| 1. |
- Sallam, Malik, et al.
(författare)
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A Global Map of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Rates per Country: An Updated Concise Narrative Review
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. - 1178-2390. ; 2022:15, s. 21-45
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The delay or refusal of vaccination, which defines vaccine hesitancy, is a major challenge to successful control of COVID-19 epidemic. The huge number of publications addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy necessitates periodic review to provide a concise summary of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates worldwide. In the current narrative review, data on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates were retrieved from surveys in 114 countries/territories. In East and Southern Africa (n = 9), the highest COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was reported in Ethiopia (92%), while the lowest rate was reported in Zimbabwe (50%). In West/Central Africa (n = 13), the highest rate was reported in Niger (93%), while the lowest rate was reported in Cameroon (15%). In Asia and the Pacific (n = 16), the highest rates were reported in Nepal and Vietnam (97%), while the lowest rate was reported in Hong Kong (42%). In Eastern Europe/Central Asia (n = 7), the highest rates were reported in Montenegro (69%) and Kazakhstan (64%), while the lowest rate was reported in Russia (30%). In Latin America and the Caribbean (n = 20), the highest rate was reported in Mexico (88%), while the lowest rate was reported in Haiti (43%). In the Middle East/North Africa (MENA, n = 22), the highest rate was reported in Tunisia (92%), while the lowest rate was reported in Iraq (13%). In Western/Central Europe and North America (n = 27), the highest rates were reported in Canada (91%) and Norway (89%), while the lowest rates were reported in Cyprus and Portugal (35%). COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates ≥ 60% were seen in 72/114 countries/territories, compared to 42 countries/territories with rates between 13% and 59%. The phenomenon of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy appeared more pronounced in the MENA, Europe and Central Asia, and Western/Central Africa. More studies are recommended in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia to address intentions of the general public to get COVID-19 vaccination.
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| 2. |
- Sallam, Malik, et al.
(författare)
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The Role of Psychological Factors and Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs in Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake among Jordanian Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 2022
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Ingår i: Vaccines. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-393X. ; 10:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vaccination to prevent influenza virus infection and to lessen its severity is recommended among healthcare workers (HCWs). Health professionals have a higher risk of exposure to viruses and could transmit the influenza virus to vulnerable patients who are prone to severe disease and mortality. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the levels of influenza vaccine acceptance and uptake as well as its determinants, among Jordanian HCWs over the last influenza season of 2021/2022. This study was based on a self-administered electronic survey that was distributed in March 2022. Psychological determinants of influenza vaccine acceptance and vaccine conspiracy beliefs were assessed using the previously validated 5C scale questionnaire (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation and collective responsibility) and the vaccine conspiracy beliefs scale. The study sample comprised a total of 1218 HCWs: nurses (n = 412, 33.8%), physicians (n = 367, 30.1%), medical technicians (n = 182, 14.9%), pharmacists (n = 161, 13.2%) and dentists (n = 87, 7.1%), among others. About two-thirds of the study sample expressed willingness to receive influenza vaccination if provided free of charge (n = 807, 66.3%), whereas less than one-third were willing to pay for the vaccine (n = 388, 31.9%). The self-reported uptake of the influenza vaccine in the last influenza season was 62.8%. The following factors were significantly associated with higher acceptance of influenza vaccination if provided freely, as opposed to vaccine hesitancy/rejection: male sex; physicians and dentists among HCW categories; higher confidence and collective responsibility; and lower complacency, constraints and calculation. Higher influenza vaccine uptake was significantly correlated with nurses and physicians among HCW categories, older age, a higher monthly income, higher confidence and collective responsibility, lower complacency and constraints and lower embrace of general vaccine conspiracy beliefs. The results of the current study can provide helpful clues to improve influenza vaccine coverage among HCWs in Jordan. Consequently, this can help to protect vulnerable patient groups and reserve valuable resources in healthcare settings. Psychological determinants appeared to be the most significant factors for vaccine acceptance and uptake, whereas the embrace of general vaccine conspiracy beliefs was associated with lower rates of influenza vaccine uptake, which should be considered in educational and interventional measures aiming to promote influenza vaccination.
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| 3. |
- Ababneh, Nidaa A., et al.
