Nyt fra tidsskrifterne
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Klik på knappen for at kopiere eller tryk på linket nedenfor.
Kopieret til udklipsholder!
Ingen søgeord valgt.
24 emner vises.
Tessel M. van Rossen, Rogier E. Ooijevaar, Christina M.J.E. Vandenbroucke-Grauls, Olaf M. Dekkers, Ed.J. Kuijper, Josbert J. Keller, Joffrey van Prehn
Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), its subsequent recurrences (rCDI), and severe CDI (sCDI) provide a significant burden for both patients and the healthcare system. Identifying patients diagnosed with initial CDI who are at increased risk of developing sCDI/rCDI could lead to more cost-effective therapeutic choices.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedTiina Savikangas, Timo Törmäkangas, Anna Tirkkonen, Markku Alen, Roger A. Fielding, Miia Kivipelto, Timo Rantalainen, Anna Stigsdotter Neely, Sarianna Sipilä
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Tiina Savikangas, Timo Törmäkangas, Anna Tirkkonen, Markku Alen, Roger A. Fielding, Miia Kivipelto, Timo Rantalainen, Anna Stigsdotter Neely, Sarianna Sipilä
Background Executive functions underlie self-regulation and are thus important for physical activity and adaptation to new situations. The aim was to investigate, if yearlong physical and cognitive training (PTCT) had greater effects on physical activity among older adults than physical training (PT) alone, and if executive functions predicted physical activity at baseline, after six (6m) and twelve months (12m) of the interventions, one-year post-intervention follow-up and an extended follow-up during COVID-19 lockdown.
Methods Data from a single-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (PASSWORD-study, ISRCTN52388040) were utilized. Participants were 70–85 years old community-dwelling men and women from Jyväskylä, Finland. PT (n = 159) included supervised resistance, walking and balance training, home-exercises and self-administered moderate activity. PTCT (n = 155) included PT and cognitive training targeting executive functions on a computer program. Physical activity was assessed with a one-item, seven-scale question. Executive functions were assessed with color-word Stroop, Trail Making Test (TMT) B-A and Letter Fluency. Changes in physical activity were modeled with multinomial logistic models and the impact of executive functions on physical activity with latent change score models.
Results No significant group-by-time interaction was observed for physical activity (p>0.1). The subjects were likely to select an activity category higher than baseline throughout the study (pooled data: B = 0.720–1.614, p<0.001–0.046). Higher baseline Stroop predicted higher physical activity through all subsequent time-points (pooled data: B = 0.011–0.013, p = 0.015–0.030). Higher baseline TMT B–A predicted higher physical activity at 6m (pooled data: B = 0.007, p = 0.006) and during COVID-19 (B = 0.005, p = 0.030). In the PT group, higher baseline Letter Fluency predicted higher physical activity at 12m (B = -0.028, p = 0.030) and follow-up (B = -0.042, p = 0.002).
Conclusions Cognitive training did not have additive effects over physical training alone on physical activity, but multicomponent training and higher executive function at baseline may support adaptation to and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle among older adults.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedSayuri Herath, Thivya Balendran, Akila Herath, Devika Iddawela, Susiji Wickramasinghe
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Sayuri Herath, Thivya Balendran, Akila Herath, Devika Iddawela, Susiji Wickramasinghe
Background Trichomonas vaginalis infection is underreported due to nonspecific clinical presentation and the nonavailability of sensitive laboratory diagnostic tests at the clinical setup. Hence, this study was designed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of microscopy and culture methods with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The socio-demographic factors associated with the infection were explored.
Methods The study was carried out at the National Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome Control Programme in Colombo and Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome Control Programme in Kandy. Samples were collected from a total of 385 patients including, 272 females (70.7%) and 113 males (29.3%), and tested using microscopy (wet mount and Giemsa staining), culture, and PCR. Genus-specific primer set (TFR1/TFR2) that amplifies 5.8S rRNA and species-specific primer sets (TV16Sf-2/TV16Sr-2 and TVK3/7) that amplifies 18S rRNA and repetitive DNA, respectively, were used. Patient’s socio-demographic and sexual behaviour data were obtained using a standard interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed with R statistical software Version 3.6.3.
Results The overall prevalence of trichomoniasis was 4.4% (17/385). Of these, six (1.6%) were positive for microscopic examination, 7 (1.8%) were positive for culture, and 13 (3.4%) for TVK3/7, 15 (3.9%) for TV16Sf/r, and TFR1/2 17 (4.4%) were positive for PCR. Sensitivities of PCR using TFR1/2, TV16Sf/r, and TVK3/7 primer sets were 100%, 88.20%, and 76.50%, respectively, against the expanded gold standard. Trichomoniasis was associated with age above 36 (p = 0.033), not using condoms in last three months (p = 0.016), multiple sex partners (p = 0.001), reason for attendance (p = 0.027), symptomatic nature (p = 0.015), and the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases (p = 0.001).
