Predictors for adherent behavior in the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional telephone survey.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, protective measures have been prescribed to prevent or slow down the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and protect the population. Individuals follow these measures to varying degrees. We aimed to identify factors influencing the extent to which protective measures are adhered to. Methods: A cross-sectional survey (telephone interviews) was undertaken between April and June 2021 to identify factors influencing the degree to which individuals adhere to protective measures. A representative sample of 1,003 people (age >16 years) in two Austrian states (Carinthia, Vorarlberg) was interviewed. The questionnaire was based on the Health Belief Model, but also included potential response-modifying factors. Predictors for adherent behavior were identified using multiple regression analysis. All predictors were standardized so that regression coefficients (ß) could be compared. Results: Overall median adherence was 0.75 (IQR: 0.5-1.0). Based on a regression model, the following variables were identified as significant in raising adherence: higher age (ß = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.33-0.54), social standards of acceptable behavior (ß = 0.33, 95%CI: 0.27-0.40), subjective/individual assessment of an increased personal health risk (ß = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.05-0.18), self-efficacy (ß = 0.06, 95%CI: 0.02-0.10), female gender (ß = 0.05, 95%CI: 0.01-0.08), and low corona fatigue (behavioral fatigue: ß = -0.11, 95%CI: -0.18 to -0.03). The model showed that such aspects as personal trust in institutions, perceived difficulties in adopting health-promoting measures, and individual assessments of the risk of infection, had no significant influence. Conclusions: This study reveals that several factors significantly influence adherence to measures aimed at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. To enhance adherence, the government, media, and other relevant stakeholders should take the findings into consideration when formulating policy. By developing social standards and promoting self-efficacy, individuals can influence the behavior of others and contribute toward coping with the pandemic.

Developing a patient safety incident classification system for primary care. A literature review and Delphi-survey by the LINNEAUS collaboration on patient safety in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Despite awareness that comparative analysis of patient safety data from several data sources would promote risk reduction, there has been little effort to establish an incident classification system that is generally applicable to patient safety data in European primary care. OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of a patient safety incident classification system for primary care. METHODS: A systematic review was followed by an expert group discussion and a modified Delphi survey, to provide consensus statements. RESULTS: We developed a classification system providing a mechanism for classifying patient safety incidents across Europe, taking into account the varying organizational arrangements that exist for primary care. It takes into account organizational processes and outcomes related to patient safety incidents and can supplement existing classification systems. CONCLUSION: Classification systems are key tools in the analysis of patient safety incidents. A system that has relevance for primary care is now available.

Development and characterization of a competitive polyclonal antibody enzyme-immunoassay for salmon insulin-like growth factor-II.

This paper describes the development and validation of a competitive, polyclonal antibody enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) for the measurement of salmon and trout insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II). A polyclonal antiserum was raised against a synthetic peptide epitope, corresponding to amino acid residues 1-9 of the N-terminus of mature Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) IGF-II. The antiserum was purified by hydrophobic charge induction chromatography (HCIC). The partially purified immunoglobulins were used in an enzyme-immunoassay system (EIA) resulting in a highly specific assay for salmon IGF-II with cross-reactivity of less than 0.01% for recombinant salmon IGF-I and recombinant salmon growth hormone (GH), and 5.57% for salmon insulin (sIns). The recombinant salmon IGF-II (rsIGF-II) standard curve limit of detection was 1.37 ng/ml with an EC(50) of 44.97+/-0.82 ng/ml. Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were determined at 7.47% (n=15) and 7.42% (n=15), respectively. Added rsIGF-II was adequately recovered from acid-treated Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) plasma samples. Parallel dose-response inhibition curves were demonstrated for the plasma of both fish species tested. Circulating IGF-II levels of 22.26+/-2.66 and 18.24+/-1.43 ng/ml were determined for acid-treated plasma of normal adult Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout, respectively. This EIA should prove to be useful in the study of factors which influence circulating plasma levels of IGF-II in these fish species.

Expression, purification, and in vitro characterization of recombinant salmon insulin-like growth factor-II.

The insulin-like growth factors, IGF-I and IGF-II, are single chain polypeptides, which are structurally related to proinsulin and promote proliferation and differentiation of cells in many vertebrate species. Previous attempts to produce recombinant salmon IGF-II (rsIGF-II) were compromised by low expression levels and co-purification of incorrectly cleaved protein with the authentic recombinant product. In this study, a gene containing the coding region for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) IGF-II was cloned into a modified pET32a expression vector and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 trxB (DE3) cells. Upon growth and induction (with IPTG) of the transformant, recombinant salmon IGF-II (rsIGF-II) was expressed as an insoluble, 28kDa thioredoxin.sIGF-II fusion protein linked by a protease cleavage motif (trx.FAHY.sIGF-II) in inclusion bodies. The inclusion bodies were subsequently solubilized and the fusion protein was purified by Ni-affinity chromatography. Recombinant IGF-II (7.8kDa) was then released from the fusion partner using H64A subtilisin BPN' protease and purified by reversed-phase HPLC. Homogeneity of the final recombinant product was confirmed by N-terminal amino acid sequencing, ion-spray mass spectrometry, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and analytical reversed-phase HPLC. The biological activity of rsIGF-II was demonstrated in cultured rat L6 myoblasts and was found to be approximately 9- and 5-fold less potent than recombinant human IGF-I and recombinant salmon IGF-I, respectively, a result similar to that demonstrated previously with other recombinant fish IGF-II's in non-homologous cell lines.

Hematological responses to hematozoa in North American and neotropical songbirds.

Hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin concentration, RBC count, and blood parasite loads (Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, Haemoproteus, Trypanosoma, microfilariae) were measured in 688 passerine birds captured at four sites in the US and Belize, C.A., to assess physiological consequences of parasitemia. Parasite loads were low overall: 80% of birds had <5 parasites/10000 RBCs; median infection intensity was 1 per 10000 RBCs. Infection prevalence and intensity were higher in Belize than in the US. Analyses across and within taxa revealed no significant linear correlations between hematology values and parasite load, though infected birds were more likely to be anemic. Neotropical migrants reaching the southern US had lower parasite loads than migrants wintering in Belize. Mean Hct was significantly elevated among infected migrants (but not uninfected migrants) reaching the US relative to migrants in Belize. Long-distance migration thus appears to act as a filter for heavily parasitized and anemic birds. Geographic and seasonal variations in hematology indices were similar within and between taxa, suggesting that community-wide factors, rather than phylogenetic attributes or species-specific pathogens, account for the majority of hematological variation. The low parasite loads and weak correlation between parasite load and hematology indices have implications for attempts to test the version of the 'good genes' hypothesis.