Association of mental health in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood with cardiovascular risk factors and carotid remodeling below age 30 - results from the KiGGS cohort study.

An association of mental health and in particular depression with cardiovascular disease has been shown in adults and to a lesser extent in the young. Recently improved measurement methods of carotid-intima media thickness (CIMT) and carotid stiffness (CS) allow more differentiated analyses of this link. We examined 4,361 participants of the nationwide KiGGS cohort aged 3-17 years at baseline and 14-28 years at follow-up.

Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases in Germany and Europe - results of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS 3, 2018 - 2020).

Background: In Europe, the health situation is primarily influenced by non-communicable diseases. Comparable information on key indicators for the European region can highlight potential areas for improvement in prevention and care.

Method: Based on EHIS 3, age-standardised prevalences of three disease groups and two indicators of self-assessed health among those affected were presented for Germany ( = 22,708) and the average of 29 European countries ( = 301,960).

Utilisation of medical services in Germany and Europe - Results of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS 3, 2018 - 2020).

Background: Needs-based care is a central concern of healthcare policy. A European comparison of the utilisation of medical services can help to assess national data and identify the need for action.

Methods: This article describes indicators on the utilisation of outpatient and inpatient services, medical examinations and the use of medicines from the third wave of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS 3) and compares the results from Germany with the European averages.

Immunogenicity and safety of the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pneumococcal infections are a serious health issue associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy, effectiveness, immunogenicity, and safety of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)15 compared to other pneumococcal vaccines or no vaccination in children and adults. We identified 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Wastewater-based epidemiology: deriving a SARS-CoV-2 data validation method to assess data quality and to improve trend recognition.

Introduction: Accurate and consistent data play a critical role in enabling health officials to make informed decisions regarding emerging trends in SARS-CoV-2 infections. Alongside traditional indicators such as the 7-day-incidence rate, wastewater-based epidemiology can provide valuable insights into SARS-CoV-2 concentration changes. However, the wastewater compositions and wastewater systems are rather complex.

Tracking of serum lipids from prepuberty to young adulthood: results from the KiGGS cohort study.

Background: Universal lipid screening in childhood for early detection and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia is under discussion, but will also detect children with multifactorial dyslipidemia. Results from population-based studies can support the design of public health strategies. As few previous studies considered pubertal changes in serum lipid levels, we examined tracking of serum lipids from prepuberty to young adulthood in a population-based cohort.

End-to-end simulation of nanopore sequencing signals with feed-forward transformers.

Motivation: Nanopore sequencing represents a significant advancement in genomics, enabling direct long-read DNA sequencing at the single-molecule level. Accurate simulation of nanopore sequencing signals from nucleotide sequences is crucial for method development and for complementing experimental data. Most existing approaches rely on predefined statistical models, which may not adequately capture the properties of experimental signal data.

The impact of information and communication technology on immunisation and immunisation programmes in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Low-income and Middle-income Countries (LMIC) are continually working to ensure everyone can access life-saving vaccines. Recognising the considerable impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in healthcare, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarise ICT effectiveness in improving vaccine delivery in LMICs.

Methods: A systematic search from January 2010 to August 2023 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, BMJ Health & Care Informatics, and grey literature was performed.

Progress and challenges in the elimination of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs in Germany: results of a pilot study for a national monitoring system, 10 years after the first data collection.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk of blood-borne infections, and injection drug use contributes significantly to hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission. The WHO has therefore set targets of reducing HCV incidence and prevalence among PWID and increasing treatment coverage to eliminate HCV by 2030. The DRUCK study (2011-2014) found high HCV prevalence and low treatment coverage among PWID in Germany.

School vaccination programmes to increase HPV vaccination coverage - Experiences from Bremen, Germany.

Germany primarily relies on a practice-based, opportunistic immunisation system. Despite the introduction of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into the German vaccination schedule in 2007, coverage remains low. International experience suggests that school-based vaccination can increase HPV coverage.

Genomic perspective on the bacillus causing paratyphoid B fever.

Paratyphoid B fever (PTB) is caused by an invasive lineage (phylogroup 1, PG1) of Salmonella enterica serotype Paratyphi B (SPB). However, little was known about the global population structure, geographic distribution, and evolution of this pathogen. Here, we report a whole-genome analysis of 568 historical and contemporary SPB PG1 isolates, obtained globally, between 1898 and 2021.

