Tag: statistics

J Anim Ecol. 2022 Jan 23. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.13666. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Parasites that infect multiple species cause major health burdens globally, but for many, the full suite of susceptible hosts is unknown. Predicting undocumented host-parasite associations will help expand knowledge of parasite host specificities, promote the development of theory in disease ecology and evolution, and support surveillance of multi-host infectious diseases. Analysis of global species interaction networks allows for leveraging of information across taxa, but link prediction at this scale is often limited by extreme network sparsity and lack of comparable trait data across species. Here we use recently developed methods to predict missing links in global mammal parasite networks using readily available data: network properties and evolutionary relationships among hosts. We demonstrate how these link predictions can efficiently guide the collection of species interaction data and increase the completeness of global species interaction networks. We amalgamate a global mammal host-parasite interaction network (>29,000 interactions) and apply a hierarchical Bayesian approach for link prediction that leverages in formation on network structure and scaled phylogenetic distances among hosts. We use these predictions to guide targeted literature searches of the most likely yet undocumented interactions, and identify empirical evidence supporting many of the top “missing” links. We find that link prediction in global host-parasite networks can successfully predict parasites of humans, domesticated animals, and endangered wildlife, representing a combination of published interactions missing from existing global databases, and potential but currently undocumented associations. Our study provides further insight into the use of phylogenies for predicting host-parasite interactions, and highlights the utility of iterated prediction and targeted search to efficiently guide the collection of information on host-parasite interactions. These data are critical for understanding the evolution of host specificity, and may be used to support disease surveillance through a process of predicting missing links, and targeting research towards the most likely undocumented interactions.

PMID:35066873 | DOI:10.1111/1365-2656.13666

Clin Cardiol. 2022 Jan 23. doi: 10.1002/clc.23777. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in different age groups.

METHODS: A total of 39 417 people, receiving Kailuan physical examination, completing baPWV examination from 2010 to 2017, with no history of CVD and atrial fibrillation, were selected as the observation objects. The population was categorized into one age group per 10 years, namely the <50, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and ≥80-year-old groups, and the total population, and each group was further assigned into three classes according to the triple quartiles of baPWV. Kaplan-Meier method helped to calculate the cumulative incidence of CVD in different age groups. The effect of baPWV on CVD in different age groups was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated statistical significance (p < .05) in the cumulative incidence of CVD among the whole population, <50, 50-59, and 60-69-year-old groups, while the cumulative incidence of end-point events among the baPWV subgroups of 70-79 and ≥80-year-old groups exhibited no statistical significance (p > .05). Compared with baPWV in the Q1 group, hazard ratio value (95% confidence interval [CI]) of CVD in the Q3 group was 4.14 (95% CI: 2.98-5.75) in the total population, 2.98 (95% CI: 1.08-8.21) in <50-year-old population, 4.49 (95% CI: 2.89-7.00) in 50-59-year-old population, 2.78 (95% CI: 1.76-4.39) in 60-69-year-old population, 1.39 (95% CI: 0.86-2.24) in 70-79-year-old population, and 1.15 (95% CI: 0.55-2.41) in ≥80-year-old population.

CONCLUSION: CVD risk attributed to increased arterial stiffness reduces with age.

PMID:35066888 | DOI:10.1002/clc.23777

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-18104-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Even though the ecological transition is considered the next big challenge for Africa, few studies have examined its scope regardless of the massive financing that is required and the stakes on other sectors. This study analyzes the links between financial development, ecological transition, and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1980 to 2019. The Dumitrescu and Hurlin causality tests, Pedroni and Westerlund cointegration, and the Augmented Mean Group algorithm are applied on a sample of forty-eight countries. The findings support that institutional quality and human capital are crucial, but their effects can only be observed in high-income and upper middle-income countries. The level of economic development matters, and there is a threshold beyond which the effects of renewable energies and human capital occur on the performance of the financial system. Trade openness and investments seem also to be positive and significant on ecological transition only in these countries. Furthermore, there is substitutability between non-renewable and renewable energy consumption in these countries, while in lower middle-income and low-income countries, there is complementarity. The study concludes by highlighting key policy recommendations to sustain ecological transition.

