Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jonathan A. Muir, Merga Dheresa, Zachary J. Madewell, Tamirat Getachew, Gamachis Daraje, Gezahegn Mengesha, Cynthia G. Whitney, Nega Assefa, Solveig A. Cunningham
Summary: This study examined factors associated with household hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that households with a head of household with no education, residing in rural areas, larger household size, lower income and/or wealth, and community responses to COVID-19 were independently associated with experiencing household hardships.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Han-Sol Park, Janna R. Shapiro, Ioannis Sitaras, Bezawit A. Woldemeskel, Caroline C. Garliss, Amanda Dziedzic, Jaiprasath Sachithanandham, Anne E. Jedlicka, Christopher A. Caputo, Kimberly E. Rousseau, Manjusha Thakar, San Suwanmanee, Pricila Hauk, Lateef Aliyu, Natalia Majewska, Sushmita Koley, Bela Patel, Patrick Broderick, Giselle Mosnaim, Sonya L. Heath, Emily S. Spivak, Aarthi Shenoy, Evan M. Bloch, Thomas J. Gniadek, Shmuel Shoham, Arturo Casadevall, Daniel Hanley, Andrea L. Cox, Oliver Laeyendecker, Michael J. Betenbaugh, Steven M. Cramer, Heba H. Mostafa, Andrew Pekosz, Joel N. Blankson, Sabra L. Klein, Aaron A. R. Tobian, David Sullivan, Kelly A. Gebo
Summary: Benchmarks for protective immunity from infection or severe disease after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are still being defined. In this study, the researchers compared different immune responses and viral variants in different groups, including vaccinated individuals and symptomatic patients. The findings showed that neutralizing antibody levels declined over time and were lower against the Alpha variant. Partially and fully vaccinated patients had lower neutralizing antibody levels against the parent virus compared to healthy controls. The study also found that neutralization activity against the Alpha variant was lower in the partially and fully vaccinated infected patients. Parent virus neutralization was identified as a predictive factor for breakthrough infections with the Alpha variant.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Donald Forthal
Summary: This review highlights the adaptive immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, with a focus on the roles of antibodies and T cells in preventing and controlling infection. While antibodies may be effective in these roles, T cells could also play a part in controlling established infections. Long-term evaluation is needed to determine the durability of protective immune responses.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Malvika Godara, Jessie Rademacher, Martin Hecht, Sarita Silveira, Manuel C. C. Voelkle, Tania Singer
Summary: This study investigated the evolution of mental vulnerability and resilience during the different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany from 2020 to 2021. The findings suggest an immediate increase in vulnerability during the first lockdown, a trend towards recovery during the easing of lockdown measures, and an increase in vulnerability with each month of the second lockdown. Four latent trajectories of resilience-vulnerability were identified, with the majority exhibiting a resilient trajectory but nearly 30% belonging to more vulnerable groups. Risk factors for poorer mental well-being included being female, younger, having a history of psychiatric disorders, belonging to lower income groups, and having high trait vulnerability and low trait social belonging.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
William R. Morgenlander, Stephanie N. Henson, Daniel R. Monaco, Athena Chen, Kirsten Littlefield, Evan M. Bloch, Eric Fujimura, Ingo Ruczinski, Andrew R. Crowley, Harini Natarajan, Savannah E. Butler, Joshua A. Weiner, Mamie Z. Li, Tania S. Bonny, Sarah E. Benner, Ashwin Balagopal, David Sullivan, Shmuel Shoham, Thomas C. Quinn, Susan H. Eshleman, Arturo Casadevall, Andrew D. Redd, Oliver Laeyendecker, Margaret E. Ackerman, Andrew Pekosz, Stephen J. Elledge, Matthew Robinson, Aaron A. R. Tobian, H. Benjamin Larman
Summary: This study found strong correlation between the functionality of COVID-19 convalescent plasma and polyclonal antibody targeting of specific peptides in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Antibody responses to specific coronaviruses correlated with the development of highly neutralizing antibodies against CoV-2. Plasma donations reactive to the CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain had higher neutralizing titers.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Review
Nursing
Christian Paige Owen, Maja Djukic, Meagan Whisenant, Geri Lobiondo-Wood
Summary: Background: Emergency healthcare professionals (EHPs) experience occupational stress and often resort to maladaptive coping (MC) strategies. This systematic review aimed to identify factors associated with MC strategies used by EHPs in pre-hospital and hospital-based settings.
JOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Foteini Tseliou, Pauline Ashfield-Watt
Summary: This population-based study found that lifestyle factors, resilience, social cohesion, and neighborhood attraction were associated with mental health across different measures. Individual factors were more closely associated with poor mental health than contextual factors, explaining a larger portion of the variance. A sub-analysis on resilience indicated that personal skills were most closely correlated with poorer mental health.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Denny Meyer, Tamsyn E. Van Rheenen, Erica Neill, Andrea Phillipou, Eric J. Tan, Wei Lin Toh, Philip J. Sumner, Susan L. Rossell
Summary: The study examined coping strategies adopted by individuals in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic and found a significant relationship between the use of adaptive coping strategies and depression and resilience. Women and those whose mental health improved due to the COVID-19 restrictions were more likely to use these strategies. Individuals with a mental illness were more likely to seek professional and online help, while those without a mental illness were more inclined to use self-help. Focusing on gratitude and keeping oneself occupied were the most beneficial coping strategies.
Article
Immunology
Konstantin Foehse, Buesra Geckin, Martijn Zoodsma, Gizem Kilic, Zhaoli Liu, Rutger J. Roering, Gijs J. Overheul, Josephine van de Maata, Ozlem Buluta, Jacobien J. Hoogerwerf, Jaap ten Oever, Elles Simonetti, Heiner Schaal, Ortwin Adams, Lisa Mueller, Philipp Niklas Ostermann, Frank L. van de Veerdonk, Leo A. B. Joosten, Bart L. Haagmans, Reinout van Crevel, Ronald P. van Rij, Corine Geurtsvankessel, Marien I. de Jonge, Yang Li, Jorge Dominguez-Andres, Mihai G. Netea
Summary: The mRNA-based BNT162b2 vaccine provides protection against severe disease and mortality caused by SARS-CoV-2 by inducing specific antibody and T-cell responses. The vaccine also modulates innate immune responses and induces long-term changes in immune cells.
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Abdulmalik M. Yusuf, Yusuf Isah Maikudi, William Adzawla
Summary: The study found that factors such as gender, age, education, occupation, income, housing status, flood education, and location play significant roles in determining households' choice of flood coping strategies. Access to credit from banks, seeking government support, and early warning information systems are crucial aspects of flood coping strategies. The study emphasizes the importance of considering input from all stakeholders, especially different age and income groups, in policies and programs designed to manage and reduce flood risks.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Tamika D. Gilreath, Francisco A. Montiel Ishino, Kathrine S. Sullivan, Titilayo A. Okoror
Summary: This study examines the unique stressors faced by military-connected students in public schools and uses Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explore key factors associated with maladaptive outcomes. The findings identify bullying experiences and negative experiences with other military-connected youth as conditions related to maladaptive coping.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Roberta Rizzo, Daria Bortolotti, Luca Morandi, Sabrina Rizzo, Giovanna Schiuma, Silvia Beltrami, Alberto Papi, Marco Contoli
Summary: This study reports the relevance of serum antibody levels and the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. The findings show that booster dose induces enhanced humoral and adaptive immune responses and early activation of memory CD8+ T subset.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Valeria Fumagalli, Pietro Di Lucia, Micol Rava, Davide Marotta, Elisa Bono, Stefano Grassi, Lorena Donnici, Rolando Cannalire, Irina Stefanelli, Anastasia Ferraro, Francesca Esposito, Elena Pariani, Donato Inverso, Camilla Montesano, Serena Delbue, Stanley Perlman, Enzo Tramontano, Raffaele De Francesco, Vincenzo Summa, Luca G. Guidotti, Matteo Iannacone
Summary: Nirmatrelvir, an antiviral drug, reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 but inhibits the development of SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses. It decreases the production of antibodies and T cells, and affects the quantity of memory T and B cells. These findings have important implications for clinical management and may explain post-treatment relapse in some individuals.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jie Bai, Asako Chiba, Goh Murayama, Taiga Kuga, Naoto Tamura, Sachiko Miyake
