scholarly journals The Capability Approach in Epidemiological Studies

2022 ◽  
pp. 29-50
Author(s):  
Ingmar Skoog ◽  
Hanna Falk Erhag ◽  
Silke Kern ◽  
Therese Rydberg Sterner ◽  
Jessica Samuelsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Capability Approach ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Ideal Framework ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
The Capability Approach

AbstractPopulation epidemiology is the science that deals with disorders and certain conditions at the population level, i.e. at the macro-level. In contrast to experimental studies, the scientist in epidemiology cannot manipulate conditions to make studies of associations as pure as possible. The science of epidemiological studies examines the occurrence of diseases, risk and protective factors for diseases, and the prognosis of different disorders and conditions in different populations. The capability approach is an ideal framework for epidemiological studies because it captures the dynamic and multiple processes involved in these types of studies, in relation to both time and space, as well as socioeconomic, psychological and biological factors. Determinants for common disorders and conditions include complex interactions among a multitude of factors acting between and within macro-, meso- and micro-levels during the life-course of an individual. In this chapter, we will discuss how the capability approach can be used in epidemiology in general, and in old age in particular, giving examples from specific conditions, such as cognitive function and dementia, depression, multimorbidity and functional ability, and non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors, such as genetics and nutrition. We conclude that the capability approach is a valuable tool in epidemiological studies. In these types of studies, capability is the final outcome of the dynamic interactions between a multitude of factors at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels leading to disorders and other conditions, which leads to restrictions in the individual’s ability to perform actions in order to reach goals he or she has reason to value.

Epidemiology of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: scope of the problem and its determinants

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin O’Flaherty ◽  
Susanna Sans-Menendez ◽  
Simon Capewell ◽  
Torben Jørgensen
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Huge Number ◽  
Unhealthy Diet ◽  
The Life Course

The epidemic of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the twentieth century prompted many population-based surveys. Now, a huge number of epidemiological studies provide a clear picture of the risk for CVD. Approximately 80% of CVD can be explained by smoking, high blood pressure, and deterioration of lipid and glucose metabolism, the two latter mediated through an unhealthy diet (high intake of salt, saturated fat, and refined sugar) and physical inactivity. A causal web for CVD shows that the influence is seen throughout the life course, and that ‘upstream‘ factors like socioeconomic status, health policies, and industrial influences all have a powerful impact on the more downstream parameters like lifestyle and biomarkers. This emphasizes that population-level interventions represent the most effective options for future strategies for the prevention of CVD.

scholarly journals The impact of outdoor air pollution on COVID-19: a review of evidence from in vitro, animal, and human studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (159) ◽  
pp. 200242
Author(s):  
Thomas Bourdrel ◽  
Isabella Annesi-Maesano ◽  
Barrak Alahmad ◽  
Cara N. Maesano ◽  
Marie-Abèle Bind
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
The Impact

Studies have pointed out that air pollution may be a contributing factor to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the specific links between air pollution and severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection remain unclear. Here we provide evidence from in vitro, animal and human studies from the existing literature. Epidemiological investigations have related various air pollutants to COVID-19 morbidity and mortality at the population level, however, those studies suffer from several limitations. Air pollution may be linked to an increase in COVID-19 severity and lethality through its impact on chronic diseases, such as cardiopulmonary diseases and diabetes. Experimental studies have shown that exposure to air pollution leads to a decreased immune response, thus facilitating viral penetration and replication. Viruses may persist in air through complex interactions with particles and gases depending on: 1) chemical composition; 2) electric charges of particles; and 3) meteorological conditions such as relative humidity, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and temperature. In addition, by reducing UV radiation, air pollutants may promote viral persistence in air and reduce vitamin D synthesis. Further epidemiological studies are needed to better estimate the impact of air pollution on COVID-19. In vitro and in vivo studies are also strongly needed, in particular to more precisely explore the particle–virus interaction in air.

