Genetic Polymorphism of Delta Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase (ALAD) Gene and Symptoms of Chronic Mercury Exposure in Munduruku Indigenous Children within the Brazilian Amazon

Genetic polymorphisms involved in mercury toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics may be associated with severe mercury toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of an ALAD polymorphism on chronic mercury exposure and the health situation of indigenous children from the Brazilian Amazon. One-hundred-and-three indigenous children (under 15 years old) were included and genotyped (rs1800435) using a TaqMan validated assay. The mean age was 6.6 ± 4.5 years old, 60% were female, 49% presented with anemia, and the mean hair mercury concentration was 7.0 ± 4.5 (1.4–23.9) µg/g, with 49% exceeding the reference limit (≥6.0 µg/g). Only two children were heterozygous ALAD, while the others were all wild type. Minor allele frequency (ALAD G) and heterozygous genotype (ALAD CG) were 1% and 2%, respectively. The two children (12 and 14 years old) with the ALAD polymorphism had mercury levels above the average as well as had neurological symptoms related to chronic mercury exposure, such as visual field alterations, memory deficit, distal neuropathy, and toe amyotrophy. Both children also reported frequent consumption of fish in the diet, at least three times a week. In conclusion, our data confirm that an ALAD polymorphism can contribute to mercury half-life time, harmful effects, and neuropsychological disorders in indigenous children with chronic mercury exposure to gold mining activity.

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Asteroid and Comet Impact Speeds upon Mars: Significance for Panspermia and the Supply of Organics

International Astronomical Union Colloquium ◽

10.1017/s0252921100014718 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 161 ◽

pp. 197-201 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Duncan Steel

Keyword(s):

Probability Distributions ◽

Regions Of Interest ◽

Significant Fraction ◽

Organic Chemicals ◽

Impact Speed ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact

AbstractWhilst lithopanspermia depends upon massive impacts occurring at a speed above some limit, the intact delivery of organic chemicals or other volatiles to a planet requires the impact speed to be below some other limit such that a significant fraction of that material escapes destruction. Thus the two opposite ends of the impact speed distributions are the regions of interest in the bioastronomical context, whereas much modelling work on impacts delivers, or makes use of, only the mean speed. Here the probability distributions of impact speeds upon Mars are calculated for (i) the orbital distribution of known asteroids; and (ii) the expected distribution of near-parabolic cometary orbits. It is found that cometary impacts are far more likely to eject rocks from Mars (over 99 percent of the cometary impacts are at speeds above 20 km/sec, but at most 5 percent of the asteroidal impacts); paradoxically, the objects impacting at speeds low enough to make organic/volatile survival possible (the asteroids) are those which are depleted in such species.

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Sound Production Treatment for Acquired Apraxia of Speech: An Examination of Dosage in Relation to Probe Performance

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2020_ajslp-19-00110 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Julie L. Wambaugh ◽

Lydia Kallhoff ◽

Christina Nessler

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Sound Production ◽

Apraxia Of Speech ◽

Practice Schedule ◽

Practice Schedules ◽

Baseline Performance ◽

The Mean ◽

Number Of Treatment ◽

The Impact

Purpose This study was designed to examine the association of dosage and effects of Sound Production Treatment (SPT) for acquired apraxia of speech. Method Treatment logs and probe data from 20 speakers with apraxia of speech and aphasia were submitted to a retrospective analysis. The number of treatment sessions and teaching episodes was examined relative to (a) change in articulation accuracy above baseline performance, (b) mastery of production, and (c) maintenance. The impact of practice schedule (SPT-Blocked vs. SPT-Random) was also examined. Results The average number of treatment sessions conducted prior to change was 5.4 for SPT-Blocked and 3.9 for SPT-Random. The mean number of teaching episodes preceding change was 334 for SPT-Blocked and 179 for SPT-Random. Mastery occurred within an average of 13.7 sessions (1,252 teaching episodes) and 12.4 sessions (1,082 teaching episodes) for SPT-Blocked and SPT-Random, respectively. Comparisons of dosage metric values across practice schedules did not reveal substantial differences. Significant negative correlations were found between follow-up probe performance and the dosage metrics. Conclusions Only a few treatment sessions were needed to achieve initial positive changes in articulation, with mastery occurring within 12–14 sessions for the majority of participants. Earlier occurrence of change or mastery was associated with better follow-up performance. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12592190

