1
|
Tzivian L, Benis A, Rusakova A, Syundyukov E, Seidmann A, Ophir Y. International scientific communication on COVID-19 data: management pitfalls understanding. J Public Health (Oxf) 2024; 46:87-96. [PMID: 38141038 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdad277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the pandemic, countries utilized various forms of statistical estimations of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) impact. Differences between databases make direct comparisons and interpretations of data in different countries a challenge. We evaluated country-specific approaches to COVID-19 data and recommended changes that would improve future international collaborations. METHODS We compared the COVID-19 reports presented on official UK (National Health System), Israeli (Department of Health), Latvian (Center for Disease Prevention and Control) and USA (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) health authorities' websites. RESULTS Our analysis demonstrated critical differences in the ways COVID-19 statistics were made available to the general and scientific communities. Specifically, the differences in approaches were found in the presentation of the number of infected cases and tests, and percentage of positive cases, the number of severe cases, the number of vaccinated, and the number and percent of deaths. CONCLUSION Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability principles could guide the development of essential global standards that provide a basis for communication within and outside of the scientific community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Tzivian
- Institute of Clinical and Preventive Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga LV-1586, Latvia
| | - Arriel Benis
- Digital Medical Technologies Department, Holon Institute of Technology, Holon 5810201, Israel
| | - Agnese Rusakova
- Faculty of Education, Psychology and Arts, University of Latvia, Riga LV-1586, Latvia
| | - Emil Syundyukov
- Longenesis Ltd, Riga LV-1010, Latvia
- Faculty of Computing, University of Latvia LV-1586, Riga, Latvia
| | - Abraham Seidmann
- Questrom Business School, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Health Analytics and Digital Health, Digital Business Institute, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yotam Ophir
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ophir Y, Walter D, Jamieson PE, Jamieson KH. Factors Assessing Science's Self-Presentation model and their effect on conservatives' and liberals' support for funding science. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2213838120. [PMID: 37695894 PMCID: PMC10515153 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2213838120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of responses to 13 questions from a 2022 national probability sample of 1,154 US adults supported the existence of five factors that we argue assess perceptions of Factors Assessing Science's Self-Presentation (FASS). These factors also predict support for increasing federal funding of science and, separately, supporting federal funding of basic research. Each of the factors reflects perceptions of a key facet of scientists' self-presentation, science/scientists' adherence to professed norms, or science's benefits: specifically, that scientists are Credible, Prudent, and Unbiased and that science is Self-Correcting and Beneficial. The FASS model explained 40.6% of the variance in support for increasing federal funding for science and 33.7% in support for basic research. For both dependent variables, conservatives were less likely to be supportive when they perceived that science/scientists fail to overcome biases. The interactions between political ideology and both Prudence and Beneficial, however, were significant only when predicting Basic Research support. In that case, there were no differences between conservatives and liberals when perceptions of benefit were low, but when high, liberals' perception of benefit had a stronger association with support for funding than conservatives'. Among those perceiving that scientists lack prudence, liberals were more likely to support funding basic research than conservatives, but the difference disappeared when perceptions of prudence were very high. The factors could serve as across-time indicators of the public's assessment of the state of science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Ophir
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY14228
| | - Dror Walter
- Department of Communication, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA30303
| | - Patrick E. Jamieson
- Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lattimer TA, Tenzek KE, Ophir Y. Shouts from the Void: A Mixed-Method Analysis Surrounding the Online Chronic Illness Community, NEISVoid. Health Commun 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37691142 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2023.2250939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Chronic illness affects millions worldwide, rendering the life of those affected complex to manage. Extant research points to the need for effective and supportive care for the successful treatment, yet health care encounters for this population are often filled with negative experiences, ranging from discontinuity of care to disenfranchisement from providers. One such group dedicated to sharing struggles is the NEISVoid (No End In Sight) community on Twitter. Through the use of the hashtag, #NEISVoid, they come together to share what experiences living with chronic illness look like, in vulnerable and potentially unfiltered ways. The present study analyzes the discourse surrounding the hashtag #NEISVoid in tweets published from January 1 2020, until September 1 2022 (N = 450,914 tweets) using the mixed-method analysis of topic model network (ANTMN) approach. We identify and discuss four broad discursive themes: community experiences, symptom management, efficacy solutions, and biomedical health. We analyze this discourse through the chronic care model (CCM) and in light of research on hashtag activism. We discuss practical and theoretical implications for health communicators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yotam Ophir
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tenzek KE, Lapan E, Ophir Y, Lattimer TA. Staying connected: Alzheimer's hashtags and opportunities for engagement and overcoming stigma. J Aging Stud 2023; 66:101165. [PMID: 37704283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaging.2023.101165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a terminal, neurodegenerative disease, and consequently is difficult to communicate about as it is stigmatized, and discussions are rife with misconceptions. By situating AD conversations in the sociocultural space of the opportunity model of presence during the end-of-life process, a framework developed illustrating the potential trajectory from living with illness through death and into bereavement, we examined networked discussions surrounding Alzheimer's related hashtags on Twitter (N = 132,803) between January 1st, 2010, and September 29th, 2021. Using the mixed-method approach of the Analysis of Topic Model Network (ANTMN) framework, results revealed 30 topics clustered into five distinct themes: promotion, education, action, "You aren't alone", and dementia. Results indicated that discussions surrounding World Alzheimer's Day focused on changing stigma and promoting engagement in difficult conversations. The frequency of themes over time remained relatively stable. By understanding how Twitter's online discourse may be used to overcome stigmatized topics, we can continue to tailor messages to reduce stigma and provide support for those who experience similar health issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Tenzek
- 359 Department of Communication, Baldy Hall University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States of America.
