scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 serology in 4000 health care and administrative staff across seven sites in Lombardy, Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa Sandri ◽  
Elena Azzolini ◽  
Valter Torri ◽  
Sara Carloni ◽  
Chiara Pozzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Location ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Family Interactions ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Comparable Magnitude ◽  
Positive Population

AbstractLombardy is the Italian region most affected by COVID-19. We tested the presence of plasma anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in 3985 employees across 7 healthcare facilities in areas of Lombardy with different exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. Subjects filled a questionnaire to self-report on COVID-19 symptoms, comorbidities, smoking, regular or remote working, and the exposure to COVID-infected individuals. We show that the number of individuals exposed to the virus depended on the geographical location of the facility, ranging between 3 and 43%, consistent with the spatial variation of COVID-19 incidence in Lombardy, and correlated with family interactions. We observed a higher prevalence of females than males positive for IgG, however the level of antibodies was similar, suggesting a comparable magnitude of the anti-spike antibody response. IgG positivity among smokers was lower (7.4% vs 13.5%) although without difference in IgG plasma levels. We observed 11.9% of IgG positive asymptomatic individuals and another 23.1% with one or two symptoms. Interestingly, among the IgG positive population, 81.2% of subjects with anosmia/dysgeusia and fever were SARS-CoV-2 infected, indicating that these symptoms are strongly associated to COVID-19. In conclusion, the frequency of IgG positivity and SARS-CoV-2 infection is dependent on the geographical exposure to the virus and primarily to family rather than hospital exposure.

scholarly journals IgG serology in health care and administrative staff populations from 7 hospitals representative of different exposures to SARS-CoV-2 in Lombardy, Italy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa Sandri ◽  
Elena Azzolini ◽  
Valter Torri ◽  
Sara Carloni ◽  
Michele Tedeschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Lombardy Region ◽  
Smart Working ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Comparable Magnitude

AbstractLombardy is one of the regions in Italy most affected by COVID-19. We assessed the diffusion of the virus via testing plasma anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in 3985 employees of 7 different hospitals, located across the Lombardy region in areas with different exposure to the epidemic. Subjects filled an anamnestic questionnaire to self-report on COVID-19 symptoms, co-morbidities, smoking, regular or smart-working, and the exposure to COVID-19-infected individuals. We show that the number of individuals exposed to the virus depended on the geographical area where the hospital was located and ranged between 3 to 43% which correlated with the incidence of COVID-19 in Lombardy. There was a higher prevalence of females than males positive for IgG, however the level of antibodies was similar, suggesting a comparable magnitude of the response. We observed 10% of IgG positive asymptomatic individuals and another 20% with one or two symptoms. 81% of individuals presenting both anosmia/ageusia and fever resulted SARS-CoV-2 infected. IgG positivity correlated with family contacts.In conclusion, the frequency of IgG positivity and SARS-CoV-2 infection is dependent on the geographical exposure to the virus and to extra-hospital exposure.

Self-report of Social Modulation of Emotional Expression: The Domain Emotion Expression Profile

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Hill ◽  
Sarah Jones ◽  
Lisa Williams ◽  
Jayne Morriss
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Expression Profile ◽  
Emotional Expression ◽  
Anger Expression ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Family Interactions ◽  
Social Situations ◽  
Personality Functioning ◽  
The Status

Cross-situational emotionality is a well-established dimension of personality, however the ability to modulate emotional expression by social domain is also a key aspect of personality functioning. We describe a self-report measure, the Domain Emotional Expression Profile (DEEP), designed to assess 5 emotions and behaviours in relation to 5 social domains, and report 2 studies. Study 1 (N = 166 students) assessed construct validity based on predictions from attachment theory regarding distress expression, and explored other emotions and domains. Study 2 (N = 279 students) tested hypotheses based on findings from Study 1 and explored the status of friendship interactions. In Study 1, mean distress-expression comfort-seeking scores in family and partner interactions were substantially higher than in work and in a social (e.g. party) situation consistent with the attachment based prediction (p < .001). In exploratory analyses mean anger expression scores were similarly higher in family and partner relationships than in work and social situations. However distress expression was higher in partner than family interactions (p = .008) which was not the case for anger expression. Study 2 replicated these findings from Study 1, and indicated an intermediate position for friendships between family and partner, and work and social interactions. We report support for the construct validity of the DEEP and replicated evidence regarding the partitioning of anger expression across domains, together with new indications of friendship processes. This method of profiling emotional expression and behaviours across social contexts offers a way of characterising individual differences, including those associated with psychopathology.

