The relationship between the laboratory diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis and climate factors in Kalmar County Sweden — an overview between 2008 and 2019

Abstract The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) in Kalmar County, in southern Sweden, between 2008 and 2019, and to analyse the relationship between the LNB incidence and climate factors. Data containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell counts and borrelia CSF/serum antibody index results was received from the departments of clinical chemistry and microbiology at Kalmar County hospital. For this study, we defined LNB as a case with a positive borrelia antibody CSF/serum index and CSF leukocytes > 5 × 106/L. Climate data including mean temperature, humidity and precipitation covering Kalmar County was collected from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute. A total of 5051 paired serum-CSF samples from 4835 patients were investigated of which 251 laboratory LNB cases were found. The average annual LNB incidence in Kalmar County 2008–2019 was 8.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Positive relationships were observed between mean temperature and LNB incidence (p < 0.001) as well as precipitation and LNB incidence (p = 0.003), both with a one calendar month delay. The results suggest an association between climate factors such as mean temperature and precipitation and LNB incidence, presumably through increased/decreased human-tick interactions. This calls for increased awareness of LNB in both the short perspective after periods of warmth and heavy precipitation as well as in a longer perspective in relation to possible climate change. Further studies with larger study groups, covering other geographical areas and over longer periods of time are needed to confirm these findings.

Download Full-text

EL NINO RELATED CLIMATE AND DENGUE FEVER CASES IN JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

FLORA AND FAUNA ◽

10.33451/florafauna.v25i1pp91-99 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

Author(s):

MASROOR ALI KHAN ◽

KHALID AL GHAMDI ◽

JAZEM A. MEHYOUB ◽

RAKHSHAN KHAN

Keyword(s):

Relative Humidity ◽

Dengue Fever ◽

El Niño ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

El Nino ◽

Climate Data ◽

Light Traps ◽

Mosquito Abundance ◽

Dengue Transmission ◽

The Relationship

The focus of this study is to find the relationship between El Nino and dengue fever cases in the study area.Mosquito density was recorded with the help of light traps and through aspirators collection. Climate data were obtained from National Meteorology and Environment centre. (Year wise El Nino and La Nina data are according to NOAA & Golden Gate Weather Services). Statistical methods were used to establish the correlation coefficient between different factors. A high significant relationship was observed between Relative Humidity and Dengue fever cases, but Aedes abundance had no significant relationship with either Relative humidity and Temperature. Our conclusion is that the El Nino does not affect the dengue transmission and Aedes mosquito abundance in this region, which is supported by earlier works.

Download Full-text

Comparison of leucocyte profiles between healthy children and those with asymptomatic and symptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-020-03435-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Diana Ahu Prah ◽

Linda Eva Amoah ◽

Matthew P. Gibbins ◽

Yaw Bediako ◽

Aubrey J. Cunnington ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Parasite Load ◽

Study Groups ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Peripheral Cell ◽

Peripheral Blood Leucocyte ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background The immune mechanisms that determine whether a Plasmodium falciparum infection would be symptomatic or asymptomatic are not fully understood. Several studies have been carried out to characterize the associations between disease outcomes and leucocyte numbers. However, the majority of these studies have been conducted in adults with acute uncomplicated malaria, despite children being the most vulnerable group. Methods Peripheral blood leucocyte subpopulations were characterized in children with acute uncomplicated (symptomatic; n = 25) or asymptomatic (n = 67) P. falciparum malaria, as well as malaria-free (uninfected) children (n = 16) from Obom, a sub-district of Accra, Ghana. Leucocyte subpopulations were enumerated by flow cytometry and correlated with two measures of parasite load: (a) plasma levels of P. falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) as a proxy for parasite biomass and (b) peripheral blood parasite densities determined by microscopy. Results In children with symptomatic P. falciparum infections, the proportions and absolute cell counts of total (CD3 +) T cells, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, CD19 + B cells and CD11c + dendritic cells (DCs) were significantly lower as compared to asymptomatic P. falciparum-infected and uninfected children. Notably, CD15 + neutrophil proportions and cell counts were significantly increased in symptomatic children. There was no significant difference in the proportions and absolute counts of CD14 + monocytes amongst the three study groups. As expected, measures of parasite load were significantly higher in symptomatic cases. Remarkably, PfHRP2 levels and parasite densities negatively correlated with both the proportions and absolute numbers of peripheral leucocyte subsets: CD3 + T, CD4 + T, CD8 + T, CD19 + B, CD56 + NK, γδ + T and CD11c + cells. In contrast, both PfHRP2 levels and parasite densities positively correlated with the proportions and absolute numbers of CD15 + cells. Conclusions Symptomatic P. falciparum infection is correlated with an increase in the levels of peripheral blood neutrophils, indicating a role for this cell type in disease pathogenesis. Parasite load is a key determinant of peripheral cell numbers during malaria infections.

