Attitudes towards the mixing of COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in multi-bed hospital rooms.

Aim: To explore patient and staff views about the mixing of COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in multi-bed hospital rooms.

Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study with paper surveys and structured interviews. Self-administered surveys were undertaken with inpatients on the general medicine, general surgery, orthopaedic and respiratory wards in Dunedin Public Hospital.

Nonchromosomal birth defects and risk of childhood acute leukemia: An assessment in 15 000 leukemia cases and 46 000 controls from the Childhood Cancer and Leukemia International Consortium.

Although recent studies have demonstrated associations between nonchromosomal birth defects and several pediatric cancers, less is known about their role on childhood leukemia susceptibility. Using data from the Childhood Cancer and Leukemia International Consortium, we evaluated associations between nonchromosomal birth defects and childhood leukemia. Pooling consortium data from 18 questionnaire-based and three registry-based case-control studies across 13 countries, we used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between a spectrum of birth defects and leukemia.

Breastfeeding and risk of childhood brain tumors: a report from the Childhood Cancer and Leukemia International Consortium.

Purpose: Studies report mixed findings regarding the association of breastfeeding with childhood brain tumors (CBT), the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in young people. Our objective was to determine whether breastfeeding is associated with CBT incidence.

Methods: We pooled data on N = 2610 cases with CBT (including 697 cases with astrocytoma, 447 cases with medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor [PNET], 167 cases with ependymoma) and N = 8128 age- and sex-matched controls in the Childhood Cancer and Leukemia International Consortium.

Investigating attitudes and insights into the global warming impact of inhalers.

Introduction: Inhalers are commonly used in the management of respiratory diseases. The propellants used in pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) are potent greenhouse gases and carry a substantial global warming potential. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are propellant-free alternatives that have fewer consequences on the environment, while being equally effective.

Infant feeding practices and childhood acute leukemia: Findings from the Childhood Cancer & Leukemia International Consortium.

Increasing evidence suggests that breastfeeding may protect from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, most studies have limited their analyses to any breastfeeding, and only a few data have examined exclusive breastfeeding, or other exposures such as formula milk. We performed pooled analyses and individual participant data metaanalyses of data from 16 studies (N = 17 189 controls; N = 10 782 ALL and N = 1690 AML cases) from the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium (CLIC) to characterize the associations of breastfeeding duration with ALL and AML, as well as exclusive breastfeeding duration and age at introduction to formula with ALL.

Impact of the 2020 New Zealand COVID-19 lockdown on participants in a community-based, peer-led fall prevention program.

Objectives: To explore the impacts of the 2020 New Zealand COVID-19 lockdown on peer-led Steady as You Go (SAYGO) fall prevention exercise classes and members, and to develop recommendations for mitigating impacts during future lockdowns.

Methods: Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 20 SAYGO program participants and managers following the first COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the General Inductive Approach.

Emergency department presentations in the Southern District of New Zealand during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Objective: To assess changes in presentations to EDs during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in the Southern Region of New Zealand.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective audit of patients attending EDs in the Southern District Health Board (SDHB), from 1 March to 13 May 2020. We made comparisons with attendances during the same period in 2019.

The New Zealand nuclear veteran and families study, exploring the options to assess heritable health outcomes.

Aims: To describe health conditions in New Zealand nuclear veterans and their offspring, and examine the utility of tests to assess their heritability.

Method: An online survey, open to all veterans and offspring, with questions on health conditions, the GHQ12 to measure psychological distress, the Euroquol-5D visual analogue scale (EQ5D VAS) to measure health state, and free text items on veteran support.

Results: Eighty-three responses (56%) were from veterans, 65 (44%) from offspring.

Age-, sex- and disease subtype-related foetal growth differentials in childhood acute myeloid leukaemia risk: A Childhood Leukemia International Consortium analysis.

Aim: Evidence for an association of foetal growth with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is inconclusive. AML is a rare childhood cancer, relatively more frequent in girls, with distinct features in infancy. In the context of the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium (CLIC), we examined the hypothesis that the association may vary by age, sex and disease subtype using data from 22 studies and a total of 3564 AML cases.

Parental occupational exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields and risk of leukaemia in the offspring: findings from the Childhood Leukaemia International Consortium (CLIC).

Objectives: Previously published studies on parental occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in their offspring were inconsistent. We therefore evaluated this question within the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium.

Methods: We pooled 11 case-control studies including 9723 childhood leukaemia cases and 17 099 controls.

Parental age and the risk of childhood acute myeloid leukemia: results from the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium.

Background: Parental age has been associated with several childhood cancers, albeit the evidence is still inconsistent.

Aim: To examine the associations of parental age at birth with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) among children aged 0-14 years using individual-level data from the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium (CLIC) and non-CLIC studies.

