scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 infection in central North Carolina: Protocol for a population-based longitudinal cohort study and preliminary participant results

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0259070
Author(s):  
Elyse M. Miller ◽  
Elle A. Law ◽  
Rawan Ajeen ◽  
Jaclyn Karasik ◽  
Carmen Mendoza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Critical Data ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Blood Specimens

Public health surveillance systems likely underestimate the true prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to limited access to testing and the high proportion of subclinical infections in community-based settings. This ongoing prospective, observational study aimed to generate accurate estimates of the prevalence and incidence of, and risk factors for, SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents of a central North Carolina county. From this cohort, we collected survey data and nasal swabs every two weeks and venous blood specimens every month. Nasal swabs were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus (evidence of active infection), and serum specimens for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies (evidence of prior infection). As of June 23, 2021, we have enrolled a total of 153 participants from a county with an estimated 76,285 total residents. The anticipated study duration is at least 24 months, pending the evolution of the pandemic. Study data are being shared on a monthly basis with North Carolina state health authorities and future analyses aim to compare study data to state-wide metrics over time. Overall, the use of a probability-based sampling design and a well-characterized cohort will enable collection of critical data that can be used in planning and policy decisions for North Carolina and may be informative for other states with similar demographic characteristics.

Complaints of Foodborne Illness in San Francisco, California, 1998

2001 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 1261-1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL C. SAMUEL ◽  
DIANE PORTNOY ◽  
ROB V. TAUXE ◽  
FRED J. ANGULO ◽  
DUC J. VUGIA
Keyword(s):  
San Francisco ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Control Unit ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Disease Outbreak ◽  
Foodborne Illness ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Foodborne Disease ◽  
Health Authorities

Foodborne diseases are an important public problem affecting millions of Americans each year and resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. Many foodborne infections occur in outbreak settings. Outbreaks are often detected by complaints from the public to health authorities. This report reviews complaints received by the San Francisco Department of Public Health involving suspected foodborne illness in 1998. Although such foodborne complaints are commonly received by health officials, we provide the first review of population-based data describing such complaints. We use a broad definition of a foodborne disease outbreak. We judged a complaint to be a “likely foodborne disease outbreak” if it involved more than one person and more than one family; no other common meals were shared recently by ill persons; diarrhea, vomiting, or both was reported; and the incubation period was more than one hour. In 1998, 326 complaints of foodborne illness, involving a total of 599 ill people, were received by the Communicable Disease Control Unit in San Francisco. The complaints involved from 1 to 36 ill persons, with 61% involving one ill person and 25% involving two ill persons. Of the 126 reports involving illness in more than one person, 77 (61%) were judged to be likely foodborne disease outbreaks. Three of these 77 outbreaks had been investigated prior to our review. This project confirms that more foodborne disease outbreaks occur than are reported to state and national outbreak surveillance systems. Our review of the San Francisco system highlights opportunities for gleaning valuable information from the foodborne disease complaint systems in place in most jurisdictions.

scholarly journals Long-term mortality due to infection associated with elevated liver enzymes: a population-based cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tak Kyu Oh ◽  
Eun Sun Jang ◽  
In-Ae Song
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Liver Enzymes ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Point Increase ◽  
Elevated Liver Enzymes ◽  
Glutamyl Transpeptidase ◽  
Long Term Mortality

AbstractWe aimed to investigate whether elevated liver enzymes in the adult population were associated with mortality due to infection. As a population-based cohort study, data from the National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Cohort were used. Adult individuals (aged ≥ 40 years) who underwent standardized medical examination between 2002 and 2003 were included, and infectious mortality was defined as mortality due to infection between 2004 and 2015. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP), AST/ALT ratio, and dynamic AST/ALT ratio (dAAR) were included in multivariable Cox modeling. A total of 512,746 individuals were included in this study. Infectious mortality occurred in 2444 individuals (0.5%). In the multivariable model, moderate and severe elevation in AST was associated with 1.94-fold [hazard ratio (HR):1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.71–2.19; P < 0.001] and 3.93-fold (HR: 3.93, 95% CI 3.05–5.07; P < 0.001) higher infectious mortality respectively, compared with the normal AST group. Similar results were observed for moderate and severe elevation in ALT and mild, moderate, and severe elevation in γ-GTP. Additionally, a 1-point increase in the AST/ALT ratio and dAAR was associated with higher infection mortality. Elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT, AST/ALT ratio, γ-GTP, and dAAR) were associated with increased infectious mortality.

scholarly journals Exposure of Petrol Station Attendants and Auto Mechanics to Premium Motor Sprit Fumes in Calabar, Nigeria

