bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Sustainable Consumption Matter? The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medication Use in Brasov, Romania
Authors: Coman Ecaterina , Coman Claudiu , Repanovici Angela , Baritz Mihaela , Kovacs Attila , Tomozeiu Ana Maria , Barbu Silviu , Toderici Ovidiu
Published: July 2022

Sustainable consumption refers to the choice, purchase, use, and disposal of goods so as to enable all people to meet their present and future objective needs. However, panic caused by the gradual onset of the pandemic had a considerable impact on the behavior of consumption and purchase of medication, and the question remains whether sustainable consumption still matters during a crisis or not. The present study aims to analyze whether the pandemic has influenced the behavior of medication use among residents of Brasov County amid panic caused by the virus and to determine the primary sources of information on methods of the prevention and treatment of health conditions. The study focusses on the differences between the two target groups, young people, and adults, considering three socio-demographic factors, such as age, gender, and background. The present research uses two methods of data collection: an interview with 5 doctors and a questionnaire with 543 respondents. This research draws attention to the fact that the behaviors of purchasing and consuming medication during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed due to the spreading of the new virus and the state of emergency, as well as with medication use becoming less sustainable. The results showed that adults were more engaged in the panic buying of medication compared to young people during the pandemic; however, in normal times, young people use more medication. Our study shows that females tend to consume more medicines than males. Moreover, they are more susceptible for seeking media guidance and following advice from the digital realm, because they avoid going to the doctor, especially during the COVID-19 period. Depending on the environment of residence, it was found that people in rural areas generally tend to consume more medication than those in urban areas. However, during the pandemic, the drug use of this category of population has decreased because they do not tend to self-medicate and avoid visiting the doctor because of the fear of becoming contaminated. The results of the research could help to establish measures in order to prevent the panic buying of self-medication and pharmaceuticals, both during pandemics and in normal times, because such behaviors can have negative effects on both health and the environment.
Promoting Corporate Extraterritorial Sustainable Responsibility through the Lens of Social Licence to Operate
Authors: Zhao Jingchen , Lu Xiaoming , Lin Wangwei
Published: July 2022

Mandatory corporate extraterritorial responsibilities to promote environmental, social and human rights awareness and recordkeeping have been criticised as green-washing, despite the progressive intent of such attempts. This article conducts an in-depth investigation of extraterritorial responsibility through the lens of the social licence to operate (SLO), using a hybrid methodology involving doctrinal, conceptual, black letter, interdisciplinary and socio-legal sources. We aim to give an overview of decided cases referred to the Supreme Court by the Court of Appeal, in the hope of offering academic groundwork for legalising corporate extraterritorial responsibility in the context of global value chains with the participation of multinational enterprises and various stakeholders, including those in very vulnerable positions in developing or the least developed countries. Previous research on the notion of the SLO has tended to focus on one particular industry, based on the assumption that an SLO is more relevant in corporate social responsibility (CSR)-sensitive sectors. This article will change the focus and aim to answer the question of whether building and maintaining SLOs can help companies to acquire the social legitimacy to fulfil extraterritorial social responsibility. We link the goals, ideals and breadth of SLOs to those of extraterritorial responsibility in order to provide supplementary support for legislators to achieve better compliance and risk management. We conclude that the benefits of seeking an SLO are that they can help to inform progressive extraterritorial legislative attempts, promote board accountability, and mitigate environmental and social risks.
Machine Learning for Determining Interactions between Air Pollutants and Environmental Parameters in Three Cities of Iran
Authors: Rad Abdullah Kaviani , Shamshiri Redmond R. , Naghipour Armin , Razmi Seraj-Odeen , Shariati Mohsen , Golkar Foroogh , Balasundram Siva K.
Published: July 2022

Air pollution, as one of the most significant environmental challenges, has adversely affected the global economy, human health, and ecosystems. Consequently, comprehensive research is being conducted to provide solutions to air quality management. Recently, it has been demonstrated that environmental parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, air pressure, and vegetation, interact with air pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM), NO2, SO2, O3, and CO, contributing to frameworks for forecasting air quality. The objective of the present study is to explore these interactions in three Iranian metropolises of Tehran, Tabriz, and Shiraz from 2015 to 2019 and develop a machine learning-based model to predict daily air pollution. Three distinct assessment criteria were used to assess the proposed XGBoost model, including R squared (R2), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). Preliminary results showed that although air pollutants were significantly associated with meteorological factors and vegetation, the formulated model had low accuracy in predicting (R2PM2.5 = 0.36, R2PM10 = 0.27, R2NO2 = 0.46, R2SO2 = 0.41, R2O3 = 0.52, and R2CO = 0.38). Accordingly, future studies should consider more variables, including emission data from manufactories and traffic, as well as sunlight and wind direction. It is also suggested that strategies be applied to minimize the lack of observational data by considering second-and third-order interactions between parameters, increasing the number of simultaneous air pollution and meteorological monitoring stations, as well as hybrid machine learning models based on proximal and satellite data.
The Role of Sustainable Entrepreneurship in UN Sustainable Development Goals: The Case of TED Talks
Authors: Akkuş Yasin , Çalıyurt Kıymet
Published: July 2022

