scholarly journals Seasonal shedding patterns of diverse henipavirus-related paramyxoviruses in Egyptian rousette bats

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinda Mortlock ◽  
Marike Geldenhuys ◽  
Muriel Dietrich ◽  
Jonathan H. Epstein ◽  
Jacqueline Weyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Population ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Viral Dynamics ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Virus Excretion ◽  
Viral Sequences ◽  
Risk Communities

AbstractBat-borne viruses in the Henipavirus genus have been associated with zoonotic diseases of high morbidity and mortality in Asia and Australia. In Africa, the Egyptian rousette bat species (Rousettus aegyptiacus) is an important viral host in which Henipavirus-related viral sequences have previously been identified. We expanded these findings by assessing the viral dynamics in a southern African bat population. A longitudinal study of henipavirus diversity and excretion dynamics identified 18 putative viral species circulating in a local population, three with differing seasonal dynamics, and the winter and spring periods posing a higher risk of virus spillover and transmission. The annual peaks in virus excretion are most likely driven by subadults and may be linked to the waning of maternal immunity and recolonization of the roost in early spring. These results provide insightful information into the bat-host relationship that can be extrapolated to other populations across Africa and be communicated to at-risk communities as a part of evidence-based public health education and prevention measures against pathogen spillover threats.

scholarly journals Analysis of direct costs of decompressive craniectomy in victims of traumatic brain injury

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 257-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Lellis Badke ◽  
João Luiz Vitorino Araujo ◽  
Flávio Key Miura ◽  
Vinicius Monteiro de Paula Guirado ◽  
Nelson Saade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Decompressive Craniectomy ◽  
Direct Costs ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Mortality Index ◽  
Epidemiological Profile

ABSTRACT Background: Decompressive craniectomy is a procedure required in some cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This manuscript evaluates the direct costs and outcomes of decompressive craniectomy for TBI in a developing country and describes the epidemiological profile. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using a five-year neurosurgical database, taking a sample of patients with TBI who underwent decompressive craniectomy. Several variables were considered and a formula was developed for calculating the total cost. Results: Most patients had multiple brain lesions and the majority (69.0%) developed an infectious complication. The general mortality index was 68.8%. The total cost was R$ 2,116,960.22 (US$ 661,550.06) and the mean patient cost was R$ 66,155.00 (US$ 20,673.44). Conclusions: Decompressive craniectomy for TBI is an expensive procedure that is also associated with high morbidity and mortality. This was the first study performed in a developing country that aimed to evaluate the direct costs. Prevention measures should be a priority.

scholarly journals SOCIAL AND MEDICAL PROVISION OF SPECIAL SETTLERS IN THE TERRITORY OF THE OSTYAKO-VOGULSKY NATIONAL DISTRICT IN THE 1930TH

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6/2) ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
Elena N. ZAKIROVА ◽  
Olesya S. RASCHEKTAEVA
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Care Organization

Events of regional history often become a subject of study for researchers from different areas that allow you to restore a single picture the history of the country. The issue of medical care organization of spec. migratory population of Ostyako-Vogul national region in the period of industrial development of the country in the 20-30s of the twentieth century has been considered in this article, based on archival documents, including declassified. The expansion of the raw material and energy base through the active development of areas of Ural and Siberia, led to the rapid growth of the population of the region, by forcibly resettled from other regions of the country. Population growth, in turn, complicated the situation with health care, which was already not easy because of the specificity of the region (territorial remoteness and long distances between localities, harsh climate, lack of medical personnel, and so on. Health care for special settlers, especially in the beginning of the 1930s, was hardly established. Existed in the district, few medical aid stations were sent to help the local population, aboriginal people. Medical institutions and personnel were not enough, the most necessary medicines were lack ion sites and so on. The living conditions not meeting the standards, overcrowding, lack of normal living conditions, insufficient supply, paltry rations, hard labor conditions, inadequate and untimely medical care were the main causes of high morbidity and factors in the development of epidemics among special settlers.

scholarly journals The Viral Zoonotic Diseases from bats

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 20876-20880
Author(s):  
Sheen Job ◽  
Megha Sharma ◽  
Dr Mahendra Singh
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Community ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
Viral Dynamics ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
World Community ◽  
The World ◽  
Rapid Transmission ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

