Thesis (M.Sc.). / Written for the Dept. of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/12/04). Includes bibliographical references.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence and risk of childhood overweight and obesity according to socioeconomic status in Peruvian and Vietnamese school-aged children. METHODS: Longitudinal data from the Young Lives study were analyzed. Exposure was wealth index in tertiles. Outcome was overweight and obesity. Cumulative incidence per 100 children-years, relative risks (RR), and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) were calculated. A hierarchical approach, including child- and family-related variables, was followed to construct multivariable models. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of overweight and obesity was 4.8 (95 % CI 4.1-5.5) and 1.7 (95 % CI 1.3-2.2) in the younger and older Peruvian cohort, respectively; and in Vietnam 1.5 (95 % CI 1.2-1.8) and 0.3 (95 % CI 0.2-0.5), respectively. The incidence of overweight and obesity was higher at the top wealth index tertile in all samples. In the older cohorts, comparing highest versus bottom wealth index tertile, RR of overweight and obesity was four to nine times higher: 4.25 in Peru (95 % CI 2.21-8.18) and 9.11 in Vietnam (95 % CI 1.07-77.42). CONCLUSIONS: The results provide important information for childhood obesity prevention in countries moving ahead with economic, epidemiological and nutritional transitions. / Revisión por pares

Background: The city of Manaus, Brazil, has seen two collapses of the health system due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We report anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibody seroconversion rates and associated risk factors in Manaus residents before the second wave of the epidemic in Brazil. Methods: A convenience sample of adult (aged ≥18 years) residents of Manaus was recruited through online and university website advertising into the DETECTCoV-19 study cohort. The current analysis of seroconversion included a subgroup of DETECTCoV-19 participants who had at least two serum sample collections separated by at least 4 weeks between Aug 19 and Oct 2, 2020 (visit 1), and Oct 19 and Nov 27, 2020 (visit 2). Those who reported (or had no data on) having a COVID-19 diagnosis before visit 1, and who were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibodies at visit 1 were excluded. Using an in-house ELISA, the reactivity index (RI; calculated as the optical density ratio of the sample to the negative control) for serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibodies was measured at both visits. We calculated the incidence of seroconversion (defined as RI values ≤1·5 at visit 1 and ≥1·5 at visit 2, and a ratio >2 between the visit 2 and visit 1 RI values) during the study period, as well as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) through cluster-corrected and adjusted Poisson regression models to analyse associations between seroconversion and variables related to sociodemographic characteristics, health access, comorbidities, COVID-19 exposure, protective behaviours, and symptoms. Findings: 2496 DETECTCoV-19 cohort participants returned for a follow-up visit between Oct 19 and Nov 27, 2020, of whom 204 reported having COVID-19 before the first visit and 24 had no data regarding previous disease status. 559 participants were seropositive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG antibodies at baseline. Of the remaining 1709 participants who were seronegative at baseline, 71 did not meet the criteria for seroconversion and were excluded from the analyses. Among the remaining 1638 participants who were seronegative at baseline, 214 showed seroconversion at visit 2. The seroconversion incidence was 13·06% (95% CI 11·52–14·79) overall and 6·78% (5·61–8·10) for symptomatic seroconversion, over a median follow-up period of 57 days (IQR 54–61). 48·1% of seroconversion events were estimated to be asymptomatic. The sample had higher proportions of affluent and higher-educated people than those reported for the Manaus city population. In the fully adjusted and corrected model, risk factors for seroconversion before visit 2 were having a COVID-19 case in the household (IRR 1·49 [95% CI 1·21–1·83]), not wearing a mask during contact with a person with COVID-19 (1·25 [1·09–1·45]), relaxation of physical distancing (1·31 [1·05–1·64]), and having flu-like symptoms (1·79 [1·23–2·59]) or a COVID-19 diagnosis (3·57 [2·27–5·63]) between the first and second visits, whereas working remotely was associated with lower incidence (0·74 [0·56–0·97]). Interpretation: An intense infection transmission period preceded the second wave of COVID-19 in Manaus. Several modifiable behaviours increased the risk of seroconversion, including non-compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions measures such as not wearing a mask during contact, relaxation of protective measures, and non-remote working. Increased testing in high-transmission areas is needed to provide timely information about ongoing transmission and aid appropriate implementation of transmission mitigation measures. Funding: Ministry of Education, Brazil; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas; Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO. / World Health Organization / Revisión por pares