Conclusions The study highlighted that age over 36 years, multiple sex partners, not using condoms, reason for attendance, symptomatic nature, and having other sexually transmitted diseases can increase the risk of acquiring trichomoniasis. Furthermore, this study confirmed PCR as highly sensitive and specific diagnostic test for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis in comparison to microscopy and culture methods.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedEd Giesbrecht, Julie Faieta, Krista Best, François Routhier, William C. Miller, Maude Laberge
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Ed Giesbrecht, Julie Faieta, Krista Best, François Routhier, William C. Miller, Maude Laberge
Background Variable, and typically inadequate, delivery of skills training following manual wheelchair (MWC) provision has a detrimental impact on user mobility and participation. Traditional in-person delivery of training by rehabilitation therapists has diminished due to cost, travel time, and most recently social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19. Effective alternative training approaches include eHealth home training applications and interactive peer-led training using experienced and proficient MWC users. An innovative TEAM Wheels program integrates app-based self-training and teleconference peer-led training using a computer tablet platform.
Objective This protocol outlines implementation and evaluation of the TEAM Wheels training program in a randomized control trial using a wait-list control group.
Setting The study will be implemented in a community setting in three Canadian cities.
Participants Individuals ≥ 18 years of age within one year of transitioning to use of a MWC.
Intervention Using a computer tablet, participants engage in three peer-led teleconference training sessions and 75–150 minutes of weekly practice using a video-based training application over 4 weeks. Peer trainers individualize the participants’ training plans and monitor their tablet-based training activity online. Control group participants also receive the intervention following a 1-month wait-list period and data collection.
Measurements Outcomes assessing participation; skill capacity and performance; self-efficacy; mobility; and quality of life will be measured at baseline and post-treatment, and at 6-month follow-up for the treatment group.
Impact statement We anticipate that TEAM Wheels will be successfully carried out at all sites and participants will demonstrate statistically significant improvement in the outcome measures compared with the control group.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBrittany A. Seibert, Michael K. Keel, Terra R. Kelly, Roger A. Nilsen, Paula Ciembor, Denise Pesti, Christopher R. Gregory, Branson W. Ritchie, Michelle G. Hawkins
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Brittany A. Seibert, Michael K. Keel, Terra R. Kelly, Roger A. Nilsen, Paula Ciembor, Denise Pesti, Christopher R. Gregory, Branson W. Ritchie, Michelle G. Hawkins
Chlamydial infections, caused by a group of obligate, intracellular, gram-negative bacteria, have health implications for animals and humans. Due to their highly infectious nature and zoonotic potential, staff at wildlife rehabilitation centers should be educated on the clinical manifestations, prevalence, and risk factors associated with Chlamydia spp. infections in raptors. The objectives of this study were to document the prevalence of chlamydial DNA shedding and anti-chlamydial antibodies in raptors admitted to five wildlife rehabilitation centers in California over a one-year period. Chlamydial prevalence was estimated in raptors for each center and potential risk factors associated with infection were evaluated, including location, species, season, and age class. Plasma samples and conjunctiva/choana/cloaca swabs were collected for serology and qPCR from a subset of 263 birds of prey, representing 18 species. Serologic assays identified both anti-C. buteonis IgM and anti-chlamydial IgY antibodies. Chlamydial DNA and anti-chlamydial antibodies were detected in 4.18% (11/263) and 3.14% (6/191) of patients, respectively. Chamydial DNA was identified in raptors from the families Accipitridae and Strigidae while anti-C.buteonis IgM was identified in birds identified in Accipitridae, Falconidae, Strigidae, and Cathartidae. Two of the chlamydial DNA positive birds (one Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni) and one red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)) were necropsied, and tissues were collected for culture. Sequencing of the cultured elementary bodies revealed a chlamydial DNA sequence with 99.97% average nucleotide identity to the recently described Chlamydia buteonis. Spatial clusters of seropositive raptors and raptors positive for chlamydial DNA were detected in northern California. Infections were most prevalent during the winter season. Furthermore, while the proportion of raptors testing positive for chlamydial DNA was similar across age classes, seroprevalence was highest in adults. This study questions the current knowledge on C. buteonis host range and highlights the importance of further studies to evaluate the diversity and epidemiology of Chlamydia spp. infecting raptor populations.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedAdriana Rezende Lopes, Oscar Kenji Nihei
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Adriana Rezende Lopes, Oscar Kenji Nihei
Background The COVID-19 pandemic raises concerns about the mental health of the world population. Protection measures to prevention the disease impacted education and undergraduate students were exposed to additional stressors.
Objectives Analyze depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in undergraduates, their respective predictors and the association with satisfaction with life, psychological well-being and coping strategies.
Methods An online cross-sectional study was conducted from September 14 to October 19, 2020, involving undergraduate students enrolled in 33 courses from 5 public university campuses in the state of Parana, Brazil, using: questionnaire with sociodemographic, academic, health and pandemic effects variables; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21); Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS); Psychological Well-Being (PWB); BriefCOPE. The convenience sample was composed of 1,224 participants, with 18 years old or older, that completed all research instruments. Spearman correlation and logistic analysis (univariate and multivariate) were applied to the collected data.
