Irish journal of medical science
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Despite high vaccination rates, increasing case numbers continue to be reported with the identification of new variants of concern, and the issue of durability of the vaccine-induced immune response remains hot topic. Real-life data regarding time-dependent immunogenicity of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines are scarce. We aimed to investigate the changes in the antibody at the different times after the second dose of the CoronaVac vaccine. ⋯ While antibody positivity remained above 90% in the 6th month after two doses of inactivated vaccine in HCWs, the median titers of neutralizing antibodies decreased rapidly. The decrease was more rapid and significant in those with no history of prior COVID-19 infection. In this critical phase of the pandemic, where we are facing the dominance of the Omicron variant after Delta, booster doses have become vital.
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This study aims to prospectively examine patients with ischemic wake-up stroke (WUS) presenting to the emergency department, to investigate the risk factors affecting the mortality occurring within 28, 90, and 180 days, and to create a new scoring system for the prediction of 28-day mortality. ⋯ We propose that IWUSMOS, a new scoring system, can be used to predict the 28-day mortality risk of patients with WUS.
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The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need of social media as a medium for gathering health-related information. Simultaneously, a slew of false information, primarily about COVID-19's origin, dissemination, prevention, treatment, and fatality surfaced, making it difficult to distinguish fake from genuine material. However, the possible effects on mental health and the extent to which this influences our decisions, particularly regarding vaccination, are unknown. ⋯ It is a necessity to use social media correctly in health-related topics, to push governments and platforms towards making decisions about false and invalidated posts.
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Meningitis is one of the most dangerous infection affecting children. The need for rapid and accurate diagnosis is mandatory for improving the outcome. ⋯ Multiplex PCR may help in diagnosis and differentiation of bacterial and viral meningitis with accurate and rapid results.
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Childhood obesity is a growing concern in Ireland. Childhood obesity can increase the risk of developing many non-communicable diseases and have lasting psychological and social consequences. ⋯ These findings provide regionally specific data and highlight the need for focussed public health efforts to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children aged 3 years in this area. Interventions from pregnancy through childhood are warranted, with an initial emphasis on breast feeding initiation and maintenance.