scholarly journals Association between high aflatoxin B1 levels and high viral load in HIV-positive people

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.E. Jolly ◽  
S. Inusah ◽  
B. Lu ◽  
W.O. Ellis ◽  
A. Nyarko ◽  
...  

Since both aflatoxin and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cause immune suppression, chronic exposure to aflatoxin in HIV-positive people could lead to higher levels of virus replication. This study was conducted to examine the association between aflatoxin B1 albumin adduct (AF-ALB) levels and HIV viral load. Antiretroviral naive HIV-positive people (314) with median CD4 count of 574 cells/μl blood (mean ± standard deviation = 630±277) were recruited in Kumasi, Ghana. Sociodemographic and health data, and blood samples were collected from participants. The plasma samples were tested for AF-ALB and HIV viral load. Univariate logistic regression analysis was conducted using viral load (high/low) as the outcome and AF-ALB quartiles as exposure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed between quartile AF-ALB, viral load and CD4 adjusting for sex, age, and year of HIV diagnosis. Both univariate and multivariable logistic regression showed that viral load increased as AF-ALB levels increased. By univariate analysis, high viral load was 2.3 times more likely among persons in the third AF-ALB quartile (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 4.51), and 2.9 times more likely among persons in the fourth AF-ALB quartile (CI: 1.41, 5.88), compared to persons in the first quartile. In the multivariable model, persons in the fourth AF-ALB quartile were about 2.6 times more likely to have high viral loads than persons in the first quartile (CI: 1.19-5.69). When AF-ALB and viral load were log transformed and linear regression analysis conducted, the univariate linear regression analysis showed that for each pg/mg increase in AF-ALB, viral load increased by approximately 1.6 copies/ml (P=0.0006). The association was marginally significant in the adjusted linear regression model (i.e. for each pg/mg increase in AF-ALB, the mean viral load increased by approximately 1.3 copies/ml, P=0.073). These data show strong and consistent increases in HIV viral load with increasing AF-ALB levels. Since the median and mean CD4 were greater than 500 cells for participants in each AF-ALB quartile, the results indicate that the immune modulating and virus transcription effects of aflatoxin may occur quite early in HIV infection, even while the CD4 count is still above 500, resulting in higher viral loads.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yosuke Yamada ◽  
Hiroyuki Umegaki ◽  
Fumie Kinoshita ◽  
Chi Hsien Huang ◽  
Taiki Sugimoto ◽  
...  

Background: Homocysteine is a common risk factor for cognitive impairment and sarcopenia. However, very few studies have shown an association between sarcopenia and serum homocysteine levels after adjustment for cognitive function. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between homocysteine and sarcopenia in memory clinic patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated outpatients in a memory clinic. We enrolled 1,774 participants (≥65 years old) with measured skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), hand grip strength (HGS), and homocysteine. All participants had undergone cognitive assessments and were diagnosed with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or normal cognition. Patient characteristics were compared according to sarcopenia presence, SMI level, or HGS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of homocysteine with sarcopenia, low SMI, or low HGS. Next, linear regression analysis was performed using HGS as a continuous variable. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that low HGS was significantly associated with homocysteine levels (p = 0.002), but sarcopenia and low SMI were not. In linear regression analysis, HGS was negatively associated with homocysteine levels after adjustment for Mini-Mental State Examination score (β= –2.790, p <  0.001) or clinical diagnosis of dementia (β= –3.145, p <  0.001). These results were similar for men and women. Conclusion: Our results showed a negative association between homocysteine and HGS after adjustment for cognitive function. Our findings strengthen the assumed association between homocysteine and HGS. Further research is needed to determine whether lower homocysteine levels lead to prevent muscle weakness.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 782-786
Author(s):  
Ju Wu