Cost analysis of machine and manual reprocessing of transvaginal ultrasound probes.

Objective: This study aims to provide additional support for the equipment needed in hospitals and medical practices for reprocessing transvaginal ultrasound probes (TVUS) through an economic analysis comparing manual and automated reprocessing methods. A questionnaire survey was also conducted in hospitals and medical practices to analyze the current practice of TVUS reprocessing.

Methods: The economic analysis compared four manual reprocessing methods using disinfection wipes and one automated device-based disinfection method using hydrogen peroxide vapor.

Electron microscopy images and morphometric data of SARS-CoV-2 variants in ultrathin plastic sections.

Conventional thin section electron microscopy of viral pathogens, such as the pandemic SARS-CoV-2, can provide structural information on the virus particle phenotype and its evolution. We recorded about 900 transmission electron microscopy images of different SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Alpha (B.1.

Predicting Depressive Symptoms Using GPS-Based Regional Data in Germany With the CORONA HEALTH App During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Numerous studies have been conducted to predict depressive symptoms using passive smartphone data, mostly integrating the GPS signal as a measure of mobility. Environmental factors have been identified as correlated with depressive symptoms in specialized studies both before and during the pandemic.

Objective: This study combined a data-based approach using passive smartphone data to predict self-reported depressive symptoms with a wide range of GPS-based environmental factors as predictors.

Seroprevalence patterns of viral hepatitis B, C, and E among internally displaced persons in Borno State, Nigeria.

Objectives: Following the outbreak of hepatitis E in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State in 2017, we assessed hepatitis B, C, and E biomarkers (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], anti-HBC, anti-hepatitis E virus [HEV] immunoglobulin [Ig] G, and anti-HEV IgM) among IDPs in three camps in Borno State, Nigeria, to determine seroprevalence rates in these understudied populations.

Methods: A total of 454 IDPs, including pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, were randomly selected, and their demographic, clinical, and epidemiological data were collected. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) using rapid tests, anti-HEV IgM, and anti-HEV IgG using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

How mathematical modelling can inform outbreak response vaccination.

Mathematical models are established tools to assist in outbreak response. They help characterise complex patterns in disease spread, simulate control options to assist public health authorities in decision-making, and longer-term operational and financial planning. In the context of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), vaccines are one of the most-cost effective outbreak response interventions, with the potential to avert significant morbidity and mortality through timely delivery.

Existing operational standards for field deployments of rapid response mobile laboratories: a scoping review.

Introduction: Rapid response mobile laboratories (RRML) play an important role in responding to emergencies such as outbreaks and humanitarian crises, working in coordination with national authorities. This scoping review aims to provide evidence to support the development of minimum operational standards for the deployment of RRMLs across the five key workstreams: operational support and logistics, biosafety and biosecurity, laboratory information management system, quality management systems and interoperability and coordination.

Methods: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the grey literature focusing on RRML deployment missions.

Burden and risk factors of suspected cholangiocarcinoma in high Opisthorchis viverrini endemic rural communities in southern Lao PDR.

Introduction: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a major contributor to hepatobiliary mortality in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Infection with the carcinogenic trematode Opisthorchis viverrini (OV), acquired through consumption of insufficiently-cooked river fish, is a known risk factor for the development of CCA. Together with OV, other risk factors contribute to the pathogenesis of CCA.

International Proficiency Test Targeting a Large Panel of Botulinum Neurotoxin Sero- and Subtypes in Different Matrices.

Detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) involves a combination of technical challenges that call for the execution of inter-laboratory proficiency tests (PTs) to define the performance and ease of implementation of existing diagnostic methods regarding representative BoNT toxin-types spiked in clinical, food, or environmental matrices. In the framework of the EU project EuroBioTox, we organized an international proficiency test for the detection and quantification of the clinically relevant BoNT/A, B, E, and F sero- and subtypes including concentrations as low as 0.5 ng/mL.

Immunomodulation and Protective Effects of Extract Against Infection in Larvae.

-derived formulations are currently used for multiple purposes because of their medical properties, especially immune system modulation. This study analyzes the inhibitory effects of aqueous extract on infections and the immune response in larvae of the greater wax moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Larvae exhibited melanization within 1 h of being infected with inoculum at a concentration of 10 cells/larvae, and died within 24 h from a lethal dose.