Highest Annual Incidence Rate Research Articles

SIS-ECM Laden with GMSC-Derived Exosomes Promote Taste Bud Regeneration

Oral cancer has a high annual incidence rate all over the world, and the tongue is the most frequently affected anatomic structure. The current standard care is ablative surgery of malignant neoplasm, followed by tongue reconstruction with free flap. However, such reconstructive modalities with postsurgery radiotherapy or chemotherapy can hardly support the functional recovery of the tongue—particularly, functional taste bud regeneration—in reconstructed areas, thus seriously affecting patients’ prognosis and life quality. Using a critical-sized tongue defect model in rats, we show that combinatory transplantation of small intestinal submucosa–extracellular matrix (SIS-ECM) with gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) or their derivative exosomes promoted tongue lingual papillae recovery and taste bud regeneration as evidenced by increased expression of CK14, CK8, and markers for type I, II, and III taste bud cells (NTPdase 2, PLC-β2, and AADC, respectively). In addition, our results indicate that GMSCs or their derivative exosomes could increase BDNF expression, a growth factor that plays an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of epithelial basal progenitor cells into taste bud cells. Meanwhile, we showed an elevated expression level of Shh—which is essential for development, homeostasis, and maintenance of the taste bud organ—in wounded areas of the tongue among animals treated with GMSC/SIS-ECM or exosome/SIS-ECM as compared with SIS-ECM control. Moreover, our data show that GMSCs or their derivative exosomes promoted innervation of regenerated taste buds, as evidenced by elevated expressions of neurofilament and P2X3 at the injury areas. Together, our findings indicate that GMSC/SIS-ECM and exosome/SIS-ECM constructs can facilitate taste bud regeneration and reinnervation with promising potential application in postsurgery tongue reconstruction of patients with tongue cancer.

UK trends of allergic occupational skin disease attributed to fragrances 1996-2015.

Fragrances are well known to cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Occupationally related cases occur, with certain groups being at higher risk. To investigate the incidence of occupationally related cases of cutaneous fragrance allergy and to evaluate trends. Data on incident cases of occupational ACD caused by fragrances between 1996 and 2015 (inclusive) reported to the EPIDERM surveillance scheme were analysed. Of the cases reported to EPIDERM during the study period, 5.2% had ACD attributed to fragrances. The highest annual incidence rates were observed in women. Hairdressers, beauticians and people working in related occupations had a 47-fold higher incidence rate ratio than the reference category (the average of all other occupations combined). Trends analysis suggested a non-significant increase in fragrance allergy over the study period among all occupations, and beauty and food workers, and a slight decrease in healthcare workers. Fragrance allergy is a significant problem in an occupational setting. Although there was no significant change in the incidence of fragrance-related allergic occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) during the 20-year study period, this does not mirror the trend in OCD, which is falling. Fragrance allergy continues to be a major contributor to OCD, and contributes to a greater proportion of cases.

Hepatitis A virus strains circulating during 1997-2015 in Campania, a Southern Italy region with periodic outbreaks.

In Italy, the incidence of hepatitis A has progressively declined over the last 30 years, though not homogeneously throughout the country. In Campania, Southern Italy, high annual incidence rates have been reported and several periodic outbreaks have occurred. To investigate the phylogenetic and epidemiologic relationships among HAV strains circulating in Campania over the period 1997-2015, 87 hepatitis A cases were investigated. The most frequent risk factor was the consumption of raw/undercooked shellfish (75/87, 86.2%). During 1997-2002 most viral strains were subtype IA (16/23, 70%); the phylogenetic pattern suggests that the incidence peaks observed in 2000-2001 had likely been caused by multiple strains. During a large 2004 outbreak, almost all viral variants were subtype IB (38/41, 93%); most of them (22/38, 58%) were recognized to be one of two main strains (differing for just a single nucleotide), the remaining sequences were strictly related variants. In 2014/2015, only IA strains were observed; two phylogenetically related but distinct strains were responsible, respectively, for a small cluster in 2014 and an outbreak in 2015. In each outbreak, several strains unrelated to those responsible for most cases were detected in a minority of patients, documenting a background of sporadic cases occurring even in the course of outbreaks; some of them proved to be identical to strains detected 11-14 years previously. Overall, the data suggest that several related and unrelated HAV strains have endemically circulated over the last 15 years in Campania, with some strains gaining epidemic transmission likely because of a local combination of multiple factors, including inadequate waste water purification and dietary habits.