Current study focus on using method of multi-linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis, and discuss about the condition and scope of multi-linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis. A modeling method has been introduced keeping in the basic principles of multi-linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis. The modeling method and two forms of analytic methods have been analyzed, based on two clinic test data of diabetes and Model-2 diabetes as objects of study in combination with the analytic methods of multi-linear regression and logistic regression. Analysis result indicate that glycosylated hemoglobin, glycerin trilaurate, total cholesterol of serum and blood sugar concentration present obvious positive relation (P < 0.05), whereas insulin and blood sugar present negative relation(P < 0.05); body mass index (BMI) and relative factors are dangerous; physical excise and relative factors are protective. In conclusion, multi-linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis respectively have their own emphasis; for example, multi-linear regression analysis emphasizes on analyzing linear dependent relation with an dependent variable and multiple independent variables, whereas logistic regression analysis emphasizes on analyzing the relation between probability of occurring an incident and independent variables.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-399
Author(s):  
Weihong Yuan ◽  
Charles B. Stevenson ◽  
Mekibib Altaye ◽  
Blaise V. Jones ◽  
James Leach ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), an objective and noninvasive neuroimaging technique, for its potential as an imaging biomarker to predict the need and timing of CSF diversion surgery in patients after prenatal myelomeningocele (MMC) repair. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of data based on 35 pediatric patients after prenatal MMC repair (gestational age at birth 32.68 ± 3.42 weeks, range 24–38 weeks; 15 females and 20 males). A logistic regression analysis was used to classify patients to determine the need for CSF diversion surgery. The model performance was compared between using the frontooccipital horn ratio (FOHR) alone and using the FOHR combined with DTI values (the genu of the corpus callosum [gCC] and the posterior limb of the internal capsule [PLIC]). For patients who needed to be treated surgically, timing of the procedure was used as the clinical outcome to test the predictive value of DTI acquired prior to surgery based on a linear regression analysis. RESULTS Significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the gCC (p = 0.014) and PLIC (p = 0.037) and higher mean diffusivity (MD) values in the gCC (p = 0.013) were found in patients who required CSF diversion surgery compared with those who did not require surgery (all p values adjusted for age). Based on the logistic regression analysis, the FOHR alone showed an accuracy of performance of 0.69 and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.60. The performance of the model was higher when DTI measures were used in the logistic regression model (accuracy = 0.77, AUC = 0.84 for using DTI values in gCC; accuracy = 0.75, AUC = 0.84 for using DTI values in PLIC). Combining the DTI values of the gCC or PLIC and FOHR did not improve the model performance when compared with using the DTI values alone. In patients who needed CSF diversion surgery, significant correlation was found between DTI values in the gCC and the time interval between imaging and surgery (FA: ρ = 0.625, p = 0.022; MD: ρ = −0.6830, p = 0.010; both adjusted for age and FOHR). CONCLUSIONS The authors’ data demonstrated that DTI could potentially serve as an objective biomarker differentiating patients after prenatal MMC repair regarding those who may require surgery for MMC-associated hydrocephalus. The predictive value for the need and timing of CSF diversion surgery is highly clinically relevant for improving and optimizing decision-making for the treatment of hydrocephalus in this patient population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keisuke Suzuki ◽  
Takao Takeshima ◽  
Hisaka Igarashi ◽  
Noboru Imai ◽  
Daisuke Danno ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To assess the impacts of social situation changes due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on headache-related disability and other symptoms in patients with migraine in Japan. Methods We conducted a multicentre, cross-sectional study including 659 outpatients with migraine diagnosed by headache specialists. The participants were asked about the impacts of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on headache-related disability, headache days, headache intensity, stress, physical activity, hospital access and their work and home lives. For headache-related disability, the total Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score and part A and B scores were analysed. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to identify the clinical predictors of changes in the total MIDAS score before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors related to new-onset headache during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Finally, 606 migraine patients (73 M/533 F; age, 45.2 ± 12.0 years) were included in the study, excluding those with incomplete data. Increased stress, substantial concern about COVID-19 and negative impacts of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily life were reported in 56.8 %, 55.1 and 45.0 % of the participants, respectively. The total MIDAS and A and B scores did not significantly change after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. New-onset headache, which was observed in 95 patients (15.7 %), was associated with younger age and worsened mood and sleep in the logistic regression analysis. The multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis of changes in the total MIDAS score before and during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic identified worsened sleep, increased acute medication use, increased stress, medication shortages, comorbidities, the absence of an aura and new-onset headache were determinants of an increased total MIDAS score during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions In this multicentre study, clinical factors relevant to headache-related disability, such as new-onset headache, stress and sleep disturbances, were identified, highlighting the importance of symptom management in migraine patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongfeng Wang ◽  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
Yunyi Yang ◽  
Lihui Tu ◽  
Jigao Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Depression is a potential factor affecting semen quality. However, the relationship between depression and semen quality remains to be fully elucidated. We investigated the association between depression and semen quality in men during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Cross‐sectional, participants completed a questionnaire assessing lifestyle factors the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate the psychological depression status of subjects. Semen quality assessment implements the requirements of the fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO )manual ,multivariable logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis were conducted to assess the associations between depression and semen quality.Results: Of the 896 participants, 173 were depressed (19.30%). A Linear regression model was fitted to assess the strength and significant level of the association between depressive symptoms and semen quality. After adjusting for potential confounders, depression was significantly associated with 9.27 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.39, 15.15), 0.57(95% CI 0.27, 0.87), 62.20 (95% CI 32.93, 91.48), and 12.96 (95% CI 10.55, 15.37) reduction in sperm concentration, sperm volume, total sperm count, and progressive motility, respectively. Which are consistent with the logistic regression analysis results. The semen concentration and total sperm count were linearly correlated with depression scores, whereas the semen volume and progressive motility of sperm were nonlinearly correlated with depression scores.Conclusions: Depression were associated with lower levels of semen concentration, semen volume, total sperm count, and progressive motility, which could affect male reproductive health.


