The origin and significance of host specificity are intriguing questions in parasitology. In the case of single-host versus multiple-host parasites, this topic integrates with the concept of the specialist/generalist trade-off. We use the model of sucking lice Polyplax serrata and rodent hosts Apodemus, to address these concepts. Polyplax serrata was shown to form a complex genetic structure, with a strictly specific S lineage living on Apodemus flavicollis, and a less specific N lineage on A. flavicollis and Apodemus sylvaticus. Moreover, the S lineage formed two mitochondrial clades with geographically exclusive distributions and a narrow hybrid zone, providing an opportunity to test the hypothesis that hybrids suffer a decrease in fitness. We sampled 451 individual lice from two host species at 103 localities. We used prevalences and intensities as proxies of fitness, which the parasites realize on their host. The S lineage, strictly specific to Apodemus flavicollis, reached significantly higher prevalences and intensities on its host compared with the N lineage. Conversely, the N lineage occurred with high prevalence and intensity on A. sylvaticus but tended to use also A. flavicollis when the louse populations became too dense. We discuss possible mechanisms behind this difference (particularly interspecific competition as a typical phenomenon in the specialist/generalist systems). We conclude that a parasite's "choice", not accessibility of the host or interspecific competition, is the main factor affecting the louse prevalences. We suggest that historical differences in geographic distribution of both lice and mice may provide a possible explanation for the observed life strategy differences. In contrast to the convincing picture in S and N lineage prevalences, we did not detect an expected drop in fitness in hybrids. We consider instability of the hybrid zone, or decline in abundance of the respective hosts, as possible explanations for this result.

• Keywords
• Hybrid fitness, Interspecific competition, Prevalence, Specialist vs generalist, Sucking lice,
• MeSH
• Anoplura * genetics   physiology   classification   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Host Specificity * MeSH
• Host-Parasite Interactions MeSH
• Murinae * parasitology   MeSH
• Rodent Diseases * parasitology   MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Sympatry * MeSH
• Lice Infestations * parasitology   veterinary   epidemiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

BACKGROUND: Physical diseases represent a significant burden for opioid agonist treatment (OAT) patients. This study described physical morbidity in two national cohorts of OAT patients focusing on gender differences. METHODS: This population-based cohort study linking multiple health registers investigated physical diseases (ICD-10) in patients receiving OAT in the Czech Republic (N = 4,280) and Norway (N = 11,389) during 2010-2019. Gender-stratified analysis was performed. RESULTS: Overall, we found a large burden of physical morbidity across gender groups in OAT patients. In the Czech Republic and Norway, women in OAT had a significantly higher prevalence of physical diseases across most diagnostic chapters, notably genitourinary diseases and neoplasms. Injuries/external causes and infectious/parasitic diseases were among the most common diseases in both women and men. Viral hepatitis accounted for over half of infectious morbidity in women and men in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the need for early screening, detection, and treatment of diseases and conditions across organ systems and the integration of health promotion activities to reduce physical morbidity in OAT patients. The gender differences underline the need for a tailored approach to address specific medical conditions.

• Keywords
• Health registers, ICD-10, Opioid use disorder, Physical disease, Record-linkage study, Somatic disease, Substance use,
• MeSH
• Cohort Studies MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Opiate Substitution Treatment MeSH
• Analgesics, Opioid * therapeutic use   MeSH
• Opioid-Related Disorders * drug therapy   epidemiology   MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Sex Factors MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH
• Norway MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Analgesics, Opioid * MeSH