(författare)
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Identification of APTX disease-causing mutation in two unrelated Jordanian families with cerebellar ataxia and sensitivity to DNA damaging agents
- 2020
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Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 15:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 1 (AOA1) is a rare autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia, caused by mutations in the APTX gene. The disease is characterized by early-onset cerebellar ataxia, oculomotor apraxia and severe axonal polyneuropathy. The aim of this study was to detect the disease-causing variants in two unrelated consanguineous Jordanian families with cerebellar ataxia using whole exome sequencing (WES), and to correlate the identified mutation(s) with the clinical and cellular phenotypes. METHODS: WES was performed in three affected individuals and segregation analysis of p.W279* APTX candidate variant was performed. Expression levels of APTX were measured in patients' skin fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, followed by western blot analysis in skin fibroblasts. Genotoxicity assay was performed to detect the sensitivity of APTX mutated cells to H2O2, MMC, MMS and etoposide. RESULTS: A recurrent homozygous nonsense variant in APTX gene (c.837G>A, p.W279*) was revealed in all affected individuals. qRT-PCR showed normal APTX levels in peripheral blood and lower levels in fibroblast cells. However, western blot showed the absence of APTX protein in patients' skin fibroblasts. Significant hypersensitivity to H2O2, MMC and etoposide and lack of sensitivity to MMS were noted. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report the identification of a nonsense variant in the APTX gene (c.837G>A; p.W279*) in AOA1 patients within the Jordanian population. This study confirmed the need of WES to assist in the diagnosis of cerebellar ataxia and it emphasizes the importance of studying the pathophysiology of the APTX gene.
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| 4. |
- Ababneh, Nidaa A., et al.
(författare)
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Patterns of hepatitis B virus S gene escape mutants and reverse transcriptase mutations among genotype D isolates in Jordan
- 2019
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Ingår i: PeerJ. - : PeerJ. - 2167-8359. ; 2019:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important infectious cause of morbidity and mortality in Jordan. HBV genotype D is the most prevalent in the country. Virus escape mutants in the HBV S region is an important public health problem halting preventive efforts. The aim of the current study was to investigate patterns of HBV escape and resistance mutations and to assess domestic transmission of the virus. Methods: Patients infected with HBV were recruited at Jordan University Hospital (n ¼ 56) and were diagnosed during (1984-2012). A total of 37 partial HBV S sequences were generated using Sanger's method. Mutation analysis was done using the HIV grade HBV drug resistance interpretation online tool and Geno2pheno (HBV) online tools. Domestic transmission of HBV was assessed using maximum likelihood phylogenetic inference with similar GenBank sequences. Results: Genotyping revealed an exclusive presence of sub-genotype D1. Typical HBV escape mutants were identified in seven patients. These mutations included: L109R, Q129R, M133L, S143L and D144E with overall prevalence of 18.9% (95% CI [9.5-34.2]). Reverse transcriptase (RT) sequence analysis showed mutations in three patients with overall prevalence of 8.1% (95% CI [2.8-21.3]). RT mutations included: V173L, S202I, L180M, M204V and T184A. Transmission cluster analysis revealed a relatively high proportion of infections taking place as a result of domestic spread (29.7%). Conclusions: Based on our findings, RT mutation analysis appears to be of high value before the initiation of therapy in patients with chronic HBV infection in Jordan. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a considerable proportion of local spread in the country which should be considered in the preventive infection control efforts.
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| 5. |
- Abdaljaleel, Maram, et al.
(författare)
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Postmortem lung and heart examination of COVID-19 patients in a case series from Jordan
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine. - : The Korean Society of Pathologists and The Korean Society for Cytopathology. - 2383-7837 .- 2383-7845. ; 57:2, s. 102-112
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a pandemic for more than 2 years. Autopsy examination is an invaluable tool to understand the pathogenesis of emerging infections and their consequent mortalities. The aim of the current study was to present the lung and heart pathological findings of COVID-19-positive autopsies performed in Jordan. Methods: The study involved medicolegal cases, where the cause of death was unclear and autopsy examination was mandated by law. We included the clinical and pathologic findings of routine gross and microscopic examination of cases that were positive for COVID-19 at time of death. Testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed through molecular detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction, serologic testing for IgM and electron microscope examination of lung samples. Results: Seventeen autopsies were included, with male predominance (76.5%), Jordanians (70.6%), and 50 years as the mean age at time of death. Nine out of 16 cases (56.3%) had co-morbidities, with one case lacking such data. Histologic examination of lung tissue revealed diffuse alveolar damage in 13/17 cases (76.5%), and pulmonary microthrombi in 8/17 cases (47.1%). Microscopic cardiac findings were scarcely detected. Two patients died as a direct result of acute cardiac disease with limited pulmonary findings. Conclusions: The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in postmortem examination can be an incidental or contributory finding which highlights the value of autopsy examination to determine the exact cause of death in controversial cases.
