How to conduct research of rare autoimmune diseases

Rare autoimmune diseases are difficult to conduct researches in spite of present era with advanced scientific progress. Research using genetic approach is a promising way since genetic findings implicate causality of diseases. Still, there are multiple obstacles preventing genetic studies of rare diseases. Here, we list up the problems and propose solutions for them with detailed examples. The biggest problem is that it is difficult to collect a substantial number of DNA samples from patients with rare diseases. We propose to collaborate not only with academic institutions and hospitals but with patients’ groups. Detailed examples include studies about Takayasu arteritis (TAK), relapsing polychondritis, and systemic sclerosis. In TAK, we identified IL12B, a key gene which seems to play a central role in the disease. After getting evidence of IL12p40 encoded by IL12B as a possible therapeutic target by showing similarities of the genetic background between TAK and ulcerative colitis, we performed a pilot clinical study of ustekinumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL12p40 for patients with refractory TAK and obtained good response. This is a good example of how genetic findings in a rare disease lead to development of new therapeutic option.     

Impaired quality of life after bicycle trauma

IntroductionBicycle crashes often affect individuals in working age, and can impair quality of life (QoL) as a consequence. The aim of this study was to investigate QoL in bicycle trauma patients and to identify those at risk of impaired QoL.Patients and methods173 bicycle trauma patients who attended a level I trauma centre from 2010 to 2012 received Hadorn's QoL questionnaire six months after their crash. Medical data was collected from the patient's records. Univariate ordinal logistic regression was used to investigate the association between QoL and other factors.Results148 patients returned the questionnaire (85.5%). The majority had only mild or minor injuries (85.1%; n = 126). However, 72.1% (n = 106) still suffered from pain or other physical symptoms more than six months after their bicycle crash. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤13 or an Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15 experienced impaired emotions/outlook on life (p-values 0.003 and 0.045, respectively). Physical suffering was reported by patients with a GCS ≤13 and in those with injuries to the cervical spine (p-values 0.02 and 0.025, respectively). Patients with an ISS >15 or facial fractures experienced limitations in daily activities (p-values 0.031 and 0.025, respectively).ConclusionsMore than 70% of bicycle trauma patients suffered physically more than six months after their crash, even though only 15% were severely injured. Risk factors for an impaired QoL were cervical spine injuries or facial fractures, a GCS ≤13 and an ISS >15.     

Parental influence on academic achievement among the primary school students in Trinidad

The present study examined the level of parental influence on academic achievement in primary school students who prepare for the National-level test at standard five (grade 6), Secondary Entrance Examinations in Trinidad. A sample of 128 students studying standard five from primary schools was randomly selected. The data were analysed using SPSS. The findings of the study revealed that regardless of parental educational status, all parents try to influence their children to study well. The results showed that there was a positive influence on academic achievement in students. The findings of the study were discussed and implications for future research have been proposed. The study highlighted several recommendations to mitigate the effects of academic anxiety and suggested some measures to be taken by the parents, teachers, peers and social workers to successfully navigate this phase of life marked by transition and search for identity.     

Associations between Nighttime Traffic Noise and Sleep: The Finnish Public Sector Study

Background: Associations between traffic noise and sleep problems have been detected in experimental studies, but population-level evidence is scarce.Objectives: We studied the relationship between the levels of nighttime traffic noise and sleep disturbances and identified vulnerable population groups.Methods: Noise levels of nighttime–outdoor traffic were modeled based on the traffic intensities in the cities of Helsinki and Vantaa, Finland. In these cities, 7,019 public sector employees (81% women) responded to postal surveys on sleep and health. We linked modeled outdoor noise levels to the residences of the employees who responded to the postal survey. We used logistic regression models to estimate associations of noise levels with subjectively assessed duration of sleep and symptoms of insomnia (i.e., difficulties falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night, waking up too early in the morning, nonrestorative sleep). We also used stratified models to investigate the possibility of vulnerable subgroups.Results: For the total study population, exposure to levels of nighttime–outside (L_{night, outside}) traffic noise > 55 dB was associated with any insomnia symptom ≥ 2 nights per week [odds ratio (OR) = 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.65]. Among participants with higher trait anxiety scores, which we hypothesized were a proxy for noise sensitivity, the ORs for any insomnia symptom at exposures to L_{night, outside} traffic noises 50.1–55 dB and > 55 dB versus ≤ 45 dB were 1.34 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.80) and 1.61 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.42), respectively.Conclusions: Nighttime traffic noise levels > 50 dB L_{night, outside} was associated with insomnia symptoms among persons with higher scores for trait anxiety. For the total study population, L_{night, outside} > 55 dB was positively associated with any symptoms.     

2004-2010年洛阳市乙型病毒性肝炎疫情分析

目的了解我国传染病疫情网络直报以来洛阳市乙型病毒性肝炎的流行特征,为制定控制乙肝疫情策略提供依据。方法根据疫情网络数据和专题调查资料对2004-2010年洛阳市的乙肝疫情资料进行描述性分析。结果 2004-2010年累计报告乙肝病例73 078例,占洛阳市所有报告传染病的36.97%。年平均发病率为195.28/10万,发病年龄集中于15岁～55岁,占发病总数的84.58%;除20~和25~年龄组外,各年龄组发病均为男性高于女性;职业发病分布前3位的是农民(53.87%)、工人(11.65%)、学生(11.59%);高发县区主要为瀍河区(平均发病率415.59/10万)、吉利区(413.15/10万)和伊川县(220.41/10万)。病例分类中,急性乙肝6118例,占7.30%,慢性乙肝31326例,占37.43%,未分类乙肝46239例,占55.25%。结论2004-2010年洛阳市乙肝疫情处于高位波动状态,2004-2007年持续上升,从2007年到2010年逐渐下降,下降幅度低于上升幅度。对乙肝疫情上升贡献最大的是慢性乙肝和未分类乙肝病例,急性乙肝在7年报告中持续在较低报告水平,应提高基层医疗机构对乙肝的诊断分类水平,提高乙肝报告质量。     

2006—2019年广州市食物中毒突发公共卫生事件流行病学特征分析

目的 掌握广州市食物中毒突发公共卫生事件规律和特点,为提高其有效应对和防控提供科学依据。 方法 收集2006—2019年国家“突发公共卫生事件报告管理信息系统” 报告的广州市食物中毒突发公共卫生事件,应用描述性流行病学方法进行统计和分析。 结果 研究的14年间,广州市共报告食物中毒突发公共卫生事件89起,原因查明率为94.38%,中毒人数2 692人,死亡11人。69.66%的事件发生在5—9月。75.28%的事件致病因素是细菌,副溶血弧菌是细菌性食物中毒事件的首要致病菌,63.64%的死亡病例归因植物性食物中毒,78.65%的事件中毒场所在集体食堂。事件持续时间的中位数为13.50 h(范围为:0~135.33 h)。首例病例发生时间到接报的中位数是0.60 d(范围为:0.04~5.69 d),r=0.601,P＜0.01。 结论 加强食物中毒事件和食品安全风险监测,尽早介入处置,加强针对性的宣传,落实重点场所防控督导巡查,将有助于减少食物中毒事件发生和危害影响。