History Of Serious Disease Research Articles

Characteristics and Rates of Preterm Births During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany

Population-based analyses provided divergent data on the changes in preterm birth rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is a gap of knowledge on the variations in birth characteristics. To study changes in perinatal care, causes of preterm delivery, and very preterm (VPT; defined as <32 weeks' gestation) birth rates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This population-level cohort study used data from the quality assurance registry, which covers all births in Hesse, Germany. Deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) were compared with the corresponding grouped prepandemic time intervals (2017 to 2019). Analyses were executed between August 2023 and July 2024. Analyses were directed to study differences in preterm births before and during 3 pandemic phases: first (March 14 to May 15, 2020) and second (October 19 to December 31, 2020) lockdowns and a period of less-vigorous restrictions between them (May 16 to October 18, 2020). Outcomes of interest were variations in preterm birth rates in the context of baseline characteristics and causes of preterm births during vs before the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. From the total cohort of 184 827 births from 2017 to 2020, 719 stillbirths occurred and 184 108 infants were liveborn. Compared with the prepandemic period, medical care characteristics did not differ during the COVID-19 period. The odds of VPT births were lower during the pandemic period (odds ratio [OR], 0.87; 95% CI, 0.79-0.95) compared with the prepandemic period, with the greatest reduction observed during the second lockdown period (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.55-0.84). Reduction in VPT births was attributed to fewer births in pregnancies among individuals with a history of serious disease (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.50-0.83), pathologic cardiotocography (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53-0.82), and intrauterine infection (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72-0.92) while incidences of history of preterm birth, multiple pregnancies, serious or severe psychological distress, and preeclampsia, eclampsia, or hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome as cause for preterm delivery remained unchanged. In this population-based cohort study on the COVID-19 pandemic and preterm birth rates, the duration of exposure to mitigation measures during pregnancy was associated with accelerated reductions in preterm births. The findings of lower rates of baseline risks and causes of preterm deliveries support efforts to intensify health care prevention programs during pregnancy to reduce the preterm birth burden. These findings of this study put particular focus on hygiene measures to reduce the rate of deliveries for intrauterine infection and highlight the potential of expanding strategies to the different risks and causes of preterm delivery.

Vegetable and Fruit Intake and LOX-Index in Japanese Municipal Workers.

Vegetable and fruit intake has been reported to be associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. To date, however, no study has examined the association between vegetable and fruit intake and LOX-index, which reflects the progression of atherosclerosis and is a predictive biomarker of stroke and coronary heart disease. Here, we examined the cross-sectional association between vegetable and fruit intake and LOX-index in Japanese municipal workers. Participants were 338 workers (166 men and 172 women aged 19-71 y) with no history of serious disease who participated in a health and nutrition survey. Vegetable and fruit intake was assessed using a validated brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. LOX-index was calculated by multiplying serum concentrations of the soluble form of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 by those of LOX-1 ligands containing apolipoprotein B. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the geometric mean of LOX-index according to tertile of vegetable and/or fruit intake. Total vegetable and fruit intake was associated with a trend toward decreased LOX-index after adjustment for covariates (p for trend=0.067). In stratified analyses by sex, a significant inverse association between total vegetable and fruit intake and LOX-index was observed in women (p for trend=0.023), whereas such association was not observed in men (p for trend=0.70). None of the intakes of vegetables, fruit, green and yellow vegetables, or other vegetables was associated with LOX-index. Our results suggest that higher intake of total vegetables and fruit is associated with a lower LOX-index in Japanese women.

Preliminary studies of Volten VR4® Kaempferia parviflora herb extracts on blood glucose levels in human type-2 diabetes mellitus and its mineral element analysis

Summary Introduction Volten VR4® capsules containing herb extract of Kaempferia parviflora has been claimed to reduce blood glucose in patients with diabetes. Objectives This preliminary study is conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Volten VR4® on healthy individuals and type-2 diabetes mellitus volunteers. The extracts of 400 mg capsules of Kaempferia parviflora (KP) were used to measure the blood glucose level of 2-hour postprandial. Methods The healthy group consists of 15 young adults aged 20-30 with no history of serious diseases, while the diabetic group includes 12 individuals aged 35-75 diagnosed with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Data were validated through the Willcoxon and Friedman test statistics and error distribution. The investigation was continued to trace the capsules contents of elements using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) techniques. Results It has been shown that KP reducing blood sugar levels has been associated with flavonoids and methoxyflavones components. The result specifically showed that consuming VR4® capsules can significantly reduce blood glucose, either at the state of fasting or postprandially. In the study the content of mineral and heavy metal elements in VR4® capsules has been evaluated. Conclusion Volten VR4® Kaempferia parviflora extract is safe to be consumed at a single dose of 400 mg. The study also has shown that the participants are free from adverse reactions and hypoglycaemia.

