Showing papers by "Angela Clow published in 2022"
TL;DR: In this paper , a quantitative evaluation of methodological quality of cortisol awakening response (CAR) research published in PNEC before and after the guidelines (2013-2015 vs. 2018-2020) was conducted, which revealed little improvement in the implementation of central recommendations (especially objective time verification) in recent research.
9 citations
TL;DR: This study highlights the long-term value-add of building on cultural capital pertaining to appropriate antibiotic use and AMR, by leveraging on the role of trust in doctors, desire for SDM and anchoring these in continuity of care when possible.
Abstract: Introduction Shared decision-making (SDM) and trust building through continuity of care are known to play a pivotal role in improving appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use. Problem However, less is known about how to effectively leverage these factors when present—or overcome them when not—to address community needs and improve patient liaison. Methods We addressed this question using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Focus group discussions (N = 13; August 2018–September 2020), were analyzed alongside a nationally-representative cross-sectional survey (N = 2004; November 2020–January 2021), in Singapore. Descriptive quantitative analyses and multivariable logistic regression were undertaken to examine antibiotic knowledge and factors associated with preference for SDM. Qualitative applied thematic analysis was integrated with these data to further explain the findings. Findings Poor knowledge and misbeliefs on appropriate antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) were identified. For example, only 9% of the surveyed population understood that AMR occurs when the bacteria, not the human body, become resistant to antibiotics. Qualitative data corroborated the survey findings and suggested a shared value was placed on public education to avoid the fallout from resistant bacterial strains on current and future generations. This study also identified the opportunity to harness community trust in primary care doctors, who were described as highly valued educators for antibiotic use and AMR. Those who had trust in doctors were 75% more likely to prefer SDM (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.10–2.77, P = 0.017), especially adults aged ≥50 years who were receiving continued care with a regular doctor (aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.18–2.86, P = 0.007). Continuity of care was observed to value-add SDM by building trusting relationships, though it was often absent in younger populations. Conclusion This study highlights the long-term value-add of building on cultural capital pertaining to appropriate antibiotic use and AMR, by leveraging on the role of trust in doctors, desire for SDM and anchoring these in continuity of care when possible. Recommendations Using focused messaging and exploring alternative channels of communications such as annual check-ins or tele-consultations with a regular doctor, and emphasizing continuity of care across all age groups would help bridge the identified gaps.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the interrelated opposite actions of cortisol and klotho in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease are reviewed. But, the authors focus on the negative effects of these two hormones on the pathways of vitamin D metabolism and insulin resistance.
Abstract: The pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex, multilayered, and not fully understood, resulting in a lack of effective disease-modifying treatments for this prevalent neurodegenerative condition. Symptoms of PD are heterogenous, including motor impairment as well as non-motor symptoms such as depression, cognitive impairment, and circadian disruption. Aging and stress are important risk factors for PD, leading us to explore pathways that may either accelerate or protect against cellular aging and the detrimental effects of stress. Cortisol is a much-studied hormone that can disrupt mitochondrial function and increase oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, which are recognized as key underlying disease mechanisms in PD. The more recently discovered klotho protein, considered a general aging-suppressor, has a similarly wide range of actions but in the opposite direction to cortisol: promoting mitochondrial function while reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Both hormones also converge on pathways of vitamin D metabolism and insulin resistance, also implicated to play a role in PD. Interestingly, aging, stress and PD associate with an increase in cortisol and decrease in klotho, while physical exercise and certain genetic variations lead to a decrease in cortisol response and increased klotho. Here, we review the interrelated opposite actions of cortisol and klotho in the pathogenesis of PD. Together they impact powerful and divergent mechanisms that may go on to influence PD-related symptoms. Better understanding of these hormones in PD would facilitate the design of effective interventions that can simultaneously impact the multiple systems involved in the pathogenesis of PD.
