Inflammatory eye disease is a risk factor for future microscopic colitis: A nationwide population-based matched case control study.

BACKGROUND: Microscopic colitis (MC) is an inflammatory disorder of the colon. To date, the relationship between inflammatory eye diseases and MC is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether inflammatory eye disease (iridocyclitis and episcleritis) is a risk factor for MC. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide matched case control study in Sweden leveraging the ESPRESSO-study (a Swedish database containing data on all biopsies from the gastrointestinal tract from 1965 to 2017). In total, we identified 14,338 patients with biopsy-verified MC (diagnosed from 1981 to 2017). Patients with MC were matched (by age, sex, county and year of birth) with 68,753 controls from the general population and the occurrence of preceding inflammatory eye diseases (defined as diagnosis of episcleritis or iridocyclitis) in the two groups was compared. Multivariable adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression conditioned on the matching variables. RESULTS: A majority of patients with MC were women (71.9%) and the median age at MC diagnosis was 63.3 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 50.7-72.6). Some 225 (1.6%) MC patients had an earlier record of inflammatory eye disease compared with 614 (0.9%) in controls. These figures corresponded to an aOR of 1.77 (95% CI = 1.52-2.07) for inflammatory eye diseases in patients with MC. Compared to siblings, the aOR for previous inflammatory eye diseases in MC was 1.52 (95% CI = 1.17-1.98) and patients treated with budesonide, as a proxy for clinically significant disease, had a somewhat higher aOR for previous inflammatory eye diseases. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory eye diseases are more common in patients subsequently being diagnosed with MC. Our findings highlight that these conditions may have shared causes and inflammatory pathways and are of clinical interest to gastroenterologists, ophthalmologists and general practitioners.

Causal relationship between gut microbiota and childhood obesity: A Mendelian randomization study and case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota and obesity are deeply interconnected. However, the causality in the relationship between these factors remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the genetic relationship between gut microbiota and childhood obesity. METHODS: Genetic summary statistics for the gut microbiota were obtained from the MiBioGen consortium. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary data for childhood obesity were obtained from North American, Australian, and European collaborative genome-wide meta-analyses. Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed using the inverse variance weighting method. 16 children with obesity and 16 without obesity were included for clinical observation, and their weight, body mass index, blood lipid levels, and gut microbiology were assessed. Paired t-test was the primary method of data analysis, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: MR identified 16 causal relationships between the gut microbiome and childhood obesity. In the case-control study, we found that five gut microorganisms differed between children with and without obesity, whereas three gut microorganisms changed after weight loss in children with obesity. CONCLUSION: Our study provides new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying gut microbiota and childhood obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2300072179. NAME OF REGISTRY: Change of intestinal flora and plasma metabolome in obese children and their weight loss intervention: a randomized controlled tria URL OF REGISTRY: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html. DATE OF REGISTRATION: 2023-06-06. DATE OF ENROLMENT OF THE FIRST PARTICIPANT TO THE TRIAL: 2023-06-07.

Association of diet and outdoor time with inflammatory bowel disease: a multicenter case-control study using propensity matching analysis in China.

Objective: To investigate the association between dietary and some other environmental factors and the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in Chinese population. Materials and methods: A multicenter case-control study was conducted involving 11 hospitals across China. A total of 1,230 subjects were enrolled consecutively, and diet and environmental factor questionnaires were collected. IBD patients were matched with healthy controls (HC) using propensity-score matching (PSM) at a 1:1 ratio with a caliper value of 0.02. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between diet, environmental factors, and IBD. Results: Moderate alcohol and milk consumption, as well as daily intake of fresh fruit, were protective factors for both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Conversely, the consumption of eggs and chocolate increased the risk of IBD. Outdoor time for more than 25% of the day was a protective factor only for CD. In eastern regions of China, CD patients had higher egg consumption and less outdoor time, while UC patients consumed more chocolate. IBD patients from urban areas or with higher per capita monthly income consumed more fruit, eggs, and chocolate. Conclusions: This study reveals an association between specific foods, outdoor time, and the emergence of IBD in the Chinese population. The findings emphasize the importance of a balanced diet, sufficient outdoor time and activities, and tailored prevention strategies considering regional variations.

Relation between the Dantu blood group variant and bacteraemia in Kenyan children: a population-based case control study.