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HOME VISITS DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF DELIVERY FOR RECENTLY DELIVERED WOMEN IN UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Journal of Advances in Social Science and Humanities ◽

10.15520/jassh.v6i5.483 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 1183-1189

Author(s):

Dr. Tridibesh Tripathy ◽

Dr. Umakant Prusty ◽

Dr. Chintamani Nayak ◽

Dr. Rakesh Dwivedi ◽

Dr. Mohini Gautam

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

National Level ◽

Uttar Pradesh ◽

Life Time ◽

Structured Interview ◽

The Other ◽

Registration System ◽

Action Group ◽

Current Article ◽

The Impact

The current article of Uttar Pradesh (UP) is about the ASHAs who are the daughters-in-law of a family that resides in the same community that they serve as the grassroots health worker since 2005 when the NRHM was introduced in the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states. UP is one such Empowered Action Group (EAG) state. The current study explores the actual responses of Recently Delivered Women (RDW) on their visits during the first month of their recent delivery. From the catchment area of each of the 250 ASHAs, two RDWs were selected who had a child in the age group of 3 to 6 months during the survey. The response profiles of the RDWs on the post- delivery first month visits are dwelled upon to evolve a picture representing the entire state of UP. The relevance of the study assumes significance as detailed data on the modalities of postnatal visits are available but not exclusively for the first month period of their recent delivery. The details of the post-delivery first month period related visits are not available even in large scale surveys like National Family Health Survey 4 done in 2015-16. The current study gives an insight in to these visits with a five-point approach i.e. type of personnel doing the visit, frequency of the visits, visits done in a particular week from among those four weeks separately for the three visits separately. The current study is basically regarding the summary of this Penta approach for the post- delivery one-month period. The first month period after each delivery deals with 70% of the time of the postnatal period & the entire neonatal period. Therefore, it does impact the Maternal Mortality Rate & Ratio (MMR) & the Neonatal Mortality Rates (NMR) in India and especially in UP through the unsafe Maternal & Neonatal practices in the first month period after delivery. The current MM Rate of UP is 20.1 & MM Ratio is 216 whereas the MM ratio is 122 in India (SRS, 2019). The Sample Registration System (SRS) report also mentions that the Life Time Risk (LTR) of a woman in pregnancy is 0.7% which is the highest in the nation (SRS, 2019). This means it is very risky to give birth in UP in comparison to other regions in the country (SRS, 2019). This risk is at the peak in the first month period after each delivery. Similarly, the current NMR in India is 23 per 1000 livebirths (UNIGME,2018). As NMR data is not available separately for states, the national level data also hold good for the states and that’s how for the state of UP as well. These mortalities are the impact indicators and such indicators can be reduced through long drawn processes that includes effective and timely visits to RDWs especially in the first month period after delivery. This would help in making their post-natal & neonatal stage safe. This is the area of post-delivery first month visit profile detailing that the current article helps in popping out in relation to the recent delivery of the respondents. A total of four districts of Uttar Pradesh were selected purposively for the study and the data collection was conducted in the villages of the respective districts with the help of a pre-tested structured interview schedule with both close-ended and open-ended questions. The current article deals with five close ended questions with options, two for the type of personnel & frequency while the other three are for each of the three visits in the first month after the recent delivery of respondents. In addition, in-depth interviews were also conducted amongst the RDWs and a total 500 respondents had participated in the study. Among the districts related to this article, the results showed that ASHA was the type of personnel who did the majority of visits in all the four districts. On the other hand, 25-40% of RDWs in all the 4 districts replied that they did not receive any visit within the first month of their recent delivery. Regarding frequency, most of the RDWs in all the 4 districts received 1-2 times visits by ASHAs. Regarding the first visit, it was found that the ASHAs of Barabanki and Gonda visited less percentage of RDWs in the first week after delivery. Similarly, the second visit revealed that about 1.2% RDWs in Banda district could not recall about the visit. Further on the second visit, the RDWs responded that most of them in 3 districts except Gonda district did receive the second postnatal visit in 7-15 days after their recent delivery. Less than half of RDWs in Barabanki district & just more than half of RDWs in Gonda district received the third visit in 15-21 days period after delivery. For the same period, the majority of RDWs in the rest two districts responded that they had been entertained through a home visit.

