Ritual Slaughter as Overlooked Risk Factor for Brucellosis.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Fuchs I
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4806964 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Human rituals exhibit bewildering diversity, from the Mauritian Kavadi to Catholic communion. Is this diversity infinitely plastic or are there some general dimensions along which ritual features vary? We analyse two cross-cultural datasets: one drawn from the anthropological record and another novel contemporary dataset, to examine whether a consistent underlying set of latent dimensions in ritual structure and experiences can be detected. First, we conduct a factor analysis on 651 rituals from 74 cultural groups, in which 102 binary variables are coded. We find a reliable set of dimensions emerged, which provide potential candidates for foundational elements of ritual form. Notably, we find that the expression of features associated with dysphoric and euphoric experiences in rituals appears to be largely orthogonal. Second, we follow-up with a pre-registered factor analysis examining contemporary ritual experiences of 779 individuals from Japan, India and the US. We find supporting evidence that ritual experiences are clustered in relatively orthogonal euphoric, dysphoric, frequency and cognitive dimensions. Our findings suggest that there are important regularities in the diversity of ritual expression and experience observed across both time and culture. We discuss the implications of these findings for cognitive theories of ritual and cultural evolution. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ritual renaissance: new insights into the most human of behaviours'.
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Project description:Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a congenital condition redefined by Oduber et al (2008) by the coexistence of vascular malformations and disturbed soft tissue or bony growth, including hypertrophy or hypotrophy in the same or opposite sides of the body. The anomalies may involve part of a limb, a whole limb, a limb girdle, or a hemibody. Vascular malformations may involve veins, capillaries, or lymphatics although venous or capillary malformations are essential for the diagnosis. Associated venous anomalies include dysplasia, valvular malformations, and varicosities. Congenital venous anomalies are often associated with disturbances of blood flow and should be considered as prothrombotic states. However, such anomalies are not considered in Wells scores and used to determine the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). We present the case of a male with unrecognized crossed dissociated form of KTS and unsuspected VTE. The pathophysiology and the treatment of VTE in KTS are discussed. We suggest physicians to be aware of KTS and that its recognition in a critically ill patient should prompt consideration for appropriate prophylaxis for high-risk category for VTE. Dedicated duplex sonography should be obtained if VTE is suspected. We also suggest a modification of the Wells scores to reflect the association of KTS and VTE.
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Project description:Brucella canis infects dogs and humans. In dogs, it can cause reproductive failure; in humans, it can cause fever, chills, malaise, peripheral lymphadenomegaly, and splenomegaly. B. canis infection in dogs is underrecognized. After evaluating serologic data, transmission patterns, and regulations in the context of brucellosis in dogs as an underrecognized zoonosis, we concluded that brucellosis in dogs remains endemic to many parts of the world and will probably remain a threat to human health and animal welfare unless stronger intervention measures are implemented. A first step for limiting disease spread would be implementation of mandatory testing of dogs before interstate or international movement.
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Project description:BackgroundThe risk of coronary obstruction during transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve replacement (VIV-TAVR) in patients deemed at high risk for surgical re-intervention is still a concerning issue.Case summaryA 78-year-old woman with a past medical history of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis was referred for a symptomatic and severely stenotic surgical Mitroflow n.21 bio-prosthesis and was subsequently recommended for a VIV procedure. Multiple anatomical risk factors for coronary occlusion required a pre-emptive coronary chimney stenting protection. The implantation of an Evolut-R 23 mm valve resulted in a gradient of 21 mmHg thus, a post-dilatation with an 18 mm balloon was performed. Both electrocardiographic and haemodynamic parameters remained excellent, however, a hazardous leaflet dislodgment became evident. Regardless, a prophylactic chimney stenting was performed because of the operator's perceived high risk of late coronary occlusion.DiscussionThe implantation of transcatheter valves inside failed surgically implanted aortic bio-prosthesis is broadly recognized as a safe and less-invasive alternative to repeated high-risk surgery. Although procedural success is achieved in the great majority of patients, this therapy may be jeopardized by rare but serious complications such as impending or established acute coronary occlusion. Several specific anatomical and procedural risk factors have been identified and primary coronary prevention strategies are often mandatory when they arise. Valve-in-valve post-dilation has been overlooked in its role as an additional risk factor of late coronary obstruction. Therefore, chimney stenting, performed after balloon post-dilation to prevent delayed coronary obstruction, even if the acute coronary event does not occur intra-procedurally, is strongly advisable.
