Rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XDR lineage derived from recombination between XBB and BA.2.86 subvariants circulating in Brazil in late 2023 by Ighor Arantes, Kimihito Ito, Marcelo Gomes, Felipe Cotrim de Carvalho, Walquiria Aparecida Ferreira de Almeida, Ricardo Khouri, Fabio Miyajima, Gabriel Luz Wallau, Felipe Gomes Naveca, Elisa Cavalcante Pereira, Marilda Mendonça Siqueira, Paola Cristina Resende, Gonzalo Bello

“…The study’s significance lies in its ability to document the impact of recombination on viral evolution, offering valuable information to the field of virology and pandemic preparedness.…”
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Associations between local COVID-19 policies and anxiety in the USA: a longitudinal digital cohort study by Jeffrey E Olgin, Gregory M Marcus, Rita Hamad, John Kornak, Carmen R Isasi, Ana Sanchez-Birkhead, Mark Pletcher, Soo Park, Natasha Williams, Thomas Carton, Aaron E Cozen, Madelaine Faulkner Modrow, Amy Chiang, Matthew Brandner, Jaime H Orozco, Kristen Azar, Sylvia E K Sudat, Pelin Ozluk, Heather Kitzman, Sara J Knight

“…Local government policies may have contributed to increases in anxiety and mental health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods We analysed associations between composite policy scores for containment and closure, public health or economic support from the US COVID-19 County Policy Database and self-reported anxiety scores (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7) from COVID-19 Citizen Science participants between 22 April 2020 and 31 December 2021.Results In 188 976 surveys from 36 711 participants in 100 counties across 28 states, associations between anxiety and containment and closure policy differed by employment (p<0.0001), with elevated anxiety under maximal policy for people working in hospitality and food services (+1.05 vs no policy; 95% CI: 0.45, 1.64) or arts and entertainment (+0.56; 95% CI 0.15, 0.97) and lower anxiety for people working in healthcare (−0.43; 95% CI −0.66 to –0.20) after adjusting for calendar time, county-specific effects and COVID-19 case rates and death rates. …”
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UK cancer vaccine advance – Recognising and realising opportunities by Charles Craddock, Philip Earwaker, Matthew Fittall, Elisa Fontana, Divya Ganesh, Marco Gerlinger, Qamar Ghafoor, Robert P Jones, Victoria Kunene, Lennard Lee, Rebecca Lee, Siow-Ming Lee, Mark Linch, Martin Little, Justin Liu, Hayley McKenzie, Russell Petty, David J Pinato, Thomas Powles, Andrew Protheroe, Tim Robinson, Paul J Ross, Kai Keen Shiu, James Spicer, Stefan Symeonides, Michael Tilby, Dale Vimalachandran, Jenny Y Wang, Andrew Wardley, Helen Winter

“…Vaccines have revolutionised the field of medicine, eradicating and controlling many diseases. Recent pandemic vaccine successes have highlighted the accelerated pace of vaccine development and deployment. …”
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Identifying falsified COVID-19 vaccines by analysing vaccine vial label and excipient profiles using MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry by Benediktus Yohan Arman, Rebecca Clarke, Tehmina Bharucha, Laura Gomez Fernandez, John Walsby-Tickle, Michael Deats, Sara Mosca, Qianqi Lin, Sneha Banerjee, Shrikrishna R. Chunekar, Kundan D. Patil, Sunil Gairola, Susanna Dunachie, Hamid A. Merchant, Robert Stokes, Rutendo Kuwana, Alexandrine Maes, Jean-Philippe Charrier, Fay Probert, Céline Caillet, Pavel Matousek, James McCullagh, Paul N. Newton, Nicole Zitzmann, Bevin Gangadharan

“…However, these developments are associated with the risk of a surge of substandard and falsified (SF) vaccines, as illustrated by the 184 incidents with SF and diverted COVID-19 vaccines which have been reported during the pandemic in 48 countries, with a paucity of methods for their detection in supply chains. …”
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Biogenic silver nanoparticles produced by Trichoderma reesei inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, reduce lung viral load and ameliorate acute pulmonary inflammation by Marcus V.M.V. Amaral, Cláudia B. Carraro, Amanda C.C. Antoniêto, Mariana N. Costa, Thais F.C. Fraga-Silva, Ualter G. Cipriano, Rodrigo P.F. Abuná, Tamara S. Rodrigues, Ronaldo B. Martins, Andreia M. Luzenti, Glaucia R. Caruso, Priscyla D. Marcato, Vania L.D. Bonato, Dario S. Zamboni, Bergman M. Ribeiro, Sônia N. Báo, Joao S. da Silva, Flávio P. Veras, Roberto N. Silva

