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This paper discusses findings from a commissioned evaluation of an Australian government COVID-19 health campaign that utilised third-party influencers to increase the reach of health communication messages among culturally and linguistically diverse young people. Although the campaign was successful, interviews with select influencers and target audience members indicated that the 'serious' tone of the health messaging was less effective and less likely to be shared and that messages should be more 'entertaining'. Analyses of data indicated three themes providing insights into how future campaigns may benefit from a focus that draws together health information and entertainment using models already constructed in the entertainment–education field: (1) Entertaining health messages have a stronger fit with influencers who are known for their entertainment value; (2) Entertaining messages are more memorable and more likely to be shared; (3) A balance between entertainment and the signifiers of trust and credibility such as government health authority logos overcomes trust issues in the context of current health disinformation and misinformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 global pandemic, young people and culturally and linguistically diverse populations (CALD) were underserved by non-tailored government health messaging. Social media influencers offer a potentially cost-effective and scalable form of health communication for reaching young CALD populations. Little is known, however, about the characteristics of an influencer's identity authenticity for reaching CALD youth, or how that authenticity is underpinned by brand consistency and relatability. Drawing on the authors' commissioned evaluation of a state government initiative for delivering targeted COVID-19 health information to CALD young people (11-26 years) in Victoria, Australia, this paper analyses findings from thirteen qualitative interviews with influencers and target audience members to provide insights on identity authenticity in the contemporary digital ecology. The analysis aims to contribute to the limited extant knowledge of the role third-party influencers can play in government health communication by providing a cultural context for understanding identity authenticity when targeting minority social groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meeting students' expectations associated with the provision of feedback is a perennial challenge for tertiary education. Efforts to provide comprehensive, timely feedback within our own first year undergraduate public health courses have not always met students' expectations. In response, we sought to develop peer feedback activities to support the development of "self-evaluative strategies" that would acknowledge the centrality of students in the feedback process. We describe these activities, their staged development and the qualitative and quantitative data gathered from students and the teaching teams to evaluate this. Our first steps towards embedding peer feedback with first year students indicated they are willing to engage in the process and appreciated the opportunity to provide and receive feedback, but the quality and extent of the peer feedback was largely superficial. Students' reflections on the feedback received were also shallow. Supporting students to develop self-evaluative skills cannot be achieved in the short term, but must be embedded in courses and consistently reinforced, with greater emphasis placed on the development of a dialogue around feedback that connects students with peers and educators.

INTRODUCTIONSociety is progressing at a rapid pace. As math and science evolve, new technologies begin to utilize these advances and create something novel. These technological changes are revolutionizing not only [...]

Background/Aims: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is often accompanied by increased oxidative stress and euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS). The cause of ESS is unknown, and it is unknown whether there exists a link between oxidant stress and ESS in CRF patients. Therefore, we aim to investigate oxidative stress and type 1 deiodinase (DIO1) expression, which plays the key role in the ESS in CRF patients. Methods: In-patients with CRF were divided into the two group: Group 1 is ESS patients consisting of 60 patients with low free triiodothyronine (FT3) and Group 2 consisting of 60 patients with normal FT3. Group 3 consisted of 60 healthy volunteers recruited as controls. The baseline clinical parameters of patients were evaluated with standard routine methods in a clinical laboratory. Serum levels of 8-isoprostane and DIO1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between oxidative stress, DIO1 and FT3. Results: The concentrations of serum 8-Isoprostane in Group 1 and Group 2 were substantially higher than that of Group 3 (p< 0.05), however there was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.516). The serum DIO1 level was higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 and Group 3 (p< 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the DIO1 concentration and FT3 level were not associated with the concentration of serum 8-Isoprostane. Conclusions: CRF patients showed elevated oxidative stress. The CRF patients without ESS showed higher expression of DIO1 than patients with ESS and the control group. The concentration of serum 8-Isoprostane was not correlated with FT3 and DIO1 levels.

