36 research outputs found
Prediction of adult asthma risk in early childhood using novel adult asthma predictive risk scores
Background Numerous risk scores have been developed to predict childhood asthma. However, they may not predict asthma beyond childhood. We aim to create childhood risk scores that predict development and persistence of asthma up to young adult life. Methods The Isle of Wight Birth Cohort (nâ=â1456) was prospectively assessed up to 26âyears of age. Asthma predictive scores were developed based on factors during the first 4âyears, using logistic regression and tested for sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) for prediction of asthma at (i) 18 and (ii) 26âyears, and persistent asthma (PA) (iii) at 10 and 18âyears, and (iv) at 10, 18 and 26âyears. Models were internally and externally validated. Results Four models were generated for prediction of each asthma outcome. ASthma PredIctive Risk scorE (ASPIRE)-1: a 2-factor model (recurrent wheeze [RW] and positive skin prick test [+SPT] at 4âyears) for asthma at 18âyears (sensitivity: 0.49, specificity: 0.80, AUC: 0.65). ASPIRE-2: a 3-factor model (RW, +SPT and maternal rhinitis) for asthma at 26âyears (sensitivity: 0.60, specificity: 0.79, AUC: 0.73). ASPIRE-3: a 3-factor model (RW, +SPT and eczema at 4âyears) for PA-18 (sensitivity: 0.63, specificity: 0.87, AUC: 0.77). ASPIRE-4: a 3-factor model (RW, +SPT at 4âyears and recurrent chest infection at 2âyears) for PA-26 (sensitivity: 0.68, specificity: 0.87, AUC: 0.80). ASPIRE-1 and ASPIRE-3 scores were replicated externally. Further assessments indicated that ASPIRE-1 can be used in place of ASPIRE-2-4 with same predictive accuracy. Conclusion ASPIRE predicts persistent asthma up to young adult life
Prediction models for childhood asthma: a systematic review
Background
The inability to objectively diagnose childhood asthma before age five often results in both underâtreatment and overâtreatment of asthma in preschool children. Prediction tools for estimating a child's risk of developing asthma by schoolâage could assist physicians in early asthma care for preschool children. This review aimed to systematically identify and critically appraise studies which either developed novel or updated existing prediction models for predicting schoolâage asthma.
Methods
Three databases (MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science Core Collection) were searched up to July 2019 to identify studies utilizing information from children â€5 years of age to predict asthma in schoolâage children (6â13 years). Validation studies were evaluated as a secondary objective.
Results
Twentyâfour studies describing the development of 26 predictive models published between 2000 and 2019 were identified. Models were either regressionâbased (n = 21) or utilized machine learning approaches (n = 5). Nine studies conducted validations of six regressionâbased models. Fifteen (out of 21) models required additional clinical tests. Overall model performance, assessed by area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), ranged between 0.66 and 0.87. Models demonstrated moderate ability to either rule in or rule out asthma development, but not both. Where external validation was performed, models demonstrated modest generalizability (AUC range: 0.62â0.83).