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. E. Udonwa ◽  
E. K. Uko ◽  
B. M. Ikpeme ◽  
I. A. Ibanga ◽  
B. O. Okon
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Petrol Station ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

A population-based-cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the potential risk of exposure to premium motor spirit (PMS) fumes in Calabar, Nigeria, among Automobile Mechanics (AM), Petrol Station Attendants (PSA) and the general population. Structured questionnaire was administered on the randomly chosen subjects to elicit information on their exposure to PMS. Duration of exposure was taken as the length of work in their various occupations. Venous blood was taken for methaemoglobin (MetHb) and packed cells volume (PCV). Mean MetHb value was higher in AM (7.3%) and PSA (5.8%) than in the subjects from the general population (2.7%). PCV was lower in PSA (30.8%), than AM (33.3%) and the subjects from the general population (40.8%). MetHb level was directly proportional, and PCV inversely related, to the duration of exposure. The study suggested increased exposure to petrol fumes among AM, PSA, and MetHb as a useful biomarker in determining the level of exposure to benzene in petrol vapour.

Dental Record Keeping by General Dental Practitioners in Lahore

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 2070-2072
Author(s):  
Farhan Riaz ◽  
Saima Sabir ◽  
Umer Abdullah ◽  
Muhammad Shairaz Sadiq ◽  
Ejaz Husain Sahu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Patient Records ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Group Practices ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
Dental Practices ◽  
Dental Photography

Objective: of this study is to analyze the behavior/attitude of general dental practitioners towards record keeping and quality assessment of patient records found in different dental practices of Lahore. Study design: Cross sectional, Descriptive, Questionnaire based study (Copy of questionnaire attached). Place and Duration of Study: Data collection for this study was conducted in different private dental practices of Lahore from Oct-2017 to Dec-2017. Methods; A random sample of 60 dental practices were selected by means of stratified sampling from different towns of Lahore. Dentists were interviewed and patient records were checked for data collection which is analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Interview of 43 dentists and analysis of patient records from their practices revealed that 16 (37.2%) practices have no record at all and even none of the remaining 27 (62.8%) practices. Who claim to have patient records, has any properly completed record. Shows that dentists have got very casual behavior towards record keeping as most of them were not having any records and the remaining ones who claimed to have patient records, were maintaining them in a very poor form. Conclusion: Female dentists, postgraduates and dentists working in group practices and affluent areas were found to have relatively more tendency towards record keeping. Recommendation; Dentist training institutes and health implementing authorities are the main areas which need to be stressed upon for improvement of record keeping. Keywords: (MESH) Record keeping, Dental photography, Dentist, Post-graduate, Health authorities, Affluent areas.

Surveillance for Transmission of Hepatitis B in Child Day Care

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 1002-1004
Author(s):  
Hjordis M. Foy ◽  
Paul D. Swenson ◽  
M. Jayne Freitag-Koontz ◽  
Janice Boase ◽  
Tianji-Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Horizontal Transmission ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Core Antigen ◽  
Day Care Centers ◽  
Blood Specimens

Relatively little is known about the risk of transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in day-care centers; the virus is primarily spread by blood and other body secretions. Gradual horizontal transmission of hepatitis B has been observed in homes for the mentally retarded.1-3 Horizontal spread in children appears to be of equal importance with vertical transmission in countries where hepatitis B is endemic.4 These infections, which usually are asymptomatic, may result in chronic carriage and may go undetected unless children are tested for hepatitis B markers. Studies in day-care centers in Okinawa, where HBV carriage is relatively common, suggest that transmission may occur in day-care centers.5 Case reports of HBV transmission in school or day-care settings in the US6 and Italy7 have been published. Our study was undertaken to determine whether there is evidence of horizontal transmission of HBV infections in US day-care facilities. To evaluate this, we screened for the antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), a marker which is seen both in those who have recovered from hepatitis B and those who are carriers.8 Capillary blood specimens, obtained by finger prick, were used. Children who tested positive had venous blood specimens drawn and their families were approached for consent to draw venous specimens also from the household members to evaluate if the infection may have originated in the family. The venous specimens were tested also for additional markers, especially for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), which is found during acute infection and in carriers, and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) which develops after infection and immunization.

scholarly journals A Nationwide Registry-Based Study on Mortality Due to Rare Congenital Anomalies

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verónica Alonso-Ferreira ◽  
Germán Sánchez-Díaz ◽  
Ana Villaverde-Hueso ◽  
Manuel Posada de la Paz ◽  
Eva Bermejo-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Time Trends ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Disease Epidemiology ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Related Mortality