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| 6. |
- Abou Ghayda, Ramy, et al.
(författare)
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The global case fatality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 by continents and national income: A meta-analysis
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Virology. - : WILEY. - 0146-6615 .- 1096-9071. ; 94:6, s. 2402-2413
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study is to provide a more accurate representation of COVID-19s case fatality rate (CFR) by performing meta-analyses by continents and income, and by comparing the result with pooled estimates. We used multiple worldwide data sources on COVID-19 for every country reporting COVID-19 cases. On the basis of data, we performed random and fixed meta-analyses for CFR of COVID-19 by continents and income according to each individual calendar date. CFR was estimated based on the different geographical regions and levels of income using three models: pooled estimates, fixed- and random-model. In Asia, all three types of CFR initially remained approximately between 2.0% and 3.0%. In the case of pooled estimates and the fixed model results, CFR increased to 4.0%, by then gradually decreasing, while in the case of random-model, CFR remained under 2.0%. Similarly, in Europe, initially, the two types of CFR peaked at 9.0% and 10.0%, respectively. The random-model results showed an increase near 5.0%. In high-income countries, pooled estimates and fixed-model showed gradually increasing trends with a final pooled estimates and random-model reached about 8.0% and 4.0%, respectively. In middle-income, the pooled estimates and fixed-model have gradually increased reaching up to 4.5%. in low-income countries, CFRs remained similar between 1.5% and 3.0%. Our study emphasizes that COVID-19 CFR is not a fixed or static value. Rather, it is a dynamic estimate that changes with time, population, socioeconomic factors, and the mitigatory efforts of individual countries.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Abualhaija, Sallam, et al.
(författare)
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Replication in Requirements Engineering : The NLP for RE Case
- 2024
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Ingår i: ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology. - : Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). - 1049-331X .- 1557-7392. ; 33:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Natural language processing (NLP) techniques have been widely applied in the requirements engineering (RE) field to support tasks such as classification and ambiguity detection. Despite its empirical vocation, RE research has given limited attention to replication of NLP for RE studies. Replication is hampered by several factors, including the context specificity of the studies, the heterogeneity of the tasks involving NLP, the tasks’ inherent hairiness, and, in turn, the heterogeneous reporting structure. To address these issues, we propose a new artifact, referred to as ID-Card, whose goal is to provide a structured summary of research papers emphasizing replication-relevant information. We construct the ID-Card through a structured, iterative process based on design science. In this article: (i) we report on hands-on experiences of replication; (ii) we review the state-of-the-art and extract replication-relevant information: (iii) we identify, through focus groups, challenges across two typical dimensions of replication: data annotation and tool reconstruction; and (iv) we present the concept and structure of the ID-Card to mitigate the identified challenges. This study aims to create awareness of replication in NLP for RE. We propose an ID-Card that is intended to foster study replication but can also be used in other contexts, e.g., for educational purposes. © 2024 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).
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| 9. |
- Abualhajia, Sallam, et al.
(författare)
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Parameter Transfer across Domains for Word Sense Disambiguation
- 2017
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Ingår i: Proceedings of Recent Advances in Natural Language Processing Meet Deep Learning, Varna, Bulgaria 2–8 September 2017 / Edited by Galia Angelova, Kalina Bontcheva, Ruslan Mitkov, Ivelina Nikolova, Irina Temnikova. - : Incoma Ltd. Shoumen, Bulgaria. - 1313-8502 .- 2603-2813. - 9789544520489
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Word sense disambiguation is defined as finding the corresponding sense for a target word in a given context, which comprises a major step in text applications. Recently, it has been addressed as an optimization problem. The idea behind is to find a sequence of senses that corresponds to the words in a given context with a maximum semantic similarity. Metaheuristics like simulated annealing and D-Bees provide approximate good-enough solutions, but are usually influenced by the starting parameters. In this paper, we study the parameter tuning for both algorithms within the word sense disambiguation problem. The experiments are conducted on different datasets to cover different disambiguation scenarios. We show that D-Bees is robust and less sensitive towards the initial parameters compared to simulated annealing, hence, it is sufficient to tune the parameters once and reuse them for different datasets, domains or languages.
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| 10. |
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