1 citations
TL;DR: For instance, this article found that greater parenting competence was associated with higher levels of the specific attachment construct of proximity-seeking, but not attachment security, while worse maternal psychological health was linked with attachment insecurity, but did not correlate with proximity seeking, and the underlying attachment dimension of proximity seeking may hold particular significance for mothers of adolescent daughters and may be a viable resilience target for parenting interventions.
Abstract: Parenting adolescents requires parents to display diverse competencies, and parenting competence i.e. «caregiving» may be affected differentially by the underlying dimensions of an individual's «care seeking» behaviour, i.e. their own attachment style. Twenty five mothers of adolescent daughters were recruited in a cross-sectional design for this pilot study. Mothers aged between 32-51 years with a mean (± SD) age of 44.72 (± 5.47) years and each completed the Parenting Role Interview, which provides an «investigator-based» as-sessment of their parenting competence, as well as self-report measures of attachment style, stress, depression and well-being. Results revealed that greater parenting competence was associated with higher levels of the specific attachment construct of proximity-seeking, but not attachment security. In addition, worse maternal psychological health was associated with attachment insecurity, but not proximity-seeking. The underlying attachment dimension of proximity-seeking may hold particular significance for mothers of adolescent daughters and may be a viable resilience target for parenting interventions.
TL;DR: The DYNAMIC prospective cohort study as discussed by the authors investigated metabolic factors/predictors of influenza vaccine immune response in an older adult cohort in Singapore, where influenza typically circulates year-round.
Abstract: Abstract Immunosenescence (age-related immune dysfunction) and inflamm-aging contribute to suboptimal immune responses in older adults to standard-dose influenza vaccines, which may be exacerbated in those with metabolic co-morbidities. We sought to investigate metabolic factors/predictors of influenza vaccine immune response in an older adult (age ≥65 years) cohort in Singapore, where influenza typically circulates year-round. The primary outcome for the DYNAMIC prospective cohort study was haemagglutination-inhibition titer (HAI) response to each of the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine strains at day 28 (D28) compared to baseline (D0), as assessed by seroconversion and D28/D0 log2 HAI fold rise. Baseline blood samples were tested for total Vitamin D (25-(OH) D) levels. We enrolled 234 participants in June–Dec 2017. Two hundred twenty completed all study visits. The median age was 71 [IQR 68–75] years, 67 (30.5%) had diabetes mellitus (DM), and the median BMI was 24.9 [IQR 22.2–27.8] kg/m 2 . Median baseline totals 25-(OH) D was 29 [IQR: 21–29] ng/ml. Age, DM, obesity, and baseline 25-(OH) D were not associated with HAI fold rise in multivariable analysis. More recent prior influenza vaccination and higher baseline HAI titers were associated with lower HAI fold rise for influenza A/HK/H3N2. Physical activity was associated with a higher HAI fold rise for influenza A/HK/H3N2 in a dose-response relationship (p-test for trend = 0.015). Older adults with well-controlled metabolic co-morbidities retain HAI response to the influenza vaccine, and physical activity had a beneficial effect on immune response, particularly for influenza A/HK/H3N2.
TL;DR: This paper conducted a seroprevalence study to measure the level of susceptibility to measles among migrant workers in Singapore and found that the overall prevalence of measles IgG antibodies among migrants from seven Asian countries was 90.5% (95% confidence interval 89.2-91.6%).
Abstract: In 2019, two clusters of measles cases were reported in migrant worker dormitories in Singapore. We conducted a seroprevalence study to measure the level of susceptibility to measles among migrant workers in Singapore.Our study involved residual sera of migrant workers from seven Asian countries (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines) who had participated in a survey between 2016 and 2019. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels were first measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kit. Those with equivocal or negative IgG results were further evaluated using plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT).A total of 2234 migrant workers aged 20-49 years were included in the study. The overall prevalence of measles IgG antibodies among migrant workers from the seven Asian countries was 90.5% (95% confidence interval 89.2-91.6%). The country-specific seroprevalence ranged from 80.3 to 94.0%. The seroprevalence was significantly higher among migrant workers born in 1965-1989 than those born in 1990-1999 (95.3% vs. 86.6%, p < 0.0005), whereas there was no significant difference by gender (90.8% in men vs. 89.9% in women, p = 0.508). 195 out of 213 samples with equivocal or negative ELISA results were tested positive using PRNT.The IgG seroprevalence in migrant workers was below the herd immunity threshold of 95% for measles. Sporadic outbreaks may occur in susceptible individuals due to high transmissibility of measles virus. Seroprevalence surveys can help identify susceptible subgroups for vaccination.