Genetic variations are overrepresented in people with intellectual disability (PwID), particularly those with physical and mental health co‐morbidities, but remain significantly under‐diagnosed. Lack of suitable research studies, a natural extension of the complexities posed of consenting and recruitment is considered culpable. There is a resultant dearth of evidence on establishing bespoke genetic studies for adult PwID. This report outlines the challenges faced in the implementation and administration of a pilot genetic study for adult PwID hoping to better inform future genetic study designs for PwID. Adult participants with a diagnosis of ID (ICD10 F70‐F73) and epilepsy (ICD10 G40) were recruited to The Peninsula study exploring genomic stratification in intellectual disability and epilepsy via the ethically approved Royal Devon and Exeter Tissue Bank (RDETB) (16/SC/016). Managed within the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Exeter Clinical Research Framework, the RDETB was set up to proactively collect and store 'spare' tissue from routine clinical procedures such as venepunctures for routine good practice biochemistry monitoring. Participants who satisfied the criteria for the need for routine bloods to monitor their general health were identified to be invited for participation. From October 2017 to March 2020 from a total caseload of 375 PwID and epilepsy, 291 were screened (77.6%), 116 (39.9%) identified as potentially eligible and sent study information and genetic samples obtained from 30 (8%). Analysis showed 75% of PwID had some biochemical abnormalities requiring further medical attention. The recruitment was influenced by the clinical care set up in implementing the sanctioned ethics. However, where bloods were achieved it proved to be beneficial in identifying hitherto undiagnosed medical problems. While the challenges to gain consent, are considerable, the reasonable adjustments needed to facilitate participation and the immediate clinical benefits where engagement was successful are significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To investigate the burden of near vision loss (NVL) in China by year, age and gender from 1990 to 2019. Methods We used estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study to report the prevalence and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to NVL in China. Estimates of crude counts and age-standardised rates per 100 000 population are accompanied by 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). We summarised the age-specific and sex-specific patterns and trends regarding the burden of NVL in China, compared with seven neighbouring countries. Results From 1990 to 2019, the all-age number and rate for NVL prevalence and DALYs increased significantly in China (all p<0.001). The age-standardised rate decreased from 7538.1 (95% UI 6946.3 to 8075.1) to 7392.9 (95% UI 6855.8 to 7890.5) per 100 000 population for NVL prevalence (p=0.107), and from 74.9 (95% UI 69.6 to 79.9) to 73.8 (95% UI 70.6 to 80.1) per 100 000 population for DALYs (p=0.388). Women had higher NVL prevalence (t=170.1, p<0.001) and DALYs (t=192.5, p<0.001) than men. Higher disease burden of NVL was observed in the middle-aged and elderly population. The age-standardised prevalence and DALY rate attributable to NVL in China were lower than in India, North Korea, Pakistan (all p<0.001), but higher than Russia, South Korea, Singapore and Japan (all p<0.001). Conclusions Despite a small decrease in age-standardised prevalence and DALYs due to NVL in China in the past two decades, the existing burden is still considerable and significantly higher compared with neighbouring developed countries. An approach that includes all stakeholders is needed to further reduce this burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate the epidemiological trends and associated risk factors of disease burden due to trachoma. Methods Data for the country-specific disability-adjusted life year (DALY) number, rate and age-standardised rate of trachoma together with related data of other common eye diseases were acquired from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database. The Socio-Demographic Index (SDI), Human Development Index (HDI), inequality-adjusted HDI and other related indices were obtained from published data or publicly available databases. Regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations between potential risk factors and the age-standardised DALY burden of trachoma. Results The global DALY burden due to trachoma decreased by 37% from 1990 to 2019 and decreased by 69.8% after adjusting for age and population growth, and, in available 1990-2019 data, had the greatest reduction in attributable DALYs of all common eye disease, with the others analysed being cataract, glaucoma, refractive disorders and age-related macular degeneration. Women had higher age-standardised DALY burden due to trachoma than men (p<0.001). The African region (p<0.001) had the heaviest burden among global regions. The age-standardised DALY rate was higher in countries with lower income (p<0.001) and lower SDI (p<0.001). Higher disease burden due to trachoma was associated with lower HDI (β=-48.102, 95% CI -86.888 to -9.316, p=0.016), lower SDI (β=-48.063, 95% CI -83.702 to -12.423, p<0.001) and lower expected years of schooling (β=-2.352, 95% CI -3.756 to -0.948, p=0.002). Conclusions The global disease burden due to trachoma decreased from 1990 to 2019 and it had the greatest reduction compared with other common eye diseases. Lower