Role of biobanking in managing large-scale epidemiological studies

The success and quality of large-scale epidemiological studies depends entirely on biomaterial quality. Therefore, when arranging the third Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and their Risk Factors in Regions of Russian Federation (ESSE-RF-3) study, increased attention was paid to specifics of collection, processing and further transportation of biological samples and related clinical and anthropometric data of participants from regional collection centers to Biobank.Aim. To develop a methodology for collection of high-quality biomaterials within the large-scale epidemiological study, involving the sampling, processing, freezing of blood and its derivatives (serum, plasma) in the regions, followed by transportation and storage of obtained biomaterial in the Biobank of National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine (Moscow).Material and methods. To conduct the ESSE-RF-3 study, a design was developed, according to which the collection of venous blood samples in a total volume of 29,5 ml from each participant is planned in all participating regions in order to obtain and store samples of whole blood, serum and two types of plasma.Results. On the basis of international biobanking standards, ethical norms, experience from ESSE-RF and ESSE-RF-2, and literature data, a protocol for biobanking of blood and its derivatives was developed. The type and number of serum and plasma aliquots obtained, the required standard technical means and consumables, as well as logistic biomaterial requirements were determined. Training programs for regional participants were developed. By the beginning of August 2021, 180 thousand samples of whole blood, serum and plasma from more than 23 thousand participants from 28 Russian regions were collected, processed and stored.Conclusion. The presented work made it possible to assess and confirm the compliance of developed biobanking protocol with quality requirements. However, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, by August 2021, the Biobank did not reach the maximum effectiveness predicted for the ESSE-RF-3 project.

Investigation of Brucellosis Using Molecular and Serological Tools in Selected Sites of Maekel Region, Eritrea

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease primarily affecting animals and accidentally exposed humans. In Eritrea, brucellosis endemicity is proven by several sero-prevalence studies in domestic animals and occupationally exposed humans. However, there is a gap of information on the commonly occurring brucella species and cause of human/animal brucellosis. The objective of this study is to identify brucella species in sheep and goats which possibly pose risk to human brucellosis. Out of a total 71 serum and 71 vaginal swab samples collected from sheep and goats, eight serum samples by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and 4 vaginal swabs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were found positive for brucellosis. Combinatorial PCR detected Br. melitensis from the four PCR positive samples. Questionnaire interviews collected from 68 confirmed brucellosis patients showed that habits of drinking unpasteurized yoghurt and raw milk and handling of aborted materials were common. This investigation study suggests, Br. melitensis could be the major cause of brucellosis in humans and animals in Maekel region Eritrea. Therefore, a large-scale epidemiological study is recommended to confirm the true extent of the problem in animals and humans.

Association of the Yips and Musculoskeletal Problems in Highly Skilled Golfers: A Large Scale Epidemiological Study in Japan

The yips are a set of conditions associated with intermittent motor disturbances that affect precision movement, especially in sports. Specifically, skilled golfers suffer from the yips, although its clinical characteristics and pathophysiology have not been well-studied. We surveyed skilled golfers to characterize their yips-related symptoms, to explore potential confounding factors associated with the yips. Golfers’ demographic information, golfing-career-related history, musculoskeletal status and manifestations of the yips are surveyed. Among the 1576 questionnaires distributed, 1457 (92%) responses were received, of which 39% of golfers had experienced the yips. The median age and golfing careers were 48 and 28 years, respectively. Golfers who had experienced the yips were older and had longer golfing careers and more frequent musculoskeletal problems than those without experience of the yips. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a longer golfing career and musculoskeletal problems were independent factors associated with yips experience. More severe musculoskeletal problems were associated with higher odds of experiencing the yips. A positive association between the yips and musculoskeletal problems was also observed. The yips have similar characteristics to task-specific movement disorders, with a detrimental effect caused by excessive repetition of a routine task. These findings support the notion that the yips are a type of task-specific dystonia.

Status of metals in serum and urine samples of chronic kidney disease patients in a rural area of Bangladesh: an observational study

The traditional causes of Chronic Kidney Damage (CKD) are Diabetes and Hypertension. However, recent studies reported the possible relations between metal exposure and CKD. This study aims to explore the status of metals in CKD patients compared to their healthy counterparts at Narayanganj, Bangladesh, through a cross-sectional study. In this study, 50 volunteers have involved; 30 CKD patients and 20 healthy controls. Five metals were measured from serum (Cu and Zn) and urine (Pb, Cd, and Cr) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Varian AA240 FS). Compared to the controls and the CKD patients were exhibited a significantly higher level of Pb and Cr in their urine samples. As expected, it was observed that the cases had higher levels of Pb, Cd, and Cr in their urine. This signifies a potential association between heavy metal exposure and CKD. The serum levels of Cu were much higher than expected for CKD patients than controls, and the Zn values were in accordance with established literature. However, the level of Zn in blood was significantly lower in the CKD group compared to the control. This data suggests that the Cu imbalance in the serum of the CKD subjects might have been related to a myriad of reasons, one of which being exposed to large concentrations of the nephrotoxic metals such as Pb and Cr in this study. Large scale epidemiological study is warranted in Bangladesh to examine environmental health in relation to nephrology.

Association of Golfing Career and Musculoskeletal Problems of the yips: A Large Scale Epidemiological Study in Japan

Background: The yips are a set of conditions associated with intermittent motor disturbance that affects precision movement, especially in sports. Specifically, skilled golfers suffer from the yips, although its clinical characteristics and pathophysiology have not been well studied. Methods: The purpose of this study was aimed to conduct an epidemiological investigation and explore potential confounding factors associated with the yips among skilled golfers in Japan. We surveyed highly-skilled golfers for characterizing the yips-related symptoms. The survey comprised golfers’ demographic information, golfing-career-related history, musculoskeletal status, and manifestations of the yips. The answers obtained were statistically analyzed to examine the association between golf and the yips.Results: Among the 1,576 questionnaires distributed, 1,457 (92%) responded, of which 39% experienced the yips. The median age and golfing careers were 48 and 28 years, respectively. Golfers with the yips experience were older, had longer golfing careers, and more frequent musculoskeletal problems than those without the yips experience. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a longer golfing career [odds ratio (OR), 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–1.11] and musculoskeletal problems (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03–1.13) were independent factors associated with the yips experience. More severe musculoskeletal problems were associated with higher odds of experiencing the yips. Changing the training method and/or hitting style were effective for improving the yips.Conclusions: Our results revealed that the yips has similar characteristics to task-specific movement disorders, with a detrimental effect caused by excessive repetition of a routine task and a positive association between the yips and musculoskeletal problems. These findings supported the notion that the yips is a type of task-specific dystonia.

Parasitic Infections in Children with Disability in Resource Poor Settings: The Research Gaps

The burden of parasitic infections among children with disability in resource-poor settings has not been summarised through a focused review. Here, we have summarised the key studies reporting the burden of parasitic infections among children without and with a disability. In most instances, among children without disability, Giardia or soil-transmitted helminths dominate the epidemiology, while among disabled individuals, enteric protozoa are the predominant parasites to be reported in both resource-rich and resource-poor countries. Cryptosporidium is generally the leading protozoan to be detected among these populations but all other parasites have been detected in varying frequencies. There is a paucity of data on the precise epidemiology of parasitic infections in children with disability. A large-scale epidemiological study, using modern genomic methodology, is a research priority.