It can be seen that entrepreneurship has undergone many changes since the time it was defined and many types have been introduced over time as well. A relatively new type is sustainable entrepreneurship, which seeks to function in a way that can be passed down through the generations without endangering nature’s responsiveness. Sustainable entrepreneurs sometimes perform their activities in a way that emphasizes the social aspect, and sometimes in a way that highlights the economic aspect. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) announced by the United Nations in 2015 are expected to correspond to the activities of sustainable entrepreneurs. In order to identify this correspondence, we performed qualitative content analysis of presentations on entrepreneurship in TED Talks. As a result of the analysis, the social and economic aspects of sustainable entrepreneurs were evaluated separately with the SDGs, and strong correlations were determined in some instances. These correlations are expected to provide insight in terms of identifying the topics that sustainable entrepreneurs focus on.
Study on the Coupling Relationship between Relocation for Poverty Alleviation and Spatiotemporal Evolution of Rocky Desertification in Karst Areas of Southwest China
Authors: Wu Xiaopiao , Zhou Zhongfa , Zhu Meng , Huang Denghong , Zhu Changli , Feng Qing , Luo Wanlin
Published: July 2022

The implementation of China’s ex situ poverty alleviation and relocation project has alleviated the further deterioration of the ecological environment in the relocation area. It can create favorable conditions for the management of ecological problems such as the natural restoration of rocky desertification and soil erosion. Panzhou City, Guizhou Province, is one of the key areas for the implementation of ex situ poverty alleviation and relocation projects in the 13th Five-Year Plan for China’s National Economic and Social Development. The typical ecological problem of karst rocky desertification is an important factor hindering the sustainable development of local society, economy, and ecology. Based on the five-phase remote sensing images and relocated population data, the dynamic change rate, transition matrix, and coupling coordination degree model are utilized to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in rocky desertification in Panzhou City. Meanwhile, the cellular automata (CA) Markov model is used to simulate its future scenarios of rocky desertification. The results show that (i) over the past 20 years, the vegetation coverage in Panzhou has generally increased. The implementation of the ex situ poverty alleviation and relocation project has significantly promoted the reduction of the area and degree of rocky desertification. After relocation (2015–2020), the positive improvement rate of rocky desertification accelerated. (ii) After relocation, the potential rocky desertification (PRD), light rocky desertification (LRD), medium rocky desertification (MRD), severe rocky desertification (SRD), and extreme severe rocky desertification (ESRD) showed a trend of transition to the no rocky desertification (NRD). The improvement effect of rocky desertification is remarkable, and the main contribution is from the PRD and LRD. (iii) The greater the relocation intensity is, the more obvious the improvement effect of the rocky desertification area is, and the higher the corresponding coupling coordination level is. The coupling coordination between LRD and relocation intensity is the highest. (iiii) The forecast results show that by 2025 and 2035, rocky desertification in Panzhou will continue to improve.
Multicriteria Approach for Supplier Selection: Evidence from a Case Study in the Fashion Industry
Authors: Caristi Giuseppe , Boffardi Raffaele , Ciliberto Cristina , Arbolino Roberta , Ioppolo Giuseppe
Published: July 2022

Worldwide manufactures are redesigning supply chains, often outsourcing with the aim of maintaining a competitive advantage and gaining market share. When selecting and purchasing fabrics, firms should actively cooperate with suppliers, to meet customers’ needs. In this view, the supplier selection process plays a key role in keeping a competitive edge in global markets. Therefore, this study proposes a multicriteria decision-making model (MCDM) to ease supplier evaluation and selection. Supply chain operation reference metrics (SCOR metrics) and fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (FTOPSIS) are combined to build a model for supplier selection. The former allows us to conduct a very thorough fact-based analysis of all features in the supply chain, while the combination of fuzzy theory and SCOR model allows us to deal with uncertainty. The main novelty of this method is that it incorporates a consolidated supply chain management criteria within the framework of fuzzy set theory and multicriteria decision-making model (MCDM) facilitating their application into practice. The proposed approach is tested by considering the case of a manufacturing firm in the fashion industry willing to designate the most appropriate supplier within a set of three potential ones.
Information Sharing in Solving an Opium Problem: Multiple-Agency Management with Integration of Online and Offline Channels
Authors: Gunawong Panom , Leerasiri Wannapa
Published: July 2022