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Impact of changing rainfall conditions on surface and groundwater resources in an experimental watershed in Greece

Global NEST Journal ◽

10.30955/gnj.000563 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 119-125

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Resources ◽

Annual Runoff ◽

Annual Rainfall ◽

Rainfall Regime ◽

Winter Rainfall ◽

Rainfall Depth ◽

Rainfall Volume ◽

The Mean ◽

Groundwater Reserves ◽

The Impact

The present study concerns the impact of a change in the rainfall regime on surface and groundwater resources in an experimental watershed. The research is conducted in a gauged mountainous watershed (15.18 km2) that is located on the eastern side of Penteli Mountain, in the prefecture of Attica, Greece and the study period concerns the years from 2003 to 2008. The decrease in the annual rainfall depth during the last two hydrological years 2006-2007, 2007-2008 is 10% and 35%, respectively, in relation to the average of the previous years. In addition, the monthly distribution of rainfall is characterized by a distinct decrease in winter rainfall volume. The field measurements show that this change in rainfall conditions has a direct impact on the surface runoff of the watershed, as well as on the groundwater reserves. The mean annual runoff in the last two hydrological years has decreased by 56% and 75% in relation to the average of the previous years. Moreover, the groundwater level follows a declining trend and has dropped significantly in the last two years.

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(Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.12150 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Natalia Banasik ◽

Dariusz Jemielniak ◽

Wojciech P?dzich

Keyword(s):

Medical Condition ◽

Extended Period ◽

Well Being ◽

Marginal Effect ◽

Life Duration ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Academic Teachers ◽

Length Of Life ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND There have been mixed results of the studies checking whether prayers do actually extend the life duration of the people prayed for. Most studies on the topic included a small number of prayers and most of them focused on people already struggling with a medical condition. Intercessory prayer’s influence on health is of scholarly interest, yet it is unclear if its effect may be dependent on the number of prayers for a named individual received per annum. OBJECTIVE We sought to examine if there is a noticeable increased longevity effect of intercessory prayer for a named individual’s well-being, if he receives a very high number of prayers per annum for an extended period. METHODS We retrieved and conducted a statistical analysis of the data about the length of life for 857 Roman Catholic bishops, 500 Catholic priests, and 3038 male academics from the US, France, Italy, Poland, Brazil, and Mexico. We obtained information for these individuals who died between 1988 and 2018 from Wikidata, and conducted an observational cohort study. Bishops were chosen for the study, as they receive millions of individual prayers for well being, according to conservative estimates. RESULTS There was a main effect for occupation F(2, 4391) = 4.07, p = .017, ηp 2 = .002, with pairwise comparisons indicating significant differences between the mean life duration of bishops (M=30489) and of priests (M=29894), but none between the academic teachers (M=30147) and either of the other groups. A comparison analysis between bishops from the largest and the smallest dioceses showed no significant difference t(67.31)=1.61, p = .11. Our main outcome measure is covariance of the mean length of life in each of the categories: bishops, priests, academic teachers, controlled for nationality. CONCLUSIONS The first analysis proved that bishops live longer than priests, but due to a marginal effect size this result should be treated with caution. No difference was found between the mean length of life of bishops from the largest and the smallest dioceses. We found no difference between bishops and male academics. These results show that the impact of intercessory prayers on longevity is not observable.

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Mean Empirical Likelihood Inference for Response Mean with Data Missing at Random

Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society ◽

10.1155/2020/8893594 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Hanji He ◽

Guangming Deng

Keyword(s):

Empirical Likelihood ◽

Missing At Random ◽

Confidence Regions ◽

Likelihood Inference ◽

High Dimensional ◽

Finite Sample ◽

The Mean ◽

Data Missing ◽

Consistency And Asymptotic Normality ◽

The Impact

We extend the mean empirical likelihood inference for response mean with data missing at random. The empirical likelihood ratio confidence regions are poor when the response is missing at random, especially when the covariate is high-dimensional and the sample size is small. Hence, we develop three bias-corrected mean empirical likelihood approaches to obtain efficient inference for response mean. As to three bias-corrected estimating equations, we get a new set by producing a pairwise-mean dataset. The method can increase the size of the sample for estimation and reduce the impact of the dimensional curse. Consistency and asymptotic normality of the maximum mean empirical likelihood estimators are established. The finite sample performance of the proposed estimators is presented through simulation, and an application to the Boston Housing dataset is shown.

