Search results for "42"
showing 10 items of 3911 documents
Determinants of influenza vaccination among solid organ transplant recipients attending Sicilian reference center
2016
Among solid organ transplant recipients, influenza infection is commonly associated with higher morbidity and mortality than immunocompetent hosts. Therefore, in these subjects influenza vaccination is of paramount importance. The main objective of the study was to assess compliance to vaccination and analyze factors associated with influenza vaccination of solid organ transplant recipients admitted to the Sicilian solid organ transplant Reference Center IRCCS-ISMETT in Palermo during 2014–2015 influenza season. Thirty one (37.8%) out of 82 solid organ transplant recipients were vaccinated against influenza. The main reason for vaccination refusal was fear of adverse reaction (n = 16, 31.4%…
Does higher education protect against obesity? Evidence using Mendelian randomization
2017
Objectives. The aim of this explorative study was to examine the effect of education on obesity using Mendelian randomization. Methods. Participants (N = 2011) were from the on- going nationally representative Young Finns Study (YFS) that began in 1980 when six cohorts (aged 30, 33, 36, 39, 42 and 45 in 2007) were recruited. The average value of BMI (kg/m(2)) measurements in 2007 and 2011 and genetic information were linked to comprehensive register based information on the years of education in 2007. We first used a linear regression (Ordinary Least Squares, OLS) to estimate the relationship between education and BMI. To identify a causal relationship, we exploited Mendelian randomization …
Chromosome 15q BP3 to BP5 deletion is a likely locus for speech delay and language impairment: Report on a four‐member family and an unrelated boy
2020
Abstract Background Deletions in chromosome 15q13 have been reported both in healthy people and individuals with a wide range of behavioral and neuropsychiatric disturbances. Six main breakpoint (BP) subregions (BP1‐BP6) are mapped to the 15q13 region and three further embedded BP regions (BP3‐BP5). The deletion at BP4‐BP5 is the rearrangement most frequently observed compared to other known deletions in BP3‐BP5 and BP3‐BP4 regions. Deletions of each of these three regions have previously been implicated in a variable range of clinical phenotypes, including minor dysmorphism, developmental delay/intellectual disability, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders, behavioral disturbances, and speec…
Age-related variation in mobility independence among wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: A cross-sectional study
2016
To evaluate age-related variation in mobility independence among community-living wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI).Community Survey (2011-2013) as part of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study.Community.Individuals aged 16 years or older with traumatic or non-traumatic SCI permanently residing in Switzerland and using a wheelchair for moving around moderate distances (10-100 m).Not applicable.Mobility-related items of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure-Self Report were matched to the three principal domains "changing basic body position," "transferring oneself" and "moving around." Binary outcomes ("independence" vs. "no independence") were created for every domain and a…
Determinants of prescription opioid use: population‐based evidence from Finland
2019
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Previous studies have shown that prescription opioid use is more common in socio-economically disadvantaged communities in the United States. This study examined the area and individual-level determinants of prescription opioid use in Finland during the period 1995-2016. DESIGN Logistic regression analysis using nation-wide data on filled opioid-related prescriptions dispensed at Finnish pharmacies and covered by National Health Insurance. Opioid consumption was linked, using personal identification codes, to population-based data maintained by Statistics Finland, which records individual background and area-level characteristics. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Working-age pop…
Devil in disguise : does drinking lead to a disability pension?
2016
Abstract Objectives To examine whether alcohol consumption in adulthood is related to the incidence of receiving a disability pension later in life. Methods Twin data for Finnish men and women born before 1958 were matched to register-based individual information on disability pensions. Twin differences were used to eliminate both shared environmental and genetic factors. The quantity of alcohol consumption was measured as the weekly average consumption using self-reported data from three surveys (1975, 1981 and 1990). The disability pension data were evaluated from 1990–2004. Results The models that account for shared environmental and genetic factors reveal that heavy drinkers are signifi…
Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFRs) travelers and imported malaria in the Palermo district (Sicily).
2014
Abstract Introduction. Although Italy has been malaria-free since 1970, the infection is commonly introduced into the country by travelers and immigrants from endemic areas. The term VFRs refers to immigrants from malaria-endemic countries who are regularly resident in a malaria-free area, and who travel to their countries of origin to visit friends and relatives (VFRs). This group is at special risk of malaria as they are unaware of having lost their transitory immunity to the disease. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study at the International Travelers Department of Palermo (Italy), examining records of malaria cases (67) reported over the period from 1998 to 2013. Results. VFRs rep…
Influential Periods in Longitudinal Clinical Cardiovascular Health Scores
2021
Abstract The prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) among adults in the United States is low and decreases with age. Our objective was to identify specific age windows when the loss of CVH accelerates, to ascertain preventive opportunities for intervention. Data were pooled from 5 longitudinal cohorts (Project Heartbeat!, Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, The Bogalusa Heart Study, Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults, Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project) from the United States and Finland from 1973 to 2012. Individuals with clinical CVH factors (i.e., body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose) measured from ages 8 to 55 year…
Socioeconomic inequalities in the impact of tobacco control policies on adolescent smoking. A multilevel study in 29 European countries
2016
Abstract Introduction There are concerns that tobacco control policies may be less effective in reducing smoking among disadvantaged socioeconomic groups and thus may contribute to inequalities in adolescent smoking. This study examines how the association between tobacco control policies and smoking of 15-year-old boys and girls among 29 European countries varies according to socioeconomic group. Methods Data were used from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted in 2005/2006 comprising 50,338 adolescents aged 15 years from 29 European countries. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association of weekly smoking with components of…
Distinct single-component adjuvants steer human DC-mediated T-cell polarization via Toll-like receptor signaling toward a potent antiviral immune res…
2021
Significance Vaccines profit from the addition of adjuvants to better and more specifically initiate, amplify, and shape immune responses. Although the number of adjuvant candidates has steadily increased, peaking in the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, little is known about their inherent mode of action. Using human blood immune cells, we established a multilayer method to systematically assess the adjuvants’ effects on innate and adaptive immune cells. By employing a multiplex analysis with cells from 30 different donors, we determined important patterns of adjuvant function. Moreover, we demonstrate correlates of an antiviral immune response using a Toll-like receptor 7/8 ligand adjuvant and…