scholarly journals Improving Exposure Assessment Methodologies for Epidemiological Studies on Pesticides: Study Protocol

10.2196/16448 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e16448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Jones ◽  
Ioannis Basinas ◽  
Hans Kromhout ◽  
Martie van Tongeren ◽  
Anne-Helen Harding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Pesticide Exposures ◽  
Surrogate Measures

Background Exposure to certain pesticides has been associated with several chronic diseases. However, to determine the role of pesticides in the causation of such diseases, an assessment of historical exposures is required. Exposure measurement data are rarely available; therefore, assessment of historical exposures is frequently based on surrogate self-reported information, which has inherent limitations. Understanding the performance of the applied surrogate measures in the exposure assessment of pesticides is therefore important to allow proper evaluation of the risks. Objective The Improving Exposure Assessment Methodologies for Epidemiological Studies on Pesticides (IMPRESS) project aims to assess the reliability and external validity of the surrogate measures used to assign exposure within individuals or groups of individuals, which are frequently based on self-reported data on exposure determinants. IMPRESS will also evaluate the size of recall bias on the misclassification of exposure to pesticides; this in turn will affect epidemiological estimates of the effect of pesticides on human health. Methods The IMPRESS project will recruit existing cohort participants from previous and ongoing research studies primarily of epidemiological origin from Malaysia, Uganda, and the United Kingdom. Consenting participants of each cohort will be reinterviewed using an amended version of the original questionnaire addressing pesticide use characteristics administered to that cohort. The format and relevant questions will be retained but some extraneous questions from the original (eg, relating to health) will be excluded for ethical and practical reasons. The reliability of pesticide exposure recall over different time periods (<2 years, 6-12 years, and >15 years) will then be evaluated. Where the original cohort study is still ongoing, participants will also be asked if they wish to take part in a new exposure biomonitoring survey, which involves them providing urine samples for pesticide metabolite analysis and completing questionnaire information regarding their work activities at the time of sampling. The participant’s level of exposure to pesticides will be determined by analyzing the collected urine samples for selected pesticide metabolites. The biomonitoring measurement results will be used to assess the performance of algorithm-based exposure assessment methods used in epidemiological studies to estimate individual exposures during application and re-entry work. Results The project was funded in September 2017. Enrollment and sample collection was completed for Malaysia in 2019 and is on-going for Uganda and the United Kingdom. Sample and data analysis will proceed in 2020 and the first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2021. Conclusions The study will evaluate the consistency of questionnaire data and accuracy of current algorithms in assessing pesticide exposures. It will indicate where amendments can be made to better capture exposure data for future epidemiology studies and thus improve the reliability of exposure-disease associations. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/16448

scholarly journals Improving Exposure Assessment Methodologies for Epidemiological Studies on Pesticides: Study Protocol (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Jones ◽  
Ioannis Basinas ◽  
Hans Kromhout ◽  
Martie van Tongeren ◽  
Anne-Helen Harding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Pesticide Exposures ◽  
Surrogate Measures

BACKGROUND Exposure to certain pesticides has been associated with several chronic diseases. However, to determine the role of pesticides in the causation of such diseases, an assessment of historical exposures is required. Exposure measurement data are rarely available; therefore, assessment of historical exposures is frequently based on surrogate self-reported information, which has inherent limitations. Understanding the performance of the applied surrogate measures in the exposure assessment of pesticides is therefore important to allow proper evaluation of the risks. OBJECTIVE The <i>Improving Exposure Assessment Methodologies for Epidemiological Studies on Pesticides</i> (IMPRESS) project aims to assess the reliability and external validity of the surrogate measures used to assign exposure within individuals or groups of individuals, which are frequently based on self-reported data on exposure determinants. IMPRESS will also evaluate the size of recall bias on the misclassification of exposure to pesticides; this in turn will affect epidemiological estimates of the effect of pesticides on human health. METHODS The IMPRESS project will recruit existing cohort participants from previous and ongoing research studies primarily of epidemiological origin from Malaysia, Uganda, and the United Kingdom. Consenting participants of each cohort will be reinterviewed using an amended version of the original questionnaire addressing pesticide use characteristics administered to that cohort. The format and relevant questions will be retained but some extraneous questions from the original (eg, relating to health) will be excluded for ethical and practical reasons. The reliability of pesticide exposure recall over different time periods (&lt;2 years, 6-12 years, and &gt;15 years) will then be evaluated. Where the original cohort study is still ongoing, participants will also be asked if they wish to take part in a new exposure biomonitoring survey, which involves them providing urine samples for pesticide metabolite analysis and completing questionnaire information regarding their work activities at the time of sampling. The participant’s level of exposure to pesticides will be determined by analyzing the collected urine samples for selected pesticide metabolites. The biomonitoring measurement results will be used to assess the performance of algorithm-based exposure assessment methods used in epidemiological studies to estimate individual exposures during application and re-entry work. RESULTS The project was funded in September 2017. Enrollment and sample collection was completed for Malaysia in 2019 and is on-going for Uganda and the United Kingdom. Sample and data analysis will proceed in 2020 and the first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2021. CONCLUSIONS The study will evaluate the consistency of questionnaire data and accuracy of current algorithms in assessing pesticide exposures. It will indicate where amendments can be made to better capture exposure data for future epidemiology studies and thus improve the reliability of exposure-disease associations. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/16448