Download Full-text

Clinical Evaluation of the Torq Zero Delay Centrifuge System for Decentralized Blood Collection and Stabilization

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11061019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1019

Author(s):

Kyungjin Hong ◽

Gabriella Iacovetti ◽

Ali Rahimian ◽

Sean Hong ◽

Jon Epperson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Chemistry ◽

Blood Collection ◽

Test Results ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Rapid Separation ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Collection Device ◽

Precision Study ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Blood Specimens

Blood sample collection and rapid separation—critical preanalytical steps in clinical chemistry—can be challenging in decentralized collection settings. To address this gap, the Torq™ zero delay centrifuge system includes a lightweight, hand-portable centrifuge (ZDrive™) and a disc-shaped blood collection device (ZDisc™) enabling immediate sample centrifugation at the point of collection. Here, we report results from clinical validation studies comparing performance of the Torq System with a conventional plasma separation tube (PST). Blood specimens from 134 subjects were collected and processed across three independent sites to compare ZDisc and PST performance in the assessment of 14 analytes (K, Na, Cl, Ca, BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, albumin, total protein, cholesterol, and triglycerides). A 31-subject precision study was performed to evaluate reproducibility of plasma test results from ZDiscs, and plasma quality was assessed by measuring hemolysis and blood cells from 10 subject specimens. The ZDisc successfully collected and processed samples from 134 subjects. ZDisc results agreed with reference PSTs for all 14 analytes with mean % biases well below clinically significant levels. Results were reproducible across different operators and ZDisc production lots, and plasma blood cell counts and hemolysis levels fell well below clinical acceptance thresholds. ZDiscs produce plasma samples equivalent to reference PSTs. Results support the suitability of the Torq System for remotely collecting and processing blood samples in decentralized settings.

Download Full-text

PERSIANN-CCS-CDR, a 3-hourly 0.04° global precipitation climate data record for heavy precipitation studies

Scientific Data ◽

10.1038/s41597-021-00940-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mojtaba Sadeghi ◽

Phu Nguyen ◽

Matin Rahnamay Naeini ◽

Kuolin Hsu ◽

Dan Braithwaite ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Resolution ◽

Heavy Precipitation ◽

Climate Data ◽

Spatiotemporal Resolution ◽

Data Record ◽

Precipitation Estimation ◽

Precipitation Estimates ◽

Global Precipitation ◽

Climate Data Record

AbstractAccurate long-term global precipitation estimates, especially for heavy precipitation rates, at fine spatial and temporal resolutions is vital for a wide variety of climatological studies. Most of the available operational precipitation estimation datasets provide either high spatial resolution with short-term duration estimates or lower spatial resolution with long-term duration estimates. Furthermore, previous research has stressed that most of the available satellite-based precipitation products show poor performance for capturing extreme events at high temporal resolution. Therefore, there is a need for a precipitation product that reliably detects heavy precipitation rates with fine spatiotemporal resolution and a longer period of record. Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Cloud Classification System-Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CCS-CDR) is designed to address these limitations. This dataset provides precipitation estimates at 0.04° spatial and 3-hourly temporal resolutions from 1983 to present over the global domain of 60°S to 60°N. Evaluations of PERSIANN-CCS-CDR and PERSIANN-CDR against gauge and radar observations show the better performance of PERSIANN-CCS-CDR in representing the spatiotemporal resolution, magnitude, and spatial distribution patterns of precipitation, especially for extreme events.

Download Full-text

Postoperative Rise of Circulating Mitochondrial DNA Is Associated with Inflammatory Response in Patients following Pancreaticoduodenectomy

European Surgical Research ◽

10.1159/000514661 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Niv Pencovich ◽

Nadav Nevo ◽

Roi Weiser ◽

Ekaterina Bonder ◽

Yoel Bogoch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Inflammatory Response ◽

Delayed Gastric Emptying ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Severe Trauma ◽

Postoperative Fever ◽

Postoperative Course ◽

Cell Counts ◽

White Blood Cell Counts ◽

The Relationship

Introduction: Accumulation of plasma mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) following severe trauma has been shown to correlate with the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and may predict mortality. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between levels of circulatory mtDNA following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and the postoperative course. Methods: Levels of plasma mtDNA were assessed by real-time PCR of the mitochondrial genes ND1 and COX3 in 23 consecutive patients who underwent PD 1 day prior to surgery, within 8 h after surgery, and on postoperative day (POD)1 and POD5. The abundance of mtDNA was assessed relative to preoperative levels and in relation to parameters reflecting the postoperative clinical course. Results: When pooled for all patients, the circulating mtDNA levels were significantly increased after surgery. However, while a significant (at least >2-fold and up to >20-fold) rise was noted in 11 patients, no change in mtDNA levels was noted in the other 12 following surgery. Postoperative rise in circulating mtDNA was associated with an increased rate of postoperative fever until day 5, decreased hemoglobin and albumin levels, and increased white blood cell counts. These patients also suffered from increased rates of delayed gastric emptying. No significant differences were demonstrated in other postoperative parameters. Conclusion: Circulating mtDNA surge is associated with an inflammatory response following PD and may potentially be used as an early marker for postoperative course. Studies of larger patient cohorts are warranted.

