scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Western Romania, March to June 2021

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Tudor Rares Olariu ◽  
Alina Cristiana Craciun ◽  
Daliborca Cristina Vlad ◽  
Victor Dumitrascu ◽  
Iosif Marincu ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: The extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection among a population may be assessed by the presence of serum SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, which indicates previous exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the adult population from Western Romania. Materials and Methods: Samples of 2443 consecutive individuals, referred for routine laboratory investigations, were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using the Elecsys immunoassay that targets the nucleocapsid protein, for identifying the presence of the total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Results: The overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 45.60%. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was significantly higher in age group 30–49 years (53.94%) compared to age groups 50–69 years (43.53%) and 70–91 years (30.79%) (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference in seroprevalence was observed between females (44.83%) and males (47.05%). Conclusions: Our data revealed a high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the adult population from Western Romania and indicate the rapid and significant spread of the virus. The estimated prevalence of 45.60% was 6 times higher than the rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in the study area. This indicates the magnitude of virus transmission in the community.

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 329-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana V. Mustafina ◽  
Oksana D. Rymar ◽  
Sofiya K. Malyutina ◽  
Diana V. Denisova ◽  
Liliya V. Shcherbakova ◽  
...  

Aims. To estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in different age groups of the adult population of Novosibirsk, according to epidemiological studies in 20032005 and 20132016. Methods. We examined a representative population sample (assessed in 20032005) of men and women aged 4569 years in two administrative districts of Novosibirsk, as a part of the international HAPIEE project. According to the tables of random numbers, representative samples of men and women aged 4569 years were formed, to which letters were sent, inviting them to pass for examination. During 20132016, a second population survey was conducted on a random representative sample of a population of 2544-year-olds of both sexes. Participants were residents of one of the districts of Novosibirsk. T2DM and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were diagnosed using fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels (diabetes: FPG 7.0 mmol/l; IFG: FPG 6.16.9 mmol/l). Results. The prevalence of T2DM among residents aged 4569 years was 11.3%, and overall, no significant difference in prevalence was found between females and males (11.3% vs. 11.0%). However, the overall prevalence of T2DM among residents aged 2544 years was 2.2%, and prevalence was higher in men (3.5%) than in women (1.1%), p 0.05. High prevalence of IFG was found in the 4569 age group (18.2%, in 20032005), and in the younger age group of 2544 years (21.6%, in 20132016). The high rate among young individuals is particularly alarming. Less than one half (4.8 out of 11.3%) of participants aged 4569 tested positive for T2DM, and only one in the age group 2544 years knew he/she had diabetes. This indicates a lack of knowledge among Siberians about their problem with diabetes. Conclusion. Approximately one in five adults had IFG. Among the adult population aged 4569 (in 20032005), 18.2% had IFG and 11.3% had T2DM. In individuals aged 2544 years in 20132016, IFG was observed in 21.6%, and 2.2% had T2DM (p0.05).


1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 367-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Pelletier ◽  
Philippe Duclos ◽  
Peter Gill ◽  
Adamedia Deforest

OBJECTIVE: To assess immunity to diphtheria in a sample of Canadian adults.DESIGN: A seroprevalence study of a group of plasmapheresis donors was performed over a four-month period in 1996. A convenience sample of 1619 sera was collected to obtain a good distribution by age groups and centres. The determination of diphtheria antitoxin concentrations was performed by neutralization of diphtheria toxin in cell culture.SUBJECTS: A total of 1619 plasmapheresis donors from Halifax, Quebec City, London, Calgary and Edmonton were studied.RESULTS: Of the 1619 sera, 20.3% tested showed susceptibility to diphtheria (antitoxin concentration less than 0.01 IU/mL). The proportion of susceptibles increased from 9.5% in subjects 30 to 39 years of age to 36.3% in those 60 years of age or more. The age group 20 to 29 years demonstrated a higher proportion of susceptibles (18.3%) than the next age group (30 to 39 years) in four of the five centres. Significant differences in antibody levels were also observed among the centres. There was no statistically significant difference between sexes.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, detectable antibody and presumably immunity to diphtheria in the present sample of Canadian adults is relatively good. However, reason(s) for the relatively high proportion of susceptibles in those aged 20 to 29 years of age in certain centres, as well as why Canada has not experienced any diphtheria outbreaks in the past 20 years given these susceptibility levels, should be investigated further.


2015 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sivaprasad ◽  
T. Shalini ◽  
N. Balakrishna ◽  
M. Sudarshan ◽  
P. Lopamudra ◽  
...  

Background: Deficiency of vitamin B12 (B12) and folate (FA) leads to a wide spectrum of disorders that affect all age groups. However, reports on B12 and FA status in healthy adults in India are limited. Hence, we determined the plasma levels and dietary intake of B12 and FA in the adult population. Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in an urban setup among 630 apparently healthy adults distributed into 3 age groups: 21-40, 41-60 and >60 years. Plasma concentrations of B12 and FA were analyzed by radio immunoassay and dietary intake by 24-hour recall method. Results: The overall prevalence of FA deficiency was 12%, but there was no significant difference in plasma FA concentrations among the groups. While the overall prevalence of B12 deficiency was 35%, it was significantly higher in the 21-40 (44%) and 41-60 age groups (40%) when compared with the >60 group (30%). B12 deficiency was higher in vegetarians (54%) compared to those consuming mixed diet (31%), and the reverse was the case with FA. However, the dietary intakes of FA and B12 were not significantly different among the groups. Conclusions: These results indicate a higher prevalence of B12 deficiency in apparently healthy adults in an urban setup.


