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Abitbol V, Martinón-Torres F, Taha MK, Nolan T, Muzzi A, Bambini S, Borrow R, Toneatto D, Serino L, Rappuoli R, Pizza M. 4CMenB journey to the 10-year anniversary and beyond. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2357924. [PMID: 38976659 PMCID: PMC11232649 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2357924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The 4-component meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine, 4CMenB, the first broadly protective, protein-based MenB vaccine to be licensed, is now registered in more than 50 countries worldwide. Real-world evidence (RWE) from the last decade confirms its effectiveness and impact, with infant immunization programs showing vaccine effectiveness of 71-95% against invasive MenB disease and cross-protection against non-B serogroups, including a 69% decrease in serogroup W cases in 4CMenB-eligible cohorts in England. RWE from different countries also demonstrates the potential for additional moderate protection against gonorrhea in adolescents. The real-world safety profile of 4CMenB is consistent with prelicensure reports. Use of the endogenous complement human serum bactericidal antibody (enc-hSBA) assay against 110 MenB strains may enable assessment of the immunological effectiveness of multicomponent MenB vaccines in clinical trial settings. Equitable access to 4CMenB vaccination is required to better protect all age groups, including older adults, and vulnerable groups through comprehensive immunization policies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federico Martinón-Torres
- Genetics, Vaccines and Infections Research Group (GENVIP), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago and Universidad de, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, National Reference Center for Meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae, Paris, France
| | - Terry Nolan
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity at University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester, UK
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Padeniya TN, Hui BB, Wood JG, Regan DG, Seib KL. Review of mathematical models of Neisseria gonorrhoeae vaccine impact: Implications for vaccine development. Vaccine 2024; 42:S70-S81. [PMID: 38556390 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.03.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
An effective prophylactic vaccine for prevention of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection would have a major impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide. Interest in developing gonorrhoea vaccines is growing due to the reported high rates of N. gonorrhoeae infections globally, and the threat of antimicrobial resistance. Several gonorrhoea vaccine candidates are currently under evaluation and various mathematical models have been used to assess the potential population-level impact a gonorrhoea vaccine may have once available. Here we review key aspects of gonorrhoea vaccine mathematical modelling studies, including model structures, populations considered, and assumptions used as well as vaccine characteristics and implementation scenarios investigated. The predicted vaccine impact varied between studies, ranging from as little as ∼17 % reduction in N. gonorrhoeae prevalence after 30 years up to 100 % reduction after 5 years. However, all studies predicted that even a partially effective gonorrhoea vaccine could have a substantial impact in reducing N. gonorrhoeae prevalence or incidence, particularly when high coverage is achieved within either important risk groups or the overall sexually active population. As expected, higher vaccine efficacy against acquisition of N. gonorrhoeae and longer duration of protection were linked to greater reductions in infections. A vaccine that alters onward transmission could also substantially reduce infections. Several gaps and research needs have been identified by researchers in the field and via this narrative literature review. For example, future modelling to inform gonorrhoea vaccine development and implementation should consider additional populations that are at high risk of N. gonorrhoeae infection, especially in low- and middle-income settings, as well as the impact of vaccination on the potential adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes of infection. In addition, more detailed and robust epidemiological, biological, and behavioural data is needed to enable more accurate and robust modelling of gonorrhoea vaccine impact to inform future scientific and public health decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thilini N Padeniya
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Ben B Hui
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James G Wood
- School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David G Regan
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate L Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Forootani B, Sasanfar B, Salehi-Abargouei A, Mirzaei M. The association between plant and animal protein intake with depression, anxiety, and stress. Nutr Neurosci 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38980695 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2024.2372194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidence suggests that diet composition is a key biological factor related to the development of depressive disorders. The present study was conducted to investigate the animal and plant protein intake and their replacement in association with depression, anxiety, and stress in Iranian adults. METHOD In this cross-sectional study, the dietary intake of 7169 subjects were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The depression, anxiety, and stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21) questionnaire was used to psychological disorders. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios for depression, anxiety, and stress across quintiles of animal and plant protein. RESULTS The participants' age range was 20-69 years. Individuals with the highest animal protein consumption had a lower chance for developing depression compared to those with the lowest intakes (OR = 0.73, 95%CI: 0.59-0.90; Ptrend < 0.01). Results also showed a significant association between animal protein intake and anxiety, such that subjects in the highest quintile of animal protein intake had 24% lower odds for anxiety compared to those in the lowest quintile (p < 0.05). We found a significant association between highest quintiles of animal protein intake and a 40% lower risk for stress among female individuals (Ptrend = 0.05). The multivariable-adjusted non-linear analyses also revealed that the replacement of plant protein with animal protein was significantly associated with the likelihood of depression and anxiety (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Animal protein intake might lower the odds of depression and anxiety particularly. Future prospective investigations are proposed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bita Forootani
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Bahareh Sasanfar
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Amin Salehi-Abargouei
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Yazd Cardiovascular Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Research Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Masoud Mirzaei
- Yazd Cardiovascular Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Research Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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Wang B, Mohammed H, Andraweera P, McMillan M, Marshall H. Vaccine effectiveness and impact of meningococcal vaccines against gonococcal infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Infect 2024; 89:106225. [PMID: 38986746 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically review and synthesis the evidence of vaccine effectiveness (VE) and impact (VI) of meningococcal vaccines in preventing gonorrhoea. METHODS We systematically evaluated studies. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Google Scholar, clinical trial registries, and major health and immunisation conferences. Meta-analysis was performed with the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model to estimate the pooled VE. RESULTS Twelve studies met the criteria for inclusion. VE of meningococcal B (MenB) outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccines was evaluated in nine studies, with one study evaluating a non-OMV vaccine, MenB-FHbp. The majority of studies targeted individuals aged 15-30 years. Adjusted VE for OMV vaccines against gonorrhoea ranged from 22% to 46%. MenB-FHbp did not show protection against gonorrhoea. The pooled VE estimates of OMV vaccines against any gonorrhoea infection following the full vaccine series were 33-34%. VI was assessed for 4CMenB in Canada and Australia, for VA-MENGOC-BC in Cuba; and for MenBvac in Norway. VI ranged from a 30% to 59% reduction in gonorrhoea incidence. CONCLUSIONS 4CMenB and other MenB-OMV vaccines show moderate effectiveness against gonorrhoea. Further research is required to explore the factors associated with vaccine protection, informing more effective vaccination strategies for the management of gonococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Wang
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Hassen Mohammed
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Prabha Andraweera
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mark McMillan
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Helen Marshall