Morbidity pattern by age, sex and breed in insured cats in Japan (2008-2013).

The aim of the study was to describe the morbidity pattern of different diagnostic categories in insured cats in Japan by age, sex and breed. The annual incidence rates of having at least one insurance claim were calculated overall and stratified by diagnosis, age, sex and breed using data from insured cats in the period April 2008 to March 2013. The overall annual incidence rate of having at least one insurance claim was 4632 (95% confidence interval 4608-4656) cats per 10,000 cat-years at risk. The highest annual incidence rate was obtained for digestive system disorders, followed by urinary tract disorders and dermatological disorders. The incidence rates varied between breeds for most diagnostic categories: for cardiovascular system disorders, Scottish Fold, American Shorthair, Persian, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ragdoll and Bengal had a higher annual incidence rate than crossbreeds. This study provides comparative and quantitative estimates of morbidity pattern in insured Japanese cats. These estimates can be utilised by veterinary practitioners, breeders and owners in diagnostic decision-making, breeding and when selecting a new pet, respectively.

SENTIERI - Epidemiological study of residents in national priority contaminated sites: incidence of mesothelioma

The purpose of SENTIERI-ReNaM Project is to describe mesothelioma incidence in the Italian National Priority Contaminated Sites (NPCSs). The present report deals with 39 NPCSs (20 in Northern Italy, 8 in Central Italy and 11 in Southern Italy). Asbestos is specifically mentioned in the regulatory acts of recognition for 10 NPCSs and it is the only agent that has determined environmental contamination in 3 of them (Casale Monferrato, Broni, and Bari). The timeframe of the study is 2000-2011 for 34 out of 39 sites. The corresponding reference periods for the sites of Latium, Campania, Umbria, and Bolzano Province are, respectively, 2001-2011, 2005-2011, and 2006-2011. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) for mesothelioma, with their corresponding 90% Confidence Intervals, have been estimated for all sites. The interpretation of the study findings has been based on anamnestic information made available by the Italian National Mesothelioma Registry (ReNaM), and completed thanks to knowledge derived from the international scientific literature. In men, mesothelioma incidence has shown excesses in 27/39 sites and defects in the remaining 12; in women, excesses have been reported in 20 sites, defects in 15, and no cases have been detected in the remaining 4 sites. The highest annual incidence rates have been observed in the sites characterized only by the presence of asbestos- cement factories (Broni and Casale Monferrato): respectively, 98.0 and 68.6 per 100,000 per year in men, 72.1 and 45.8 in women. Besides these two sites, the highest rates have been observed in the sites with naval shipyards: 13.2 in men and 2.5 in women. Excesses of mesothelioma incidence have been confirmed (with respect to previous observations) in the sites of Broni, Casale Monferrato, Balangero, and in the coastal areas of Trieste, La Spezia, Venice, and Leghorn. Balangero has been the major European chrysotile quarry, while the other sites are characterized by the presence of naval shipyards with demonstrated use of asbestos before it was banned in 1992. An excess of mesothelioma incidence has also been confirmed in the site of Biancavilla, characterized by the presence of the fluoro-edenite fibrous amphibole, classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). An increased incidence of mesothelioma was also observed in the areas where no direct use of asbestos had previously been documented, like Cengio and Saliceto (chemical industry), Falconara on Sea (oil refinery), and Litorale Domizio Flegreo and Agro Aversano (a large area including multiple hazardous waste dumping sites). These findings show that a relevant proportion of Italian mesothelioma cases is concentrated in NPCSs. About 1,500 extra cases of mesothelioma have been estimated in the overall series of 39 sites (2000-2011), corresponding to 125 extra cases per year. The excess has concerned the sites with manufacture of asbestos-cement products, but also the areas with asbestos quarries, naval shipyards, illegal hazardous waste dumping sites with asbestos-containing materials, petrochemical industries, refineries and steel plants. In some sites, particularly Casale Monferrato and Broni, analytical epidemiological studies have shown the causal role of not only occupational, but also environmental exposures, with special reference to paving of gardens and courtyards with asbestos-cement industry by-products. The main novelty generated by the collaborative SENTIERI-ReNaM Project concerns the detection of significant mesothelioma excesses not only in sites where asbestos is explicitly reported as a source of contamination, but also in a number of areas defined "of national interest" for environmental cleanup due to other sources of pollution. This confirms that the range of economic activities and working and living environments affected by asbestos exposure is very wide and it is not restricted to the industrial sectors characterized by the direct use of this material.

