Correlation of serum fructosamine, erythrocyte Na+-K+ ATPase and glutathione peroxidase with HbA1c levels

334-338Glycated hemoglobin is the frequently used test in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. However, because this test is affected by various factors and may not be accurate for patients of certain health conditions, the present study aims to explore the association between potential and cost-effective markers like serum Fructosamine, Erythrocyte Na+-K+ ATPase, and Glutathione peroxidase with altering levels of established marker HbA1c (Glycated haemoglobin). The study showed that serum Fructosamine has a statistically significant (P = <0.0001) association with increasing levels of HbA1c as well as blood glucose. There was a 100% sensitivity and specificity for serum fructosamine test against HbA1c in ROC analysis, however, the erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and erythrocyte membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity was not affected by increasing HbA1c levels

Correlation of serum fructosamine, erythrocyte Na+-K+ ATPase and glutathione peroxidase with HbA1c levels

Glycated hemoglobin is the frequently used test in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. However, because this test is affected by various factors and may not be accurate for patients of certain health conditions, the present study aims to explore the association between potential and cost-effective markers like serum Fructosamine, Erythrocyte Na+-K+ ATPase, and Glutathione peroxidase with altering levels of established marker HbA1c (Glycated haemoglobin). The study showed that serum Fructosamine has a statistically significant (P = &lt;0.0001) association with increasing levels of HbA1c as well as blood glucose. There was a 100% sensitivity and specificity for serum fructosamine test against HbA1c in ROC analysis, however, the erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and erythrocyte membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity was not affected by increasing HbA1c levels

A multicenter, community-based, mixed methods assessment of the acceptability of a triple drug regimen for elimination of lymphatic filariasis

BackgroundMany countries will not reach elimination targets for lymphatic filariasis in 2020 using the two-drug treatment regimen (diethylcarbamazine citrate [DEC] and albendazole [DA]). A cluster-randomized, community-based safety study performed in Fiji, Haiti, India, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea tested the safety and efficacy of a new regimen of ivermectin, DEC and albendazole (IDA).Methodology/principal findingsTo assess acceptability of IDA and DA, a mixed methods study was embedded within this community-based safety study. The study objective was to assess the acceptability of IDA versus DA. Community surveys were performed in each country with randomly selected participants (>14 years) from the safety study participant list in both DA and IDA arms. In depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) assessed acceptability-related themes. In 1919 individuals, distribution of sex, microfilariae (Mf) presence and circulating filarial antigenemia (CFA), adverse events (AE) and age were similar across arms. A composite acceptability score summed the values from nine indicators (range 9-36). The median (22.5) score indicated threshold of acceptability. There was no difference in scores for IDA and DA regimens. Mean acceptability scores across both treatment arms were: Fiji 33.7 (95% CI: 33.1-34.3); Papua New Guinea 32.9 (95% CI: 31.9-33.8); Indonesia 30.6 (95% CI: 29.8-31.3); Haiti 28.6 (95% CI: 27.8-29.4); India 26.8 (95% CI: 25.6-28) (PConclusions/significanceIDA and DA regimens for LF elimination were highly and equally acceptable in individuals participating in the community-based safety study in Fiji, Haiti, India, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Country variation in acceptability was significant. Acceptability of the professionalism of the treatment delivery was highlighted

Modelling Human Risk of West Nile Virus Using Surveillance and Environmental Data

Limited research has been performed in Ontario to ascertain risk factors for West Nile Virus (WNV) and to develop a unified risk prediction strategy. The aim of the current body of work was to use spatio-temporal modelling in conjunction with surveillance and environmental data to determine which pre-WNV season factors could forecast a high risk season and to explore how well mosquito surveillance data could predict human cases in space and time during the WNV season. Generalized linear mixed modelling found that mean minimum monthly temperature variables and annual WNV-positive mosquito pools were most significantly predictive of number of human WNV cases (p<0.001). Spatio-temporal cluster analysis found that positive mosquito pool clusters could predict human case clusters up to one month in advance. These results demonstrate the usefulness of mosquito surveillance data as well as publicly available climate data for assessing risk and informing public health practice

Comparison of endocrine and metabolic characteristics of lean and overweight/ obese women with PCOS