Bats are known reservoirs of virulent zoonotic pathogens not known to experience disease. They are known as nature’s pest controllers which are insectivorous and pollinators which are frugivorous in their nature. In the entire ecosystem bats play a vital role in various ways to sustain the diversity at its best. However, recent events have cast great aspersions on the bat behavior and the potential impact it has on Public Health not just in a specified region but  globally. The impact has been devastating and disastrous. The recent COVID 19 pandemic spell, opened the eyes of the scientific community, economists and even governments to work together. A host of issues were brought to light, as to how viral pathogenicity has played havoc with such virulence in the world community.  Numerous studies proved beyond doubt bats act as natural reservoirs for a large number of emerging and re emerging pathogens that other animals and humans can contract. It would be surprising to know that these viruses  are also listed in the bioterrorism list of pathogens. Such diversity shows that the bats are well adapted to the effects of virulent pathogens within their internal milieu. The first report of transmission of a bat virus to human was reported in 1960, it was the Rabies virus belonging to the Lyssa virus genus. SARS, Ebola, Nipah have already proven to be virulent and lethal.(1)   AIM To ascertain the viral dynamics in bats that lead to rapid transmission and infectivity in humans Objectives To understand the characteristics that bats possess, to host virulent pathogens To outline the mechanisms in bats in causing rapid transmission to humans

scholarly journals Prevention of Drug-Induced Lung Fibrosis via Inhibition of the MRTF/SRF Transcription Pathway

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendell M. Pawelec ◽  
Megan Varnum ◽  
Jack R. Harkema ◽  
Bruce Auerbach ◽  
Scott D. Larsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Fibrosis ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Lung Fibroblasts ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ◽  
Drug Induced

Drug-induced lung fibrosis is a debilitating disease, linked to high morbidity and mortality. A number of drugs can cause fibrosis, many of which are used to treat cancer, including chemotherapy agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The MRTF/SRF transcription pathway has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target, as it is critical for myofibroblast differentiation, a hallmark of fibrosis. In human lung fibroblasts, the MRTF/SRF pathway inhibitor, CCG-257081, effectively decreased mRNA levels of downstream genes: smooth muscle actin and connective tissue growth factor, with IC50s of 4 and 15 μM, respectively. The ability of CCG-257081 to prevent inflammation and fibrosis, measured via pulmonary collagen content and histopathology, was tested in a murine model of chemotherapy-induced lung fibrosis. Animals were given intraperitoneal bleomycin for four weeks, and concurrently dosed with CCG-257081 (0, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg PO), a clinical anti-fibrotic (nintedanib), or clinical standard of care (prednisolone). Mice treated with 100 mg/kg CCG-257081 gained weight vs. vehicle-treated control mice, while those receiving nintedanib and prednisolone lost significant weight. Hydroxyproline content and histological findings in tissue of animals on 100 mg/kg CCG-257081 were not significantly different from naive tissue, indicating successful prevention. Measures of tissue fibrosis were comparable between CCG-257081 and nintedanib, but only the MRTF/SRF inhibitor decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a marker linked to fibrosis, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Prednisolone led to marked increases in lung fibrosis. This study demonstrates the potential use of MRTF/SRF inhibitors to prevent drug-induced lung fibrosis in a clinically relevant model of drug-induced disease.

scholarly journals Application of Optimal Control to Influenza Pneumonia Coinfection with Antiviral Resistance

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Caroline W. Kanyiri ◽  
Livingstone Luboobi ◽  
Mark Kimathi
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Control ◽  
Optimal Strategies ◽  
Antiviral Resistance ◽  
System Control ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Sweep Method ◽  
Influenza Pneumonia ◽  
Major Impediment ◽  
Forward Backward Sweep Method

Influenza and pneumonia independently lead to high morbidity and mortality annually among the human population globally; however, a glaring fact is that influenza pneumonia coinfection is more vicious and it is a threat to public health. Emergence of antiviral resistance is a major impediment in the control of the coinfection. In this paper, a deterministic mathematical model illustrating the transmission dynamics of influenza pneumonia coinfection is formulated having incorporated antiviral resistance. Optimal control theory is then applied to investigate optimal strategies for controlling the coinfection using prevalence reduction and treatment as the system control variables. Pontryagin’s maximum principle is used to characterize the optimal control. The derived optimality system is solved numerically using the Runge–Kutta-based forward-backward sweep method. Simulation results reveal that implementation of prevention measures is sufficient to eradicate influenza pneumonia coinfection from a given population. The prevention measures could be social distancing, vaccination, curbing mutation and reassortment, and curbing interspecies movement of the influenza virus.