Exposure to rubber process dust and fume since 1970s in the United Kingdom; influence of origin of measurement data

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Agostini ◽  
Frank de Vocht ◽  
Martie van Tongeren ◽  
John W. Cherrie ◽  
Karen S. Galea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
The United Kingdom

scholarly journals Game Jam as Feminist Methodology: The Affective Labors of Intervention in the Ludic Economy

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 708-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen W. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Single Site ◽  
Feminist Methodology ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Games Development

This article examines the evidenced and the potential impact of all-female games jams as an element within a feminist interventionist approach to improving women’s equal participation within the ludic economies of the games industry. The article examines two specific projects—a single-site 24-hr event that took place in 2012 and a restaging of the format 4 years later across five different sites in the United Kingdom. These two case studies offer two critical contributions to the ongoing research regarding the wider challenges of diversifying games design, games development, and games culture more generally. The first is a consideration of the range of labors—free, hopeful, and affective—that underpins these endeavors and provides a significant contribution in general to the ludic economy. The second is valuable evidence of the impact and ongoing validity of these all-female initiatives as an effective and transformative methodology for feminist intervention.

scholarly journals National outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 linked to mixed salad leaves, United Kingdom, 2016

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Gobin ◽  
Jeremy Hawker ◽  
Paul Cleary ◽  
Thomas Inns ◽  
Daniel Gardiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Control Case ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Large Outbreak ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Predominately Female

We investigated a large outbreak of Escherichia coli O157 in the United Kingdom (UK) with 165 cases between 31 May and 29 July 2016. No linked cases were reported in other countries. Cases were predominately female (n = 128) and adult (n = 150), 66 attended hospital and nine had features of haemorrhagic uraemic syndrome. A series of epidemiological studies (case–control, case–case, ingredients-based and venue-based studies) and supply chain investigations implicated mixed salad leaves from Supplier A as the likely outbreak vehicle. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) indicated a link with strains from the Mediterranean and informed the outbreak control team to request that Supplier A cease distributing salad leaves imported from Italy. Microbiological tests of samples of salad leaves from Supplier A were negative. We were unable to confirm the source of contamination or the contaminated constituent leaf although our evidence pointed to red batavia received from Italy as the most likely vehicle. Variations in Shiga toxin-producing E. coli surveillance and diagnosis may have prevented detection of cases outside the UK and highlights a need for greater standardisation. WGS was useful in targeting investigations, but greater coverage across Europe is needed to maximise its potential.

scholarly journals Social media, science communication and the academic super user in the United Kingdom

First Monday ◽  
2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yimei Zhu ◽  
Kingsley Purdam
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Social Media Tools ◽  
Super Users

The Internet and social media tools have created new opportunities for open science including communicating in more interactive ways and sharing research data. Drawing on evidence from interviews and a survey of academics in the United Kingdom our research suggests that most scholars recognised the value and importance of more open science communication and data sharing, but many had concerns about the potential risks. A small group, who can be termed super users, were frequently communicating updates of their ongoing research. It is clear that there are increasing opportunities for more open science and public engagement but challenges remain.

scholarly journals Molecular Epidemiology of Rotavirus in Cats in the United Kingdom

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. German ◽  
M. Iturriza-Gómara ◽  
W. Dove ◽  
M. Sandrasegaram ◽  
T. Nakagomi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Interspecies Transmission ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Rotavirus A ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
The United Kingdom