| | - Emily Lapan
- 359 Department of Communication, Baldy Hall University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States of America
| | - Yotam Ophir
- 359 Department of Communication, Baldy Hall University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States of America
| | - Tahleen A Lattimer
- 359 Department of Communication, Baldy Hall University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lattimer TA, Ophir Y. Oppression by omission: An analysis of the #WhereIsTheInterpreter hashtag campaign around COVID-19 on Twitter. Media Cult Soc 2023; 45:769-784. [PMID: 38603373 PMCID: PMC9806198 DOI: 10.1177/01634437221135977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Critical to managing a crisis such as COVID-19 is the propagation of information to all vulnerable populations. Despite guidelines regarding communicating with people with differing accessibility needs during crises, some often find their needs unmet. Following a lack of assisted communications for d/Deaf people during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Twitter hashtag campaign, #WhereIsTheInterpreter, was launched in the UK, protesting the lack of accessibility during official press briefings around the epidemic. The campaign received support from across the globe. This study analyzes the discourse around the campaign in tweets published from March 1st, 2020 and September 30th, 2021 (N = 27,021) and analyzed the corpus using the Analysis of Topic Model Network (ANTMN) approach. We identified four major themes of discourse: discrimination, accessibility challenges, communication gaps and barriers, and Deaf rights. We analyze the discourse through the perspective of Critical Disability Theory (CDT) and hashtag activism, and discuss practical and theoretical implications.
Collapse
|
6
|
Ophir Y, Walter N, Walter D, Velho RM, Lokmanoglu AD, Pruden ML, Andrews EA. Vaccine Hesitancy Under the Magnifying Glass: A Systematic Review of the Uses and Misuses of an Increasingly Popular Construct. Health Commun 2022:1-15. [PMID: 35361020 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2022.2054102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to vaccines has hindered attempts to contain and prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases for centuries. More recently, however, the term "vaccine hesitancy" has been used to describe not necessarily outright resistance but also a delay in acceptance or uncertainty regarding vaccines. Given concerns about hesitancy and its impact on vaccine uptake rates, researchers increasingly shifted the focus from resistance to vaccines toward vaccine hesitancy. Acknowledging the urgency to accurately assess the phenomenon, it is critical to understand the state of the literature, focusing on issues of conceptualization and operationalization. To carry out this systematic review, we collected and analyzed all published empirical articles from 2000 to 2021 that explicitly included quantitative self-report measures of vaccine hesitancy (k = 86). Using a mixed-method approach, the review demonstrates and quantifies crucial inconsistencies in the measurement of the construct, lack of clarity in regard to the determination of who should or should not be defined as hesitant, and overreliance on unrepresentative samples. Crucially, our analysis points to a potential systematic bias toward exaggerating the level of hesitancy in the population. Modeling a vaccine hesitancy co-citation network, the analysis also points to the existence of insular academic silos that make it harder to achieve a unified measurement tool. Theoretical and practical implications for academics, practitioners, and policymakers are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Ophir
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York
| | - Nathan Walter
- Department of Communication Studies, Northwestern University
| | - Dror Walter
- Department of Communication, Georgia State University
| | - Raphaela M Velho
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York
| | | | - Meredith L Pruden
- Center for Information, Technology and Public Life, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Emily A Andrews
- Department of Communication Studies, Northwestern University
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Walter D, Ophir Y, Lokmanoglu AD, Pruden ML. Vaccine discourse in white nationalist online communication: A mixed-methods computational approach. Soc Sci Med 2022; 298:114859. [PMID: 35276624 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research has indicated a growing resistance to vaccines among U.S. conservatives and Republicans. Following past successes of the far-right in mainstreaming health misinformation, this study tracks almost two decades of vaccine discourse on the extremist, white nationalist (WN) online message-board Stormfront. We examine the argumentative repertoire around vaccines on the forum, and whether it assimilated to or challenged common arguments for and against vaccines, or extended it in ways unique to the racist WN agenda. METHODS We use a mixed-methods approach, combining unsupervised machine learning of 8892 posts including the term "vaccin*", published on Stormfront between 2001 and 2017. We supplemented the computational analysis with a manual coding of randomly sampled 500 posts, evaluating the prevalence of pro- and anti-vaccine sentiment, previously identified pro- and anti-vaccine arguments, and WN-specific arguments. RESULTS Discourse was dynamic, increasing around specific events, such as outbreaks and following legal debates about vaccine mandates. We identified four themes: conspiracies, science, race and white innovation. The prominence of themes over time was relatively stable. Our manual coding identified levels of anti-vaccine sentiment that were much higher than found in the past on mainstream social media. Most anti-vaccine posts relied on common anti-vaccine tropes and not on WN conspiracy theories. Pro-vaccination posts, however, were supported by unique race-based arguments. CONCLUSION We find a high volume of anti-vaccine sentiment among WN on Stormfront, but also identify unique pro-vaccine arguments that echo the group's racist ideology. PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATION As with past health-related conspiracy theories, high levels of anti-vaccine sentiment in online far-right sociotechnical information systems could threaten public health, especially if it 'spills-over' to mainstream media. Many pro-vaccine arguments on the forum relied on racist, WN reasoning, thus preventing the authors from recommending the use of these unethical arguments in future public health communications.