Neste trabalho foi proposto o estudo prospectivo de gestações após a 40a semana, objetivando: a) verificar os índices de morbidade e mortalidade perinatais; b) identificar os testes de avaliação da vitalidade fetal mais adequados para a vigilância destas gestações; c) comparar os resultados dos testes de avaliação da vitalidade fetal com os resultados perinatais na 1a e 2a semana, após a 40a semana de gestação, para testar o protocolo do Serviço. Para a realização do estudo, selecionaram-se 52, gestantes divididas em 2 grupos: GI (1a semana) com 32 gestantes e GIl (2a semana) com 20 gestantes. Acompanhou-se a vitalidade fetal com a Cardiotocografia de Repouso e Intraparto, Teste da Estimulação Sônica, Avaliação do Volume do Líquido Amniótico através da Técnica dos Quatro Quadrantes, Perfil Biofisico Fetal e Dopplerfluxometria Uterina e Umbilical, realizados 2 vezes na semana. Os resultados neonatais e os índices de morbidade foram: Índices de Apgar no 10 e 50 minutos (alterados < 7), pH da artéria umbilical (alterado < 7,20), peso dos recém-nascidos, tempo de internação dos recém-nascidos, oligoidrâmnia, líquido amniótico meconial, alterações na cardiotocografia com presença de desacelerações e índices de cesárea. O estudo permitiu como resultados e conclusões: a) a incidência de oligoidrâmnio foi de 44,23%, líquido meconial de 28,85%, cardiotocografia alterada, 50,00% e partos cesáreos, 57,70%, não havendo óbito fetal ou neonatal. Não houve alterações significativas nos índices de Apgar, pH da artéria umbilical e tempo de internação dos recém-nascidos. b) A cardiotocografia e, principalmente, a avaliação do volume do líquido amniótico, pelo índice de líquido amniótico, foram os métodos mais adequados na detecção de alterações verificadas neste grupo de gestantes. Do parâmetro ultra-sonográfico do Perfil Biofisico Fetal, apenas o Volume do Líquido Amniótico demonstrou ser importante. A Dopplerfluxometria (uterina e umbilical) não revelou nenhuma utilidade na vigilância destas gestações. c) A distribuição dos casos com oligoidramnia, líquido meconial, cardiotocografia alterada, índices de cesárea e pH da artéria umbilical < 7,20, semelhante na 41a semana (GI) e 42a semana (GIl), valida o protocolo do Serviço. d) Adicionalmente, este estudo permite ainda as seguintes observações: 1) importância da oligoidrâmnia e líquido meconial na determinação dos elevados índices de cesáreas; 2) incidência elevada (50,00) de nulíparas nesta casuística. / This study proposed pros.pectively the evaluation of the gestations after 40 weeks with these objectives: a) Analysis of the perinatal outcome. b) Identification of the proper test for fetal well-being assessment for this gestation. c) Comparation of these tests results with perinatal outcome at the first and second weeks after 40 weeks, therefore, testing the protocol of this Service. It recruited 52 patients divided in two groups: GI (1st week) with 32 patients and Gil (2nd week) with 20 patients. The fetal surveillance was assessed by antepartum and intrapartum cardiotocography, acoustic stimulation test, amniotic fluid volume assessment by the ultrasonographic four quadrant technique (amniotic fluid index), fetal biophysical profile and umbilical and uterine doppler velocimetry, ali tests were performed twice weekly. The neonatal outcome results and morbidity parameters were: Apgar index in 1st and s\" minutes (alterated < 7), umbilical artery pH (alterated < 7,20), the new born weight, oligohydramnios, meconium stained, deceleration (DIP 11 or umbilical deceleration) and cesarean section rates. The study permitted these results and conclusions: a) The oligohydramnios, meconium stained, cardiotocography alterations and cesarean section incidences were 44,23%, 28,85%, 50,00% and 57,70%, respectively. There was no fetal death. b) The cardiotocography and amniotic fluid assessment by the amniotic fluid index, were the best tests to detect the alterations verified. The amniotic fluid volume was the most important parameter in the fetal biophysical profile. Doppler (uterine and umbilical) revealed no utility. c) The equal distribution of the oligohydramnios, meconium stained, altereted cardiotocography, cesarean section and umbilical artery pH < 7,20 cases in the group studied reassure the Service protocol. d) In addition this study also permitted observation of: 1) The importance of the meconium stained in the cesarean section rate. 2) The nuliparus elevated incidence (50,00%) in this group.