| S-EPMC7649518 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:More information on brucellosis epidemiology in Bactrian camels is needed due to their growing economic and livelihood importance for herders and renewed efforts in Mongolia to eliminate brucellosis through mass vaccination of ruminants excluding camels. Brucellosis prevalence in camels increased over the past two decades. Random multi-stage cluster surveys were done in the Eastern provinces of Dornod and Sukhbaatar in 2013 and 2014 and in the Southern & Western provinces of Dornogobi, Umnogobi and Khovd in 2014 and 2015. A total of 1822 camels, 1155 cattle, and 3023 small ruminant sera were collected and tested with the Rose Bengal Test. In addition, 195 vaginal swabs and 250 milk samples for bacteriological culture were taken from livestock with history of abortion. RESULTS:The overall apparent seroprevalence in camels was 2.3% (95% confidence interval 1.6-3.3). The main risk factor for camel seropositivity was being in an Eastern province when compared to Southern & Western provinces (odds ratio 13.2, 95% CI 5.3-32.4). Camel seroprevalences were stable over the two consecutive survey years, despite introduction of ruminant vaccination: 5.7% (95% CI 3.1-10.2%) and 5.8% (3.3-10.1%) in Eastern provinces and 0.4% (0.2-1.2%) and 0.5% (0.1-2.0%) in Southern & Western provinces. We isolated Brucella abortus from camels and cattle. Camel seropositivity was associated to keeping cattle together with camels. Monitoring of vaccination campaigns showed that coverage in cattle was insufficient because animals could not be adequately restrained. CONCLUSIONS:The present study reveals that brucellosis is present with important seroprevalence in Mongolian camels and was endemic in Eastern provinces. Camel herd seropositivity was most closely associated to infection in cattle. Longer term monitoring is needed to assess whether camel seroprevalance decreases with ongoing vaccination in Mongolia. This should be coupled with further confirmation on Brucella spp. isolates. To date, only Brucella abortus was isolated, but camels are also susceptible to Brucella melitensis. Clear verbal and written information on disease prevention in livestock and household members is important, particularly for remote camel herders who had only moderate knowledge on brucellosis epidemiology and preventive measures.
| S-EPMC6234668 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundAlthough estimation of percentage body fat with the Slaughter skinfold-thickness equations (PBF(Slaughter)) is widely used, the accuracy of this method has not been well studied.ObjectiveThe objective was to determine the accuracy of the Slaughter skinfold-thickness equations.DesignWe compared agreement between PBF(Slaughter) and estimations derived from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (PBF(DXA)) in 1169 children in the Pediatric Rosetta Body Composition Project and the relation to cardiovascular disease risk factors, as compared with body mass index (BMI), in 6725 children in the Bogalusa Heart Study.ResultsPBF(Slaughter) was highly correlated (r = 0.90) with PBF(DXA), but it markedly overestimated levels of PBF(DXA) in children with large skinfold thicknesses. In the 65 boys with a sum of skinfold thicknesses (subscapular- plus triceps-skinfold thicknesses) ? 50 mm, PBF(Slaughter) overestimated PBF(DXA) by 12 percentage points. The comparable overestimation in girls with a high skinfold sum was 6 percentage points. We also found that, after adjustment for sex and age, BMI showed slightly stronger associations with lipid, lipoprotein, insulin, and blood pressure values than did PBF(Slaughter).ConclusionsThese results indicate that PBF(Slaughter), which was developed among a group of much thinner children and adolescents, is fairly accurate among nonobese children, but markedly overestimates the body fatness of children who have thick skinfold thicknesses. Furthermore, PBF(Slaughter) has no advantage over sex- and age-adjusted BMIs at identifying children who are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease based on lipid, lipoprotein, insulin, and blood pressure values.
