APOE genotypes, lipid profiles and associated clinical markers in a Finnish population with cardiovascular disease risk factors

Introduction: APOE ɛ4 allele predisposes to high cholesterol and increases the risk for lifestyle-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The aim of this study was to analyse interrelationships of APOE genotypes with lipid metabolism and lifestyle factors in middle-aged Finns among whom the CVD risk factors are common. Methods: Participants (n=211) were analysed for APOE ε genotypes, physiological parameters and health- and diet-related plasma markers. Lifestyle choices were determined by a questionnaire. Results: APOE genotypes ε3/ε4 and ε4/ε4 (ε4 group) represented 34.1% of the participants. Genotype ε3/ε3 (ε3 group) frequency was 54.5%. Carriers of ε2 (ε2 group; ε2/ε2, ε2/ε3 and ε2/ε4) represented 11.4%; 1.9 % were of the genotype ε2/ε4. The LDL and total cholesterol levels were lower (P<0.05) in the ε2 carriers than in the ε3 or ε4 groups, while the ε3 and ε4 groups did not differ. Proportions of plasma saturated fatty acids were higher (P<0.01) and omega-6 fatty acids lower (P=0.01) in the ε2 carriers compared with the ε4 group. The ε2 carriers had a higher (P<0.05) percentage of 22:4n-6 and 22:5n-6 and a lower (P<0.05) percentage of 24:5n-3 and 24:6n-3 than individuals without the ε2 allele. Conclusions: The plasma fatty acid profiles in the ε2 group were characterised by higher SFA and lower omega-6 fatty acid proportions. Their lower cholesterol values indicated a lower risk for CVD compared with the ε4 group. A novel finding was that the ε2 carriers had different proportions of 22:4n-6, 22:5n-6, 24:5n-3 and 24:6n-3 than individuals without the ε2 allele. The significance of the differences in fatty acid composition remains to be studied.

Country-level factors dynamics and ABO/Rh blood groups contribution to COVID-19 mortality

The identification of factors associated to COVID-19 mortality is important to design effective containment measures and safeguard at-risk categories. In the last year, several investigations have tried to ascertain key features to predict the COVID-19 mortality tolls in relation to country-specific dynamics and population structure. Most studies focused on the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic observed in the first half of 2020. Numerous studies have reported significant associations between COVID-19 mortality and relevant variables, for instance obesity, healthcare system indicators such as hospital beds density, and bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunization. In this work, we investigated the role of ABO/Rh blood groups at three different stages of the pandemic while accounting for demographic, economic, and health system related confounding factors. Using a machine learning approach, we found that the “B+” blood group frequency is an important factor at all stages of the pandemic, confirming previous findings that blood groups are linked to COVID-19 severity and fatal outcome.

Population-Based Study on Cancer Incidence in Pharmacist: A Cohort Study in Taiwan

Cancer is increasing in rate globally and is leading cause of death among no communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) after cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most of the research focuses on the risk of occupational injury, job stress, mental illness, substance abuse and workplace safety in physicians and nurses. However, fewer studies have investigated the risk of cancer in pharmacists. We compared the matched general population to investigate the risk of cancer in pharmacists in Taiwan. Data were obtained from the Health and Welfare Data Science Center of the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan. We established a pharmacist group that included 11,568 pharmacists and selected a 4-fold comparison (n = 46,272) for the non-clinics comparison group, frequency being matched by age, gender and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score. The pharmacists had a lower but non-significant risk of all cancer (Adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.85–1.07) compared with the general population. Female pharmacists had a higher risk of cancer than male pharmacists ([aHR] = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.06–1.43). Pharmacists had higher risks of breast cancer in females (aHR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.35–2.08) and of prostate cancer in males (aHR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.35–2.08) when compared with the general population. Occupational risk factors could play a role, but they were not evaluated. These epidemiological findings require additional studies to clarify cancer risk mechanisms in pharmacists.

