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- Blach, S., et al.
(författare)
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Global change in hepatitis C virus prevalence and cascade of care between 2015 and 2020: a modelling study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. - : Elsevier BV. - 2468-1253. ; 7:5, s. 396-415
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Since the release of the first global hepatitis elimination targets in 2016, and until the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020, many countries and territories were making progress toward hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination. This study aims to evaluate HCV burden in 2020, and forecast HCV burden by 2030 given current trends. Methods This analysis includes a literature review, Delphi process, and mathematical modelling to estimate HCV prevalence (viraemic infection, defined as HCV RNA-positive cases) and the cascade of care among people of all ages (age =0 years from birth) for the period between Jan 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2030. Epidemiological data were collected from published sources and grey literature (including government reports and personal communications) and were validated among country and territory experts. A Markov model was used to forecast disease burden and cascade of care from 1950 to 2050 for countries and territories with data. Model outcomes were extracted from 2015 to 2030 to calculate population-weighted regional averages, which were used for countries or territories without data. Regional and global estimates of HCV prevalence, cascade of care, and disease burden were calculated based on 235 countries and territories. Findings Models were built for 110 countries or territories: 83 were approved by local experts and 27 were based on published data alone. Using data from these models, plus population-weighted regional averages for countries and territories without models (n=125), we estimated a global prevalence of viraemic HCV infection of 0.7% (95% UI 0.7-0.9), corresponding to 56.8 million (95% UI 55.2-67.8) infections, on Jan 1, 2020. This number represents a decrease of 6.8 million viraemic infections from a 2015 (beginning of year) prevalence estimate of 63.6 million (61.8-75.8) infections (0.9% [0.8-1.0] prevalence). By the end of 2020, an estimated 12.9 million (12.5-15.4) people were living with a diagnosed viraemic infection. In 2020, an estimated 641 000 (623 000-765 000) patients initiated treatment. Interpretation At the beginning of 2020, there were an estimated 56.8 million viraemic HCV infections globally. Although this number represents a decrease from 2015, our forecasts suggest we are not currently on track to achieve global elimination targets by 2030. As countries recover from COVID-19, these findings can help refocus efforts aimed at HCV elimination. Copyright (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
- El-Sayed, Najib M., et al.
(författare)
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The genome sequence of Trypanosoma cruzi, etiologic agent of Chagas disease.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 1095-9203 .- 0036-8075. ; 309:5733, s. 409-15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Whole-genome sequencing of the protozoan pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi revealed that the diploid genome contains a predicted 22,570 proteins encoded by genes, of which 12,570 represent allelic pairs. Over 50% of the genome consists of repeated sequences, such as retrotransposons and genes for large families of surface molecules, which include trans-sialidases, mucins, gp63s, and a large novel family (>1300 copies) of mucin-associated surface protein (MASP) genes. Analyses of the T. cruzi, T. brucei, and Leishmania major (Tritryp) genomes imply differences from other eukaryotes in DNA repair and initiation of replication and reflect their unusual mitochondrial DNA. Although the Tritryp lack several classes of signaling molecules, their kinomes contain a large and diverse set of protein kinases and phosphatases; their size and diversity imply previously unknown interactions and regulatory processes, which may be targets for intervention.
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| 7. |
- Razavi, Homie A., et al.
(författare)
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Hepatitis D double reflex testing of all hepatitis B carriers in low-HBV- and high-HBV/HDV-prevalence countries
- 2023
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Ingår i: JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY. - : Elsevier. - 0168-8278 .- 1600-0641. ; 79:2, s. 576-580
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection occurs as a coinfection with hepatitis B and increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, decompensated cirrhosis, and mortality compared to hepatitis B virus (HBV) monoinfection. Reliable estimates of the prevalence of HDV infection and disease burden are essential to formulate strategies to find coinfected individuals more effectively and efficiently. The global prevalence of HBV infections was estimated to be 262,240,000 in 2021. Only 1,994,000 of the HBV in-fections were newly diagnosed in 2021, with more than half of the new diagnoses made in China. Our initial estimates indicated a much lower prevalence of HDV antibody (anti-HDV) and HDV RNA positivity than previously reported in published studies. Ac-curate estimates of HDV prevalence are needed. The most effective method to generate estimates of the prevalence of anti-HDV and HDV RNA positivity and to find undiagnosed individuals at the national level is to implement double reflex testing. This re-quires anti-HDV testing of all hepatitis B surface antigen-positive individuals and HDV RNA testing of all anti-HDV-positive in-dividuals. This strategy is manageable for healthcare systems since the number of newly diagnosed HBV cases is low. At the global level, a comprehensive HDV screening strategy would require only 1,994,000 HDV antibody tests and less than 89,000 HDV PCR tests. Double reflex testing is the preferred strategy in countries with a low prevalence of HBV and those with a high prevalence of both HBV and HDV. For example, in the European Union and North America only 35,000 and 22,000 cases, respectively, will require anti-HDV testing annually.
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| 8. |
- Razavi-Shearer, Devin M., et al.