Information-sharing projects in public administration need to pay attention to the organizational stability of the network or communities and the satisfaction of civil users. Therefore, the sustainability of processes and outcomes in resolving the multi-agency problem is necessary. This research aims to explore information sharing in the context of a multi-agency network assigned to eradicate opium cultivation and consumption in Thailand. The research found that three dimensions of management are crucial to the performance of a multi-agency network: firstly, the setting of clear goals; secondly, the balancing of benefits and adequate resources; and thirdly, constructive coordination. In addition, this network applies both online and offline channels in the information-sharing process. At the same time, these two channels have their respective strengths and weaknesses. This network can enhance efficiency and cope with any limitations by integrating both channels. This paper argues that the information-sharing strategy that supports a multi-agency network operation should be integrated between online and offline channels. Moreover, the integration of information-sharing methods is key to the success of a digital government taskforce in providing an efficient network for a long-term problem-solving structure.
Can Blockchain Be a Basis to Ensure Transparency in an Agricultural Supply Chain?
Authors: Kraft Sarah Katharina , Kellner Florian
Published: July 2022

Many supply chains within developing countries lack transparency and are fraught with fraud, corruption, and a substantial number of intermediaries. For several decades, the cocoa sector has faced multiple social, economic, and environmental challenges, some of which include the issue of child labor and very low incomes for farmers, leading to poor living conditions. Blockchain technology has a high potential to reduce—or completely eradicate—some of these hurdles. In this article, we present a blockchain-based solution based on the open-source framework Hyperledger Fabric for the cocoa supply chain to promote transparency and reduce fraud. In doing so, we explicitly describe how farmers can be directly integrated into the whole blockchain solution considering the limited infrastructure, knowledge, and technologies available to them. Since about 70% of all cocoa worldwide is produced in West Africa, this case study uses the cocoa sector in Ghana as an example.
Beam Asymmetry, Divergence and Energy Spread Effects on the Radiation from Planar Undulators
Authors: Zhukovsky Konstantin , Fedorov Igor
Published: July 2022

The theoretical study of the effect of electron beam parameters, in particular, the emittance and its asymmetry on the radiation from relativistic electrons in undulators is conducted both analytically and numerically. The reasons for the odd and even harmonic generation and radiation are explored. The difference in the underlying physical reasons for the spontaneous and stimulated radiation of harmonics in free electron lasers (FELs) is elucidated. The generalized forms of the special functions of the Bessel and Airy type are employed to account analytically for the off-axis and angular effects together with the effect of the beam energy spread. A comparative analysis of the radiation spectra for undulators with different beams is performed. The examples of the radiation at SPARC and LEUTL are given. The effect of the asymmetry of the beam on the radiation properties is analyzed. The alternative theoretical approaches of other authors are also employed for the analytical calculation of the harmonic powers in FELs. The results are compared with existing experimental data.
Special Issue: Advances in Spin Physics
Authors: Troshin Sergey Mikhailovich
Published: July 2022

The notion of spin entered physics about one hundred years ago when Uhlenbeck and Goudsmit introduced the internal degree of freedom for the electron- spin as a real physical characteristics instead of the so called non-mechanical strength used at first by Pauli under formulation of his famous principle [...]
Climate Change and Effects on Molds and Mycotoxins
Authors: Zingales Veronica , Taroncher Mercedes , Martino Piera Anna , Ruiz María-José , Caloni Francesca
Published: July 2022

Earth’s climate is undergoing adverse global changes as an unequivocal result of anthropogenic activity. The occurring environmental changes are slowly shaping the balance between plant growth and related fungal diseases. Climate (temperature, available water, and light quality/quantity; as well as extreme drought, desertification, and fluctuations of humid/dry cycles) represents the most important agroecosystem factor influencing the life cycle stages of fungi and their ability to colonize crops, survive, and produce toxins. The ability of mycotoxigenic fungi to respond to Climate Change (CC) may induce a shift in their geographical distribution and in the pattern of mycotoxin occurrence. The present review examines the available evidence on the impact of CC factors on growth and mycotoxin production by the key mycotoxigenic fungi belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium, which include several species producing mycotoxins of the greatest concern worldwide: aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxins, and fumonisins (FUMs).
Identification and Functional Characterisation of Two Oat UDP-Glucosyltransferases Involved in Deoxynivalenol Detoxification
Authors: Khairullina Alfia , Tsardakas Renhuldt Nikos , Wiesenberger Gerlinde , Bentzer Johan , Collinge David B. , Adam Gerhard , Bülow Leif
Published: July 2022

Oat is susceptible to several Fusarium species that cause contamination with different trichothecene mycotoxins. The molecular mechanisms behind Fusarium resistance in oat have yet to be elucidated. In the present work, we identified and characterised two oat UDP-glucosyltransferases orthologous to barley HvUGT13248. Overexpression of the latter in wheat had been shown previously to increase resistance to deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) and to decrease disease the severity of both Fusarium head blight and Fusarium crown rot. Both oat genes are highly inducible by the application of DON and during infection with Fusarium graminearum. Heterologous expression of these genes in a toxin-sensitive strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae conferred high levels of resistance to DON, NIV and HT-2 toxins, but not C4-acetylated trichothecenes (T-2, diacetoxyscirpenol). Recombinant enzymes AsUGT1 and AsUGT2 expressed in Escherichia coli rapidly lost activity upon purification, but the treatment of whole cells with the toxin clearly demonstrated the ability to convert DON into DON-3-O-glucoside. The two UGTs could therefore play an important role in counteracting the Fusarium virulence factor DON in oat.
Slow Neutron-Capture Process: Low-Mass Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars and Presolar Silicon Carbide Grains
Authors: Liu Nan , Cristallo Sergio , Vescovi Diego
Published: July 2022

