Multimorbidity entails a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 complications. We examined vaccine effectiveness (VE) stratified by multimorbidity using a case-control study of territory-wide electronic health records in Hong Kong. Cases of infection (testing positive), hospitalization, and mortality were identified from January to March 2022. Controls were matched by age, sex, outpatient attendance/hospitalization date, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. We demonstrated a consistently good VE among people with increased multimorbidity burden; even more so than among those with minimal such burden. There was also a significantly greater VE after a third dose of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac against infection. The difference in VE between those with multimorbidity and those without was less pronounced for hospitalization, and such difference for COVID-19-related mortality was negligible. In conclusion, VE of both examined vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection among people with more complex multimorbidity burden is significant. Further vaccine roll-out should prioritize people with multimorbidity.

OBJECTIVE: In Western populations, patients with depression die 10-25 years prematurely compared to controls, mainly due to lifestyle-related diseases. Tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol intake, poor diets and physical inactivity are among the major contributors to disease comorbidities. The objective of this research is to assess the dietary and lifestyle behaviours for Bahraini patients with depression and to determine their associations with different medical comorbidities.
METHODS: A case-control study was conducted from March to December 2019. A sample of 96 diagnosed patients with depression was recruited from the Psychiatric Hospital/Bahrain, and 96 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited from primary health centres. Assessment of anthropometrics, dietary and alcohol intakes, tobacco smoking and physical activity levels were undertaken for both cases and controls. National electronic medical records were reviewed retrospectively for medical comorbidities for the recruited cases. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between lifestyle behaviours and medical comorbidities after controlling for confounding factors.
RESULTS: Patients with depression reported higher intakes of energy and energy-yielding macronutrients (e.g., carbohydrates, protein, and fat); three-fold higher rates of tobacco smoking; and significantly lower levels of physical activity. Cases appeared to be at a doubled risk for developing obesity, diabetes type 2, hypertension, and musculoskeletal disorders. The risk for cardiovascular problems was similar for cases and controls.
CONCLUSIONS: Poor dietary intakes, increased prevalence of smoking, and low levels of physical activity were evident in patients with depression in Bahrain; these factors were associated with some medical comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: Seed germination is a critical stage in plant life, and recent practices use nanomaterials for the improvement of plant seed germination indices. This study was conducted to assess the effect of laboratory prepared zinc oxide nanoparticles on the physiological and biochemical changes of lettuce seeds.
METHODS: Lettuce seeds were soaked in a suspension of moderately polydisperse zinc oxide nanoparticles at two different concentrations (25 ppm or 50 ppm) and shaken for 3 h at 25 °C. Seeds treatment was followed subsequently by two to three days drying at ambient conditions. Treated seeds were stored for 3-4 weeks, at ambient conditions and then tested for germination in petri dishes. Germination was observed on daily basis and seedling length was measured. After imbibition and before the start of the visible germination, seeds were examined for topography and surface analysis using the scanning electron microscope and zinc uptake was measured by using the atomic absorption spectrometry and the energy dispersive X-ray. The pattern of mobilization of biomolecules was analyzed to detect any differences among different seed groups.
RESULTS: There was no loss of viability for the nanoparticles treated seeds. Indeed their germination was enhanced and their biomass increased. The activated performance of the nanoparticles imbibed seeds has been found to be correlated with an increased level of Zn inside lettuce seeds. The recorded measurements show a significant enhancement of seedling length. Interaction of zinc oxide nanoparticles with lettuce seeds mediates a variation in the biochemical processes. Changes detected in treated seeds were as following: reduced levels of the total carbohydrates (including simple saccharides and polysaccharides), higher capacity of protein synthesis, an elevated level of starch as well as an increased activity of antioxidant enzymes.
CONCLUSIONS: Lettuce seeds primed with ZnO nanoparticles were found not only to maintain seed viability but even to exhibit a detectable level of germination enhancement compared to the control seeds. Overall, the promoted response of lettuce seeds during early stages of seed growth is encouraging for the application of ZnO NPs for seed priming for better germination indices.