1
|
Yerezhepov D, Gabdulkayum A, Akhmetova A, Kozhamkulov UA, Rakhimova SE, Kairov UY, Zhunussova G, Kalendar RN, Akilzhanova A. Vitamin D Status, VDR, and TLR Polymorphisms and Pulmonary Tuberculosis Epidemiology in Kazakhstan. Nutrients 2024; 16:558. [PMID: 38398882 PMCID: PMC10892443 DOI: 10.3390/nu16040558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) and vitamin D deficiency remain major public health problems in Kazakhstan. Due to the high incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in the country and based on the importance of vitamin D in the modulation of the immune response and the association of its deficiency with many health conditions, the aim of our research was to study the vitamin D status, VDR and TLR gene polymorphisms, and pulmonary tuberculosis epidemiology in Kazakhstan. METHODS A case-control study included 411 individuals diagnosed with pulmonary TB and 686 controls with no family history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Concentrations of serum vitamin D (25-(OH)D) levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The gene polymorphisms were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allelic discrimination assay using TaqMan probes. The association between the risk of pulmonary TB and polymorphisms was evaluated using multimodal logistic regression and assessed with the ORs, corresponding to 95% Cis, and the significance level was determined as p < 0.05. RESULTS 1097 individuals were recruited from 3 different regions of Kazakhstan. Biochemical data showed vitamin D deficiency (25-(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) was present in both groups, with the case group accounting for almost 95% and 43.7% in controls. Epidemiological data revealed that socioeconomic factors such as BMI < 25 kg/m2 (p < 0.001), employment (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001), and vitamin D deficiency (p < 0.001) were statistically different between case and control groups. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted by sex, age, BMI, residence, employment, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes, showed that T/T polymorphism of the VDR gene (rs1544410, OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.04-3.72, p = 0.03) and A/A polymorphism of the TLR8 gene (rs3764880, OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.20-4.98, p = 0.01) were associated with a high risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D deficiency remains prevalent in our study cohort and is associated with TB progression. Socioeconomic determinants such as unemployment, BMI under 25 kg/m2, and diabetes are the main risk factors for the development of pulmonary TB in our study. A/A polymorphism of TLR8 (rs3764880) and T/T polymorphism (BsmI, rs1544410) of VDR genes may act as biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis in the Kazakh population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dauren Yerezhepov
- Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Aidana Gabdulkayum
- Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Ainur Akhmetova
- Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Ulan A. Kozhamkulov
- Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Saule E. Rakhimova
- Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Ulykbek Y. Kairov
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Ruslan N. Kalendar
- Institute of Biotechnology HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ainur Akilzhanova
- Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fontecha G. The Honduran diaspora and infectious diseases: An urgent need for action. Travel Med Infect Dis 2023; 53:102567. [PMID: 36958705 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Recently, there has been a significant increase in irregular migration from Central America's northern triangle (Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador). Hondurans who migrate to North America face numerous risks to their lives and health. Infectious diseases are one of the most serious threats to migrants both during the migration process and once they arrive in the host country. The major infectious diseases affecting both migrants and the health services in non-endemic countries that care for these migrants are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Fontecha
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Ciudad Universitaria, Bulevard Suyapa, Edificio J1, Segundo Piso, 11101, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Serraino R, Owachi D, Byekwaso SN, Namara CM, Naigambi K, Castelli F, Torti C. From the Global North to the Global South: preparing students for away rotations. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2023; 23:102. [PMID: 36759807 PMCID: PMC9910765 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-04085-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda, has established partnerships with several other institutions worldwide, including the University of Brescia and "Magna Græcia" University, which have agreed to collaborate for the primary purpose of student exchange. Our aim is to comment on students' preparation for away rotations based on the authors' own experiences and opinions alongside a review of selected papers on the preparation of students for global health and ethical collaboration. Medical electives represent a unique opportunity for all medical students, not merely for those who will work in resource-limited settings due to increasing globalization. The emergence of ethical international collaborations is of paramount importance to stimulate these projects and ensure that they are implemented safely and with adequate preparation even and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Darius Owachi
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University of Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Kennedy Naigambi
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University of Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Francesco Castelli
- UNESCO Chair “Training and Empowering Human Resources for Health Development in Resource-Limited Countries”, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Carlo Torti
- “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Leddin D, Omary MB, Veitch A, Metz G, Amrani N, Aabakken L, Ali RAR, Alvares-da-Silva MR, Armstrong D, Boyacioglu S, Chen Y, Elwakil R, Fock KM, Hamid SS, Makharia G, Macrae F, Malekzadeh R, Mulder CJ, Piscoya A, Perman ML, Sadeghi A, Sáenz R, Saurin JC, Butt AS, Wu K, Lee YY. Uniting the Global Gastroenterology Community to Meet the Challenge of Climate Change and Nonrecyclable Waste. J Clin Gastroenterol 2021; 55:823-829. [PMID: 34617932 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Climate change has been described as the greatest public health threat of the 21st century. It has significant implications for digestive health. A multinational team with representation from all continents, excluding Antarctica and covering 18 countries, has formulated a commentary which outlines both the implications for digestive health and ways in which this challenge can be faced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - M Bishr Omary
- Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | | | - Geoffrey Metz
- Monash University and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Raja A R Ali
- National University of Malaysia, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | | | | | - Ye Chen
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | | | - Kwong-Ming Fock
- Duke-NUS Medical School and Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Govind Makharia
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Finlay Macrae
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Roque Sáenz
- Universidad del Desarrollo, Concepción, Chile
| | | | | | - Kaichun Wu
- Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yeong Yeh Lee
- Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vyshka G, Ulqinaku D. Understand My Language, to Understand My Pain: Challenges of Neurological Evaluation Among Refugees. LINACRE QUARTERLY 2021; 88:400-405. [PMID: 34949885 PMCID: PMC8689496 DOI: 10.1177/00243639211030375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The increasing number of migrants and refugees entering Albania during the last decade has been a challenge to the medical service of the country. Many of the migrants arrive from remote areas of Middle East or other Asian regions, heading toward northern Europe, deprived from medical assistance during their tormenting journey. An exacerbation of previous m"unicodeedical conditions is expected and is related to the hardship of traveling conditions. The medical professionals working in migration medicine have little, if any, training on the field and need to familiarize themselves with a variety of previously unknown conditions. Empathy, necessary on an individual basis, may not be sufficient in itself; the burden of medically treating migrants needs a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gentian Vyshka
- Biomedical and Experimental Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine in Tirana, Tirana, Albania
- Gentian Vyshka, Biomedical and Experimental Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine in Tirana, Rr. Dibres 371, Tirana 1005, Albania.
| | - Dritan Ulqinaku
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Leddin D, Omary MB, Veitch A, Metz G, Amrani N, Aabakken L, Raja Ali RA, Alvares-Da-Silva MR, Armstrong D, Boyacioglu S, Chen Y, Elwakil R, Fock KM, Hamid SS, Makharia G, Macrae F, Malekzadeh R, Mulder CJ, Piscoya A, Perman ML, Sadeghi A, Sáenz R, Saurin JC, Butt AS, Wu K, Lee YY. Uniting the Global Gastroenterology Community to Meet the Challenge of Climate Change and Non-Recyclable Waste. Gastroenterology 2021; 161:1354-1360. [PMID: 34629165 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Desmond Leddin
- Dalhousie University, Canada Chair, WGO Clinical Research Committee
| | - M Bishr Omary
- Rutgers University, United States Past President, American Gastroenterological Association
| | - Andrew Veitch
- Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals, United Kingdom President Elect, British Society of Gastroenterology
| | - Geoffrey Metz
- Monash University and University of Melbourne, Australia Chair, Climate Change Working Group, WGO
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ye Chen
- Southern Medical University, China
| | | | - Kwong-Ming Fock
- Duke-NUS Medical School and Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kaichun Wu
- Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Leddin D, Omary MB, Veitch A, Metz G, Amrani N, Aabakken L, Raja Ali RA, Alvares-Da-Silva MR, Armstrong D, Boyacioglu S, Chen Y, Elwakil R, Fock KM, Hamid SS, Makharia G, Macrae F, Malekzadeh R, Mulder CJ, Piscoya A, Perman ML, Sadeghi A, Saenz R, Saurin JC, Butt AS, Wu K, Yeh Lee Y. Uniting the global gastroenterology community to meet the challenge of climate change and non-recyclable waste. Gut 2021; 70:2025-2029. [PMID: 34620696 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-325789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Desmond Leddin
- Gastroenterology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - M Bishr Omary
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Camden, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Andrew Veitch
- Gastroenterology, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ye Chen
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Kwong-Ming Fock
- Duke-NUS Medical School and Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | | | - Finlay Macrae
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Chris J Mulder
- Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kaichun Wu
- Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xi'an, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Baker BJ, Crane-Kramer G, Dee MW, Gregoricka LA, Henneberg M, Lee C, Lukehart SA, Mabey DC, Roberts CA, Stodder ALW, Stone AC, Winingear S. Advancing the understanding of treponemal disease in the past and present. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2020; 171 Suppl 70:5-41. [PMID: 31956996 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Syphilis was perceived to be a new disease in Europe in the late 15th century, igniting a debate about its origin that continues today in anthropological, historical, and medical circles. We move beyond this age-old debate using an interdisciplinary approach that tackles broader questions to advance the understanding of treponemal infection (syphilis, yaws, bejel, and pinta). How did the causative organism(s) and humans co-evolve? How did the related diseases caused by Treponema pallidum emerge in different parts of the world and affect people across both time and space? How are T. pallidum subspecies related to the treponeme causing pinta? The current state of scholarship in specific areas is reviewed with recommendations made to stimulate future work. Understanding treponemal biology, genetic relationships, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations is crucial for vaccine development today and for investigating the distribution of infection in both modern and past populations. Paleopathologists must improve diagnostic criteria and use a standard approach for recording skeletal lesions on archaeological human remains. Adequate contextualization of cultural and environmental conditions is necessary, including site dating and justification for any corrections made for marine or freshwater reservoir effects. Biogeochemical analyses may assess aquatic contributions to diet, physiological changes arising from treponemal disease and its treatments (e.g., mercury), or residential mobility of those affected. Shifting the focus from point of origin to investigating who is affected (e.g., by age/sex or socioeconomic status) and disease distribution (e.g., coastal/ inland, rural/urban) will advance our understanding of the treponemal disease and its impact on people through time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brenda J Baker