BACKGROUND: The Dantu blood group variant protects against P. falciparum infections but its wider consequences have not been previously explored. Here, we investigate the impact of Dantu on susceptibility to bacteraemia. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study in children presenting with community-acquired bacteraemia to Kilifi County Hospital in Kenya between 1998 and 2010. We used logistic regression to test for associations between the Dantu marker SNP rs186873296 A>G and both all-cause and pathogen-specific bacteraemia under an additive model. We used date of admission as a proxy measure of malaria transmission intensity, given known differences in malaria prevalence over the course of the study. RESULTS: Dantu was associated with protection from all-cause bacteraemia (OR=0.81, p=0.014), the association being greatest in homozygotes (OR=0.30, p=0.013). This protection was shared across the major bacterial pathogens but, notably, was only significant during the era of high malaria-transmission pre-2003 (OR=0.79, p=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with previous studies showing the indirect impact on bacteraemia risk of other malaria-associated red cell variants, our study also shows that Dantu is protective against bacteraemia via its effect on malaria risk. Dantu does not appear to be under balancing selection through an increased risk of bacterial infections.

Clinical impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with steroid treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A case-control study.

Objectives: The aim of present study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a primary therapy combined with standard systemic corticosteroid treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) compared to treatment without the use of HBOT (non-HBOT) through clinical data and advanced analytical approaches. Study Design: Case-control study. Methods: Conducted across three Japanese medical centers involving 298 SSNHL patients diagnosed between 2020 and 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed first onset and treatment, WHO grade 3 or 4 initial hearing impairment, receipt of systemic corticosteroid therapy within 14 days of symptom onset, and initiation of HBOT within the same timeframe for the case group. The primary outcome measure was the difference in hearing improvement (mean hearing level in decibels, dB) between the two groups, assessed by pure-tone audiometry at baseline and 3 months post-treatment, using the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method adjusted for covariate differences. Results: The study included 67 patients in the HBOT group and 68 in the non-HBOT group. The HBOT group exhibited significantly greater hearing improvement (IPTW-adjusted difference: 7.6 dB, 95% CI 0.4-14.7; p = 0.038). Patients without vertigo in the HBOT group demonstrated substantial hearing improvement (11.5 dB, 95% CI 2.3-20.6; p = 0.014), whereas those with vertigo showed no significant improvement (-1.8 dB, 95% CI -11.8-8.3; p = 0.729). The HBOT group also had a significantly higher association with complete recovery (IPTW-adjusted odds ratio: 2.57, 95% CI 1.13-5.85; p = 0.025). Conclusion: In SSHNL, HBOT combination therapy yielded slightly but significantly improved hearing outcomes compared to non-HBOT treatment. Level of Evidence: 4.

The type of COVID-19 vaccination does not affect reproductive function and pregnancy outcomes in infertile couples.

Introduction: Studies on the effect of vaccine type and two other vaccines other than inactivated vaccines approved in China on in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy outcomes are rare. To complement and confirm the existing findings, this research aimed to investigate whether there are adverse effects of different vaccine types in females and males on reproductive function and clinical pregnancy. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 6,455 fresh embryo transfer cycles at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between May 1, 2021, and October 31, 2022. The primary outcome is the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). At the same time, the secondary results are the number of oocytes retrieved, two pronuclei (2PN) rate, blastocyst formation rate, high-quality blastocyst rate, and semen parameters (volume, density, sperm count, forward motility rate, total motility rate, immobility rate, and DNA fragment index (DFI) rate). Results: In the comparison of ovarian stimulation indicators, no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in Gn days, endometrial thickness, 2PN rate, metaphase 2 (MII) rate, high-quality embryo rate, and blastocyst formation rate. No significant differences (P>0.05) were found in age, body mass index (BMI), education level, and semen parameters (volume, density, sperm count, forward motility rate, total motility rate, immobility rate, and DFI rate) in these four groups. The multivariate regression model showed that neither the types of vaccines nor the vaccination status of both infertile couples significantly affected clinical pregnancy. Discussion: The type of vaccine does not appear to have an unfavorable effect on ovarian stimulation, embryo development, semen parameters, and clinical pregnancy.