HDI, socioeconomic status and educational level were related to a higher national disease burden of trachoma. Our findings could provide necessary information for trachoma control and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The re‐establishment of native vegetation on disturbed land has been adopted widely as a form of ecological restoration in the past few decades. It is often suggested that establishing native plantings will lead to increasing biodiversity at restoration sites over time. However, this prediction has not been tested over long periods. Now that some pioneering projects and monitoring programs have become older, it is possible to quantify the long‐term benefits of native vegetation plantings. We asked how the plant diversity and function of 12 biodiverse native vegetation plantings has changed over approximately 30 years. We found that sites declined in measures of functional and species diversity over time. Shorter‐statured woody species were not as common at older sites. Surprisingly, sites initially seeded with a greater richness of species did not have higher standing richness at any later census period. While all sites produced net native biodiversity benefits relative to the exotic pastures they replaced, ongoing management and monitoring will be needed to ensure they continue to do so. Understanding the relationship between ageing native vegetation plantings and other components of the ecosystem (e.g., mammals, birds, invertebrates, soil, microorganisms) is a priority. Our results suggest that recruitment barriers in ex‐agricultural ecosystems are high and that the biodiversity benefits provided by shorter‐lived species will only be transient without ongoing management of these systems. Research confronting these recruitment barriers is a priority, and managers (and funders) of these kinds of restoration projects may need to be prepared for ongoing management of sites to promote lost components if they are desired as continual features of these ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming Chen,2,* Minjie Zou,3,* Zhenzhen Liu,3 Charlotte Aimee Young,4 Danying Zheng,3 Guangming Jin31Department of Ophthalmology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, People's Republic of China; 2The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China; 3State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Guangming Jin; Danying Zheng, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, #54 Xianlie South Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China, Email [email protected] ; [email protected] Purpose: To provide evidence for future strategies in preventing glaucomatous blindness by investigating the disease burden in terms of age, year, and gender from 1990 to 2019 in China. Methods: The prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of blindness and vision loss due to glaucoma in China were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study. Age-standardized data is presented in comparison to China's neighboring countries. Results: From 1990 to 2019, the prevalent cases and DALYs number with glaucomatous blindness and vision loss increased by 129.53% and 67.29%, respectively. Overall, higher age-standardized prevalence and DALYs rate were detected in males than in females between 1990 and 2019, and people aged 60 to 89 years suffered from a higher DALY number than other age groups in 2019. Among the neighboring countries, China ranked from fourth in 1990 (88.52, 95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 74.62 to 103.24, per 100,000 population) to third in 2019 (71.14, 95% UI: 59.34 to 84.42, per 100,000 population) in age-standardized prevalence while from fourth in 1990 (10.13, 95% UI: 6.68 to 14.46, per 100,000 population) to sixth in 2019 (5.98, 95% UI: 4.14 to 8.42, per 100,000 population) in age-standardized DALYs. Compared with other GBD regions, the largest decrease in age-standardized DALY rate due to glaucoma was found in China (− 40.87%, 95% UI: − 43.97% to − 37.82%). A higher percentage decrease in age-standardized prevalence was also found in China (− 19.66%, 95% UI: − 22.44% to − 17.09%). Conclusion: Substantial increases in the prevalence of visual impairment and DALYs number of glaucoma were observed from 1990 to 2019. Efforts targeting glaucoma prevention and treatment in China are urgently required, especially for the elderly population and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To investigate the longitudinal changes and associated factors of axial length (AL) in congenital ectopia lentis (CEL) patients. Methods. In this retrospective study, medical records of CEL patients were reviewed from January 2014 to December 2019 at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic (ZOC) in China. Patients were divided into the surgery group and the nonsurgery group. Data of refractive power, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and intraocular pressure (IOP) as well as ocular biometrics including AL, corneal curvature, white-to-white (WTW), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were collected at baseline and each follow-up visit. Multiple linear regression was performed to assess the potential associated factors for axial length growth in congenital ectopia lentis patients. Results. Compared with the nonsurgery group, the change rate of AL among children aged 3 to 6 years old was slower in the surgery group (0.443 ± 0.340 mm/year vs. 0.278 ± 0.227 mm/year, P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference for the change rate of AL was detected