Presolar grains are microscopic dust grains that formed in the stellar winds or explosions of ancient stars that died before the formation of the solar system. The majority (~90% in number) of presolar silicon carbide (SiC) grains, including types mainstream (MS), Y, and Z, came from low-mass C-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, which is supported by the ubiquitous presence of SiC dust observed in the circumstellar envelope of AGB stars and the signatures of slow neutron-capture process preserved in these grains. Here, we review the status of isotope studies of presolar AGB SiC grains with an emphasis on heavy element isotopes and highlight the importance of presolar grain studies for nuclear astrophysics. We discuss the sensitives of different types of nuclei to varying AGB stellar parameters and how their abundances in presolar AGB SiC grains can be used to provide independent, detailed constraints on stellar parameters, including 13C formation, stellar temperature, and nuclear reaction rates.
HPLC-Based Purification and Isolation of Potent Anti-HIV and Latency Reversing Daphnane Diterpenes from the Medicinal Plant Gnidia sericocephala (Thymelaeaceae)
Authors: Tembeni Babalwa , Sciorillo Amanda , Invernizzi Luke , Klimkait Thomas , Urda Lorena , Moyo Phanankosi , Naidoo-Maharaj Dashnie , Levitties Nathan , Gyampoh Kwasi , Zu Guorui , Yuan Zhe , Mounzer Karam , Nkabinde Siphathimandla , Nkabinde Magugu , Gqaleni Nceba , Tietjen Ian , Montaner Luis J. , Maharaj Vinesh
Published: July 2022

Despite the success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV persists in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) due to emerging drug resistance and insufficient drug accessibility. Furthermore, cART does not target latently-infected CD4+ T cells, which represent a major barrier to HIV eradication. The “shock and kill” therapeutic approach aims to reactivate provirus expression in latently-infected cells in the presence of cART and target virus-expressing cells for elimination. An attractive therapeutic prototype in LMICs would therefore be capable of simultaneously inhibiting viral replication and inducing latency reversal. Here we report that Gnidia sericocephala, which is used by traditional health practitioners in South Africa for HIV/AIDS management to supplement cART, contains at least four daphnane-type compounds (yuanhuacine A (1), yuanhuacine as part of a mixture (2), yuanhuajine (3), and gniditrin (4)) that inhibit viral replication and/or reverse HIV latency. For example, 1 and 2 inhibit HIV replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by >80% at 0.08 µg/mL, while 1 further inhibits a subtype C virus in PBMC with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 0.03 µM without cytotoxicity. Both 1 and 2 also reverse HIV latency in vitro consistent with protein kinase C activation but at 16.7-fold lower concentrations than the control prostratin. Both 1 and 2 also reverse latency in primary CD4+ T cells from cART-suppressed donors with HIV similar to prostratin but at 6.7-fold lower concentrations. These results highlight G. sericocephala and components 1 and 2 as anti-HIV agents for improving cART efficacy and supporting HIV cure efforts in resource-limited regions.
Diversity of SIRV-like Viruses from a North American Population
Authors: Fackler Joseph R. , Dworjan Michael , Gazi Khaled S. , Grogan Dennis W.
Published: July 2022

A small subset of acidic hot springs sampled in Yellowstone National Park yielded rod-shaped viruses which lysed liquid host cultures and formed clear plaques on lawns of host cells. Three isolates chosen for detailed analysis were found to be genetically related to previously described isolates of the Sulfolobus islandicus rod-shaped virus (SIRV), but distinct from them and from each other. Functional stability of the new isolates was assessed in a series of inactivation experiments. UV-C radiation inactivated one of the isolates somewhat faster than bacteriophage λ, suggesting that encapsidation in the SIRV-like virion did not confer unusual protection of the DNA from UV damage. With respect to high temperature, the new isolates were extremely, but not equally, stable. Several chemical treatments were found to inactivate the virions and, in some cases, to reveal apparent differences in virion stability among the isolates. Screening a larger set of isolates identified greater variation of these stability properties but found few correlations among the resulting profiles. The majority of host cells infected by the new isolates were killed, but survivors exhibited heritable resistance, which could not be attributed to CRISPR spacer acquisition or the loss of the pilus-related genes identified by earlier studies. Virus-resistant host variants arose at high frequency and most were resistant to multiple viral strains; conversely, resistant host clones generated virus-sensitive variants, also at high frequency. Virus-resistant cells lacked the ability of virus-sensitive cells to bind virions in liquid suspensions. Rapid interconversion of sensitive and resistant forms of a host strain suggests the operation of a yet-unidentified mechanism that acts to allow both the lytic virus and its host to propagate in highly localized natural populations, whereas variation of virion-stability phenotypes among the new viral isolates suggests that multiple molecular features contribute to the biological durability of these viruses.
PIWI Proteins Play an Antiviral Role in Lepidopteran Cell Lines
Authors: Santos Dulce , Verdonckt Thomas-Wolf , Mingels Lina , Van den Brande Stijn , Geens Bart , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip , Kolliopoulou Anna , Swevers Luc , Wynant Niels , Vanden Broeck Jozef
Published: July 2022