Relationship between nurse's occupational musculoskeletal injury and presenteeism

Objective To investigate the occupational musculoskeletal injury of nurses in a thirdgrade and A-level general hospital in Zhengzhou,and analyze the relationship between occupational musculoskeletal injury and presenteeism.Methods 460 nurses were surveyed with questionnaires by convenience sampling,including nurses' demographic data,Nordic Standardized Questionnaires and Work Limitations Questionnaire.Results The annual incidence rate of OMSI in nursing staff was 82.38％.The parts of body which had high annual incidence rate of nurses' OMSI were lower back,neck and shoulder.The rates of presenteeism for no OMSI,one part OMSI and two or more parts OMSI were 35.14％,52.60％ and 59.68％.The scores of work efficiency decrease were (2.02±1.26),(4.67±2.53),(7.31±3.42).Conclusions Nurses' occupational musculoskeletal injury can result in presenteeism.The more serious occupational musculoskeletal injury is,the higher incidence rate of presenteeism,the more critical the presenteeism is. Key words: Nurse; Occupational musculoskeletal injury; Presenteeism

The Cost-Effectiveness of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States: An Epidemic Model

The Cost-Effectiveness of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States: An Epidemic Model

Identificación de las zonas de riesgo ofídico en Córdoba, Argentina, mediante el programa SIGEpi

To determine the case distribution of accidental ophidism in the Córdoba province of Argentina, identify high risk areas, and evaluate the usefulness of the SIGEpi software program (Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, United States of America). Information regarding the 299 cases of accidental ophidism reported in Córdoba in 1995-2006 was collected from the Provincial Epidemiology Department's official records of incidents involving venomous creatures. The SIGEpi software program was used for geographic mapping. Specific maps were produced to identify, quantify, and visualize the danger zones and areas of high risk for ophidism. The incidents occurred mostly in the northern and western areas of the province. Snakes of the Bothrops genus were responsible for the majority of the incidents (87.7% of the total). The departments with the highest annual incidence rates were Pocho and Río Seco (> 10 incidents per 100,000 residents). Three ophidism high-risk zones were identified: one in far west of the province, another in the far north, and another just north of Bañados del Río Dulce and the Mar Chiquita lagoon. Accidental ophidism constitutes a major health problem in the Córdoba province where incidence rates are higher than those areas with more severe economic issues tied to rural labor. SIGEpi software is a reasonable choice for studying public health challenges and proved to be effective in identifying areas at high risk for ophidism.