PMID:35066855 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-18104-y

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-18186-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pregnant women are vulnerable to certain environmental agents, one of which is aflatoxin. As one of the most popular aflatoxins, Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has recently garnered increased attention concerning its potential association between exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aims of the study were to examine the associations between prenatal exposure to AFB1 and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), and whether coagulation function has a mediating effect on their relationship. A total of 379 mother-infant pairs were included in the present study. Prenatal serum AFB1 albumin (AFB1-Alb) adduct levels in peripheral venous blood were detected by using an ELISA kit. Multiple linear and logistics regression models were applied to analyze the relationship between AFB1-Alb levels and PPH. We found mothers with high levels of AFB1-Alb adduct levels had significantly increased postpartum blood loss (partial regression coefficient (β) = 50.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.48, 97.95). Mothers with high levels of AFB1-Alb adduct levels also had significantly increased risk of PPH (odds ratio (OR) = 4.81, 95% CI 1.01, 22.98). Moreover, concentrations of AFB1-Alb were positively associated with activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) while negatively associated with fibrinogen (FIB). One-unit increase in APTT was correlated with a 6.62-ml (95% CI 3.04, 10.20) increase in postpartum blood loss. Mediation analysis suggested that the maternal blood APTT levels had a positive mediating effect in the association between AFB1-Alb adduct levels and postpartum blood loss (β = 0.32, 95% CI 0.04, 0.68). These results indicated that prenatal exposure to AFB1 was associated with increased postpartum blood loss, possibly by interfering with maternal APTT levels.

PMID:35066843 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-18186-8

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-18199-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Exposure to lead among children, as well as adults, is a major global health issue. With diverse routes of exposure (e.g., food, air, and water) either environmentally or occupationally, lead among children can cause mild, moderate, to severe health complications in the later stages of life. The average blood lead level reported by CDC in 2021 is 3.5 µg/dL, and the level of blood lead toxicity is ≥ 10 μg/dL. In this study, we planned to systematically analyze the association between blood lead levels (BLLs) (≥ 10 μg/dL and < 10 μg/dL) and the risk of anemia (hemoglobin level < 11 g/dL) among Indian children aged between ≥ 1 and ≤ 18 years. An online literature search of 5 databases, PubMed, Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was accomplished with a search updated until 8^th March 2021. Study designs included cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies that have evaluated the association of lead toxicity or exposure with anemia (Hb < 11 g/dL) reported in urban and/or rural Indian children. Meta-analysis was performed among a total of 864 children from 4 cross-sectional studies. The association between lead toxicity (BLLs ≥ 10 μg/dL) and the risk of being anemic was not statistically significant (RR = 1.15 (95% CI: 0.86-1.55, I² = 77%). The risks of bias in all included studies were low according to the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Increased blood lead levels did not appear to be the major contributor to anemia in Indian Children. We need to focus primarily on improving the nutritional quality, fortified food supplements, and a balanced diet for children to reduce the anemia burden in India. Lead toxicity should be sought as an etiological factor only in areas of high environmental risk factors which were leaded paints, leaded batteries, a house near major road/traffic areas, and pesticide exposure.

PMID:35066849 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-18199-3

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-18139-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study intends to test the presence of β-convergence in the global Environmental Performance (EP). For this purpose, spatial Green Solow model is used as the theoretical framework of the study. Data of 88 developed and developing countries for the periods 1978-2017 is used. The present study utilizes ecological footprint (EF) as a comprehensive Environmental Performance Indicator (EPI). For data analysis, spatial econometric techniques have been used. To explore the spatial dependence of EP, Moran’s I statistic was used. For regression analysis, this study has made the use of Spatial Durbin Model (SDM). Findings of the study indicate that there is positive spatial autocorrelation in the EP of the countries which means countries with similar EP are clustered together. Results of SDM confirm the existence of β-convergence in the global EP. Physical capital was found to degrade environment while break-even investment (BEI) was found to improve it.

PMID:35066827 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-18139-1

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-17874-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The presence of microplastics in the sea is a global issue widely studied and discussed in the last years. The whole marine ecosystem is now considered at high risk because of their presence and abundance in every studied environment all over the world because polymeric materials commonly constitute the main raw materials in contemporary industrial production. The presented study reports the results obtained from surface seawater monitoring of two sampling transects in the coastal area close to the Venice Lagoon (Italy) inlet, investigated in order to get new information about the presence and relevance of plastic pollution. Plastic particles collected by means of a manta net (0.3-mm mesh size) have been characterized in detail by utilizing a multi-technique approach in order to discriminate them by typology, dimension, colour, spatial density and chemical composition. Such information permitted the individuation of subgroups (specific groups) of plastic micro-debris in this Northern Adriatic area.