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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Waseel F, Streftaris G, Rudrusamy B, Dass SC. Assessing the dynamics and impact of COVID-19 vaccination on disease spread: A data-driven approach. Infect Dis Model 2024; 9:527-556. [PMID: 38525308 PMCID: PMC10958481 DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2024.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, social, and economic situations since its emergence in December 2019. The primary focus of this study is to propose a distinct vaccination policy and assess its impact on controlling COVID-19 transmission in Malaysia using a Bayesian data-driven approach, concentrating on the year 2021. We employ a compartmental Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered-Vaccinated (SEIRV) model, incorporating a time-varying transmission rate and a data-driven method for its estimation through an Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) approach. While no vaccine guarantees total immunity against the disease, and vaccine immunity wanes over time, it is critical to include and accurately estimate vaccine efficacy, as well as a constant vaccine immunity decay or wane factor, to better simulate the dynamics of vaccine-induced protection over time. Based on the distribution and effectiveness of vaccines, we integrated a data-driven estimation of vaccine efficacy, calculated at 75% for Malaysia, underscoring the model's realism and relevance to the specific context of the country. The Bayesian inference framework is used to assimilate various data sources and account for underlying uncertainties in model parameters. The model is fitted to real-world data from Malaysia to analyze disease spread trends and evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed vaccination policy. Our findings reveal that this distinct vaccination policy, which emphasizes an accelerated vaccination rate during the initial stages of the program, is highly effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and substantially reducing the pandemic peak and new infections. The study found that vaccinating 57-66% of the population (as opposed to 76% in the real data) with a better vaccination policy such as proposed here is able to significantly reduce the number of new infections and ultimately reduce the costs associated with new infections. The study contributes to the development of a robust and informative representation of COVID-19 transmission and vaccination, offering valuable insights for policymakers on the potential benefits and limitations of different vaccination policies, particularly highlighting the importance of a well-planned and efficient vaccination rollout strategy. While the methodology used in this study is specifically applied to national data from Malaysia, its successful application to local regions within Malaysia, such as Selangor and Johor, indicates its adaptability and potential for broader application. This demonstrates the model's adaptability for policy assessment and improvement across various demographic and epidemiological landscapes, implying its usefulness for similar datasets from various geographical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Waseel
- School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Putrajaya, Malaysia
- Faculty of Mathematics, Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - George Streftaris
- School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences, United Kingdom
| | - Bhuvendhraa Rudrusamy
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Sarat C. Dass
- School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Putrajaya, Malaysia
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Kocaata Z, Currie B, Beck E, Zaiser E, Cutts K, Barnes N, Meszaros K. A Qualitative Concept Elicitation Study to Understand Patient-Reported Symptoms and Impacts of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections in the United States. Sex Transm Dis 2024; 51:393-399. [PMID: 38395028 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gonorrhea is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with rising rates. Emerging antimicrobial resistance threatens public health, and vaccines are in development. This study documents patient-reported gonorrhea symptoms and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) impact in women who have sex with men (WSM), men who have sex with women (MSW), and men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted (April 2021-March 2022) among US adults with recent (≤6 months) confirmed gonorrhea. Concept saturation was achieved, confirming adequate participant numbers to meet objectives. Elicited symptom and HRQoL impacts were used to develop a conceptual disease model. Common patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) items were compared with elicited concepts. RESULTS Thirty-two participants (15 WSM, 8 MSW, and 9 MSM) were included. Eight were asymptomatic, 6 had repeat infections, and 5 women and 4 men had complications (i.e., infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease, and urethritis, respectively).The most frequently reported symptoms were vaginal discharge (n = 11 of 12), dysuria (n = 10 of 12), and abdominal/vaginal pain (n = 9 of 12) for symptomatic WSM; dysuria (n = 5 of 6) and penile discharge (n = 4 of 6) for symptomatic MSW; and throat, testicular, or rectal pain (n = 4 of 6) for symptomatic MSM. All (symptomatic and asymptomatic) participants reported HRQoL impacts including negative emotional experiences (n = 31 of 32), and interference with sexual activity (n = 30 of 32), relationships (n = 24 of 32), and social life (n = 17 of 32). Concepts were poorly represented in existing PROMs. CONCLUSIONS Participants reported a diverse range of symptoms and HRQoL impacts, to help inform the value of new treatment and prevention options. More research is needed to quantify patient burden and develop PROMs.
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Tamir TT, Workneh BS, Mekonen EG, Zegeye AF. Coverage, spatial distribution and determinants of childhood inactivated poliovirus vaccine immunization in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301933. [PMID: 38820454 PMCID: PMC11142555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Polio eradication is a current and common strategy throughout the globe. The study of the newly introduced inactivated poliovirus vaccine provides a grasp on the current status of immunization and identifies any disparities in the implementation of the vaccine throughout Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to demonstrate the spatial distribution, coverage, and determinants of inactivated poliovirus vaccine immunization in Ethiopia. METHOD Spatial distribution and determinants of inactivated poliovirus vaccine immunization in Ethiopia were conducted using Ethiopian mini-demographic and health survey 2019 data. A total of 2,056 weighted children aged 12 to 35 months were included in the analysis. The association between the outcome and explanatory variables was determined by commuting the adjusted odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval. The p-value of less than 0.05 was used to declare factors as significantly associated with the inactivated poliovirus vaccine immunization. RESULT The weighted national coverage of inactivated poliovirus vaccine immunization in Ethiopia was 51.58% at a 95% confidence interval (49.42, 53.74). While the rates of inactivated poliovirus vaccine immunization were observed to be greater in Addis Ababa, Tigiray, Amahara, and Benishangul Gumuz provinces and lower in the Somali, Afar, and SNNPR provinces of Ethiopia, Antenatal care follow-up, place of delivery, place of residence, and region were significantly associated with inactivated poliovirus immunization in Ethiopia. CONCLUSION The distribution of inactivated poliovirus immunization was spatially variable across Ethiopia. Only about half of the children aged twelve to thirty-five months received the inactivated poliovirus vaccine in the country. The factors, both at the individual and community level, were significantly associated with inactivated poliovirus immunization. Therefore, policies and strategies could benefit from considering antenatal care follow-up, place of delivery, place of residence, and region while implementing inactivated poliovirus vaccine immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadesse Tarik Tamir
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Belayneh Shetie Workneh
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Enyew Getaneh Mekonen
- Department of Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Alebachew Ferede Zegeye
- Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Agot K, Onyango J, Otieno G, Musingila P, Gachau S, Ochillo M, Grund J, Joseph R, Mboya E, Ohaga S, Omondi D, Odoyo-June E. Shifting reasons for older men remaining uncircumcised: Findings from a pre- and post-demand creation intervention among men aged 25-39 years in western Kenya. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0003188. [PMID: 38820408 PMCID: PMC11142559 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces men's risk of acquiring Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through vaginal sex. However, VMMC uptake remains lowest among Kenyan men ages 25-39 years among whom the impact on reducing population-level HIV incidence was estimated to be greatest at the start of the study in 2014. We conducted a pre- and post-intervention survey as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of two interventions (interpersonal communication (IPC) and dedicated service outlets (DSO), delivered individually or together) on improving VMMC uptake among men ages 25-39 years in western Kenya between 2014 and 2016. The study had three intervention arms and a control arm. In arm one, an IPC toolkit was used to address barriers to VMMC. In arm two, men were referred to DSO that were modified to address their preferences. Arm three combined the IPC and DSO. The control arm had standard of care. At baseline, uncircumcised men ranked the top three reasons for remaining uncircumcised. An IPC demand creation toolkit was used to address the identified barriers and men were referred for VMMC at study-designated facilities. At follow-up, those who remained uncircumcised were again asked to rank the top three reasons for not getting circumcised. There was inconsistency in ranking of reported barriers at pre- and post- intervention: 'time/venue not convenient' was ranked third at baseline and seventh at follow-up; 'too busy to go for circumcision' was tenth at baseline but second at follow-up, and concern about 'what I/family will eat' was ranked first at both baseline and follow-up, but the proportion reduced from 62% to 28%. Men ages 25-39 years cited a variety of logistical and psychosocial barriers to receiving VMMC. After exposure to IPC, most of these barriers shifted while some remained the same. Additional innovative interventions to address on-going and shifting barriers may help improve VMMC uptake among older men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawango Agot
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jacob Onyango
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - George Otieno
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Paul Musingila
- Division of Global HIV and TB (DGHT), Center for Global Health (CGH), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Susan Gachau
- Division of Global HIV and TB (DGHT), Center for Global Health (CGH), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Jonathan Grund
- Division of Global HIV and TB (DGHT), Center for Global Health (CGH), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rachael Joseph