The association between dietary patterns before pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus: a matched case-control study in China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pre-pregnancy six months using principal component analysis (PCA) and the geometric framework for nutrition (GFN). METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a case-control study that included 210 GDM pregnant women and 210 controls. The dietary intake of all participants was assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Major dietary patterns were extracted by PCA. A conditional logistic regression model was used to determine whether specific dietary patterns are associated with the risk of GDM. Meanwhile, the relationship between dietary patterns and GDM was visualized using GFN. RESULTS: Four major dietary patterns were identified: "protein-rich pattern," "plant-based pattern," "oil-pickles-desserts pattern," and "cereals-nuts pattern." After adjustment for confounders, the "plant-based pattern" was associated with decreased risk of GDM (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00-0.08), whereas no significant association was found in other dietary patterns. Moreover, there was no dietary intake of ice cream cones and deep-fried dough sticks for the population, which would produce fewer patients with GDM. Deep-fried dough sticks had statistically significant differences in the case and control groups (p < 0.001), while ice cream cones had the opposite result. CONCLUSIONS: The "plant-based pattern" may reduce the risk of GDM. Besides, although the "cereals-nuts pattern" had no association with GDM risk, avoiding the intake of deep-fried dough sticks could decrease GDM risk.

Residential exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and incident breast cancer among young women in Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution has been classified as a human carcinogen based largely on findings for respiratory cancers. Emerging, but limited, evidence suggests that it increases the risk of breast cancer, particularly among younger women. We characterized associations between residential exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and breast cancer. Analyses were performed using data collected in the Ontario Environmental Health Study (OEHS). METHODS: The OEHS, a population-based case-control study, identified incident cases of breast cancer in Ontario, Canada among women aged 18-45 between 2013 and 2015. A total of 465 pathologically confirmed primary breast cancer cases were identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry, while 242 population-based controls were recruited using random-digit dialing. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect risk factor data and residential histories. Land-use regression and remote-sensing estimates of NO2 and PM2.5, respectively, were assigned to the residential addresses at interview, five years earlier, and at menarche. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and their 95 % confidence intervals (CI) in relation to an interquartile range (IQR) increase in air pollution, adjusting for possible confounders. RESULTS: PM2.5 and NO2 were positively correlated with each other (r = 0.57). An IQR increase of PM2.5 (1.9 µg/m3) and NO2 (6.6 ppb) at interview residence were associated with higher odds of breast cancer and the adjusted ORs and 95 % CIs were 1.37 (95 % CI = 0.98-1.91) and 2.33 (95 % CI = 1.53-3.53), respectively. An increased odds of breast cancer was observed with an IQR increase in NO2 at residence five years earlier (OR = 2.16, 95 % CI: 1.41-3.31), while no association was observed with PM2.5 (OR = 0.96, 95 % CI 0.64-1.42). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the hypothesis that exposure to ambient air pollution, especially those from traffic sources (i.e., NO2), increases the risk of breast cancer in young women.

[Food consumption patterns and risk of gallstone disease (GD): Case and Control Study in Rosario Argentina.] / Patrones de consumo alimentario y riesgo de enfermedad colelitiásica (EC): Estudio de Casos y Controles en Rosario Argentina.

Introduction: Nutritional exposure is considered the main environmental influence that contributes to gallstone disease (GD). Aim: The aim of this study was to determine food intakes patters and estimate risk of GD. Methods: A nested case-control study was carried out within the framework of a previous screening study conducted on a representative sample in Rosario, Argentina. Participants underwent a personal interview. Average amount of each food intake and quantity nutrients were estimated applying a food-frequency questionnaire. Food consumption patterns were identified by principal component analysis, and logistic regression analysis was used to estimate risks. Results: The sample was conformed by 51 cases and 69 controls. Two dietary patterns were identified. Cases were characterised by the unhealthy intake pattern (high intakes of animal fats, sugar, cereals, grains, cold cuts, processed meats, chicken with skin, fat beef and low intake of red vegetables and yellows, cabbages, fruits and fish). Conclusion: Controls were characterised by the healthy intake pattern (high intake of skinless chicken, nuts, lean beef, vitamin A and C rich fruits, and low consumption of chicken with skin, green leaves vegetables and sprouts). The unhealthy pattern showed an increased risk of developing GD while healthy patter behaved as a protective factor.