Collapse
|
8
|
Lattimer TA, Tenzek KE, Ophir Y, Sullivan SS. Exploring Online Twitter Conversations surrounding National Healthcare Decisions Day and Advance Care Planning from a Socio-Cultural Perspective: A Computational Mixed-Methods Analysis (Preprint). JMIR Form Res 2021; 6:e35795. [PMID: 35416783 PMCID: PMC9047726 DOI: 10.2196/35795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Within the cultures and societies of the United States, topics related to death and dying continue to be taboo, and as a result, opportunities for presence and engagement during the end of life, which could lead to a good death, are avoided. Several efforts have been made to help people engage in advance care planning (ACP) conversations, including completing advance care directives so that they may express their goals of care if they become too sick to communicate their wishes. A major effort in the United States toward encouraging such challenging discussions is the annual celebration of the National Healthcare Decisions Day. Objective This study aimed to explore ACP from a sociocultural perspective by using Twitter as a communication tool. Methods All publicly available tweets published between August 1, 2020, and July 30, 2021 (N=9713) were collected and analyzed using the computational mixed methods Analysis of Topic Model Network approach. Results The results revealed that conversations driven primarily by laypersons (7107/7410, 95.91% of tweets originated from unverified accounts) surrounded the following three major themes: importance and promotion, surrounding language, and systemic issues. Conclusions On the basis of the results, we argue that there is a need for awareness of the barriers that people may face when engaging in ACP conversations, including systemic barriers, literacy levels, misinformation, policies (including Medicare reimbursements), and trust among health care professionals, in the United States. This is incredibly important for clinicians and scholars worldwide to be aware of as we strive to re-envision ACP, so that people are more comfortable engaging in ACP conversations. In terms of the content of tweets, we argue that there is a chasm between the biomedical and biopsychosocial elements of ACP, including patient narratives. If used properly, Twitter conversations and National Health Care Decision Day hashtags could be harnessed to serve as a connecting point among organizations, physicians, patients, and family members to lay the groundwork for the trajectory toward a good death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tahleen A Lattimer
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, SUNY, East Amherst, NY, United States
| | - Kelly E Tenzek
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, SUNY, East Amherst, NY, United States
| | - Yotam Ophir
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, SUNY, East Amherst, NY, United States
| | - Suzanne S Sullivan
- School of Nursing, University at Buffalo, SUNY, East Amherst, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ophir Y, Jamieson KH. The effects of media narratives about failures and discoveries in science on beliefs about and support for science. Public Underst Sci 2021; 30:1008-1023. [PMID: 34000907 DOI: 10.1177/09636625211012630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the effects of exposure to media narratives about science on perceptions pertaining to the reliability of science, including trust, beliefs, and support for science. In an experiment (n = 4497), participants were randomly assigned to read stories representing ecologically valid media narratives: the honorable quest, counterfeit quest, crisis or broken, and problem explored. Exposure to stories highlighting problems reduced trust in scientists and induced negative beliefs about scientists, with more extensive effects among those exposed to the "crisis/broken" accounts and fewer for those exposed to "counterfeit" and "problem explored" stories. In the "crisis/broken" and "problem explored" conditions, we identified a three-way interaction in which those with higher trust who considered the problem-focused stories to be representative of science were more likely to believe science is self-correcting and those with lower trust who perceived the stories to be representative were less likely to report that belief. Support for funding science was not affected by the stories. This study demonstrates the detrimental consequences of media failure to accurately communicate the scientific process, and provides evidence for ways for scientists and journalists to improve science communication, while acknowledging the need for changes in structural incentives to obtain such a goal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Ophir
