Age-related Characteristics Research Articles

Features of distance learning at the stage of basic general education

This article examines the features of the use of information technology at the stage of basic general education in a distance format. The aim of the study is to substantiate the advantages of introducing distance learning at the stage of basic general education. Particular attention is paid to the consideration of age-related physiological characteristics of pupils of this age period. The interests, motives, and goals of pupils in this age range are presented. The results of the study can be used both in practical pedagogical activities and in further research on the feasibility of using distance learning forms at the stage of basic general education.

Adipose Tissue Aging and Metabolic Disorder, and the Impact of Nutritional Interventions.

Adipose tissue is the largest and most active endocrine organ, involved in regulating energy balance, glucose and lipid homeostasis and immune function. Adipose tissue aging processes are associated with brown adipose tissue whitening, white adipose tissue redistribution and ectopic deposition, resulting in an increase in age-related inflammatory factors, which then trigger a variety of metabolic syndromes, including diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Metabolic syndrome, in turn, is associated with increased inflammatory factors, all-cause mortality and cognitive impairment. There is a growing interest in the role of nutritional interventions in adipose tissue aging. Nowadays, research has confirmed that nutritional interventions, involving caloric restriction and the use of vitamins, resveratrol and other active substances, are effective in managing adipose tissue aging’s adverse effects, such as obesity. In this review we summarized age-related physiological characteristics of adipose tissue, and focused on what nutritional interventions can do in improving the retrogradation and how they do this.

Restoration of the contact surfaces and contact points of the posterior teeth from the practical dentists’ point of view: A questionnaire survey

BACKGROUND: Increasing the efficiency of the restoration of the contact surfaces of the posterior teeth by considering age-related characteristics in performing direct aesthetic restoration with composite materials remains an urgent task of modern dentistry, requiring a comprehensive analysis of existing problems.
 AIM: To assess the attitude of practitioners to the restoration of the contact points of the lateral teeth by direct composite restoration and the level of their practical and theoretical preparedness.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey of 376 practical dentists conducting therapeutic reception of adult patients (therapeutic dentistry and general dentistry) was conducted: 238 dentists took part in the face-to-face survey and 138 dentists in the online survey.
 RESULT: The restoration of the contact points during the treatment of patients with caries of the contact surfaces of the lateral teeth by direct composite restoration causes significant difficulties for practical dentists: 70.42.36% (p 0.005) of the respondents feel uncertain about the success of this manipulation, 14.41.77% regularly experience problems while performing this manipulation, 18.11.98% noted frequent or constant dissatisfaction with the results of their work after the restoration of the contact points of the posterior teeth, 76.22.19% (p 0.005) have information about age-related changes in the shape and topography of the contact points, 46.52.57% indicated the absence of methods and tools that allow to reproduce in clinical conditions the age-related features of the shape and topography of contact points, and 72.92.29% (p 0.005) prefer, if possible, not to take responsibility for the final outcomes of this manipulation.
 CONCLUSION: Studies aimed at developing methods for restoring the age characteristics of contact points in treating patients with caries on the contact surfaces of the posterior teeth using aesthetic restoration with composite materials are necessary.

Age as an element of the social portrait of the juvenile participant in the criminal process

Social-demographic characteristics of the individual and social groups are studied by many natural, social sciences and humanities. One of the most important characteristics is age which reflects the degree of physiological, psychological and social maturity; therefore, it is considered by sociological and legal sciences which rely on its statistical estimates in sociological, criminological and forensic research. Age characteristics are important for legislative and law enforcement activities, in the prevention of social deviations. Age characteristics, for example, of persons who broke the law, are used in the social portrait of crime, which reflects the social-group stratification and emphasizes the most significant features of the social group consisting of persons with deviant consciousness and behavior, i.e. allows to classify criminals. The study of juvenile delinquency helps to identify the features, conditions and trends of such crimes, i.e., to assess the reproduction of crime due to its youth part. Such studies have a pronounced victimological orientation and describe not only the personality type of the juvenile criminal, but also the personality type of the victim of a criminal assault, which has not only cognitive, but also practical significance - for developing measures for combating and preventing crimes. The article focuses on the age characteristics of juveniles participating in the criminal process in the status of accused, victims and witnesses. The authors emphasize that the investigation of such crimes faces difficulties due to the age characteristics of this social-demographic group; therefore, the knowledge of the typology of juveniles (their agerelated psycho-physiological and socio-moral characteristics) is the key to establishing contact with them and, accordingly, to choosing the best methods for obtaining the most complete and truthful information. This conclusion is confirmed not only by the publications of other authors, but also by the data of criminal cases and sociological surveys of investigators, experts, judges and juveniles participating in the investigation of crimes.

