A Cross-Sectional Study of Prevalence and Risk Factors for Major Goat Diseases in Eastern and Western Uganda: Results and Exploration of Biases.

In 1998 a cross-sectional study on goat health and management was conducted in eastern and western Uganda. This study involved 1518 goats which were distributed in 145 herds in 5 districts, namely Kumi, Masaka, Mbarara, Soroti and Ssembabule. Cluster sampling was used to select farms across the two regions. A questionnaire on goat health, management and constraints to production was administered to 145 goat owners. Blood and nasal swabs were collected from a random sample of goats. For each goat a physical examination was performed to detect presence of clinical conditions. Serological assays for contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and brucellosis were performed. Bacterial cultures were done to isolate the genera of bacteria in goats with clinical respiratory conditions (CRC). Another aspect of this study involved collection of gastrointestinal tracts from the abattoir to determine the prevalent nematode worm types and corresponding burdens as assessed through worm and fecal egg counts. Brucella melitensis was detected in 9.8% (141/1446) of the goats and these were distributed in 43.4% of the farms. Abortions were reported in 52% of the herds. A simulation model for transmission dynamics and control options for brucellosis in goats was developed and is described. Considering individual goats, CCPP, PPR, mange, orf, hoof conditions, abscesses, CRC, and infestation with ticks were detected in 29.7% (246/827), 0.5% (8/1466), 0.7% (10/1506), 3.2% (47/1475), 15.7% (237/1509), 2.2% (33/1508), 17.5% (262/1493) and 28.7% (1423/1509) of the goats, respectively. The corresponding distributions of CCPP, PPR, mange, orf, hoof conditions, and CRC at herd level were 55.1% (38/69), 2.1% (3/142), 4.1% (6/145), 10.3% (15/145), 51% (74/145) and 29.7% (43/145), respectively. Putative risk factors for diseases detected were identified through multivariable logistic regression models. These results have revealed a need for active disease surveillance in goats in Uganda and a need for educating farmers on biosecurity and modern goat management practices. This study was done in only two regions of the country and is prone to biases associated with cross-sectional designs, thus more studies, preferably longitudinal, are needed to further investigate diseases and production constraints of farmers along with possible intervention measures

Short-term effect of fenofibrate on C-reactive protein: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>C-reactive protein (CRP) is positively associated with risk for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Some but not all randomized and non-randomized clinical trials found significant associations between fenofibrate therapy and CRP but the direction and magnitude of the association varied across studies. The duration of treatment, patient populations and sample sizes varied greatly, and most short-term studies (i.e., ≤ 12 weeks) had fewer than 50 patients. In this study we meta-analyzed randomized clinical trials to determine the short-term effect of fenofibrate on CRP.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two reviewers independently searched PubMed and other online databases for short-term randomized clinical trials that reported CRP concentrations before and after fenofibrate treatment. Of the 81 studies examined, 14 studies with 540 patients were found eligible. Data for the change in CRP and corresponding measures of dispersion were extracted for use in the meta-analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The weighted mean CRP concentrations before and after fenofibrate therapy were 2.15 mg/L and 1.53 mg/L (-28.8% change), respectively. Inverse-variance weighted random effects meta-analysis revealed that short-term fenofibrate treatment significantly lowers CRP by 0.58 mg/L (95% CI: 0.36-0.80). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (Q statistic = 64.5, <it>P</it>< 0.0001, I²= 79.8%). There was no evidence of publication bias and sensitivity analysis revealed that omitting any of the 14 studies did not lead to a different conclusion from the overall meta-analysis result.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Short-term treatment with fenofibrate significantly lowers CRP concentration. Randomized trials that will recruit patients based with high baseline CRP concentrations and with change in CRP as a primary outcome are needed.</p

Determinants of low birth weight in urban Pakistan

Objective: To identify determinants of low birth weight (LBW) in Karachi, Pakistan, including environmental exposures and nutritional status of the mother during pregnancy. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: Five hundred and forty mother-infant pairs. We interviewed mothers about obstetric history, diet and exposure to Pb. We measured birth weight and blood lead level (BLL). We performed multiple log binomial regression analysis to identify factors related to LBW.Results: Of 540 infants, 100 (18.5%) weighed 208.7 mg/d), infants of mothers with MUAC less than or equal to the median and dietary vitamin C intake \u3e 208-7 mg/d (adjPR = 10.80, 95 % CI 1.46, 79.76), mothers with MUAC above the median and vitamin C intak

Alcohol Consumption and Incident Stroke Among Older Adults.

Objectives: This study examines the relationship between alcohol consumption and incident stroke among older adults and tests whether alcohol consumption contributes to observed race and sex differences in stroke. Method: Data are from a U.S. national cohort of black and white adults aged 45 and older, the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Current and past drinking levels were reported at baseline (2003-2007). Participants who had never had a stroke were followed for adjudicated stroke events through September 2015 (n = 27,265). We calculated Cox proportional hazard models for stroke, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and health characteristics. Results: Participants, mean age 64.7 years, consumed on average 2.2 drinks/week and experienced 1,140 first-time stroke events over median 9.1 years follow-up. Nondrinkers had a 12% higher risk of stroke than current drinkers; the risk of stroke among nondrinkers largely reflected high risks among past drinkers; these differences were explained by socioeconomic characteristics. Among current drinkers, light drinkers had significantly lower stroke risks than moderate drinkers after accounting for demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and health characteristics. Implications of alcohol did not differ between blacks and whites but did differ by sex: Especially among women, nondrinkers, and specifically past drinkers, had higher risks; these differences were largely explained by health characteristics and behaviors. Alcohol did not explain race and sex differences in stroke incidence. Discussion: Among older adults, those who used to, but no longer, drink had higher risks of stroke, especially among women; current light drinkers had the lowest risk of stroke