Insect antiviral immunity primarily relies on RNAi mechanisms. While a key role of small interfering (si)RNAs and AGO proteins has been well established in this regard, the situation for PIWI proteins and PIWI-interacting (pi)RNAs is not as clear. In the present study, we investigate whether PIWI proteins and viral piRNAs are involved in the immunity against single-stranded RNA viruses in lepidopteran cells, where two PIWIs are identified (Siwi and Ago3). Via loss- and gain-of-function studies in Bombyx mori BmN4 cells and in Trichoplusia ni High Five cells, we demonstrated an antiviral role of Siwi and Ago3. However, small RNA analysis suggests that viral piRNAs can be absent in these lepidopteran cells. Together with the current literature, our results support a functional diversification of PIWI proteins in insects.
Variant of Concern-Matched COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Usage in Seronegative Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Franchini Massimo , Focosi Daniele , Percivalle Elena , Beccaria Massimiliano , Garuti Martina , Arar Omar , Pecoriello Antonietta , Spreafico Fabio , Greco Graziana , Bertacco Stefano , Ghirardini Marco , Santini Tiziana , Schiavulli Michele , Stefania Muzzica , Gagliardo Thaililja , Sammartino Josè Camilla , Ferrari Alessandro , Zani Matteo , Ballotari Alessia , Glingani Claudia , Baldanti Fausto
Published: July 2022

COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) has been the only specific anti-viral therapy against SARS-CoV-2 available for more than one year. Following the negative results from most randomized controlled trials on its efficacy in COVID-19 hospitalized patients and the availability of anti-spike monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), the use of CCP has subsequently rapidly faded. However, the continuous appearance of new variants of concern (VOCs), most of which escape mAbs and vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies (nAbs), has renewed the interest towards CCP, at least in seronegative immunocompetent patients, and in immunocompromised patients not able to mount a protective immune response. We report here the experience of a single Italian hospital in collecting and transfusing CCP in immunocompromised patients hospitalized for severe COVID-19 between October 2021 and March 2022. During this 6-month period, we collected CCP from 32 vaccinated and convalescent regular blood donors, and infused high nAb-titer CCP units (titered against the specific VOC affecting the recipient) to 21 hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19, all of them seronegative at the time of CCP transfusion. Patients’ median age was 66 years (IQR 50–74 years) and approximately half of them (47.6%, 10/21) were immunocompromised. Two patients were rescued after previous failure of mAbs. No adverse reactions following CCP transfusion were recorded. A 28-day mortality rate of 14.3 percent (3/21) was reported, with age, advanced disease stage and late CCP transfusion associated with a worse outcome. This real-life experience also supports the use of CCP in seronegative hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the Delta and Omicron waves.
Mutagenic Analysis of the HIV Restriction Factor Shiftless
Authors: Jäger Niklas , Ayyub Shreya Ahana , Korniy Natalia , Peske Frank , Hoffmann Markus , Rodnina Marina V. , Pöhlmann Stefan
Published: July 2022

The interferon-induced host cell protein shiftless (SFL) was reported to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by blocking the –1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (–1PRF) required for expression of the Gag-Pol polyprotein. However, it is not clear how SFL inhibits –1PRF. To address this question, we focused on a 36 amino acids comprising region (termed required for antiviral activity (RAA)) that is essential for suppression of –1PRF and HIV infection and is missing from SFL short (SFLS), a splice variant of SFL with unknown function. Here, we confirm that SFL, but not SFLS, inhibits HIV –1PRF and show that inhibition is cell-type-independent. Mutagenic and biochemical analyses demonstrated that the RAA region is required for SFL self-interactions and confirmed that it is necessary for ribosome association and binding to the HIV RNA. Analysis of SFL mutants with six consecutive amino-acids-comprising deletions in the RAA region suggests effects on binding to the HIV RNA, complete inhibition of –1PRF, inhibition of Gag-Pol expression, and antiviral activity. In contrast, these amino acids did not affect SFL expression and were partially dispensable for SFL self-interactions and binding to the ribosome. Collectively, our results support the notion that SFL binds to the ribosome and the HIV RNA in order to block –1PRF and HIV infection, and suggest that the multimerization of SFL may be functionally important.
Comparison of the Hemagglutination Inhibition Titers against Influenza Vaccine Strains in Japan from the 2017/2018 to 2021/2022 Seasons Using a Single Set of Serum Samples
Authors: Otani Naruhito , Nakajima Kazuhiko , Ishikawa Kaori , Ichiki Kaoru , Yoda Yoshiko , Ueda Takashi , Takesue Yoshio , Yamamoto Takuma , Tanimura Susumu , Shima Masayuki , Okuno Toshiomi
Published: July 2022