Material/methods: We analyzed data of 3182 incident AML cases and 8377 controls from 17 studies [seven registry-based case-control (RCC) studies and ten questionnaire-based case-control (QCC) studies].

Association between maternal education and survival after childhood cancer.

Background: Several nonbiological factors, including socioeconomic status indicators and other family characteristics, influence survival from childhood cancers. Our study explores the association between parental education and childhood cancer survival.

Methods: The specialized Childhood Cancer Registry of the Piedmont region in Italy provided data on all the cases (aged 0-14) diagnosed with cancer in the period 1976-2011 who resided in the city of Turin (capital of the Piedmont region) at least once since 1971.

Advanced parental age as risk factor for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results from studies of the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium.

Advanced parental age has been associated with adverse health effects in the offspring including childhood (0-14 years) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), as reported in our meta-analysis of published studies. We aimed to further explore the association using primary data from 16 studies participating in the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium. Data were contributed by 11 case-control (CC) studies (7919 cases and 12,942 controls recruited via interviews) and five nested case-control (NCC) studies (8801 cases and 29,690 controls identified through record linkage of population-based health registries) with variable enrollment periods (1968-2015).

Living on a farm, contact with farm animals and pets, and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: pooled and meta-analyses from the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium.

The associations between childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and several factors related to early stimulation of the immune system, that is, farm residence and regular contacts with farm animals (livestock, poultry) or pets in early childhood, were investigated using data from 13 case-control studies participating in the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium. The sample included 7847 ALL cases and 11,667 controls aged 1-14 years. In all studies, the data were obtained from case and control parents using standardized questionnaires.

Parental Tobacco Smoking and Acute Myeloid Leukemia: The Childhood Leukemia International Consortium.

The association between tobacco smoke and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is well established in adults but not in children. Individual-level data on parental cigarette smoking were obtained from 12 case-control studies from the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium (CLIC, 1974-2012), including 1,330 AML cases diagnosed at age <15 years and 13,169 controls. We conducted pooled analyses of CLIC studies, as well as meta-analyses of CLIC and non-CLIC studies.

Caesarean delivery and risk of childhood leukaemia: a pooled analysis from the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium (CLIC).

Background: Results from case-control studies have shown an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in young children born by caesarean delivery, and prelabour caesarean delivery in particular; however, an association of method of delivery with childhood leukaemia subtypes has yet to be established. We therefore did a pooled analysis of data to investigate the association between childhood leukaemia and caesarean delivery.

Methods: We pooled data from 13 case-control studies from the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium done in nine countries (Canada, Costa Rica, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, and the USA) for births from 1970-2013.

Home paint exposures and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: findings from the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium.

Purpose: It has been suggested that home paint exposure increases the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Methods: We obtained individual level data from eight case-control studies participating in the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium. All studies had home paint exposure data (sometimes including lacquers and varnishes) for the pregnancy period with additional data for the 1-3-month period before conception in five, the year before conception in two, and the period after birth in four studies, respectively.

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and indicators of early immune stimulation: a Childhood Leukemia International Consortium study.

The associations between childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and several proxies of early stimulation of the immune system, that is, day-care center attendance, birth order, maternally reported common infections in infancy, and breastfeeding, were investigated by using data from 11 case-control studies participating in the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium (enrollment period: 1980-2010). The sample included 7,399 ALL cases and 11,181 controls aged 2-14 years. The data were collected by questionnaires administered to the parents.

Maternal supplementation with folic acid and other vitamins and risk of leukemia in offspring: a Childhood Leukemia International Consortium study.

Background: Maternal prenatal supplementation with folic acid and other vitamins has been inconsistently associated with a reduced risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Little is known regarding the association with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a rarer subtype.

Methods: We obtained original data on prenatal use of folic acid and vitamins from 12 case-control studies participating in the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium (enrollment period: 1980-2012), including 6,963 cases of ALL, 585 cases of AML, and 11,635 controls.

Parental occupational pesticide exposure and the risk of childhood leukemia in the offspring: findings from the childhood leukemia international consortium.

Maternal occupational pesticide exposure during pregnancy and/or paternal occupational pesticide exposure around conception have been suggested to increase risk of leukemia in the offspring. With a view to providing insight in this area we pooled individual level data from 13 case-control studies participating in the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium (CLIC). Occupational data were harmonized to a compatible format.

Do high risk patients alter their lifestyle to reduce risk of colorectal cancer?

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) may be reduced by healthy lifestyle behaviours. We determined the extent of self-reported lifestyle changes in people at increased risk of CRC, and the association of these reports with anxiety, risk and knowledge-based variables.

Methods: We randomly selected 250 participants who had undergone surveillance colonoscopy for family history of CRC.