scholarly journals Pneumococci Can Become Virulent by Acquiring a New Capsule From Oral Streptococci

2019 ◽  
Vol 222 (3) ◽  
pp. 372-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moon H Nahm ◽  
Terry Brissac ◽  
Mogens Kilian ◽  
Jiri Vlach ◽  
Carlos J Orihuela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
World Health ◽  
Oral Streptococci ◽  
Capsule Production ◽  
Pneumococcal Strain ◽  
Oral Streptococcus ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have been successful, but their use has increased infections by nonvaccine serotypes. Oral streptococci often harbor capsular polysaccharide (PS) synthesis loci (cps). Although this has not been observed in nature, if pneumococcus can replace its cps with oral streptococcal cps, it may increase its serotype repertoire. In the current study, we showed that oral Streptococcus strain SK95 and pneumococcal strain D39 both produce structurally identical capsular PS, and their genetic backgrounds influence the amount of capsule production and shielding from nonspecific killing. SK95 is avirulent in a well-established in vivo mouse model. When acapsular pneumococcus was transformed with SK95 cps, the transformant became virulent and killed all mice. Thus, cps from oral Streptococcus strains can make acapsular pneumococcus virulent, and interspecies cps transfer should be considered a potential mechanism of serotype replacement. Our findings, along with publications from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlight potential limitations of the 2013 World Health Organization criterion for studying pneumococcal serotypes carried without isolating bacteria. We show that an oral streptococcal strain, SK95, and a pneumococcal strain, D39, both produce chemically identical capsular PS. We also show that transferring SK95 cps into noncapsulated, avirulent pneumococcus gave it the capacity for virulence in a mouse model.

scholarly journals Advanced Research and Development of Face Masks and Respirators Pre and Post the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Critical Review

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 1998
Author(s):  
Ebuka A. Ogbuoji ◽  
Amr M. Zaky ◽  
Isabel C. Escobar
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
World Health ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Face Velocity ◽  
Health Organization

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, has accelerated the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) masks as one of the methods to reduce and/or eliminate transmission of the coronavirus across communities. Despite the availability of different coronavirus vaccines, it is still recommended by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and local authorities to apply public safety measures including maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks. This includes individuals who have been fully vaccinated. Remarkable increase in scientific studies, along with manufacturing-related research and development investigations, have been performed in an attempt to provide better PPE solutions during the pandemic. Recent literature has estimated the filtration efficiency (FE) of face masks and respirators shedding the light on specific targeted parameters that investigators can measure, detect, evaluate, and provide reliable data with consistent results. This review showed the variability in testing protocols and FE evaluation methods of different face mask materials and/or brands. In addition to the safety requirements needed to perform aerosol viral filtration tests, one of the main challenges researchers currently face is the inability to simulate or mimic true aerosol filtration scenarios via laboratory experiments, field tests, and in vitro/in vivo investigations. Moreover, the FE through the mask can be influenced by different filtration mechanisms, environmental parameters, filtration material properties, number of layers used, packing density, fiber charge density, fiber diameter, aerosol type and particle size, aerosol face velocity and concentration loadings, and infectious concentrations generated due to different human activities. These parameters are not fully understood and constrain the design, production, efficacy, and efficiency of face masks.

Preventing Premature Weaning: Management Options for Common Lactation Conditions, Including OMT

2020 ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
Denise Sackett ◽  
Tala Dajani ◽  
David Shoup ◽  
Uzoma Ikonne
Keyword(s):  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Family Physician ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
World Health ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Pharmacological Management ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Lactational Mastitis ◽  
One Year ◽  
Health Organization

The benefits of breastfeeding are well established. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that mothers breastfeed infants for at least one year, but most children are not breastfed that long because of many factors. Breastfeeding mothers face many challenges to continued breastfeeding, including medical conditions that arise during this period, such as postpartum depression and lactational mastitis. Because of a perceived lack of consistent guidance on medication safety, it can be difficult for the family physician to treat these conditions while encouraging mothers to continue breastfeeding. The purpose of the current review is to summarize and clarify treatment options for the osteopathic family physician treating lactating mothers. We specifically focus on the pharmacological management of contraception, postpartum depression, and lactational mastitis.

Antimicrobial peptides for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, allies or foes?

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1138-1147
Author(s):  
Bruno Rivas-Santiago ◽  
Flor Torres-Juarez
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Drug Resistant Strains

Tuberculosis is an ancient disease that has become a serious public health issue in recent years, although increasing incidence has been controlled, deaths caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been accentuated due to the emerging of multi-drug resistant strains and the comorbidity with diabetes mellitus and HIV. This situation is threatening the goals of World Health Organization (WHO) to eradicate tuberculosis in 2035. WHO has called for the creation of new drugs as an alternative for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, among the plausible molecules that can be used are the Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs). These peptides have demonstrated remarkable efficacy to kill mycobacteria in vitro and in vivo in experimental models, nevertheless, these peptides not only have antimicrobial activity but also have a wide variety of functions such as angiogenesis, wound healing, immunomodulation and other well-described roles into the human physiology. Therapeutic strategies for tuberculosis using AMPs must be well thought prior to their clinical use; evaluating comorbidities, family history and risk factors to other diseases, since the wide function of AMPs, they could lead to collateral undesirable effects.

