COVID-19 due to the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant compared to B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant of SARS-CoV-2: two prospective observational cohort studies

Background The Delta (B.1.617.2) variant became the predominant UK circulating SARS-CoV-2 strain in May 2021. How Delta infection compares with previous variants is unknown. Methods This prospective observational cohort study assessed symptomatic adults participating in the app-based COVID Symptom Study who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from May 26 to July 1, 2021 (Delta overwhelmingly predominant circulating UK variant), compared (1:1, age- and sex-matched) with individuals presenting from December 28, 2020 to May 6, 2021 (Alpha (B.1.1.7) predominant variant). We assessed illness (symptoms, duration, presentation to hospital) during Alpha- and Delta-predominant timeframes; and transmission, reinfection, and vaccine effectiveness during the Delta-predominant period. Findings 3,581 individuals (aged 18 to 100 years) from each timeframe were assessed. The seven most frequent symptoms were common to both variants. Within the first 28 days of illness, some symptoms were more common with Delta vs. Alpha infection (including fever, sore throat and headache) and vice versa (dyspnoea). Symptom burden in the first week was higher with Delta vs. Alpha infection; however, the odds of any given symptom lasting ≥7 days was either lower or unchanged. Illness duration ≥28 days was lower with Delta vs. Alpha infection, though unchanged in unvaccinated individuals. Hospitalisation for COVID-19 was unchanged. The Delta variant appeared more (1.47) transmissible than Alpha. Re-infections were low in all UK regions. Vaccination markedly (69-84%) reduced risk of Delta infection. Interpretation COVID-19 from Delta or Alpha infections is clinically similar. The Delta variant is more transmissible than Alpha; however, current vaccines show good efficacy against disease. Funding UK Government Department of Health and Social Care, Wellcome Trust, UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK Research and Innovation London Medical Imaging & Artificial Intelligence Centre for Value Based Healthcare, UK National Institute for Health Research, UK Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, Alzheimer's Society, and ZOE Limited.

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Illness characteristics of COVID-19 in children infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

10.1101/2021.10.06.21264467 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Erika Molteni ◽

Carole Helene Sudre ◽

Liane S Canas ◽

Sunil S Bhopal ◽

Robert C Hughes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Short Duration ◽

Symptom Burden ◽

Variant Interpretation ◽

Older Children ◽

Similar Symptom ◽

Illness Duration ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Symptom Prevalence ◽

Alpha Variant ◽

Delta Infection

Background The Delta (B.1.617.2) SARSCoV2 variant became the predominant UK circulating strain in May 2021. Whether COVID19 from Delta infection differs to infection with other variants in children is unknown. Methods Through the prospective COVID Symptom Study, 109,626 UK school-aged children were proxy-reported between December 28, 2020 and July 8, 2021. We selected all symptomatic children who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and were proxy-reported at least weekly, within two timeframes: December 28, 2020 to May 6, 2021 (Alpha (B.1.1.7) the main UK circulating variant); and May 26 to July 8, 2021 (Delta the main UK circulating variant). We assessed illness profiles (symptom prevalence, duration, and burden), hospital presentation, and presence of long (>28 day) illness; and calculated odds ratios for symptoms presenting within the first 28 days of illness. Findings 694 (276 younger [5 11 years], 418 older [12 17 years]) symptomatic children tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with Alpha infection and 706 (227 younger and 479 older) children with Delta infection. Median illness duration was short with either variant (overall cohort: 5 days (IQR 2 9.75) with Alpha, 5 days (IQR 2 9) with Delta). The seven most prevalent symptoms were common to both variants. Symptom burden over the first 28 days was slightly greater with Delta compared with Alpha infection (in younger children, 3 (IQR 2 5) with Alpha, 4 (IQR 2 7) with Delta; in older children 5 (IQR 3 8) with Alpha and 6 (IQR 3 9) with Delta infection in older children). The odds of several symptoms were higher with Delta than Alpha infection, including headache and fever. Few children presented to hospital, and long illness duration was uncommon, with either variant. Interpretation COVID-19 in UK school-aged children due to SARSCoV2 Delta strain B.1.617.2 resembles illness due to the Alpha variant B.1.1.7., with short duration and similar symptom burden.