Ethics from Pulpits of the Church of Norway: A Self-Report Survey of Social-Ethical Issues

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-193
Author(s):  
Svein Olaf Thorbjørnsen ◽  
Magne Supphellen
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Political Orientation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Ethical Orientations ◽  
Political Orientations ◽  
Local Parish ◽  
Weak Influence ◽  
The Church

Abstract To what extent do Norwegian ministers deal with social-ethical issues in their sermons? While we examine the frequency of such topics in this article, we primarily explore the potential determinants of their priorities in discussing these issues: their individual backgrounds, their ethical and political orientations, the local parish characteristics and the ministers’ sources of inspiration in preparing sermons. The results shows that different ethical orientations appear to be largely unrelated to the frequency of addressing social-ethical issues. Experiences in nature are the most important source of inspiration. The school at which the minister was trained has a significant impact on frequency, while political orientation has a very weak influence. Different parish characteristics—affluence and level of social challenges—and the age and marital status of the clergy do have an impact on which issues are given priority. The minister’s gender and geographical location both have no effect.

scholarly journals Merit-based recruitment boosts good governance: how do European Union agencies recruit their personnel?

2017 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-263
Author(s):  
Morten Egeberg ◽  
Åse Gornitzka ◽  
Jarle Trondal
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Recruitment Practices ◽  
Administrative Culture ◽  
The Common

Studies show that public administrations that practise merit-based recruitment of their personnel are significantly less marked by corruption than administrations that do not recruit in this manner. While we know a lot about how EU member states score with regard to the degree of merit-based recruitment within their administrations, and also how the European Commission administration performs in this respect, recruitment practices within the increasing number of European Union regulatory (decentralized) agencies seem to remain a white spot in the literature so far. In this article, we make a first step in mapping recruitment practices within the secretariats of such agencies. We also investigate if it matters whether a European Union agency is located in a country marked by a non-meritocratic administrative culture or not. The article shows that European Union agencies seem to overwhelmingly apply meritocratic instruments when hiring people, regardless of their location. Points for practitioners This article argues and shows that recruitment based on merit enhances good and non-corrupt governance. The case in point is European Union agencies. The data presented illuminate that these agencies generally apply meritocratic instruments when hiring administrative staff. The study also shows that recruitment practices are not affected by the geographical location of European Union agencies. These agencies tend to practise the common merit-based European Union standards regardless of their location since agencies are components of the European Union administration.

scholarly journals Optimal Control and Cost-effectiveness Analysis of an HPV-Chlamydia Trachomatis co-infection model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Omame ◽  
Celestine Uchenna Nnanna ◽  
Simeon Chioma Inyama
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Control ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Backward Bifurcation ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Control Analysis ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Positive Population

In this work, a co-infection model for human papillomavirus (HPV) and Chlamydia trachomatis with cost-effectiveness optimal control analysis is developed and analyzed. The disease-free equilibrium of the co-infection model is \textbf{shown not to} be globally asymptotically stable, when the associated reproduction number is less unity. It is proven that the model undergoes the phenomenon of backward bifurcation when the associated reproduction number is less than unity. It is also shown that HPV re-infection ($\varepsilon\sst{p} \neq 0$) induced the phenomenon of backward bifurcation. Numerical simulations of the optimal control model showed that: (i) focusing on HPV intervention strategy alone (HPV prevention and screening), in the absence of Chlamydia trachomatis control, leads to a positive population level impact on the total number of individuals singly infected with Chlamydia trachomatis, (ii) Concentrating on Chlamydia trachomatis intervention controls alone (Chlamydia trachomatis prevention and treatment), in the absence of HPV intervention strategies, a positive population level impact is observed on the total number of individuals singly infected with HPV. Moreover, the strategy that combines and implements HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis prevention controls is the most cost-effective of all the control strategies in combating the co-infections of HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis.

scholarly journals Occurrence of COVID-19 Symptoms During SARS-CoV-2 Infection Defines Waning of Humoral Immunity

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wu ◽  
Bo-Yun Liang ◽  
Yao-Hui Fang ◽  
Hua Wang ◽  
Xiao-Li Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Humoral Immunity ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Immunization Programs ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Asymptomatic Infections ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Specific Igg Antibodies

Approximately half of the SARS-CoV-2 infections occur without apparent symptoms, raising questions regarding long-term humoral immunity in asymptomatic individuals. Plasma levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM) against the viral spike or nucleoprotein were determined for 25,091 individuals enrolled in a surveillance program in Wuhan, China. We compared 405 asymptomatic individuals who mounted a detectable antibody response with 459 symptomatic COVID-19 patients. The well-defined duration of the SARS-CoV-2 endemic in Wuhan allowed a side-by-side comparison of antibody responses following symptomatic and asymptomatic infections without subsequent antigen re-exposure. IgM responses rapidly declined in both groups. However, both the prevalence and durability of IgG responses and neutralizing capacities correlated positively with symptoms. Regardless of sex, age, and body weight, asymptomatic individuals lost their SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies more often and rapidly than symptomatic patients did. These findings have important implications for immunity and favour immunization programs including individuals after asymptomatic infections.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in an asymptomatic population in Sergipe, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Lysandro Pinto Borges ◽  
Aline Fagundes Martins ◽  
Mônica Santos de Melo ◽  
Makson Gleydson Brito de Oliveira ◽  
José Melquiades de Rezende Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Group D