BACKGROUND: Most severe substance use disorders (SUDs) are connected with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other mental health problems. Therapeutic communities (TCs) provide a suitable option for the treatment of severe SUDs. The relationship between ADHD, the severity of the SUD, and other comorbidities in residential TCs is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of ADHD among clients with an SUD in residential rehab, and to compare the mental health of clients with and without ADHD. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted in 5 residential TCs (N = 180, 76.7% male, 53.9% 25-34 years, 79.2% diagnosed with methamphetamine use disorder). We assessed ADHD symptoms, substance use, mental health problems, and psychiatric symptoms. RESULTS: ADHD was found in 51% of the clients who showed significantly higher scores for their psychiatric status composite score (ASI-PSY) (F = 9.08, p < 0.001; t = 5.05, p < 0.001), the positive psychiatric symptoms total (SCL-PST) (F = 3.36, p < 0.05; t = 3.15, p < 0.01), and the global severity index (SCL-GSI) (F = 3.27, p < 0.05; t = 3.18, p < 0.01). The ASI-PSY and SCL correlated significantly with the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (Pearson's r's = 0.30-0.42, p's < 0.001) and the symptoms of hyperactivity disorder (r's = 0.24-0.30, p's < 0.01). Even when severity of substance use was accounted for, ADHD was confirmed as a significant predictor of ASI-PSY (B= 0.14, p < 0.001 for combined disorder; B = 0.20, p < 0.001 for attention disorder) and partially of SCL-PST (B = 8.12, p < 0.05 for attention disorder). CONCLUSIONS: The ADHD prevalence in TCs was nearly 10-fold compared to the globally recorded values. ADHD diagnostic procedures and interventions should become an integral part of the standard diagnostic and treatment process.

• Keywords
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Comorbidity, Diagnosis, Epidemiology, Mental health, Methamphetamine, Psychiatric symptoms, Substance use disorder, Therapeutic community, Treatment of addictions,
• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity * epidemiology   MeSH
• Cohort Studies MeSH
• Comorbidity MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Substance-Related Disorders * epidemiology   MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Therapeutic Community MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: The rs58542926 polymorphism in transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) is a genetic factor predisposing to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We aimed to explore the effect of recipient and donor TM6SF2 rs58542926 genotypes on liver graft fat content after liver transplantation. METHODS: Steatosis was evaluated in liver biopsies from 268 adult recipients. The influence of recipient and donor TM6SF2 genotypes, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 genotypes, and nongenetic factors on the steatosis grade assessed 6-30 months after transplantation was analyzed by ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS: The presence of the TM6SF2 c.499A allele in the donor (P = 0.014), PNPLA3 c.444G allele in the donor (P < 0.001), posttransplant body mass index (P < 0.001), and serum triglycerides (P = 0.047) independently predicted increased liver fat content on multivariable analysis, whereas noncirrhotic liver disease, as an indication for liver transplantation, was associated with lower risk of steatosis (P = 0.003). The effects of the donor TM6SF2 A and PNPLA3 G alleles were additive, with an odds ratio of 4.90 (95% confidence interval, 2.01-13.00; P < 0.001), when both minor alleles were present compared with an odds ratio of 2.22 (95% confidence interval, 1.42-3.61; P = 0.002) when only one of these alleles was present. CONCLUSIONS: The donor TM6SF2 c.499A allele is an independent risk factor of liver graft steatosis after liver transplantation that is additive to the effects of donor PNPLA3 c.444G allele.

• MeSH
• Alleles MeSH
• Allografts pathology   MeSH
• Biopsy MeSH
• Tissue Donors statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Genotyping Techniques statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Liver pathology   MeSH
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lipase genetics   MeSH
• Membrane Proteins genetics   MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Follow-Up Studies MeSH
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease diagnosis   epidemiology   genetics   pathology   MeSH
• Postoperative Complications diagnosis   epidemiology   genetics   pathology   MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Transplant Recipients statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Severity of Illness Index MeSH
• Liver Transplantation adverse effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• adiponutrin, human MeSH Browser
• Lipase MeSH
• Membrane Proteins MeSH
• TM6SF2 protein, human MeSH Browser