PMID:35066833 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-17874-9

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-18134-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mangroves are distributed in coastal and estuarine regions and are characterized as a sink for terrestrial pollution. It is believed that complex interactions between environmental factors and microbial communities exist in mangrove swamps. However, little is known about environment-microbe interactions. There is a need to clarify some important environmental factors shaping microbial communities and how environmental factors interact with microbial assemblages in mangrove swamps. In the present study, physicochemical and microbial characteristics in four mangrove reserves (named ZZW, Qin, Bei, and GQ) in the North Beibu Gulf were determined. The interactions between environmental factors and microbial assemblages were analyzed with statistical methods in addition to CCA and RDA. Higher concentrations of sulfate (SO₄^2--S) and Fe but lower concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and NO₃^–-N were detected in ZZW and Qin. Nutrient elements (NO₃^–-N, NH₄⁺-N, organic matter (OM), SO₄^2--S, Fe, and TP) were more important than heavy metals for determining the microbial assemblages, and NO₃^–-N was the most important factor. NO₃^–-N, SO₄^2--S, TP, and Fe formed a significant co-occurrence network in conjunction with some bacterial taxa, most of which were Proteobacteria. Notably, comparatively elevated amounts of sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfatibacillum, Desulfomonile, and Desulfatiglans) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Thioprofundum and Thiohalophilus) were found in ZZW and Qin. The co-occurrence network suggested that some bacteria involved in sulfate reduction and sulfur oxidation drive the transformation of P and N, resulting in the reduction of P and N in mangrove swamps. Through the additional utilization of multivariate regression tree (MRT) and co-occurrence network analysis, our research provides a new perspective for understanding the interactions between environmental factors and microbial communities in mangroves.

PMID:35066825 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-18134-6

Ophthalmol Ther. 2022 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s40123-021-00448-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Switching to an alternative anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agent has been suggested for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who have a suboptimal response to initial therapy. However, post hoc analyses of some studies have shown that continuation of initial anti-VEGF therapy is, in many cases, associated with stable visual outcomes or gradual gains.

METHODS: This ARIES (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02581891) post hoc analysis describes outcomes in patients with treatment-naïve nAMD receiving treat-and-extend intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) for 104 weeks, who were identified as meeting criteria for an early hypothetical switch. Patients were categorized retrospectively according to six criteria (presence of central intraretinal and/or subretinal fluid at week 8 or 24, with/without a next planned treatment interval ≤ 8 weeks, and with/without gains in best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA] ≤ 5 letters [with absolute BCVA < 70 letters]).

RESULTS: Hypothetical switch criteria were largely met due to the presence of central subretinal fluid rather than intraretinal fluid. Depending on the criterion, 8-46% of patients were considered to be hypothetical switchers. BCVA outcomes were not worse in the hypothetical switchers, irrespective of criteria. Using criteria of intraretinal/subretinal fluid at week 24 and a next planned treatment interval ≤ 8 weeks, mean changes in BCVA (letters) from baseline in hypothetical switchers and non-switchers were: + 6.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4, 8.8) and + 6.6 (95% CI 4.7, 8.6), respectively, at week 24; + 8.2 (95% CI 5.0, 11.3) and + 7.5 (95% CI 5.3, 9.7), respectively, at week 52; and + 5.7 (95% CI 1.3, 10.1) and + 3.4 (95% CI 0.1, 6.7), respectively, at week 104.

CONCLUSIONS: In newly diagnosed nAMD, there appears little rationale for early switching from IVT-AFL since, with continuous proactive treatment, comparable visual gains can be achieved by patients meeting hypothetical switch criteria compared with those who initially respond well on a treat-and-extend regimen. However, further prospective studies are needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02581891. Video summary of the ARIES Post Hoc Analysis “Hypothetical Switch of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration” (MP4 54283 KB).

PMID:35066801 | DOI:10.1007/s40123-021-00448-w

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-18192-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are still a serious public health problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people’s lifestyles and quality of life. Besides, the prevalence of IPIs is directly associated with environmental sanitation, overcrowding, and personal hygiene. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the prevalence of IPIs among patients referred to hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences by reviewing the available data of hospital information system database in the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. The total data of 13,686 patients referred to hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, southern Iran were collected from March 2019 to March 2021. The overall prevalence of IPIs was found to be 4.4%, and Blastocystis spp. was the most common parasite. The prevalence of protozoan parasites (4.4%) was significantly higher than helminthic parasites (0.04%, P < 0.001). A significant association was observed between IPIs with age, gender, and year (P < 0.05). The prevalence of IPIs among those referred to hospitals before the COVID-19 pandemic was higher than those referred to hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic (5.8% vs 2.8%), and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The odds of infection among people investigated during the COVID-19 pandemic was about 40% lower than those investigated before the COVID-19 pandemic (AOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.49-0.73, P < 0.001). Our results showed that the prevalence of IPIs has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Improved sanitation, personal hygiene, and health education can be effective in reducing parasitic infections in the COVID-19 pandemic.

PMID:35066821 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-18192-w