Overview of dengue outbreaks in the southwestern Indian Ocean and analysis of factors involved in the shift toward endemicity in Reunion Island: A systematic review

BackgroundDengue is the world’s most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease. It is endemic in many tropical and subtropical countries and represents a significant global health burden. The first reports of dengue virus (DENV) circulation in the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) islands date back to the early 1940s; however, an increase in DENV circulation has been reported in the SWIO in recent years. The aim of this review is to trace the history of DENV in the SWIO islands using available records from the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Seychelles, and Reunion. We focus in particular on the most extensive data from Reunion Island, highlighting factors that may explain the observed increasing incidence, and the potential shift from one-off outbreaks to endemic dengue transmission.MethodsFollowing the PRISMA guidelines, the literature review focused queried different databases using the keywords “dengue” or “Aedes albopictus” combined with each of the following SWIO islands the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Seychelles, and Reunion. We also compiled case report data for dengue in Mayotte and Reunion in collaboration with the regional public health agencies in these French territories. References and data were discarded when original sources were not identified. We examined reports of climatic, anthropogenic, and mosquito-related factors that may influence the maintenance of dengue transmission independently of case importation linked to travel.Findings and conclusionsThe first report of dengue circulation in the SWIO was documented in 1943 in the Comoros. Then not until an outbreak in 1976 to 1977 that affected approximately 80% of the population of the Seychelles. DENV was also reported in 1977 to 1978 in Reunion with an estimate of nearly 30% of the population infected. In the following 40-year period, DENV circulation was qualified as interepidemic with sporadic cases. However, in recent years, the region has experienced uninterrupted DENV transmission at elevated incidence. Since 2017, Reunion witnessed the cocirculation of 3 serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2 and DENV-3) and an increased number of cases with severe forms and deaths. Reinforced molecular and serological identification of DENV serotypes and genotypes circulating in the SWIO as well as vector control strategies is necessary to protect exposed human populations and limit the spread of dengue.     

Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and The Risk for Metabolic Syndrome in Children of South Asian Indian Origin

ObjectiveTo determine whether the plasma level of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) identifies South Asian Indian children at risk for metabolic syndrome.MethodsAdults and their children aged 5 to 9 years were recruited at the annual health fair at the Hindu temple serving the South Asian Indian community in Louisville, Kentucky. Anthropometric data were collected in adults and children, and blood pressure, lipid, and glucose levels were measured in adults. SHBG levels were measured in children using a fingerstick blood sample. In adults, metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Twelve months later, follow-up anthropometric data were obtained for a portion of the children.ResultsThe study included 30 sets of parents and 30 children. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among 310 adults attending the health fair was 42% in men and 39% in women. Children with 1 parent with metabolic syndrome had 24% lower SHBG levels that increased to 55% of both parents had metabolic syndrome. SHBG levels were inversely related to waist circumference and to body mass index percentile. Both SHBG and waist circumference predicted weight gain over 1 year in children.ConclusionsLow SHBG levels were found in South Asian Indian children whose parents had attributes of metabolic syndrome. The dose dependency of SHBG is consistent with inheritance of a genetic trait, and if the results are applicable to other racial/ethnic groups, SHBG may be a useful marker to identify at-risk children for early intervention. (Endocr Pract. 2012;18:668-675)     

the Influence of Epidemics on the Indian Populations and Cultures of Texas

Abstract

Historic records indicate that Indian tribes residing in Texas prior to 1820 suffered no fewer than 30 epidemics during the period of white contact prior to 1890. The cumulative effect of successive epidemics was a major factor in the extinction of some of these tribes, and in continued population decreases among the others. Most probably these epidemics also caused significant cultural changes among the Indians who survived them in such varied aspects of life as warfare, political and social organization, and religious beliefs and practices.     

