Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Case Report Of Covid-19 Monitoring In The Austrian Professional Football League, Antje Van Der Zee-Neuen, Dagmar Schaffler-Schaden, Jürgen Herfert, James O´Brien, Tim Johansson, Patrick Kutschar, Alexander Seymer, Stephan Ludwig, Thomas Stöggl, David Keeley, Herbert Resch, Jürgen Osterbrink, Maria Flamm

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Since the beginning of the COVID -19 pandemic, many contact sport teams are facing major challenges to safely continue training and competition. We present the design and implementation of a structured monitoring concept for the Austrian national football league. 146 professional players from five clubs of the professional Austrian football league were monitored for a period of 12 weeks. Subjective health parameters, PCR- test results and data obtained from a geo-tracking app were collected. Simulations modelling the consequences of a COVID-19 case with increasing reproduction number were computed. No COVID -19 infection occurred during the observation period in the players. …

Covid-19 And Preparing Planetary Health For Future Ecological Crises: Hopes From Glycomics For Vaccine Innovation, Xueqing Wang, Zhaohua Zhong, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

A key lesson emerging from COVID-19 is that pandemic proofing planetary health against future ecological crises calls for systems science and preventive medicine innovations. With greater proximity of the human and animal natural habitats in the 21st century, it is also noteworthy that zoonotic infections such as COVID-19 that jump from animals to humans are increasingly plausible in the coming decades. In this context, glycomics technologies and the third alphabet of life, the sugar code, offer veritable prospects to move omics systems science from discovery to diverse applications of relevance to global public health and preventive medicine. In this expert …

Public Health Lessons From Crisis-Related Travel: The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jun Wen, Zhaohui Su

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

No abstract provided.

Life In A Time Of Covid: A Mixed Method Study Of The Changes In Lifestyle, Mental And Psychosocial Health During And After Lockdown In Western Australians, Ranila Bhoyroo, Paola Chivers, Lynne Millar, Caroline Bulsara, Ben Piggott, Michelle Lambert, Jim Codde

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Australian government imposed multiple restrictions that impacted daily life activities and the social life. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the community’s physical, mental and psychosocial health. Methods: Approximately 2 months after a three-month lockdown, a cross-sectional study was opened to Western Australian adults for an 8-week period (25th August – 21 October 2020). Participants competed a 25-min questionnaire adapted from the Western Australia Health and Wellbeing Surveillance system. Participants provided information on their socio-demographic status, lifestyle behaviours, mental health, and psychosocial …

Gut Microbiota Interplay With Covid-19 Reveals Links To Host Lipid Metabolism Among Middle Eastern Populations, Mohammad Tahseen Al Bataineh, Andreas Henschel, Mira Mousa, Marianne Daou, Fathimathuz Waasia, Hussein Kannout, Mariam Khalili, Mohd Azzam Kayasseh, Abdulmajeed Alkhajeh, Maimunah Uddin, Nawal Alkaabi, Guan K. Tay, Samuel F. Feng, Ahmed F. Yousef, Habiba S. Alsafar, Uae Covid-19 Collaborative Partnership

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The interplay between the compositional changes in the gastrointestinal microbiome, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) susceptibility and severity, and host functions is complex and yet to be fully understood. This study performed 16S rRNA gene-based microbial profiling of 143 subjects. We observed structural and compositional alterations in the gut microbiota of the SARS-CoV-2-infected group in comparison to non-infected controls. The gut microbiota composition of the SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals showed an increase in anti-inflammatory bacteria such as Faecalibacterium (p-value = 1.72 × 10–6) and Bacteroides (p-value = 5.67 × 10–8). We also revealed a higher relative abundance of the highly …

Detect Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating The Impact Of Covid-19 In Western Australian Schools, Marianne J. Mullane, Hannah M. Thomas, Melanie Epstein, Joelie Mandzufas, Narelle Mullan, Alexandra Whelan, Karen Lombardi, Tina Barrow, Sherlynn Ang, Adele Leahy, Ewan Cameron, Leanne Lester, Matt Cooper, Paul Stevenson, Mitch Hartman, Anne Mckenzie, Francis Mitrou, Stephen R. Zubrick, Juli Coffin, Donna Cross, Asha C. Bowen, Peter Gething

