Spatial analysis and geoclimatic factors associated with the incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Iran during 2006-2014: An environmental epidemiological study

Geospatial modelling of COVID19 mortality in Oman using geographically weighted Poisson regression GWPR

The year 2020 witnessed the arrival of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which became the most devastating public health disaster in the last decade. Understanding the underlying spatial variations of the consequences of the pandemic, particularly mortality, is crucial for plans and policies. Nevertheless, few studies have been conducted on the key determinants of COVID-19 mortality and how these might vary geographically across developing nations. Therefore, this research aims to address these gaps by adopting the Geographically Weighted Poisson Regression (GWPR) model to investigate spatial heterogeneity of COVID-19 mortality in Oman. The findings indicated that local GWPR performed better than global Ordinary Least Square (OLS) model, and the relationship between risk factors and mortality cases varied geographically at a subnational scale. The local parameter estimates of the model revealed that elderly populations, respiratory diseases, and population density were significant in predicting mortality cases. The elderly population variable was the most influential regressor, followed by respiratory diseases. The formulated policy recommendations will provide decision-makers and practitioners with key factors related to pandemic mortality so that future interventions and preventive measures can mitigate high fatality risks.

Spatial distribution of anti-mullerian hormone in females of childbearing age in China under the influence of geographical environmental factors

The Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) reference value is an important indicator of ovarian function. The main targets of this were to screen the geographical environmental factors that may influence the distribution of AMH reference values in Chinese females of childbearing age, and to further explore the geographical distribution differences of AMH reference values. We gathered the AMH data of 28,402 healthy Chinese females from 62 cities in China for this study in order to conduct a spearman regression analysis to determine the relationship between the AMH and 30 geography factors. The AMH reference value in different regions was forecasted by using a ridge regression model. The magnitude of influence from the geographical factor on different regions was analysed by geographically weighted regression. Ultimately, We were able to figure out the geographic distribution risk prediction of AMH reference values by utilizing the disjunctive Kriging method. The AMH reference value was significantly correlated with the 16 secondary indexes. The geographical distribution of AMH showed a trend of being higher in Qinghai-Tibet and Southern regions, and lower in the Northwest and Northern regions. This study lays the foundation for future investigations into the mechanism of different influencing factors on the reference value of AMH. It is suggested that such regional variations in AMH reference values be taken into account while diagnosing and treating individuals with reproductive medicine.

Global long-term trends and spatial cluster analysis of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality over a 30-year period using the global burden of disease study 2019 data

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most fatal malignancies, and its incidence and mortality rates are growing annually throughout the world. In this research, we aimed to investigate the time trends and identify the spatial clusters of incidence and mortality on a global scale over the last 30 years, using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019 data.

METHODS

Age-standardized incidence and mortality data due to PC were extracted from the GBD study, which was carried out from 1990 to 2019. A Joinpoint regression analysis was utilized to examine trends in the incidence and mortality of PC over the past three decades. As such, spatial analyses were undertaken to detect the spatial distribution and clustering of the metrics globally.

RESULTS

It was observed that both the incidence and mortality rates were higher in males than in females worldwide. The global mortality and incidence rates significantly increased by 0.8% per year over the time of follow-up period (p<0.05). By spatial cluster analysis for mortality, European and North African countries, as well as Greenland were explored as hot spots; while South African and Southeast Asian countries were explored as cold spots. Regarding incidence, hot spots were found in European countries, Southern America, and Greenland; whilst cold spots were determined in Southern Africa and Madagascar.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, the temporal trends disclosed a gradual rise in PC incidence and mortality rates over the period 1990-2019, reflecting the global health concern. We further found geographical variations in the patterns and identified high- and low-risk areas for incidence and mortality. These findings facilitate the design and implementation of more resource-efficient and geographically targeted treatments. Given the results of the current study, a practical approach to minimizing the future PC burden involves planned population-wide interventions, as well as primary prevention through healthier lifestyles.

Scientometric Analysis of Articles on Spatial Epidemiology of Cancer in Iran: A Systematic Review

Background

Geographic information system (GIS) plays an important role in identifying areas with a high incidence of cancer. In the present study, based on a systematic review of studies by Iranian researchers, we performed a scientometric analysis of the published articles on the spatial epidemiology of cancer. In addition, the geographical distribution of certain types of cancer in Iran is presented.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed and NLM Gateway, Institute for Scientific Information, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library for relevant articles published from 2000 to 2021. The search was performed using a combination of medical subject heading terms and keywords. A narrative synthesis was performed, and descriptive data were expressed as frequency and percentage.