- University at Buffalo-The State University of New York, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kuru O, Stecula D, Lu H, Ophir Y, Chan MPS, Winneg K, Hall Jamieson K, Albarracín D. The effects of scientific messages and narratives about vaccination. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248328. [PMID: 33760856 PMCID: PMC7990169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A fundamental challenge complicates news decisions about covering vaccine side effects: although serious vaccine side effects are rare, less severe ones do occur occasionally. The study was designed to test whether a side effect message could induce vaccine hesitancy and whether that could be countered by pro-vaccine messages about vaccine safety. A large (N = 2,345), nationally representative experiment was conducted by randomly exposing participants to one of six videos about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine edited from news programs produced during the 2019 measles outbreak in the United States. The design was a 2x3 factorial crossing the presence or absence of a hesitancy-inducing narrative message with a pro-vaccine science-supporting message (i.e., no message, science-supporting expert message, or pro-vaccine narrative message), leading to a total of six conditions. A general linear model was used to assess the effects of these videos on respondents’ (1) vaccine risk perceptions, (2) policy views on vaccination, (3) willingness to encourage others to vaccinate their children, and (4) intention to send a pro-vaccine letter to their state representative. Findings indicated that the science-supporting expert message about vaccine safety led to higher pro-vaccine evaluations relative to other conditions [e.g., b = -0.17, p < .001, a reduction in vaccine risk perceptions of 0.17 as compared to the control]. There was also suggestive evidence that the hesitancy-inducing narrative may limit the effectiveness of a science-supporting expert message, although this finding was not consistent across different outcomes. When shown alone the hesitancy-inducing narrative did not shift views and intentions, but more research is needed to ascertain whether exposure to such messages can undercut the pro-vaccine influence of science-supporting (expert) ones. All in all, however, it is clear that science-supporting messages are effective and therefore worthwhile in combating vaccine misinformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ozan Kuru
- Department of Communications and New Media, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
| | - Dominik Stecula
- Department of Political Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Hang Lu
- Department of Communication and Media, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Yotam Ophir
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Man-pui Sally Chan
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Ken Winneg
- Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Hall Jamieson
- Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dolores Albarracín
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, United States of America
- Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ophir Y, Walter D, Arnon D, Lokmanoglu A, Tizzoni M, Carota J, D'Antiga L, Nicastro E. The Framing of COVID-19 in Italian Media and Its Relationship with Community Mobility: A Mixed-Method Approach. J Health Commun 2021; 26:161-173. [PMID: 33787462 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2021.1899344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Media framing of epidemics was found to influence public perceptions and behaviors in experiments, yet no research has been conducted on real-world behaviors during public health crises. We examined the relationship between Italian news media coverage of COVID-19 and compliance with stay-at-home orders, which could impact the spread of epidemics. We used a computational method for framing analysis (ANTMN) and combined it with Google's Community Mobility data. A time-series analysis using vector autoregressive models showed that the Italian media used media frames that were largely congruent with ones used by journalists in other countries: A scientific frame focusing on symptoms and health effects, a containment frame focusing on attempts to ameliorate risks, and a social frame, focusing on political and social impact. The prominence of different media frames over time was associated with changes in Italians' mobility patterns. Specifically, we found that the social frame was associated with increased mobility, whereas the containment frame was associated with decreased mobility. The results demonstrate that the ways the news media discuss epidemics can influence changes in community mobility, above and beyond the effect of the number of deaths per day.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Ophir
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Dror Walter
- Department of Communication, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daniel Arnon
- Department of Political Science, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ayse Lokmanoglu
- Department of Communication, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Joëlle Carota
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Lorenzo D'Antiga
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Nicastro
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yang Q, Herbert N, Yang S, Alber J, Ophir Y, Cappella JN. The Role of Information Avoidance in Managing Uncertainty from Conflicting Recommendations about Electronic Cigarettes. Commun Monogr 2020; 88:263-285. [PMID: 34483460 PMCID: PMC8412215 DOI: 10.1080/03637751.2020.1809685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Insufficient scientific evidence about electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has led to conflicting recommendations (CRs) by credible scientific organizations, creating a public health debate that could prove especially difficult to reconcile as current and former smokers make decisions about whether to use e-cigarettes. To investigate how CRs about e-cigarettes may affect intentions to engage in healthy behaviors, 717 former and current smokers were randomly exposed to one of five conditions (varying in the level of conflict in recommendations) in this between-subject experiment. Our results indicated a significant interaction between the message level of conflict and individuals' information avoidance, employed to maintain hope and deniability. These results suggest the effects of CRs stemming from scientific uncertainty vary with subgroups of people, pointing to several pressing theoretical and practical implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Yang