Epiphora before and after upper eyelid functional blepharoplasty: A retrospective cohort study

Epiphora and dermatochalasis are common presentations in the ophthalmology clinic. To evaluate the change of epiphora before and after functional blepharoplasty, this retrospective cohort study reviewed 39 medical records of epiphora patients who underwent upper blepharoplasty. Severity of epiphora using MUNK score was collected and compared between before and at 6 months after blepharoplasty. The analysis model was performed to measure tear breakup time (TBUT) and frequency of artificial tears use. Subgroups of subjects before blepharoplasty to short baseline TBUT (≤ 10 seconds) and long TBUT (≥ 10 seconds) were also evaluated for the MUNK score change. From the analysis of 39 patients, the results showed a statistically significant decrease in post blepharoplasty MUNK score compared to the baseline (all P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between baseline and post-operative TBUT (P > 0.05). Twenty patients were in the short TBUT group and 19 in the long TBUT group. The reduction of MUNK score after blepharoplasty in the short TBUT group was not different to the long TBUT group (P = 0.50, 95% CI -0.84 to 0.41). However, in short TBUT group, frequency of artificial tears use after surgery was less than pre-operation. From the study, upper eyelid blepharoplasty might be one technique reducing the bothersome epiphora in dermatochalasis patients.

STUDY OF BLOOD GROUP ANALYSIS AND ITS CORRELATION WITH LYMPHOPENIA IN COVID 19 INFECTED CASES OUR EXPERIENCE IN TERITARY CARE HOSPITAL.

ABSTRACT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the distribution and frequencies of ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood groups among confirmed cases of Covid19 infection .We also studied the relation between ABO blood group system and lymphopenia and studied the gender association in COVID19 patients. METHODES A hospital based retrospective study was conducted at Government Medical College Suryapet from1-8-2020 to 30-9-2020. A total of 200 Covid cases were included in the study who came to the hospital with the complaints of Fever, sore throat, body pains, cough, breathlessness, diarrhoea. Patients confirmed Covid infection were tested for blood grouping and RH typing by using forward blood grouping with the help of commercially available standared monoclonal antisera. CBP was processed in sysmax 5 part Haemotology analyzer. Blood group frequency was tested also assed the gender association , covid patients presents with lymphopenia the relation between the ABO blood group and lymphocyte count was determined. RESULTS: Males were more compared to the females .Middle aged group male patients were more commonly involved. Most predominant blood group was group B 79(39.5%), group O 78(39%),group A 37(18.5%), group AB 6(3%),most of them were 190 (95%)Rh positive, only 10 Rh negative (5%).To assess the Lymphopenia in our study we divided the absolute lymphocyte count into 5 groups. Group 1 cases are more 58 (29%), Group 2 91(45.5%), Group 3 30 (15%), Group 4 16(8%), Group 5 5(2.5%). CONCLUSION: Male patients with blood group B were more compared to other blood groups however more number of studies are necessary to confirm these findings in a larger sample and among individuals of different ethnicities. Keywords : ABO , BLOOD GROUPS, Rhesus(Rh) typing.

PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS AND RISK OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION CONDUCTED IN A TERTIARY CENTRE.

Purpose: COVID-19 has caused large scale morbidity and mortality. Assessment of frequency of blood groups in COVID-19 to investigate its susceptibility in different blood groups will help in risk stratication and its better understanding. Aims: To assess association between blood group antigens and coronavirus infection. Settings and Design: Blood group of COVID-19 patients was determined and was compared with blood group of blood donors over a period of 23 months. Blood group of both Ccovid-19 positive and negative health care workers was also compared. Methods and Material: Blood group determination was done in 1559 COVID-19 patients, out of which 81 were health care workers. Blood group of 754 COVID-19 negative health care workers was also determined. Gel column technique was used for blood grouping. Blood group frequency of COVID-19 patients was compared with blood group frequency of blood donors over a period of 23 months. Statistical analysis used: Odds ratio, 95% condence limit, z statistic and p value were calculated using online software available at https://www.medcalc.org/calc/odds_ratio.php. p value less than 0.05 was considered signicant. Results: B+ is most prevalent blood group in blood donors hence it was the most frequent blood group encountered in COVID19 patients, No signicant difference was noted in frequency of blood groups of COVID-19 patients and blood donors. Similar results were obtained after comparison of blood group in COVID-19 positive and negative Conclusions: No blood group is immune to SARS-CoV-2. Hence there should be universal compliance of sanitization protocols and vaccination

Country-Level Factors Dynamics and ABO/Rh Blood Groups Contribution To COVID-19 Mortality

Identifying factors related to COVID-19 mortality is important to deploy effective containment measures and to safeguard categories at risk. In the last months, several investigations have tried to ascertain essential features for predicting the COVID-19 mortality tolls depending on country-specific dynamics and population structure. Most studies focused on the initial outbreak of COVID-19 spanning the first half of 2020. Several variables, including obesity, health system indicators such as hospital bed density, and bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination have been reported as significantly associated to COVID-19 mortality. Here, we examined in different pandemic stages some of the mentioned associations as well as ABO and Rh blood group indicators, which have also been previously linked to COVID-19 severity and fatal outcome. Using a machine learning approach, we found that the “B+” blood group frequency is an important factor at all stages of the pandemic.

