Objectives-To ascertain changes in drug treatment ofelderly patients after discharge from hospital and to identify areas of communication which may require improvement.

Plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) in winter of 15-0-22-5 nmol/l (6-9 ng/ml) require that the concentration in the previous summer was over 40 nmol/l (16 ng/ml). To maintain plasma concentrations in the elderly above those associated with osteomalacia a mean dietary vitamin D intake of over 5 tg/day is required. A more physiological approach, however, would be to increase exposure to UVL.

ObjectiveA key challenge towards a successful COVID-19 vaccine uptake is vaccine hesitancy. We examine and provide novel insights on the key drivers and barriers towards COVID-19 vaccine uptake.DesignThis study involved an anonymous cross-sectional online survey circulated across the UK in September 2020. The survey was designed to include several sections to collect demographic data and responses on (1) extent of agreement regarding various statements about COVID-19 and vaccinations, (2) previous vaccination habits (eg, if they had previously declined vaccination) and (3) interest in participation in vaccine trials. Multinominal logistic models examined demographic factors that may impact vaccine uptake. We used principle component analysis and text mining to explore perception related to vaccine uptake.SettingThe survey was circulated through various media, including posts on social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram), national radio, news articles, Clinical Research Network website and newsletter, and through 150 West Midlands general practices via a text messaging service.ParticipantsThere were a total of 4884 respondents of which 9.44% were black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) group. The majority were women (n=3416, 69.9%) and of white ethnicity (n=4127, 84.5%).ResultsRegarding respondents, overall, 3873 (79.3%) were interested in taking approved COVID-19 vaccines, while 677 (13.9%) were unsure, and 334 (6.8%) would not take a vaccine. Participants aged over 70 years old (OR=4.63) and the BAME community (OR=5.48) were more likely to take an approved vaccine. Smokers (OR=0.45) and respondents with no known illness (OR=0.70) were less likely to accept approved vaccines. The study identified 16 key reasons for not accepting approved vaccines, the most common (60%) being the possibility of the COVID-19 vaccine having side effects.ConclusionsThis study provides an insight into focusing on specific populations to reduce vaccine hesitancy. This proves crucial in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The article examines the presence of herd behaviour in the emerging Indian stock market. Using daily data of S&P CNX Nifty 50 index of the National Stock Exchange over 1997–2012 and by employing Kalman filter, we investigate for the presence of herding. The article finds that the investors in the Indian market show significant herding behaviour. The presence of herding is robust after accounting for time-varying state variables that capture market volatility and market direction. Herding shows significant movements and persistence in both bull and bear markets and it seems to increase in bear market conditions. JEL Classification: C02, C21, G11, G14

I . Long-term clinical and biochemical vitamin C (ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid) status and dietary intake of vitamin C were monitored for 18 months in twenty-three relatively-healthy elderly subjects living at home in the north of England.2. Plasma vitamin C showed a strong positive correlation with buffy-coat vitamin C both cross-sectionally between subjects and longitudinally within subjects; plasma levels, therefore, were almost as good an index of Iong-term status as buffy-coat levels.3. Vitamin C intake was strongly correlated with plasma and with buffy-coat levels both between subjects and within subjects. This contrasts with the poor correlation observed between riboflavin intake and biochemical riboflavin status in the same subjects.4. Subjects with relatively high average intakes showed considerable seasonal variation, and several widely-spaced measurements would be needed to characterize their long-term status accurately. Those with low average intakes and blood levels showed little variation during the study.5. The strongest within-subject correlation was obtained by relating the biochemical values to the 7 d dietary intake directly preceding the biochemical analysis. Blood and tissue levels therefore appear to be strongly related to the current dietary intake.6. Although some subjects had blood vitamin C levels consistently within the region associated with biochemical deficiency, none showed clinical evidence of specific deficiency symptoms.7. After the main study, fifteen of the subjects received supplementary vitamin C for z months. Plasma and buffy-coat levels rose sharply, but fell to presupplementation levels within I month of withdrawal, emphasizing the transitory nature of increased tissue levels. No significant changes were detected in the following collagen-related urinary ratios : hydroxyproline : creatinine, proline : creatinine, proline : total amino-nitrogen and proline: hydroxyproline in hydrolysates either of whole urine or of various fractions. These variables thus appear to be insensitive to short-term changes in vitamin C status over the ranges encountered in this study.