Publications by authors named "Callaby H"

Background: Care home residents are a highly vulnerable group, but identifying care home residents in routine data is challenging. This study aimed to develop and validate Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods to identify care home residents from primary care address records.

Methods: The proposed system applies an NLP sequential filtering and preprocessing of text, then the calculation of similarity scores between general practice (GP) addresses and care home registered addresses.

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Background: The 2022 Monkeypox virus (MPXV) global outbreak boosted development of multiple serological assays to aid understanding of Mpox immunology.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess a multiplexed solid-phase electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Meso Scale Discovery (MSD)) for simultaneous detection of antibodies against MPXV, including A35, E8 and M1 antigens, along with corresponding Vaccina Virus (VACV) homologues and demonstrate its accuracy in assessing antibody titres post-vaccination and infection.

Methods: Assay performance was assessed for simultaneous detection of antibodies against MPXV and corresponding VACV antigens.

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In 2022, there were global reports of increased numbers of acute hepatitis not explained by hepatitis A-E virus infection in children. This manuscript summarises histopathology results from 20 patients in the United Kingdom who underwent liver transplant or had a liver biopsy as part of aetiological investigations. All available histopathological samples were reviewed centrally as part of the outbreak investigation.

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Background: An increase in acute severe hepatitis of unknown aetiology in previously healthy children in the UK in March, 2022, triggered global case-finding. We aimed to describe UK epidemiological investigations of cases and their possible causes.

Methods: We actively surveilled unexplained paediatric acute hepatitis (transaminase >500 international units per litre) in children younger than 16 years presenting since Jan 1, 2022, through notifications from paediatricians, microbiologists, and paediatric liver units; we collected demographic, clinical, and exposure information.

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In early 2022, a cluster of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection (mpox) cases were identified within the UK with no prior travel history to MPXV-endemic regions. Subsequently, case numbers exceeding 80,000 were reported worldwide, primarily affecting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Public health agencies worldwide have offered the IMVANEX Smallpox vaccination to these individuals at high-risk to provide protection and limit the spread of MPXV.

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Monkeypox virus (mpxv) is a DNA virus in the Orthopoxvirus genus which causes Mpox (previously monkeypox). Symptoms include fever, lymphadenopathy and vesicular lesions. There is limited evidence for the duration of mpxv infectivity.

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Article Synopsis
  • The 2022 global mpox outbreak has led to over 67,000 cases in non-endemic countries within 6 months, marking a significant increase in instances of this previously rare disease outside Africa.
  • A retrospective cohort study analyzed hospital admissions for mpox in 16 hospitals across England and Northern Ireland, focusing on clinical characteristics, complications, and treatments of patients from May to August 2022.
  • Out of 156 hospital admissions, the majority (98%) were male, with an average age of 35 years; notable complications included pain and secondary infections, with a portion of patients also living with HIV.
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The 2022 monkeypox outbreak has affected 110 countries worldwide, outside of classic endemic areas (ie, west Africa and central Africa). On July 23, 2022, the outbreak was classified by WHO as a public health emergency of international concern. Clinical presentation varies from mild to life-changing symptoms; neurological complications are relatively uncommon and there are few therapeutic interventions for monkeypox disease.

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Most hospitals in Great Britain only offer a medical termination of pregnancy for a fetal anomaly (TOPFA) in the second trimester. We describe the safety and acceptability of a surgical TOPFA service delivered by an independent-sector abortion provider. Non-identifiable data for women undergoing TOPFA at British Pregnancy Advisory Service from 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2016 was extracted from existing databases.

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