“…The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), posed a significant global health challenge and still demands efforts to develop new therapies. …”
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Environmental biocontamination by SARS-CoV-2 Virus in the hospital setting by M Espejo Mambié, D San Jose-Saras, C Bischofberger Valdés, C Díaz-Agero Pérez, JC Galán Montemayor, L Martínez-García, M Abreu Di-Berardino, P Moreno-Nunez, J Vicente-Guijarro, J.M Aranaz-Andrés

“…Objective: To analyze SARS-CoV-2 contamination in the air and on surfaces in a hospital setting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study involved air and surface sampling in the emergency, hospitalization, and intensive care unit areas of the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital. …”
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Immunogenicity and safety of a live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate based on multiple attenuation mechanisms by Mie Suzuki Okutani, Shinya Okamura, Tang Gis, Hitomi Sasaki, Suni Lee, Akiho Kashiwabara, Simon Goto, Mai Matsumoto, Mayuko Yamawaki, Toshiaki Miyazaki, Tatsuya Nakagawa, Masahito Ikawa, Wataru Kamitani, Shiro Takekawa, Koichi Yamanishi, Hirotaka Ebina

“…mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 were rapidly developed and were effective during the pandemic. However, some limitations remain to be resolved, such as the short-lived induced immune response and certain adverse effects. …”
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Functional Improvement Trajectories After Surgery (FIT After Surgery) study: protocol for a multicentre prospective cohort study to evaluate significant new disability after major... by E Jacobsohn, Duminda N Wijeysundera, Gerald Lebovic, M Davis, Martine T E Puts, Shabbir M H Alibhai, Karim S Ladha, C Wong, Daniel I McIsaac, C Hanley, T Barnes, G Lorello, N Siddiqui, P Serrano, Tyler R Chesney, S Choi, J Van Vlymen, D Sussman, D Macdonald, P Jüni, Emily Hladkowicz, C David Mazer, M Bosch, CD Mazer, A Jerath, J Pazmino-Canizares, E Kennedy, R Spence, V Lyon, Alice C Wei, Julian F Daza, Sahar Ehtesham, Janet M van Vlymen, DN Wijeysundera, KS Ladha, JF Daza, G Mattina, E Hladkowicz, M Tessier, S Ehtesham, S Nnorom, SMH Alibhai, M Puts, G Lebovic, TR Chesney, AC Wei, S Drozdz, M Louridas, RH Breau, M Lalu, S Abdellatif, S Gagne, E Duceppe, K Zarnke, D Dumerton, M Karizhenskaia, H El Beheiry, F Bonazza, A Zahavich, M Thorleifson, S L Russell, H Bagry, SY MacDonell, J Dale-Gandar, L Kaustov, A Fleet, E Al Azazi, M Parotto, S A McCluskey, H Poonawala, D Dillane, Di McIsaac, S Avramescu, S Shabeen

“…Recruitment began in December 2019 but was placed on hold in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recruitment was gradually restarted in October 2020, with 1-year follow-up expected to finish in 2023. …”
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Transcriptomic profiles of monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to SARS-CoV-2 VOCs reveal immune-evasion escape driven by delta by Alessia Gallo, Josè Camilla Sammartino, Roberta Vazzana, Roberto Giambruno, Claudia Carcione, Nicola Cuscino, Salvatore Castelbuono, Vitale Miceli, Matteo Bulati, Daniele Lilleri, Irene Cassaniti, Pier Giulio Conaldi, Fausto Baldanti

“…Methods We analysed the gene expression profiles of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) isolated from whole blood of healthy participants exposed to the 5 different SARS-CoV-2 VOC: D614G, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Gamma (P1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron BA.1 (B.1.1.529), and to the HCoV-OC43 strain, a coronavirus already present in the population before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Whole transcriptome RNA-Seq, for both coding and non-coding RNAs, was then made. …”
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Epidemiological drivers of transmissibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 in England by Pablo N. Perez-Guzman, Edward Knock, Natsuko Imai, Thomas Rawson, Cosmo Nazzareno Santoni, Joana Alcada, Lilith K. Whittles, Divya Thekke Kanapram, Raphael Sonabend, Katy A. M. Gaythorpe, Wes Hinsley, Richard G. FitzJohn, Erik Volz, Robert Verity, Neil M. Ferguson, Anne Cori, Marc Baguelin

