scholarly journals Occupation and COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and ICU admission among foreign-born and Swedish-born employees: a register-based study

2022 ◽  
pp. jech-2021-218278
Author(s):  
Chioma Adanma Nwaru ◽  
Ailiana Santosa ◽  
Stefan Franzén ◽  
Fredrik Nyberg

BackgroundResearch on occupation and risk of COVID-19 among foreign-born workers is lacking. We investigated whether working in essential occupations was associated with COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and intensive care unit (ICU) admission and whether foreign-born workers in similar occupations as Swedish-born individuals had a higher risk of the studied outcomes.MethodsOccupational data (2018–2019) of 326 052 employees (20–65 years) who were resident in Sweden as of 1 January 2020 were linked to COVID-19 data registered from 1 January 2020 to 28 February 2021. We analysed the risk of COVID-19 outcomes in different occupational groups and in four immigrant/occupation intersectional groups using Cox proportional hazards regression with adjustments for sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics and pre-existing comorbidities.ResultsWe identified 29797, 1069 and 152 cases of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisations and ICU admissions, respectively, in our cohort. Workers in essential occupations had an elevated risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation, and ICU admissions. Healthcare workers had a higher risk of all the outcomes compared with other essential workers. Relative to Swedish-born workers in non-essential occupations, foreign-born workers in essential occupations had 1.85 (95% CI 1.78 to 1.93), 3.80 (95% CI 3.17 to 4.55) and 3.79 (95% CI 2.33 to 6.14) times higher risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and ICU admission, respectively. The corresponding risks among Swedish-born workers in essential occupations were 1.44 (95% CI 1.40 to 1.49), 1.30 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.56) and 1.46 (95% CI 0.90 to 2.38).ConclusionOccupation was associated with COVID-19 outcomes and contributed to the burden of COVID-19 among foreign-born individuals in this study.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Anne Mette L. Würtz ◽  
Mette D. Hansen ◽  
Anne Tjønneland ◽  
Eric B. Rimm ◽  
Erik B. Schmidt ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Intake of vegetables is recommended for the prevention of myocardial infarction (MI). However, vegetables make up a heterogeneous group, and subgroups of vegetables may be differentially associated with MI. The aim of this study was to examine replacement of potatoes with other vegetables or subgroups of other vegetables and the risk of MI. Substitutions between subgroups of other vegetables and risk of MI were also investigated. We followed 29,142 women and 26,029 men aged 50-64 years in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort. Diet was assessed at baseline by using a detailed validated FFQ. Hazards ratios (HR) with 95% CI for the incidence of MI were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression. During 13.6 years of follow-up, 656 female and 1,694 male cases were identified. Among women, the adjusted HR for MI was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.13) per 500 g/week replacement of potatoes with other vegetables. For vegetable subgroups, the HR was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.77, 1.13) for replacement of potatoes with fruiting vegetables and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.77, 1.07) for replacement of potatoes with other root vegetables. A higher intake of cabbage replacing other vegetable subgroups was associated with a statistically non-significant higher risk of MI. A similar pattern of associations was found when intake was expressed in kcal/week. Among men, the pattern of associations was overall found to be similar to that for women. This study supports food-based dietary guidelines recommending to consume a variety of vegetables from all subgroups.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanhe Liu ◽  
Yongzhi Li ◽  
Diansheng Cui ◽  
Yuexia Jiao ◽  
Liqun Duan ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundDifferent recurrence probability of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) requests different adjuvant treatments and follow-up strategies. However, there is no simple, intuitive, and generally accepted clinical recurrence predictive model available for NMIBC. This study aims to construct a predictive model for the recurrence of NMIBC based on demographics and clinicopathologic characteristics from two independent centers. MethodsDemographics and clinicopathologic characteristics of 511 patients with NMIBC were retrospectively collected. Recurrence free survival (RFS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to screen variables associated with RFS, and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model with a stepwise procedure was used to identify those factors of significance. A final nomogram model was built using the multivariable Cox method. The performance of the nomogram model was evaluated with respect to its calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness. Internal validation was assessed with bootstrap resampling. X-tile software was used for risk stratification calculated by the nomogram model. ResultsIndependent prognostic factors including tumor stage, recurrence status, and European Association of Urology (EAU) risk stratification group were introduced to the nomogram model. The model showed acceptable calibration and discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve was 0.85; the consistency index [C-index] was 0.79 [95% CI: 0.76 to 0.82]), which was superior to the EAU risk stratification group alone. The decision curve also proved well clinical usefulness. Moreover, all populations could be stratified into three distinct risk groups by the nomogram model. ConclusionsWe established and validated a novel nomogram model that can provide individual prediction of RFS for patients with NMIBC. This intuitively prognostic nomogram model may help clinicians in postoperative treatment and follow-up decision-making.