Avaliou-se prospectivamente 19 pacientes com obstrução infravesical por hiperplasia prostática benigna selecionados pra prostatectomia transvesical. Obteve-se um fragmento da parede da bexiga e quantificou-se o colágeno no epimísio, perimísio e endomísio do detrusor. Amostra vesicais de oito doadores cadavéricos de órgãos serviram como controles. Observou-se padrão focal de aumento do colágeno na camada muscular da bexiga dos pacientes com obstrução. Demonstrou-se que a idade correlaciona-se positivamente com o aumento da quantidade de colágeno com a diminuição da complacência vesical, o aumento da prevalência de hiperatividade detrusora e a maior chance de retenção urinária / We prospectively evaluated 19 patients with bladder outlet obstruction by benign prostatic hyperplasia selected for transvesical prostatectomy. A sample of the bladder wall was obtained and the collagen was measured at the level of epimysium, premysium and endomysium. Bladder samples from eight cadaveric organ donors were used as controls. A focal pattern of collagen increase was observed at the bladder smooth muscle layer of obstructed patients. Age was shown to correlate with increased collagen quantity. Increased collagen quantity also correlated with decreased bladder compliance, higher prevalence of detrusor overactivity and of urinary retention

Neste trabalho foi proposto o estudo prospectivo de gestações após a 40a semana, objetivando: a) verificar os índices de morbidade e mortalidade perinatais; b) identificar os testes de avaliação da vitalidade fetal mais adequados para a vigilância destas gestações; c) comparar os resultados dos testes de avaliação da vitalidade fetal com os resultados perinatais na 1a e 2a semana, após a 40a semana de gestação, para testar o protocolo do Serviço. Para a realização do estudo, selecionaram-se 52, gestantes divididas em 2 grupos: GI (1a semana) com 32 gestantes e GIl (2a semana) com 20 gestantes. Acompanhou-se a vitalidade fetal com a Cardiotocografia de Repouso e Intraparto, Teste da Estimulação Sônica, Avaliação do Volume do Líquido Amniótico através da Técnica dos Quatro Quadrantes, Perfil Biofisico Fetal e Dopplerfluxometria Uterina e Umbilical, realizados 2 vezes na semana. Os resultados neonatais e os índices de morbidade foram: Índices de Apgar no 10 e 50 minutos (alterados < 7), pH da artéria umbilical (alterado < 7,20), peso dos recém-nascidos, tempo de internação dos recém-nascidos, oligoidrâmnia, líquido amniótico meconial, alterações na cardiotocografia com presença de desacelerações e índices de cesárea. O estudo permitiu como resultados e conclusões: a) a incidência de oligoidrâmnio foi de 44,23%, líquido meconial de 28,85%, cardiotocografia alterada, 50,00% e partos cesáreos, 57,70%, não havendo óbito fetal ou neonatal. Não houve alterações significativas nos índices de Apgar, pH da artéria umbilical e tempo de internação dos recém-nascidos. b) A cardiotocografia e, principalmente, a avaliação do volume do líquido amniótico, pelo índice de líquido amniótico, foram os métodos mais adequados na detecção de alterações verificadas neste grupo de gestantes. Do parâmetro ultra-sonográfico do Perfil Biofisico Fetal, apenas o Volume do Líquido Amniótico demonstrou ser importante. A Dopplerfluxometria (uterina e umbilical) não revelou nenhuma utilidade na vigilância destas gestações. c) A distribuição dos casos com oligoidramnia, líquido meconial, cardiotocografia alterada, índices de cesárea e pH da artéria umbilical < 7,20, semelhante na 41a semana (GI) e 42a semana (GIl), valida o protocolo do Serviço. d) Adicionalmente, este estudo permite ainda as seguintes observações: 1) importância da oligoidrâmnia e líquido meconial na determinação dos elevados índices de cesáreas; 2) incidência elevada (50,00) de nulíparas nesta casuística. / This study proposed pros.pectively the evaluation of the gestations after 40 weeks with these objectives: a) Analysis of the perinatal outcome. b) Identification of the proper test for fetal well-being assessment for this gestation. c) Comparation of these tests results with perinatal outcome at the first and second weeks after 40 weeks, therefore, testing the protocol of this Service. It recruited 52 patients divided in two groups: GI (1st week) with 32 patients and Gil (2nd week) with 20 patients. The fetal surveillance was assessed by antepartum and intrapartum cardiotocography, acoustic stimulation test, amniotic fluid volume assessment by the ultrasonographic four quadrant technique (amniotic fluid index), fetal biophysical profile and umbilical and uterine doppler velocimetry, ali tests were performed twice weekly. The neonatal outcome results and morbidity parameters were: Apgar index in 1st and s\" minutes (alterated < 7), umbilical artery pH (alterated < 7,20), the new born weight, oligohydramnios, meconium stained, deceleration (DIP 11 or umbilical deceleration) and cesarean section rates. The study permitted these results and conclusions: a) The oligohydramnios, meconium stained, cardiotocography alterations and cesarean section incidences were 44,23%, 28,85%, 50,00% and 57,70%, respectively. There was no fetal death. b) The cardiotocography and amniotic fluid assessment by the amniotic fluid index, were the best tests to detect the alterations verified. The amniotic fluid volume was the most important parameter in the fetal biophysical profile. Doppler (uterine and umbilical) revealed no utility. c) The equal distribution of the oligohydramnios, meconium stained, altereted cardiotocography, cesarean section and umbilical artery pH < 7,20 cases in the group studied reassure the Service protocol. d) In addition this study also permitted observation of: 1) The importance of the meconium stained in the cesarean section rate. 2) The nuliparus elevated incidence (50,00%) in this group.