Intakes of magnesium, calcium and risk of fatty liver disease and prediabetes

Objective Obesity and insulin resistance play important roles in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Mg intake is linked to a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance; people with NAFLD or alcoholic liver disease are at high risk of Mg deficiency. The present study aimed to investigate whether Mg and Ca intakes were associated with risk of fatty liver disease and prediabetes by alcohol drinking status. Design We analysed the association between Ca or Mg intake and fatty liver disease, prediabetes or both prediabetes and fatty liver disease in cross-sectional analyses. Setting Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) follow-up cohort of US adults. Subjects Nationally representative sample of US adults in NHANES (n 13 489). Results After adjusting for potential confounders, Mg intake was associated with approximately 30 % reduced odds of fatty liver disease and prediabetes, comparing the highest intake quartile v. the lowest. Mg intake may only be related to reduced odds of fatty liver disease and prediabetes in those whose Ca intake is less than 1200 mg/d. Mg intake may also only be associated with reduced odds of fatty liver disease among alcohol drinkers. Conclusions The study suggests that high intake of Mg may be associated with reduced risks of fatty liver disease and prediabetes. Further large studies, particularly prospective cohort studies, are warranted to confirm the findings

TCF7L2 polymorphisms and inflammatory markers before and after treatment with fenofibrate

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inflammation is implicated in causing diabetes. We tested whether transcription factor 7 like-2 (TCF7L2) gene polymorphisms (rs12255372 and rs7903146), consistently associated with type 2 diabetes, are associated with plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers before and after three weeks of daily treatment with fenofibrate.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Men and women in the Genetics of Lipid-Lowering Drugs and Diet Network study (n = 1025, age 49 ± 16 y) were included. All participants suspended use of lipid-lowering drugs for three weeks and were then given 160 mg/day of fenofibrate for three weeks. Inflammatory markers and lipids were measured before and after fenofibrate. ANOVA was used to test for differences across TCF7L2 genotypes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Under the additive or dominant model, there were no significant differences (<it>P </it>> 0.05) in the concentrations of inflammatory markers (hsCRP, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1) across TCF7L2 genotypes in the period before or after treatment. For both rs12255372 and rs7903146, homozygote T-allele carriers had significantly higher (<it>P </it>< 0.05) post-fenofibrate concentrations of MCP-1 in the recessive model. No other significant associations were detected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall these data show no association between TCF7L2 polymorphisms and the inflammatory markers suggesting that the effects of TCF7L2 on diabetes may not be via inflammation.</p

Author Correction: Magnesium intake and mortality due to liver diseases: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Cohort

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper

High-fat meal effect on LDL, HDL, and VLDL particle size and number in the Genetics of Lipid-Lowering drugs and diet network (GOLDN): an interventional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Postprandial lipemia (PPL) is likely a risk factor for cardiovascular disease but these changes have not been well described and characterized in a large cohort. We assessed acute changes in the size and concentration of total and subclasses of LDL, HDL, and VLDL particles in response to a high-fat meal. Participants (n = 1048) from the Genetics of Lipid-Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) Study who ingested a high-fat meal were included in this analysis. Lipids were measured at 0 hr (fasting), 3.5 hr, and 6 hr after a standardized fat meal. Particle size distributions were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Analyses were stratified by baseline triglycerides (normal vs. elevated) and gender. The effect of PPL on changes in lipoprotein subclasses was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Postprandially, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C, and triglycerides increased regardless of baseline triglyceride status, with the largest increases in VLDL-C and TG; however, those with elevated triglycerides demonstrated larger magnitude of response. Total LDL particle number decreased over the 6-hour time interval, mostly from a decrease in the number of small LDL particles. Similarly, total VLDL particle number decreased due to reductions in medium and small VLDL particles. Large VLDL particles and chylomicrons demonstrated the largest increase in concentration. HDL particles demonstrated minimal overall changes in total particle number.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We have characterized the changes in LDL and VLDL particle number, and their subclass patterns following a high-fat meal.</p

Lipoprotein Lipase S447X variant associated with VLDL, LDL and HDL diameter clustering in the MetS

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous analysis clustered 1,238 individuals from the general population Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs Network (GOLDN) study by the size of their fasting very low-density, low-density and high-density lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, HDL) using latent class analysis. From two of the eight identified groups (N = 251), ~75% of individuals met Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Both showed small LDL diameter (mean = 19.9 nm); however, group 1 (N = 200) had medium VLDL diameter (mean = 53.1 nm) while group 2 had very large VLDL diameter (mean = 65.74 nm). Group 2 additionally showed significantly more insulin resistance (IR), and accompanying higher waist circumference and fasting glucose and triglycerides (all <it>P </it>< .01). Since lipoprotein lipase hydrolyzes triglyceride in the VLDL-LDL cascade, we examined whether these two patterns of lipoprotein diameter were associated with differences across two lipoprotein lipase (<it>LPL</it>) gene variants: D9N (rs1801177) and S447X (rs328).</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Mixed linear models that controlled for age, sex, center of data collection, and family pedigree revealed no differences between the two groups for the D9N polymorphism (<it>P </it>= .36). However, group 2 contained significantly more carriers (25%) of the 447X variant than group 1 (14%; <it>P </it>= .04).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This was the first study this kind to show an association between <it>LPL </it>and large VLDL particle size within the MetS, a pattern associated with higher IR. Future work should extend this to larger samples to confirm these findings, and examine the long term outcomes of those with this lipoprotein diameter pattern.</p