Results Most of the undergraduates presented symptoms of depression (60.5%), anxiety (52.5%) and stress (57.5%). Depression, anxiety and stress presented significant correlations in common: negative with satisfaction with life, all dimensions of psychological well-being, and 3 adaptive copings (active coping, planning, positive reframing); positive with 5 maladaptive copings (behavioral disengagement, denial, self-blame, self-distraction, substance use). In addition, there were 7 common predictors for symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress: female; age 18–24 years old; having a chronic disease; lower scores in 2 dimensions of psychological well-being (positive relations with others, self-acceptance); higher scores in 2 maladaptive copings (self-blame, substance use).
Conclusions The data indicate a high prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and suggest that higher scores of satisfaction with life, psychological well-being dimensions and adaptive copings may present protective effects in undergraduates during a pandemic crisis.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedRhiannon Phillips, Khadijeh Taiyari, Anna Torrens-Burton, Rebecca Cannings-John, Denitza Williams, Sarah Peddle, Susan Campbell, Kathryn Hughes, David Gillespie, Paul Sellars, Bethan Pell, Pauline Ashfield-Watt, Ashley Akbari, Catherine Heidi Seage, Nick Perham, Natalie Joseph-Williams, Emily Harrop, James Blaxland, Fiona Wood, Wouter Poortinga, Karin Wahl-Jorgensen, Delyth H. James, Diane Crone, Emma Thomas-Jones, Britt Hallingberg
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Rhiannon Phillips, Khadijeh Taiyari, Anna Torrens-Burton, Rebecca Cannings-John, Denitza Williams, Sarah Peddle, Susan Campbell, Kathryn Hughes, David Gillespie, Paul Sellars, Bethan Pell, Pauline Ashfield-Watt, Ashley Akbari, Catherine Heidi Seage, Nick Perham, Natalie Joseph-Williams, Emily Harrop, James Blaxland, Fiona Wood, Wouter Poortinga, Karin Wahl-Jorgensen, Delyth H. James, Diane Crone, Emma Thomas-Jones, Britt Hallingberg
Public perceptions of pandemic viral threats and government policies can influence adherence to containment, delay, and mitigation policies such as physical distancing, hygienic practices, use of physical barriers, uptake of testing, contact tracing, and vaccination programs. The UK COVID-19 Public Experiences (COPE) study aims to identify determinants of health behaviour using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation (COM-B) model using a longitudinal mixed-methods approach. Here, we provide a detailed description of the demographic and self-reported health characteristics of the COPE cohort at baseline assessment, an overview of data collected, and plans for follow-up of the cohort. The COPE baseline survey was completed by 11,113 UK adult residents (18+ years of age). Baseline data collection started on the 13th of March 2020 (10-days before the introduction of the first national COVID-19 lockdown in the UK) and finished on the 13th of April 2020. Participants were recruited via the HealthWise Wales (HWW) research registry and through social media snowballing and advertising (Facebook®, Twitter®, Instagram®). Participants were predominantly female (69%), over 50 years of age (68%), identified as white (98%), and were living with their partner (68%). A large proportion (67%) had a college/university level education, and half reported a pre-existing health condition (50%). Initial follow-up plans for the cohort included in-depth surveys at 3-months and 12-months after the first UK national lockdown to assess short and medium-term effects of the pandemic on health behaviour and subjective health and well-being. Additional consent will be sought from participants at follow-up for data linkage and surveys at 18 and 24-months after the initial UK national lockdown. A large non-random sample was recruited to the COPE cohort during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, which will enable longitudinal analysis of the determinants of health behaviour and changes in subjective health and well-being over the course of the pandemic.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedJ. E. Meca-Lallana, C. Oreja-Guevara, D. Muñoz, J. Olascoaga, A. Pato, L. Ramió-Torrentà, V. Meca-Lallana, M. A. Hernández, M. E. Marzo, J. C. Álvarez- Cermeño, A. Rodríguez-Antigüedad, X. Montalbán, O. Fernández, on behalf of the Spanish GILENYA Registry Investigators
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by J. E. Meca-Lallana, C. Oreja-Guevara, D. Muñoz, J. Olascoaga, A. Pato, L. Ramió-Torrentà, V. Meca-Lallana, M. A. Hernández, M. E. Marzo, J. C. Álvarez- Cermeño, A. Rodríguez-Antigüedad, X. Montalbán, O. Fernández, on behalf of the Spanish GILENYA Registry Investigators
Objective To describe the profile of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with fingolimod in Spain and to assess the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod after 4 years of inclusion in the Spanish Gilenya Registry.
Methods An observational, retrospective/prospective, multicenter case registry, including all patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) starting treatment with fingolimod in 43 centers in Spain. Analyses were performed in the overall population and in subgroups according to prior disease-modifying therapy (DMT): glatiramer acetate/interferon beta-1 (BRACE), natalizumab, other treatment, or naïve.
