Publications by authors named "I BERLIN"
Background: SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with a higher proportion of asymptomatic infections and lower mortality in sub-Saharan Africa than high-income countries. However, there is currently a lack of data on cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in people living in Africa compared with people in high-income regions of the world. We aimed to assess geographical variation in peripheral and mucosal immune responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMedications for smoking cessation can double quit rates but are underused in primary care. This qualitative study aimed to explore: (1) patients' perspectives regarding having their general practitioner (GP) use a proactive approach to smoking cessation treatment using an encounter decision aid (DA), and (2) their expectations regarding their GP's role. We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with participants of the FIRST randomized trial (adults who smoke daily with any level of motivation for tobacco quitting).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUltraviolet (UV) rays prompt a natural response in epidermal cells, particularly within melanocytes. The changes in gene expression and related signaling pathways in melanocytes following exposure to UV radiation are still not entirely understood. Our findings reveal that UVB irradiation suppresses the expression of Dicer (also known as Dicer1).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Training primary care providers (PCPs) in a new method using a decision aid (DA) to promote smoking cessation did not lead to higher smoking abstinence rates after six months in smokers.
- The intervention increased quit attempts and the use of cessation aids in the short term, showing effectiveness in getting smokers to try quitting.
- Patients also felt more involved in their decision-making regarding smoking cessation when their PCPs used the DA approach, as indicated by higher scores on the CollaboRATE scale.
Background: To examine birth weight change caused by adding financial rewards for smoking cessation compared to no rewards for pregnant women. To estimate the average expected birth weight change for those who quit because of rewards.
Methods: This study updates a previous systematic review and refocuses the outcome from smoking cessation to birth weight.