Noncommunicable disease mortality and life expectancy in immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union: country of origin compared with host country

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of country of origin effects and of adjustment and selection processes by comparing noncommunicable disease mortality and life expectancy among migrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union (FSU) with noncommunicable disease mortality and life expectancy among Israelis and the population of the Russian Federation. METHODS: Data from 926 870 FSU-immigrants who migrated to Israel between 1990 and 2003 (study cohort) were analysed. Life expectancy was calculated for the study cohort, all Israelis, and the population of the Russian Federation. Age-standardized death rates were calculated for grouped causes of death. FSU immigrants were additionally compared with other Israelis and with inhabitants of the Russian Federation using cause-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). FINDINGS: Life expectancy at age 15 years in 2000-2003 was 61.0 years for male and 67.0 years for female FSU immigrants to Israel. Age-standardized death rates for FSU immigrants in Israel were similar to those of other Israelis and much lower than those of inhabitants of the Russian Federation. Relative to Israelis, the study cohort had a higher SMR for neoplasms, and particularly for stomach cancer. Mortality from brain cancer was higher when immigrants were compared to the Russian Federation (SMR: 1.71, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.50-1.94 for males; SMR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.56-2.02 for females), whereas mortality from stomach cancer was lower among immigrants relative to the Russian Federation (SMR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.40-0.47 for males; SMR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.52-0.61 for females). Mortality from external causes was lower among immigrants relative to the population of the Russian Federation (SMR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.19-0.21 for males; SMR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.33-0.37 for females) but significantly higher relative to other Israelis (SMR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.35-1.47 for males; SMR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.15). CONCLUSION: Noncommunicable disease mortality among FSU immigrants to Israel is lower than in the population of the Russian Federation. Mortality rates in FSU immigrants, particularly from circulatory diseases, have rapidly adjusted and have become similar to those of the destination country. However, immigrants from the FSU have considerably higher mortality than other Israelis from external causes and some noncommunicable diseases such as cancer. Mortality rates in these diaspora migrants show a mixed picture of rapid assimilation together with persistent country of origin effects, as well as the effects of adjustment hardships

Digitalisierung: Epidemiologische Studie mit Appbasierter Erfassung von Symptomen nach betriebsärztlicher Infuenzaimpfung

Impfungen sind eine effektive Maßnahme zum Schutz vor Infektionskrankheiten und damit zur Erhaltung der Gesundheit aller Bevölkerungsgruppen. Impflücken können zu einem Ausbruch impfpräventabler Erkrankungen führen. Um den Impfgedanken zu stärken, ist es besonders wichtig, Risiken von Impfungen und möglicherweise bestimmten Impfstoffen oder Impfstoffchargen zeitnah zu detektieren, zu untersuchen und transparent zu kommunizieren. Grundlage dafür ist, dass Verdachtsfälle von Impfkomplikationen umfassend gemeldet werden. Die Meldung des Verdachtes unerwünschter Impfreaktionen (Nebenwirkungen*) ist ein wichtiges und wesentliches Werkzeug für die Überwachung der Sicherheit von Impfstoffen. Im Folgenden wird eine für die Influenzaimpfsaison 2018/2019 geplante epidemiologische Studie vorgestellt, bei der eine App-basierte Erfassung von Symptomen nach betriebsärztlicher Influenzaimpfung zum Einsatz kommt. Das Forschungsprojekt wird vom Paul-Ehrlich-Institut in Kooperation mit dem Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (HZI), Braunschweig, durchgeführt

Effect modification of the association between comorbidities and severe course of COVID-19 disease by age of study participants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Adjusting the protecting group strategy, from an alkyl ether to a bidentate ketal at the carbohydrate backbone of uridine, facilitates a switchable diastereoselective α- or β-C4'/C5'-spirocyclopropanation. Using these spirocyclopropanated nucleosides as key intermediates, we synthesized a variety of C4'-methylated d-ribose and l-lyxose-configured uridine derivatives by a base-mediated ring-opening of the spirocyclopropanol moiety. Investigations of antiviral activity against the human respiratory syncytial virus were carried out for selected derivatives, showing moderate activity

User preferences for a mobile application to report adverse events following vaccination

The passive surveillance system is an important tool in pharmacovigilance of vaccines. However, reporting of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) post-marketing has limitations regarding under-reporting, biased reports and lack of exposure data resulting in imprecise estimates. New mobile application technology may provide an opportunity for an enhanced surveillance. A pre-requisite for the use of new app-based technology is to identify practical challenges and end users' preferences for design of app-features. The objectives were (i) to investigate the recruitment and feasibility of an app-based study in Germany, (ii) to assess individuals' motivation to participate in such a study and (iii) to identify app-features for reporting AEFI. We conducted a cross-sectional study among employees of a financial institution who attended the occupational health office during the seasonal influenza vaccination in November 2017. Participants tested feasibility and assessed an app prototype for AEFI reporting by using a case vignette and a questionnaire. Of the 153 attending employees, 65 (42%) agreed to participate and returned the questionnaire. Twenty-three (63%) rated the experience of reporting AEFI with the app prototype to be positive. Among three features offered for gamification, collecting points was most frequently chosen (n=22, 34%). The main reason for declining participation was the apprehension about data protection (n=28, 43%). Results suggest that the app-based technology was well accepted and is a suitable supplement for AEFI reporting and in our study. A convincing data protection concept is likely to enhance acceptability of such a system

Long-term protective effects of hepatitis A vaccines. A systematic review

AbstractObjectiveData on duration and long-term protective effects of hepatitis A vaccines (HepA) have not been reviewed using a systematic approach. Our objective is to provide a comprehensive review of evidence on the duration of protection achieved by HepA, which is needed for revising existing vaccine policies. Limitations in data availability and implications for future research in this area are discussed.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted including all studies published between 1997 and 2011 reporting on long-term protection of HepA. The outcomes considered were hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection and sero-protection measured by anti-HAV antibodies after follow-up times of over 5 years post-vaccination.Results299 studies were identified from MEDLINE and 51 studies from EMBASE. 13 manuscripts met our inclusion criteria. The maximum observation times and reported persistence levels of sero-protective anti-HAV antibodies was 15 years for live attenuated HepA and 14 years for inactivated HepA. All data were from observational studies and showed that higher number of doses of live attenuated vaccine led to higher seropositivity and GMT, but dosage and schedule did not significantly impact the long-term protection following inactivated vaccine. Few comparisons were made between the two vaccine types indicating highest levels of antibody titers achieved by multiple doses of live attenuated vaccines 7 years post-vaccination.ConclusionAvailable data indicate that both inactivated and live attenuated HepA are capable of providing protection up to 15 years as defined by currently accepted, conservative correlates of protection. Further investigations are needed to continue to monitor the long-term protection afforded by these vaccines. Standardized methods are required for vaccine-follow-up studies including assessment of co-variables potentially affecting long-term protection