Intra-Rater and Inter-Rater Reliability of a Medical Record Abstraction Study on Transition of Care after Childhood Cancer

BackgroundThe abstraction of data from medical records is a widespread practice in epidemiological research. However, studies using this means of data collection rarely report reliability. Within the Transition after Childhood Cancer Study (TaCC) which is based on a medical record abstraction, we conducted a second independent abstraction of data with the aim to assess a) intra-rater reliability of one rater at two time points; b) the possible learning effects between these two time points compared to a gold-standard; and c) inter-rater reliability.MethodWithin the TaCC study we conducted a systematic medical record abstraction in the 9 Swiss clinics with pediatric oncology wards. In a second phase we selected a subsample of medical records in 3 clinics to conduct a second independent abstraction. We then assessed intra-rater reliability at two time points, the learning effect over time (comparing each rater at two time-points with a gold-standard) and the inter-rater reliability of a selected number of variables. We calculated percentage agreement and Cohen’s kappa.FindingsFor the assessment of the intra-rater reliability we included 154 records (80 for rater 1; 74 for rater 2). For the inter-rater reliability we could include 70 records. Intra-rater reliability was substantial to excellent (Cohen’s kappa 0-6-0.8) with an observed percentage agreement of 75%-95%. In all variables learning effects were observed. Inter-rater reliability was substantial to excellent (Cohen’s kappa 0.70-0.83) with high agreement ranging from 86% to 100%.ConclusionsOur study showed that data abstracted from medical records are reliable. Investigating intra-rater and inter-rater reliability can give confidence to draw conclusions from the abstracted data and increase data quality by minimizing systematic errors.     

REV3L single nucleotide variants lead to increased susceptibility towards non-small cell lung cancer in the population of Jammu and Kashmir

BackgroundNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common lung cancer, accounting for 80–85% of all lung cancer cases. Various genetic studies have associated REV3L (Protein reversion less 3-like) gene mutations, which encodes the catalytic subunit of error prone translesion synthesis polymerase zeta with cancer, including lung cancer; however, no such data is available from any North Indian population. In this study we attempted to screen the North Indian population of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the potential role of REV3L gene polymorphisms in NSCLC.MethodsA total of four REV3L single nucleotide variants were selected for genotyping based on the available literature. The genotyping was carried out by using the TaqMan allele discrimination assay in 500 subjects (200 NSCLC patients and 300 age and sex matched healthy controls). The association of variants with NSCLC was evaluated by logistic regression.ResultsOut of the four REV3L variants genotyped; rs1002481, rs462779, and rs465646 were found significantly associated with NSCLC risk under the recessive model, with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 3.52(2.14–5.8 at 95% CI, p-value = 0.00000062), 3.7 (1.8–7.6 at 95% CI, p-value = 0.00031), and 2.2 (1.47–3.37 at 95% CI, p-value = 0.0003), respectively.DiscussionOur data supports a strong association between variants rs1002481, rs462779, rs465646 and NSCLC, indicating a potential role of these REV3L variants in increasing the risk for the development of NSCLC in the studied population. Although a first report from any Indian population, these variants have been previously reported to be associated with lung and colorectal cancers in different world populations. Our data along with the existing data supports the notation that these variants can be used as potential genetic predisposition markers.Availability of data and materialsData generated and analysed during study is not available publicly but can be made available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.     

基于影像扫描技术的病案数字化质量管理

目的 纸质历史病案数字化制作加工中,采取严格的质控措施,降低每个环节的错误率,保证数字化病案的完整、准确、清晰。方法 加工流程采取流水线作业,设置专人质控等人为干预和系统程序干预两方面。结果 病案数字化质控管理为临床医生工作站调阅病案、患者复印病案等提供准确数据。结论 数字化病案能否从质量上和完整性上代表原件,有效的全程质量控制起着至关重要的作用。     

Correcting bias due to missing stage data in the non-parametric estimation of stage-specific net survival for colorectal cancer using multiple imputation

BackgroundPopulation-based net survival by tumour stage at diagnosis is a key measure in cancer surveillance. Unfortunately, data on tumour stage are often missing for a non-negligible proportion of patients and the mechanism giving rise to the missingness is usually anything but completely at random. In this setting, restricting analysis to the subset of complete records gives typically biased results. Multiple imputation is a promising practical approach to the issues raised by the missing data, but its use in conjunction with the Pohar-Perme method for estimating net survival has not been formally evaluated.MethodsWe performed a resampling study using colorectal cancer population-based registry data to evaluate the ability of multiple imputation, used along with the Pohar-Perme method, to deliver unbiased estimates of stage-specific net survival and recover missing stage information. We created 1000 independent data sets, each containing 5000 patients. Stage data were then made missing at random under two scenarios (30% and 50% missingness).ResultsComplete records analysis showed substantial bias and poor confidence interval coverage. Across both scenarios our multiple imputation strategy virtually eliminated the bias and greatly improved confidence interval coverage.ConclusionsIn the presence of missing stage data complete records analysis often gives severely biased results. We showed that combining multiple imputation with the Pohar-Perme estimator provides a valid practical approach for the estimation of stage-specific colorectal cancer net survival. As usual, when the percentage of missing data is high the results should be interpreted cautiously and sensitivity analyses are recommended.     