This thesis presents data on two separate areas relevant to the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission in homosexual men. These data arise from the community-based Health in Men (HIM) cohort of HIV-negative homosexual men in Sydney. First, the association of circumcision status with HIV and STIs was examined. Older age, ethnicity and country of birth were demographic factors independently associated with circumcision status. Self-report was a valid measure of circumcision status in this population. Overall, being circumcised was associated with a non-significant reduced risk of HIV seroconversion in the HIM cohort (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.41-1.41, p=0.381). Among the one-third of participants predominantly practising the insertive role in anal intercourse (AI), being circumcised was associated with a significantly reduced risk of HIV infection (HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.80, p=0.026). Circumcised HIM participants also had a lower risk of incident syphilis (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.84, p=0.019), however circumcision status had no significant effect on the remainder of prevalent and incident STIs examined. Second, risk factors for pharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia were investigated. The BD ProbeTec nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) had a positive predictive value (PPV) for pharyngeal gonorrhoea diagnosis of only 30.4% (95% CI 25.2-36.1%) when compared to a previously validated NAAT targeting the gonococcal porA pseudogene. Pharyngeal gonorrhoea was common in HIM, mostly occurred without concurrent anogenital infection and may frequently spontaneously resolve. Infection was independently associated with younger age (p-trend=0.001), higher number of male partners (p-trend=0.002), contact with gonorrhoea (p<0.001) and insertive oro-anal sex with casual partners (p-trend=0.044). Pharyngeal chlamydia was less common but a high prevalence/incidence ratio suggested that infection may persist in the pharynx for long periods. Pharyngeal chlamydia was independently associated with receptive penile-oral sex with casual partners (p-trend=0.009). In conclusion, circumcision may have a role as an HIV prevention intervention among the subgroup of homosexual men who predominantly practise insertive rather than receptive AI. Regular screening of the pharynx including a validated supplemental NAAT for gonorrhoea diagnosis may prevent much transmission to anogenital sites, whereas chlamydia occurs too infrequently in the pharynx to recommend routine screening in homosexual men.

This thesis presents data on two separate areas relevant to the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission in homosexual men. These data arise from the community-based Health in Men (HIM) cohort of HIV-negative homosexual men in Sydney. First, the association of circumcision status with HIV and STIs was examined. Older age, ethnicity and country of birth were demographic factors independently associated with circumcision status. Self-report was a valid measure of circumcision status in this population. Overall, being circumcised was associated with a non-significant reduced risk of HIV seroconversion in the HIM cohort (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.41-1.41, p=0.381). Among the one-third of participants predominantly practising the insertive role in anal intercourse (AI), being circumcised was associated with a significantly reduced risk of HIV infection (HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.80, p=0.026). Circumcised HIM participants also had a lower risk of incident syphilis (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.84, p=0.019), however circumcision status had no significant effect on the remainder of prevalent and incident STIs examined. Second, risk factors for pharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia were investigated. The BD ProbeTec nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) had a positive predictive value (PPV) for pharyngeal gonorrhoea diagnosis of only 30.4% (95% CI 25.2-36.1%) when compared to a previously validated NAAT targeting the gonococcal porA pseudogene. Pharyngeal gonorrhoea was common in HIM, mostly occurred without concurrent anogenital infection and may frequently spontaneously resolve. Infection was independently associated with younger age (p-trend=0.001), higher number of male partners (p-trend=0.002), contact with gonorrhoea (p<0.001) and insertive oro-anal sex with casual partners (p-trend=0.044). Pharyngeal chlamydia was less common but a high prevalence/incidence ratio suggested that infection may persist in the pharynx for long periods. Pharyngeal chlamydia was independently associated with receptive penile-oral sex with casual partners (p-trend=0.009). In conclusion, circumcision may have a role as an HIV prevention intervention among the subgroup of homosexual men who predominantly practise insertive rather than receptive AI. Regular screening of the pharynx including a validated supplemental NAAT for gonorrhoea diagnosis may prevent much transmission to anogenital sites, whereas chlamydia occurs too infrequently in the pharynx to recommend routine screening in homosexual men.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis--University of Oklahoma. / Bibliography: leaf 87.