The niche-specialist and age-related oral microbial ecosystem: crosstalk with host immune cells in homeostasis.

Although characterization of the baseline oral microbiota has been discussed, the current literature seems insufficient to draw a definitive conclusion on the interactions between the microbes themselves or with the host. This study focuses on the spatial and temporal characteristics of the oral microbial ecosystem in a mouse model and its crosstalk with host immune cells in homeostasis. The V3V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene of 20 samples from four niches (tongue, buccal mucosa, keratinized gingiva and hard palate) and 10 samples from two life stages (adult and old) were analysed. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to investigate the resident immune cells. The niche-specialist and age-related communities, characterized based on the microbiota structure, interspecies communications, microbial functions and interactions with immune cells, were addressed. The phylum Firmicutes was the major component in the oral community. The microbial community profiles at the genus level showed that the relative abundances of the genera Bacteroides , Lactobacillus and Porphyromonas were enriched in the gingiva. The abundance of the genera Streptococcus , Faecalibaculum and Veillonella was increased in palatal samples, while the abundance of Neisseria and Bradyrhizobium was enriched in buccal samples. The genera Corynebacterium , Stenotrophomonas, Streptococcus and Fusobacterium were proportionally enriched in old samples, while Prevotella and Lacobacillus were enriched in adult samples. Network analysis showed that the genus Lactobacillus performed as a central node in the buccal module, while in the gingiva module, the central nodes were Nesterenkonia and Hydrogenophilus . FCM showed that the proportion of Th1 cells in the tongue samples (38.18 % [27.03–49.34 %]) (mean [range]) was the highest. The proportion of γδT cells in the buccal mucosa (25.82 % [22.1–29.54 %]) and gingiva (20.42 % [18.31–22.53 %]) samples was higher (P<0.01) than those in the palate (14.18 % [11.69–16.67 %]) and tongue (9.38 % [5.38–13.37 %] samples. The proportion of Th2 (31.3 % [16.16–46.44 %]), Th17 (27.06 % [15.76–38.36 %]) and Treg (29.74 % [15.71–43.77 %]) cells in the old samples was higher than that in the adult samples (P<0.01). Further analysis of the interplays between the microbiomes and immune cells indicated that Th1 cells in the adult group, nd Th2, Th17 and Treg cells in the old group were the main immune factors strongly associated with the oral microbiota. For example, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells showed a significantly positive correlation with age-related microorganisms such as Sphingomonas , Streptococcus and Acinetobacter , while Th1 cells showed a negative correlation. Another positive correlation occurred between Th1 cells and several commensal microbiomes such as Lactobacillus , Jeotgalicoccus and Sporosarcina . Th2, Th17 and Treg cells showed the opposite trend. Together, our findings identify the niche-specialist and age-related characteristics of the oral microbial ecosystem and the potential associations between the microbiomes and the mucosal immune cells, providing critical insights into mucosal microbiology.

The assessment of the adherence to the treatment among military personnel with arterial hypertension, at the present stage

Purpose – to conduct an analysis of the adherence to the treatment among military personnel with arterial hypertension at the present stage.&#x0D; Materials and methods. A random sampling questionnaire survey of 100 patients was conducted. Patients are male, aged between 22 and 86 years old, who recived the treatment within 2017 at the National Military Medical Clinical Center «The Main Military Clinical Hospital», having the diagnosis of hypertension. To study the age-related characteristics of adherence to the treatment of hypertension, patients were divided into two study groups: group I age 22–59 (46 patients); group II age 60–86 (64 patients). The questionnaire including a modified Morisky scale with six questions was used for the study and standardization of the campaign. Based on the results of the research a computer database was generated, and statistical processing of the data using the application software package with variational statistics methods using Student’s t-test was conducted. The primary processing for variable denominations and rank variables involved calculating the interest rate.&#x0D; Results. Using the questionnaire method, it was found that adherence to the use of antihypertensive drugs was higher in patients over the age of 60 – regularly taking medication 83±5.1 %, in the group of under 60 – 26±6.5 % (p&lt;0,05). The low level of servicemen’s motivation for treatment is proved.&#x0D; Conclusions. The conducted research showed the presence of problematic issues among servicemen and military pensioners to adherence to treatment. The main ones are low motivation for treatment and a lower adherence to treatment in the age group under 60 years.