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent patient caused by late onset exacerbation

The case was a 29-year-old male with no previous history of serious disease. He developed headache and fever, which then worsened and he was admitted to our hospital. His temperature was 38.3°C and he had a stiff neck. In cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests, the opening pressure was high, the cell count was increased, and the CSF/serum glucose ratio was decreased. In addition, he was positive for cryptococcal antigen. According to these findings, he was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis and antifungal treatment was initiated. His symptoms then improved, but on day 18 after admission, he developed convulsions, and on day 28, right visual field defects appeared. Brain MRI showed disseminated lesions in the bilateral cerebral cortex. Despite a decrease of the cryptococcal antigenic value in the CSF, the IgG index was elevated. IL-6, 8 and 10 in CSF were high levels on Day 1, then gradually reduced as the symptoms improved. But on Day 28, worsening of symptoms, IL-10 was significantly increased dispite IL-6 and 8 reducing. Therefore, the exacerbation of his symptoms and expansion of the lesions were not caused by the Cryptococcus itself, and it was considered that they were due to the late deterioration of cryptococcosis, which responded to steroid treatment.

Dietary patterns and all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality in Japanese men and women: The Japan public health center-based prospective study.

ObjectiveA meta-analysis showed an inverse association of a prudent/healthy dietary pattern with all-cause mortality and no association of a western/unhealthy dietary pattern. However, the association of distinctive dietary patterns of Japanese population with mortality remains unclear. We prospectively investigated the association between dietary patterns and all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality among Japanese adults.MethodsParticipants were 36,737 men and 44,983 women aged 45–74 years who participated in the second survey of the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study (1995–1998) and who had no history of serious disease. Dietary patterns were derived from principal component analysis of the consumption of 134 food and beverage items ascertained by a food frequency questionnaire. Hazard ratios of death from the second survey to December 2012 were estimated using cox proportional hazard regression analysis.ResultsA prudent dietary pattern, which was characterized by high intake of vegetables, fruit, soy products, potatoes, seaweed, mushrooms, and fish, was significantly associated with decreased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality for the highest versus lowest quartile of the prudent dietary pattern score were 0.82 (0.77 to 0.86) and 0.72 (0.64 to 0.79), respectively (P for trend <0.001 in both). A Westernized dietary pattern, characterized by high intake of meat, processed meat, bread, and dairy products, was also inversely associated with risk of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality. A traditional Japanese dietary pattern was not associated with these risks.ConclusionsThe prudent and Westernized dietary patterns were associated with a decreased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in Japanese adults.

A Rare Primary Liver Tumor That Responded to Sorafenib

A Rare Primary Liver Tumor That Responded to Sorafenib

Relationship between problems related to child late effects and parent burnout after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

A few studies have indicated that parents' reactions to a child's serious disease may entail long-term stress for the parents. However, further knowledge of its consequences is valuable. The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of burnout in a Swedish national sample of parents of children who had undergone HSCT and survived. Burnout (Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire) and estimations of the child's health status (Lansky/Karnofsky estimations and study-specific questions) were self-reported by 159 mothers and 123 fathers. In addition, physicians made estimations of the child's health status (Lansky/Karnofsky estimations). Nonparametric tests revealed that burnout symptoms occurred more often among fathers of children who had undergone transplantation within the last five yr compared to fathers of children with no history of serious disease (34.4% vs. 19.9%). Burnout among mothers and fathers was associated with the child's number and severity of health impairments up to five yr after the child underwent HSCT (Spearman's rho for mothers 0.26-0.36 and for fathers 0.36-0.61). In conclusion, chronic stress in parents after a child's HSCT seems to abate eventually. However, parents should be monitored and offered adequate support when needed. Moreover, the situation of fathers in the often mother-dominated pediatric setting should receive more attention in research as well as in the clinic.