Introducción: La exposición nutricional se considera la principal exposición ambiental que contribuye a la formación de cálculos biliares. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el patrón de consumo alimentario de casos y controles de EC y estimar el riesgo de desarrollar la enfermedad según los distintos patrones constituidos. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio analítico retrospectivo transversal de casos y controles, anidado a un estudio de prevalencia realizado en Rosario. Todos los participantes fueron entrevistados personalmente. El consumo de alimentos se consignó a través de un cuestionario semi-cuantitativo de frecuencia de consumo. Para determinar patrones de consumo alimentario se realizó un análisis de componentes principales, y análisis de regresión logística múltiple para evaluar riesgos. Resultados: La muestra quedó conformada por 51 casos y 69 controles. Se determinaron dos componentes que permitían diferenciar los casos de los controles, a través de las cuales se establecieron 2 patrones de consumo. Los casos se caracterizaron por un consumo determinado por el Patrón Poco saludable (altas ingestas de grasas animales, azúcar, cereales, granos, fiambres y embutidos) y los controles por el consumo del patrón Saludable (altas ingestas de pollo sin piel, frutas secas, carne vacuna magra, frutas, lácteos enteros). El patrón Poco saludable, aumentó el riesgo de desarrollar EC mientras que el patrón Saludable, se comportó como protector. Conclusión principal: Los patrones constituidos diferencian los casos de los controles, y la ingesta propia de los casos se correlaciona con un perfil de consumo que caracteriza a las culturas occidentales modernas y urbanas.

Association between indoor residual spraying and the malaria burden in Zambia and factors associated with IRS refusals: a case-control study in Vubwi District.

BACKGROUND: Indoor residual spraying (IRS) has been implemented to prevent malaria in Zambia for several decades, but its effectiveness has not been evaluated long term and in Vubwi District yet. This study aimed to assess the association between IRS and the malaria burden in Zambia and Vubwi District and to explore the factors associated with refusing IRS. METHODS: A retrospective study was used to analyze the association between IRS and malaria incidence in Zambia in 2001-2020 and in Vubwi District in 2014-2020 by Spearman correlation analysis. A case-control study was used to explore the factors associated with IRS refusals by households in Vubwi District in 2021. A logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with IRS refusals. RESULTS: The malaria incidence reached its peak (391/1000) in 2001 and dropped to the lowest (154/1000) in 2019. The annual percentage change in 2001-2003, 2003-2008, 2008-2014, 2014-2018 and 2018-2020 was - 6.54%, - 13.24%, 5.04%, - 10.28% and 18.61%, respectively. A significantly negative correlation between the percentage of population protected by the IRS against the total population in Zambia (coverage) and the average malaria incidence in the whole population was observed in 2005-2020 (r = - 0.685, P = 0.003) and 2005-2019 (r = - 0.818, P < 0.001). Among 264 participants (59 in the refuser group and 205 in the acceptor group), participants with specific occupations (self-employed: OR 0.089, 95% CI 0.022-0.364; gold panning: OR 0.113, 95% CI 0.022-0.574; housewives: OR 0.129, 95% CI 0.026-0.628 and farmers: OR 0.135, 95% CI 0.030-0.608 compared to employees) and no malaria case among household members (OR 0.167; 95% CI 0.071-0.394) had a lower risk of refusing IRS implementation, while those with a secondary education level (OR 3.690, 95% CI 1.245-10.989) had a higher risk of refusing IRS implementation compared to those who had never been to school. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing coverage with IRS was associated with decreasing incidence of malaria in Zambia, though this was not observed in Vubwi District, possibly because of the special geographical location of Vubwi District. Interpersonal communication and targeted health education should be implemented at full scale to ensure household awareness and gain community trust.

Outbreak of cholera due to contaminated pond water utilisation in a rural area of West Bengal, India, 2021.

BACKGROUND: On March 31, 2021, an outbreak of diarrhoeal disease was reported in Dangapara village of Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India. The outbreak was investigated to estimate the magnitude, identify aetiological agents and source of infection, and guide prevention control measures. METHODS: We did an active search for case patients at Dangapara village. We excluded children under five years of age from the epidemiological analysis. We described the outbreak by time, place, and person. We conducted a case control study with 133 controls and 65 cases. Water samples from different sources and rectal swabs from case patients were collected and sent for laboratory investigations. RESULTS: We identified 95 case patients among 330 residents of Dangapara village (attack rate 29 %). Three stool samples were positive for Vibrio cholerae, and two pond water samples were contaminated with coliform organisms. Washing utensils [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 69.8, (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.5-749.5)] and taking a bath in pond water [AOR: 3.4, (95% CI 1.2-9)] were associated with increased risk of illness. About 97% of cases were attributed to washing utensils in pond water. Washing hands before taking food was associated with a lower risk of developing disease with AOR: 0.1 (95% CI 0.03-0.33). CONCLUSION: A cholera outbreak occurred among residents of Dangapara village due to theuse of contaminated pond water for washing utensils and bathing. Prompt management of cases and immediate discontinuation of pond water use stopped the outbreak.