Methodology of studying the value-semantic readiness for learning

The article represents methodological substantiation and results of approbation of the diagnostic tool for studying of psychological readiness of preschool age children to training at school. The presented work is a continuation of scientific research in the direction of expanding the structure of psychological readiness for school through addition of its value-semantic component, as well as creation of a tool for its measurement. In the process of developing the methodology for diagnosing the value-semantic component of the psychological readiness for learning, the author relies on the age-related psychological characteristics of a preschool age child, which are oriented toward the choice of projective technology. In addition to this, the theoretical basis for the methodology creation was the author's vision of the content of value-semantic component of psychological readiness for learning, which constitutes an activity dynamic conceptual system of ``study``, containing a set of such values: health, active and productive life, cognition, politeness, education, tenacity. The article provides a thorough description of all the stages of the methodology development, accompanied by the results of an empirical study of its accuracy, reliability, and validity. Author's methodology of studying the value-semantic readiness for learning contains two sets of twenty-four pictures in each according to the gender of the testee with the instruction to them. Based on the results of the methodology standardization, the forms for fixing the results of the study, as well as the decil norms for each component of the value-semantic readiness for learning (affective and cognitive), and its general index are presented.

Оценка фармакотерапии ревматоидного артрита у пожилых в реальной клинической практике на юге Кыргызстана

Research relevance: actual practice of pharmacotherapy in elderly patients does not always meet standards of treatment and recommendations, and currently there are no publicly available works on the age-related characteristics of the rheumatoid arthritis pharmacotherapy which complicates analysis and interpretation of the obtained results. Research objectives: to conduct a pharmacoepidemiological analysis in order to assess the actual use of drugs in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to identify their irrational use and increase the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy. Research methods and materials: case histories of 119 elderly patients treated from 2015 to 2018 with a clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in the Department of Rheumatology of the Osh Interregional Clinical Hospital of Kyrgyzstan were analyzed. Research results: the individual characteristics of elderly patients, comorbidities should determine the choice of a specific treatment regimen. Conclusion: when analyzing the pharmacotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis in elderly people, insufficient use of basic anti-inflammatory drugs with proven efficacy was revealed.

Current opportunities for prevention of chronic kidney disease progression in children

Chronic kidney disease is an urgent problem of childhood getting more and more interest on the one hand due to the higher incidence among children and the increased public health expenditures, and on the other hand due to the expanding opportunities for early diagnosis and prevention of the progression of this condition. Renoprotection means a set of measures of accompanying therapy that helps to preserve renal function, and in the case of advanced chronic renal failure — to maintain their residual function. The renoprotective strategy in children differs from that in adults, which is associated with the peculiarity of the causes of chronic kidney disease and the age-related characteristics of the physiology and pathology of body systems.

How, Why, and When is the Average Age of Employees Related to Climate for Innovation? The Role of Age Diversity, Focus on Opportunities, and Work Engagement

Folk wisdom suggests that “you cannot teach an old dog new tricks.” Accordingly, as the average age of the workforce increases, there is a potential concern based on negative stereotypes that organizations will become less innovative. Drawing from lifespan development theories and theorizing on innovation, we explore this concern by testing, at the organization level of analysis, whether the average age of employees is indirectly related to climate for innovation through employees’ aggregate focus on opportunities (i.e., a negative indirect effect) and work engagement (i.e., a positive indirect effect). Moreover, we proposed that organizational age diversity is a protective resource that moderates these relationships, such that they are weaker in organizations with high as compared to low age diversity. Organization-level data were collected from teaching and non-teaching staff in n = 133 schools across two time points separated by 4 years (Time 1 n = 3712 respondents; Time 2 n = 5183 respondents). Results suggest that the average age of employees within schools was negatively related to employees’ aggregate focus on opportunities which, in turn, positively predicted climate for innovation above and beyond the positive effect of work engagement. Moreover, the negative indirect effect of average age on climate for innovation through aggregate focus on opportunities was weaker for organizations with high age diversity. Overall, these findings contribute to a better understanding of relationships between age and age-related characteristics and climate for innovation at the organization level, and challenge common misunderstandings regarding the role of age in the workplace.