A 5-year retrospective study on female genital tract cancers in Papua New Guinea from 2000 to 2004

Aims To determine the trend over the years compared to a similar study done in the 1970s, identify the mean age and distribution and provide recommendations to appropriate authorities. Methods A retrospective 5-year survey between 2000 and 2004 from data stored in the National Tumor Registry. Results Cancer of the cervix constituted 75% of all the gynaecological cancers and had the highest annual incidence rate. Other female genital tract (FGT) cancers constituted less than 10%. The overall annual incidence rate for Papua New Guinea was 8.5/1000000 females/year. The Highlands region had the highest frequency followed by Southern region, Islands and the Momase regions. Seventy-five per cent of the cancers were found in the age group of 30–59 years. Overall mean age for the FGT cancers was 38 years. Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant malignancy in the cervical, vulval and vaginal carcinomas while the others had predominantly adenocarcinoma. Eighty-seven per cent of the cases had surgery while 13% had a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Among those who had repeated treatments during the 5-year period, about 5% had multiple tumours from recurrence. Conclusion FGT cancers have increased over the years, and will continue to increase unless something constructive is done to minimise the incidence.

Human leptospirosis in Portugal: a retrospective study of eighteen years

Leptospirosis, an under-recognized public health problem, needs to be confirmed through specific laboratory diagnosis. We describe herein a series of 4618 symptomatic patients for whom a microagglutination test (MAT) serology was available, representing a unique picture of human leptospirosis in central mainland Portugal and the Azores islands of São Miguel and Terceira, over eighteen- and twelve-year periods, respectively. The distribution of the 1024 (22%) cases identified was an average 57 cases per year, with higher frequency in males (67%). These represent the majority of leptospirosis notifications in Portugal, with a higher annual incidence rate in the islands, compared to the central mainland (11.1 and 1.7/100,000 population, respectively). Middle-aged adults (25-54 years) were most frequently infected (45%). Cases occurred mainly in December and January. Serovars from nine presumptive serogroups caused infection, with a predominance of Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, and Ballum, accounting for 66% of cases. Seropositivity was associated with both anicteric and icteric leptospirosis. Several risk factors and a higher transmission risk in certain areas were emphasized. Leptospirosis was confirmed as a steadily increasing public health problem; good surveillance, communication, and laboratory support are thus necessary to reduce the impact of leptospirosis in areas at risk.

High incidence rate of hip fracture in Taiwan: estimated from a nationwide health insurance database.

The objective of this study was to describe the incidence rate of hip fracture from 1996 to 2000 in Taiwan, based on an inpatient database of the National Health Insurance Program. A total of 54,199 patients, who had a first-time admission for a diagnosis of hip fracture (ICD9 code 820.0 through 820.9, 820.21, 820.22, and 820.31) on discharge from January 1996 through December 2000 and aged 50 to 100 years, were identified and included in the study. The results showed that the age-specific incidence rates of hip fractures were higher with increasing age in both genders, in an exponential manner after 65 years of age. The incidence was 1.6 times higher and rose about 5 years earlier among women than among men. Thus in these 5 years the age-adjusted incidence rates (95% confidence interval) of hip fracture in Taiwan were 225 (95% CI, 188-263) per 100,000 in men and 505 (95% CI, 423-585) per 100,000 in women (adjusted to US white population of 1989), as compared with US white rate of 187 in men and 535 in women. More than half of the fractures were peritrochanteric, and the recorded cause in most cases was a fall on the same level, from slipping, tripping, or stumbling (ICD9 E885). A total of 37.8% patients had hip hemiarthroplasty, 51.2% had open reduction of fracture with internal fixation, and 10.5% had closed reduction of fracture with internal fixation. We concluded that, using the data from a nationwide health insurance database of Taiwan, we found a high annual incidence rate of hip fracture for both men and women in 5 consecutive years. These incidence rates were higher than other reports on Chinese populations reported in the past 10 years and similar to that of Western countries. With the rapid aging of the populations of Taiwan and other Asian countries in the years to come, our results clearly demonstrated the impact of osteoporosis and hip fracture in this region.