Frequency distribution of space groups in soluble and membrane proteins and their complexes

The space-group frequency distributions for two types of proteins and their complexes are explored. Based on the incremental availability of data in the Protein Data Bank, an analytical assessment shows a preferential distribution of three space groups, i.e. P212121 > P1211 > C121, in soluble and membrane proteins as well as in their complexes. In membrane proteins, the order of the three space groups is P212121 > C121 > P1211. The distribution of these space groups also shows the same pattern whether a protein crystallizes with a monomer or an oligomer in the asymmetric unit. The results also indicate that the sizes of the two entities in the structures of soluble proteins crystallized as complexes do not influence the frequency distribution of space groups. In general, it can be concluded that the space-group frequency distribution is homogenous across different types of proteins and their complexes.

Farming System for Nutrition-a pathway to dietary diversity: Evidence from India

Farming is the main livelihood of a majority of people in India. The country is also home to a large population of undernourished people. This indicates potential for mainstreaming the nutrition dimension in the farming system to impact on nutrition outcomes. A Farming System for Nutrition (FSN) study was conducted in two agro-ecologically different locations from 2013–2018, to explore the feasibility of nutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions. The baseline survey in 2013–2014 revealed that the population in the study area was largely undernourished and that household diets were cereal-dominated. The FSN model was designed in consultation with community members, to increase availability of nutrient-dense cereals and pulses, by enhancing production and crop diversification at the farm level, promoting cultivation of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables in nutrition gardens and supporting interventions to promote access to animal foods. Nutrition awareness initiatives were undertaken to build capacity at the local level and translate production diversity to consumption diversity. An endline survey was conducted in 2017 (July-October), following three years of intervention. Crop, vegetable and animal food production and food consumption was compared with the baseline data. There was evidence of higher production and consumption of nutrient rich foods, improved household dietary diversity; and understanding and acceptance of nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The number of items consumed under each food group, frequency of consumption of food and average per capita intake of nutrient-rich foods were found to have improved. The results provide evidence regarding feasibility of location-specific FSN models to promote sustainable and healthy diets, using locally available plant and animal food resources, to address nutrition deficiencies in farm families.

Distribution of ABO and Rh types in North of Asir region in Saudi Arabia

Background and Objectives.This study was conducted to form a better understanding of the distribution of ABO and Rh types among the population of the north of Asir region in Saudi Arabia and compare the findings to similar studies that were carried out in other parts of the kingdom and the Middle East. Understanding the frequency of different blood types in different populations is imperative. Blood types are essential not only for transfusion therapy but also for the prediction of the outcome of different diseases. The study aims to establish an understanding of the blood group frequency among the residents of the north of Asir region, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, this study was conducted to compare the blood group frequency in the region to that in different parts of the Arabian Peninsula.Subjects and Methods This study was done throughout 1year from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, using samples from 4142 voluntary subjects at the blood bank of King Abdullah hospital, Bisha. Commercially provided ABO and Rh antibodies were used for the standard blood grouping procedure. Results:Our findings have shown that O is the most prominent ABO blood group while AB was the least frequent. The frequency of A blood type was the second high followed by B blood group while positive Rh factor was more common than the negative. A Comparison of our findings to other studies from Saudi Arabia and nations in the Middle East was also discussed.Conclusion:O+ >A+ >B+ > O->AB+> A->B- > AB- is the order of blood groups frequency in our study for males, while in females the order was almost the same except for the last three blood types was as following: >A->B->AB+. AB- on the other hand, was completely absent in female donors. There are some similarities and differences between our findings and that of other studies from the kingdom and other countries. Knowing and understanding the distribution of ABO and Rh types is essential for creating better policies for transfusion interventions and blood banks managements.