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. 187-192
Author(s):  
EJAZ HUSSAIN SIDDIQUI ◽  
SAAD SIDDIQUI ◽  
NOREEN SHAH

Objectives: To assess common presenting features and the role of Ultrasound in evaluation of Hepatobiliary diseases in ourpopulation. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Khyber X rays, Khyber Medical Centre, Peshawar. Period: August 2010 to December2010. Material and Methods: Data from patients presenting for evaluation of Hepatobiliary diseases was analyzed for presenting complaintsand ultrasound findings according to objectives of the study. Results: In total 197 cases were included in the study. The age wise categorizationincluded pediatric population (6.1%) adult population (87.3%) and geriatric population (6.6%). Upper abdominal pain was the most commonpresenting feature in all age groups as well as in both genders. Cholelithiasis with or without cholecystitis was the most common ultrasoundfinding in all age groups. No statistically significant difference was found between presenting features or ultrasound findings in different agegroups as well as across gender. Conclusions: Hepatobiliary diseases are among major illnesses in our region. Ultrasound is a sensitive anduseful tool for screening and evaluation of Hepatobiliary disorders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-10
Author(s):  
Chhabi Lal Adhikari ◽  
Guru Prasad Dhakal ◽  
Nongluck Suwisith ◽  
Sonam Dargay ◽  
Krishna P Sharma

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium causing chronic gastric infection and may cause gastric cancer. It was necessary to see the trend of infection, especially in symptomatic patients. This retrospective descriptive study was aimed to describe the characteristics of H. pylori infection in Bhutanese patients referred for an endoscopy to the National Referral Hospital, Thimphu. Methods: The sample of the study was randomized 380 medical records of the patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and Rapid Urea Test for symptomatic dyspepsia and peptic ulcer. Data was collected using a survey form designed by the researchers. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and either Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was very high (76.6%). The mean age of the infection was 42 with a range from 15 to 84 years. The highest prevalence of infection was observed in the age group 20-29 years (82.7%) and lowest in the oldest age group 70-84 years (66.7%). The analysis showed no significant difference in infection amongst age groups, gender, and endoscopic findings to the positive results at 5% significant level except for monthly prevalence (p<0.001). Gastritis was the commonest endoscopy finding (153/380) and gastro-duodenitis had the highest positivity rate (88.9%). Conclusion: The prevalence of infection was relatively high compared with previous studies. Young and middle-aged adults had a high prevalence and this group needs to be given priority for screening and eradication treatment considering limited resources to prevent associated gastric cancer in Bhutan.


Author(s):  
Максикова ◽  
Tatyana Maksikova ◽  
Бабанская ◽  
Evgeniya Babanskaya ◽  
Меньшикова ◽  
...  

Smoking is a significant risk factor of chronic noncommunicable diseases. Smoking prevalence is variable in different populations. A study of the prevalence of this risk factor allows to estimate its contribution to the development of cardiovascular pathology, to plan the necessary amount of medical care for people using tobacco, and to determine the effectiveness of prevention activities in the region. As a result of the study, smoking frequency in population of the Irkutsk region older 18years of age or over was established as 29.5%. The number of smokers increased with age, reaching maximum value of 38.6% in the group 30–39 years. Male smokers made maximum in the age group 30–39 years, women – in the age group of 18–19 years. The average age of smokers was 34 years, the one of nonsmokers – 43 years. The age difference was 9 years, and it was lower in the group of men than in the group of women (5 and 11 years, respectively). The number of the smoking men were 3 times larger, than women: 50.2% and 13.5%, respectively. Among persons with arterial hypertension, 22.1% were smoking with the maximum frequency of smoking in age groups from 20 to 49 years. These figures point to a considerable problem of smoking in the region.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (B) ◽  
pp. 210-215
Author(s):  
Makbruri Makbruri ◽  
Isabella Kurnia Liem ◽  
Ahmad Aulia Jusuf ◽  
Tantri Hellyanti