Results Six hundred and sixty-six evaluable patients were included (91.1% previously treated with at least one DMT). The mean annualized relapse rate (ARR) prior to fingolimod was 1.12, and the mean EDSS at fingolimod initiation was 3.03. Fingolimod reduced the ARR by 71.4%, 75%, 75.5%, and 80.3%, after 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively (p<0.001). This significant reduction in the ARR continued to be observed in all subgroups. After 4 years, the EDSS showed a minimal deterioration, with the EDSS scores from year 1 to year 4 remaining mostly stable. The percentage of patients without T1 Gd+ lesions progressively increased from 45.6% during the year prior to fingolimod initiation to 88.2% at year 4. The proportion of patients free from new/enlarged T2 lesions after 4 years of fingolimod treatment was 80.3%. This trend in both radiological measures was also observed in the subgroups. Adverse events (AEs) were experienced by up to 41.6% of patients (most commonly: lymphopenia [12.5%] and urinary tract infection [3.7%]). Most AEs were mild in severity, 3.6% of patients had serious AEs.
Conclusions The patient profile was similar to other observational studies. The results obtained from the long-term use of fingolimod showed that it was effective, regardless of prior DMT, and it had adequate safety results, with a positive benefit-risk balance.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedVinicius S. Michaelsen, Rafaela V. P. Ribeiro, Edson Brambate, Aadil Ali, Aizhou Wang, Layla Pires, Mitsuaki Kawashima, Yu Zhang, Anajara Gazzalle, Shaf Keshavjee, Lorenzo Del Sorbo, Marcelo Cypel
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Vinicius S. Michaelsen, Rafaela V. P. Ribeiro, Edson Brambate, Aadil Ali, Aizhou Wang, Layla Pires, Mitsuaki Kawashima, Yu Zhang, Anajara Gazzalle, Shaf Keshavjee, Lorenzo Del Sorbo, Marcelo Cypel
Effective treatment of respiratory infections continues to be a major challenge. In high doses (≥160 ppm), inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO) has been shown to act as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, including its efficacy in vitro for coronavirus family. However, the safety of prolonged in vivo implementation of high-dose iNO therapy has not been studied. Herein we aim to explore the feasibility and safety of delivering continuous high-dose iNO over an extended period of time using an in vivo animal model. Yorkshire pigs were randomized to one of the following two groups: group 1, standard ventilation; and group 2, standard ventilation + continuous iNO 160 ppm + methylene blue (MB) as intravenous bolus, whenever required, to maintain metHb
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedJavier Barbero, Juan José de Lucio, Ernesto Rodríguez-Crespo
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Javier Barbero, Juan José de Lucio, Ernesto Rodríguez-Crespo
This paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on bilateral trade flows using a state-of-the-art gravity model of trade. Using the monthly trade data of 68 countries exporting across 222 destinations between January 2019 and October 2020, our results are threefold. First, we find a greater negative impact of COVID-19 on bilateral trade for those countries that were members of regional trade agreements before the pandemic. Second, we find that the impact of COVID-19 is negative and significant when we consider indicators related to governmental actions. Finally, this negative effect is more intense when exporter and importer country share identical income levels. In the latter case, the highest negative impact is found for exports between high-income countries.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedPhoebe E. McKenna-Plumley, Lisa Graham-Wisener, Emma Berry, Jenny M. Groarke
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Phoebe E. McKenna-Plumley, Lisa Graham-Wisener, Emma Berry, Jenny M. Groarke
The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated physical distancing which is expected to continue in some form for the foreseeable future. Physical distancing policies have increased reliance on digital forms of social connection and there are widespread concerns about social isolation and mental health in this context. This qualitative study sought to understand how loneliness was experienced during physical distancing in the initial national UK COVID-19 lockdown. Eight individuals who reported feeling lonely during the initial lockdown were interviewed in May 2020. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: (1) Loss of in-person interaction causing loneliness, (2) Constrained freedom, (3) Challenging emotions, and (4) Coping with loneliness. The loss of in-person interaction contributed to feelings of loneliness and digital interaction was viewed as an insufficient alternative. Social freedom could be constrained by distancing policies and by social contacts, contributing to strained personal relationships and feelings of frustration as part of loneliness. Fluctuations in mood and difficult emotions were experienced alongside loneliness, and distraction and seeking reconnection were commonly reported methods of coping, although they were less accessible. These findings indicate that physical distancing measures can impact loneliness due to the limitations they impose on in-person social contact and the perceived insufficiency of digital contact as a substitute.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedJacquelyn Jacobs, Amy K. Johnson, Arianna Boshara, Bijou Hunt, Christina Khouri, Javier Cruz, Nancy Glick
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Jacquelyn Jacobs, Amy K. Johnson, Arianna Boshara, Bijou Hunt, Christina Khouri, Javier Cruz, Nancy Glick
Millions of Americans have been infected with COVID-19 and communities of color have been disproportionately burdened. We investigated the relationship between demographic characteristics and COVID-19 positivity, and comorbidities and severe COVID-19 illness (use of mechanical ventilation and length of stay) within a racial/ethnic minority population. Patients tested for COVID-19 between March 2020 and January 2021 (N = 14171) were 49.9% (n = 7072) female; 50.1% (n = 7104) non-Hispanic Black; 33.2% (n = 4698) Hispanic; and 23.6% (n = 3348) aged 65+. Overall COVID-19 positivity was 16.1% (n = 2286). Compared to females, males were 1.1 times more likely to test positive (p = 0.014). Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic persons were 1.4 (p = 0.003) and 2.4 (p<0.001) times more likely, respectively, to test positive. Compared to persons ages 18–24, the odds of testing positive were statistically significantly higher for every age group except 25–34, and those aged 65+ were 2.8 times more likely to test positive (p<0.001). Adjusted for race, sex, and age, COVID-positive patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were 1.9 times more likely to require a ventilator compared to those without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.001). Length of stay was not statistically significantly associated with any of the comorbidity variables. Our findings emphasize the importance of documenting COVID-19 disparities in marginalized populations.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedShaima A. Alothman, Abdullah F. Alghannam, Alaa A. Almasud, Arwa S. Altalhi, Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Shaima A. Alothman, Abdullah F. Alghannam, Alaa A. Almasud, Arwa S. Altalhi, Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa
Introduction COVID-19 pandemic cautionary measures have affected the daily life of people around the globe. Further, understanding the complete lifestyle behaviors profile can help healthcare providers in designing effective interventions and assessing overall health impact on risk of disease development. Thus, this study aims to assess the complete spectrum of lifestyle behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, distress, social support, dietary habits, and smoking) prevalence and its association with fear of COVID-19 in people living in Saudi Arabia.