ECG Data Compression Using Modified Run Length Encoding of Wavelet Coefficients for Holter Monitoring

ObjectiveIn cardiac patient-care, compression of long-term ECG data is essential to minimize the data storage requirement and transmission cost. Hence, this paper presents a novel electrocardiogram data compression technique which utilizes modified run-length encoding of wavelet coefficients.MethodFirst, wavelet transform is applied to the ECG data which decomposes it and packs maximum energy to less number of transform coefficients. The wavelet transform coefficients are quantized using dead-zone quantization. It discards small valued coefficients lying in the dead-zone interval while other coefficients are kept at the formulated quantized output interval. Among all the quantized coefficients, an average value is assigned to those coefficients for which energy packing efficiency is less than 99.99%. The obtained coefficients are encoded using modified run-length coding. It offers higher compression ratio than conventional run-length coding without any loss of information.ResultsCompression performance of the proposed technique is evaluated using different ECG records taken from the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database. The average compression performance in terms of compression ratio, percent root mean square difference, normalized percent mean square difference, and signal to noise ratio are 17.18, 3.92, 6.36, and 28.27 dB respectively for 48 ECG records.ConclusionThe compression results obtained by the proposed technique is better than techniques recently introduced by others. The proposed technique can be utilized for compression of ECG records of Holter monitoring.     

Doctors' use of electronic medical records systems in hospitals: cross sectional survey

ObjectivesTo compare the use of three electronic medical records systems by doctors in Norwegian hospitals for general clinical tasks.DesignCross sectional questionnaire survey. Semistructured telephone interviews with key staff in information technology in each hospital for details of local implementation of the systems.Setting32 hospital units in 19 Norwegian hospitals with electronic medical records systems.Participants227 (72%) of 314 hospital doctors responded, equally distributed between the three electronic medical records systems.ResultsMost tasks listed in the questionnaire (15/23) were generally covered with implemented functions in the electronic medical records systems. However, the systems were used for only 2-7 of the tasks, mainly associated with reading patient data. Respondents showed significant differences in frequency of use of the different systems for four tasks for which the systems offered equivalent functionality. The respondents scored highly in computer literacy (72.2/100), and computer use showed no correlation with respondents'' age, sex, or work position. User satisfaction scores were generally positive (67.2/100), with some difference between the systems.ConclusionsDoctors used electronic medical records systems for far fewer tasks than the systems supported.

What is already known on this topic

Electronic information systems in health care have not undergone systematic evaluation, and few comparisons between electronic medical records systems have been madeGiven the information intensive nature of clinical work, electronic medical records systems should be of help to doctors for most clinical tasks

What this study adds

Doctors in Norwegian hospitals reported a low level of use of all electronic medical records systemsThe systems were mainly used for reading patient data, and doctors used the systems for less than half of the tasks for which the systems were functionalAnalyses of actual use of electronic medical records provide more information than user satisfaction or functionality of such records systems     

Western Dakota Winter Counts:

Abstract

The late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries witnessed the movement of the Western Dakota across the Missouri River and onto the High Plains. Concomitant with this movement were increasing White trade, contact with Whites and other Indian groups, and the impact of disease. The existence of several Western Dakota winter counts provides unique documentation of these groups’ own records of this critical period of change. This paper examines the form and content of Western Dakota winter counts. References to environmental phenomena, locations, inter-group contact, ceremony, disease, and death are examined for changes through the primary migration and early contact period.     

Quality of 1980 census data for American Indians

Abstract

The count of American Indians in the 1980 census was over 70 per cent larger than the 1970 census count. An assessment of the demographic basis for this change shows that the cohorts from ages 10 to 74 in 1980 increased by substantial amounts, reaching 35 per cent for many ages. Increases of this nature in the absence of immigration are demographically impossible—an indication that the changes in response patterns identified by Passel (1976) between the 1970 and 1960 censuses persisted in 1980, possibly at even greater levels.