In Japan, inactivated influenza vaccines are used. We measured titers of antibodies to vaccine strains of three influenza types—influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and influenza B/Victoria—from the 2017/2018 to 2021/2022 seasons, but not for influenza A (H3N2) from the 2018/2019 season, using a single set of serum samples from 34 healthy volunteers, and assessed the consistency in antibody positivity between seasons. The antibody titers in the 2017/2018 season were used as a reference. The influenza A (H1N1) antibody titer in 2019/2020 did not differ significantly from that in the 2017/2018 season, but the titers varied in the two subsequent seasons. The influenza A (H3N2) antibody titers toward the 2019/2020, 2020/2021, and 2021/2022 seasonal viruses differed significantly from that in the 2017/2018 season. The influenza B/Victoria antibody titer toward the 2019/2020 seasonal antigen differed from that in the 2017/2018 season, and the antibody positivity was inconsistent between seasons; however, the antibody titer in the 2020/2021 season did not differ significantly from those in the prior two seasons, and the antibody positivity was consistent between seasons. Antibody titers and their consistency can be used to evaluate cross-immunity of antibodies.
Assessing COVID-19 Booster Hesitancy and Its Correlates: An Early Evidence from India
Authors: Achrekar Geetanjali C. , Batra Kavita , Urankar Yashashri , Batra Ravi , Iqbal Naved , Choudhury Sabiha A. , Hooda Deepti , Khan Roohi , Arora Suraj , Singh Aditi , Chirico Francesco , Sharma Manoj
Published: July 2022

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutants, waning immunity, and breakthrough infections prompted the use of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to fight against the pandemic. India started booster doses in January 2022 and it is critical to determine the intention of booster dose uptake and its correlates. Therefore, the current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate booster dose acceptability and associated predictors among the Indian population. A convenience sampling technique was utilized to recruit a sample of 687 Indian residents. A 55-item psychometric validated survey tool was used to assess booster dose acceptability, vaccine literacy and vaccine confidence. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Over 50% of participants reported their willingness to take the booster dose. Among the group not willing to take the booster dose (n = 303, 44.1%), a significantly larger proportion of respondents were unvaccinated with the primary series (12.2% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.001), had an annual income below 2.96 lacs/annum (52.8% vs. 33.1, p < 0.001), were residents of rural areas (38.0% vs. 23.2%, p < 0.001), were not living with vulnerable individuals (78.5% vs. 65.2%, p < 0.001) and did not have family/friends who had tested positive for COVID-19 (54.6% vs. 35.1%, p = 0.001). Demographic, vaccine variables and multi-theory model subscales to predict the initiation of booster dose among hesitant participants were statistically significant, R2 = 0.561, F (26, 244) = 11.978, p < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.514. Findings of this study highlight the need to develop evidence-based interventions to promote vaccine uptake, particularly among hard-to-reach communities living in developing countries.
Percentage of Asymptomatic Infections among SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant-Positive Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shang Weijing , Kang Liangyu , Cao Guiying , Wang Yaping , Gao Peng , Liu Jue , Liu Min
Published: July 2022

Background: Asymptomatic infections are potential sources of transmission for coronavirus disease 2019, especially during the epidemic of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. We aimed to assess the percentage of asymptomatic infections among SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant-positive individuals detected by gene sequencing or specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science from 26 November 2021 to 13 April 2022. This meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022327894). Three researchers independently extracted data and two researchers assessed quality using pre-specified criteria. The pooled percentage with 95% confidence interval (CI) of asymptomatic infections of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron was estimated using random-effects models. Results: Our meta-analysis included eight eligible studies, covering 7640 Omicron variant-positive individuals with 2190 asymptomatic infections. The pooled percentage of asymptomatic infections was 32.40% (95% CI: 25.30–39.51%) among SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant-positive individuals, which was higher in the population in developing countries (38.93%; 95% CI: 19.75–58.11%), with vaccine coverage ≥ 80% (35.93%; 95% CI: 25.36–46.51%), with a travel history (40.05%; 95% CI: 7.59–72.51%), community infection (37.97%; 95% CI: 10.07–65.87%), and with a median age < 20 years (43.75%; 95% CI: 38.45–49.05%). Conclusion: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the pooled percentage of asymptomatic infections was 32.40% among SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant-positive individuals. The people who were vaccinated, young (median age < 20 years), had a travel history, and were infected outside of a clinical setting (community infection) had higher percentages of asymptomatic infections. Screening is required to prevent clustered epidemics or sustained community transmission caused by asymptomatic infections of Omicron variants, especially for countries and regions that have successfully controlled SARS-CoV-2.
Correlates of Zero-Dose Vaccination Status among Children Aged 12–59 Months in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Multilevel Analysis of Individual and Contextual Factors
Authors: Ozigbu Chamberline E. , Olatosi Bankole , Li Zhenlong , Hardin James W. , Hair Nicole L.
Published: July 2022