Results

Of the 200 identified articles, 31 studies published in 15 different journals were included in this systematic review. Results showed a wide variation in high-risk breast cancer clusters. However, a similar incidence of gastrointestinal cancers has been reported, and high-risk clusters were identified in the north and the northwest of Iran. Skin cancer and acute lymphoblastic leukemia were more prevalent in the central provinces.

Conclusion

The current volume of studies on the spatial epidemiology of cancer in Iran, with a CiteScore quartile of Q1, is inadequate to guide health policymakers. The geographical distribution of many prevalent types of cancer has not been assessed by Iranian researchers. Furthermore, the classification of high- and low-risk geographical clusters of cancers was not completely homogeneous.

Spatial distribution differences of cholinesterase in healthy Chinese under the influence of geographical environmental factors

The main targets of this were to screen the factors that may influence the distribution of cholinesterase (CHE) reference value in healthy people, and further explored the geographical distribution differences of CHE reference value in China. In this study, we collected the CHE data of 17,601 healthy people from 173 cities in China to analyse the correlation between CHE and 22 geography secondary indexes through spearman regression analysis. Six indexes with significant correlation were extracted, and a ridge regression model was built, and the country's urban CHE reference value of healthy Chinese was predicted. By using the disjunctive kriging method, we obtained the geographical distribution of CHE reference values for healthy people in China. The reference value of CHE for healthy Chinese was significantly correlated with the 6 secondary indexes, namely, latitude (°), altitude (m), annual average temperature (°C), annual average relative humidity (%) and annual precipitation (mm), and topsoil sand gravel percentage (% wt). The geographical distribution of CHE values of healthy Chinese showed a trend of being higher in southeast China and lower in northwest. This study lays a foundation for further research on the mechanism of different influencing factors on the reference value of CHE index. A ridge regression model composed of significant influencing factors has been established to provide the basis for formulating reference criteria for the treatment factors of the liver damage diseases and liver cancer using CHE reference values in different regions.

Spatial distribution differences of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in healthy elderly people under the influence of geographical environmental factors

The main targets of this were to screen the factors that may influence the distribution of 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] reference value in healthy elderly people in China, and further explored the geographical distribution differences of 25(OH)D reference value in China. In this study, we collected the 25(OH)D of 25,470 healthy elderly from 58 cities in China to analyze the correlation between 25(OH)D and 22 geography secondary indexes through spearman regression analysis. Six indexes with significant correlation were extracted, and a ridge regression model was built, and the country's urban healthy elderly'25(OH)D reference value was predicted. By using the disjunctive Kriging method, we obtained the geographical distribution of 25(OH)D reference values for healthy elderly people in China. The reference value of 25(OH)D for healthy elderly in China was significantly correlated with the 6 secondary indexes, namely, latitude (°), annual temperature range (°C), annual sunshine hours (h), annual mean temperature (°C), annual mean relative humidity (%), and annual precipitation (mm). The geographical distribution of 25(OH)D values of healthy elderly in China showed a trend of being higher in South China and lower in North China, and higher in coastal areas and lower in inland areas. This study lays a foundation for further research on the mechanism of different influencing factors on the reference value of 25(OH)D index. A ridge regression model composed of significant influencing factors has been established to provide the basis for formulating reference criteria for the treatment factors of the vitamin D deficiency and prognostic factors of the COVID-19 using 25(OH)D reference value in different regions.

Crude incidence, age-specific incidence, and standardized incidence rates of leukemia in children under 14 years of age in Iran: an updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children aged 0-14 years and leukemia is the most prevalent of them among children in the world and Iran. Estimating cancer incidence is a vital tool in epidemiology and subsequent cancer control programs. The aim is to evaluate the crude incidence, age-specific incidence and standardized incidence rates of leukemia in these children in Iran through a meta-analysis.

METHODS

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis between 1950 and 2019. We searched national (Iran Medex, Mag Iran and Scientific Information Database) and international (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and the Web of Sciences) databases for this purpose. The quality of articles was evaluated using the guidelines checklist for critically appraising studies of the incidence of a health problem. After the quality assessment the random effect meta-analysis was used to estimate the incidence rates in overall and based on sex.

RESULTS

A total of 382 articles were identified in the search phase and finally, 15 studies were included. The crude incidence rate in the total population using the Random effect model was estimated at 29.29 (CI %95, 25.74-32.84) per one million children aged 0-14 years. This rate was 34.72 (CI %95, 28.85-40.59) in boys and 24.89 (CI %95, 20.28-29.5) in girls. According to the results, three provinces of Fars (51.48), Golestan (40.86) and Qazvin (35.82) had the highest prevalence, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Given that the incidence of leukemia in boys is higher than in girls and it is more drastic in some Iranian provinces, further attention should be dedicated to risk factors in boys and high risk locations in Iran to help prevent of incidence of this disease.