The mediating role of health professionals' recommendation in the uptake of colorectal cancer testing among older Chinese adults

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of health professionals' recommendations on the relationship between the characteristics of older Chinese adults and the use of colorectal cancer testing. This was a cross-sectional population-based telephone survey. A total of 2004 Chinese adults aged 50 or above were recruited between 2 and 28 May 2007 to complete an anonymous telephone survey. The survey covered demographics, perceived health status and susceptibility to cancer, utilization of complementary medicine, family history of cancer, and cancer screening behaviour. The uptake of flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy was 12%, of which only 3.4% had been recommended by health professionals. The effects of gender, a history of serious disease, perceptions related to health status and visiting doctor regularly on the flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy uptake were mediated by a health professional's recommendation. A health professional's recommendation can be a catalyst for the decision of undergoing a colorectal cancer screening test in older adult people, in particular for those who are more health-conscious. As health professionals can play a crucial role in the development of successful population-based colorectal cancer screening program, efforts should be made to facilitate them in making recommendations for colorectal cancer screening to targeted high-risk group.

Weight change and all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality in Japanese men and women: the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study

It is unclear whether weight change during adulthood influences subsequent mortality in Asian populations, who have a relatively lean body mass. To assess the relation of weight change over 5 years to all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality among Japanese men and women. Subjects were 36 220 men and 44 091 women aged between 45 and 75 years without a history of serious disease at baseline. Weight change was calculated as the difference of body weight between two surveys with a 5-year interval. During 699 963 person-years of follow-up, we identified 4232 deaths of all-cause, 1872 cancer deaths and 1021 cardiovascular deaths. The relation between weight change and all-cause mortality was reverse J-shaped. Multivariate hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for weight loss of 5 kg or more versus weight change of less than 2.5 kg were 1.62 (1.45-1.81) in men and 1.76 (1.51-2.05) in women, whereas those for weight gain of 5 kg or more were 1.40 (1.22-1.59) in men and 1.25 (1.02-1.54) in women. These associations remained statistically significant even after the exclusion of deaths in the first 3 years of follow-up. The weight change-mortality association was pronounced in underweight persons or in nonsmoking men. The risk of cancer mortality increased in both men and women who lost weight by 5 kg or more. With regard to cardiovascular disease, mortality risk tended to increase with weight loss both in men and women, whereas its increase with weight gain was observed only in women. A large weight change, both loss and gain, was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Weight loss and gain may be predictors of early death in apparently healthy adult Japanese.

Patients attending tertiary referral urology clinics: willingness to participate in tissue banking

To examine attitudes of male patients attending urology clinics to the donation of prostate tissue samples for research purposes, to compare attitudes in relation to age, educational attainment, previous hospitalization and experience of cancer, and to evaluate attitudes to the duration of storage of tissue samples. A systematic sample of 259 male patients aged 20-75 years, attending the urology clinics in two busy tertiary referral urological centres, completed a self-reported questionnaire in an outpatient setting. Most (84.5%) respondents strongly agreed/agreed that they would be willing to donate prostate tissue for research purposes if undergoing invasive investigation or treatment. After adjusting for other factors, being aged >55 years and having a positive attitude to new discoveries in genetics and cancer remained independently associated with the willingness to donate. There were significantly fewer agreeing with the statement 'I would like my samples to be used for profit-making research' (39.3%) than with the statement 'I would like my samples to be used for non-profit research' (88.8%; P < 0.001). While most respondents trusted researchers to act in an ethical way, the proportions agreeing with the statement 'In regard to extra research studies I would trust medical researchers to act in an appropriate and ethical way' was significantly lower in those on a first visit rather than subsequent visit to urology outpatients and significantly higher in those with a family history of serious disease or a previous cancer. This study indicates that patients want to support research and become willing partners in the battle against cancer.

Factors associated with psychological distress in a community-dwelling Japanese population: the Ohsaki Cohort 2006 Study.

BackgroundIn Asia, there has been no population-based epidemiological study using the K6, a 6-item instrument that assesses nonspecific psychological distress.MethodsUsing cross-sectional data from 2006, we studied 43 716 (20 168 men and 23 548 women) community-dwelling people aged 40 years or older living in Japan. We examined the association between psychological distress and demographic, medical, lifestyle, and social factors by using the K6, with psychological distress defined as 13 or more points out of a total of 24 points.ResultsThe following variables were significantly associated with psychological distress among the population: female sex, young and old age, a history of serious disease (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, stroke, myocardial infarction, or cancer), current smoking, former alcohol drinking, low body mass index, shorter daily walking time, lack of social support (4 of 5 components), and lack of participation in community activities (4 of 5 components). Among men aged 40 to 64 years, only “lack of social support for consultation when in trouble” and a history of diabetes mellitus remained significant on multivariate analysis. Among men aged 65 years or older, age was not significantly associated with psychological distress, and the significant association with current smoking disappeared on multivariate analysis. Among women aged 40 to 64 years, a history of stroke was not associated with psychological distress. Among women aged 65 years or older, the significant association with current smoking disappeared on multivariate analysis.ConclusionsA number of factors were significantly associated with psychological distress, as assessed by the K6. These factors differed between men and women, and also between middle-aged and elderly people.