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: Amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is key to providing peace of mind for the community and informing policy-making decisions. While available data suggest that school-aged children are not significant spreaders of SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission in schools remains an ongoing concern, especially among an aging teaching workforce. Even in low-prevalence settings, communities must balance the potential risk of transmission with the need for students' ongoing education. Through the roll out of high-throughput school-based SARS-CoV-2 testing, enhanced follow-up for individuals exposed to COVID-19 and wellbeing surveys, this study investigates the dynamics …

The Missing Link Between Medical Science Knowledge And Public Awareness: Implications For Tourism And Hospitality Recovery After Covid-19, Jun Wen, Haifeng Hou, Metin Kozak, Fang Meng, Chung-En Yu, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: As the world grapples with the pervasive effects of the coronavirus pandemic, a notable disconnect has emerged in the public's understanding of scientific and medical research. Particularly, the travel industry has become unquestionably vulnerable amid the COVID-19 outbreak; this pandemic has interrupted the industry's operations with devastating economic consequences. This paper aims to highlight the importance of deconstructing barriers between medical science and public awareness related to COVID-19, taking tourism as a case in point. It also discusses the role of interdisciplinary research in facilitating the tourism and hospitality industry's recovery and alleviating tourists' uncertainties in the wake of …

Young Adults’ Preferences For Influenza Vaccination Campaign Messages: Implications For Covid-19 Vaccine Intervention Design And Development, Zhaohui Su, Dean Mcdonnell, Jun Wen, Ali Cheshmehzangi, Junaid Ahmad, Edmund Goh, Xiaoshan Li, Sabina Šegalo, Michael Mackert, Yu-Tao Xiang, Peiyu Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background Health campaign interventions, particularly those tailored to the target audience’s needs and preferences, can cost-effectively change people’s attitudes and behaviors towards better health decision-making. However, there is limited research on how to best tailor seasonal influenza vaccination campaigns for young adults. Vaccination is vital in protecting young adults and their social circles (vulnerable populations like older adults) from the influenza virus and critical in shaping these emerging adults’ vaccination habits in the long run. However, amid the prevalence of easily-accessible, attention-grabbing, and often malicious false and misinformation (e.g., COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories), it may be more challenging to develop …

Editorial: Covid-19, Corporate Governance, Sustainability, And The Post-Neoliberal World, Marie Dela Rama, Julie Crews

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Welcome to this special issue of Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review focusing on the impact of thecoronavirus (COVID-19) on societies and economies worldwide. The five papers in this special issue reflect the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,in its first year,on corporate governance and sustainability. What is common throughout these papers is how the pandemic has created disequilibria for many organisations. The question continues to be posed as to the new forms of organising and managing as the world reorientates or pivots in a pandemic and post-pandemic world.

Covid-19 Governance, Legitimacy, And Sustainability: Lessons From The Australian Experience, Michael Lester, Marie Dela Rama, Julie Crews

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

During 2020, Australia managed the global and systemic COVID-19 crisis successfully as measured by health and economic indicators. It marshalled the government’s delivery capacity to control the health crisis and put in place measures to offset the induced economic and social costs. At the same time, the crisis revealed long-standing structural weaknesses in a small, democratic, wealthy, and economically successful country that raised questions about post COVID resilience and sustainability. This paper examines that experience by applying a “co-production” governance model that sees success in “crisis management” as the striking of a balance between government capacity and its legitimacy in …

Vaccines Are Not Yet A Silver Bullet: The Imperative Of Continued Communication About The Importance Of Covid-19 Safety Measures, Zhaohui Su, Jun Wen, Dean Mcdonnell, Edmund Goh, Xiaoshan Li, Sabina Šegalo, Junaid Ahmad, Ali Cheshmehzangi, Yu-Tao Xiang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

COVID-19 vaccines are by no means a silver bullet. With more COVID-19 vaccines expecting approval in the coming months, it is necessary to note that vaccine availability does not equate to vaccine accessibility, nor vaccine efficacy. Some research suggests that approximately 9 out of 10 individuals living in lower-income countries will not have access to COVID-19 vaccines until 2023 or later. For higher-income countries, such as the United States, the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy may further compound the situation. These insights combined, in turn, emphasize the fact that even though COVID-19 vaccines are becoming more available, safety measures (e.g., face …

