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  1. Article ; Online: Risky Play and Social Behaviors among Japanese Preschoolers

    Natsuko Imai / Akiko Shikano / Tetsuhiro Kidokoro / Shingo Noi

    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 19, Iss 7889, p

    Direct Observation Method

    2022  Volume 7889

    Abstract: While limited evidence is available, preliminary studies highlight the potential health benefits of risky play. However, most of the studies have used subjective methods (i.e., questionnaires) to evaluate children’s risky play, which limits their ... ...

    Abstract While limited evidence is available, preliminary studies highlight the potential health benefits of risky play. However, most of the studies have used subjective methods (i.e., questionnaires) to evaluate children’s risky play, which limits their validity and reliability. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the frequency of risky play and social behavior among Japanese preschoolers by using a valid and reliable method such as direct observation. A total of 32 Japanese preschoolers (71.4 ± 3.5 months old) participated in the study, and their social behaviors were measured by the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Data regarding the frequency of risky play was collected through direct observation. Results stated that, in a non-adjusted model, there was no significant association between children’s risky play and prosocial behavior. However, the association became significant after adjusting for covariates such as gender, parental employment status, and physical activity. In contrast, there was no significant association between children’s risky play and problem behavior (hyperactivity and aggression) after adjusting for covariates. In conclusion, covariates such as parental employment should be considered when examining the benefits of risky play.
    Keywords risky play ; physical activity ; SDQ ; direct observation ; parental employment ; Japanese preschoolers ; Medicine ; R
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-06-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Targeting vaccinations for the licensed dengue vaccine

    Natsuko Imai / Neil M Ferguson

    PLoS ONE, Vol 13, Iss 6, p e

    Considerations for serosurvey design.

    2018  Volume 0199450

    Abstract: Background The CYD-TDV vaccine was unusual in that the recommended target population for vaccination was originally defined not only by age, but also by transmission setting as defined by seroprevalence. WHO originally recommended countries consider ... ...

    Abstract Background The CYD-TDV vaccine was unusual in that the recommended target population for vaccination was originally defined not only by age, but also by transmission setting as defined by seroprevalence. WHO originally recommended countries consider vaccination against dengue with CYD-TDV vaccine in geographic settings only where prior infection with any dengue serotype, as measured by seroprevalence, was >170% in the target age group. Vaccine was not recommended in settings where seroprevalence was <50%. Test-and-vaccinate strategies suggested following new analysis by Sanofi will still require age-stratified seroprevalence surveys to optimise age-group targeting. Here we address considerations for serosurvey design in the context of vaccination program planning. Methods To explore how the design of seroprevalence surveys affects estimates of transmission intensity, 100 age-specific seroprevalence surveys were simulated using a beta-binomial distribution and a simple catalytic model for different combinations of age-range, survey size, transmission setting, and test sensitivity/specificity. We then used a Metropolis-Hastings Markov Chain Monte-Carlo algorithm to estimate the force of infection from each simulated dataset. Results Sampling from a wide age-range led to more accurate estimates than merely increasing sample size in a narrow age-range. This finding was consistent across all transmission settings. The optimum test sensitivity and specificity given an imperfect test differed by setting with high sensitivity being important in high transmission settings and high specificity important in low transmission settings. Conclusions When assessing vaccination suitability by seroprevalence surveys, countries should ensure an appropriate age-range is sampled, considering epidemiological evidence about the local burden of disease.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 310
    Language English
    Publishing date 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  3. Article ; Online: Chainchecker

    Katy Gaythorpe / Aaron Morris / Natsuko Imai / Miles Stewart / Jeffrey Freeman / Mary Choi

    PLoS ONE, Vol 16, Iss 2, p e

    An application to visualise and explore transmission chains for Ebola virus disease.

    2021  Volume 0247002

    Abstract: 2020 saw the continuation of the second largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in history. Determining epidemiological links between cases is a key part of outbreak control. However, due to the large quantity of data and subsequent data entry ... ...

