ABSTRACT
Background. The pro-inflammatory state associated with obesity leads to B- and T-lymphocyte dysfunction that may lead to an inadequate immune response to natural infection and vaccination. Preliminary studies, conducted outside of the US, involving multiple COVID-19 vaccines indicate that obesity may impact antibody response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of inflammatory status as a mediator in the relationship between obesity and COVID-19 vaccine immune response in a predominantly African-American population. Methods. This cross-sectional analysis involved 54 participants 18 years of age who had completed the primary dosing schedule and booster for Novavax's recombinant COVID-19 vaccine, NVX-CoV2373. Weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) measurements were taken. Medical history including COVID-19 vaccination and known COVID-19 infection were obtained. Blood samples were taken for measurement of c-reactive protein (CRP) and anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG levels. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to assess the presence of a relationship between BMI and CRP, WC and CRP, CRP and spike protein IgG, BMI and spike protein IgG, and finally, WC and spike protein IgG. Mediation analysis was used to evaluate the moderating effect of plasma CRP on the relationship between WC and spike protein IgG while adjusting for suspected confounders. Statistical significance was defined as p < .05. Results. There was an expected positive relationship betweenWCand CRP, (rho = 0.37, p< .05). CRP and spike protein IgG trended towards a weak, negative relationship (rho= -0.13, p > .05). WC and BMI both trended towards a positive relationship with anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG (rho = 0.29 and 0.15, respectively, p >.05). The mediation analysis showed that WC positively influenced spike protein IgG (p< .05), and this effect was not mediated by CRP. Conclusion. Inflammation may be negatively associated with antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines. WC and antibody response may be positively related in NVX-CoV2373 recipients, in spite of chronic low-grade inflammation. Further research is needed to fully characterize the impact of obesity on COVID-19 vaccine immunogenic responses.
ABSTRACT
The need for charity drives in Malaysia has become even more crucial with the halt and closure of countless businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to social restrictions implied, the method of collecting charity funds is now severely limited, resulting in the deployment of social media platforms. Suiting the current needs, this research aimed to understand the public's acceptance of e-charity programs. This quantitative research studied the response of 129 samples spread from urban and rural areas in Malaysia. Data were collected through a questionnaire in Google Form and distributed through social media platforms. Results show the public is willing to do charity online, and it is a way to encourage charitable behaviour.