Geographic clustering of testicular cancer incidence in the northern part of The Netherlands

Geographic variations in testicular cancer incidence may be caused by differences in environmental factors, genetic factors, or both. In the present study, geographic patterns of age-adjusted testicular cancer incidence rates (IRs) in 12 provinces in The Netherlands in the period 1989–1995 were analysed. In addition, the age-adjusted IR of testicular cancer by degree of urbanization was evaluated. Cancer incidence data were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. The overall annual age-adjusted IR of testicular cancer in The Netherlands in the period 1989–1995 was 4.4 per 100 000 men. The province Groningen in the north of the country showed the highest annual IR with 5.8 per 100 000 men, which was higher (P < 0.05) than the overall IR in The Netherlands (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.6). The highest IR in Groningen was seen for both seminomas and non-seminomas. In addition, Groningen showed the highest age-specific IRs in all relevant younger age groups (15–29, 30–44 and 45–59 years), illustrating the consistency of data. The province Friesland, also situated in the northern part of the country, showed the second highest IR of testicular cancer with 5.3 cases per 100 000 men per year (IRR 1.2, 95% Cl 1.0–1.5, not significant). This mainly resulted from the high IR of seminoma in Friesland. Analysis of age-adjusted IRs of testicular cancer by degree of urbanization in The Netherlands showed no urban–rural differences at analysis of all histological types combined, or at separate analyses of seminomas and non-seminomas. Geographic clustering of testicular cancer seems to be present in the rural north of The Netherlands with some stable founder populations, which are likely to share a relatively high frequency of genes from common ancestors including genes possibly related to testicular cancer. Although this finding does not exclude the involvement of shared environmental factors in the aetiology of testicular cancer, it may also lend support to a genetic susceptibility to testicular cancer development. Testicular cancer cases in stable founder populations seem particularly suitable for searching for testicular cancer susceptibility genes because such genes are likely to be more frequent among affected men in such populations. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign

Prostatic cancer: an age-old problem.

During this year there will be approximately 30 thousand deaths due to prostatic cancer in the United States (1). This mortality rate makes prostatic cancer the second commonest fatal tumor in males of all ages in America (1). Besides a high annual mortality rate, prostatic cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in males of all ages in the United States (1). These high annual incidence rates translate into the human reality that one of every 11 American white male will eventually develop clinical prostatic cancer during their lifetime (2). Rates for American black males are even higher such that the lifetime risk for cancer is one out of every 10 (3). In addition, the annual incidence rate of clinical prostatic cancer has increased steadily since 1930’s to the present time (4).

The incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in southwestern Ontario, Canada.

The incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in southwestern Ontario, Canada, were determined for the years 1978 through 1982. The average annual incidence rate was 1.63 per 100,000 population. The prevalence rate was 4.9 per 100,000 on January 1, 1983. The average annual mortality rate was 1.52 per 100,000 population and increased with age, reaching a peak in the 70 to 79-year decade in both sexes. The male:female ratio was 1.2:1. The average age at diagnosis was 62.5 years, and the average duration from date of diagnosis was 2.5 years. The distribution of the disease was uneven in 12 counties, with the highest incidence in Perth (3.33) and Essex (2.43) counties. The city of Windsor, in an industrial region, had a high average annual incidence rate of 2.81.

Northeastern Ohio Trauma Study: V. Burn injury.

Burn injury cases were identified from a population-based sample of trauma visits to hospital emergency departments in northeastern Ohio during 1977. The 199 cases represented 2.4% of all trauma incidence visits by residents of the five-county study region. Ninety-five per cent of the burn cases were released from the emergency department directly after treatment. The annual incidence rate of emergency department-treated burns was 4.7 per 1,000 population. Incidence rates for males were twice those for females. The age groups with the highest annual incidence rates were those under 5 years of age and 25-34 years (seven and eight cases per 1,000 population, respectively). Most burns occurred at home or the workplace. The youngest employed age group sustained the highest rate of work-related burns. Hot or corrosive substances caused two thirds of all burns; fire and flames caused one fourth.

Motor vehicle trauma in northeastern Ohio. I: Incidence and outcome by age, sex, and road-use category.