As not much is known about the prevalence and predictors of nutritional deficiencies among vegans in the Czech Republic, we evaluated whether supplement use and duration of adherence to the vegan diet are associated with the risk of cobalamin and iron deficiencies. Associations between self-reported supplementation and duration of vegan diet with biomarkers of cobalamin (serum cobalamin, holotranscobalamin, homocysteine, folate) and iron status (serum ferritin, iron binding capacity, transferrin and saturation of transferrin) were assessed by cross-sectional analyses of medical data from a clinical nutrition center. Data from 151 (72 females) adult vegans (age 18-67 years), who were free of major chronic diseases and 85 (40 females) healthy non-vegans (age 21-47 years) were analyzed. Overall, vegans had significantly lower cobalamin, hemoglobin and ferritin levels, but higher folate and MCV values compared to non-vegans. Vegans not using cobalamin supplements were at higher risk of low plasma cobalamin than regularly supplementing vegans (OR: 4.41, 95% CI 1.2-16.16 for cobalamin, OR: 19.18, 95% CI 1.02-359.42 for holotranscobalamin), whereas no significant differences in cobalamin status related to duration of the vegan diet were observed. Regularly supplementing vegans had similar levels of cobalamin/holotranscobalamin as non-vegans. Despite lower ferritin and hemoglobin levels, there was no indication of a higher risk of iron-deficiency among vegans. To conclude cobalamin deficiency risk depends on supplementation status and not on the duration of an exclusive vegan diet, which underlines the need to integrate cobalamin status monitoring and counselling on supplement use in routine clinical care in the Czech Republic.

• Keywords
• alternative diet, anemia, cobalamin deficiency, iron deficiency, plant-based diet, vegan,
• MeSH
• Anemia, Iron-Deficiency blood   epidemiology   MeSH
• Diet, Vegan * MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Ferritins blood   MeSH
• Folic Acid blood   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Vitamin B 12 Deficiency blood   epidemiology   MeSH
• Nutritional Status MeSH
• Dietary Supplements * MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Vegans MeSH
• Vitamin B 12 administration & dosage   blood   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Ferritins MeSH
• Folic Acid MeSH
• Vitamin B 12 MeSH

Background Nephronophthisis (NPH) is the most prevalent genetic cause for ESRD in children. However, little is known about the prevalence of NPH in adult-onset ESRD. Homozygous full gene deletions of the NPHP1 gene encoding nephrocystin-1 are a prominent cause of NPH. We determined the prevalence of NPH in adults by assessing homozygous NPHP1 full gene deletions in adult-onset ESRD.Methods Adult renal transplant recipients from five cohorts of the International Genetics and Translational Research in Transplantation Network (iGeneTRAiN) underwent single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping. After quality control, we determined autosomal copy number variants (such as deletions) on the basis of median log2 ratios and B-allele frequency patterns. The findings were independently validated in one cohort. Patients were included in the analysis if they had adult-onset ESRD, defined as start of RRT at ≥18 years old.Results We included 5606 patients with adult-onset ESRD; 26 (0.5%) showed homozygous NPHP1 deletions. No donor controls showed homozygosity for this deletion. Median age at ESRD onset was 30 (range, 18-61) years old for patients with NPH, with 54% of patients age ≥30 years old. Notably, only three (12%) patients were phenotypically classified as having NPH, whereas most patients were defined as having CKD with unknown etiology (n=11; 42%).Conclusions Considering that other mutation types in NPHP1 or mutations in other NPH-causing genes were not analyzed, NPH is a relatively frequent monogenic cause of adult-onset ESRD. Because 88% of patients had not been clinically diagnosed with NPH, wider application of genetic testing in adult-onset ESRD may be warranted.

• Keywords
• cystic kidney, end-stage renal disease, genetic renal disease, human genetics, transplantation,
• MeSH
• Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing genetics   MeSH
• Kidney Failure, Chronic genetics   therapy   MeSH
• Kidney Diseases, Cystic complications   epidemiology   genetics   MeSH
• Cytoskeletal Proteins MeSH
• Gene Deletion MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Gene Dosage MeSH
• Homozygote MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Membrane Proteins genetics   MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Age Factors MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing MeSH
• Cytoskeletal Proteins MeSH
• Membrane Proteins MeSH
• NPHP1 protein, human MeSH Browser