- Bob Schieffer College of Commuication, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
| | - Natalie Herbert
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Sijia Yang
- School of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
| | - Julia Alber
- Kinesiology and Public Health, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
| | - Yotam Ophir
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo-SUNY, Buffalo, NY
| | - Joseph N. Cappella
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Objectives. To understand how Twitter accounts operated by the Russian Internet Research Agency (IRA) discussed vaccines to increase the credibility of their manufactured personas.Methods. We analyzed 2.82 million tweets published by 2689 IRA accounts between 2015 and 2017. Combining unsupervised machine learning and network analysis to identify "thematic personas" (i.e., accounts that consistently share the same topics), we analyzed the ways in which each discussed vaccines.Results. We found differences in volume and valence of vaccine-related tweets among 9 thematic personas. Pro-Trump personas were more likely to express antivaccine sentiment. Anti-Trump personas expressed support for vaccination. Others offered a balanced valence, talked about vaccines neutrally, or did not tweet about vaccines.Conclusions. IRA-operated accounts discussed vaccines in manners consistent with fabricated US identities.Public Health Implications. IRA accounts discussed vaccines online in ways that evoked political identities. This could exacerbate recently emerging partisan gaps relating to vaccine misinformation, as differently valenced messages were targeted at different segments of the US public. These sophisticated targeting efforts, if repeated and increased in reach, could reduce vaccination rates and magnify health disparities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dror Walter
- Dror Walter is with the Department of Communication, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. Yotam Ophir is with the Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY. Kathleen Hall Jamieson is with the Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Yotam Ophir
- Dror Walter is with the Department of Communication, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. Yotam Ophir is with the Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY. Kathleen Hall Jamieson is with the Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kathleen Hall Jamieson
- Dror Walter is with the Department of Communication, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. Yotam Ophir is with the Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY. Kathleen Hall Jamieson is with the Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ophir Y, Jamieson KH. The Effects of Zika Virus Risk Coverage on Familiarity, Knowledge and Behavior in the U.S. - A Time Series Analysis Combining Content Analysis and a Nationally Representative Survey. Health Commun 2020; 35:35-45. [PMID: 30358431 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2018.1536958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study assessed the effects of the February through September 2016 American news media's coverage of Zika Virus (ZIKV) risk on the U.S. public's familiarity, knowledge and behavior in the form of interpersonal discussions. A content analysis (N = 2,782 pieces) revealed that the Rio Olympic Games elicited a spike in coverage of Zika. We also found that newsworthy and easy- to- depict aspects of the disease, specifically its transmission by mosquitoes and its relation to microcephaly were covered more extensively than its sexual transmission and transmissibility from an infected person who is asymptomatic. Nevertheless, survey data over the same period of time (N = 37,180 respondents) revealed that the general amount of coverage, rather than the specifics about Zika transmission and its consequences, influenced the public's familiarity, knowledge, and behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Ophir
- The Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ophir Y, Jamieson KH. Intentions to use a novel Zika vaccine: the effects of misbeliefs about the MMR vaccine and perceptions about Zika. J Public Health (Oxf) 2019; 40:e531-e537. [PMID: 29554290 PMCID: PMC6306081 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdy042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background People's intentions to use vaccines are influenced by their beliefs about both the specific vaccine and the disease it prevents. In the absence of firm beliefs about Zika virus (ZIKV), individuals may base their intentions to vaccinate against it on beliefs about other vaccines, and specifically the misbelief that MMR causes autism. Methods A survey of 3337 Americans, using a random-digit-dialing sample of landline telephone households and cell-phones. Results Intentions to use a Zika vaccine were influenced by beliefs about Zika, science in general, and MMR. Intentions were positively influenced by perceived severity of and vulnerability to Zika, as well as belief in science's efficacy. However, intentions were negatively influenced by the belief that MMR causes autism in children. Conclusion The misbelief about MMR and autism may reduce people's intentions to use a new Zika vaccine. However, perceptions of severity of and vulnerability to Zika may increase intentions. Implications for science educators and public health officials are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Ophir
- The Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