Methods Self-administered survey consisted of seven sections was used to collect data on fear of COVID-19 using Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), physical activity and sedentary behavior using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), psychosocial distress using Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), social support using the MOS social support survey, and dietary habits using a short version of food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The online survey was distributed via social media platforms during lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic (May–June 2020). Each section consisted of validated questionnaire examining one of aforementioned lifestyle behaviors. Associations were analyzed using multiple linear regression.
Results A total of 669 individuals attempted to complete the online survey, 554 participants completed at least 2 sections of the survey (82.8%), and 41.3% (n = 276) completed the whole online survey. The majority of the sample were female (83%), not smokers (86.5%), had sufficient sleep duration (7.5 hrs ± 2.1), and only indicated mild level of distress (21.4 ± 8.9); they also reported high level of sedentary behavior (7.7 hrs ± 4.5), poor sleep quality (5.4 ± 2.4), were not engaged in healthy eating habits, and moderate level of perceived social support (62.0% ± 27). Only physical activity results indicated that about half of the sample were engaged in moderate to vigorous level of physical activity (54.3%). Further, being female (β = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.45, 2.94) and married (β = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.3, 2.63) were associated with fear of COVID-19 level (β = 0.21; 95% IC: 0.05, 0.19) with a confidence interval level of 95%. In addition, distress was associated with fear.
Conclusion The trend of lifestyle behaviors measured during lockdown period changed from previously published rates. Future research needs to establish the short-term and long-term effect of lifestyle behaviors complete profile on physical and mental health.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedLovisa Sjögren, Erik Stenberg, Meena Thuccani, Jari Martikainen, Christian Rylander, Ville Wallenius, Torsten Olbers, Jenny M. Kindblom
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Lovisa Sjögren, Erik Stenberg, Meena Thuccani, Jari Martikainen, Christian Rylander, Ville Wallenius, Torsten Olbers, Jenny M. Kindblom
Background Previous studies have shown that a high body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for severe COVID-19. The aim of the present study was to assess whether a high BMI affects the risk of death or prolonged length of stay (LOS) in patients with COVID-19 during intensive care in Sweden.
Methods and findings In this observational, register-based study, we included patients with COVID-19 from the Swedish Intensive Care Registry admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in Sweden. Outcomes assessed were death during intensive care and ICU LOS ≥14 days. We used logistic regression models to evaluate the association (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]) between BMI and the outcomes. Valid weight and height information could be retrieved in 1,649 patients (1,227 (74.4%) males) with COVID-19. We found a significant association between BMI and the risk of the composite outcome death or LOS ≥14 days in survivors (OR per standard deviation [SD] increase 1.30, 95%CI 1.16–1.44, adjusted for sex, age and comorbidities), and this association remained after further adjustment for severity of illness (simplified acute physiology score; SAPS3) at ICU admission (OR 1.30 per SD, 95%CI 1.17–1.45). Individuals with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 had a doubled risk of the composite outcome. A high BMI was also associated with death during intensive care and a prolonged LOS in survivors assessed as separate outcomes.The main limitations were the restriction to the first wave of the pandemic, and the lack of information on socioeconomic status as well as smoking.