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Onchocerciasis control in Ghana (1974–2016)

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04507-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nana-Kwadwo Biritwum ◽

Dziedzom K. de Souza ◽

Odame Asiedu ◽

Benjamin Marfo ◽

Uche Veronica Amazigo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Vector Control ◽

Control Strategy ◽

Financial Support ◽

Control Programme ◽

Ivermectin Treatment ◽

Mobile Community ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact ◽

Onchocerciasis Control

Abstract Background The control of onchocerciasis in Ghana started in 1974 under the auspices of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP). Between 1974 and 2002, a combination of approaches including vector control, mobile community ivermectin treatment, and community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) were employed. From 1997, CDTI became the main control strategy employed by the Ghana OCP (GOCP). This review was undertaken to assess the impact of the control interventions on onchocerciasis in Ghana between 1974 and 2016, since which time the focus has changed from control to elimination. Methods In this paper, we review programme data from 1974 to 2016 to assess the impact of control activities on prevalence indicators of onchocerciasis. This review includes an evaluation of CDTI implementation, microfilaria (Mf) prevalence assessments and rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis results. Results This review indicates that the control of onchocerciasis in Ghana has been very successful, with a significant decrease in the prevalence of infection from 69.13% [95% confidence interval) CI 60.24–78.01] in 1975 to 0.72% (95% CI 0.19–1.26) in 2015. Similarly, the mean community Mf load decreased from 14.48 MF/skin snip in 1975 to 0.07 MF/skin snip (95% CI 0.00–0.19) in 2015. Between 1997 and 2016, the therapeutic coverage increased from 58.50 to 83.80%, with nearly 100 million ivermectin tablets distributed. Conclusions Despite the significant reduction in the prevalence of onchocerciasis in Ghana, there are still communities with MF prevalence above 1%. As the focus of the GOCP has changed from the control of onchocerciasis to its elimination, both guidance and financial support are required to ensure that the latter goal is met.

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996. The Potential for Reducing Opioid and Analgesic Prescriptions Via Herpes Zoster Vaccination

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1182 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S527-S527

Author(s):

Jean-Etienne Poirrier ◽

Justin Carrico ◽

Jessica K DeMartino ◽

Katherine A Hicks ◽

Jeffrey J Stoddard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Herpes Zoster ◽

Age Group ◽

Opioid Prescription ◽

Varicella Zoster ◽

Effectiveness Model ◽

Prescription Rates ◽

Medication Exposure ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact ◽

Analgesic Use

Abstract Background Herpes zoster (HZ), or shingles, is a common neurocutaneous disease caused by the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus that often includes rash and neuropathic pain that may last for months. Opioids and other analgesics may be prescribed. Recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) is preferentially recommended for the prevention of HZ in adults aged 50 years and older. This study aimed to assess the impact of RZV vaccination on opioid and other analgesic prescription-related outcomes. Methods Estimates of analgesic prescription rates (opioids, benzodiazepines, and other analgesics) among HZ cases were established using Truven claims data from 2012-2018 for adults aged 50 years and older. HZ case avoidance with RZV vaccination was calculated using a previously published cost-effectiveness model. This data was included in a calculator assessing the impact of RZV vaccination on analgesic prescription-related outcomes (compared to no vaccination). Results Between 24.4% and 28.0% of HZ cases in the observed claims had at least one opioid prescription, dependent on age group (4.5%-6.5% and 8.6%-19.6% for benzodiazepines and other analgesics, respectively). The mean number of opioid prescriptions per person in each age group with at least one opioid prescription was between 1.7 and 1.9 (1.7-2.3 and 1.7-2.0 prescriptions for benzodiazepines and other analgesics, respectively). Assuming a 1-million-person population and 65% RZV coverage, the calculator predicts RZV vaccination will prevent 75,002 cases of HZ and will prevent 19,311 people from being prescribed at least 1 HZ-related opioid, 4,502 people from being prescribed benzodiazepines, and 12,201 people from being prescribed other analgesics. Additionally, 34,520 HZ-related opioid prescriptions will be avoided (9,413 benzodiazepine prescriptions; 22,406 other analgesic prescriptions). Conclusion HZ is associated with high levels of opioid, benzodiazepine, and other analgesic use. Primary prevention of HZ by vaccination could potentially reduce opioid and other medication exposure. Disclosures Jean-Etienne Poirrier, PhD, MBA, The GSK group of companies (Employee, Shareholder) Justin Carrico, BS, GlaxoSmithKline (Consultant) Jessica K. DeMartino, PhD, The GlaxoSmithKline group of companies (Employee, Shareholder) Katherine A. Hicks, MS, BSPH, GlaxoSmithKline (Scientific Research Study Investigator, GSK pays my company for my contractual services.) Saurabh P. Nagar, MS, RTI Health Solutions (Employee) Juliana Meyers, MA, GlaxoSmithKline (Other Financial or Material Support, This study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline.)