In addition to presenting demographic analyses of the American Indian data at the national level, this paper includes an analysis of geographic variation of implied birth, death, and migration rates at the state level. States which historically have had large American Indian populations in general had high birth and death rates with reasonable migration rates. Many other states, however, had anomalously low birth and death rates with extraordinarily high implied migration rates. This pattern suggests that the changes in response may have occurred primarily in the latter areas.

Several other anomalies in the American Indian data are reported here. The sample figure for American Indians from the 1980 census exceeds the complete count by more than 8 per cent at the national level. Increases occurred in most states, but the amount of increase varied substantially. Also, the increases tend to occur outside American Indian areas (reservations, tribal trust lands, etc.). Such differences are, for the most part, outside of expected sample variability. Furthermore, differences in the number of persons reporting American Indian race and American Indian ancestry were substantial. Some of the causes of these differences are investigated here. The paper concludes with an overall assessment of the quality and utility of these census data for various types of analysis.     

Value of Hemoglobin A1C In Diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus within a Chronic Disease Management System Illustrated by the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve

ObjectiveTo develop a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) for diagnosing diabetes mellitus within a chronic disease management system.MethodsA case-control study including medical records from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2005, was conducted at the Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Medical records for the case group (patients with diabetes) were selected based on 1 of 3 criteria: International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification or Current Procedural Terminology codes specific for type 1 and type 2 diabetes; patients’ use of medications (oral hypoglycemic agents, antidiabetes agents, or insulin); or results from random blood or plasma glucose tests (at least 2 measurements of blood glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL). Records for the control group were selected based on patients having HbA_1c measured, but not meeting the above diagnostic criteria for diabetes during the study period. Records for cases and controls were randomly frequency-matched, one-to-one. The control group was randomly divided into 5 sets of an equal number of records. Five sets of an equal number of cases were then randomly selected from the total number of cases. Each test data set included 1 case group and 1 control group, resulting in 5 independent data sets.ResultsIn total, 5040 patient records met the case definition in the diabetes registry. Records of 15 patients who were prescribed metformin only, but did not meet any other case criteria, were reviewed and excluded after determining the patients were not diabetic. The control group consisted of 5 sets of 616 records each (totaling 3080 records), and the case group consisted of 5 sets of 616 records each (totaling 3080 records). Thus, each of the 5 independent data sets of 1 case group and 1 control group contained 1232 records. The case group was predominantly composed of white men (mean age, 69 years; mean body mass index, 31 kg/m²). Demographic data were similar for control patients. The ROC curve revealed that a HbA_1c ≥ 6.3% (mean + 1 SD) offered the most accurate cutoff value for diagnosing type 2 diabetes mellitus, with the following statistical values: C statistic, 0.78; sensitivity, 70%; specificity, 85%; and positive likelihood ratio, 4.6 (95% confidence interval, 4.2-5.0).ConclusionA HbA_1c value ≥ 6.3% may be a useful benchmark for diagnosing diabetes mellitus within a chronic disease management system and may be a useful tool for monitoring high-risk populations. (Endocr Pract. 2010;16:14-20)     

The Identity and Demography of the Plains-Ojibwa

Abstract

One of the largest Indian tribes of the northern praries is the Bungi or Plains-Ojibwa, Despite their importance in the historic period they go unmentioned in most histories. In large part this is due to semantic confusion in their identification by writers and official agencies.

In language, social organization, art, ceremonial, and costume the Plains Ojibwa is a distinct ethnic group. Although they are descended from Woodland groups, 150 years of separate political and cultural existence has made them a distinct tribe.

The gradual migration of small Ojibwa groups unto the Plains began near the end of the 18th century. By 1800 those living west of the Red River of the North were beginning to be thought of as a distinct group. However, confusion as to their irlentity has persisted.

At present 2 ethnic groups make up the Plains-Ojibwa, a “full-blood” minority group and a metis group which, although basically PlainsOjibwa with some Cree admixture, has a large amount of French as well as other European blood.     