BACKGROUND: Habitat types can affect vector and pathogen distribution and transmission dynamics. The prevalence and genetic diversity of Plasmodium spp. in two eastern chimpanzee populations-Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Uganda and Issa Valley, Tanzania-inhabiting different habitat types was investigated. As a follow up study the effect of host sex and age on infections patterns in Kalinzu Forest Reserve chimpanzees was determined. METHODS: Molecular methods were employed to detect Plasmodium DNA from faecal samples collected from savanna-woodland (Issa Valley) and forest (Kalinzu Forest Reserve) chimpanzee populations. RESULTS: Based on a Cytochrome-b PCR assay, 32 out of 160 Kalinzu chimpanzee faecal samples were positive for Plasmodium DNA, whilst no positive sample was detected in 171 Issa Valley chimpanzee faecal samples. Sequence analysis revealed that previously known Laverania species (Plasmodium reichenowi, Plasmodium billbrayi and Plasmodium billcollinsi) are circulating in the Kalinzu chimpanzees. A significantly higher proportion of young individuals were tested positive for infections, and switching of Plasmodium spp. was reported in one individual. Amongst the positive individuals sampled more than once, the success of amplification of Plasmodium DNA from faeces varied over sampling time. CONCLUSION: The study showed marked differences in the prevalence of malaria parasites among free ranging chimpanzee populations living in different habitats. In addition, a clear pattern of Plasmodium infections with respect to host age was found. The results presented in this study contribute to understanding the ecological aspects underlying the malaria infections in the wild. Nevertheless, integrative long-term studies on vector abundance, Plasmodium diversity during different seasons between sites would provide more insight on the occurrence, distribution and ecology of these pathogens.

• Keywords
• Cyt-b gene, Laverania, Malaria, Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, Plasmodium spp.,
• MeSH
• Cytochromes b genetics   MeSH
• Feces parasitology   MeSH
• Malaria epidemiology   parasitology   veterinary   MeSH
• Primate Diseases epidemiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Pan troglodytes * MeSH
• Plasmodium classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• DNA, Protozoan genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Protozoan Proteins genetics   MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Tanzania epidemiology   MeSH
• Uganda epidemiology   MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Cytochromes b MeSH
• DNA, Protozoan MeSH
• Protozoan Proteins MeSH

AIM: This study presents a procedure of complex assessment of the environment impact on asthma prevalence. This approach is also applicable for any other disease which is supposed to be associated with the quality of the outdoor environment. METHODS: The input data included asthma prevalence values from the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) cross-section questionnaire survey (13,456 children) and annual reports on activities of all paediatricians in the Czech Republic (2,072 surgeries); concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, O3, benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, As, Cd, Pb and Ni; emissions of total suspended particles, SO2, NOx, CO, VOC, NH3; traffic intensity; land cover (anthropogenic area, urban greenery, arable land, grassland, other agricultural land, forests); proportion of cultivation of individual agricultural crops (17 categories); and proportion of individual woods (15 categories). Using the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) analysis the integration of all source data through one spatial unit was achieved and complete data sets were compiled to be subjected to statistical analysis (combination of factor analysis with logistic/linear regression). RESULTS: In this study, the approach of combined use of GIS analyses and statistical evaluation of large input data sets was tested. The asthma prevalence demonstrated positive associations with the air pollution (PM10, PM2.5, benzene, benzo(a)pyren, SO2, Pb, Cd) and the rate of agricultural use of land (growing oats, rye, arable fodder crops). Conversely, there was a negative association with the occurrence of natural forests (ash, poplar, fir, beech, spruce, pine). No significant associations were observed with the distance from the road, traffic intensity and NO2 concentration. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the outdoor quality may be one of the crucial factors for asthma prevalence.

