Radiation-epidemiological studies of thyroid cancer incidence among children and adolescents in the Bryansk oblast of Russia after the Chernobyl accident (1991–2001 follow-up period)

In this study, thyroid cancer incidence (follow-up period: 1991–2001) has been analyzed, including persons who were exposed as children at an age between 0 and 17 years and who are living in the Bryansk oblast, the worst contaminated area of Russia after the Chernobyl accident. According to the census of 1989, the population of this oblast comprises 375 thousand people. Thyroid doses from incorporated radioiodine isotopes—both for the thyroid cancer cases and the study population—were determined based on the official methodology approved by the Russian Scientific Commission on Radiation Protection. Between 1991 and 2001, a total of 199 thyroid cancer cases were diagnosed at cancer centers (the so-called oncological dispensaries) of the investigated regions. The performed analysis relies on medical and dosimetric information available from the Russian National Medical and Dosimetric Registry which was established after the Chernobyl accident. Diagnoses were confirmed histologically for 95% of the cases. The analysis described revealed statistically significant radiation risk only for those exposed as children at an age of 0–9 years. In this group, the standardized incidence ratio (the national incidence rate was used as a reference) in the considered time period is estimated to be 6.7 (5.1, 8.6 95%CI) and 14.6 (10.3, 20.2 95%CI) for girls and boys, respectively. The risk dependence on age at exposure has also been studied. It has been shown that the smaller the age the higher the risk. For girls whose age at exposure was 0–4 years, the excess relative risk per 1 Gy for the period 1991–2001 was 45.3 (5.2, 9,953 95%CI; with internal control) and 28.8 (4.3, 2,238 95%CI; with external control), respectively. For boys whose age at exposure was 0–9 years the corresponding excess relative risk per 1 Gy was 68.6 (10.0, 4,520 95%CI) and 177.4 (−276, 10⁶ 95%CI), respectively. Dependence of radiation risk on time was studied, with the focus on two follow-up periods 1991–1996 and 1997–2001, respectively. In 1997–2001 the radiation risk is shown to decrease among girls, and increase among boys.     

Major Factors Affecting Incidence of Childhood Thyroid Cancer in Belarus after the Chernobyl Accident: Do Nitrates in Drinking Water Play a Role?

One of the major health consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident in 1986 was a dramatic increase in incidence of thyroid cancer among those who were aged less than 18 years at the time of the accident. This increase has been directly linked in several analytic epidemiological studies to iodine-131 (¹³¹I) thyroid doses received from the accident. However, there remains limited understanding of factors that modify the ¹³¹I-related risk. Focusing on post-Chernobyl pediatric thyroid cancer in Belarus, we reviewed evidence of the effects of radiation, thyroid screening, and iodine deficiency on regional differences in incidence rates of thyroid cancer. We also reviewed current evidence on content of nitrate in groundwater and thyroid cancer risk drawing attention to high levels of nitrates in open well water in several contaminated regions of Belarus, i.e. Gomel and Brest, related to the usage of nitrogen fertilizers. In this hypothesis generating study, based on ecological data and biological plausibility, we suggest that nitrate pollution may modify the radiation-related risk of thyroid cancer contributing to regional differences in rates of pediatric thyroid cancer in Belarus. Analytic epidemiological studies designed to evaluate joint effect of nitrate content in groundwater and radiation present a promising avenue of research and may provide useful insights into etiology of thyroid cancer.     

Does Tenure Matter? A Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Expansion in the Mosquitia Forest Corridor

This article compares how public protection of forests and common-property forest institutions serve to control outside encroachment into frontier forests in Honduras and Nicaragua. The article combines institutional analysis with ethnographically based fieldwork and analysis of land-cover images to evaluate how property-rights arrangements influence monitoring, enforcement, and compliance with rules to restrict agricultural expansion in two biosphere reserves in the Mosquitia Corridor. Findings show that territorial demarcation and common-property rights are important components for frontier forest conservation. In areas with weak enforcement mechanisms and heavy reliance on social norms over official regulatory measures, the findings suggest that the perceived legitimacy of tenure arrangements and their respective land-use rules are fundamental to controlling the agricultural frontier.

A Comparative Study of the Spatial Distribution of Schistosomiasis in Mali in 1984–1989 and 2004–2006

Background

We investigated changes in the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis in Mali following a decade of donor-funded control and a further 12 years without control.