“…Abstract As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic progressed, distinct variants emerged and dominated in England. …”
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Exploring Medical Students’ Self-Reported Confidence and Willingness Administering Basic Life Support (BLS) Following Peer-Led Training in the Context of COVID-19 by Sarah Allsop

“…Self-reported confidence reduced rapidly following virtual-only training. During the pandemic, a reduction in student-perceived willingness to provide BLS in an emergency was observed in a community but not a hospital setting. …”
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Editorial by Lindsay B. Flynn

“…The second now asks them to shelter in homes they struggle to afford. The pandemic comes on top of an already bad set of conditions: expensive housing and stagnant wages, potential for intergenerational conflict due to the privatisation of risk and the different needs of cohorts at different life stages, and increasing income and wealth inequality that continues to limit the varying opportunities of young people as they try to establish themselves in the housing market. …”
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The novel H10N3 avian influenza virus acquired airborne transmission among chickens: an increasing threat to public health by Xiaoquan Wang, Huiyan Yu, Yahao Ma, Pinghu Zhang, Xiyue Wang, Jianyu Liang, Xiuling Zhang, Ruyi Gao, Xiaolong Lu, Wenhao Yang, Yu Chen, Min Gu, Jiao Hu, Xiaowen Liu, Shunlin Hu, Daxin Peng, Xian Qi, Changjun Bao, Kaituo Liu, Xiufan Liu

“…ABSTRACT Following two human infections with the H10N3 avian influenza virus (AIV) in 2021 and 2022, a third case was discovered in Yunnan, China, in 2024, raising concerns about the potential for future pandemics. Recent studies have indicated that novel H10N3 viruses are highly pathogenic in mice and can be transmitted between guinea pigs via respiratory droplets without prior adaptation. …”
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Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology based on ancestral RBD antigens does not correlate with the presence of neutralizing antibodies against Omicron variants by Léa Dépéry, Isabelle Bally, Axelle Amen, Benjamin Némoz, Marlyse Buisson, Laurence Grossi, Aurélie Truffot, Raphaële Germi, Delphine Guilligay, Mélanie Veloso, Antoine Vilotitch, Olivier Epaulard, Patrice Morand, Winfried Weissenhorn, Pascal Poignard, Julien Lupo

“…Adapting serological tests may improve their clinical utility in immunocompromised patients.IMPORTANCEAnti-SARS-CoV-2 serology was developed in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection and monitor an individual’s immunity following natural infection or vaccination. …”
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Assessing alcohol industry penetration and government safeguards: the International Alcohol Control Study by Sarah Callinan, Gopalkrishna Gururaj, Shiwei Liu, Sally Casswell, Thomas Karlsson, Jintana Jankhotkaew, Surasak Chaiyasong, Pranil Man Singh Pradhan, Gillian Shorter, Timothy Naimi, Ingeborg Rossow, Keitseope Nthomang, June Yue Yan Leung, Mindaugas Štelemėkas, Mom Kong, Khem Karki, Steve Randerson, Lathika Athauda, Arvind Banavaram, Orfhlaith Campbell, Song Dearak, Emeka W Dumbili, Laura Romero-García, Romtawan Kalapat, Norman Danilo Maldonado Vargas, Juan Felipe Gonzalez-Mejía, Opeyemi Oladunni, Kwame Owino, Juan Camilo Herrera Palacio, Phasith Phatchana, Vanlounny Sibounheuang, Dao The Son, Kate Vallance, Wim van Dalen, Ashley Wettlaufer, Arianne Zamora

“…There were multiple examples of government partnerships or agreements with the alcohol industry as corporate social responsibility activities, and government incentives for the industry in the early COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, government safeguards against alcohol industry influence were limited, with only the Philippines reporting a policy to restrict government interactions with the alcohol industry. …”
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Public and patient involvement (PPI) in the design, execution and dissemination of a trial: the BISTRO trial by David Coyle, Paula Ormandy, Nancy Fernandes da Silva, Simon Davies

“…The trial was successfully completed and gave a clear answer despite interruption by the COVID pandemic. Adherence to urine collections was excellent, despite prior concerns this would prove problematic, and dropout was acceptable. …”
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Prioritizing breast cancer surgeries: insights from the KRONOS SCORE by Lucía Navarro, Lucía Navarro, Lucía Navarro, Luis Perez-Bartivas, Luis Perez-Bartivas, Luis Perez-Bartivas, David Ponferrada, David Ponferrada, David Ponferrada, Javier Cejas, Javier Cejas, Javier Cejas, Juan Adrián Camús, Juan Adrián Camús, Juan Adrián Camús, Natalia Rangel, Natalia Rangel, Natalia Rangel, Maria Porras, Cristina Morales Estevez, Cristina Morales Estevez, Cristina Morales Estevez, Amalia Palacios Eito, Amalia Palacios Eito, Amalia Palacios Eito, Pilar Rioja, Pilar Rioja, Pilar Rioja, Marina Alvarez, Marina Alvarez, Marina Alvarez, Enrique Aranda, Enrique Aranda, Enrique Aranda, Juan De La Haba-Rodríguez, Juan De La Haba-Rodríguez, Juan De La Haba-Rodríguez