Factors associated with satisfaction among participants in a periodical health check-up at a workplace in Japan

To improve the satisfaction of people who had periodical worksite health check-ups, we investigated the factors that influence overall satisfaction among participants of a periodical worksite health check-up program in Japan, in light of having and not having a medical history of serious disease. In both groups having and not having a medical history of serious disease, overall satisfaction was significantly associated with the factors related to physician and examination. In the group having a non-serious disease medical history, overall satisfaction was significantly associated with advancing age.

Congenital Visceral Leishmaniasis

Congenital Visceral Leishmaniasis

Full-Body Cardiovascular and Tumor MRI for Early Detection of Disease: Feasibility and Initial Experience in 298 Subjects

High diagnostic accuracy, emerging whole-body concepts, and lack of side effects combine to render MRI a natural candidate for screening purposes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility of a comprehensive multiorgan-targeting MRI examination and determine the frequency of findings in subjects without a history of serious disease. The study group was composed of 331 subjects. The MRI protocol (mean examination time, 63 min) encompassed the target organs: the brain, arterial system, heart, and colon. Diagnoses were deemed relevant if the physician had to inform the subject about the findings. Subjects with a history of serious illnesses were excluded from subsequent analysis (n=33). All analyses were performed for the resulting subgroup of 298 subjects (247 men, 51 women; mean age, 49.7 years). All 298 examinations were diagnostic excluding eight MR colonography components in which remaining stool hampered reliable diagnosis. Follow-up or radiologic confirmation could be obtained in 75% of all cases with relevant findings (128/169); only one false-positive result was encountered. Of the study group, 21% exhibited signs of atherosclerotic disease. Two cerebral infarctions and one myocardial infarction, previously unknown, were encountered; 12% had peripheral vascular disease. Twelve colonic polyps and nine pulmonary lesions were correctly detected. Of all MRI examinations, 29% revealed relevant additional findings in nontargeted organs. Only one minor allergoid reaction was encountered. The presented data point toward an increased use of MRI for screening in the future, but to date screening MRI should not be performed outside a research setting because the cost-benefit relation is unclear.

Factors Associated with Satisfaction among Participants in a Periodical Worksite Health Check‐Up in Japan

To improve the satisfaction of people who had periodical worksite health check-ups, we conducted a questionnaire survey. It is possible that a portion of the health check-up participants who have a medical history of serious disease may have different expectations of periodical health check-ups compared to healthy individuals. We conducted the analysis by dividing the participants into three groups: those with a medical history of serious disease, those without a medical history of serious disease, and the whole group of those with and without a medical history of serious disease. There were 50 individuals with a medical history of serious disease and 226 without a medical history of serious disease. There were 231 males and 45 females. The average age was 40.3 yr (range: 21-64). To investigate the factors that influence overall satisfaction, we conducted multiple linear regression analysis by a stepwise method, with overall satisfaction as a dependent variable, and attributes of health check-up participants, factors related to the physician, factors related to the examination, and indirect factors such as waiting time as independent variables. The selective criterion for the variables was that the p value was less than 0.05, but sex and age were always included in the final model as independent variables because they might be confounding factors. In the whole group of those with and without a medical history of serious disease, overall satisfaction was significantly associated with the technical level of the person in charge of the examinations, the explanation of the person in charge of the examinations, the time spent for examination, the content of the interview with physicians and interview time with physicians. In the group with a serious disease medical history, overall satisfaction was significantly associated with the explanation of the person in charge of the examinations and interview time with physicians. In the group without a serious disease medical history, overall satisfaction was significantly associated with age, the technical level of the person in charge of the examinations, the time spent for examinations, the content of the interview with physicians and interview time with physicians.