    Abstract 2020 saw the continuation of the second largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in history. Determining epidemiological links between cases is a key part of outbreak control. However, due to the large quantity of data and subsequent data entry errors, inconsistencies in potential epidemiological links are difficult to identify. We present chainchecker, an online and offline shiny application which visualises, curates and verifies transmission chain data. The application includes the calculation of exposure windows for individual cases of EVD based on user defined incubation periods and user specified symptom profiles. It has an upload function for viral hemorrhagic fever data and utility for additional entries. This data may then be visualised as a transmission tree with inconsistent links highlighted. Finally, there is utility for cluster analysis and the ability to highlight nosocomial transmission. chainchecker is a R shiny application which has an offline version for use with VHF (viral hemorrhagic fever) databases or linelists. The software is available at https://shiny.dide.imperial.ac.uk/chainchecker which is a web-based application that links to the desktop application available for download and the github repository, https://github.com/imperialebola2018/chainchecker.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: Estimating dengue transmission intensity from serological data

    Victoria Cox / Megan O'Driscoll / Natsuko Imai / Ari Prayitno / Sri Rezeki Hadinegoro / Anne-Frieda Taurel / Laurent Coudeville / Ilaria Dorigatti

    PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 16, Iss 7, p e

    A comparative analysis using mixture and catalytic models.

    2022  Volume 0010592

    Abstract: Background Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a global health concern of increasing magnitude. To target intervention strategies, accurate estimates of the force of infection (FOI) are necessary. Catalytic models have been widely used to estimate DENV FOI ... ...

    Abstract Background Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a global health concern of increasing magnitude. To target intervention strategies, accurate estimates of the force of infection (FOI) are necessary. Catalytic models have been widely used to estimate DENV FOI and rely on a binary classification of serostatus as seropositive or seronegative, according to pre-defined antibody thresholds. Previous work has demonstrated the use of thresholds can cause serostatus misclassification and biased estimates. In contrast, mixture models do not rely on thresholds and use the full distribution of antibody titres. To date, there has been limited application of mixture models to estimate DENV FOI. Methods We compare the application of mixture models and time-constant and time-varying catalytic models to simulated data and to serological data collected in Vietnam from 2004 to 2009 (N ≥ 2178) and Indonesia in 2014 (N = 3194). Results The simulation study showed larger mean FOI estimate bias from the time-constant and time-varying catalytic models (-0.007 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): -0.069, 0.029) and -0.006 (95% CI -0.095, 0.043)) than from the mixture model (0.001 (95% CI -0.036, 0.065)). Coverage of the true FOI was > 95% for estimates from both the time-varying catalytic and mixture model, however the latter had reduced uncertainty. When applied to real data from Vietnam, the mixture model frequently produced higher FOI and seroprevalence estimates than the catalytic models. Conclusions Our results suggest mixture models represent valid, potentially less biased, alternatives to catalytic models, which could be particularly useful when estimating FOI from data with largely overlapping antibody titre distributions.
    Keywords Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine ; RC955-962 ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 310
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-07-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article ; Online: Adoption and impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19 [version 1; peer review

    Natsuko Imai / Katy A.M. Gaythorpe / Sam Abbott / Sangeeta Bhatia / Sabine van Elsland / Kiesha Prem / Yang Liu / Neil M. Ferguson

    Wellcome Open Research, Vol

    1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

    2020  Volume 5

    Abstract: Background: Several non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been implemented across the world to control the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Social distancing (SD) interventions applied so far have included school closures, remote working ... ...

    Abstract Background: Several non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been implemented across the world to control the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Social distancing (SD) interventions applied so far have included school closures, remote working and quarantine. These measures have been shown to have large impacts on pandemic influenza transmission. However, there has been comparatively little examination of such measures for COVID-19. Methods: We examined the existing literature, and collated data, on implementation of NPIs to examine their effects on the COVID-19 pandemic so far. Data on NPIs were collected from official government websites as well as from media sources. Results: Measures such as travel restrictions have been implemented in multiple countries and appears to have slowed the geographic spread of COVID-19 and reduced initial case numbers. We find that, due to the relatively sparse information on the differences with and without interventions, it is difficult to quantitatively assess the efficacy of many interventions. Similarly, whilst the comparison to other pandemic diseases such as influenza can be helpful, there are key differences that could affect the efficacy of similar NPIs. Conclusions: The timely implementation of control measures is key to their success and must strike a balance between early enough application to reduce the peak of the epidemic and ensuring that they can be feasibly maintained for an appropriate duration. Such measures can have large societal impacts and they need to be appropriately justified to the population. As the pandemic of COVID-19 progresses, quantifying the impact of interventions will be a vital consideration for the appropriate use of mitigation strategies.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q ; covid19
    Subject code 306
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Wellcome
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  6. Article ; Online: Spatiotemporal variability in dengue transmission intensity in Jakarta, Indonesia.