- Division of Global HIV and TB (DGHT), Center for Global Health (CGH), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Edward Mboya
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Spala Ohaga
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Dickens Omondi
- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Bondo, Kenya
| | - Elijah Odoyo-June
- Division of Global HIV and TB (DGHT), Center for Global Health (CGH), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kisumu, Kenya
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Chiang TY, Pai CS, Geng JH, Wu PY, Huang JC, Chen SC, Chang JM. Sex difference in the associations among secondhand smoke with metabolic syndrome in non-smokers in a large Taiwanese population follow-up study. Int J Med Sci 2024; 21:1518-1528. [PMID: 38903920 PMCID: PMC11186424 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.97306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Close associations among secondhand smoke (SHS) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components have been demonstrated, however sex differences in these associations remain unclear. We collected 121,364 participants from the Taiwan Biobank, and excluded those with smoking history, the remaining 88,297 participants (male: 18,595; female: 69,702; mean age 50.1 ± 11.0 years) were included. SHS exposure was evaluated based on self-reported questionnaires. SHS was associated with MetS (odds ratio [OR], 1.268, p < 0.001 for males vs. 1.180, p < 0.001 for females), abdominal obesity (OR, 1.234, p < 0.001 for males vs. 1.199, p < 0.001 for females), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR, 1.183, p = 0.008 for males vs. 1.094, p = 0.011 for females), hyperglycemia (OR, 1.286, p < 0.001 for males vs. 1.234, p < 0.001 for females), but not with hypertriglyceridemia. SHS was associated with high blood pressure (BP) (OR, 1.278, p < 0.001) only in males, but not in females. Furthermore, significant interactions were found between sex x SHS on MetS (p = 0.023), abdominal obesity (p = 0.032), and elevated BP (p < 0.001). Moreover, the participants who were exposed to SHS for ≥1 hour per week were associated with a higher risk (OR = 1.316, p = 0.001 in males vs. OR = 1.220, p < 0.001 in females) of MetS compared to those with no exposure. These results showed an association between SHS and a high OR for MetS in both the males and females. Furthermore, sex differences were identified in the associations between SHS and MetS and its components, and SHS was more closely related to MetS, abdominal obesity, and high BP in males than in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Yu Chiang
- Department of post baccalaureate medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Che-Sheng Pai
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Hung Geng
- Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 812, Taiwan
- Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yu Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 812, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Chi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 812, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Chia Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 812, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Jer-Ming Chang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
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Marshall H, Ward J, Wang B, Andraweera P, McMillan M, Flood L, Bell C, Sisnowski J, Krause V, Webby R, Childs E, Gunathilake M, Egoroff N, Leong L, Lawrence A, Baird R, Freeman K, Menouhos D, Whiley DM, Karnon J, van Hal S, Lahra MM. Comprehensive observational study evaluating the enduring effectiveness of 4CMenB, the meningococcal B vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia: study protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e079144. [PMID: 38719318 PMCID: PMC11086485 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The effectiveness of antibiotics for treating gonococcal infections is compromised due to escalating antibiotic resistance; and the development of an effective gonococcal vaccine has been challenging. Emerging evidence suggests that the licensed meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine, 4CMenB is effective against gonococcal infections due to cross-reacting antibodies and 95% genetic homology between the two bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, that cause the diseases. This project aims to undertake epidemiological and genomic surveillance to evaluate the long-term protection of the 4CMenB vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory (NT) and South Australia (SA), and to determine the potential benefit of a booster vaccine doses to provide longer-term protection against gonococcal infections. METHODS AND ANALYSES This observational study will provide long-term evaluation results of the effectiveness of the 4CMenB vaccine against gonococcal infections at 4-7 years post 4CMenB programme implementation. Routine notifiable disease notifications will be the basis for assessing the impact of the vaccine on gonococcal infections. Pathology laboratories will provide data on the number and percentage of N. gonorrhoeae positive tests relative to all tests administered and will coordinate molecular sequencing for isolates. Genome sequencing results will be provided by SA Pathology and Territory Pathology/New South Wales Health Pathology, and linked with notification data by SA Health and NT Health. There are limitations in observational studies including the potential for confounding. Confounders will be analysed separately for each outcome/comparison. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The protocol and all study documents have been reviewed and approved by the SA Department for Health and Well-being Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/2022/HRE00308), and the evaluation will commence in the NT on receipt of approval from the NT Health and Menzies School of Health Research Human Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings and public forums.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Marshall
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - James Ward
- Poche Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bing Wang
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Prabha Andraweera
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mark McMillan
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Louise Flood
- Communicable Disease Control Branch, Department for Health and Wellbeing, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte Bell
- Communicable Disease Control Branch, Department for Health and Wellbeing, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jana Sisnowski
- Communicable Disease Control Branch, Department for Health and Wellbeing, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Vicki Krause
- Centre for Disease Control & Environmental Health, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Rosalind Webby
- Centre for Disease Control & Environmental Health, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Emma Childs
- Immunisation and Notifiable Diseases, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Manoji Gunathilake
- Centre for Disease Control & Environmental Health, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Natasha Egoroff
- Centre for Disease Control & Environmental Health, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Lex Leong
- SA Pathology, SA Health, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Lawrence
- SA Pathology, SA Health, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rob Baird
- Territory Pathology, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Kevin Freeman
- Territory Pathology, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Dimitrios Menouhos
- Territory Pathology, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - David M Whiley
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland and Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jonathan Karnon
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sebastian van Hal
- Microbiology, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Monica M Lahra
- Microbiology, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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11
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Enilama O, MacDonald C, Thompson P, Khan U, Allu S, Beaucage M, Yau K, Oliver MJ, Hladunewich MA, Levin A. Perceptions and Information-Seeking Behavior Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease in 2023: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Can J Kidney Health Dis 2024; 11:20543581241242550. [PMID: 38628809 PMCID: PMC11020724 DOI: 10.1177/20543581241242550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background People living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face an increased risk of severe outcomes such as hospitalization or death from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination is a vital approach to mitigate the risk and severity of infection in patients with CKD. Limited information exists regarding the factors that shape COVID-19 vaccine uptake, including health information-seeking behavior and perceptions, within the CKD population. Objective The objectives were to describe among CKD patients, (1) health information-seeking behavior on COVID-19, (2) their capacity to comprehend and trust COVID-19 information from different sources, and (3) their perceptions concerning COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Design/Setting Cross-sectional web-based survey administered in British Columbia and Ontario from February 17, 2023, to April 17, 2023. Participants Chronic kidney disease G3b-5D patients and kidney transplant recipients (CKD G1T-5T) enrolled in a longitudinal COVID-19 vaccine serology study. Methods and Measurements The survey consisted of a questionnaire that included demographic and clinical data, perceived susceptibility of contracting COVID-19, the ability to collect, understand, and trust information on COVID-19, as well as perceptions regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data with values expressed as count (%) and chi square tests were performed with a significance level set at P ≤ .05. A content analysis was performed on one open-ended response regarding respondents' questions surrounding COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Results Among the 902 patients who received the survey via email, 201 completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 22%. The median age was 64 years old (IQR 53-74), 48% were male, 51% were university educated, 32% were on kidney replacement therapies, and 57% had received ≥5 COVID-19 vaccine doses. 65% of respondents reported that they had sought out COVID-19-related information in the last 12 months, with 91% and 84% expressing having understood and trusted the information they received, respectively. Those with a higher number of COVID-19 vaccine doses were associated with having sought out (P =.017), comprehended (P < .001), and trusted (P =. 005) COVID-19-related information. Female sex was associated with expressing more concern about contracting COVID-19 (P = .011). Most respondents strongly agreed to statements regarding the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination. Respondents' questions about COVID-19 infection and vaccination centered on 4 major themes: COVID-19 vaccination strategy, vaccine effectiveness, vaccine safety, and the impact of COVID-19 infection and vaccination on kidney health. Limitations This survey was administered within the Canadian health care context to patients with CKD who had at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine dose. Race/ethnicity of participants was not captured. Conclusions In this survey of individuals with CKD, COVID-19 information-seeking behavior was high and almost all respondents understood and trusted the information they received. Perceptions toward the COVID-19 vaccine and booster were mostly favorable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omosomi Enilama
- Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Nephrology Research Program, Providence Research, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Can-SOLVE CKD Network, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Umair Khan
- Can-SOLVE CKD Network, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Selina Allu
- Can-SOLVE CKD Network, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Kevin Yau
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Unity Health Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew J. Oliver
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Ontario Renal Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michelle A. Hladunewich
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Ontario Renal Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Adeera Levin
- Nephrology Research Program, Providence Research, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Can-SOLVE CKD Network, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Renal, Vancouver, Canada
- Division of Nephrology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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12
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Ladhani SN, White PJ, Campbell H, Mandal S, Borrow R, Andrews N, Bhopal S, Saunders J, Mohammed H, Drisdale-Gordon L, Callan E, Sinka K, Folkard K, Fifer H, Ramsay ME. Use of a meningococcal group B vaccine (4CMenB) in populations at high risk of gonorrhoea in the UK. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024:S1473-3099(24)00031-8. [PMID: 38521080 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(24)00031-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
The meningococcal group B vaccine, 4CMenB, is a broad-spectrum, recombinant protein vaccine that is licensed for protection against meningococcal group B disease in children and adults. Over the past decade, several observational studies supported by laboratory studies have reported protection by 4CMenB against gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhoea is a major global public health problem, with rising numbers of diagnoses and increasing resistance to multiple antibiotics. In England, more than 82 000 cases of gonorrhoea were diagnosed in 2022, with nearly half of the cases diagnosed among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. There are currently no licensed vaccines against gonorrhoea but 4CMenB is estimated to provide 33-47% protection against gonorrhoea. On Nov 10, 2023, the UK Joint Scientific Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation agreed that a targeted programme should be initiated using 4CMenB to prevent gonorrhoea among individuals at higher risk of infection attending sexual health services in the UK. This decision was made after reviewing evidence from retrospective and prospective observational studies, laboratory and clinical data, national surveillance reports, and health economic analyses. In this Review, we summarise the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease and gonorrhoea in England, the evidence supporting the use of 4CMenB for protection against gonorrhoea, and the data needed to inform long-term programme planning and extension to the wider population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamez N Ladhani
- Immunisation Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK; Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection, St George's, University of London, London, UK.
| | - Peter J White
- Modelling and Economics Unit, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College School of Public Health, London, UK
| | - Helen Campbell
- Immunisation Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Sema Mandal
- Immunisation Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - Nick Andrews
- Statistics, Modelling, and Economics Department, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Sunil Bhopal
- Immunisation Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - John Saunders
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Hamish Mohammed
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Lana Drisdale-Gordon
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Emma Callan
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Katy Sinka
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Kate Folkard
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Helen Fifer
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Mary E Ramsay
- Immunisation Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
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13
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Williams E, Seib KL, Fairley CK, Pollock GL, Hocking JS, McCarthy JS, Williamson DA. Neisseria gonorrhoeae vaccines: a contemporary overview. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0009423. [PMID: 38226640 PMCID: PMC10938898 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00094-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is an important public health issue, with an annual global incidence of 87 million. N. gonorrhoeae infection causes significant morbidity and can have serious long-term impacts on reproductive and neonatal health and may rarely cause life-threatening disease. Global rates of N. gonorrhoeae infection have increased over the past 20 years. Importantly, rates of antimicrobial resistance to key antimicrobials also continue to increase, with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifying drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae as an urgent threat to public health. This review summarizes the current evidence for N. gonorrhoeae vaccines, including historical clinical trials, key N. gonorrhoeae vaccine preclinical studies, and studies of the impact of Neisseria meningitidis vaccines on N. gonorrhoeae infection. A comprehensive survey of potential vaccine antigens, including those identified through traditional vaccine immunogenicity approaches, as well as those identified using more contemporary reverse vaccinology approaches, are also described. Finally, the potential epidemiological impacts of a N. gonorrhoeae vaccine and research priorities for further vaccine development are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Williams
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate L. Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Georgina L. Pollock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane S. Hocking
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - James S. McCarthy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah A. Williamson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Achola R, Atuyambe L, Nabiwemba E, Fredrick M, Orach CG. Factors associated with family planning use among refugee and host populations in Adjumani district, West Nile, Uganda: a comparative study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:754. [PMID: 38468212 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18103-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uganda currently hosts an estimated 1.5 million refugees. The refugees have challenges in accessing family planning (FP) services in the host country. The study aimed to investigate factors associated with FP use among host and refugee populations in Adjumani district, Uganda. METHODS A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2021 in three refugee settlements and their host communities in Adjumani district. A total of 1,310 respondents, (664 refugees and 646 host) were randomly selected using multistage cluster sampling and interviewed. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using STATA V.15. Descriptive and Multivariate analysis performed. RESULTS We found that modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) was 30.2% (32.2% for host and 28.2% for refugees). Multivariate analysis showed that women who live singly (AOR = 2.25, 95%, CI: 1.56 -3.84), completed primary education [AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.27-2.16], acquired skills [AOR = 2.28, 95% CI: 2.11-2.47], have the desire for another child [AOR = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.45- 9.60], have stayed in the study area between 3-5 years [AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.46-3.42] were statistically significantly associated with FP use among both refugee and host populations. The key barrier to FP use by host was harassment of women and separation/divorce for not consulting the family members. Whereas amongst the refugees, they do not want to use FP methods. CONCLUSION Our findings revealed low FP use amongst both populations in Adjumani district. The main factors associated with FP use amongst refugee populations included marital status, level of education, type of occupation, and duration of stay in the study area whereas amongst the host is the marital status. Main reasons for not using FP methods included fear of side effects by hosts and not wanting to use FP by refugees. There is need to sensitize both communities about the benefits of FP at community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roselline Achola
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Lynn Atuyambe
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elizabeth Nabiwemba
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Makumbi Fredrick
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christopher Garimoi Orach