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a systemic syndrome occurring in 3–5% of pregnancies, caused by disorders of cellular factors resulting in the disruption of trophoblast differentiation and invasion which is important for the placental development and maintaining pregnancy. Cullin-1 is a protein that plays a role in the process of maintaining pregnancy, development, and trophoblast invasion in the placenta. Until now, there have been no studies linking the expression of cullin-1 in preeclamptic patients with the timing of pregnancy termination. AIM: This study analyzed cullin-1 expression in preeclamptic patients and their relationship to the timing of pregnancy termination was carried out. METHODS: Placental samples were taken from preeclampsia patients consisting of three gestational age groups, then immunohistochemical staining was performed to see the dynamics of expression and distribution in each age group of pregnancy and to find out their relationship with the timing of pregnancy termination. RESULTS: Cullin-1 was expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts. The lowest cullin-1 level was obtained in the very preterm age group, and the highest was found in the moderate preterm gestational age group. There was a significant difference between cullin-1 optical density (OD) expression and termination time of pregnancy, and there was a significant difference (OD) in cullin-1 preeclamptic patients with very preterm gestational age with moderate preterm gestational age. CONCLUSION: Cullin-1 was expressed both in syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts and was associated with the timing of pregnancy termination.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 232596712092793
Author(s):  
Christopher Antonacci ◽  
Thomas R. Atlee ◽  
Peter N. Chalmers ◽  
Christopher Hadley ◽  
Meghan E. Bishop ◽  
...  

Background: Pitching velocity is one of the most important metrics used to evaluate a baseball pitcher’s effectiveness. The relationship between age and pitching velocity after a lighter ball baseball training program has not been determined. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between age and pitching velocity after a lighter ball baseball training program. We hypothesized that pitching velocity would significantly increase in all adolescent age groups after a lighter baseball training program, without a significant difference in magnitude of increase based on age. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Baseball pitchers aged 10 to 17 years who completed a 15-week training program focused on pitching mechanics and velocity improvement were included in this study. Pitchers were split into 3 groups based on age (group 1, 10-12 years; group 2, 13-14 years; group 3, 15-17 years), and each group trained independently. Pitch velocity was assessed at 4 time points (sessions 3, 10, 17, and 25). Mean, maximum, and mean change in pitch velocity between sessions were compared by age group. Results: A total of 32 male baseball pitchers were included in the analysis. Mean/maximum velocity increased in all 3 age groups: 3.4/4.8 mph in group 1, 5.3/5.5 mph in group 2, and 5.3/5.2 mph in group 3. While mean percentage change in pitch velocity increased in all 3 age groups (group 1, 6.5%; group 2, 8.3%; group 3, 7.6%), the magnitude of change was not significantly different among age groups. Program session number had a significant effect on mean and maximum velocity, with higher mean and maximum velocity seen at later sessions in the training program ( P = .018). There was no interaction between age and program session within either mean or maximum velocity ( P = .316 and .572, respectively). Conclusion: Age had no significant effect on the magnitude of increase in maximum or mean baseball pitch velocity during a velocity and mechanics training program in adolescent males.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e033334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A Marshall ◽  
Xiaoxiao Liu ◽  
Cheryl Barnabe ◽  
Karen Yee ◽  
Peter D Faris ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of comorbidities among people with osteoarthritis (OA) using administrative health data.DesignRetrospective cohort analysis.SettingAll residents in the province of Alberta, Canada registered with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan population registry.Participants497 362 people with OA as defined by ‘having at least one OA-related hospitalization, or at least two OA-related physician visits or two ambulatory care visits within two years’.Primary outcome measuresWe selected eight comorbidities based on literature review, clinical consultation and the availability of validated case definitions to estimate their frequencies at the time of diagnosis of OA. Sex-stratified age-standardised prevalence rates per 1000 population of eight clinically relevant comorbidities were calculated using direct standardisation with 95% CIs. We applied χ2 tests of independence with a Bonferroni correction to compare the percentage of comorbid conditions in each age group.Results54.6% (n=2 71 794) of people meeting the OA case definition had at least one of the eight selected comorbidities. Females had a significantly higher rate of comorbidities compared with males (standardised rates ratio=1.26, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.28). Depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertension were the most prevalent in both females and males after age-standardisation, with 40% of all cases having any combination of these comorbidities. We observed a significant difference in the percentage of comorbidities among age groups, illustrated by the youngest age group (<45 years) having the highest percentage of cases with depression (24.6%), compared with a frequency of 16.1% in those >65 years.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the high frequency of comorbidity in people with OA, with depression having the highest age-standardised prevalence rate. Comorbidities differentially affect females, and vary by age. These factors should inform healthcare programme and delivery.


1977 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Donn

The intensity ratio of the continuum to the molecular emissions was estimated in the spectra of eight-five comets. These consisted of 34 new, 1/a (orig) < 100 x 10-6 AU-1, 31 more evolved with 102 < 1/a < 104, and 20 periodic comets, P < 103 years. In each age group the comets were divided into two distance intervals, the first observed at less than 1 AU from the sun and the second category observed at more than 1 AU. No significant difference among the patterns of relative intensity distribution among four age groups was found. No general evidence for a difference between pre- and post-perihelion observations was found although in a few cases a pronounced effect occurs. Four conclusions are drawn. (1) There is no readily apparent difference in continuum to emission intensity ratio between new and more evolved comets. (2) An intrinsic distribution of this characteristic does occur. (3) Periodic comets with weak continua derived from new comets with the same property. (4) No weakening of the continuum in general occurs following perihelion passage. The infrared evidence for Comet Encke suggests that the faintness of its continuum may be caused by a size distribution containing only particles larger than about 10 μm.


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