Age-related variations in position and morphology of the temporomandibular joint in individuals with anterior openbite and crossbite: a multi-cross-sectional comparative study

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare the age-related positional and morphological characteristics of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) between individuals with anterior openbite or crossbite and controls.MethodsThis multi-cross-sectional comparative study analysed cone-beam computed tomography images of 750 participants, equally divided into the openbite, crossbite, and control groups (OBG, CBG, and CG, respectively). Each group was further divided into five subgroups (8–11 years, 12–15 years, 16–19 years, 20–24 years, and 25–30 years). Measurements of the TMJ included the position of the condyles in their respective fossae and morphology of the condyles and fossae. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. The study adhered to the STROBE Statement checklist for reporting of cross-sectional studies.ResultsCondyles were positioned more posteriorly with increasing age in all groups, and the condylar position was more posterior in the OBG than in the CBG. The articular eminence inclination increased with age in all the groups. There were significant differences in the articular eminence inclination among the three major groups at the age of > 15 years, and the condylar path was flatter in the CBG than in the OBG.ConclusionsAge-related morphological and positional characteristics of the TMJ differed considerably among OBG, CBG and CG. Contrary to CBG, OBG was found to have relatively posterior condylar position and steeper condylar path.

Latent autoimmune diabetes in youth shows greater autoimmunity than latent autoimmune diabetes in adults: Evidence from a nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional study.

To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of latent autoimmune diabetes in youth (LADY) diagnosed between 15 and 29 years old as a component of an age-related autoimmune diabetes spectrum. This nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional study continuously included 19,100 newly diagnosed diabetes patients over 15 years old across China. LADY patients were screened from 1803 subjects aged between 15 and 29 years old, with the type 2 diabetes (T2D) phenotype and positive autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA), insulinoma-associated-2 (IA-2A) or zinc transporter-8 (ZnT8A). The clinical features of LADY, including metabolic status, β-cell function and insulin resistance, were investigated and compared with those of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) identified from 17,297 other subjects over 30 years old. The age-related characteristics of the latent autoimmune diabetes spectrum were explored. A total of 135 subjects were diagnosed as LADY, accounting for 9.0% of the T2D phenotypic youth. Compared with autoantibody-negative T2D patients, LADY patients had fewer metabolic syndrome, less insulin resistance and poorer β-cell function, which were closely related to their autoantibody status (all p < 0.05). After stratifying LADA according to age, the GADA titer decreased across the LADY, "Y-LADA" (young LADA, onset age < 60 years old) and "E-LADA" (elderly LADA, onset age ≥ 60 years old) groups, while the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and level of β-cell function increased (all p < 0.05). A high prevalence of LADY exists in youth with T2D phenotype. Latent autoimmune diabetes forms a continuous age-related spectrum from LADY to LADA, in which LADY shows greater autoimmunity.

Assessing of Humoral Immunity to SARS-COV-2 in Residents of Orenburg During the Epidemic Period

Relevance. The formation of humoral immunity is one of the most important manifestations of the protective mechanism against an infectious disease. The formation of antibodies with neutralizing activity is a key factor in preventing infection.Aims. Analysis of the esults of an ELISA study for the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies to the causative agent of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the population of the Central Orenburg region.Materials and methods. Immunoassay of blood serum for the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies using ELISA test by Vectro-Best (Novosibirsk, Russia).Results and discussion. The analysis revealed the presence of more than half of the cases of seroconversion among the examined individuals. The most surveyed was the group aged 21 to 65 years. The most typical humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 has been established, and the age-related characteristics of its formation have been determined. The dependence of the positivity coefficient on the age of the patients was revealed.Conclusions. According to the results of the study, the formed humoral (collective) immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus was registered in more than half of the studied sample.

MORPHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF KIDNEY CORTICAL SUBSTANCE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDHOOD

One of the factors for arterial hypertension development is an increase in the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. It is supposed to be relevant to study the structure of subcortical and perimedullary nephrons in order to identify their morphofunctional characteristics in postnatal ontogenesis.&#x0D; The aim of the study was to investigate the age-related characteristics of the renal cortex structure in children of different age groups.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. The study was performed on the autopsy renal material obtained from children without any vascular and renoparenchymal diseases, who died at the age of 2 months – 10 years. Six age groups were identified: those who died at the age of 2–4 months, 6–9 months, 10–12 months, 3 years, 6 years, and 10 years. Paraffin microscope slides were prepared according to a standard method and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The authors determined the number of subcortical and perimedullary renal corpuscles, cortical and perimedullary nephron area, glomeruli area of subcortical and perimedullary nephrons and their average capsule area using the Levenhuk morphometric program.&#x0D; Results. In postnatal ontogenesis, uneven maturation of the cortical renal substance is observed. Initially, the nephrons of the subcapsular zone develop faster, with predominant growth of convoluted tubules. Nephron number in the perimedullary zone is lower than in the subcortical one. Active tubule and stroma growth is observed since the age of 3. By the age of 10, the number of subcortical and perimedullary nephrons becomes the same and corresponds to the kidney structure in adults. In ontogenesis, the corpuscles and vascular glomeruli of the pericerebral nephrons are larger than those of the subcapsular ones. However, the urinary space is wider in the subcapsular nephrons, which indicates their earlier involvement in the urination process. A significant development of the vascular glomeruli of the perimedullary nephrons indicates their predominant involvement in the processes of blood pressure regulation through renin synthesis.

The Role of Literary Texts in Relation to The Development and Respect of The Child’s Identity

Identity is a very complex structure. There are many aspects of identity and those start to form and develop in early childhood This study explores specific age-related characteristics of children which influence the forming and shaping of different layers of identity and points out the important role that legislature and various social environment factors have in this process. Special attention is dedicated to the positive influence that preschool teachers and institutions have and to a range of possibilities that literary texts offer in this whole process. Concrete examples illustrate how complex semantic structure of a literary text can initiate conversation about different layers of identity. The advantages of this kind of work are numerous and are reflected in the fact that the development and the strengthening of the identity is approached from an integrative standpoint, given the fact that we are simultaneously working on children’s speech development through reading activities and literary text analysis. The main implication of this study is 1) the need for conducting future research with the aim of identifying literary texts which, apart from their aesthetic quality, also possess semantic potential as a tool for learning about identity and 2) further work on strengthening the competences of preschool teachers so that they can integrate activities directed towards development of the child’s identity in all the areas of their educational activities within preschool institutions and carrying them out with continuity.

Assessment of the psychological state of children with dental anomalies

Currently, a significant proportion of children have dental anomalies (DA) and require orthodontic treatment. The effectiveness of treatment is reduced due to the age-related characteristics of the child's psyche, which lengthens the time and affects the quality of the appointment.Objective: to assess the emotional state of children with DA aged 6–12 years.Patients and methods. To study the characteristics of the psychological state of children, 122 patients aged 6–12 years (44 boys and 78 girls, mean age 9 [7; 11] years) were examined and orthodontically treated. Children's complaints, the presence of tics and obsessive habits were assessed. The psychological state of the patients was assessed using the G.P. Lavrentieva and T.M. Titarenko anxiety level in children questionnaire. Causes and factors that increase anxiety at the reception were assessed using a questionnaire developed by the authors.Results and discussion. Aesthetic defect and speech disorders were the most frequent complaints among children aged 6–12 years with DA (58 and 23%, respectively), especially among older girls (r=0.72). 91.2% of children had obsessive habits, 48% had motor tics. Three groups were distinguished: with low (59.0%), medium (19.7%) and high (21.3%) levels of anxiety. No significant associations were found between the anxiety level and gender, age, presence of tics and obsessive habits. Factors that increased anxiety in children during an orthodontist's appointment were: past personal negative experience at a dental appointment (in 27.0%); office environment (23.8%); negative experience of parents or peers (16.4%); frequent visits to medical institutions in the past (21.3%); family relations (11.5%). The most common anxiety causes were pain expectation and inexplicable fear, a little less often - unpleasant manipulations in the oral cavity and comments from the parent. The rarest cause of anxiety was a disapproving remark from an orthodontist.Conclusion. Children with DA aged 6–12 years have an increased anxiety level, independent of gender and age. These children require a special approach from the orthodontist and, possibly, a consultation with a psychotherapist.