TL;DR: The authors conducted a seroprevalence study to assess the immunity levels to diphtheria among migrant workers in Singapore and found that the proportion of workers with at least basic protection against the disease ranged from 77.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 72.8 -82.3%) among migrants from Bangladesh to 96.7% ( 95% CI 92.5 - 98.6%) in Malaysia.
Abstract: Since the last local case of diphtheria in 1992, there had not been any case in Singapore until an autochthonous case was reported in 2017. This fatal diphtheria case of a migrant worker raised concerns about the potential re-emergence of locally transmitted toxigenic diphtheria in Singapore. We conducted a seroprevalence study to assess the immunity levels to diphtheria among migrant workers in Singapore.Residual sera from migrant workers who hailed from Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines were tested for anti-diphtheria toxoid immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. These migrant workers previously participated in a survey between 2016 and 2019 and had provided blood samples as part of the survey procedure.A total of 2176 migrant workers were included in the study. Their overall mean age was 27.1 years (standard deviation 5.0), range was 20-43 years. The proportion having at least basic protection against diphtheria (antitoxin titres ≥ 0.01 IU/ml) ranged from 77.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 72.8 - 82.3%) among migrant workers from Bangladesh to 96.7% (95% CI 92.5 - 98.6%) in those hailing from Malaysia. The proportion showing full protection (antitoxin titres ≥ 0.10 IU/ml) ranged from 10.1% (95% CI 6.5 - 15.4%) in Chinese workers to 23.0% (95% CI 17.1 - 30.3%) in Malaysian workers. There were no significant differences in the proportion with at least basic protection across birth cohorts, except for those from Bangladesh where the seroprevalence was significantly lower in younger migrant workers born after 1989.The proportions having at least basic protection against diphtheria in migrant workers from five out of seven Asian countries (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines) were higher than 85%, the threshold for diphtheria herd immunity. Seroprevalence surveys should be conducted periodically to assess the level of immunity against diphtheria and other vaccine preventable diseases in migrant worker population, so that appropriate interventions such as booster vaccination can be implemented proactively to prevent sporadic outbreaks.
Peer Review•
TL;DR: In this article , the authors assessed the factors influencing the acceptance and adoption of TraceTogether during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that respondents who perceived TraceTogether as useful and necessary had higher likelihood of accepting it but those with concerns about personal data collected by TraceTogether had lower likelihood of accept and adopting the tool.
Abstract: The motivations that govern the adoption of digital contact tracing (DCT) tools are complex and not well understood. Hence, we assessed the factors influencing the acceptance and adoption of Singapore’s national DCT tool – TraceTogether – during the COVID-19 pandemic. We surveyed 3943 visitors of Tan Tock Seng Hospital from July 2020 to February 2021 and stratified the analyses into three cohorts. Each cohort was stratified based on the time when significant policy interventions were introduced to increase the adoption of TraceTogether. Binary logistic regression was preceded by principal components analysis to reduce the Likert items. Respondents who ‘perceived TraceTogether as useful and necessary’ had higher likelihood of accepting it but those with ‘Concerns about personal data collected by TraceTogether’ had lower likelihood of accepting and adopting the tool. The injunctive and descriptive social norms were also positively associated with both the acceptance and adoption of the tool. Liberal individualism was mixed in the population and negatively associated with the acceptance and adoption of TraceTogether. Policy measures to increase the uptake of a national DCT bridged the digital divide and accelerated its adoption. However, good public communications are crucial to address the barriers of acceptance to improve voluntary uptake widespread adoption.