Methodology/Principal Findings

National pre-intervention cross-sectional schistosomiasis surveys were conducted in Mali in 1984–1989 (in communities) and again in 2004–2006 (in schools). Bayesian geostatistical models were built separately for each time period and on the datasets combined across time periods. In the former, data from one period were used to predict prevalence of schistosome infections for the other period, and in the latter, the models were used to determine whether spatial autocorrelation and covariate effects were consistent across periods. Schistosoma haematobium prevalence was 25.7% in 1984–1989 and 38.3% in 2004–2006; S. mansoni prevalence was 7.4% in 1984–1989 and 6.7% in 2004–2006 (note the models showed no significant difference in mean prevalence of either infection between time periods). Prevalence of both infections showed a focal spatial pattern and negative associations with distance from perennial waterbodies, which was consistent across time periods. Spatial models developed using 1984–1989 data were able to predict the distributions of both schistosome species in 2004–2006 (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was typically >0.7) and vice versa.

Conclusions/Significance

A decade after the apparently successful conclusion of a donor-funded schistosomiasis control programme from 1982–1992, national prevalence of schistosomiasis had rebounded to pre-intervention levels. Clusters of schistosome infections occurred in generally the same areas accross time periods, although the precise locations varied. To achieve long-term control, it is essential to plan for sustainability of ongoing interventions, including stengthening endemic country health systems.     

Deletion Analysis of the Tumorous-Head (tuh–3) Gene in DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

In the presence of the naturally occurring maternal-effect alleles tuh-1^h or tuh-1^g, the tuh-3 mutant gene can cause the tumorous-head trait or the sac-testis trait. The tuh-3 gene functions as a semidominant in the presence of the tuh-1^h maternal effect. Eye-antennal structures are replaced by posterior abdominal tergites and genital structures. If tuh-1^h is replaced by its naturally occurring allele tuh-1^g, tuh-3 functions as a recessive hypomorph and the defect switches from anterior to posterior structures, with a male genital-disc defect appearing with variable penetrance. Function and regulation of tuh-3⁺ may better be understood in light of the cytological localization of tuh-3 either adjacent to or as part of the bithorax complex. The tuh-3⁺ gene product appears to be essential for normal development, at least in the posterior end of the embryo.     

Trends in the Attack Rates,Incidence, and Mortality of Stroke during 1986–2012: Data of Kaunas (Lithuania) Stroke Registry

BackgroundThere is a lack of reliable epidemiological data on longitudinal trends in stroke attack rates, incidence, and mortality in the countries of the Baltic region.AimsThe aim of the present study was to explore the longitudinal trends of stroke in middle-aged urban population of Lithuania during the period of 1986 through 2012.MethodsAll stroke events in the studied population were ascertained and validated according to the standardized criteria outlined by the WHO MONICA Project. The study included all patients in Kaunas (Lithuania) city aged 25 to 64 years who experienced a stroke between 1986 and 2012. Estimates of time-trends of the annual percentage change in stroke attack rates, incidence of stroke, and mortality from this condition were made by applying the Joinpoint regression analysis.ResultsDuring the study period, 9,992 stroke events were registered. The overall proportion of recurrent events was 25.7%. Overall, 18.9% of the events (20.0% in men, and 17.4% in women) were fatal within 28 days. During the period of 1986 to 2012, a flat trend in the incidence of stroke was observed among both male and female middle-aged inhabitants of Kaunas city, while attack rates were increasing due to the increase in recurrent strokes. Both mortality and 28-day case fatality of stroke declined significantly over the study period in both sexes.ConclusionsAn increase both in the incidence and recurrence of stroke among middle-aged men residing in Kaunas city and in the recurrence of stroke among women denotes the inefficiency of measures applied both for primary and secondary prevention of stroke in Lithuania. The revision of current prevention strategies and the introduction of new ones are of paramount importance in order to fight the epidemic of stroke.     

Analysis of thyroid cancer data from the Ukraine after ’Chernobyl’ using a two-mutation carcinogenesis model

The thyroid cancer data of children in the northern regions of the Ukraine after the reactor accident at Chernobyl were combined with thyroid dose measurements in the same regions and analysed using a two- mutation carcinogenesis model. The best fit was obtained for radiation acting as an initiating agent, i.e. on the first mutation of the model. The observed relatively high increase of thyroid cancer incidence after 1990 in children exposed to radiation released after the reactor accident could be ascribed to the high thyroid doses and the relatively low background thyroid cancer incidence in children. The maximum annual incidence is predicted to occur fairly soon after the reactor accident, i.e. about 10 years. For adults, the predicted relative increase of annual thyroid cancers is much lower than for children younger than 20 years. The modelling results are used to derive risk estimates for radiation-induced thyroid cancer. These risk estimates are dependent on age at exposure, follow-up time and the background thyroid cancer incidence. The calculated excess absolute risk for a population of all ages is about one-third of that currently used by ICRP, but for children the calculated absolute risks are about a factor of 3 higher than derived in other epidemiological studies. The model results indicate that the excess absolute radiation risk per unit dose for children is about the same as or a little lower than that for adults. Received: 11 May 1999 / Accepted: 30 December 1999     