Hospital emergency department visits for motor vehicle trauma occurring in a midwestern metropolitan region (Cleveland and Lorain-Elyria, Ohio Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas; 2.2 million population) were analyzed to determine the incidence and outcome by age, sex, and road-use category. A 50% incidence sample (n = 20,752) of motor vehicle trauma events to residents of this region was identified from the emergency department records of 41 participating hospitals for a one-year period, 1977. These hospitals accounted for 98% of all emergency department cases in the region. The annual motor vehicle trauma incidence rate per 100,000 population was 1,871. The highest annual incidence rate (4,462) was for ages 20-24; the lowest rates were for infants under one year (837) and for the elderly over 74 years (667). Incidence rate rank-ordered road-use categories were as follows: passenger car occupant, motorized cycle rider, other enclosed vehicle occupant, pedestrian, and pedal cyclist. Above age 4, age-specific male incidence rates significantly exceeded female incidence rates for most road-use categories. There were 80 admissions and 7 fatalities per 1,000 motor vehicle trauma incidence cases. Case-admission ratios were highest for pedestrians (266), riders of motorized cycles (184), and pedal cyclists (115); they were lowest for occupants of partially or fully enclosed vehicles (65). Case-fatality ratios per 1,000 cases were also highest for pedestrians (43) and riders of motorized cycles (11). Male case-fatality ratios exceeded female ratios for each road-use category in nearly all age groups, and male case-admission ratios exceeded those for females ages 10-54. For ages 75 and over, the admission ratios and fatality ratios were nearly twice as high as in any other age group.

Incidence of acute otitis media.

The occurrence of acute otitis media was studied over a one-year period in a total population of 146822 persons living in different parts of Finland. Of these 146822 persons, 4583 experienced a total of 6518 otitis attacks giving an annual incidence rate of 4.44% (4.48% in males and 4.07% in females, P less than 0.001). Acute otitis media was strikingly concentrated in the youngest age groups, with the highest annual incidence rates, in the order of 50%, found in infants younger than 2 years. Half of all the episodes occurred before the age of 33 months. The relative risk of getting acute otitis media was about 200 times higher during the first 2 years of life than as an adult. The occurrence of otitic episodes followed seasonal variations, and in urban areas the incidence was significantly (P less than 0.001) higher than in the countryside.

Epidemiology of Parkinson's disease in Finland.

This investigation was conducted to clarify the epidemiology of Parkinson's disease in Finland. A community survey was made in a selected area in southwest Finland in addition to an analysis of Finnish mortality statistics for Parkinson's disease. The annual mortality rate from Parkinson's disease was found to average 2 per 100,000 population. Almost 70 per cent of the deaths occurred between 65-79 years of age. The total and age-specific mortality rates for males were greater than those for females whereas the proportionate mortality rates were almost identical. This was considered to indicate that suggestions of greater male prevalence, based on mortality statistics, do not appear justified. On prevalence day, Dec. 31st, 1971, 484 patients with Parkinson's disease (of which 444 were personally examined) lived in the area of investigation (population 402,988), the prevalence rate being 120.1 per 100,000 population. The highest annual incidence rate was 16.6 per 100,000 population. The age-specific prevalence rates showed a rapid increase after the 50th year of age. The greatest prevalence was shown by the age group 70-79 years of age in which almost 0.8 per cent of the population are affected. Age-specific incidence rates also displayed an increase after the 50th year of age. The greatest incidence was observed in the age group 70-79 years of age in which almost 1 per 1,000 of the population are annually affected by the disease. A difference between the sexes was demonstrable in the prevalence and incidence rates showing greater values for females, but in the age-specific frequencies the differences were reduced. This probably reflects the difference between the age structures of the male and female populations, suggesting that both sexes have a similar risk of being affected by the disease. The permanent age structure shown by idiopathic patients in comparison with previous investigations as well as the increased mean age and proportionate decrease of postencephalitic patients was found to be in disagreement with the cohort theory according to which all parkinsonian patients are previously victims of encephalitis lethargica.