This study aimed to analyse population-based mortality attributed to rare congenital anomalies (CAs) and assess the associated time trends and geographical differences in Spain. Data on CA-related deaths were sourced from annual mortality databases kept by the National Statistics Institute of Spain (1999–2013). Based on the ICD-10, only CAs corresponding to rare diseases definition were included in this study. Annual age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated and time trends were evaluated by joinpoint regression analysis. Geographical differences were assessed using standardised mortality ratios and cluster detection. A total of 13,660 rare-CA-related deaths (53.4% males) were identified in the study period. Annual age-adjusted mortality rates decreased by an average of −5.2% (−5.5% males, −4.8% females, p < 0.001). Geographical analysis showed a higher risk of rare-CA-related mortality in regions largely located in the south of the country. Despite their limitations, mortality statistics are essential and useful tools for enhancing knowledge of rare disease epidemiology and, by extension, for designing and targeting public health actions. Monitoring rare-CA-related mortality in Spain has shown a 15-year decline and geographical differences in the risk of death, all of which might well be taken into account by the health authorities in order to ensure equality and equity, and to adopt appropriate preventive measures.

scholarly journals Identifying the Absence of Effective Internal Controls: An Alternative Approach for Internal Control Audits

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Werner ◽  
Nick Gehrke
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Process Mining ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Process Models ◽  
Testing Procedures ◽  
Critical Data ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Automated Procedures

ABSTRACT Auditors face new challenges when auditing internal controls due to the increasing integration of information systems for transaction processing and the growing amount of data. Traditional manual control testing procedures become inefficient or require highly specialized and scarce technical knowledge. This study presents audit procedures that follow a new approach. Instead of manually testing internal controls, automated procedures search for the absence of those controls. Process mining techniques are combined with advanced statistical analysis where process mining serves as a data analysis technique to create process models from the recorded transaction data. These are searched for critical data constellations in combination with an exploratory factor analysis to identify systematic deficiencies in the internal control system. The manual and time-intensive inspection of individual controls is replaced by automated audit procedures that cover the totality of recorded transactions. The study follows a design science approach and uses case study data for illustration.

scholarly journals Mayaro virus in Latin America and the Caribbean

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niloofar Ganjian ◽  
Ana Riviere-Cinnamond
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Mayaro Virus ◽  
Health Organization

Objectives. To assess the distribution of Mayaro virus (MAYV) in Latin America and the Caribbean and evaluate existing country-level MAYV surveillance mechanisms. Methods. Research was conducted from May 2018 through May 2019 to collect data from academic literature on Mayaro fever in Latin America and the Caribbean. PubMed, ClinicalKey, Scopus, Nature, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles, and data from health authorities, including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and ministries of health, was also sought. MAYV-related publications published from 1954 through 2019 were screened. Publications that added to the overall understanding of MAYV, including its geographical and epidemiological distribution, were included in this report. Results. A total of 901 MAYV cases have been reported in humans in countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since its discovery in 1954 in Trinidad and Tobago, MAYV has been isolated from individuals living in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Of those 901 cases, 42 of them were reported exclusively by health authorities. In contrast, 843 confirmed and presumptive autochthonous cases and an additional 16 imported cases were identified in academic literature. No country-level surveillance mechanisms for MAYV were recorded in academic literature or by health authorities. Conclusions. This report demonstrates that MAYV surveillance efforts are limited in comparison to the virus’s presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the importance of enhancing arboviral surveillance systems in the affected countries.

scholarly journals Service Assessment Planning for the Hunt Library Dataspace

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia Partlow ◽  
Karen Ciccone ◽  
Margaret Peak
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Service Development ◽  
State University ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
New Service Development ◽  
Data Intensive ◽  
Critical Data

Presentation given at TRLN Annual Meeting, Durham, North Carolina, July 1, 2019. The Hunt Library Dataspace was launched in August 2018 to provide students with access to the tools and support they need to develop critical data skills and perform data intensive tasks. It is outfitted with specialized computing hardware and software and staffed by graduate student Data Science Consultants who provide drop-in support for programming, data analysis, statistical analysis, visualization, and other data-related topics.Prior to launching the Dataspace the Libraries’ Director of Planning and Research worked with the Data &amp; Visualization Services department to develop a plan for assessing the new Dataspace services. The process began with identifying relevant goals based on NC State University and the NC State University Libraries’ strategic priorities. Next we identified measures that would assess our success in relation to those goals. This talk describes the assessment planning process, the measures and methods employed, outcomes, and how this information will be used to improve our services and inform new service development.

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