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
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15
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Khan TH, MacEachen E. Examining the health and wellness of solo self-employed workers through narratives of precarity: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:717. [PMID: 38448837 PMCID: PMC10916321 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18179-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent decades, there has been a significant transformation in the world of work that is characterized by a shift from traditional manufacturing and managerial capitalism, which offered stable full-time employment, to new forms of entrepreneurial capitalism. This new paradigm involves various forms of insecure, contingent, and non-standard work arrangements. Within this context, there has been a noticeable rise in Self-Employed individuals, exhibiting a wide range of -working arrangements. Despite numerous investigations into the factors driving individuals towards Self-Employment and the associated uncertainties and insecurities impacting their lives and job prospects, studies have specifically delved into the connection between the precarious identity of Self-Employed workers and their overall health and well-being. This exploratory study drew on a 'precarity' lens to make contributions to knowledge about Self-Employed workers, aiming to explore how their vulnerable social position might have detrimental effects on their health and well-being. METHODS Drawing on in-depth interviews with 24 solo Self-Employed people in Ontario (January - July 2021), narrative thematic analysis was conducted based on participants' narratives of their work experiences. The dataset was analyzed with the support of NVIVO qualitative data analysis software to elicit narratives and themes. FINDINGS The findings showed that people opt into Self-Employment because they prefer flexibility and autonomy in their working life. However, moving forward, in the guise of flexibility, they encounter a life of precarity, in terms of job unsustainability, uncertainties, insecurities, unstable working hours and income, and exclusion from social benefits. As a result, the health and well-being of Self-Employed workers are adversely affected by anger, anomie, and anxiety, bringing forward potential risks for a growing population. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Neoliberalism fabricates a 'precariat' Self-Employed class. This is a social position that is vague, volatile, and contingent, that foreshadows potential threats of the health and wellbeing of a growing population in the changing workforce. The findings in this research facilitate some policy implications and practices at the federal or provincial government level to better support the health and wellbeing of SE'd workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tauhid Hossain Khan
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
- Department of Sociology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| | - Ellen MacEachen
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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16
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Waltmann A, Chen JS, Duncan JA. Promising developments in gonococcal vaccines. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2024; 37:63-69. [PMID: 38050729 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW While effective vaccines to prevent invasive infections by Neisseria meningitidis have been deployed around the world, development of a vaccine to prevent Neisseria gonorrhoeae has lagged. After multiple failed vaccine candidates, vaccine development for N. gonorrhoeae is showing promise for the first time in several decades. This review highlights recent progress in the field. RECENT FINDINGS Vaccines containing outer-membrane vesicles (OMV) have been used to manage outbreaks of the serogroup B N. meningitidis in a number of countries. Epidemiologic studies indicate these vaccination campaigns were associated with reductions in reported N. gonorrhoeae infections. Recently, a serogroup B N. meningitidis vaccine containing both recombinant antigens and OMV has been licensed through much of the world. Epidemiologic studies also demonstrate associations between 4CMenB immunization and reduced N. gonorrhoeae infections. Additionally, mathematical modeling studies have begun to identify potential strategies for vaccine deployment to maximize reduction of infections. SUMMARY After several decades with little progress towards an effective gonococcal vaccine, large observational studies have provided evidence that a new generation of group B N. meningitidis vaccines containing OMV have serendipitously restarted the field. Ongoing clinical trials will soon provide definitive evidence regarding the efficacy of these vaccines in preventing N. gonorrhoeae infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Waltmann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases
| | - Jane S Chen
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Joseph A Duncan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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17
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Alhammad M. Chronic diseases and illness in schools: Teachers' confidence in helping students with intellectual disabilities. J Family Med Prim Care 2024; 13:660-666. [PMID: 38605808 PMCID: PMC11006056 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1328_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background With movement to educate students with intellectual disabilities in special and mainstream schools, a considerable number of students with intellectual disabilities have common chronic diseases such as epilepsy and diabetes. In addition, these students may also face common illnesses, which occur in all students, such as fevers and headaches. Teachers are responsible for their students and provide first aid when needed. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether teachers are confident in their ability to provide help when symptoms related to chronic diseases and illnesses occur. Methods In this cross-sectional study, questionnaires were sent to 300 male and female teachers of students with intellectual disabilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results The findings illustrate that, in general, teachers have little confidence in helping students with chronic diseases and illnesses. Although the teachers felt that they were less confident in dealing with some symptoms of illnesses and chronic diseases, there were some symptoms that they showed either strong or low confidence in dealing with. Conclusion The recommendations include increasing teachers' confidence in providing first aid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alhammad
- Department of Special Education, Education Collage, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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18
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Armah-Ansah EK, Bawa B, Igonya EK. Prevalence and factors associated with intention to use contraceptives among women of reproductive age: a multilevel analysis of the 2018 Guinea demographic and health survey. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:8. [PMID: 38166935 PMCID: PMC10759447 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06204-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contraceptive use is a key indicator of improving the health and well-being of women, mothers and their families, preventing unwanted pregnancies, and reducing maternal and child mortalities. Despite a lot of investments from the Government of Guinea to improve contraceptive use, studies reveal that contraceptive use still remains low in Guinea. However, the intention to use contraceptives in Guinea has not been well examined. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the factors associated with the intention to use contraceptives among women of reproductive age in Guinea. METHODS The study made use of data from the Guinea Demographic and Health Survey (GNDHS) conducted in 2018. For this study, we included a weighted sample of 6,948 women who were either married or cohabiting and responded to all the variables of interest. The data were analyzed using Stata version 14.2. Descriptive and multilevel logistic regression were carried out to examine the factors associated with the intention to use contraceptives. The results of multilevel logistic regression were presented using adjusted odds ratios at 95% confidence intervals and p-value < 0.05 to determine the significant associations. RESULTS The prevalence of intention-to-use contraceptives among women was 19.8% (95% CI18.3%-21.5%). Women with secondary/higher educational levels [aOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.26-1.99], women whose partners had secondary/higher educational level [aOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.04-1.52], women who were cohabiting [aOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.13-2.68] and were exposed to mass media [aOR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.35-1.89] were likely to have higher intentions to use contraceptives. Additionally, women from the Kankan Region [aOR = 4.26, 95% CI = 2.77-6.54] and women who belong to the richer wealth quintile [aOR = 1.36, 95% CI = 0.91-1.89] were likely to have higher odds of intentions to use contraceptives. However, women aged 45-49 years, those from the Peulh ethnic group, and those who lack the competence to make healthcare decisions alone had lower odds of intention to use contraceptives. CONCLUSION The study revealed a low prevalence of intention to use contraceptives among women of reproductive age in Guinea. The study has highlighted that both individual-level and household/community-level factors were significantly associated with the intention to use contraceptives. Therefore, policymakers and stakeholders need to consider these factors discussed in this paper when developing policies and interventions to promote and enhance intention-to-use contraceptives among women of reproductive age in Guinea. The findings call on the Government of Guinea and all stakeholders in Guinea to ensure that female education is promoted to help improve their social status, decision-making on fertility, and reduce fertility rates and maternal mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezer Kwesi Armah-Ansah
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
- Population Dynamics Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Department of Population and Development, National Research University - Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia.