scholarly journals Local Population Structure and Patterns of Western Hemisphere Dispersal forCoccidioidesspp., the Fungal Cause of Valley Fever

mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Engelthaler ◽  
Chandler C. Roe ◽  
Crystal M. Hepp ◽  
Marcus Teixeira ◽  
Elizabeth M. Driebe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
South America ◽  
Population Genomics ◽  
Local Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Phylogeographic Structure ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
Desert Southwest

ABSTRACTCoccidioidomycosis (or valley fever) is a fungal disease with high morbidity and mortality that affects tens of thousands of people each year. This infection is caused by two sibling species,Coccidioides immitisandC. posadasii, which are endemic to specific arid locales throughout the Western Hemisphere, particularly the desert southwest of the United States. Recent epidemiological and population genetic data suggest that the geographic range of coccidioidomycosis is expanding, as new endemic clusters have been identified in the state of Washington, well outside the established endemic range. The genetic mechanisms and epidemiological consequences of this expansion are unknown and require better understanding of the population structure and evolutionary history of these pathogens. Here we performed multiple phylogenetic inference and population genomics analyses of 68 new and 18 previously published genomes. The results provide evidence of substantial population structure inC. posadasiiand demonstrate the presence of distinct geographic clades in central and southern Arizona as well as dispersed populations in Texas, Mexico, South America, and Central America. Although a smaller number ofC. immitisstrains were included in the analyses, some evidence of phylogeographic structure was also detected in this species, which has been historically limited to California and Baja, Mexico. Bayesian analyses indicated thatC. posadasiiis the more ancient of the two species and that Arizona contains the most diverse subpopulations. We propose a southern Arizona-northern Mexico origin forC. posadasiiand describe a pathway for dispersal and distribution out of this region.IMPORTANCECoccidioidomycosis, or valley fever, is caused by the pathogenic fungiCoccidioides posadasiiandC. immitis. The fungal species and disease are primarily found in the American desert southwest, with spotted distribution throughout the Western Hemisphere. Initial molecular studies suggested a likely anthropogenic movement ofC. posadasiifrom North America to South America. Here we comparatively analyze eighty-six genomes of the twoCoccidioidesspecies and establish local and species-wide population structures to not only clarify the earlier dispersal hypothesis but also provide evidence of likely ancestral populations and patterns of dispersal for the known subpopulations ofC. posadasii.

scholarly journals PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS 'B' AND 'C' AND IMPORTANCE OF COAGULATION PROFILE IN PATIENTS PRESENTING TO ORTHOPAEDIC WARD OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-134
Author(s):  
Junaid Khan ◽  
Sumera Rahim ◽  
Rahman Rasool Akhtar ◽  
Umer Shafique
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Fresh Frozen ◽  
Orthopaedic Ward ◽  
Hcv Antibody

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) virus infections are emerging as a challenge world over due to the wide spread clinical spectrum and complications associated with these infections leading to a high morbidity and mortality rate. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in patients presenting to the Orthopaedic department in our local population. Methods: This study was conducted from 9th march 2015 to 8th march 2016 on a total of 1991 patients who underwent elective surgical procedure. Age and sex were not specified in the inclusion criteria. Qualitative Immunochromatography was done to screen the serum of patients and determine the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Anti Hepatitis C virus antibodies (Anti HCV antibodies). Prothrombin time (Pt) measured for hepatitis positive patients pre-operatively. Results: Out of the 1991 patients, 83 (4.2%) tested positive for HBV or HCV infection. 28 (1.4%) were HBsAg and 55 (2.8%) anti HCV antibody positive. 31 (37.3%) patients with these infections had prolonged Pt requiring transfusion of Fresh Frozen Plasmas (FFPs) preoperatively. Bleeding was observed from the surgical wound site in only 4 (4.8%) of the patients with these infections. Conclusion: Patients who present to Orthopaedic wards have high prevalence of HBV and HCV. Adequate screening should be carried out in all these patients so that measures can be taken to prevent its transmission.

scholarly journals Health Literacy Toward Zoonotic Diseases Among Livestock Farmers in Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117863022093254
Author(s):  
Khuong Cao Ba ◽  
Jaranit Kaewkungwal ◽  
Oranut Pacheun ◽  
Uyen Nguyen Thi To ◽  
Saranath Lawpoolsri
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Contact Points ◽  
Livestock Farmers