Conclusions In this large cohort of Swedish ICU patients with COVID-19, a high BMI was associated with increasing risk of death and prolonged length of stay in the ICU. Based on our findings, we suggest that individuals with obesity should be more closely monitored when hospitalized for COVID-19.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedUjjala Ghoshal, Atul Garg, Shruthi Vasanth, Akshay K. Arya, Ankita Pandey, Nidhi Tejan, Vikas Patel, Vikram P. Singh
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Ujjala Ghoshal, Atul Garg, Shruthi Vasanth, Akshay K. Arya, Ankita Pandey, Nidhi Tejan, Vikas Patel, Vikram P. Singh
COVID-19 testing is required before admission of a patient in the hospitals, invasive procedures, major and minor surgeries etc. Real Time Polymerase chain reaction is the gold standard test for the diagnosis, but requires well equipped biosafety laboratory along with trained manpower. In this study we have evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of novel TrueNat molecular assay for detecting SARS CoV-2. TrueNat is a chip-based real time PCR test and works on portable, light weight, battery powered equipment and can be used in remote areas with poor infrastructure. In this study 1807 patients samples were collected for both TrueNat and RTPCR COVID-19 testing during study period. Of these 174 (9.7%) and 174 (15%) were positive by RTPCR and TrueNat respectively and taking results of RTPCR as gold standard TrueNat test showed a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 69.5, 90.9% and 89.2% respectively. It can be concluded that TrueNat is a simple, easy to use, good rapid molecular diagnostic test for diagnosis of COVID-19 especially in resource limited settings and will prove to be a game changer of molecular diagnostics in future.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedKathryn Buchanan, Lara B. Aknin, Shaaba Lotun, Gillian M. Sandstrom
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
by Kathryn Buchanan, Lara B. Aknin, Shaaba Lotun, Gillian M. Sandstrom
People often seek out information as a means of coping with challenging situations. Attuning to negative information can be adaptive because it alerts people to the risks in their environment, thereby preparing them for similar threats in the future. But is this behaviour adaptive during a pandemic when bad news is ubiquitous? We examine the emotional consequences of exposure to brief snippets of COVID-related news via a Twitter feed (Study 1), or a YouTube reaction video (Study 2). Compared to a no-information exposure group, consumption of just 2–4 minutes of COVID-related news led to immediate and significant reductions in positive affect (Studies 1 and 2) and optimism (Study 2). Exposure to COVID-related kind acts did not have the same negative consequences, suggesting that not all social media exposure is detrimental for well-being. We discuss strategies to counteract the negative emotional consequences of exposure to negative news on social media.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedInfection, 12.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
Abstract
Purpose
Over the course of COVID-19 pandemic, evidence has accumulated that SARS-CoV-2 infections may affect multiple organs and have serious clinical sequelae, but on-site clinical examinations with non-hospitalized samples are rare. We, therefore, aimed to systematically assess the long-term health status of samples of hospitalized and non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals from three regions in Germany.
Methods
The present paper describes the COVIDOM-study within the population-based cohort platform (POP) which has been established under the auspices of the NAPKON infrastructure (German National Pandemic Cohort Network) of the national Network University Medicine (NUM). Comprehensive health assessments among SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals are conducted at least 6 months after the acute infection at the study sites Kiel, Würzburg and Berlin. Potential participants were identified and contacted via the local public health authorities, irrespective of the severity of the initial infection. A harmonized examination protocol has been implemented, consisting of detailed assessments of medical history, physical examinations, and the collection of multiple biosamples (e.g., serum, plasma, saliva, urine) for future analyses. In addition, patient-reported perception of the impact of local pandemic-related measures and infection on quality-of-life are obtained.
Results
As of July 2021, in total 6813 individuals infected in 2020 have been invited into the COVIDOM-study. Of these, about 36% wished to participate and 1295 have already been examined at least once.
Conclusion
NAPKON-POP COVIDOM-study complements other Long COVID studies assessing the long-term consequences of an infection with SARS-CoV-2 by providing detailed health data of population-based samples, including individuals with various degrees of disease severity.
Trial registration
Registered at the German registry for clinical studies (DRKS00023742).
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedMfinanga, S. G., Nyirenda, M. J., Mutungi, G., Mghamba, J., Maongezi, S., Musinguzi, J., Okebe, J., Kivuyo, S., Birungi, J., van Widenfelt, E., Van Hout, M.-C., Bachmann, M., Garrib, A., Bukenya, D., Cullen, W., Lazarus, J. V., Niessen, L. W., Katahoire, A., Shayo, E. H., Namakoola, I., Ramaiya, K., Wang, D., Cuevas, L., Etukoit, B. M., Lutale, J., Meshack, S., Mugisha, K., Gill, G., Sewankambo, N., Smith, P. G., Jaffar, S.
BMJ Open, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
Introduction
HIV programmes in sub-Saharan Africa are well funded but programmes for diabetes and hypertension are weak with only a small proportion of patients in regular care. Healthcare provision is organised from stand-alone clinics. In this cluster randomised trial, we are evaluating a concept of integrated care for people with HIV infection, diabetes or hypertension from a single point of care.