| | | | - Emmy Kageha Igonya
- Population Dynamics Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
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19
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Agbesanwa TA, Aina FO, Ibrahim AO. Knowledge and Awareness of Hepatitis B Infection Among Young Adults in Ekiti, Nigeria: Implications for Education and Vaccination. Cureus 2023; 15:e49778. [PMID: 38161573 PMCID: PMC10757744 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim Hepatitis B is a preventable infection with transmission of the virus through sex, by blood and from mother to child during childbirth. Young adults are prone to some of these risk factors, yet data on awareness and knowledge of hepatitis B among them is still limited in Nigeria and none from our locality. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B among young adults attending a tertiary health institution in Nigeria with the aim of giving recommendations based on the findings. Methods A total of 223 young adults who attended the adolescent and young adult clinic of the Family Medicine Department of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti between 1 March and 31 May 2023 were analyzed using a predesigned self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge of hepatitis B was assessed by asking 12 questions relating to awareness of the disease, basic knowledge, route of transmission, the seriousness of the disease when compared to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), complications from the disease, their vaccination status and the number of doses received by the participants. Results The prevalence of awareness of hepatitis B among respondents was 88 (39.5%). Of the 223 respondents studied, 158 (70.9%) had a poor knowledge score of the disease. There was a significant association between the highest educational background of the respondents and awareness of hepatitis B (p=0.05). Awareness of hepatitis B was also associated with previous participation in any health screening (p=0.04) and vaccine awareness (p=<0.001). The majority of the respondents with good knowledge scores of hepatitis B preferred social media for disseminating information about their health (p=0.03). Out of all the participants studied, only one (0.4%) had completed the three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine with 11 (4.9%) of them yet to get fully vaccinated. Conclusion Efforts are needed to target social media platforms with information about hepatitis B and vaccination. With awareness campaigns of hepatitis B directed at various social media platforms, this population at risk could be educated about the disease and the benefits of vaccination. The low vaccination state among the respondents brought to the fore the urgent need for the government to ensure the provision of appropriate interventions for viral hepatitis among young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felix O Aina
- Family Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, NGA
| | - Azeez O Ibrahim
- Family Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital Ido Ekiti, Ido Ekiti, NGA
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20
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Jiao L, Wachinger J, Dasch S, Bärnighausen T, McMahon SA, Chen S. Calculation, knowledge, and identity: Dimensions of trust when making COVID-19 vaccination choices in China. SSM. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN HEALTH 2023; 4:100288. [PMID: 37334196 PMCID: PMC10232919 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Vaccine hesitancy threatens the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to other infectious disease outbreaks globally. Fostering trust has been highlighted as a critical factor in addressing vaccine hesitancy and expanding vaccine coverage, but qualitative exploration of trust in the context of vaccination remains limited. We contribute to filling this gap by providing a comprehensive qualitative analysis of trust in the context of COVID-19 vaccination in China. We conducted 40 in-depth interviews with Chinese adults in December 2020. During data collection, trust emerged as a highly salient topic. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and analyzed with a combination of inductive and deductive coding. Following established trust literature, we differentiate between three types of trust - calculation-based trust, knowledge-based trust, and identity-based trust - which we grouped across components of the health system, as informed by the WHO's building blocks. Our results highlight how participants attributed their level of trust in COVID-19 vaccines to their trust in the medical technology itself (based on assessing risks and benefits or previous vaccination experiences), the service delivery and health workforce (informed by past experiences with health providers and their role throughout the pandemic), and leadership and governance (drawing on notions of government performance and patriotism). Reducing negative impact from past vaccine controversies, increasing the credibility of pharmaceutical companies, and fostering clear communication are identified as important channels for facilitating trust. Our findings emphasize a strong need for comprehensive information on COVID-19 vaccines and increased promotion of vaccination by credible figures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirui Jiao
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
| | - Jonas Wachinger
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Selina Dasch
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, Massachusetts, USA
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shannon A McMahon
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- International Health Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Simiao Chen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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21
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Berkol TD, Özönder Ünal I. Exploring the clinical characteristics and etiological factors of comorbid major depressive disorder and social anxiety disorder. BIOMOLECULES & BIOMEDICINE 2023; 23:1136-1145. [PMID: 37742134 PMCID: PMC10655889 DOI: 10.17305/bb.2023.9690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
The comorbidity between the major depressive disorder (MDD) and the social anxiety disorder (SAD) is significantly prevalent, necessitating a nuanced understanding of their overlapping clinical characteristics and shared etiological factors, including inflammatory biomarkers. To address this, we conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2021 to June 2022, encompassing 204 outpatients diagnosed with MDD-SAD comorbidity. We employed various psychometric assessments, such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Additionally, we analyzed inflammatory biomarkers including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte platelet ratio (NLPR), systemic inflammation index (SII), and the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI). Our findings accentuated that patients primarily diagnosed with MDD exhibited elevated levels of certain inflammatory biomarkers. They reported more severe and atypical depressive symptoms (75.7% vs 58.5%; P = 0.010) and had significantly higher CTQ-28 subscale scores (P < 0.05). Our study unveils a complex relationship between MDD and SAD, with significant disparities in the symptom severity and inflammatory biomarker levels, thereby establishing a compelling case for dual-diagnosis treatment approaches. It elucidates the critical role of inflammation in the comorbidity of MDD and SAD, marking a pioneering step towards more comprehensive and holistic patient care strategies. These insights could potentially revolutionize therapeutic approaches in psychiatric care, promising significantly improved outcomes through early detection and integrated intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonguc Demir Berkol
- Department of Psychiatry, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ipek Özönder Ünal
- Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul Tuzla State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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22