Summary: The effects of sex, age, and ethnic background on the immune responses elicited by the mRNA vaccine were investigated. Vaccine-induced antibody and T cell responses declined over time but persisted after 3 months. The reactivity of adaptive immune responses against variants was influenced by different HLA haplotypes.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Constantina Cloconi, Mary Economou, Andreas Charalambous
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the burnout, coping, and resilience of cancer care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings revealed high levels of burnout and low levels of coping and resilience among cancer care professionals globally.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY NURSING
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Pentagiotissa Stefanatou, Evgenia Tsompanaki, Michalis Lavdas, Eleni Giannouli, Irene Ralli, Stamatina Kalogerakou, Eleni Anyfandi, Stelios Stylianidis, Nikos Stefanis, Venetsanos Mavreas, George Konstantakopoulos
Summary: This study provides evidence that patient-rated needs, especially unmet needs, are strongly associated with perceived psychosocial disability and subjective quality of life of schizophrenia patients beyond symptom severity. Identifying and addressing patient-reported needs could facilitate psychosocial disability and subjective quality of life improvement more effectively than interventions focused solely on symptom remission.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Emmanouil Benioudakis, Eleni Karlafti, Argyroula Kalaitzaki, Georgia Kaiafa, Christos Savopoulos, Triantafyllos Didangelos
Summary: The use of technology in the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus significantly improves the quality of life of patients by reducing the risk of hypoglycemia and improving glycosylated hemoglobin levels.
CURRENT DIABETES REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Applied
Argyroula Kalaitzaki, George Tsouvelas, Alexandra Tamiolaki
Summary: This study examined the prevalence rates of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and its predictors during the first and second lockdown in Greece. The results showed moderate levels of PTG during both lockdowns. The study also found that the mediating role of stress indicators, such as posttraumatic stress symptoms and perceived stress, influenced the relationship between positive reframing and PTG.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STRESS MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Social
Argyroula E. Kalaitzaki, Alexandra Tamiolaki, Mona Vintila
JOURNAL OF LOSS & TRAUMA
(2023)
Article
Nursing
George Tsouvelas, Argyroula Kalaitzaki, Alexandra Tamiolaki, Michael Rovithis, George Konstantakopoulos
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses are at high risk for developing mental health symptoms due to repeated exposure to acute stress. This study investigated the levels of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) in nurses during the first phase of the pandemic in Greece and identified aggravating and protective factors. The results showed that resilience played a protective role in the relationship between coping strategies and STS.
ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pentagiotissa Stefanatou, Lida Alkisti Xenaki, George Konstantakopoulos, Anthoula Papaiakovou, Irene Ralli, Aristea D. Berk, Diamantina S. Katopodi, Aphrodite D. Pantagoutsou, Aimilia Charitaki, Maria Ginieri-Coccossis, Eleni Giannouli, Ioannis A. Malogiannis
Summary: This study investigated the psychopathological determinants of subjective quality of life in individuals with borderline personality disorder. The results showed that depression was the strongest determinant, while the number of diagnostic criteria for BPD and self-harming behavior were not significantly associated with quality of life.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Education & Educational Research
Areti Efthymiou, Argyroula Kalaitzaki, Barbara Kondilis, Michael Rovithis
Summary: This scoping review reports on continuing education courses aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals in identifying and supporting healthcare users with limited health literacy, particularly older people. There is a lack of health literacy tools specifically designed for healthcare professionals working with older adults.