(författare)
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Adjusted estimate of the prevalence of hepatitis delta virus in 25 countries and territories
- 2024
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Ingår i: JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY. - 0168-8278 .- 1600-0641. ; 80:2, s. 232-242
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background & Aims: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a satellite RNA virus that requires the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for assembly and propagation. Individuals infected with HDV progress to advanced liver disease faster than HBV-monoinfected individuals. Recent studies have estimated the global prevalence of anti-HDV antibodies among the HBV-infected population to be 5-15%. This study aimed to better understand HDV prevalence at the population level in 25 countries/territories. Methods: We conducted a literature review to determine the prevalence of anti-HDV and HDV RNA in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive individuals in 25 countries/territories. Virtual meetings were held with experts from each setting to discuss the findings and collect unpublished data. Data were weighted for patient segments and regional heterogeneity to estimate the prevalence in the HBV-infected population. The findings were then combined with The Polaris Observatory HBV data to estimate the anti-HDV and HDV RNA prevalence in each country/territory at the population level. Results: After adjusting for geographical distribution, disease stage and special populations, the anti-HDV prevalence among the HBsAg+ population changed from the literature estimate in 19 countries. The highest anti-HDV prevalence was 60.1% in Mongolia. Once adjusted for the size of the HBsAg+ population and HDV RNA positivity rate, China had the highest absolute number of HDV RNA+ cases. Conclusions: We found substantially lower HDV prevalence than previously reported, as prior meta-analyses primarily focused on studies conducted in groups/regions that have a higher probability of HBV infection: tertiary care centers, specific risk groups or geographical regions. There is large uncertainty in HDV prevalence estimates. The implementation of reflex testing would improve estimates, while also allowing earlier linkage to care for HDV RNA+ individuals. The logistical and economic burden of reflex testing on the health system would be limited, as only HBsAg+ cases would be screened.
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- Gogova, Daniela, 1967-, et al.
(författare)
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High-quality 2? bulk-like free-standing GaN grown by HydrideVapour phase epitaxy on a Si-doped metal organic vapour phase epitaxial GaN template with an ultra low dislocation density
- 2005
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Ingår i: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics. - 0021-4922 .- 1347-4065. ; 44:3, s. 1181-1185
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High-quality 2? crack-free free-standing GaN has been attained by hydride vapour phase epitaxial growth on a Si-doped MOVPE GaN template with a low dislocation density and subsequent laser-induced lift-off process. A low value of dislocation density of ~2.0 × 107cm-2 on the Ga-polar face was determined from cathodoluminescence images. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) were exploited to investigate the structural and optical properties of the GaN material. The full width at half maximum value of XRD ?-scan of the free-standing GaN is 248 arcsec for the (1 0 1 4) reflection. The XRD and low-temperature PL mapping measurements consistently proved the high crystalline quality as well as the lateral homogeneity and the small residual stress of the material. Hence, the bulk-like free-standing GaN studied here is highly advantageous for being used as a lattice-constant and thermal-expansion-coefficient matched substrate for additional strain-free homoepitaxy of III-nitrides-based device heterostructures. The strain-free homoepitaxy will significantly reduce the defect density and thus, an improvement of the device performance and lifetime could be achieved. © 2005 The Japan Society of Applied Physics.
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- Sotoudeh, Gholam Reza, et al.
(författare)
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The prevalence, circumstances and consequences of unintentional falls among elderly Iranians : A population study
- 2018
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Ingår i: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics (Print). - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-4943 .- 1872-6976. ; 79, s. 123-130
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and aimFalling threatens the health, independence and quality of life of older adults. Information about characteristics and predisposing factors of falls is essential to develop and implement effective preventing measure. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, circumstances and consequences of falls among community-dwelling older adults in Tehran, Iran, and scrutinize factors (e.g. demographics) associated with falls.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran. A total of 653 individuals aged 65 years and over were selected by a stratified random sampling as representing older adults in Tehran. All required data were collected through face-to-face interviews using questionnaires.ResultsThe prevalence of falls was 39.7% and higher in women than in men. For both sexes, most of the falls occurred in the afternoon (n = 135, 52.1%) and at home (n = 209, 80.7%). One-fourth of the falls (23.2%) occurred in a forward direction, mostly among women (60%). For both sexes, one-third of the causes of falls were loss of balance, mostly among women and the oldest persons. Two-hundred and twelve of the fallers reported injuries. The logistic regression showed that female gender, low education and constant worries about living expenses were significantly associated with falls.ConclusionsThis study may have provided new insights into the characteristics/ circumstances/ consequences of injurious falls and their relation with age, gender and injury severity in Iran. It may be useful for health policy makers and health providers when designing falls intervention and prevention programs at the community level.
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| 11. |
- Yusefi, Gholam Hosein, et al.
(författare)
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Phylogenetic analysis of marginal Asiatic black bears reveals a recent Iranian-Himalayan divergence and has implications for taxonomy and conservation
- 2020
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Ingår i: Mammalian Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1616-5047 .- 1618-1476. ; 100:4, s. 419-427
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A small population of Asiatic black bear-known as the Baluchistan black bear-survives in the western limit of the species' range in Iran, where the species is rare, difficult to monitor and occupy an atypical habitat with extreme environmental conditions. Through the use of noninvasively collected samples, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA control region sequences to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time between the Baluchistan Iranian black bear population and other Asian populations. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Baluchistan and Nepalese (Himalayan) populations are monophyletic, with their divergence time estimated at circa 120 thousand years ago. The results reveal the low level of mitochondrial DNA variability in this small and marginal population, as is the case for many bear populations living in areas with similar conditions. The divergence time between the populations from Iran and Nepal dates to the Late Pleistocene, pointing to a transitional period between colder (glacial) and warmer (interglacial) conditions that allowed forests to expand and opened new habitats to population expansions. Pending further genetic and morphological corroboration, these preliminary results suggest that all Baluchistan and Himalayan (Nepalese) black bears might be considered as synonymous under the prior U. t. thibetanus trinomial (with gedrosianus just as junior synonym). Conservation efforts on this small and endangered population remain poor, and further measures are required to guarantee its long-term survival in Iran.
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