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Anguzu R, Walker RJ, Beyer KMM, Zhou Y, Babikako HM, Dickson-Gomez J, Cassidy LD. Spatial accessibility to health facilities among pregnant women with and without exposure to intimate partner violence in Uganda. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:767. [PMID: 37924014 PMCID: PMC10623746 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06084-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor physical access to health facilities could increase the likelihood of undetected intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy. We aimed to determine sub-regional differences and associations between spatial accessibility to health facilities and IPV among pregnant women in Uganda. METHOD Weighted cross-sectional analyses were conducted using merged 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey and 2014 Uganda Bureau of Statistics health facility datasets. Our study population were 986 women who self-reported being currently pregnant and responded to IPV items. Outcome was spatial accessibility computed as the near point linear distance [< 5 km (optimal) vs. ≥ 5 km (low)] between women's enumeration area and health facility according to government reference cutoffs. Primary independent variable (any IPV) was defined as exposure to at least one of physical, emotional, and sexual IPV forms. Logistic regression models were sequentially adjusted for covariates in blocks based on Andersen's behavioral model of healthcare utilization. Covariates included predisposing (maternal age, parity, residence, partner controlling behavior), enabling (wealth index, occupation, education, economic empowerment, ANC visit frequency), and need (wanted current pregnancy, difficulty getting treatment money, afraid of partner, and accepted partner abuse) factors. RESULTS Respondents' mean age was 26.1 years with ± 9.4 standard deviations (SD), mean number of ANC visits was 3.8 (± 1.5 SD) and 492/986 (49.9%) pregnant women experienced IPV. Median spatial accessibility to the nearest health facility was 4.1 km with interquartile range (IQR) from 0.2 to 329.1 km. Southwestern, and Teso subregions had the highest average percentage of pregnant women experiencing IPV (63.8-66.6%) while Karamoja subregion had the highest median spatial accessibility (7.0 to 9.3 km). In the adjusted analysis, pregnant women exposed to IPV had significantly higher odds of low spatial accessibility to nearest health facilities when compared to pregnant women without IPV exposure after controlling for enabling factors in Model 2 (aOR 1.6; 95%CI 1.2, 2.3) and need factors in Model 3 (aOR 1.5; 95%CI 1.1, 3.8). CONCLUSIONS Spatial accessibility to health facilities were significantly lower among pregnant women with IPV exposure when compared to those no IPV exposure. Improving proximity to the nearest health facilities with ANC presents an opportunity to intervene among pregnant women experiencing IPV. Focused response and prevention interventions for violence against pregnant women should target enabling and need factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Anguzu
- Division of Epidemiology and Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
- Center for Advancing Population Sciences (CAPS), Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
| | - Rebekah J Walker
- Center for Advancing Population Sciences (CAPS), Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Kirsten M M Beyer
- Division of Epidemiology and Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
- Center for Advancing Population Sciences (CAPS), Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Yuhong Zhou
- Division of Epidemiology and Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Harriet M Babikako
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Makerere University, New Mulago Gate Road, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Julia Dickson-Gomez
- Division of Epidemiology and Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Laura D Cassidy
- Division of Epidemiology and Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
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23
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Gökengin D, Noori T, Alemany A, Bienkowski C, Liegon G, İnkaya AÇ, Carrillo J, Stary G, Knapp K, Mitja O, Molina JM. Prevention strategies for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and viral hepatitis in Europe. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2023; 34:100738. [PMID: 37927439 PMCID: PMC10625023 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The current prevention efforts for STIs, HIV and viral hepatitis in the WHO European Region, especially in the Central and Eastern subregions, are hindered by healthcare disparities, data gaps, and limited resources. In this comprehensive narrative review, we aim to highlight both achievements and persisting challenges while also exploring new developments that could significantly impact the prevention of these infections in the near future. While pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV has been broadly approved and implemented in 38 out of 53 countries in the region, challenges remain, including cost, limited licensing, and incomplete adherence. We explore innovative approaches like on-demand PrEP, long-acting injectable cabotegravir, and intravaginal rings that have shown promising results, alongside the use of six-monthly lenacapavir, the outcomes of which are pending. Additionally, the potential of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis has been discussed, revealing efficacy in reducing chlamydia and syphilis risk, but effectiveness against gonorrhoea being contingent on tetracycline resistance rates, and the need of further data to determine potential resistance development in other bacteria and its impact on the gut microbiome. We examine successful vaccination campaigns against HBV and HPV, the ongoing development of vaccines for chlamydia, syphilis, herpesvirus, and gonorrhoea, and challenges in HIV vaccine research, including lines of research with significant potential like sequential immunization, T-cell responses, and mRNA technology. This review underscores the research endeavors that pave the way for a more resilient and robust approach to combating STIs, HIV, and viral hepatitis in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Gökengin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkiye
- Ege University HIV/AIDS Practice and Research Center, Izmir, Turkiye
| | - Teymur Noori
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control STI, Blood-Borne Viruses and TB DPR, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrea Alemany
- Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections Section, Fight Infectious Diseases Foundation, University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Carlo Bienkowski
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland and Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw, Poland
| | - Geoffroy Liegon
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Global Health University of Chicago Medicine Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Ahmet Çağkan İnkaya
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases Ankara, Turkey
| | - Jorge Carrillo
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos IIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Georg Stary
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Knapp
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oriol Mitja
- Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections Section, Fight Infectious Diseases Foundation, University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Jean-Michel Molina
- University of Paris Cité and Department of Infectious Diseases Saint-Louis and Lariboisiére Hospitals, APHP, Paris, France
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24
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Buder S. [Urethritis-spectrum of pathogens, diagnostics and treatment]. DERMATOLOGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 74:835-850. [PMID: 37847382 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-023-05230-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
A broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses can cause urethritis. In particular, N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium and T. vaginalis are the focus of diagnostic considerations as classic pathogens associated with sexually transmitted infections (STI). A step-by-step procedure is needed to make a definitive diagnosis. Microscopy with a staining preparation provides an initial differentiation between gonoccocal and non-gonococcal urethritis in symptomatic men as a point-of-care (POC) test. Nucleic acid amplification technology (NAAT) is used for specific and sensitive pathogen detection and, as a multiplex diagnostic test, offers the possibility of detecting several organisms from the same sample. In addition, compared to culture, no vital organisms are required, which allows the collection and use of more diverse and less invasive biological samples (e.g. first stream urine in men or vaginal swabs). Susceptibility testing by culture remains essential for N. gonorrhoeae as resistance is emerging. The treatment of urethritis depends on the suspected or proven pathogen according to the current guidelines. Treatment failure can be caused by many factors (coinfection, lack of therapy adherence, reinfection or resistance of the pathogen) and requires a repeated diagnostic and therapeutic procedure and differentiated approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Buder
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Vivantes Klinikum Berlin Neukölln, Rudower Str. 48, 12351, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Konsiliarlabor für Gonokokken, Robert Koch-Institut, Seestr. 10, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland.
