacists To Provide Pharmaceutical Services In Public Health Centers In Indonesia, Yuyun Yuniar, Max Joseph Herman

Kesmas

Indonesia masih menghadapi keterbatasan jumlah apoteker di puskesmas, sehingga pihak pemerintah daerah dan puskesmas harus berupaya mengatasi permasalahan tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menggambarkan ketersediaan dan distribusi tenaga pelayanan kefarmasian di puskesmas serta permasalahan dan alternatif pemecahannya. Data diambil dari hasil Riset Fasilitas Kesehatan (Rifaskes) tahun 2011I. Data kuantitatif tentang tenaga pelayanan kefarmasian di puskesmas dianalisis secara deskriptif berdasarkan regional. Data kualitatif sebagai pendukung diperoleh melalui wawancara mendalam dengan bagian kepegawaian dinas kesehatan dan apoteker empat puskesmas di Kota Bogor dan Bekasi, 3 kemudian dianalisis dengan metode analisis tema. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa Sulawesi memiliki persentase puskesmas dengan tenaga apoteker …

Sessile Serrated Adenomas In The Proximal Colon Are Likely To Be Flat, Large And Occur In Smokers, Tarun Rustagi, Priya Rangasamy, Matthew Myers, Melinda Sanders, Haleh Vaziri, George Y. Wu, John W. Birk, Petr Protiva, Joseph C. Anderson

Dartmouth Scholarship

Aim: To examine the epidemiology and the morphology of the proximal sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to identify patients with SSAs using a university-based hospital pathology database query from January 2007 to April 2011. Data collected included: age, gender, ethnicity, body mass index, diabetes, smoking, family history of colorectal cancer, aspirin, and statin use. We collected data on morphology of SSAs including site (proximal or distal), size, and endoscopic appearance (flat or protuberant). We also compared proximal SSAs to proximal tubular adenomas detected during same time period.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Infectious Disease Hospitalizations In Arizona, Laura Callinan, Robert Holman, Douglas Esposito, Marian Mcdonald

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Infectious disease (ID) hospitalizations in Arizona, a diverse population with nearly complete race/ethnicity data, were analyzed using the State Inpatient Database for 2005-2008. ID hospitalizations rates were calculated and compared by ID group, race/ethnicity, age, and sex. During 2005-2008, there were 383,597 ID hospitalizations reported in Arizona, resulting in an age-adjusted rate of 1498.1 per 100,000 persons. A range of racial/ethnic disparities in ID hospitalization rates were noted. Persons of Native American and black race/ethnicity had overall ID hospitalization rates higher than the rate for persons of white race/ethnicity; persons of Asian or Pacific Islander race/ethnicity had a lower rate. …

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Perceived Barriers

Plasma S-Adenosylmethionine, Dnmt Polymorphisms, And Peripheral Blood Line-1 Methylation Among Healthy Chinese Adults In Singapore, Maki Inoue-Choi, Heather H. Nelson, Kim Robien, Erland Arning, Teodoro Bottiglieri, Woon-Puay Koh, Jian-Min Yuan

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

Background

Global hypomethylation of repetitive DNA sequences is believed to occur early in tumorigenesis. There is a great interest in identifying factors that contribute to global DNA hypomethylation and associated cancer risk. We tested the hypothesis that plasma S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) level alone or in combination with genetic variation in DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A andDNMT3B) was associated with global DNA methylation extent at long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) sequences.

Methods

Plasma SAM level and LINE-1 DNA methylation index were measured using stored blood samples collected from 440 healthy Singaporean Chinese adults during 1994-1999. Genetic polymorphisms of …

Procedural Rates, Economic Costs, And Geographic Variation Of Primary And Revision Lumbar Total Disc Replacement, Anthony J. Wheeler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) surgery is a new procedure that treats degenerative disc disease, a remarkably common, disabling, and costly condition. Three distinct studies were conducted to address the longevity, costs, and geographic variation of the lumbar TDR procedure.

These three studies found lumbar TDR to have a revision burden and economic revision burden that has remained consistent since this procedure’s introduction in the
mid-2000s. The economic revision burden made this a lower-cost procedure than lumbar fusion, with a tradeoff in terms of revision burden being higher for lumbar TDR. The overall rate at which this procedure is performed …

Correlates Of Hiv Acquisition In A Cohort Of Black Men Who Have Sex With Men In The United States: Hiv Prevention Trials Network (Hptn) 061, Beryl A. Koblin, Kenneth H. Mayer, Susan H. Eshleman, Lei Wang, Sharon B. Mannheimer, Carlos Del Rio, Steve Shoptaw, Manya Magnus, Susan Buchbinder, Leo Wilton, Ting-Yuan Liu, Vanessa Cummings, Estelle Piwowar-Manning, Sheldon D. Fields, Sam Griffith, Vanessa Elharrar, Darrell Wheeler

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

Background

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States (US) are affected by HIV at disproportionate rates compared to MSM of other race/ethnicities. Current HIV incidence estimates in this group are needed to appropriately target prevention efforts.

Methods

From July 2009 to October 2010, Black MSM reporting unprotected anal intercourse with a man in the past six months were enrolled and followed for one year in six US cities for a feasibility study of a multi-component intervention to reduce HIV infection. HIV incidence based on HIV seroconversion was calculated as number of events/100 person-years. Multivariate proportional …

Profil Penderita Otitis Media Supuratif Kronis, Harry Agustaf Asroel, Debi Rumondang Siregar, Askaroellah Aboet

Kesmas

Otitis media supuratif kronis merupakan penyakit telinga umum di negaranegara berkembang. Komplikasi otitis media supuratif kronis tipe bahaya mempunyai tanda dan gejala klinis yang khas.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui profil penderita otitis media supuratif kronis (OMSK) tipe bahaya di RSUP H. Adam Malik. Penelitian deskriptif terhadap 119 penderita dari tahun 2006-2010. Sekitar 28,57% penderita dijumpai pada tahun 2010, sekitar 31,93% terjadi pada usia 11-20 tahun, sekitar 53,78% laki-laki, dan sekitar 38,66% pada telinga kanan. Sebanyak 68,91% terjadi akibat riwayat otitis media berulang dan 61,34% dengan keluhan utama telinga berair. Gejala dan tanda klinis yang sering terjadi adalah telinga berair (76,47%) …

Attributing Effects To Interactions, Tyler J. Vanderweele, Eric J. Tchetgen Tchetgen

Harvard University Biostatistics Working Paper Series

A framework is presented which allows an investigator to estimate the portion of the effect of one exposure that is attributable to an interaction with a second exposure. We show that when the two exposures are independent, the total effect of one exposure can be decomposed into a conditional effect of that exposure and a component due to interaction. The decomposition applies on difference or ratio scales. We discuss how the components can be estimated using standard regression models, and how these components can be used to evaluate the proportion of the total effect of the primary exposure attributable to …