Warning labels on tobacco products sometimes feature images and stories of real people whose health has been affected by smoking. We examined effects of some of the design elements that may contribute to the effectiveness of these testimonial pictorial warning labels (PWLs). Beginning with a testimonial PWL that contained an image of a person and a basic warning statement (e.g., "Smoking can kill you"), we examined the impact of adding: (a) text detailing the person's name, age and health status (identifiers); and (b) explanatory statements that elaborated on the basic warning using a testimonial or non-testimonial message. In an online experiment, 1255 adult smokers in the United States were randomly assigned to one of six experimental conditions (2 [identifier: none/identifier] × 3 [explanatory statement: none/non-testimonial/testimonial]), or a control condition (text only warning labels that currently appear on packs in the United States). In each condition, participants were exposed to multiple labels each focused on a different health effect. Effectiveness was assessed using emotional responses, engagement and behavioral intentions measured immediately post-exposure, and quit attempts measured at five-week follow up. Testimonial PWLs were more effective than the text only labels. However, there was little evidence that adding identifiers or the explanatory statements enhanced effectiveness; rather, there was some evidence that testimonial explanatory statements reduced effectiveness. These findings suggest that the most effective design for testimonial PWLs may be to combine a basic warning statement with an image of a real person, without any additional textual components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Brennan
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria
| | - Erin Maloney
- Penn Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Yotam Ophir
- Penn Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Joseph N Cappella
- Penn Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Content analysis identified three dominant themes used by the news media to cover epidemics: the scientific, the pandemic, and the social. This study uses a randomized experimental design to test the effects of common news coverage patterns of epidemics on perceptions of efficacy, certainty, and trust in the CDC, and subsequently on intentions to comply with and support for the CDC during public health crises. The experiment also compares the effects of real-world coverage to that of hypothetical coverage that more closely follows the CDC's recommendations for crisis communication. The results of the experiment (n = 321) demonstrate that exposure to articles from different themes affects perceptions of certainty and self-efficacy, that in turn affect intentions to comply with the CDC. Although organizational-efficacy and trust in the CDC are both correlated with intentions to support, and trust is also correlated with intentions to comply, exposure to different conditions did not affect these perceptions and there was no indirect effect from exposure to intentions. The results reveal the potential effects of real-world coverage on perceptions and intentions, and demonstrate the advantage of the hypothetical coverage that follows the CDC's crisis communication guidelines. Implications for public health organizations and communicators are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Ophir
- a The Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Buffalo , NY , USA
- b The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Sangalang A, Ophir Y, Cappella JN. The Potential for Narrative Correctives to Combat Misinformation †. J Commun 2019; 69:298-319. [PMID: 31205334 PMCID: PMC6544903 DOI: 10.1093/joc/jqz014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Misinformation can influence personal and societal decisions in detrimental ways. Not only is misinformation challenging to correct, but even when individuals accept corrective information, misinformation can continue to influence attitudes: a phenomenon known as belief echoes, affective perseverance, or the continued influence effect. Two controlled experiments tested the efficacy of narrative-based correctives to reduce this affective residual in the context of misinformation about organic tobacco. Study 1 (N = 385) tested within-narrative corrective endings, embedded in four discrete emotions (happiness, anger, sadness, and fear). Study 2 (N = 586) tested the utility of a narrative with a negative, emotional corrective ending (fear and anger). Results provide some evidence that narrative correctives, with or without emotional endings, can be effective at reducing misinformed beliefs and intentions, but narratives consisting of emotional corrective endings are better at correcting attitudes than a simple corrective. Implications for misinformation scholarship and corrective message design are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yotam Ophir
- Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph N Cappella
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) framework has been used by the organization during recent outbreaks of infectious diseases. However, the dissemination of the organization's crisis messages depends largely on mass media coverage. This study analyzed 5,006 articles from leading American newspapers covering 3 epidemics: H1N1, Ebola, and Zika. Using a mixed method of automated and manual content analysis, it identified 3 distinct themes used to cover the diseases: pandemic, scientific, and social. Analysis of the themes based on CERC guidelines demonstrated substantial discrepancies between what CDC aims to communicate during epidemics and what the media actually disseminated to the public. Implications for public health organizations and communicators are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Ophir