“…Although guidelines suggest that a waiting period of up to four weeks is acceptable, this is often exceeded, potentially impacting treatment outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to reassess surgical urgency. …”
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Health systems analysis and evaluation of the barriers to availability, utilisation and readiness of sexual and reproductive health services in COVID-19-affected areas: a WHO mixed... by José Guilherme Cecatti, Kun Tang, Igor Toskin, Moazzam Ali, Caron Kim, Stefano Uccella, Simone Garzon, Ge Yang, Vanessa Brizuela, Pisake Lumbiganon, Seni Kouanda, Alexandra Sawyer, Nigel Sherriff, Alessia Savoldi, Anna Thorson, Marleen Temmerman, Jörg Huber, Soe Soe Thwin, Maddalena Cordioli, Massimo Mirandola, Jaime Vera, Armando Seuc, Laila Ladak, Debbie Williams, Luis Bahamondes, Deda Ogum Alangea, Abdu Mohiddin, Eunice Nahyuha Chomi, Sothornwit Jen, Modey Emefa, Hamsadvani Kuganantham, Armando Humberto Seuc, Eunice Chomi, Hanxiyue Zhang, Yifan Zhu, Yueping Guo, Chunxiao Peng, Kwasi Tropsey, Emefa Judith Modey, Rozina Karmaliani, Jen Sothornwit, Ferdinand Okwaro, Ranieri Poli, Joy Jerop Chebet, Hugo Gamerro Abrego

“…This study aims to assess the availability of contraception, comprehensive abortion care, sexually transmitted infection prevention and treatment and sexual and gender-based violence care and support services in local health facilities during COVID-19 pandemic. This is a standardised generic protocol designed for use across different global settings.Methods and analysis This study adopts both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess health facilities’ SRH service availability and readiness, and clients’ and providers’ perceptions of the availability and readiness of these services in COVID-19-affected areas. …”
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MERS-CoV spike vaccine-induced N-terminal domain-specific antibodies are more protective than receptor binding domain-specific antibodies by Olubukola M. Abiona, Nianshuang Wang, Sarah R. Leist, Alexandra Schäfer, Adam S. Cockrell, Lingshu Wang, Sandhya Bangaru, Laura Stevens, Rachel L. Graham, Jacob F. Kocher, Yaroslav Tsybovsky, Masaru Kanekiyo, Azad Kumar, Kaitlyn M. Morabito, Osnat Rosen, Wei Shi, Anne Werner, Yi Zhang, Cynthia Ziwawo, Christian K.O. Dzuvor, Charis Palandjian, Connor Eastman, Hannah R. Matthews, Jeswin Joseph, James D. Chappell, Wing-Pui Kong, John R. Mascola, Andrew B. Ward, Mark R. Denison, Ralph Baric, Jason S. McLellan, Barney S. Graham, Kizzmekia S. Corbett-Helaire

“…Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need to prepare for future emerging coronavriuses (CoVs) by understanding the principles behind effective CoV vaccine design such as protective immunity and antibody responses. …”
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Olanzapine for young PEople with aNorexia nervosa (OPEN): results of a feasibility study by Olena Said, Dominic Stringer, Ece Sengun Filiz, Hiba Mutwalli, Sevgi Bektas, Melahat Nur Akkese, Vanessa Kellermann, Katie Ireland, Elizabeth Tyrrell-Bunge, Demelza Beishon-Murley, Joel W. T. Khor, Lee Allman, Joanna Barker, Nicus Kotze, Ben Carter, Mima Simic, Dilveer Singh Sually, Jessica Bentley, Allan H. Young, Sloane Madden, Sarah Byford, Sabine Landau, Vanessa Lawrence, Janet Treasure, Ulrike Schmidt, Dasha Nicholls, Hubertus Himmerich

“…Conclusions Possible reasons for the recruitment difficulties and low adherence rate include the high clinical workload of ED services during the COVID-19 pandemic and the reluctance of patients to agree to take olanzapine under the relatively restricted conditions of a clinical study. …”
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