Incidence of soft tissue sarcoma in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based study (2007–2013)

BackgroundAsian studies on soft tissue sarcoma (STS) incidence, irrespective of the primary site, are scant.MethodsSTS data were acquired from the population-based 2007–2013 Taiwan Cancer Registry of the Health and Welfare Data Science Center, Taiwan. Histological subtype-, site-, sex-, and age-specific STS incidence rates were analyzed according to the 2013 classification of the World Health Organization.ResultsIn total, 11,393 patients with an age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 5.62 (95% confidence interval, 5.51–5.73) per 100,000 person-years were identified. Overall, a male predominance (sex-standardized incidence rate ratio, 1.2) was noted, and the rate increased with age, peaking at >75 years. Approximately 30% of STSs occurred in connective, subcutaneous, and other soft tissues and 70% in other sites. In addition to connective, subcutaneous, and other soft tissues, the three most common primary sites were the stomach (15.9%), skin (14.3%), and small intestines (10.5%). Gastrointestinal stromal tumor was the most common subtype (29.2%; ASIR, 1.55/100,000 person-years), followed by liposarcoma (11.5%; ASIR, 0.63/100,000 person-years) and leiomyosarcoma (9.7%; ASIR, 0.53/100,000 person-years). Compared with relevant data from Western countries, the incidence rate of angiosarcomas was higher than that in other regions, whereas the incidence rates of leiomyosarcoma and Kaposi sarcoma were lower than those in other regions.ConclusionSTS incidence varied by histological subtype, sex, age, and primary site in an Asian population. Our results suggested regional and racial discrepancies in the incidence rates of certain STS subtypes.     

Incidence and survival of childhood cancer in the French islands of Reunion and Mayotte (2005–2011)

The aim of this study is to describe childhood cancer incidence and survival in the French islands of Reunion and Mayotte for the period 2005–2011. Data were taken from the population-based Cancer Registry of Reunion Island. All incident cases of malignant tumours and benign tumours of the Central Nervous System diagnosed between 2005 and 2011 in children under the age of 15 and living in Reunion or Mayotte were included. A total of 236 cases were registered (176 in Reunion, 60 in Mayotte). Age-standardised incidence rates (ASRs, world standard) for all cancers were 125.0 and 101.8 per million for Reunion and Mayotte, respectively. ASRs for the main cancer groups were lower than those described in mainland France for the same period. The 5-year overall survival rate for all patients was 78.5% (95%CI 71.9- 83.7), slightly lower than that reported in mainland France.     

Improving the Clinical Diagnosis of Influenza—a Comparative Analysis of New Influenza A (H1N1) Cases

Background

The presentation of new influenza A(H1N1) is broad and evolving as it continues to affect different geographic locations and populations. To improve the accuracy of predicting influenza infection in an outpatient setting, we undertook a comparative analysis of H1N1(2009), seasonal influenza, and persons with acute respiratory illness (ARI) in an outpatient setting.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Comparative analyses of one hundred non-matched cases each of PCR confirmed H1N1(2009), seasonal influenza, and ARI cases. Multivariate analysis was performed to look for predictors of influenza infection. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for various combinations of clinical and laboratory case definitions. The initial clinical and laboratory features of H1N1(2009) and seasonal influenza were similar. Among ARI cases, fever, cough, headache, rhinorrhea, the absence of leukocytosis, and a normal chest radiograph positively predict for both PCR-confirmed H1N1-2009 and seasonal influenza infection. The sensitivity and specificity of current WHO and CDC influenza-like illness (ILI) criteria were modest in predicting influenza infection. However, the combination of WHO ILI criteria with the absence of leukocytosis greatly improved the accuracy of diagnosing H1N1(2009) and seasonal influenza (positive LR of 7.8 (95%CI 3.5–17.5) and 9.2 (95%CI 4.1–20.3) respectively).

Conclusions/Significance

The clinical presentation of H1N1(2009) infection is largely indistinguishable from that of seasonal influenza. Among patients with acute respiratory illness, features such as a temperature greater than 38°C, rhinorrhea, a normal chest radiograph, and the absence of leukocytosis or significant gastrointestinal symptoms were all positively associated with H1N1(2009) and seasonal influenza infection. An enhanced ILI criteria that combines both a symptom complex with the absence of leukocytosis on testing can improve the accuracy of predicting both seasonal and H1N1-2009 influenza infection.     