Competenza ad agire insieme e senso di iniziativa: il tirocinio per attraversare i confini tra studio e lavoro

2020 ◽  
pp. 93-102
Author(s):  
Fabrizio d'Aniello
Keyword(s):  
Professional Growth ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Boundary Crossing ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
Knowledge Models ◽  
Internship Experience ◽  
Cultural Historical Activity ◽  
The University ◽  
And Training ◽  
The Capability Approach

The pre-eminent motivation behind this contribution lies in the intention to offer students of three-year degree course in education and training sciences and master's degree in pedagogical sciences of the University of Macerata a further support than those already existing, aimed at expanding the educational meaningfulness of the internship experience. The main criticality of such experience is connected with the difficulty in translating knowledge, models, ideas into appropriate activities. This notably refers to the conceptual and educational core of the sense of initiative and entrepreneurship and, consistently, to the skill to act. Therefore, after a deepening of the sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, followed by related pedagogical reflections based on the capability approach, the paper presents an operative proposal aimed at increasing young people's possibilities of action and supporting their personal and professional growth. With regard to this training proposal, the theoretical and methodological framework refers to the third generation cultural historical activity theory and to the tool of the boundary crossing laboratory, variant of the change laboratory

Morphological peculiarities of seeds of some species of the genus Epipactis Zinn. (Orchidaceae Juss.) of Ukrainian flora

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
T Ljubka ◽  
O Tsarenko ◽  
I Tymchenko
Keyword(s):  
Seed Coat ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Morphological Study ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Intercellular Spaces ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Periclinal Walls ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Shape And Size ◽  
Generative Organs

The investigation of macro- and micromorphological peculiarities of seeds of four species of genus Epipactis (Orchidaceae) of Ukrainian flora were carried out. The genus Epipactis is difficult in the in in taxonomic terms and for its representatives are characterized by polymorphism of morphological features of vegetative and generative organs of plants and ability of species to hybridize. The aim of the research was to perform a comparative morphological study of seeds of E. helleborine, E. albensis, E. palustris, E. purpurata and to determine carpological features that could more accurately identify species at the stage of fruiting. A high degree of variation in the shape of the seeds in different populations within the species and overlap of most quantitative carpological characteristics of studied species are noted. There were no significant differences in micromorphological features of the structure of the testa at species or population level. The reticulate surface of the testa is characteristic of all species, the cells of testa are mostly elongated, penta-hexagonal, individual cells almost isodiametric-pentagonal. From the micropillary to the chalasal end, a noticeable change in the shape and size of the seed coat cells is not observed. There are no intercellular spaces, the anticlinal walls of adjacent cells are intergrown and the boundaries between them become invisible. The outer periclinal walls have a single, mainly longitudinal thin ribbed thickenings. Anticlinal cell walls are thick, dense, smooth. The longitudinal Anticlinal walls are almost straight, transverse - straight or sometimes curved in some cells. Epicuticular deposits on the periclinal walls are absent. It is concluded that the use of macro and micromorphological characteristics of seeds of these species for clearer diagnosis at the stage of fruiting is low informative.

Potential Role of Inflammation in Associations between Particulate Matter and Heart Failure

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaotong Ji ◽  
Yingying Zhang ◽  
Guangke Li ◽  
Nan Sang
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Inflammatory Mechanism ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Relationship

Recently, numerous studies have found that particulate matter (PM) exposure is correlated with increased hospitalization and mortality from heart failure (HF). In addition to problems with circulation, HF patients often display high expression of cytokines in the failing heart. Thus, as a recurring heart problem, HF is thought to be a disorder characterized in part by the inflammatory response. In this review, we intend to discuss the relationship between PM exposure and HF that is based on inflammatory mechanism and to provide a comprehensive, updated evaluation of the related studies. Epidemiological studies on PM-induced heart diseases are focused on high concentrations of PM, high pollutant load exposure in winter, or susceptible groups with heart diseases, etc. Furthermore, it appears that the relationship between fine or ultrafine PM and HF is stronger than that between HF and coarse PM. However, fewer studies paid attention to PM components. As for experimental studies, it is worth noting that coarse PM may indirectly promote the inflammatory response in the heart through systematic circulation of cytokines produced primarily in the lungs, while ultrafine PM and its components can enter circulation and further induce inflammation directly in the heart. In terms of PM exposure and enhanced inflammation during the pathogenesis of HF, this article reviews the following mechanisms: hemodynamics, oxidative stress, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and epigenetic regulation. However, many problems are still unsolved, and future work will be needed to clarify the complex biologic mechanisms and to identify the specific components of PM responsible for adverse effects on heart health.

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