GERONTOLOGY & GERIATRICS EDUCATION
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Areti Efthymiou, Argyroula Kalaitzaki, Michael Rovithis
Summary: The study aimed to adapt and pilot test a health literacy (HL) toolkit to enhance the HL skills of healthcare professionals working with older adults. The toolkit was introduced to healthcare professionals through webinars, and improvements in HL knowledge and communication strategies were observed. A culturally adapted HL toolkit was developed based on feedback from healthcare professionals.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Emmanouil S. Benioudakis, Eleni Karlafti, Argyroula Kalaitzaki, Maria-Alexandra Kalpou, Evangelos D. Georgiou, Christos Savopoulos, Triantafyllos Didangelos
Summary: This study compared the Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop (AHCL) system with the Sensor-Augmented Pump (SAP) with Predictive Low Glucose Management (PLGM) system in terms of glycaemic outcomes, general and diabetes-related Quality of Life (QoL), and diabetes distress. The findings demonstrated that the AHCL system had significant advantages over the SAP + PLGM system in terms of mean glucose levels, time above range, QoL, and diabetes distress. Linear regression models also revealed the association between time in range and these aspects.
CURRENT DIABETES REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
George Konstantakopoulos, Anna Trova, Elias Tzavellas, Pentagiotissa Stefanatou, Anthony S. David, Thomas Paparrigopoulos
Summary: The study aimed to develop a clinician-rated scale to assess impaired insight in patients with alcohol use disorder and examine its reliability and validity. The Schedule for the Assessment of Insight in Alcohol Dependence (SAI-AD) showed good convergent validity and internal consistency. Three subscales were identified, measuring different components of insight.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2023)
Article
Music
Evangelia Papanikolaou, Cathy McKinney, Niels Hannibal, George Tsouvelas, Theodore Panoskaltsis, Sofia Karageorgopoulou
Summary: This pilot study aimed to explore the potential effectiveness of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), a music psychotherapy method, in assisting female patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast or gynecologic cancer. The study also aimed to suggest improvements for future larger-scale studies. Participants were randomized into an Intervention group receiving GIM sessions and a Control group receiving verbal counseling. Results showed positive changes in fatigue, hope, and mood for the Intervention group, indicating the potential benefits of GIM for female cancer patients.
JOURNAL OF MUSIC THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Argyroula Kalaitzaki, Michael Rovithis, Alexios Dimitropoulos, Sofia Koukouli, Manolis Linardakis, Elli Katsiri, Nikos Rikos, George Vasilopoulos, George Tsolas, Aikaterini Papachristou, Anastasia Dimitrantzou, Dimitrios Katsiris, Areti Stavropoulou
Summary: This study aimed to examine and compare the self-reported needs, priorities, and preferences of older patients with heart failure (HF), diabetes mellitus type II (DM2), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) towards technology use to enhance self-management. The results showed that most participants recognized the need for technology in disease management, with information, communication with physicians and caregivers, and quality of life and wellbeing as the top priorities. Differences were found in sociodemographic factors, and cell phones and PCs were the preferred devices. Older individuals in these three groups seem receptive to technology in disease management, and mHealth tools incorporating common and disease-specific features could be cost-saving and useful adjuncts in routine clinical care.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Chrysanthi Andronoglou, George Konstantakopoulos, Christina Simoudi, Dimitrios Kasselimis, Ioannis Evdokimidis, Evangelos Tsoukas, Dimitrios Tsolakopoulos, Georgia Angelopoulou, Constantin Potagas
Summary: The present study investigated timing reproduction deficits in individuals with non-fluent aphasia after a left hemisphere lesion. The results showed that aphasia patients demonstrated lower accuracy and greater variability in both synchronization and continuation phases. Specifically, in the continuation phase, individuals with aphasia reproduced longer intervals than the targets, while healthy participants displayed accelerated responses. Moreover, patients' timing variability was greater in the absence of auditory stimuli.