Author(s):  
Harwanto Harwanto ◽  
Heru Susetya ◽  
Khrisdiana Putri ◽  
Elfa Zuraida ◽  
Widodo Pujiatmoko

A sudden increase of rabies cases in proprietary cats and dogs in Banjarbaru has been identified in recent years. We aim to identify the effectiveness of dog and cat rabies vaccinations in Banjarbaru and to determine the risk factors that influence it. Determination of sample size using the Epitools.ausvet calculation method obtained 153 dogs and cats post vaccination randomly. The ELISA method was used to determine the protective antibody titer of samples (≥0.5 IU/ml) against rabies. Other primary data used to determine risk factors that affect the level of protection against rabies in dogs and cats were obtained from interviews with respondents. The results of the ELISA test and interview data from respondents were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21. Linear regression analysis showed that the type of vaccine A (OR = 19.03), age (OR = 7.52) and frequency of vaccination (OR = 2.52) significantly affected protective antibody titers. Unweighted logistic regression analysis showed the factor associated together with the protectiveness is the frequency of vaccination (OR = 2.52). The protectiveness dog and cat against rabies is very low based on the constant value in linear regression of 0.17 IU / ml and logistic regression of 2.5 x 10-10%. Risk factors that affect the protectiveness of dog and cats against rabies are age (>1 years), type of vaccine (vaccine A) and frequency of vaccination (>1time). Repetition of vaccination is a priority action in increasing the effectiveness of vaccination.


Author(s):  
Hongru Wang ◽  
Yibin Zeng ◽  
Huan Zheng ◽  
Bin Liu

Background: sRAGE (soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products) is identified as playing a protective role in chronic inflammatory diseases, and it has been found to be related to arterial stiffness in hypertensive or diabetic patients. This cross-sectional study was designed to study the potential association of sRAGE with arterial stiffness in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients. Methods: Ninety-four female SLE patients were enrolled. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured by an automatic pulse wave analyzer. Those patients were divided into two groups according to baPWV values, those with values greater than 1400cm/s being defined as the high arterial stiffness group. Biochemical parameters were compared between the two groups. Linear and logistic regression analysis was used to observe the association between sRAGE and arterial stiffness in those patients. Results: Thirty-five patients were defined as being in the high arterial stiffness group in which sRAGE levels were lower (P<0.05). sRAGE levels were significantly related to baPWV(standardized β=1.18, P<0.01) by linear regression analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sRAGE, SLE duration, systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were independent predictors of arterial stiffness in those patients. Conclusion: Our results revealed that sRAGE was negatively associated with arterial stiffness in Chinese female SLE patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Nakagawa Hoffman ◽  
Haruna Kawachi ◽  
Atsushi Hirayama ◽  
Jingwen Zhang ◽  
Ayumi Murayama ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We investigated factors associated with prolonged viral clearance of SARS-CoV-2 among non-severe adult patients in Osaka, Japan. A total of 706 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled in this longitudinal observational study between 29 January 2020 and 31 May 2020, across 62 hospitals and three non-hospital recuperation facilities. Methods Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors associated with prolonged (29 days: upper 25% in duration) viral clearance of SARS-CoV-2. Linear regression analysis was conducted to assess these factors 14 days after symptom onset. Results The median duration of viral clearance was 22 days from symptom onset. After adjustment for sex, age, symptoms, comorbidity, and location of recuperation, comorbidities were associated with prolonged duration: (OR, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.11–2.82]) for one, (OR, 2.47 [95% CI, 1.32–4.61]) for two or more comorbidities. Viral clearance 14 days after symptom onset was 3 days longer for one comorbidity and 4 days longer for two or more comorbidities compared to clearance when there was no comorbidity. Conclusion The presence of comorbidity was a robust factor associated with a longer duration of viral clearance, extending by 3 to 4 days compared to patients with no comorbidity.


2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego M Cecchini ◽  
Ana M Cañizal ◽  
Haroldo Rojas ◽  
Alicia Arechavala ◽  
Ricardo Negroni ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego M Cecchini ◽  
Ana M Cañizal ◽  
Haroldo Rojas ◽  
Alicia Arechavala ◽  
Ricardo Negroni ◽  
...  

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