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The Impact of Game-Based, Modeling, and Collaborative Learning Methods on the Achievements, Motivations, and Visual Mathematical Literacy Perceptions

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/21582440211003567 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 215824402110035

Author(s):

Aziz İlhan

Keyword(s):

Collaborative Learning ◽

Control Group ◽

Conventional Instruction ◽

Game Based Learning ◽

Mathematical Literacy ◽

Learning Methods ◽

Learning Groups ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact ◽

Experimental Group

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of geometry instruction activities conducted in nature based on modeling, game-based, and cooperative learning methods on achievement, mathematical motivation, and visual mathematical literacy perceptions of third-grade elementary school students. The present study is a quantitative study conducted with a pre-test/post-test experimental design with a control group. The study was conducted with 61 students (35 students in the experimental group and 26 students in the control group). Modeling-, game-, and collaborative learning-based activities were conducted with the students in the experimental group. It was determined that the achievements of students who were instructed with modeling-based activities in geometry were high when compared to that of the students instructed with collaborative learning- and game-based methods, and those in the control group where no intervention was applied. This group was followed by the game-based and collaborative learning groups. Based on the variable of motivation, the mean motivation of the students in the modeling group was higher when compared to that of the students in the collaborative learning, game-based, and conventional instruction groups. This group was followed by the collaborative and game-based learning groups. Also, based on the visual mathematical literacy perception variable, the mean visual mathematics literacy perception of the students in the collaborative learning group was higher when compared to that of the students in the groups where the modeling, game-based, and conventional instruction methods were used. This group was followed by the modeling and game-based learning groups.

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The impact of COVID-19 infection on hip fracture 30-day mortality

Trauma ◽

10.1177/1460408620949725 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 146040862094972

Author(s):

Ahmed Fadulelmola ◽

Rob Gregory ◽

Gavin Gordon ◽

Fiona Smith ◽

Andrew Jennings

Keyword(s):

Hip Fracture ◽

Hip Fractures ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

The Elderly ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Time To Death ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact ◽

Mean Time

Introduction: A novel virus, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a fatal global pandemic which particularly affects the elderly and those with comorbidities. Hip fractures affect elderly populations, necessitate hospital admissions and place this group at particular risk from COVID-19 infection. This study investigates the effect of COVID-19 infection on 30-day hip fracture mortality. Method: Data related to 75 adult hip fractures admitted to two units during March and April 2020 were reviewed. The mean age was 83.5 years (range 65–98 years), and most (53, 70.7%) were women. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality associated with COVID-19 infection. Results: The COVID-19 infection rate was 26.7% (20 patients), with a significant difference in the 30-day mortality rate in the COVID-19-positive group (10/20, 50%) compared to the COVID-19-negative group (4/55, 7.3%), with mean time to death of 19.8 days (95% confidence interval: 17.0–22.5). The mean time from admission to surgery was 43.1 h and 38.3 h, in COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative groups, respectively. All COVID-19-positive patients had shown symptoms of fever and cough, and all 10 cases who died were hypoxic. Seven (35%) cases had radiological lung findings consistent of viral pneumonitis which resulted in mortality (70% of mortality). 30% ( n = 6) contracted the COVID-19 infection in the community, and 70% ( n = 14) developed symptoms after hospital admission. Conclusion: Hip fractures associated with COVID-19 infection have a high 30-day mortality. COVID-19 testing and chest X-ray for patients presenting with hip fractures help in early planning of high-risk surgeries and allow counselling of the patients and family using realistic prognosis.

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