    Megan O'Driscoll / Natsuko Imai / Neil M Ferguson / Sri Rezeki Hadinegoro / Hindra Irawan Satari / Clarence C Tam / Ilaria Dorigatti

    PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 14, Iss 3, p e

    2020  Volume 0008102

    Abstract: BACKGROUND:Approximately 70% of the global burden of dengue disease occurs on the Asian continent, where many large urban centres provide optimal environments for sustained endemic transmission and periodic epidemic cycles. Jakarta, the capital of ... ...

    Abstract BACKGROUND:Approximately 70% of the global burden of dengue disease occurs on the Asian continent, where many large urban centres provide optimal environments for sustained endemic transmission and periodic epidemic cycles. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is a densely populated megacity with hyperendemic dengue transmission. Characterization of the spatiotemporal distribution of dengue transmission intensity is of key importance for optimal implementation of novel control and prevention programmes, including vaccination. In this paper we use mathematical models to provide the first detailed description of spatial and temporal variability in dengue transmission intensity in Jakarta. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We applied catalytic models in a Bayesian framework to age-stratified dengue case notification data to estimate dengue force of infection and reporting probabilities in 42 subdistricts of Jakarta. The model was fitted to yearly and average annual data covering a 10-year period between 2008 and 2017. We estimated a long-term average annual transmission intensity of 0.130 (95%CrI: 0.129-0.131) per year in Jakarta province, ranging from 0.090 (95%CrI: 0.077-0.103) to 0.164 (95%CrI: 0.153-0.174) across subdistricts. Annual average transmission intensity in Jakarta province during the 10-year period ranged from 0.012 (95%CrI: 0.011-0.013) in 2017 to 0.124 (95%CrI: 0.121-0.128) in 2016. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:While the absolute number of dengue case notifications cannot be relied upon as a measure of endemicity, the age-distribution of reported dengue cases provides valuable insights into the underlying nature of transmission. Our estimates from yearly and average annual case notification data represent the first detailed estimates of dengue transmission intensity in Jakarta's subdistricts. These will be important to consider when assessing the population-level impact and cost-effectiveness of potential control and prevention programmes in Jakarta province, such as the controlled release of ...
    Keywords Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine ; RC955-962 ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 333
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-03-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  7. Article ; Online: Estimating Dengue Transmission Intensity from Case-Notification Data from Multiple Countries.

    Natsuko Imai / Ilaria Dorigatti / Simon Cauchemez / Neil M Ferguson

    PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 10, Iss 7, p e

    2016  Volume 0004833

    Abstract: BACKGROUND:Despite being the most widely distributed mosquito-borne viral infection, estimates of dengue transmission intensity and associated burden remain ambiguous. With advances in the development of novel control measures, obtaining robust estimates ...

    Abstract BACKGROUND:Despite being the most widely distributed mosquito-borne viral infection, estimates of dengue transmission intensity and associated burden remain ambiguous. With advances in the development of novel control measures, obtaining robust estimates of average dengue transmission intensity is key for assessing the burden of disease and the likely impact of interventions. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS:We estimated the force of infection (λ) and corresponding basic reproduction numbers (R0) by fitting catalytic models to age-stratified incidence data identified from the literature. We compared estimates derived from incidence and seroprevalence data and assessed the level of under-reporting of dengue disease. In addition, we estimated the relative contribution of primary to quaternary infections to the observed burden of dengue disease incidence. The majority of R0 estimates ranged from one to five and the force of infection estimates from incidence data were consistent with those previously estimated from seroprevalence data. The baseline reporting rate (or the probability of detecting a secondary infection) was generally low (<25%) and varied within and between countries. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:As expected, estimates varied widely across and within countries, highlighting the spatio-temporally heterogeneous nature of dengue transmission. Although seroprevalence data provide the maximum information, the incidence models presented in this paper provide a method for estimating dengue transmission intensity from age-stratified incidence data, which will be an important consideration in areas where seroprevalence data are not available.
    Keywords Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine ; RC955-962 ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 333
    Language English
    Publishing date 2016-07-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  8. Article ; Online: Estimating dengue transmission intensity from sero-prevalence surveys in multiple countries.