between the surgery group and the nonsurgery group (P > 0.05) among patients aged 7 years or older. For the surgery group, the results of the linear regression model showed that a higher change rate of AL was associated with younger age (older age: β = −0.009, 95% CI: −0.014 to −0.003, and P = 0.002) and worse baseline BCVA (logMAR) (β = 0.256, 95% CI: 0.072 to 0.439, and P = 0.007). As for the nonsurgery group, younger baseline age (older age: β = −0.027, 95% CI: −0.048 to −0.007, and P = 0.01) and longer baseline AL (β = 0.073, 95% CI: 0.023 to 0.122, and P = 0.006) were associated with a higher change rate of AL. Conclusions. The AL change rate was clearly associated with age both in the surgery group and in the nonsurgery group. Intervention strategies such as surgery should be performed earlier for CEL that meets the surgical criteria. Worse baseline BCVA and longer baseline AL are associated factors that would affect the growth rate of AL in the surgery and nonsurgery group, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To investigate the characteristics of anterior chamber angle parameters in congenital ectopia lentis (CEL) patients and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of anterior segment parameters in distinguishing CEL from healthy controls. Setting. Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangzhou, China. Design. Cross-sectional study. Methods. 35 CEL patients and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. Axial length (AL) and anterior segment parameters including anterior chamber width (ACW), angle open distance (AOD), angle recess area (ARA), trabecular-iris space area (TISA), and trabecular-iris angle (TIA) were measured. All the above parameters and the ratio index of angle parameters, which was defined as the angle parameter value of the narrower side to that of the contralateral side, were compared between CEL and controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also plotted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of anterior chamber angle parameters in CEL patients. Results. All angle parameters of the contralateral side to the dislocated lens side were significantly smaller than those of the dislocated lens side in CEL (all P < 0.05). For the diagnostic performance of anterior chamber angle parameters, the ratio index of TIAr500 combined with TIAr750 had the best diagnostic performance for CEL screening (AUC = 0.798), and TIAr500 of 0.887 and TIAr750 of 0.917 were detected to be the optimal cut-off points, representing a sensitivity of 89.8% and specificity of 68.7%. Conclusion. The contralateral side to the dislocated lens side in the CEL had a narrower anterior chamber angle. TIAr500 combined with TIAr750 is the optimal combination strategy for ectopia lentis screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 15 Tg of plastic are estimated to enter the ocean yearly, with this figure growing exponentially every year. Assessments of floating marine plastic amount to 0.2% of the expected plastic stock, implying that 99.8% is stored in a sink yet to be identified. Marine sediments are believed to be the ultimate sink for oceanic plastic, however, there is currently no global estimate of the plastic load stored there. Here, we synthesize available estimates of micro‐ and mesoplastic stocks in marine sediments and, by integrating stocks across different habitats, we conservatively estimate a load of 170 Tg (25–900 Tg) of nonfibrous plastic globally accumulated in marine sediments from 1950 to 2010, most of which at intermediate depths (200–2000 m). This estimate, despite the uncertainty, is two to three orders of magnitude higher than the floating plastic stock and confirms marine sediments as a major plastic sink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Intellectual disability (ID) and epilepsy are independent risk factors for osteoporosis. Diverse predisposing factors influence this, for example in ID, genetics and poor nutrition and in epilepsy, anti‐seizure medication (ASM). Around 25% people with ID have epilepsy, majority treatment resistant. ASMs polypharmacy is common. However, little is known about the bone‐related characteristics of this vulnerable group. A prospective observational cohort study of bone profile across a community ID Epilepsy service was undertaken to understand this. Materials & Methods: Participants were on minimum 2 years of ASMs. Baseline demographics, epilepsy data, bone metabolism biomarkers, bone mineral density (BMD) and vitamin D levels were collected. Doses needed to correct vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency were calculated. Results: At baseline, of 104 participants, 92 (90.2%) were vitamin D insufficient/deficient. Seventy‐six (73.1%) had a DEXA scan, 50 of whom—in the osteopaenic/osteoporotic range. DEXA scores between ambulant and non‐ambulant patients were significantly different (p =.05) but not for ID severity. A high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) predicted lower vitamin D levels. Borderline significance (p =.06) in calcium levels between normal and high ALP was identified. There were no significant associations between parathyroid hormone, inorganic phosphate and magnesium levels, with vitamin D status or DEXA hip T‐scores. Normalizing vitamin D levels (mean 101.4 nmol/L) required an average of 1951IU cholecalciferol daily. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in people with ID and epilepsy treated with ASMs impacting likely on their bone health. Screening with vitamin D levels, ALP and DEXA in this group should be pro‐actively and routinely considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the association of all reported common polymorphisms in anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy response and to identify potential clinically useful biomarkers for anti‐VEGF therapy response in patients with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: We searched the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science databases in English and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang and VIP databases in Chinese for pharmacogenetics studies on anti‐VEGF therapy response in AMD. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random effects model. Results: Among the 10 468 records yielded by the literature search, 33 articles that met the eligibility criteria were included in the meta‐analysis. Nine single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in four genes were observed to be associated with the anti‐VEGF therapy response in AMD patients. That is, rs1120063 in the HTRA1 gene; rs10490924 in the age‐related maculopathy susceptibility (ARMS2) gene; rs1061170 in the complement factor H (CFH) gene; and rs323085 in the OR52B4 gene were associated with good anti‐VEGF therapy responses, while rs800292, rs1410996 and rs1329428 in the CFH gene and rs4910623 and rs10158937 in the OR52B4 gene were associated with poor anti‐VEGF therapy response in the AMD patients in our sample. Conclusion: In this study, nine SNPs of four genes were indicated to be significantly associated with the anti‐VEGF therapy response in the samples: rs11200638 in the HTRA1 gene; rs10490924 in the ARMS2 gene; rs1061170, rs800292, rs1410996 and rs1329428 in the CFH gene; and rs323085, rs4910623 and rs10158937 in the OR52B4 gene. Further studies based on various ethnicities and large sample sizes are warranted to strengthen the evidence found in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To estimate the disease burden due to intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) and evaluate contributions of various risk factors to IOFB-associated disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Methods Global, regional and country-level number, rate and age-standardised rate of DALYs due to IOFBs were acquired from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 database. The Human Development Index (HDI) and other region and country-level data were obtained from open databases. Time trends for number, rate and age-standardised rate of DALYs due to IOFBs were calculated. Regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between age-standardised rate of DALYs and potential predictors. Results Global DALYs due to IOFBs rose by 43.7% between 1990 (139 (95% CI 70.8 to 233) thousand) and 2017 (202 (95% CI 105 to 335) thousand). The DALY rate remained stable while the age-standardised rate decreased during this period. Higher disease burden due to IOFBs was associated with higher glaucoma prevalence (β=0.006, 95% CI 0.003 to 0.09, p<0.001), lower refractive error prevalence (β=-0.0005, 95% CI -0.0007 to -0.0002, p<0.001), and lower income (β=-0.020, 95% CI -0.035 to -0.006, p=0.007). Conclusion Predictors of a greater burden of IOFB disability generally point to lower socioeconomic level. The association with glaucoma may reflect a complication of IOFB, increasing risk of vision loss and disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate assessment of SARS‐CoV‐2 immunity is critical in evaluating vaccine efficacy and devising public health policies. Whilst the exact nature of effective immunity remains incompletely defined, SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific T‐cell responses are a critical feature that will likely form a key correlate of protection against COVID‐19. Here, we developed and optimized a high‐throughput whole blood‐based assay to determine the T‐cell response associated with prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and/or vaccination amongst 231 healthy donors and 68 cancer patients. Following overnight in vitro stimulation with SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific peptides, blood plasma samples were analysed for TH1‐type cytokines. Highly significant differential IFN‐γ+/IL‐2+ SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific T‐cell responses were seen amongst previously infected COVID‐19‐positive healthy donors in comparison with unknown / naïve individuals (p < 0·0001). IFN‐γ production was more effective at identifying asymptomatic donors, demonstrating higher sensitivity (96·0% vs. 83·3%) but lower specificity (84·4% vs. 92·5%) than measurement of IL‐2. A single COVID‐19 vaccine dose induced IFN‐γ and/or IL‐2 SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific T‐cell responses in 116 of 128 (90·6%) healthy donors, reducing significantly to 27 of 56 (48·2%) when measured in cancer patients (p < 0·0001). A second dose was sufficient to boost T‐cell responses in the majority (90·6%) of cancer patients, albeit IFN‐γ+ responses were still significantly lower overall than those induced in healthy donors (p = 0·034). Three‐month post‐vaccination T‐cell responses also declined at a faster rate in cancer patients. Overall, this cost‐effective standardizable test ensures accurate and comparable assessments of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific T‐cell responses amenable to widespread population immunity testing, and identifies individuals at greater need of booster vaccinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]