Methods and analysis
32 primary care health facilities in Dar es Salaam and Kampala regions were randomised to either integrated or standard vertical care. In the integrated care arm, services are organised from a single clinic where patients with either HIV infection, diabetes or hypertension are managed by the same clinical and counselling teams. They use the same pharmacy and laboratory and have the same style of patient records. Standard care involves separate pathways, that is, separate clinics, waiting and counselling areas, a separate pharmacy and separate medical records. The trial has two primary endpoints: retention in care of people with hypertension or diabetes and plasma viral load suppression. Recruitment is expected to take 6 months and follow-up is for 12 months. With 100 participants enrolled in each facility with diabetes or hypertension, the trial will provide 90% power to detect an absolute difference in retention of 15% between the study arms (at the 5% two-sided significance level). If 100 participants with HIV infection are also enrolled in each facility, we will have 90% power to show non-inferiority in virological suppression to a delta=10% margin (ie, that the upper limit of the one-sided 95% CI of the difference between the two arms will not exceed 10%). To allow for lost to follow-up, the trial will enrol over 220 persons per facility. This is the only trial of its kind evaluating the concept of a single integrated clinic for chronic conditions in Africa.
Ethics and dissemination
The protocol has been approved by ethics committee of The AIDS Support Organisation, National Institute of Medical Research and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Dissemination of findings will be done through journal publications and meetings involving study participants, healthcare providers and other stakeholders.
Trial registration number
ISRCTN43896688.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedWinkel, B., Schram, E., Gremmels, H., Debast, S., Schuurman, R., Wensing, A., Bonten, M., Goedhart, E., Hofstra, M., Antigen Rapid Test Validation Group, Baijens, Brandenburg, Bruins, Bulder, Cate, Tiani, Hoek, Hornstra, Knops, Krastman, Hall, Lodewijks, Nab, Peters, Vegter, Zoest
BMJ Open, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
Background
Antigen-based point-of-care tests for identification of SARS-CoV-2 may markedly enhance effectiveness of population-based controlling strategies. Previous studies have demonstrated >70% sensitivity and high specificity compared with reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (RT-PCR) in symptomatic individuals, but test performance for asymptomatic individuals is unknown.
Methods
Test performance of the Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test (Abbott) was compared with RT-PCR in a longitudinal cohort study of asymptomatic football players and staff members of professional football clubs. Based on timing of symptoms and prior and subsequent test results, positive RT-PCR tests were categorised as presymptomatic, early or late infection, or persistent RNA shedding.
Findings
2425 tests were performed in 824 individuals, of which 52 (6.3%) were SARS-CoV-2 positive based on RT-PCR. There were 2406 paired sets from asymptomatic subjects for analysis. Sixteen Panbio tests were inconclusive, for which sensitivity analyses were performed (considering results as either positive or negative or being excluded). Sensitivity of Panbio for screening of asymptomatic individuals ranged from 80.0% (61.4–92.3) to 86.67% (69.2–96.2) and specificity from 99.53% (95% CI 99.2 to 99.8) to 100% (95% CI 99.8 to 100). Sensitivity of Panbio to detect subjects with presymptomatic/early infection (n=42) ranged from 81.82% (95% CI 67.3 to 91.8) to 90.91% (95% CI 78.3 to 97.5) with specificity always above 99%.
Interpretation
The Panbio COVID-19 Ag rapid test identifies 81%–90% of presymptomatic and early asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections with high specificity. This test may therefore be adopted in testing strategies such as targeted screening of specific populations where prevalence is low.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedPaul, J., Merz, S., Bergholz, A., König, F., Apfelbacher, C., Eich-Krohm, A., Weigt, J., Holmberg, C.
BMJ Open, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
Introduction
German government regulations such as physical distancing and limited group numbers, designed to curb the spread of COVID-19, have had far-reaching consequences for the very foundations of social life. They have, to name only a few, transformed greetings and goodbyes, blurred private and public worlds, and complicated basic communication with mandatory mask wearing. The ethnographic study CoronaCare investigates how these sociopolitical measures affect social health, a form of health which unfolds through and across social relations. It explores how caring as a fundamental human activity and one integral to sustaining social health is impacted when in-person and person-to-person contacts are restricted and everyone is radically redefined as at risk from others and a risk to others. It explores care relationships, relationships involving the giving or receiving of care in everyday life, institutional settings such as an assisted living facility, and informal settings, such as a housing block. Inside of the pandemic, relationships are a pivotal site at which the negotiation of caring and risk is intensified and where the consequences for social health and social life more generally are pronounced.
Methods and analysis
This ethnographic project aims to understand the tensions that arise in the lives of individuals and communities living under the sociopolitical regulations and to analyse the tacit forms of practice that individuals and communities develop to uphold social health. Fueled by citizen science, the ethnography uses a variety of methods namely telephone and video interviews with 60–70 research participants, the collection of ethnographic material including video and audio diaries, storyboards, first-person camera footage, photographs and a survey to enrich the sample description based on the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. The analysis will draw on elements of grounded theory and through the aid of the qualitative software MAXQDA it will rigorously document and explain how the social regulations are (re)shaping our ability to be cared for and to care for one another. The survey data will be analysed through the use of the quantitative software programme R.