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Project description:The aim of this article of to analyze ritual in evidence-informed treatments for prolonged and traumatic grief. A scoping review is conducted in order to give an overview of existing literature on ritual and symbolic interventions in grief therapies for prolonged grief and the type of evidence supporting these interventions. The 22 studies reported in this review reveal a variety of ritual elements ranging from symbolic expression and interaction, writing assignments, dialogue with the deceased or an imaginary person, to farewell ceremonies at the end of the treatment. The interventions are studied within different populations (e.g., bereaved spouses, perinatal loss, grief after violent death, and genocide). Almost all studies show significant effects of the grief treatment, trauma and related symptoms. However, the effects are mostly measured for the entire treatment and not separately for the ritual intervention. In the discussion we focus on the role of ritual and culture in prolonged grief treatment.
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Project description:BackgroundNeurosyphilis (NS) presents with a variety of clinical syndromes that can be attributed to other aetiologies due to difficulties in its diagnosis. We reviewed all cases of NS from the "Top End" of the Australian Northern Territory over a ten-year period to assess incidence, clinical and laboratory manifestations.MethodsPatient data (2007-2016) were extracted from hospital records, centralised laboratory data and Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control records. Clinical records of patients with clinically suspected NS were reviewed. A diagnosis of NS was made based on the 2014 US CDC criteria. Results were also recategorized based on the 2018 US CDC criteria.ResultsThe population of the "Top End" is 185,570, of whom 26.2% are Indigenous. A positive TPPA was recorded in 3126 individuals. A total of 75 (2.4%) of TPPA positive patients had a lumbar puncture (LP), of whom 25 (35%) were diagnosed with NS (9 definite, 16 probable). Dementia was the most common manifestation (58.3%), followed by epilepsy (16.7%), psychosis (12.5%), tabes dorsalis (12.5%) and meningovascular syphilis (8.3%). 63% of probable NS cases were not treated appropriately due to a negative CSF VDRL. Despite increased specificity of the 2018 US CDC criteria, 70% of patient in the probable NS group were not treated appropriately. The overall annual incidence [95%CI] of NS was 2.47[1.28-4.31] per 100 000py in the Indigenous population and 0.95[0.50-1.62] in the non-Indigenous population (rate ratio = 2.60 [1.19-5.70];p = 0.017).ConclusionNeurosyphilis is frequently reported in the NT, particularly in Indigenous populations. Disturbingly, 60% of probable neurosyphilis patients based on the 2014 criteria, and 70% based on the 2018 criteria with were not treated appropriately. It is critical that clinicians should be aware of the diagnosis of NS and treat patients appropriately.
| S-EPMC7540903 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundBovine brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that causes substantial economic losses and has a strong impact on public health. The main objective of this paper is to determine the risk factors for new infections of Brucella abortus on Colombian cattle farms previously certified as being free of brucellosis. A case-control study was conducted by comparing 98 cases (farms certified as brucellosis-free for three or more years but became infected) with 93 controls (farms that remained brucellosis-free during at least the previous three years). The farms were matched by herd size and geographical location (municipality). Information was obtained via a questionnaire completed by veterinary officers through a personal interview with the herd owners.ResultsTwo-thirds of the herds (67%) were dairy herds, 16% were beef herds, and 17% were dual-purpose (beef and milk) herds. After exploratory univariate analysis, all explanatory variables with a p-value of ?0.20 were included in a logistic regression model using the forward stepwise method to select the model with the best goodness of fit. The significant risk factors were the replacement of animals from farms not certified as brucellosis-free compared to replacement from certified brucellosis-free farms (OR?=?4.84, p-value <?0.001) and beef cattle farms compared to dairy cattle farms (OR?=?3.61, p-value?=?0.017). When herds with and without artificial insemination were compared, it was observed that farms that used natural breeding with bulls from non-certified herds had a higher risk than farms using artificial insemination (OR?=?2.45, p-value?=?0.037), but when the bulls came from brucellosis-free farms, farms with natural breeding were less affected (OR?=?0.30, p-value?=?0.004) than farms using artificial insemination, whether with frozen semen from certified brucellosis-free herds or fresh semen from uncontrolled herds. The latter is commonly sold to neighbouring farms.ConclusionsThe government should make efforts to inform farmers about the risks involved in the introduction of semen and replacement heifers from farms that are not certified as brucellosis-free and to establish measures to control these practices.
| S-EPMC6404332 | biostudies-literature