• MeSH
• Asthma epidemiology   MeSH
• Residence Characteristics * MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Geographic Information Systems MeSH
• Air Pollutants analysis   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Linear Models MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Spatial Analysis MeSH
• Environment * MeSH
• Air Pollution analysis   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Air Pollutants MeSH

BACKGROUND: There is increased focus on HIV prevention with African men who report experiencing childhood sexual (CSA) or physical abuse (CPA). OBJECTIVE: To better understand the effects of a community-based intervention (Project Accept HPTN 043) on HIV prevention behaviors among men who report CSA or CPA experiences. METHODS: Project Accept compared a community-based voluntary mobile counseling and testing (CBVCT) intervention with standard VCT. The intervention employed individual HIV risk reduction planning with motivational interviewing in 34 African communities (16 communities at 2 sites in South Africa, 10 in Tanzania, and 8 in Zimbabwe). Communities were randomized unblinded in matched pairs to CBVCT or SVCT, delivered over 36 months. The post-intervention assessment was conducted using a single, cross-sectional random survey of 18-32 year-old community members (total N = 43,292). We analyzed the effect of the intervention on men with reported CSA or CPA across the African sites. Men were identified with a survey question asking about having experienced CSA or CPA across the lifespan. The effect of intervention on considered outcomes of the preventive behavior was statistically evaluated using the logistic regression models. RESULTS: Across the sites, the rates of CSA or CPA among men indicated that African men reflected the global prevalence (20%) with a range of 13-24%. The statistically significant effect of the intervention among these men was seen in their increased effort to receive their HIV test results (OR 2.71; CI: (1.08, 6.82); P: 0.034). The intervention effect on the other designated HIV prevention behaviors was less pronounced. CONCLUSION: The effect of the intervention on these men showed increased motivation to receive their HIV test results. However, more research is needed to understand the effects of community-based interventions on this group, and such interventions need to integrate other keys predictors of HIV including trauma, coping strategies, and intimate partner violence.

• MeSH
• Directive Counseling MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• HIV Infections epidemiology   prevention & control   psychology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Random Allocation MeSH
• National Institute of Mental Health (U.S.) MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Child Abuse, Sexual psychology   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Community Networks * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Geographicals
• South Africa epidemiology   MeSH
• United States MeSH
• Tanzania epidemiology   MeSH
• Zimbabwe epidemiology   MeSH

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and minimal change disease represent frequent histological patterns of renal injury in patients with nephrotic syndrome. Few cases carrying NPHS2 gene variants have been described to date. Mutational analysis of the NPHS2 gene was performed in 50 Czech adult patients with histologically proved FSGS/MCD. The common p.P20L and p.R229Q polymorphisms of the NPHS2 gene were tested in 169 patients with IgA nephropathy and in 300 individuals of the control group. No mutation in the NPHS2 gene in patients with adult onset was identified. One homozygous mutation p.V290M in a patient with onset in early childhood was found. One new heterozygous variant in the non-conservative area of the NPHS2 gene, p.G97S, was identified in a patient with childhood-onset FSGS. In one adult patient, there were two polymorphisms, p.P20L and p.R229Q, in trans-heterozygous state, which could contribute to steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. The most common polymorphism p.R229Q was identified in 12 % of FSGS/ MCD patients, in 11.8 % of IGAN patients and in 10% of controls. The heterozygosity of p.R229Q polymorphism was similar in the IGAN group, with non-significantly higher prevalence in IGAN patients with progressive form of the disease (15.9 % versus 9.4 %). The prevalence of p.P20L polymorphism was not significantly different among the groups (6 % in FSGS patients, 1.8 % in IGAN patients, 1 % in the control group). To conclude, NPHS2 mutations are rare in patients with adult onset of FSGS/MCD. The R229Q polymorphism is frequent in the Czech population and probably could have some influence on IGAN.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease genetics   MeSH
• Homozygote MeSH
• Glomerulonephritis, IGA genetics   MeSH
• Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins genetics   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Membrane Proteins biosynthesis   genetics   MeSH
• Mutation MeSH
• DNA Mutational Analysis methods   MeSH
• Nephrotic Syndrome immunology   MeSH
• Polymorphism, Genetic MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins MeSH
• Membrane Proteins MeSH
• NPHS2 protein MeSH Browser