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - Gillian Crane-Kramer
- Department of Anthropology, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, New York
| | - Michael W Dee
- Centre for Isotope Research, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Lesley A Gregoricka
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
| | - Maciej Henneberg
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Unit, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christine Lee
- Department of Anthropology, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sheila A Lukehart
- Department of Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - David C Mabey
- Communicable Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Ann L W Stodder
- Office of Archaeological Studies, The Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, New Mexico
| | - Anne C Stone
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - Stevie Winingear
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
In the context of refugee migrations infectious diseases are being more frequently diagnosed, which the responsible physicians as well as urologists have never seen before. This is due to the poorer health and hygiene conditions in the country of origin, during the flight and in the refugee camps. In Europe increasing incidences of tuberculosis, schistosomiasis and scabies have recently been observed. Tuberculosis and schistosomiasis are often accompanied by unspecific symptoms or can resemble normally encountered urological diseases. Due to the highly contagious nature of scabies, a screening of new arrivals is recommended. A timely differential diagnostic inclusion of these disease patterns is enormously important. Despite the reduction in the numbers of asylum applications in Germany, a higher number of unregistered migrants is generally assumed, who also elude the healthcare system and can therefore contribute to the spread of these rare infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Bausch
- Department Urologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel, Schweiz
- Universität Basel, Basel, Schweiz
| | - E Kulchavenya
- Urogenital Department, Novosibirsk Research TB Institution, Novosibirsk, Russland
| | - F Wagenlehner
- Klinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Deutschland
| | - G Bonkat
- Universität Basel, Basel, Schweiz.
- Merian Iselin Klinik, Centre of Biomechanics & Calorimetry, Alta Uro AG, Centralbahnplatz 6, 4051, Basel, Schweiz.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Migration Health: Highlights from Inaugural International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) Conference on Migration Health. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2019; 21:48. [PMID: 31734735 DOI: 10.1007/s11908-019-0705-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW International migration is a global phenomenon that is growing in scope, complexity and impact. The inaugural International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) International Conference on Migration Health provided a forum to discuss scientific evidence on the broad issues relevant to migration health. This review summarises the key health issues, with a focus on infectious diseases, current effective strategies and future considerations presented at this forum and in the recent literature. RECENT FINDINGS Migrants face health disparities for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Their heightened infectious disease risks, compared to host populations, are related to pre-migration exposures, the circumstances of the migration journey and the receptivity and access to health services in their receiving countries. While the prevalence of infectious diseases identified through screening programmes are generally low, delays in diagnosis and treatment for a range of treatable infectious diseases result in higher morbidity and mortality among migrants. Barriers to care in host countries occur at the patient, provider and health systems levels. Coordinated and inclusive health services, healthcare systems and health policies, responsive to patient diversity reduce these barriers. Structural barriers to healthcare provision impede equitable care to migrants and refugees. Public health and medical professionals have a role in advocating for policy reforms.
Collapse
|
11
|
Redefining the Use of Big Data in Urban Health for Increased Liveability in Smart Cities. SMART CITIES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/smartcities2020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Policy decisions and urban governance are being influenced by an emergence of data from internet of things (IoT), which forms the backbone of Smart Cities, giving rise to Big Data which is processed and analyzed by Artificial Intelligence models at speeds unknown to mankind decades ago. This is providing new ways of understanding how well cities perform, both in terms of economics as well as in health. However, even though cities have been increasingly digitalized, accelerated by the concept of Smart Cities, the exploration of urban health has been limited by the interpretation of sensor data from IoT devices, omitting the inclusion of data from human anatomy and the emergence of biological data in various forms. This paper advances the need for expanding the concept of Big Data beyond infrastructure to include that of urban health through human anatomy; thus, providing a more cohesive set of data, which can lead to a better knowledge as to the relationship of people with the city and how this pertains to the thematic of urban health. Coupling both data forms will be key in supplementing the contemporary notion of Big Data for the pursuit of more contextualized, resilient, and sustainable Smart Cities, rendering more liveable fabrics, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 and the New Urban Agenda.
Collapse
|
12
|
Greetings from Africa: The Emergence of Tropical Urological Diseases in Europe. We Had Better Be Prepared! Eur Urol 2019; 76:140-141. [PMID: 31113645 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The increasing incidence of tropical urological diseases due to migration represents a challenge for local practitioners. Face-to-face and webinar learning courses could be a simple first step in increasing awareness of this issue.
Collapse
|