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in an asymptomatic population in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study with stratified sampling (sex and age) includeD serological immunofluorescent tests for IgM and IgG on samples from 3 046 asymptomatic individuals. Sample collection was performed in wet-markets of the 10 most populous cities of Sergipe, Brazil. Exclusion criteria included symptomatic individuals and health workers. The presence of comorbidities was registered. Results: Of the 3 046 participants, 1 577 (51.8%) were female and 1 469 (48.2%) were male; the mean age was 39.76 (SD 16.83) years old. 2 921 tests were considered valid for IgM and 2 635 for IgG. Of the valid samples, 347 (11.9% [CI 10.7%–13.1%]) tested positive for IgM and 218 (8.3% CI 7.2%–9.4%]) tested positive for IgG. Women over 40 had the highest prevalence for IgM (group C, p=0.006; group D p=0.04). The capital Aracaju displayed the highest prevalence for both antibodies; 83 (26.3% [CI 21.6%-31.6%]) tested positive for IgM and 35 (14.6% [CI 10.4%-19.7%]) for IgG. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (64/123 individuals) and diabetes (29/123). Conclusions: A high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was found among asymptomatic persons in Sergipe. Women over 40 showed the highest rates. The capital, Aracaju, displayed the highest seroprevalence. Surveys like this one are important to understand how the virus spreads and to help authorities to plan measures to control it. Repeated serologic testing are required to track the progress of the epidemic.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of COVID-19 IgM and IgG antibodies among asymptomatic individuals in Khartoum State-2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 68-70
Author(s):  
Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed ◽  
Magdi Babikir Omer ◽  
Abduwahab Abakar Fadil ◽  
Nahla Ahmed Mohammed Abdelrahman ◽  
Nassreldeen Khalid Abdelrahman Adam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals

scholarly journals The importance of the human factor during the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: the successful case of the Italian strategy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Scarpazza ◽  
Gianluca Musumeci ◽  
Andrea S. Camperio Ciani
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Human Factor ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Adaptive Strategies ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Successful Case ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Number Of Individuals

AbstractIn Italy, 311,364 cases and 35,851 deaths of people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were registered as of September 29th, 2020. To avoid the spreading of the virus, mathematical models predicting the course of infection’s spread1 become the basis to plan stringent countermeasures. We applied a published algorithm to real data up to September 27th, modeling two scenarios where predicted and real data were compared: a conservative scenario with a lockdown still ongoing and a scenario reflecting what actually happened in Italy, where the lockdown has been removed. Results revealed that the number of individuals in life-threatening condition is much lower than predicted, as well as the number of symptomatic individuals. Contrarily, the number of asymptomatic individuals is much higher than predicted. This suggest that human beings are not passive victims, but active fighters able to change the course of the infection creating adaptive strategies against the infection’s spread.

Abstract 2663: How Do Cardiologists and Cardiothoracic Surgeons Treat Asymptomatic Mitral Regurgitation in Clinical Practice? An International Survey

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M Harris ◽  
Catherine A Pastorius ◽  
Eileen M Harwood ◽  
Sue Duval ◽  
Alan T Hirsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Mitral Regurgitation ◽  
Practice Patterns ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Regurgitant Orifice Area ◽  
Cardiac Surgeons

Background: Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) is known to be associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Thus, consensus-derived, evidence-based practice standards (e.g., ACC/AHA Guidelines for Management of Valvular Heart Disease) have been published. Yet, no data exist to describe whether physicians follow such standards in clinical practice for asymptomatic pts with MR. Methods: A random sample of cardiovascular specialists were surveyed by email and asked to complete 26 items that encompassed MR-related practice patterns. Results: 1035 physicians completed the survey (68% response rate) and the sample included adult cardiologists (95%) and cardiac surgeons (5%) who practice in the USA (84%), Canada (6%), and other nations (10%). When asked ``Do you refer asymptomatic patients with severe MR and normal LV function for MV repair?”, 28% responded yes/almost always, and 11% responded no/ rarely. There was geographic & specialty-dependent variation in practice (Table ). Patient referral for mitral surgery was based on risk markers, such as atrial fibrillation (18%) and pulmonary hypertension (17%) and anatomic factors (e.g., flail valve, 18%) and clinical variables (e.g., increased likelihood of repair, 19%). Most physicians (65%) use medications to delay progression of MR, with ACE-inhibitors utilized by 57%. Isolated posterior prolapse repair was repaired successfully >85% at their hospital by 61% (60% for cardiologists vs. 82% for surgeons, p=0.004). 28% of respondents almost always quantitate MR using effective regurgitant orifice area, while 30% rarely or never do so. Conclusions: Cardiologists frequently refer asymptomatic MR patients for mitral reparative surgery, but referral is often prompted by factors beyond those included in current guidelines. Practice patterns vary by physician type and by geographical location. Medications are frequently used to treat asymptomatic individuals with MR, in the absence of documented evidence of efficacy.

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