- Yotam Ophir, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Brennan E, Maloney EK, Ophir Y, Cappella JN. Potential Effectiveness of Pictorial Warning Labels That Feature the Images and Personal Details of Real People. Nicotine Tob Res 2018; 19:1138-1148. [PMID: 27932628 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntw319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Pictorial warning labels (PWL) that use photographs and the personal details of real people whose health has been affected by smoking (testimonial PWL) provide factual information about the consequences of tobacco use. Methods Nine hundred and twenty-four adult current smokers participated in an online experiment that tested responses to four types of warning labels: (1) non-testimonial text warning labels (currently on packs in the United States); (2) non-testimonial PWL (previously proposed by the United States Food and Drug Administration); (3) image only testimonial PWL (created for study); (4) image + personal details testimonial PWL (created for study). Participants were randomly assigned to condition and then exposed to up to five warning labels addressing different health effects. Differences between conditions were assessed using emotional responses and a set of intention measures immediately following exposure, and self-reported behavior change at 5-week follow-up. Results Compared to the non-testimonial text warning labels, all PWL elicited stronger emotional responses and intentions to forgo cigarettes and avoid the warning labels. Non-testimonial PWL and image + personal details testimonial PWL elicited stronger intentions to quit, whereas image only testimonial PWL generated a greater amount of quitting activity in the weeks following exposure. There were no significant differences in responses when comparing the non-testimonial PWL with both types of testimonial PWL. Conclusions PWL that use images of real people convey factual information about the health effects of tobacco use. These testimonial PWL may be a promising alternative to the images previously proposed for use on PWL in the United States. Implications In the United States, the PWL developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011 were found by the courts to be unconstitutional, in part because they were deemed to present an opinion rather than fact. Findings from this experimental study indicate that PWL that use the images and personal details of real people to convey factual information about the health effects of tobacco use may satisfy the FDA's requirement for a set of PWL that (1) have the potential to positively impact the determinants of smoking cessation behavior, (2) meet legislative requirements under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and (3) may be more acceptable to the courts than the previously proposed and now dismissed PWL that carried non-factual images.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Brennan
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria,Melbourne,Australia
| | - Erin K Maloney
- Penn Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia, PA
| | - Yotam Ophir
- Penn Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia, PA
| | - Joseph N Cappella
- Penn Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia, PA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
In 2006, the U.S. District Court held that tobacco companies had "falsely and fraudulently" denied: tobacco causes lung cancer; environmental smoke endangers children's respiratory systems; nicotine is highly addictive; low tar cigarettes were less harmful when they were not; they marketed to children; they manipulated nicotine delivery to enhance addiction; and they concealed and destroyed evidence to prevent accurate public knowledge. The courts required the tobacco companies to repair this misinformation. Several studies evaluated types of corrective statements (CS). We argue that most CS proposed ("simple CS's") will fall prey to "belief echoes" leaving affective remnants of the misinformation untouched while correcting underlying knowledge. Alternative forms for CS ("enhanced CS's") are proposed that include narrative forms, causal linkage, and emotional links to the receiver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph N Cappella
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S
| | - Erin Maloney
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S
| | - Yotam Ophir
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S
| | - Emily Brennan
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ariel G, Ophir Y, Levi S, Ben-Jacob E, Ayali A. Individual pause-and-go motion is instrumental to the formation and maintenance of swarms of marching locust nymphs. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101636. [PMID: 24988464 PMCID: PMC4079690 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The principal interactions leading to the emergence of order in swarms of marching locust nymphs was studied both experimentally, using small groups of marching locusts in the lab, and using computer simulations. We utilized a custom tracking algorithm to reveal fundamental animal-animal interactions leading to collective motion. Uncovering this behavior introduced a new agent-based modeling approach in which pause-and-go motion is pivotal. The behavioral and modeling findings are largely based on motion-related visual sensory inputs obtained by the individual locust. Results suggest a generic principle, in which intermittent animal motion can be considered as a sequence of individual decisions as animals repeatedly reassess their situation and decide whether or not to swarm. This interpretation implies, among other things, some generic characteristics regarding the build-up and emergence of collective order in swarms: in particular, that order and disorder are generic meta-stable states of the system, suggesting that the emergence of order is kinetic and does not necessarily require external environmental changes. This work calls for further experimental as well as theoretical investigation of the neural mechanisms underlying locust coordinative behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gil Ariel