Abstract Aims &amp; objective :1. To study clinical features in lean and overweight/obese women with PCOS 2. To compare the hormonal assays between lean and overweight/obese women PCOS 3. To evaluate the metabolic parameters in lean and overweight/obese women with PCOS .Material &amp; Methods :This was a prospective observational study conducted in Jehangir Hospital, Pune.from 1st December 2014 to 31st August 2015. All women with a history of oligo/ amenorrhea and clinical signs of hyperandrogenism like acne or hirsutism, were enrolled in the study. Patients fulfilling at least two out of three Rotterdam Consensus revised diagnostic criteria of PCOS were recruited. A detailed history was taken and examination done. Women were stratified into 2 groups lean and overweight/obese on the basis of BMI. All women were subjected to blood hormonal and metablic profile and USG pelvis. Differences in endocrine and metabolic parameters were studied Results :There was more marked hyperinsulinemia [4%vs 3.3%], relative hyperglycemia[8.1% vs 2.1%], with deranged lipid profile [25.1%vs 10.3%]in the overweight/obese women as compared to lean women with PCOS.The LH level was higher in the non obese[33.3%] PCOS group as compared to the overweight/obese PCOS [22.5%] .Conclusion :Extensive efforts should be made to fully investigate the syndrome in order to make lifestyle changes to delay the serious longterm effects of the disease Keywords: PCOS, Diabetes Mellitus, BMI, Glucose, Lipid Profile, Insulin, Insulin Resistance, Hirsutism

Factors associated with human West Nile virus infection in Ontario: a generalized linear mixed modelling approach

Abstract Background West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen that has become established in North America. Risk for human infection varies geographically in accordance with climate and population factors. Though often asymptomatic, human WNV infection can cause febrile illness or, rarely, neurologic disease. WNV has become a public health concern in Canada since its introduction in 2001. Methods To identify predictors of human WNV incidence at the public health unit (PHU) level in Ontario, Canada, we combined data on environmental and population characteristics of PHUs with historical mosquito and human surveillance records from 2002 to 2013. We examined the associations between annual WNV incidence and monthly climate indices (e.g. minimum and maximum temperature, average precipitation), land cover (e.g. deciduous forest, water), population structure (e.g. age and sex composition) and the annual percentage of WNV-positive mosquito pools from 2002 to 2013. We then developed a generalized linear mixed model with a Poisson distribution adjusting for spatial autocorrelation and repeat measures. Further to this, to examine potential ‘early season’ predictors of WNV incidence in a given year, we developed a model based on winter and spring monthly climate indices. Results Several climate indices, including mean minimum temperature (o C) in February (RR = 1.58, CI: [1.42, 1.75]), and the annual percentage of WNV-positive mosquito pools (RR = 1.07, CI: [1.04, 1.11]) were significantly associated with human WNV incidence at the PHU level. Higher winter minimum temperatures were also strongly associated with annual WNV incidence in the ‘early season’ model (e.g. February minimum temperature (RR = 1.91, CI: [1.73, 2.12]). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that early season temperature and precipitation indices, in addition to the percentage of WNV-positive mosquito pools in a given area, may assist in predicting the likelihood of a more severe human WNV season in southern regions of Ontario, where WNV epidemics occur sporadically

Review of the factors influencing the motivation of community drug distributors towards the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Community drug distributors or neglected tropical disease (NTD) volunteers have played a crucial role in ensuring the success of mass drug administration (MDA) programs using preventive chemotherapy (PC) for lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, trachoma and soil transmitted helminths. In recent years however, a noticeable decline in motivation of some of these volunteers has been perceived, potentially negatively impacting the success of these programs. Potential hypotheses for this change in motivation include the long duration of many MDA programs, the change in sociocultural environments as well as the changes to the programs over time. This literature review identifies factors that affect NTD volunteer performance and motivation, which may be used to influence and improve future programming.A systematic search was conducted to identify studies published between January 1995 and September 2016 that investigate factors pertaining to volunteer motivation and performance in NTD drug distribution programs. Searches from several databases and grey literature yielded 400 records, of which 28 articles from 10 countries met the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment of studies was performed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme(CASP) checklist. Data pertaining to motivation, performance, retention and satisfaction was extracted and examined for themes. Recurring themes in the literature included monetary and material incentives, intrinsic motivation, gender, cost to participate, and health systems and community support. Of these, community support and the health system were found to be particularly impactful. Very few studies were found to explicitly look at novel incentives for volunteers and very few studies have considered the out of pocket and opportunity costs that NTD volunteers bear carrying out their tasks.There is currently great interest in incorporating more attractive incentive schemes for NTD volunteers. However, our results show that the important challenges that volunteers face (cultural, health systems, financial and community related) may have less to do with financial incentives and may actually have a larger impact on their motivation than has previously been understood. Further integration of NTD programs into existing health systems is expected to improve the NTD volunteer working environment. Relevant community engagement related to the MDA program should also provide the supportive environment needed in the community to support NTD volunteers. Programs need to consider these issues to improve working conditions for NTD volunteers

Additional file 1: of Factors associated with human West Nile virus infection in Ontario: a generalized linear mixed modelling approach

Table S1. Sex and Age Distribution by Public Health Units (PHUs) in Southern Ontario, 2002–2013. (DOCX 17 kb

Percentage of publications by NTD.

<p>Percentage of publications by NTD.</p

Percentage of publications by study design.

<p>Percentage of publications by study design.</p