Determinants of Sporadic Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) Infection in Denmark, 2018-2020: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Infections with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are increasing in Denmark and elsewhere. STEC is also the most frequent cause of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in Danish children. Most cases are considered sporadic, while approximately one-third can be attributed to a known source of infection. Hence, we examined sources of sporadic STEC infection in Denmark. From January 2018 to December 2020, we conducted a prospective nationwide case-control study among Danish adults and children. Cases with confirmed positive STEC infection were notified infections within the national laboratory surveillance system. Control persons were randomly selected from the Danish Civil Registration System, individually matched in age in 5-year bands and sex. Participants were invited by an electronic letter to complete either an adult or child questionnaire online. Univariate and adjusted matched odds ratios were computed for adults and children using conditional logistic regression. The study recruited 1583 STEC cases and 6228 controls. A total of 658 cases (42%) and 2155 controls (35%) were included in the analysis. Depending on age, univariate analysis adjusted for socio-demographic determinants showed that the consumption of boiled beef (mOR = 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6-3.1) and fried minced beef (mOR = 1.6, CI: 1.2-2.1), drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk (mOR = 11, CI 1.1-110), eating grilled food (mOR = 9.8, CI: 5.6-17) and having a household member using diapers (mOR = 2.1, CI: 1.4-3.2) were determinants of sporadic STEC infection. Further multivariate adjusted analysis resulted in the same determinants. This study confirms that beef is an overall important risk factor for STEC infection in Denmark. We also present evidence that a proportion of sporadic STEC infections in Denmark are determined by age-specific eating habits, environmental exposures and household structure, rather than being exclusively food-related. These findings are relevant for targeted public health actions and guidelines.

Decreased Risk of Osteoporosis Incident in Subjects Receiving Chinese Herbal Medicine for Sjögren syndrome Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study with a Nested Case-Control Analysis.

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a long-lasting inflammatory autoimmune disease that may cause diverse manifestations, particularly osteoporosis. Though usage of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) can safely manage autoimmune disease and treatment-related symptoms, the relation between CHM use and osteoporosis risk in SS persons is not yet recognized. With that in mind, this population-level nested case-control study aimed to compare the risk of osteoporosis with and without CHM use. Potential subjects aged 20-70 years, diagnosed with SS between 2001 and 2010, were retrieved from a national health claims database. Those diagnosed with osteoporosis after SS were identified and randomly matched to those without osteoporosis. We capitalize on the conditional logistic regression to estimate osteoporosis risk following CHM use. A total of 1240 osteoporosis cases were detected and randomly matched to 1240 controls at a ratio of 1:1. Those receiving conventional care plus CHM had a substantially lower chance of osteoporosis than those without CHM. Prolonged use of CHM, especially for one year or more, markedly dwindled sequent osteoporosis risk by 71%. Integrating CHM into standard care may favor the improvement of bone function, but further well-designed randomized controlled trials to investigate the possible mechanism are needed.

The Healthy Participant Effect: insights and results from a population-based case-control study on breast cancer.

Agreement to participate in case-control studies has become low. Healthy participant bias resulting from differential response proportions in cases and controls can distort results; however, the magnitude of bias is difficult to assess. We investigated the effect in a large population-based case-control study on breast cancer, with a participation rate of 43.4% and 64.1% for controls and cases. We performed a mortality follow-up in 2020 for 3,813 cases and 7,335 controls recruited between 2002-2005. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) for overall mortality and selected causes of death were estimated. The mean age at recruitment was 63.1 years. The overall mortality for controls was 0.66 times lower (95%CI 0.62-0.69) than for the reference population. For causes of death other than breast cancer, SMRs were similar in cases and controls (0.70 and 0.64). Higher education was associated with lower SMRs in both cases and controls. Options for adjusting the healthy participant bias are limited if the true risk factor distribution in the underlying population is unknown. However, a relevant bias in this particular case-control study is considered unlikely since a similar healthy participant effect was observed for both controls and cases.