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Space Science In the Twenty-First Century: Imperatives for the Decades 1995 to 2015. Report of the Study Steering Group. Space Science Board; Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Resources; National Research Council. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. 1988. (Marketed and distributed by John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Chichester, England.) 7 Hefte, Preis: £ 57,50. 7. Lie Sciences. X + 143 Seiten. ISBN 0-309-03880-4

Astronomische Nachrichten ◽

10.1002/asna.2113110128 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 311 (1) ◽

pp. 88-88

Author(s):

Karl-Otto Eschrich

Keyword(s):

Research Council ◽

National Research Council ◽

Space Science ◽

First Century ◽

Physical Sciences ◽

Steering Group ◽

Twenty First Century

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An intersectional approach to analyse gender productivity and open access: a bibliometric analysis of the Italian National Research Council

Scientometrics ◽

10.1007/s11192-020-03802-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Roberta Ruggieri ◽

Fabrizio Pecoraro ◽

Daniela Luzi

Keyword(s):

Open Access ◽

Bibliometric Analysis ◽

Gender Gap ◽

Research Council ◽

National Research Council ◽

Research Area ◽

Scientific Production ◽

Italian National Research Council ◽

European Research ◽

Research And Innovation

AbstractGender equality and Open Access (OA) are priorities within the European Research Area and cross-cutting issues in European research program H2020. Gender and openness are also key elements of responsible research and innovation. However, despite the common underlying targets of fostering an inclusive, transparent and sustainable research environment, both issues are analysed as independent topics. This paper represents a first exploration of the inter-linkages between gender and OA analysing the scientific production of researchers of the Italian National Research Council under a gender perspective integrated with the different OA publications modes. A bibliometric analysis was carried out for articles published in the period 2016–2018 and retrieved from the Web of Science. Results are presented constantly analysing CNR scientific production in relation to gender, disciplinary fields and OA publication modes. These variables are also used when analysing articles that receive financial support. Our results indicate that gender disparities in scientific production still persist particularly in STEM disciplines, while the gender gap is the closest to parity in medical and agricultural sciences. A positive dynamic toward OA publishing and women’s scientific production is shown when disciplines with well-established open practices are related to articles supported by funds. A slightly higher women’s propensity toward OA is shown when considering Gold OA, or authorships with women in the first and last article by-line position. The prevalence of Italian funded articles with women’s contributions published in Gold OA journals seems to confirm this tendency, especially if considering the weak enforcement of the Italian OA policies.

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The use of a formal sensitivity analysis on epidemic models with immune protection from maternally acquired antibodies* *JDC was funded by an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) UK, research studentship.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes ◽

10.3182/20090812-3-dk-2006.0044 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 42 (12) ◽

pp. 330-335

Author(s):

J.D. Chapman ◽

M.J. Chappell ◽

N.D. Evans

Keyword(s):

Sensitivity Analysis ◽

Research Council ◽

Epidemic Models ◽

Immune Protection ◽

Physical Sciences

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Introducing the Care Certificate Evaluation: Innovative practice

Dementia ◽

10.1177/1471301217723498 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 512-517

Author(s):

Elaine Argyle ◽

Louise Thomson ◽

Antony Arthur ◽

Jill Maben ◽

Justine Schneider ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staff Development ◽

Social Care ◽

Policy Research ◽

Research Programme ◽

Direct Care ◽

Care Staff ◽

Care Provision ◽

Front Line ◽

Department Of Health ◽

Health And Social Care

Although investment in staff development is a prerequisite for high-quality and innovative care, the training needs of front line care staff involved in direct care have often been neglected, particularly within dementia care provision. The Care Certificate, which was fully launched in England in April 2015, has aimed to redress this neglect by providing a consistent and transferable approach to the training of the front line health and social care workforce. This article describes the early stages of an 18-month evaluation of the Care Certificate and its implementation funded by the Department of Health Policy Research Programme.

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How effective are governmental and university campaigns for increasing meningitis vaccine uptake?

10.31219/osf.io/zsrt5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ayushi Ramjee ◽

Chloe Ogilvie ◽

Africa Couto ◽

Teresa Matini ◽

Claudia Anaele ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Student Perceptions ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

Department Of Health ◽

Behavioural Patterns ◽

Health And Social Care ◽

Catchment Areas ◽

Student Cohorts ◽

E Mail

ObjectivesUniversity student cohorts have a potential for significant impacts on public health policies. Health impacts arise from wide geographic catchment areas and behavioural patterns that enhance infectious disease spread and occasional cases of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, measles and mumps. Universities and the Department of Health and Social Care have tackled these serious problems through advertising campaigns and by offering free MenACWY and MMR vaccines to university students. Our study aimed to assess the engagement of universities with these vaccine campaigns and student awareness of this information. Study DesignInformation was accrued by a combination of e-mail and telephone interactions with welfare officers at universities. Student perceptions of meningitis vaccine campaigns were studied through use of questionnaires with University of Leicester students. ResultsInformation provided by 17 universities indicated that all universities run meningitis awareness campaigns whereas on campus meningitis campaigns were infrequent and of variable penetration into student cohorts. Assessment of 272 students from a 2019-2020 cohort found that 17.5% and 58% of students did not know or had not had the MMR and MenACWY vaccines. Only 37% of students were aware that these vaccines were free and available from a university-linked GP practice with lack of this knowledge being significantly associated with uncertainty or perceived absence of immunisation. This latter group were significantly associated with a preference for on campus immunisation. DiscussionThis information is important for understanding how to target a critical cohort with effective campaigns for uptake of meningitis, MMR and COVID-19 vaccines.

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