- Department of Mathematics, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- * E-mail: (GA); (AA)
| | - Yotam Ophir
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sagi Levi
- Department of Mathematics, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Eshel Ben-Jacob
- Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Amir Ayali
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- * E-mail: (GA); (AA)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Schirer Y, Malishkevich A, Ophir Y, Lewis J, Giladi E, Gozes I. Novel marker for the onset of frontotemporal dementia: early increase in activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) in the face of Tau mutation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87383. [PMID: 24489906 PMCID: PMC3906161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathy, a major pathology in Alzheimer's disease, is also found in ∼50% of frontotemporal dementias (FTDs). Tau transcript, a product of a single gene, undergoes alternative splicing to yield 6 protein species, each with either 3 or 4 microtubule binding repeat domains (tau 3R or 4R, associated with dynamic and stable microtubules, respectively). While the healthy human brain shows a 1/1 ratio of tau 3R/4R, this ratio may be dramatically changed in the FTD brain. We have previously discovered that activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) is essential for brain formation in the mouse, with ADNP+/− mice exhibiting tauopathy, age-driven neurodegeneration and behavioral deficits. Here, in transgenic mice overexpressing a mutated tau 4R species, in the cerebral cortex but not in the cerebellum, we showed significantly increased ADNP expression (∼3-fold transcripts) in the cerebral cortex of young transgenic mice (∼disease onset), but not in the cerebellum, as compared to control littermates. The transgene-age-related increased ADNP expression paralleled augmented dynamic tau 3R transcript level compared to control littermates. Blocking mutated tau 4R transgene expression resulted in normalization of ADNP and tau 3R expression. ADNP was previously shown to be a member of the SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex. Here, Brahma (Brm), a component of the SWI/SNF complex regulating alternative splicing, showed a similar developmental expression pattern to ADNP. Immunoprecipitations further suggested Brm-ADNP interaction coupled to ADNP - polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB)-associated splicing factor (PSF)-binding, with PSF being a direct regulator of tau transcript splicing. It should be noted that although we have shown a correlation between levels of ADNP and tau isoform expression three months of age, we are not presenting evidence of a direct link between the two. Future research into ADNP/tau relations is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulie Schirer
- The Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, The Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors, The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Malishkevich
- The Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, The Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors, The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yotam Ophir
- The Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, The Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors, The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jada Lewis
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Eliezer Giladi
- The Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, The Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors, The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Illana Gozes
- The Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, The Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors, The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Karnaukhova E, Ophir Y, Golding B. Recombinant human alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor: towards therapeutic use. Amino Acids 2006; 30:317-32. [PMID: 16773239 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-005-0324-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2005] [Accepted: 01/31/2006] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Human alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor is a well-characterized protease inhibitor with a wide spectrum of anti-protease activity. Its major physiological role is inhibition of neutrophil elastase in the lungs, and its deficiency is associated with progressive ultimately fatal emphysema. Currently in the US, only plasma-derived human alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor is available for augmentation therapy, which appears to be insufficient to meet the anticipated clinical demand. Moreover, despite effective viral clearance steps in the manufacturing process, the potential risk of contamination with new and unknown pathogens still exists. In response, multiple efforts to develop recombinant versions of human alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, as an alternative to the plasma-derived protein, have been reported. Over the last two decades, various systems have been used to express the human gene for alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor. This paper reviews the recombinant versions of human alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor produced in various hosts, considers current major safety and efficacy issues regarding recombinant glycoproteins as potential therapeutics, and the factors that are impeding progress in this area(1).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Karnaukhova
- Division of Hematology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|