IgE-Mediated Sensitization to Blo t 21 and Blo t 5 Is Associated With Asthma in the Tropics: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sensitization to Blomia tropicalis is associated with asthma in various tropical and subtropical countries; however, information about the specific molecular components associated with this disease is scarce. Using molecular diagnosis, we sought to identify B tropicalis allergens associated with asthma in Colombia. METHODS: Specific IgE (sIgE) to 8 B tropicalis recombinant allergens (Blo t 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 21) was determined using an in-house ELISA system in asthma patients (n=272) and controls (n=298) recruited in a national prevalence study performed in several Colombian cities (Barranquilla, Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and San Andrés). The study sample included children and adults (mean [SD] age, 28 [17] years). Cross-reactivity between Blo t 5 and Blo t 21 was evaluated using ELISA-inhibition. RESULTS: Specific IgE (sIgE) to 8 B tropicalis recombinant allergens (Blo t 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 21) was determined using an in-house ELISA system in asthma patients (n=272) and controls (n=298) recruited in a national prevalence study performed in several Colombian cities (Barranquilla, Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and San Andrés). The study sample included children and adults (mean [SD] age, 28 [17] years). Cross-reactivity between Blo t 5 and Blo t 21 was evaluated using ELISA-inhibition. CONCLUSION: Although Blo t 5 and Blo t 21 are considered common sensitizers, this is the first report of their association with asthma. Both components should be included in molecular panels for diagnosis of allergy in the tropics.

Association between specific human leukocyte antigen alleles and development of thyroid immune-related adverse event.

Aim: Inherent variations in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles have been revealed epidemiologically to influence the development of autoimmune diseases. HLA alleles may thus also be associated with the development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), such as thyroid irAE. Materials & methods: In this case-control study, 71 cancer patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors were enrolled and HLA-genotyped and the frequency of HLA alleles was compared. Results: A*26:01, DPA1*01:03 and DPB1*02:01 were significantly more frequent in patients with thyroid irAE than in patients without any irAEs (35.0 vs 3.2% [p = 0.004], 80.0 vs 45.2% [p = 0.020] and 55.0 vs 25.8% [p = 0.044], respectively). Conclusion: A*26:01, DPA1*01:03 and DPB1*02:01 appear to be associated with thyroid irAE.

Everyone has a unique combination of human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) in their body that help the immune system identify threats. HLAs were named from the fact that they were first identified on the surface of human leukocytes. Afterward, HLAs were also found on all human cells. HLAs present antigens to immune cells. These HLAs also influence how the immune system attacks cancer cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that can help the immune system fight cancer, but they sometimes cause severe adverse events. In this study, we investigated whether specific HLA genes are related to the development of an adverse event that affects the thyroid in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. We found an association between three HLA genes (A*26:01, DPA1*01:03 and DPB1*02:01) and the development of the thyroid adverse event. However, larger studies are needed to confirm and generalize these initial exploratory findings.

Risk Factors of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Sindh Province, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES: In Sindh Province, Pakistan, confirmed Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) increased from zero in 2008 to 16 in 2015-2016. To counter this increase, in 2016, we initiated structured CCHF surveillance to improve estimates of risk factors for CCHF in Sindh and to identify potential interventions. METHODS: Beginning in 2016, all referral hospitals in Sindh reported all CCHF cases to surveillance agents. We used laboratory-confirmed cases from CCHF surveillance from 2016 to 2020 to compute incidence rates and in a case-control study to quantify risk factors for CCHF. RESULTS: For the 5 years, CCHF incidence was 4.2 per million for the Sindh capital, Karachi, (68 cases) and 0.4 per million elsewhere. Each year, the onset of new cases peaked during the 13 days during and after the 3-day Eid al Adha festival, when Muslims sacrificed livestock, accounting for 38% of cases. In Karachi, livestock for Eid were purchased at a seasonal livestock market that concentrated up to 700,000 livestock. CCHF cases were most common (44%) among the general population that had visited livestock markets (odds ratio = 102). CONCLUSIONS: Urban CCHF in Sindh province is associated with the general public's exposure to livestock markets in addition to high-risk occupations.