Susceptibility of Sitka spruce and grand fir trees to decay by Heterobasidion annosum

SummaryThe susceptibility of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and grand fir (Abies grandis) to decay by Heterobasidion annosum was compared on a site with a previous history of serious disease. The incidence of decay 15–16 years after planting was 1.5% in grand fir, compared with 34.8% in Sitka spruce. These results are broadly similar to those reported from other trials. More information is required for older trees in Britain but the evidence so far available suggests that grand fir is more resistant to H. annosum than Sitka spruce. Planting grand fir on severely infested sites may therefore significantly reduce the serious losses that could be expected with Sitka spruce. In 14 out of 271 decayed Sitka spruce H. annosum was absent from the middle or base of the decay column but present at the top. Approximately 3% of infected spruce showed features suggesting some degree of resistance. Resin bleeding was observed at the base of 23.2% of the infected spruce, and the mean height of the decay column in these trees was significantly greater (0.96 m) than in those without this feature (0.66 m). The inoculum for infection was provided by stumps of the previous crop, and the genets of H. annosum that were present in some infected trees were also identified in stumps. The majority of infected trees contained only a single genet but three trees contained two genets. In this young crop individual genets were smaller than those found elsewhere; the largest extended to include six trees.

Study of correlations between electroencephalographic and psychological patterns in emotionally disturbed children.

Summary The present investigation was undertaken to examine the possible relationships of severe emotional and behavioral disorders in children with their EEG's, and to determine whether certain variables of psychological testing and a history of serious diseases or head injuries could be correlated with EEG findings. The subjects consisted of two groups: (1) the abnormal group of 195 children, consisting mostly of schizophrenics and children with primary behavior disorders, ages 5½ to 12½ and (2) the control group, consisting of 44 children matched for age and sex but with no demonstrable emotional disturbance. All these subjects were tested with the Rorschach test, Bender Gestalt test, and Figure Drawings; various intellectual functions were also tested. It was attempted to correlate deviations in these tests, especially in the perceptual and perceptual-motor spheres, with abnormal EEG findings. Summary The conclusions of the study are as follows: Summary The high percentage of abnormal EEG's in childhood schizophrenia (78.6 per cent) suggests an organic basis or component in this particular condition. An EEG abnormality rate of 73.4 per cent in the group of primary behavior disorders is in agreement with the findings of previous similar studies, and also suggests the probability of a defect or developmental retardation in the cerebral structure. Summary There is no apparent relationship between abnormality of the EEG and specific types of behavioral patterns such as extreme passivity, aggressiveness, or hyperactivity. Early head trauma and serious illness were also found with the same incidence among children of the emotionally disturbed group with normal EEG's as among the abnormal. Neither is there any apparent relationship between the EEG and specific emotional traits as suggested in the Rorschach test, with the possible exceptions of the apperceptive approach and form quality. Summary The greater the cerebral dysfunction, as indicated by the EEG, the more abnormal do we find specific psychological variables dealing with perception, perceptual-motor functions, and the body image. Summary Gross distortions in visual motor Gestalt functions, in body image, and in perceptual and motor functions in general appear related to foci and asymmetries in the EEG, most notably in the occipital areas. Summary The alpha percentage may be related to the accuracy of form perception as reflected by the Rorschach test. This accuracy of perceptual association appears to become impaired in the presence of foci in the EEG, especially occipital foci. Summary The results of the study tend to support Schilder's contention that organic damage to the brain causes a disturbance in perception and motility and therefore adversely affects the body image.

CHICAGO NEUROLOGICAL SOCIETY

This boy, aged 13, was well developed for his age, well nourished and with¬ out recognizable physical defects. There was no history of serious diseases of childhood or of previous convulsions or other significant disturbances. About a year ago, in the school room, the boy suddenly felt a throbbing in the head which lasted for some minutes ; it was followed by a similar feeling half an hour later, with some dizziness. After a short remission, during which he felt well, he had a third attack of throbbing in the head, followed by contrac¬ tions and rigidity of the arms. The eyes had a staring look, and he became unconscious. He had five convulsive attacks one after another. He would regain consciousness for several minutes and then lapse back into spasms and unconsciousness, with twitchings about the face, mouth and neck. He did not bite his tongue ; there was no vesical incontinence and no frothing from the mouth. He was taken home and put to bed ; the next morning he felt well and remained so for two months. Oct. 16, 1926, at 4: 00 p. m., while in the house, he again had a sensation of throbbing in the head, followed by generalized convulsions ; he became unconscious and bit his tongue, but there was no frothing from the mouth nor incontinence. The next morning he felt dizzy with a peculiar feeling of fear