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.

How do national immunization technical advisory groups assess and use evidence: Findings from the SYSVAC survey.

National immunization technical advisory groups (NITAGs) develop evidence-based vaccination recommendations. Systematic reviews (SRs) are important tools in that process, but conducting them is very resource-intensive. Given the considerable number of immunization-related SRs published and to minimize duplication of effort, a more practical approach for NITAGs is to use existing SRs.

How far are we? Assessing progress in hepatitis C response towards the WHO 2030 elimination goals by the civil society monitoring in 25 European countries, period 2020 to 2023.

Background: With the advent of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted global strategy to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 2030. In Europe, people who inject drugs (PWID) account for the majority of new cases, however testing and treatment remain suboptimal. The aim was to monitor progress in HCV policy and cascade-of-care for PWID, led by the civil society organisations (CSO) that provide harm reduction services for PWID across Europe.