Association Between Urinary Parabens and Sperm Quality in Nigerian Men: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Parabens, which are chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, have been reported to be associated with low sperm quality in animal and human models. Despite the high exposure of men to paraben-containing products in Nigeria, there are no known studies that investigate the association of parabens with sperm quality in the country. Objective: To determine the association of urinary levels of metabolites of parabens with sperm count and quality. Design/Setting: A multicenter case-control study among fertile and infertile men in five hospitals in southern Nigeria. A total of 136 men diagnosed with male infertility (cases) were compared with 154 controls with normal fertility. Urinary levels of parabens (ethyl-paraben, methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben) were measured using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, while semen analysis and hormone assays were carried out using World Health Organization standards and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Data were analyzed with non-parametric statistics and non-parametric linear regression. Results: The results showed high levels of parabens in both cases and controls. However, there was no statistically significant difference in urinary levels of ethyl-paraben, methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben between cases and controls. In contrast, propylparaben had a decreasing association with total motility in both groups, but the effect was only statistically significant in the case of male infertility. The results of the regression analysis showed that a unit increase in propylparaben significantly decreased total motility in the cases (infertile men). Similarly, a unit increase in propylparaben decreased morphology significantly in the unadjusted model for infertile men. Only serum testosterone showed an insignificant correlation with urinary parabens. Conclusion: We conclude that urinary parabens are associated with features of poor sperm quality - motility, morphology, and volume. Measures to reduce exposure of men to agents containing parabens in Nigeria may reduce the prevalence of male infertility in the country.

A case-control study: epigenetic age acceleration in psoriasis.

Psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, often accompanied by psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and linked to various comorbidities and increased mortality rates. This study aimed to explore the relationship between PsO and accelerated biological aging, specifically focusing on epigenetic DNA methylation clocks. Using a matched case-control design, 20 PsO cases were selected along with age, race, and sex-matched 20 controls without PsO from the Skin Disease Biorepository at Brown Dermatology, Inc, Providence, Rhode Island. Blood samples retrieved from both groups were analyzed for DNA methylation, and epigenetic ages were calculated using DNA methylation clocks, including Horvath, Hannum, Pheno, SkinBlood, and Grim ages. Generalized estimation equations were employed to test the differences in epigenetic and chronological ages between PsO cases and controls, as well as within various subgroups in comparison to their respective controls. There were no statistically significant differences in epigenetic ages between PsO cases and controls. However, notably, PsO cases with PsA demonstrated an accelerated PhenoAge, compared to their matched controls. This study represents a pioneering investigation into the potential link between PsO and epigenetic aging, shedding light on the possibility of accelerated epigenetic aging in PsA, possibly associated with heightened inflammatory burden. These findings emphasize the systemic impact of PsA on the aging process, prompting the need for deeper exploration into autoimmune pathways, inflammation, and epigenetic modifications underlying PsO pathogenesis and aging mechanisms. Larger-scale studies with diverse populations are imperative to discern PsO subgroups experiencing accelerated biological aging and decipher the intricate interplay between PsO, inflammation, and aging pathways.

Clarifying the association between Parkinson's disease and vitiligo: a population-based large-scale study.

Objective: Our knowledge about the association between vitiligo and Parkinson's disease (PD) is sparse. We sought to investigate the bidirectional epidemiological association between vitiligo and PD. Methods: A population-based study was conducted using Clalit Health Services (CHS) database (2002-2019) using both a cohort study and a case-control study design. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR) were calculated by multivariate Cox and logistic regressions, respectively. Results: Overall, 20,851 vitiligo patients and 102,475 controls were included. The incidence of new-onset PD was 2.9 (95% CI, 2.1-4.1) and 4.3 (95% CI, 3.8-4.9) cases per 10,000 person-years among patients with vitiligo and controls, respectively. Patients with vitiligo had a significantly decreased risk of developing new-onset PD [adjusted HR, 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43-0.89, p = 0.009]. On the other hand, the likelihood of having vitiligo after a preexisting diagnosis of PD was not statistically different (adjusted OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.61-1.06; p = 0.117). Relative to the remaining patients with vitiligo, those with vitiligo and comorbid PD experienced an elevated risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.82-3.80; p < 0.001) and higher prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities. Conclusion: Vitiligo is associated with a lower risk of developing PD. The presence of comorbid PD predisposes patients with vitiligo to elevated mortality and cardiometabolic outcomes.