Comparison Of Experiences In Two Birth Cohorts Comprising Young Families With Children Under Four Years During The Initial Covid-19 Lockdown In Australia And The Uk: A Qualitative Study, Lisa Y. Gibson, Bridget Lockyer, Josie Dickerson, Charlotte Endacott, Sally Bridges, Rosemary R. C. Mceachan, Kate E. Pickett, Sarah Whalan, Natasha L. Bear, Desiree T. Silva, Susan L. Prescott, Jacqueline A. Davis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study aims to understand the experience and impact of the initial COVID-19 lock-down in young families with children aged below 4 years. Free text questions were administered to participants in the ORIGINS (Australia) and Born in Bradford (UK) cohort studies to collect qualitative information on worries, concerns and enjoyable experiences during the pandemic. A total of 903 (400 for ORIGINS and 503 for BiB) participants completed the two surveys during April 2020. Despite varying in geography, levels of socio-economic disadvantage and their situational context during the pandemic, respondents from both cohorts reported similar worries and challenges during the lockdown …

Associations Between Genetic Variants In The Vitamin D Metabolism Pathway And Severity Of Covid-19 Among Uae Residents, Fatme Al-Anouti, Mira Mousa, Spyridon N. Karras, William B. Grant, Zainab Alhalwachi, Laila Abdel-Wareth, Maimunah Uddin, Nawal Alkaabi, Guan K. Tay, Bassam Mahboub, Habiba Alsafar

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Vitamin D has many effects on cells in the immune system. Many studies have linked low vitamin D status with severity of COVID-19. Genetic variants involved in vitamin D metabolism have been implicated as potential risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes. This study investigated how genetic variations in humans affected the clinical presentation of COVID-19. In total, 646 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were divided into two groups: noncritical COVID-19 (n = 453; 70.12%) and a critical group (n = 193; 29.87%). Genotype data on the GC, NADSYN1, VDR, and CYP2R1 genes along with data on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were …

Genome-Wide Association Study Of Hospitalized Covid-19 Patients In The United Arab Emirates, Mira Mousa, Hema Vurivi, Hussein Kannout, Maimunah Uddin, Nawal Alkaabi, Bassam Mahboub, Guan K. Tay, Habiba S. Alsafar

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: The heterogeneity in symptomatology and phenotypic profile attributable to COVID-19 is widely unknown. The objective of this manuscript is to conduct a trans-ancestry genome wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of COVID-19 severity to improve the understanding of potentially causal targets for SARS-CoV-2. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 646 participants in the UAE that were divided into two phenotypic groups based on the severity of COVID-19 phenotypes, hospitalized (n=482) and non-hospitalized (n=164) participants. Hospitalized participants were COVID-19 patients that developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia or progression to respiratory failure that required supplemental oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation support …

A Novel Augmented Deep Transfer Learning For Classification Of Covid-19 And Other Thoracic Diseases From X-Rays, Fouzia Atlaf, Syed M. S. Islam, Naeem K. Janjua

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Deep learning has provided numerous breakthroughs in natural imaging tasks. However, its successful application to medical images is severely handicapped with the limited amount of annotated training data. Transfer learning is commonly adopted for the medical imaging tasks. However, a large covariant shift between the source domain of natural images and target domain of medical images results in poor transfer learning. Moreover, scarcity of annotated data for the medical imaging tasks causes further problems for effective transfer learning. To address these problems, we develop an augmented ensemble transfer learning technique that leads to significant performance gain over the conventional transfer …

All Around Suboptimal Health — A Joint Position Paper Of The Suboptimal Health Study Consortium And European Association For Predictive, Preventive And Personalised Medicine, Wei Wang, Yuxiang Yan, Zheng Guo, Haifeng Hou, Monique Garcia, Xuerui Tan, Enoch O. Anto, Gehendra Mahara, Yulu Zheng, Bo Li, Timothy Kang, Zhaohua Zhong, Youxin Wang, Xiuhua Guo, Olga Golubnitschaja, Suboptimal Health Study Consortium And European Association For Predictive, Preventive And Personalised Medicine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

First two decades of the twenty-first century are characterised by epidemics of non-communicable diseases such as many hundreds of millions of patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases and the type 2 diabetes mellitus, breast, lung, liver and prostate malignancies, neurological, sleep, mood and eye disorders, amongst others. Consequent socio-economic burden is tremendous. Unprecedented decrease in age of maladaptive individuals has been reported. The absolute majority of expanding non-communicable disorders carry a chronic character, over a couple of years progressing from reversible suboptimal health conditions to irreversible severe pathologies and cascading collateral complications. The time-frame between onset of SHS and clinical manifestation …