Gut ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M Stark ◽  
Apryl Susi ◽  
Jill Emerick ◽  
Cade M Nylund

ObjectiveGut microbiota alterations are associated with obesity. Early exposure to medications, including acid suppressants and antibiotics, can alter gut biota and may increase the likelihood of developing obesity. We investigated the association of antibiotic, histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescriptions during early childhood with a diagnosis of obesity.DesignWe performed a cohort study of US Department of Defense TRICARE beneficiaries born from October 2006 to September 2013. Exposures were defined as having any dispensed prescription for antibiotic, H2RA or PPI medications in the first 2 years of life. A single event analysis of obesity was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression.Results333 353 children met inclusion criteria, with 241 502 (72.4%) children prescribed an antibiotic, 39 488 (11.8%) an H2RA and 11 089 (3.3%) a PPI. Antibiotic prescriptions were associated with obesity (HR 1.26; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.28). This association persisted regardless of antibiotic class and strengthened with each additional class of antibiotic prescribed. H2RA and PPI prescriptions were also associated with obesity, with a stronger association for each 30-day supply prescribed. The HR increased commensurately with exposure to each additional medication group prescribed.ConclusionsAntibiotics, acid suppressants and the combination of multiple medications in the first 2 years of life are associated with a diagnosis of childhood obesity. Microbiota-altering medications administered in early childhood may influence weight gain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shenglan Huang ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
LingLing Zhuang ◽  
Liying Sun ◽  
Jianbing Wu

The actin-related protein 2/3 complex (Arp2/3) is a major actin nucleator that has been widely reported and plays an important role in promoting the migration and invasion of various cancers. However, the expression patterns and prognostic values of Arp2/3 subunits in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In this study, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and UCSC Xena databases were used to obtain mRNA expression and the corresponding clinical information, respectively. The differential expression and Arp2/3 subunits in HCC were analyzed using the “limma” package of R 4.0.4 software. The prognostic value of each subunit was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. The results revealed that mRNA expression of Arp2/3 members (ACTR2, ACTR3, ARPC1A, APRC1B, ARPC2, ARPC3, ARPC4, ARPC5, and ARPC5L) was upregulated in HCC. Higher expression of Arp2/3 members was significantly correlated with worse overall survival (OS) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) in HCC patients. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses demonstrated that ACTR3, ARPC2, and ARPC5 were independent prognostic biomarkers of survival in patients with HCC. The relation between tumor immunocyte infiltration and the prognostic subunits was determined using the TIMER 2.0 platform and the GEPIA database. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to explore the potential mechanisms of prognostic subunits in the carcinogenesis of HCC. The results revealed that ACTR3, ARPC2, and ARPC5 were significantly positively correlated with the infiltration of immune cells in HCC. The GSEA results indicated that ACTR3, ARPC2, and ARPC5 are involved in multiple cancer-related pathways that promote the development of HCC. In brief, various analyses indicated that Arp2/3 complex subunits were significantly upregulated and predicted worse survival in HCC, and they found that ACTR3, ARPC2, and ARPC5 could be used as independent predictors of survival and might be applied as promising molecular targets for diagnosis and therapy of HCC in the future.


Cardiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
pp. 212-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Shen ◽  
Xueli Zhang ◽  
Yiting Xu ◽  
Qin Xiong ◽  
Zhigang Lu ◽  
...  

Objectives: To investigate whether serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels can be used to predict the future development of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Methods: This study included 253 patients who received subsequent follow-up, and complete data were collected for 234 patients. Independent predictors of MACEs were identified by using the Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. The prognostic value of FGF21 levels for MACEs was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: Of 229 patients finally enrolled in the analysis, 27/60 without coronary artery disease (CAD) at baseline experienced a MACE, and 132/169 patients with CAD at baseline experienced a MACE. Among patients with CAD at baseline, serum FGF21 levels were significantly higher in patients with MACEs (p < 0.05) than in patients without MACEs. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed patients with a higher serum FGF21 had a significantly lower event-free survival (p = 0.001) than those with a lower level. Further Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis, including the traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, showed that serum FGF21 was an independent predictor of MACE occurrence. Conclusions: In patients with CAD at baseline, an elevated serum FGF21 level was associated with the development of a MACE in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-408
Author(s):  
M. C. Musa ◽  
O. E. Asiribo ◽  
H. G. Dikko ◽  
M. Usman ◽  
S. S. Sani

An under-five childhood mortality rates in Nigeria is still high, despite efforts of government at all levels to combat the menace. This study examined some factors that significantly affect under-five child mortality. A sample of mothers with children under the age of five from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data (NDHS, 2013 & 2018) was used to assess the effect of some selected predictor variables (or covariates) on childhood survival. Cox proportional hazards model is essentially a regression model popularly used for investigating the association between the survival time and one or more predictor variables. The results from final fitted Cox proportional hazards regression model that the covariates, contraceptive used by the mother, state of residence, birth weight of child and type of toilet facility used by the h-ousehold were found to be significantly associated with under-five survival in the North Central Region of Nigeria. All the calculations are performed using the R software for statistical analysis.


Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vit Vsiansky ◽  
Marketa Svobodova ◽  
Jaromir Gumulec ◽  
Natalia Cernei ◽  
Dagmar Sterbova ◽  
...  