Conclusion
Existing prediction models demonstrated moderate predictive performance, often with modest generalizability when independently validated. Limitations of traditional methods have shown to impair predictive accuracy and resolution. Exploration of novel methods such as machine learning approaches may address these limitations for future schoolâage asthma predictio
European and multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of atopic dermatitis highlights importance of systemic immune regulation
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin condition and prior genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 71 associated loci. In the current study we conducted the largest AD GWAS to date (discovery N = 1,086,394, replication N = 3,604,027), combining previously reported cohorts with additional available data. We identified 81 loci (29 novel) in the European-only analysis (which all replicated in a separate European analysis) and 10 additional loci in the multi-ancestry analysis (3 novel). Eight variants from the multi-ancestry analysis replicated in at least one of the populations tested (European, Latino or African), while two may be specific to individuals of Japanese ancestry. AD loci showed enrichment for DNAse I hypersensitivity and eQTL associations in blood. At each locus we prioritised candidate genes by integrating multi-omic data. The implicated genes are predominantly in immune pathways of relevance to atopic inflammation and some offer drug repurposing opportunities.</p
European and multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of atopic dermatitis highlights importance of systemic immune regulation.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin condition and prior genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 71 associated loci. In the current study we conducted the largest AD GWAS to date (discovery Nâ=â1,086,394, replication Nâ=â3,604,027), combining previously reported cohorts with additional available data. We identified 81 loci (29 novel) in the European-only analysis (which all replicated in a separate European analysis) and 10 additional loci in the multi-ancestry analysis (3 novel). Eight variants from the multi-ancestry analysis replicated in at least one of the populations tested (European, Latino or African), while two may be specific to individuals of Japanese ancestry. AD loci showed enrichment for DNAse I hypersensitivity and eQTL associations in blood. At each locus we prioritised candidate genes by integrating multi-omic data. The implicated genes are predominantly in immune pathways of relevance to atopic inflammation and some offer drug repurposing opportunities
Association of farmers' socio-economics with bovine brucellosis epidemiology in the dry zone of Sri Lanka
The aim of the study was to investigate the farmersâ socio-economic factors and their association with Brucella prevalence in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional survey was planned and a total of 1,153 blood samples were collected from milking and dry animals of 155 farms from three selected veterinary ranges of Kalmunai, Navithanveli, and Mahaoya in the Ampara district, which is a multi-ethnic area. The Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) were used for the Brucella screening and confirmation, respectively. Socio-economic attributes such as family income, poverty, education, main job, ethnicity, parent farmer, farming experience, and training in animal husbandry were determined as potential farmer-level risk factors. Meanwhile, herd size, grazing practice, breeding method, animal brought-in to the farm, and abortions were considered as herd factors. The results revealed that the overall animal level sero-prevalence of brucellosis was 2.7% (35/1153; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7, 3.7%) and the herd prevalence was 9.6% (15/155; 95% CI: 5.7, 15.7%) in the area of study. Brucellosis prevalence varies significantly (p < 0.001) among the selected veterinary ranges with the highest herd prevalence in Kalmunai (20.0%) followed by Navithanveli (11.9%) and Mahaoya (2.7%). Disease prevalence showed variability (p < 0.001) among ethnicities with the highest in Muslims (27.3%) followed by Tamils (8.1%) and Sinhalese (2.7%). Poverty was highly associated (OR = 3.75; 95% CI: 1.43-10.00) with the disease. Free movement grazing practices (p < 0.01) with OR = 7.2 and animal brought-in from outside (p < 0.06) with OR = 3.06 were positively related to brucellosis. It was revealed that farmersâ socio-economics, such as ethnicity and poverty, and animal movement patterns, such as grazing practices are significantly associated with epidemiology of brucellosis in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the âfarmer factorâ should be carefully considered in veterinary epidemiological studies and animal disease control plans in the future
Identifying Redox Orbitals and Defects in Lithium-Ion Cathodes with Compton Scattering and Positron Annihilation Spectroscopies: A Review
Reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions that transfer conduction electrons from the anode to
the cathode are the fundamental processes responsible for generating power in Li-ion batteries. Electronic and microstructural features of the cathode material are controlled by the nature of the redox
orbitals and how they respond to Li intercalation. Thus, redox orbitals play a key role in performance
of the battery and its degradation with cycling. We unravel spectroscopic descriptors that can be used
to gain an atomic-scale handle on the redox mechanisms underlying Li-ion batteries. Our focus is on
X-ray Compton Scattering and Positron Annihilation spectroscopies and the related computational
approaches for the purpose of identifying orbitals involved in electrochemical transformations in the
cathode. This review provides insight into the workings of lithium-ion batteries and opens a pathway
for rational design of next-generation battery materials
La crĂšche d'Henri Tisot
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