    Natsuko Imai / Ilaria Dorigatti / Simon Cauchemez / Neil M Ferguson

    PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 9, Iss 4, p e

    2015  Volume 0003719

    Abstract: BACKGROUND:Estimates of dengue transmission intensity remain ambiguous. Since the majority of infections are asymptomatic, surveillance systems substantially underestimate true rates of infection. With advances in the development of novel control ... ...

    Abstract BACKGROUND:Estimates of dengue transmission intensity remain ambiguous. Since the majority of infections are asymptomatic, surveillance systems substantially underestimate true rates of infection. With advances in the development of novel control measures, obtaining robust estimates of average dengue transmission intensity is key for assessing both the burden of disease from dengue and the likely impact of interventions. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:The force of infection (λ) and corresponding basic reproduction numbers (R0) for dengue were estimated from non-serotype (IgG) and serotype-specific (PRNT) age-stratified seroprevalence surveys identified from the literature. The majority of R0 estimates ranged from 1-4. Assuming that two heterologous infections result in complete immunity produced up to two-fold higher estimates of R0 than when tertiary and quaternary infections were included. λ estimated from IgG data were comparable to the sum of serotype-specific forces of infection derived from PRNT data, particularly when inter-serotype interactions were allowed for. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:Our analysis highlights the highly heterogeneous nature of dengue transmission. How underlying assumptions about serotype interactions and immunity affect the relationship between the force of infection and R0 will have implications for control planning. While PRNT data provides the maximum information, our study shows that even the much cheaper ELISA-based assays would provide comparable baseline estimates of overall transmission intensity which will be an important consideration in resource-constrained settings.
    Keywords Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine ; RC955-962 ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 310
    Language English
    Publishing date 2015-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  9. Article ; Online: Epidemiological drivers of transmissibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 in England

    Pablo N. Perez-Guzman / Edward Knock / Natsuko Imai / Thomas Rawson / Yasin Elmaci / Joana Alcada / Lilith K. Whittles / Divya Thekke Kanapram / Raphael Sonabend / Katy A. M. Gaythorpe / Wes Hinsley / Richard G. FitzJohn / Erik Volz / Robert Verity / Neil M. Ferguson / Anne Cori / Marc Baguelin

    Nature Communications, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2023  Volume 9

    Abstract: Abstract As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic progressed, distinct variants emerged and dominated in England. These variants, Wildtype, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron were characterized by variations in transmissibility and severity. We used a robust mathematical model ...

    Abstract Abstract As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic progressed, distinct variants emerged and dominated in England. These variants, Wildtype, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron were characterized by variations in transmissibility and severity. We used a robust mathematical model and Bayesian inference framework to analyse epidemiological surveillance data from England. We quantified the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), therapeutics, and vaccination on virus transmission and severity. Each successive variant had a higher intrinsic transmissibility. Omicron (BA.1) had the highest basic reproduction number at 8.4 (95% credible interval (CrI) 7.8-9.1). Varying levels of NPIs were crucial in controlling virus transmission until population immunity accumulated. Immune escape properties of Omicron decreased effective levels of immunity in the population by a third. Furthermore, in contrast to previous studies, we found Alpha had the highest basic infection fatality ratio (3.0%, 95% CrI 2.8-3.2), followed by Delta (2.1%, 95% CrI 1.9–2.4), Wildtype (1.2%, 95% CrI 1.1–1.2), and Omicron (0.7%, 95% CrI 0.6-0.8). Our findings highlight the importance of continued surveillance. Long-term strategies for monitoring and maintaining effective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 are critical to inform the role of NPIs to effectively manage future variants with potentially higher intrinsic transmissibility and severe outcomes.
    Keywords Science ; Q
    Subject code 360
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-07-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Nature Portfolio
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  10. Article ; Online: Author Correction

    Pablo N. Perez-Guzman / Edward Knock / Natsuko Imai / Thomas Rawson / Yasin Elmaci / Joana Alcada / Lilith K. Whittles / Divya Thekke Kanapram / Raphael Sonabend / Katy A. M. Gaythorpe / Wes Hinsley / Richard G. FitzJohn / Erik Volz / Robert Verity / Neil M. Ferguson / Anne Cori / Marc Baguelin

    Nature Communications, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    Epidemiological drivers of transmissibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 in England

    2023  Volume 4

    Keywords Science ; Q
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Nature Portfolio
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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