Despite ongoing efforts to improve childhood vaccination coverage, including in hard-to-reach and hard-to-vaccinate communities, many children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remain unvaccinated. Considering recent goals set by the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), including reducing the number of zero-dose children by half, research that goes beyond coverage to identify populations and groups at greater risk of being unvaccinated is urgently needed. This is a pooled cross-sectional study of individual- and country-level data obtained from Demographic and Health Surveys Program and two open data repositories. The sample includes 43,131 children aged 12–59 months sampled between 2010 and 2020 in 33 SSA countries. Associations of zero-dose status with individual and contextual factors were assessed using multilevel logistic regression. 16.5% of children had not received any vaccines. Individual level factors associated lower odds of zero-dose status included mother’s primary school or high school education, employment, use of antenatal care services and household wealth. Compared to children in countries with lower GDP, children in countries with relatively high GDP had nearly four times greater odds of being unvaccinated. Both individual and contextual factors are correlated with zero-dose status in SSA. Our results can inform efforts to identify and reach children who have not received any vaccines.
Factors Influencing Men’s Attitudes toward HPV Vaccination in Males Included in the Chinese National Immunization Program
Authors: Tao Yi , Shao Huarui , Zhang Ting , Pu Junliang , Tang Chengyong
Published: July 2022

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease, and it is associated with anogenital warts and oropharyngeal and anogenital cancers. Among female malignant tumors in China, the incidence of cervical cancer ranks second, with only breast cancer being more prevalent. HPV infection and related diseases affects both women and men. HPV vaccination is an optimal prevention strategy in preventing HPV infection and related diseases. The inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunization program is an effective way to increase immunization coverage, reduce the burden of HPV related diseases, and increase national life expectancy. Objective: This study aimed to explore the factors influencing the attitudes of Chinese men toward the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in males included in the national immunization program, thus providing reference for launching the national immunization program policy. Methods: We invited men aged 20 to 45 to participate in an online survey. The participants were requested to complete a questionnaire, including sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavior characteristics, knowledge of HPV and the HPV vaccine, and attitudes toward the HPV vaccine. A logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the influencing factors of attitudes. Results: A total of 660 males in China participated in this survey, and 80.45% supported the inclusion of HPV vaccines in national immunization programs. Participants earning CNY 100,000–200,000 (dds ratio (OR): 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39–1.00) or ≥200,000 (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17–0.68) were more likely to disapprove this strategy. Compared with people without a history of HPV infection, those with a history of HPV infection (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.17–2.90) were more likely to approve. Men who had better knowledge of HPV were more likely to approve than men with less knowledge about HPV (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.17–1.79). Compared with participants who did not know when the HPV vaccine should be given, those who knew that the ideal time of vaccination is before an individual becomes sexually active (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.04–2.95) were more likely to approve. Conclusion: One in five men did not support the inclusion of HPV vaccines in national immunization programs, and they are likely to be from higher socioeconomic background and have poor knowledge of HPV. In order to implement comprehensive immunity, targeted actions need to be taken at national and public levels. In addition, when implementing measures, more attention needs to be paid to lower income men, men without a history of HPV infection and with poor knowledge of HPV, as well as young men.
Pilot Study of Evaluating Attitudes toward Childhood Immunization among Healthcare Workers in Japan
Authors: Saitoh Aya , Shobugawa Yugo , Sato Isamu , Yonekura Yuki , Kawabata Ai , Saitoh Akihiko , Saito Reiko
Published: July 2022