Foraging and Daily Activity Features of Ants of the Genus Formica (Insecta,Hymenoptera) in Forest–Steppe Biotopes of Saratov Oblast

Biology Bulletin - This paper presents the results of our research on the foraging activity of ants in forest–steppe biotopes of Saratov oblast. The food spectrum of ants was found to include...     

Comparative Study of Blood Lead Levels in Uruguayan Children (1994–2004)

Lead does not fulfill any physiological function in the human body. It is generally accepted that the blood lead level (BLL) is the best exposure index, as there is an excellent correlation between the actual exposure of the individual and the concentration of lead in blood. In Uruguay, lead contamination becomes a matter of public concern in 2001, giving rise to a sensitization in the population, which in many cases brought about a change in hygienic and dietary habits of the children. In 2004, after the leaded gasoline phasing out process in Uruguay was completed, we studied non-exposed children to correlate BLL with variables such as age, sex, area of residence, and available environmental lead data and compared these results with those from our similar screening studies 10years ago. The main result of this comparison is that BLL from children in our country had a significant decrease between 1994 and 2004.     

Comparative development of the sporophyte–gametophyte junction in six moss species

Developmental anatomy of the sporophyte–gametophyte junction in six moss species is described with special reference to sporophyte penetration into the gametophytic tissue. The sporophyte–gametophyte junction in mosses is classified into two types based on vaginula morphology: in the “true vaginula” type, the junction involves only an epigonium derived from the archegonium, and in the other “shoot vaginula” type, it involves a shoot and an epigonium. In both of the types, the sporophyte penetrates into an epigonial tissue accompanied by degeneration of epigonium cells under the developing sporophyte. In the “shoot vaginula” type, the sporophyte further penetrates into the conducting strand or similar cells that seem to be induced by stimulation of fertilization. It is likely that the difference in growth rate between the epigonium and the capped sporophyte is a mechanical force for sporophyte penetration.     

Comparative Analysis of MPTP Neurotoxicity in Mice with a Constitutive Knockout of the α-Synuclein Gene

Molecular Biology - Aggregated forms of α-synuclein are core components of pathohistological inclusions known as Lewy bodies in substantia nigra (SN) neurons of patients with Parkinson’s...     

Declining Incidence of Candidemia and the Shifting Epidemiology of Candida Resistance in Two US Metropolitan Areas, 2008–2013: Results from Population-Based Surveillance

Background

Recent reports have demonstrated a decline in bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) following adherence to central line insertion practices; however, declines have been less evident for BSIs due to Candida species.

Methods

We conducted active, population-based laboratory surveillance for candidemia in metropolitan Atlanta, GA and Baltimore, MD over a 5-year period. We calculated annual candidemia incidence and antifungal drug resistance rates.

Results

We identified 3,848 candidemia cases from 2008–2013. Compared with 2008, candidemia incidence per 100,000 person-years decreased significantly by 2013 in both locations (GA: 14.1 to 9.5, p<0.001; MD: 30.9 to 14.4, p<0.001). A total of 3,255 cases (85%) had a central venous catheter (CVC) in place within 2 days before the BSI culture date. In both locations, the number of CVC-associated cases declined (GA: 473 to 294; MD: 384 to 151). Candida albicans (CA, 36%) and Candida glabrata (CG, 27%) were the most common species recovered. In both locations, the proportion of cases with fluconazole resistance decreased (GA: 8.0% to 7.1%, −10%; MD: 6.6% to 4.9%, −25%), while the proportion of cases with an isolate resistant to an echinocandin increased (GA: 1.2% to 2.9%, +147%; MD: 2.0% to 3.5%, +77%). Most (74%) echinocandin-resistant isolates were CG; 17 (<1%) isolates were resistant to both drug categories (multidrug resistant [MDR], 16/17 were CG). The proportion of CG cases with MDR Candida increased from 1.8% to 2.6%.

Conclusions

We observed a significant decline in the incidence of candidemia over a five-year period, and increases in echinocandin-resistant and MDR Candida. Efforts to strengthen infection control practices may be preventing candidemia among high-risk patients. Further surveillance for resistant Candida is warranted.     