Background: Zoonoses are an increasing concern worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. People with close contact with animals are at high risk for contracting and transmitting the zoonotic diseases. Objectives: To determine health literacy of livestock farmers toward biosecurity to prevent zoonotic diseases. Methods: This cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam, where livestock and farming are the main occupation. The questionnaire survey was submitted to 218 farmers who have close contact with livestock. In addition, 8 farmers were invited to an in-depth interview to further explore the health literacy. Results: Half of the participants were men. The average age (standard deviation) of the participants was 49.3(11.5) years. The median years with experience in farming was 15 years. The majority (82.0%) of the participants had moderate health literacy level regarding zoonoses. Improper use of antibiotics was referred by 58.0% of participants, including antibiotic use as feeding supplements (34.0%) and the use of human antibiotics to treat sick animals (24.0%). Many participants were unaware of zoonotic prevention measures and due to this had practices such as not wearing protective equipment (60.0%), an absence of acaricides to prevent vector infestations (52.0%), an absence of disinfection measures (42.0%), low rate of rabies vaccination (54.0%), and do not quarantining sick animals (38.0%). In-depth interviews revealed great concern among farmers about a collective lack of participation from local veterinarians, health workers, and government authorities in zoonoses-prevention efforts. Statistical models showed that farm scale, ethnic groups, and perceived income were associated with the overall health literacy about zoonoses. Conclusion: Comprehensive health education related to zoonotic diseases is recommended to improve overall knowledge, including routes of transmission, symptoms and consequences of diseases, and antibiotic usage. In addition, guidance should be provided to farmers on how to treat sick animals, the appropriate use of antibiotics, and waste management. Local veterinarians and health workers are important contact points and should work closely with the farmers to prevent zoonotic diseases.

scholarly journals Narrative review of non-pharmaceutical behavioural measures for the prevention of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) based on the Health-EDRM framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Ying Yang Chan ◽  
Tayyab Salim Shahzada ◽  
Tiffany Sze Tung Sham ◽  
Caroline Dubois ◽  
Zhe Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Keyword Search ◽  
World Health ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Based Medicine ◽  
Risk Communities

Abstract Introduction Non-pharmaceutical measures to facilitate a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a disease caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, are urgently needed. Using the World Health Organization (WHO) health emergency and disaster risk management (health-EDRM) framework, behavioural measures for droplet-borne communicable diseases and their enabling and limiting factors at various implementation levels were evaluated. Sources of data Keyword search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Medline, Science Direct, WHO and CDC online publication databases. Using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine review criteria, 10 bottom-up, non-pharmaceutical prevention measures from 104 English-language articles, which published between January 2000 and May 2020, were identified and examined. Areas of agreement Evidence-guided behavioural measures against transmission of COVID-19 in global at-risk communities were identified, including regular handwashing, wearing face masks and avoiding crowds and gatherings. Areas of concern Strong evidence-based systematic behavioural studies for COVID-19 prevention are lacking. Growing points Very limited research publications are available for non-pharmaceutical measures to facilitate pandemic response. Areas timely for research Research with strong implementation feasibility that targets resource-poor settings with low baseline health-EDRM capacity is urgently needed.

Mixing in regional-structure model about the influence of floating population and optimal control about TB in Guangdong province of China

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (08) ◽  
pp. 1750106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanqing Xu ◽  
Xiaoxiao Wei ◽  
Jingan Cui ◽  
Xiaojing Wang ◽  
Dashun Xu
Keyword(s):  
Deterministic Model ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Programming Model ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Guangdong Province ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Floating Population ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Prevention Measures

In the last 60 years, great progress has been made in controlling and preventing tuberculosis in China. However, the number of tuberculosis cases has increased dramatically in the last 25 years, mainly due to the lack of effective control measures of immigrating populations with tuberculosis. In order to explore the effective control and prevention measures we propose a deterministic model to study the transmission dynamics of tuberculosis in Guangdong province of China in this paper. The model consists of susceptible, exposed and infectious recovered subpopulations of immigrating populations from other provinces and the local population of Guangdong. We obtain the effective reproduction number. Based on the analysis, we also establish an optimal immune programming model, and get the optimal proportion of vaccine coverage with control of the effective reproduction number. Simulation is used to determine the validation and reliability. Our study demonstrates that the immigrating population from different provinces needs to be vaccinated according to the incidence rate of TB in their original provinces, and it is an effective way to prevent the outbreak of tuberculosis in Guangdong.

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