Ethics and dissemination
The ethics committee of the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane has approved the project (E-01-20200605). The dissemination strategy includes publications in medical, sociological and research methods journals, as well as a stakeholder discussion with political and civil society leaders where the research team will present its recommendations for future pandemic preparedness.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedFalk, R. S., Mariampillai, J. E., Prestgaard, E. E., Heir, T., Bodegard, J., Robsahm, T. E., Grundvold, I., Skretteberg, P. T., Engeseth, K., Bjornholt, J. V., Stavem, K., Liestol, K., Sandvik, L., Thaulow, E., Erikssen, G., Kjeldsen, S. E., Gjesdal, K., Erikssen, J. E.
BMJ Open, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
Purpose
The Oslo Ischaemia Study was designed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of silent coronary disease in Norwegian middle-aged men, specifically validating exercise electrocardiography (ECG) findings compared with angiography. The study has been important in investigating long-term predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, as well as investigating a broad spectrum of epidemiological and public health perspectives.
Participants
In 1972–1975, 2014 healthy men, 40–59 years old, were enrolled in the study. Comprehensive clinical examination included an ECG-monitored exercise test at baseline and follow-ups. The cohort has been re-examined four times during 20 years. Linkage to health records and national health registries has ensured complete endpoint registration of morbidity until the end of 2006, and cancer and mortality until the end of 2017.
Findings to date
The early study results provided new evidence, as many participants with a positive exercise ECG, but no chest pain (‘silent ischaemia’), did not have significant coronary artery stenosis after all. Still, they were over-represented with coronary disease after years of follow-up. Furthermore, participants with the highest physical fitness had lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and the magnitude of blood pressure responses to moderate exercise was shown to influence the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. With time, follow-up data allowed the scope of research to expand into other fields of medicine, with the aim of investigating predictors and the importance of lifestyle and risk factors.
Future plans
Recently, the Oslo Ischaemia Study has been found worthy, as the first scientific study, to be preserved by The National Archives of Norway. All the study material will be digitised, free to use and accessible for all. In 2030, the Oslo Ischaemia Study will be linked to the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry to obtain complete follow-up to death. Thus, a broad spectrum of additional opportunities opens.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
Abstract
Background
The incidence of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) has increased in recent years, making it a very common childhood illness worldwide. The relationship between different enterovirus genotypes and disease severity is not clearly understood. Given that enteroviruses are transmitted through the gastrointestinal tract, we hypothesized that variation in intestinal microorganisms of the host might play a role in the prognosis of HFMD.
Methods
We carried out a meta-transcriptomic-wide association study of fecal samples obtained from a cohort of children (254 patients, 227 tested positive for enterovirus, including 16 patients co-infectied with 2 kinds of enterovirus) with mild and severe HFMD and healthy controls.
Results
We found there was no significant difference in the amount of each virus type between the mild and severe cases. Genes of enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A (CV-A) from the severe and mild cases did not show significant clustering. Clostridium sp. L2-50 and Bacteroides stercoris ATCC 43183 were enriched in the guts of children with severe HFMD and KEGG enrichment was found between mild and severe cases.
Conclusions
Intestinal microorganisms appear to interact with enterovirus to determine the progression of HFMD. Genes of Bacteroides and Clostridium may be used as predictive markers for a more efficient prognosis and intervention. The enrichment of intestinal bacteria genes with functions may facilitate the development of severe symptoms for HFMD patients.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 13.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021
Abstract
Background
The worldwide spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) has reduced the clinical utility of carbapenems. Plasmids often play an important role in the spread of genes encoding drug-resistance factors, especially in the horizontal transfer of these genes among species of Enterobacteriaceae. This study describes a patient infected with three species of CPE carrying an identical transferrable IncL/M plasmid.
Methods
Clinical isolates of CPE were collected at St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, from 2015 to 2019. Three species of CPE isolates, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella aerogenes and Serratia marcescens, were isolated from a patient who developed severe gallstone pancreatitis associated with bloodstream infection, with all three isolates producing IMP-1 metallo-β-lactamase. The complete sequences of the plasmids of the three isolates were determined by both MiSeq and MinION. The medical chart of this patient was retrospectively reviewed conducted to obtain relevant clinical information.
Results
The three CPE species carried an IncL/M plasmid, pSL264, which was 81,133 bp in size and harbored blaIMP-1. The genetic environment surrounding blaIMP-1 consisted of int1-blaIMP-1-aac(6’)-IIc-qacL-qacEdelta1-sul1-istB-IS21. Conjugation experiments showed that S. marcescens could transmit the plasmid to E. cloacae and K. aerogenes. In contrast, pSL264 could not transfer from E. cloacae or K. aerogenes to S. marcescens.
Conclusion
The IncL/M plasmid pSL264 harboring blaIMP-1 was able to transfer among different species of Enterobacteriaceae in a patient receiving long-term antimicrobial treatment. The worldwide emergence and spread of IncL/M plasmids harboring carbapenemase-encoding genes among species of Enterobacteriaceae is becoming a serious public health hazard.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedNeo K. Morojele, Leane Ramsoomar, Emeka W. Dumbili, Saidi Kapiga
Tropical Medicine & International Health, 12.10.2021
Tilføjet 13.10.2021