Rotaviruses are leading causes of gastroenteritis in the young of many species. Molecular epidemiological studies in children suggest that interspecies transmission contributes to rotavirus strain diversity in people. However, population-based studies of rotaviruses in animals are few. We investigated the prevalence, risk factors for infection, and genetic diversity of rotavirus A in a cross-sectional survey of cats housed within 25 rescue catteries across the United Kingdom. Morning litter tray fecal samples were collected during the winter and summer in 2012 from all pens containing kittens and a random sample of those housing adult cats. Group A rotavirus RNA was detected by real-time reverse transcription-PCR, and positive samples were G and P genotyped using nested VP4 and VP7 PCR assays. A total of 1,727 fecal samples were collected from 1,105 pens. Overall, the prevalence of rotavirus was 3.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 4.9%). Thirteen out of 25 (52%; 95% CI, 31.3 to 72.2%) centers housed at least one rotavirus-positive cat. The prevalence of rotavirus was associated with season (odds ratio, 14.8 [95% CI, 1.1 to 200.4];P= 0.04) but not age or diarrhea. It was higher during the summer (4.7%; 95% CI, 1.2 to 8.3%) than in winter (0.8%; 95% CI, 0.2 to 1.5%). Asymptomatic epidemics of infection were detected in two centers. G genotypes were characterized for 19 (33.3%) of the 57 rotavirus-positive samples and P genotypes for 36 (59.7%). Two rotavirus genotypes were identified, G3P[9] and G6P[9]. This is the first population-based study of rotavirus in cats and the first report of feline G6P[9], which questions the previous belief that G6P[9] in people is of bovine origin.

The Netherlands Twin Register Biobank: A Resource for Genetic Epidemiological Studies

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonneke Willemsen ◽  
Eco J. C. de Geus ◽  
Meike Bartels ◽  
C. E. M. Toos van Beijsterveldt ◽  
Andy I. Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Health Lifestyle ◽  
Phenotypic Information ◽  
Expression Studies ◽  
Gene Expression Studies

AbstractIn 2004 the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) started a large scale biological sample collection in twin families to create a resource for genetic studies on health, lifestyle and personality. Between January 2004 and July 2008, adult participants from NTR research projects were invited into the study. During a home visit between 7:00 and 10:00 am, fasting blood and morning urine samples were collected. Fertile women were bled on day 2–4 of the menstrual cycle, or in their pill-free week. Biological samples were collected for DNA isolation, gene expression studies, creation of cell lines and for biomarker assessment. At the time of blood sampling, additional phenotypic information concerning health, medication use, body composition and smoking was collected. Of the participants contacted, 69% participated. Blood and urine samples were collected in 9,530 participants (63% female, average age 44.4 (SD 15.5) years) from 3,477 families. Lipid profile, glucose, insulin, HbA1c, haematology, CRP, fibrinogen, liver enzymes and creatinine have been assessed. Longitudinal survey data on health, personality and lifestyle are currently available for 90% of all participants. Genome-wide SNP data are available for 3,524 participants, with additional genotyping ongoing. The NTR biobank, combined with the extensive phenotypic information available within the NTR, provides a valuable resource for the study of genetic determinants of individual differences in mental and physical health. It offers opportunities for DNA-based and gene expression studies as well as for future metabolomic and proteomic projects.

scholarly journals O2E.1 Why the quality of exposure assessment matters in human observational studies and consequent hazard and risk assessment

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A20.1-A20
Author(s):  
Hans Kromhout
Keyword(s):  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Hazard Identification ◽  
Formal Approach ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Control Versus

Occupational exposures can vary dramatically and therefore their assessment and assignment in epidemiological studies often come with considerable error. In prior eras of occupational epidemiology, exposure was treated as static; often in a binary (yes/no) or ordinal (no/low/medium/high) manner. In modern times the need for better quality exposure assessment and assignment is clear, particularly in situations where occupational exposures and outcomes are less convincingly associated. High quality exposure assessment is imperative for informative human observational studies that permit better hazard classifications and quantification of exposure response relationships.A wide range of exposure assessment methods exist and have been applied; varying from self-reports general and specific job-exposure matrices, and case-by-case expert-based assessments to elaborate quantitative algorithms using the collective information of thousands of workplace measurements. The selection of method largely depends on the type of epidemiological study performed (retrospective versus prospective; case-control versus cohort; general population versus worker-based), the agent under consideration, and the extent of access to experts and measurement data. In addition, each method has its own specific limitations and possibilities, and will not be feasible for use in every study.Formal methods to evaluate exposure assessment quality in epidemiological studies are largely non-existent, but recent work within the IARC Monographs Programme and elsewhere have provided a direction for a more systematic approach. Several systematic literature reviews of human observational studies have shown that incorporating the quality of exposure assessment can produce a more convincing and informative evaluation when reviewing a body of evidence.As part of a mini-symposium on the importance of exposure assessment in epidemiology for hazard identification and risk characterization, this presentation will provide a brief introduction to exposure assessment and assignment for human observational studies, as well as directions for a more formal approach to their evaluation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document