Download Full-text

The Relationship Between Climate Factors, Hydropower Production and Economic Growth in Ethiopia: A Nonlinear and Asymmetric Approach

The Journal of Developing Areas ◽

10.1353/jda.2021.0066 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 291-315

Author(s):

Nyakundi M. Michieka ◽

Noha A. Razek ◽

Richard S. Gearhart

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Climate Factors ◽

Hydropower Production ◽

The Relationship

Download Full-text

Meta-Analysis—Correlation between Spiral Ganglion Cell Counts and Speech Perception with a Cochlear Implant

Audiology Research ◽

10.3390/audiolres11020020 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 220-226

Author(s):

Yew-Song Cheng ◽

Mario A. Svirsky

Keyword(s):

Speech Perception ◽

Cochlear Implant ◽

Ganglion Cells ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Spiral Ganglion ◽

Spiral Ganglion Cell ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Temporal Bones ◽

The Relationship ◽

Existing Data

The presence of spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) is widely accepted to be a prerequisite for successful speech perception with a cochlear implant (CI), because SGCs provide the only known conduit between the implant electrode and the central auditory system. By extension, it has been hypothesized that the number of SGCs might be an important factor in CI outcomes. An impressive body of work has been published on findings from the laborious process of collecting temporal bones from CI users and counting the number of SGCs to correlate those numbers with speech perception scores, but the findings thus far have been conflicting. We performed a meta-analysis of all published studies with the hope that combining existing data may help us reach a more definitive conclusion about the relationship between SGC count and speech perception scores in adults.

Download Full-text

Antibiotic use and other risk factors at hospital level for outbreaks with Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 027

Journal of Medical Microbiology ◽

10.1099/jmm.0.47711-0 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 57 (6) ◽

pp. 709-716 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

T. I. I. van der Kooi ◽

M. Koningstein ◽

A. Lindemans ◽

D. W. Notermans ◽

E. Kuijper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clostridium Difficile ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Study Groups ◽

Ribotype 027 ◽

Defined Daily Doses ◽

Hygiene Measures ◽

Epidemic Period ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

The Relationship

The first Dutch outbreak due to Clostridium difficile ribotype 027 was observed in mid-2005; by the end of that year, eight hospitals were affected. To study the relationship between hospital-wide antibiotic use and the incidence of 027-linked C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) three study groups were made: group A, all eight hospitals with an 027-associated epidemic; group B, five of a total of six hospitals with occasional 027 cases, without an increase in CDAD; and group C, ten randomly selected hospitals with no reported 027 epidemics or isolated 027 cases. Quarterly data on CDAD incidences, hygiene measures and the use of fluoroquinolones, second- and third-generation cephalosporins, extended-spectrum penicillins, penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors, carbapenems, lincomycins and macrolides were collected for 2004 and 2005, and divided into pre-epidemic and epidemic periods. Using a multilevel Poisson regression analysis, CDAD incidence was linked to antibiotic use in the previous quarter and to certain hygiene measures. In the pre-epidemic period, the total use of the studied antibiotics was comparable between affected and unaffected hospitals. Higher use of second-generation cephalosporins, macrolides and all of the studied antibiotics were independently associated with a small increase in CDAD incidence [relative risk (95 % confidence interval): 1.14 per increase of 100 defined daily doses per 10 000 bed days (1.06–1.23), 1.10 (1.01–1.19) and 1.02 (1.01–1.03), respectively]. However the effect was too small to predict which hospitals might be more prone to 027-associated outbreaks.

Download Full-text

Derivation Mathematical Equations for Future Calculation of Potential Evapotranspiration in Iraq, A Review of Application of Thornthwaite Evapotranspiration

Iraqi Journal of Science ◽

10.24996/ijs.2019.60.5.13 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 60 (5) ◽

pp. 1037-1048

Author(s):

Hussein Ilaibi Zamil Al-Sudani

Keyword(s):

Water Balance ◽

Potential Evapotranspiration ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Research Review ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Average Temperature ◽

Mean Temperature ◽

Mathematical Equations ◽

Two Parameters ◽

The Relationship

In any natural area or water body, evapotranspiration is one of the important outcomes in the water balance equation. As a significant method and depending on monthly average temperature, estimating of potential Evapotranspiration depending on Thornthwaite method was adopted in this research review. Estimate and discuss evapotranspiration by using Thornthwaite method is the main objectives of this research review with considerable details as well as compute potential evapotranspiration based on climatologically data obtained in Iraq. Temperature - evapotranspiration relationship can be estimated between those two parameters to reduce cost and time and facilitate calculation of water balance in lakes, river, and hydrogeological basins. The relationship was obtained using Thornthwaite method in Iraq by dividing the area into seven sectors according to geographic latitude. Each sector has multi meteorological stations where thirty two stations were used with different periods of records. A mathematical relationship was obtained between mean temperature and corrected potential evapotranspiration with (97.45) to (99.84) coefficient of determination. The mean temperature has a decreasing pattern from southern east towards northern west of Iraq affected by Mediterranean Sea climate conditions, while corrected potential evapotranspiration has the opposite direction regarding increased value because of a direct relationship with temperature.

Download Full-text