Despite distinctive advances in the field of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) biomarker discovery, the spectrum of clinically useful prognostic serum biomarkers is limited. As metabolic activities in highly proliferative transformed cells are fundamentally different from those in non-transformed cells, specific shifts in concentration of different metabolites may serve as diagnostic or prognostic markers. Blood amino acids have been identified as promising biomarkers in different cancers before, but little is known about this field in HNSCC. Blood amino acid profiles of 140 HNSCC patients were examined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the prognostic value of amino acid concentrations in serum. Colony forming assay was used to identify the effect of amino acids that were significant in Cox proportional hazards regression models on colony forming ability of FaDu and Detroit 562 cell lines. In the multivariable Cox regression model for overall survival (OS), palliative treatment was associated with an unfavourable prognosis while high serum levels of methionine have had a positive prognostic impact. In the relapse-free survival (RFS) multivariable model, methionine was similarly identified as a positive prognostic factor, along with tumor localization in the oropharynx. Oral cavity localization and primary radio(chemo)therapy treatment strategy have been linked to poorer RFS. 1mM serine was shown to support the forming of colonies in both tested HNSCC cell lines. Effect of methionine was exactly the opposite.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huan Zhou ◽  
Jun Dong ◽  
Liyi Guo ◽  
Xicheng Wang ◽  
Kailin Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractB7-H6, a member of the B7 family molecules, participates in the clearance of tumor cells by binding to NKp30 on NK cells. B7-H6 expression level in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and the clinical value remain unknown. The goal of this study was to determine the expression of B7-H6 in ESCC and further explore its clinical significance. We retrospectively collected the clinical data of 145 patients diagnosed with ESCC between January 2007 and December 2008. The expression of B7-H6 of the pathological tissue samples was detected by immunohistochemistry. The chi-square (χ2) test was used to analyse the relationships of B7-H6 and clinicopathological characteristics. Survival and hazard functions were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and survival between groups was compared using the two-sided log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to adjust for the risk factors related to overall survival (OS). 133/145 (91.72%) of the ESCC tissue samples exhibited B7-H6 expression. The expression level of B7-H6 was correlated with T stage (P = 0.036) and lymphatic metastasis status (P = 0.044). High B7-H6 expression (P = 0.003) was associated with a significantly worse OS than low B7-H6 expression. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that tumour size (P = 0.021), B7-H6 expression (P = 0.025) and lymphatic metastasis status (P = 0.049) were independent prognostic factors of OS for ESCC. Collectively, our findings suggest that B7-H6 is widely expressed in ESCC samples. And B7-H6 may represent a predictor of poor prognosis for ESCC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin Garcia ◽  
Maryse C. J. Osté ◽  
Dennis W. Bennett ◽  
Elias J. Jeyarajah ◽  
Irina Shalaurova ◽  
...  

Background: Gut microbiota-related metabolites, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), choline, and betaine, have been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Moreover, lower plasma betaine concentrations have been reported in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, few studies have explored the association of betaine with incident T2DM, especially in the general population. The goals of this study were to evaluate the performance of a newly developed betaine assay and to prospectively explore the potential clinical associations of betaine and future risk of T2DM in a large population-based cohort. Methods: We developed a high-throughput, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy procedure for acquiring spectra that allow for the accurate quantification of plasma/serum betaine and TMAO. Assay performance for betaine quantification was assessed and Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to evaluate the association of betaine with incident T2DM in 4336 participants in the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease (PREVEND) study. Results: Betaine assay results were linear (y = 1.02X − 3.75) over a wide range of concentrations (26.0–1135 µM). The limit of blank (LOB), limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 6.4, 8.9, and 13.2 µM, respectively. Coefficients of variation for intra- and inter-assay precision ranged from 1.5–4.3% and 2.5–5.5%, respectively. Deming regression analysis of results produced by NMR and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS) revealed an R2 value of 0.94 (Y = 1.08x – 1.89) and a small bias for higher values by NMR. The reference interval, in a cohort of apparently healthy adult participants (n = 501), was determined to be 23.8 to 74.7 µM (mean of 42.9 ± 12.6 µM). In the PREVEND study (n = 4336, excluding subjects with T2DM at baseline), higher betaine was associated with older age and lower body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and hsCRP. During a median follow-up of 7.3 (interquartile range (IQR), 5.9–7.7) years, 224 new T2DM cases were ascertained. Cox proportional hazards regression models revealed that the highest tertile of betaine was associated with a lower incidence of T2DM. Hazard ratio (HR) for the crude model was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.44–0.85, p = 0.004). The association remained significant even after adjusting for multiple clinical covariates and T2DM risk factors, including fasting glucose. HR for the fully-adjusted model was 0.50 (95% CI: 0.32–0.80, p = 0.003). Conclusions: The newly developed NMR-based betaine assay exhibits performance characteristics that are consistent with usage in the clinical laboratory. Betaine levels may be useful for assessing the risk of future T2DM.


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