Association of urinary iodine concentration with prediabetes/diabetes in adults: Analysis of the NHANES 2005–2016

Background & AimsIodine is required for synthesizing thyroid hormones and regulating human metabolism. Iodine deficiency can lead to thyroid function abnormalities, which are closely associated with disturbances in glucose-insulin homeostasis. Research on the relationship between iodine and diabetes/prediabetes in adults was sparse and inconsistent. We assessed trends in urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and diabetes/prediabetes prevalence and focused on the association between iodine and diabetes/prediabetes among U.S. adults.MethodsWe analyzed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from the 2005–2016 cycles. Linear regression was employed to evaluate UIC and prediabetes/diabetes prevalence trends over time. Both multiple logistic regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were performed to evaluate the association of UIC with diabetes/prediabetes.ResultsA distinctly declining trend in median UIC and a significant increase in diabetes prevalence in U.S. adults from 2005 to 2016 were observed. The fourth quartile of UIC was associated with a 30% lower risk for prediabetes, compared with the first quartile (OR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.56–0.86, P_trend=0.001). However, UIC was not significantly associated with the prevalence of diabetes. The RCS model suggested a significant nonlinear relationship between UIC and the risk of diabetes (P for nonlinearity =0.0147). Stratification analysis showed that the negative associations of UIC with the risk of prediabetes were more pronounced in participants who were men, aged 46–65, overweight, light alcohol drinkers, and nonactive smokers.ConclusionsOverall, the adults’ median UIC in the U.S. population was a declining trend. However, diabetes prevalence increased significantly from 2005 to 2016. Higher UIC was associated with a lower risk of prediabetes.     

RAPD–PCR Analysis of Genetic Diversity in the Manchurian Pheasant

The genetic diversity of a local population of the Manchurian pheasant Phasianus colchicus pallasi was studied using RAPD–PCR. Based on the DNA patterns obtained in PCR with five arbitrary decanucleotide primers, we assessed genetic polymorphism of this population, estimated genetic distances between individuals, and constructed an NJ phylogenetic tree, and an UPGMA dendrogram of genetic similarity. The population was shown to exhibit high average genetic polymorphism (P = 79.4%) and genetic distances (D = 0.267). Possible reasons for the high genetic diversity of this local population are discussed.     

An Exploratory Spatial Analysis of ALS Incidence in Ireland over 17.5 Years (1995 – July 2013)

Introduction

There has been much interest in spatial analysis of ALS to identify potential environmental or genetically caused clusters of disease. Results to date have been inconclusive. The Irish ALS register has been recently geocoded, presenting opportunity to perform a spatial analysis on national prospectively gathered data of incident cases over an 18-year period.

Methods

1,645 cases of ALS in Ireland from January 1995 to July 2013 were identified from the Irish ALS register. 1,638 cases were successfully geocoded. Census data from four censuses: 1996, 2002, 2006 & 2011 were used to calculate an average population for the period and standardized incidence rates (SIRs) were calculated for 3,355 areas (Electoral Divisions). Bayesian conditional auto-regression was applied to produce smoothed relative risks (RR). These were then mapped for all cases, males & females separately, and those under 55 vs over 55 at diagnosis. Bayesian and linear regression were used to examine the relationship between population density and RR.

Results

Smoothed maps revealed no overall geographical pattern to ALS incidence in Ireland, although several areas of localized increased risk were identified. Stratified maps also suggested localized areas of increased RR, while dual analysis of the relationship between population density and RR of ALS yielded conflicting results, linear regression revealed a weak relationship.

Discussion

In contrast to some previous studies our analysis did not reveal any large-scale geographic patterns of incidence, yet localized areas of moderately high risk were found in both urban and rural areas. Stratified maps by age revealed a larger number of cases in younger people in the area of County Cork - possibly of genetic cause. Bayesian auto-regression of population density failed to find a significant association with risk, however weighted linear regression of post Bayesian smoothed Risk revealed an association between population density and increased ALS risk.     

Occurrence of the toxigenic fungi (producers of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A) in foodstuffs in the Czech Republic 1999–2000

The occurrence of toxigenic fungi producing aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in foodstuffs was studied in the Czech Republic. Twenty five commodities were collected at twelve collection places in the Czech Republic (300 food samples). The presence of potentially toxigenicAspergillus flavus was observed in 28% of the sampled foods (black pepper, caraway seeds, fruit tea, black tea, oat flakes, fine flour, rolled oat flakes and semolina) in the year 1999, and in 25% of the sampled foods (black pepper, black tea, fine flour) in the year 2000.A tamarii (aflatoxins producer) was found in 3 black pepper samples (25%) in both years. Aflatoxins were detected in black pepper and caraway seed samples in the year 1999 and in sweet red pepper in the year 2000.A parasiticus andA nomius were not isolated. Aspergillus section Nigri (potential producer of ochratoxin A) was detected in some foodstuffs. Ochratoxin A was detected in raisins.Penicillium verrucosum andA ochraceus were not isolated from foodstuffs.