Profile Of Immunoglobulin G N-Glycome In Covid-19 Patients: A Case-Control Study, Haifeng Hou, Huan Yang, Pengcheng Liu, Changwu Huang, Meng Wang, Yuejin Li, Mingsong Zhu, Jing Wang, Yuan Xu, Youxin Wang, Qingwei Ma, Dong Li, Pu Liao, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a major health challenge globally. Previous studies have suggested that changes in the glycosylation of IgG are closely associated with the severity of COVID-19. This study aimed to compare the profiles of IgG N-glycome between COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. A case-control study was conducted, in which 104 COVID-19 patients and 104 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited. Serum IgG N-glycome composition was analyzed by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (HILIC-UPLC) approach. COVID-19 patients have a decreased level of IgG fucosylation, which upregulates antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) in …

Covid-19 Disease Severity And Death In Relation To Vitamin D Status Among Sars-Cov-2-Positive Uae Residents, Habiba Alsafar, William B. Grant, Rafiq Hijazi, Maimunah Uddin, Nawal Alkaabi, Guan Tay, Bassam Mahboub, Fatme Al Anouti

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Insufficient blood levels of the neurohormone vitamin D are associated with increased risk of COVID-19 severity and mortality. Despite the global rollout of vaccinations and promising preliminary results, the focus remains on additional preventive measures to manage COVID-19. Results conflict on vitamin D’s plausible role in preventing and treating COVID-19. We examined the relation between vitamin D status and COVID-19 severity and mortality among the multiethnic population of the United Arab Emirates. Our observational study used data for 522 participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at one of the main hospitals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Only 464 of those …

Change In Mental Health, Physical Health, And Social Relationships During Highly Restrictive Lockdown In The Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence From Australia, Shane Rogers, Travis Miles Cruickshank

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

A novel coronavirus first reported in Wuhan City in China in 2019 (COVID-19) developed into a global pandemic throughout 2020. Many countries around the world implemented strict social distancing policies to curb the spread of the virus. In this study we aimed to examine potential change in mental/physical health and social relationships during a highly restrictive COVID-19 lockdown period in Australia during April 2020.

Methods

Our survey (n = 1, 599) included questions about concerns, social behaviour, perceived change in relationship quality, social media use, frequency of exercise, physical health, and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown (April, 2020). …

Can Positive Mindsets Be Protective Against Stress And Isolation Experienced During The Covid-19 Pandemic? A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding Emotional Health And Wellbeing Needs Of Perinatal Women, Jacqueline A. Davis, Lisa Y. Gibson, Natasha L. Bear, Amy L. Finlay-Jones, Jeneva L. Ohan, Desiree T. Silva, Susan L. Prescott

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between emotional health and well-being and support needs of perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to understand their experiences and need for support. This is a potentially vulnerable group and a critical developmental phase for women and infants. A mixed methods design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data that provided a robust insight into their unique needs. A total of 174 women who were either pregnant or post-birth participated. The main findings demonstrated that women in this cohort experienced varying levels of stress and isolation but also …

Association Of National Covid-19 Cases With Objectively And Subjectively Measured Mental Health Proxies In The Austrian Football League–An Epidemiological Study, Antje Van Der Zee-Neuen, Alexander Seymer, Dagmar Schaffler-Schaden, Jürgen Herfert, James Óbrien, Tim Johansson, Patrick Kutschar, Stephan Ludwig, Thomas Stöggl, David Keeley, Maria Flamm, Jürgen Osterbrink

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

We aimed to explore the association of national COVID-19 data with the objective and subjective mental health proxies (i.e. location variance, self-reported sleep quality, level of recovery, perceived risk of infection) in team and staff members of five professional Austrian Football clubs. Data were conveniently collected during the implementation of a novel monitoring concept. The concept was designed to enable safe continuation of professional Football during the COVID-19 pandemic. These data were matched with Austrian COVID-19 data and smartphone collected location data. Multivariable linear regression models explored the association of COVID-19, defined as daily novel or active Austrian cases of …