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25
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Al-Marhabi BD, Fahim WA, Katooa NE, Al-Nujaydi AA. Maternal and Fetal Outcomes Among Pregnant Women Exposed to Violence. Cureus 2023; 15:e44715. [PMID: 37809198 PMCID: PMC10552788 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Domestic violence against women is now widely recognized as a public health issue and a major human rights violation on a global scale. It is a significant risk factor for women's health problems. Pregnancy places a woman under significant physical and psychological pressure, even without additional stressors like abuse. This pressure can have a negative impact on both the mother's and the child's health. This study aims to assess the prevalence of violence among pregnant women and to determine the maternal and fetal outcomes among pregnant women exposed to violence. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 347 postpartum women to assess maternal and fetal outcomes among those who were exposed to violence during their pregnancy. A face-to-face interview was done using one tool with three parts to collect the necessary data. Part one included socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive history for participants, part two included safe and validated dates-physical violence victimization scale, and part three included maternal and fetal outcomes. Result The findings of this study showed that the prevalence of victimization occurred one to three times (28.8%), while 11.5% of victimization occurred four to nine times, and 2.6% of victimization occurred 10 times or more. Many factors play a role in violence, including family income, husband's jobs, husband smoking, being forced into marriage, a higher number of children, and parity. Additionally, it was discovered that adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes include preterm birth (PTB), early onset of labor, low birth weight (LBW), and neonatal admission to the intensive care unit. Conclusion The result indicates that violence against pregnant women is at a significant rate. Their findings show that there are several factors that may have caused this percentage. Among the factors that contributed to violence in this study were family income, smoking, husbands' work, forced marriage, the number of pregnancies, and the number of children. To reduce violence during pregnancy, it is crucial to empower women, especially those without a source of income of their own. It is also critical to educate partners and foster healthy relationships between partners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wafaa A Fahim
- Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
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26
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Padeniya TN, Hui BB, Wood JG, Seib KL, Regan DG. The potential impact of a vaccine on Neisseria gonorrhoeae prevalence among heterosexuals living in a high prevalence setting. Vaccine 2023; 41:5553-5561. [PMID: 37517908 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.07.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is under threat with the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Thus, there is a growing interest in the development of a gonorrhoea vaccine. We used mathematical modelling to assess the impact of a hypothetical vaccine in controlling gonorrhoea among heterosexuals living in a setting of relatively high N. gonorrhoeae prevalence (∼3 %). METHODS We developed a mathematical model of N. gonorrhoeae transmission among 15-49-year-old heterosexuals, stratified by age and sex, and calibrated to prevalence and sexual behaviour data from South Africa as an example of a high prevalence setting for which we have data available. Using this model, we assessed the potential impact of a vaccine on N. gonorrhoeae prevalence in the entire population. We considered gonorrhoea vaccines having differing impacts on N. gonorrhoeae infection and transmission and offered to different age-groups. RESULTS The model predicts that N. gonorrhoeae prevalence can be reduced by ∼50 % in 10 years following introduction of a vaccine if annual vaccination uptake is 10 %, vaccine efficacy against acquisition of infection is 25 % and duration of protection is 5 years, with vaccination available to the entire population of 15-49-year-olds. If only 15-24-year-olds are vaccinated, the predicted reduction in prevalence in the entire population is 25 % with equivalent vaccine characteristics and uptake. Although predicted reductions in prevalence for vaccination programmes targeting only high-activity individuals and the entire population are similar over the same period, vaccinating only high-activity individuals is more efficient as the cumulative number of vaccinations needed to reduce prevalence in the entire population by 50 % is ∼3 times lower for this programme. CONCLUSION Provision of a gonorrhoea vaccine could lead to substantial reductions in N. gonorrhoeae prevalence in a high prevalence heterosexual setting, even with moderate annual vaccination uptake of a vaccine with partial efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thilini N Padeniya
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Ben B Hui
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James G Wood
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate L Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - David G Regan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Belcher T, Rollier CS, Dold C, Ross JDC, MacLennan CA. Immune responses to Neisseria gonorrhoeae and implications for vaccine development. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1248613. [PMID: 37662926 PMCID: PMC10470030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1248613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrheoae is the causative agent of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection responsible for a major burden of disease with a high global prevalence. Protective immunity to infection is often not observed in humans, possible due to high variability of key antigens, induction of blocking antibodies, or a large number of infections being relatively superficial and not inducing a strong immune response. N. gonorrhoeae is a strictly human pathogen, however, studies using mouse models provide useful insights into the immune response to gonorrhea. In mice, N. gonorrhoea appears to avoid a protective Th1 response by inducing a less protective Th17 response. In mouse models, candidate vaccines which provoke a Th1 response can accelerate the clearance of gonococcus from the mouse female genital tract. Human studies indicate that natural infection often induces a limited immune response, with modest antibody responses, which may correlate with the clinical severity of gonococcal disease. Studies of cytokine responses to gonococcal infection in humans provide conflicting evidence as to whether infection induces an IL-17 response. However, there is evidence for limited induction of protective immunity from a study of female sex workers in Kenya. A controlled human infection model (CHIM) has been used to examine the immune response to gonococcal infection in male volunteers, but has not to date demonstrated protection against re-infection. Correlates of protection for gonorrhea are lacking, which has hampered the progress towards developing a successful vaccine. However, the finding that the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B vaccines, elicit cross-protection against gonorrhea has invigorated the gonococcal vaccine field. More studies of infection in humans, either natural infection or CHIM studies, are needed to understand better gonococcal protective immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Belcher
- Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Christina Dold
- The Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D. C. Ross
- Sexual Health and HIV, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Calman A. MacLennan
- Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Robison SG, Leman RF. Association of Group B Meningococcal Vaccine Receipt With Reduced Gonorrhea Incidence Among University Students. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2331742. [PMID: 37651146 PMCID: PMC10472183 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.31742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This case-control study examines reported cases of gonorrhea among recipients of meningococcal group B vaccine at 2 universities in Oregon.
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Patwary AL, Khattak AJ. Crash harm before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence for spatial heterogeneity in Tennessee. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2023; 183:106988. [PMID: 36724654 PMCID: PMC9874053 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2023.106988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Major concerns have been raised about road safety during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, as the crash fatalities have increased, despite the substantial reduction in traffic. However, a comprehensive analysis of safety-critical events on roadways based on a broader set of traffic safety metrics and their correlates is needed. In addition to fatalities, this study uses changes in total crashes and total monetary harm as additional measures of safety. A comprehensive and unique time-series database of crashes and socio-economic variables is created at the county level in Tennessee. Statistics show that while fatal crashes increase by 8.2%, total crashes decrease by 15.3%, and the total harm cost is lower by about $1.76 billion during COVID-19 (2020) compared with pre-COVID-19 conditions (2019). Several models, including generalized least squares linear, Poisson, and geographically weighted regression models using the differences between 2020 and 2019 values, are estimated to rigorously quantify the correlates of fatalities, crashes, and crash harm. The results indicate that compared to the pre-pandemic periods, fatal crashes that occurred during the pandemic are associated with more speeding & reckless behaviors and varied across jurisdictions. Fatal crashes are more likely to happen on interstates and dark-not-lighted roads and involve commercial trucks. These same factors largely contribute to crash harm. In addition, a greater number of long trips per person not staying home during COVID-19 is found to be associated with more crashes and crash harm. These results can inform policymaking to strengthen traffic law enforcement through appropriate countermeasures, such as the placement of warning signs and the reduction of the speed limit in hotspots.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Latif Patwary
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Asad J Khattak
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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