Features and Needs of Autistic Older Adults: A Delphi Study of Clinical Experiences

ABSTRACT Objectives In geriatric psychiatry Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are increasingly recognized. This study explores what clinicians know about diagnostic and/or therapeutic aspects of autistic older adults and how aging plays a role in the course of ASD. Methods A Delphi study outlines the point of view of 11 clinical experts in the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders). Results Regarding diagnostics, age-specific aspects need to be considered. Age-related characteristics (cognitive differences, life events, co-occurring conditions) influence detecting autistic features in older adults. Regarding treatment, counseling methods need to be adapted. Psychoeducation, family therapy, couples therapy, behavioral counseling and psychopharmaca can be helpful in meeting the needs of autistic older adults. There was no consensus on the effects of aging on autistic older adults. Conclusions Diagnosis and treatment of ASD need adaptation for autistic older adults. Further research is needed on the validation of measurement tools, recorded treatment, therapy, psychoeducation, and the effects of aging among people on the autism spectrum. Clinical Implications Available knowledge helps clinicians to detect ASD in older adults and adapt to the specific features and needs of autistic older adults. The effects of aging on the course of ASD are unclear yet.

Study of Complexity Systems in Public Health for Evaluating the Correlation between Mental Health and Age-Related Demographic Characteristics: A General Health Study.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of nurses' work lives and mental health during outbreaks. We also use the General Health Questionnaire–28 and Walton's QWL technique to assess the association between these two and their dimensions with demographic variables and each other. First, 165 nurses from COVID-19 medical centers in Iran filled surveys for this research. In an SPSS program, the data were examined. There was a strong link between mental health and age-related demographic factors. There was no evidence of a link between the quality of nurses' work life and their psychological health. However, there was a strong link between somatic symptoms and fair and appropriate compensation, as well as constitutionalism. The worst situations for work life quality were linked to the whole living area dimension. In contrast, the worst conditions for mental health were linked to the somatic symptoms dimension.

МОРФОФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫЕ АСПЕКТЫ СТАРЕНИЯ, ОПРЕДЕЛЯЮЩИЕ ТЕЧЕНИЕ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЙ ОРГАНОВ ДЫХАНИЯ В ПОЖИЛОМ И СТАРЧЕСКОМ ВОЗРАСТЕ

Aim. Based on an analysis of the medical literature, describe the key features of age-related organic and functional changes that potentially affect the course and therapy of respiratory diseases in elderly and senile people. Material and methods. A review of publications in the scientific and methodological literature on the problems of physiological and pathological aging, the epidemiology of somatic pathology and the peculiarities of its clinical manifestations and outcomes in the age aspect, including the relationship with the course of non-infectious and infectious respiratory diseases in elderly and senile people, is carried out. Results and discussion. The article provides relevant data on morbidity and mortality from respiratory pathology in old and senile age. A description is given of the mechanisms of aging of organs and systems, changes in the regulation of their functions, including changes in immunoreactivity from the standpoint of influence on the occurrence and course of respiratory diseases. Conclusion. When managing elderly and senile patients, it is necessary to take into account the age-related characteristics of the aging organism, the existing comorbid pathology and its therapy, take a differentiated approach to the assessment of the clinic, taking into account the direct signs of age-associated symptoms and manifestations of the «pharmacological cascade».

Inferring age-specific differences in susceptibility to and infectiousness upon SARS-CoV-2 infection based on Belgian social contact data.

Several important aspects related to SARS-CoV-2 transmission are not well known due to a lack of appropriate data. However, mathematical and computational tools can be used to extract part of this information from the available data, like some hidden age-related characteristics. In this paper, we present a method to investigate age-specific differences in transmission parameters related to susceptibility to and infectiousness upon contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection. More specifically, we use panel-based social contact data from diary-based surveys conducted in Belgium combined with the next generation principle to infer the relative incidence and we compare this to real-life incidence data. Comparing these two allows for the estimation of age-specific transmission parameters. Our analysis implies the susceptibility in children to be around half of the susceptibility in adults, and even lower for very young children (preschooler). However, the probability of adults and the elderly to contract the infection is decreasing throughout the vaccination campaign, thereby modifying the picture over time.