Genetic variations of the FCER2 gene and asthma susceptibility in north Indian children: a case-control study

Abstract

Context and objective: The findings showed that the low-affinity IgE receptor plays a pivotal role in allergic immune response and it is a pharmacogenetic predictor in asthma disease. This study aims to investigate the association of genetic variations: rs28364072 and rs7249320 with asthma and its severity in north Indian children.

Methods: Case-control-based genetic association study was performed among 550 children.

Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated significant association between asthma and genotypes frequency of both the SNPs.

Conclusions: Our data indicate that the studied variations are strongly associated with asthma susceptibility and might be risk factor among north Indian asthmatic children.     

Preliminary molecular analysis of Pelecanoides georgicus (Procellariiformes: Pelecanoididae) on Whenua Hou (Codfish Island): Implications for its taxonomic status

Abstract

Using sequences from the central and 3' regions of the mitchondrial small subunit (12S) ri‐bosomal RNA gene for six procellariiform species, this study confirms that the population of Pelecanoides georgicus on Whenua Hou (Codfish Island), New Zealand, is most closely related to P. georgicus from the southern Indian Ocean. The level of variation between sequences for this conserved gene suggests that the isolated Whenua Hou P. georgicus population split off from populations in the Indian Ocean several hundred thousand years ago. Although P. georgicus is globally numerous, the Whenua Hou population is endangered. As our preliminary sequence data suggest that the Whenua Hou population may have diverged from its parent population, it may deserve recognition in its own right.     

Proteomic analysis reveals geographic variation in venom composition of Russell’s Viper in the Indian subcontinent: implications for clinical manifestations post-envenomation and antivenom treatment

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The Russell’s Viper (RV) (Daboia russelii), a category I medically important snake, is responsible for a significant level of morbidity and mortality in the Indian sub-continent.

Areas covered: The current review highlights the variation in RV venom (RVV) composition from different geographical locales on the Indian sub-continent, as revealed by biochemical and proteomic analyses. A comparison of these RVV proteomes revealed significant differences in the number of toxin isoforms and relative toxin abundances, highlighting the impact of geographic location on RVV composition. Antivenom efficacy studies have shown differential neutralization of toxicity and enzymatic activity of different RVV samples from the Indian sub-continent by commercial polyvalent antivenom (PAV). The proteome analysis has provided deeper insights into the variation of RVV composition leading to differences in antivenom efficacy and severity of clinical manifestations post RV-envenomation across the Indian sub-continent.

Expert commentary: Variation in RVV antigenicity due to geographical differences and poor recognition of low molecular mass (<20 kDa) RVV toxins by PAV are serious concerns for effective antivenom treatment against RV envenomation. Improvements in immunization protocols that take into account the poorly immunogenic components and geographic variation in RVV composition, can lead to better hospital management of RV bite patients.     

AACE/ACE Disease State Clinical Review: Dopamine Agonists for Hyperprolactinemia and the Risk of Cardiac Valve Disease

ObjectiveTo review the current literature regarding dopamine agonists (DAs) and the risk of the development of cardiac valve disease.MethodsPubMed searches were performed to identify all of the available published data on DAs and valve disease in patients with hyperprolactinemia.ResultsMost of the available echocardiographic data from patients treated for hyperprolactinemia are from case-control studies, and prospective data are limited. The majority of the studies do not support an increased risk of clinically significant valve disease in hyperprolactinemic patients treated with cabergoline. Evidence for the use of echocardiography is needed to limit unnecessary procedures and healthcare costs. Based on the published literature describing Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, the daily and cumulative doses of cabergoline are important factors. Considerations to minimize exposure to cabergoline, such as surgical resection of adenomas or medication withdrawal in responders, may be appropriate depending on the clinical setting.ConclusionThere is no conclusive evidence that cabergoline causes clinically significant cardiac valve disease at the usual doses for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. Although current recommendations from regulatory agencies advise routine echocardiography for patients receiving cabergoline, evidence-based criteria would be useful both to identify patients at risk and generate appropriate screening protocols. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20:608-616)     

A Human Skeleton From The Pryor Creek Burial, 24YL404, Yellowstone County,Montana

Abstract

An adult human skeleton, found associated with artifacts of both Indian and White manufacture near Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana, is thought on the basis of cranial measurements and morphological features to be a prehistoric Crow Indian.