Providing appropriate immunization information during the perinatal period is important for improving immunization rates among infants and children; however, the distribution of immunization information by healthcare workers (HCWs) is not standardized in Japan. We investigated HCWs’ attitudes toward childhood immunization and factors related to vaccine hesitancy. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive survey of HCWs involved in childhood immunization in Niigata City, Japan, from November 2017 to January 2018. We assessed contextual, individual and group, and vaccine/vaccination-specific influences. Of 290 HCWs, 139 (47.9%) returned completed questionnaires. Most HCWs (87/139, 64.9%) reported providing immunization information verbally to parents; 51/87 (58.6%) spent fewer than five minutes doing so. Pediatricians provided vaccines based on the parents’ best interest, whereas public health nurses and midwives emphasized government policy. Nurses had greater hesitancy related to personal perceptions and social/peer factors than pediatricians (p < 0.001). Nurses were significantly more likely than pediatricians to suggest that children receive more shots than necessary (p < 0.01). Nurses tended to have more negative attitudes toward vaccination and little awareness of immunization promotion compared to pediatricians. Thus, all HCWs involved in childhood immunization should receive sufficient information to provide timely and appropriate immunization to infants and children.
Short-Term Side Effects and SARS-CoV-2 Infection after COVID-19 Pfizer–BioNTech Vaccine in Children Aged 5–11 Years: An Italian Real-World Study
Authors: Capponi Martina , Pulvirenti Federica , Cinicola Bianca Laura , Brindisi Giulia , Conti Maria Giulia , Colaiocco Giovanni , de Castro Giovanna , Guido Cristiana Alessia , Duse Marzia , Midulla Fabio , Zicari Anna Maria , Spalice Alberto
Published: July 2022

Vaccination against COVID-19 is the most effective tool to protect both the individual and the community from this potentially life-threatening infectious disease. Data from phase-3 trials showed that two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine were safe, immunogenic, and effective against COVID-19 in children aged 5–11 years. However, no surveys in real-life settings have been carried out in this age range. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the short-term adverse reactions (ARs) and the rate of protection against infection of the BNT162b2 vaccine in children aged 5–11 years by the compilation of two surveillance questionnaires conceived using Google Forms. Five-hundred and ninety one children were included in the analysis. ARs were reported by 68.9% of the children, being mainly local. The incidence of systemic ARs, especially fever, was higher after the second dose. The incidence of infection after completing the immunization accounted for 13.6% of the children. COVID-19 symptoms reported were mild, with the exception of one case of pneumonia. Only 40% of infected participants needed to take medication to relieve symptoms, mostly paracetamol and NSAIDs, and none reported persistent symptoms. The Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine in children aged 5–11 years is safe and well tolerated. The mild clinical course of COVID-19 in immunized children confirmed the favorable risk–benefit ratio, encouraging parents to immunize their children.
Students as Community Vaccinators: Implementation of A Service-Learning COVID-19 Vaccination Program
Authors: Griswold Andrew R. , Klein Julia , Dusaj Neville , Zhu Jeff , Keeler Allegra , Abramson Erika L. , Gurvitch Dana
Published: July 2022

While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused major educational disruptions, it has also catalyzed innovation in service-learning as a real-time response to pandemic-related problems. The limited number of qualified providers was primed to restrict SARS-CoV-2 vaccination efforts. Thus, New York State temporarily allowed healthcare professional trainees to vaccinate, enabling medical students to support an overwhelmed healthcare system and contribute to the public health crisis. Here, we describe a service-learning vaccination program directed towards underserved communities. A faculty-led curriculum prepared medical students to communicate with patients about COVID-19 vaccines and to administer intramuscular injections. Qualified students were deployed to public vaccination clinics located in under-served neighborhoods in collaboration with an established community partner. Throughout the program, 128 students worked at 103 local events, helping to administer 26,889 vaccine doses. Analysis of a retrospective survey administered to participants revealed the program taught fundamental clinical skills and was a transformative service-learning experience. As new virus variants emerge and nations battle recurrent waves of infection, the need for effective vaccination plans continues to grow. The program described here offers a novel framework that academic medical centers could adapt to increase vaccine access in their local community and provide students with a uniquely meaningful educational experience.
Vaccine-Induced Seroreactivity Impacts the Accuracy of HIV Testing Algorithms in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Msafiri Frank , Manjate Alice , Lindroth Sarah , Tembe Nelson , Chissumba Raquel Matavele , Cumbane Victoria , Jani Ilesh , Aboud Said , Lyamuya Eligius , Andersson Sören , Nilsson Charlotta
Published: July 2022

The detection of vaccine-induced HIV antibody responses by rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) may confound the interpretation of HIV testing results. We assessed the impact of vaccine-induced seroreactivity (VISR) on the diagnosis of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Samples collected from healthy participants of HIVIS and TaMoVac HIV vaccine trials after the final vaccination were analyzed for VISR using HIV testing algorithms used in Mozambique and Tanzania that employ two sequential RDTs. The samples were also tested for VISR using Enzygnost HIV Integral 4 ELISA and HIV western blot assays. Antibody titers to subtype C gp140 were determined using an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The frequency of VISR was 93.4% (128/137) by Enzygnost HIV Integral 4 ELISA, and 66.4% (91/137) by western blot assay (WHO interpretation). The proportion of vaccine recipients that would have been misdiagnosed as HIV-positive in Mozambique was half of that in Tanzania: 26.3% (36/137) and 54.0% (74/137), respectively, p < 0.0001. In conclusion, the HIV RDTs and algorithms assessed here will potentially misclassify a large proportion of the HIV vaccine recipients if no other test is used. Increased efforts are needed to develop differential serological or molecular tools for use at the point of care.