scholarly journals Targeting CD146 with a 64Cu-labeled antibody enables in vivo immunoPET imaging of high-grade gliomas

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (47) ◽  
pp. E6525-E6534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunan Yang ◽  
Reinier Hernandez ◽  
Jun Rao ◽  
Li Yin ◽  
Yazhuo Qu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Grade ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
World Health ◽  
Positive Staining ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Resected Tumor ◽  
Health Organization

Given the highly heterogeneous character of brain malignancies and the associated implication for its proper diagnosis and treatment, finding biomarkers that better characterize this disease from a molecular standpoint is imperative. In this study, we evaluated CD146 as a potential molecular target for diagnosis and targeted therapy of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and lethal brain malignancy. YY146, an anti-CD146 monoclonal antibody, was generated and radiolabeled for noninvasive positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging of orthotopic GBM models. 64Cu-labeled YY146 preferentially accumulated in the tumors of mice bearing U87MG xenografts, which allowed the acquisition of high-contrast PET images of small tumor nodules (∼2 mm). Additionally, we found that tumor uptake correlated with the levels of CD146 expression in a highly specific manner. We also explored the potential therapeutic effects of YY146 on the cancer stem cell (CSC) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) properties of U87MG cells, demonstrating that YY146 can mitigate those aggressive phenotypes. Using YY146 as the primary antibody, we performed histological studies of World Health Organization (WHO) grades I through IV primary gliomas. The positive correlation found between CD146-positive staining and high tumor grade (χ2 = 9.028; P = 0.029) concurred with the GBM data available in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and validated the clinical value of YY146. In addition, we demonstrate that YY146 can be used to detect CD146 in various cancer cell lines and human resected tumor tissues of multiple other tumor types (gastric, ovarian, liver, and lung), indicating a broad applicability of YY146 in solid tumors.

Fatmisia and Clinical Counseling Decision-Making in Master’s-Level Counselor Trainees

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 336-353
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn M. Forristal ◽  
John M. Laux ◽  
Madeline Clark ◽  
Jennifer L. Reynolds ◽  
Taylor M. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Short Form ◽  
Counselor Trainees ◽  
World Health ◽  
Master's Level ◽  
Clinical Counseling ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Weight Bias Internalization ◽  
Fat Phobia ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Relationship

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have documented an increase in fat people in recent decades, which is being met with a backlash of anti-fat biases, or fatmisia. Fatmisia is prevalent in most aspects of society, especially among fat people who have internalized fatmisia. Utilizing a diagnostic questionnaire in combination with the Fat Phobia Scale–Short Form and the Weight Bias Internalization Scale, this study explored the relationship between client body size, the presence of a major depressive disorder (MDD) diagnosis, and if applicable, the severity of MDD symptoms assigned by counselor trainees (N = 113). Results were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and covariance. This sample (N = 113) significantly differed in diagnoses assigned to obese clients by assigning more severe MDD. Study limitations and implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Impact of External Quality Assurance on the Quality of Xpert MTB/RIF Testing in Viet Nam

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidyanidhi Gumma ◽  
Kyle DeGruy ◽  
Davara Bennett ◽  
Thanh Nguyen Thi Kim ◽  
Heidi Albert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Control Program ◽  
External Quality Assurance ◽  
World Health ◽  
External Quality ◽  
National Tuberculosis ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Health Organization

ABSTRACT Following the endorsement of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010, Viet Nam’s National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) began using GeneXpert instruments in NTP laboratories. In 2013, Viet Nam’s NTP implemented an Xpert MTB/RIF external quality assurance (EQA) program in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND). Proficiency-testing (PT) panels comprising five dried tube specimens (DTS) were sent to participating sites approximately twice a year from October 2013 to July 2016. The number of enrolled laboratories increased from 22 to 39 during the study period. Testing accuracy was assessed by comparing reported and expected results; percentage scores were assigned; and feedback reports were provided to sites. On-site evaluation (OSE) was conducted for underperforming laboratories. The results from the first five rounds demonstrate the positive impact of PT and targeted OSE visits on testing quality. On average, for every additional round of feedback, the odds of achieving PT scores of ≥80% increased 2.04-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.39- to 3.00-fold). Future work will include scaling up PT to all sites and maintaining the performance of participating laboratories while developing local panel production capacity.

scholarly journals The health effects of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic

Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-527
Author(s):  
Maryam Feiz Arefi ◽  
Amin Babaei-Pouya ◽  
Mohsen Poursadeqiyan
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
World Health ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Social Hygiene ◽  
Social Communications ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Made In

BACKGROUND: Quarantine is considered as an effective solution in the early stages of an epidemic. In the case of the coronavirus epidemic, quarantine was also recommended and implemented as a significant guideline to prevent the disease. However, despite the benefits of quarantine, there are also complications and problems. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the health effects of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study was conducted as a literature review through searching the databases Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct for papers published before July 2020. The research was conducted based on the keywords “Coronavirus,” “COVID-19,” and “quarantine.” The references of the papers were also reviewed to find the ones not found in the databases. The guidelines published by reputable organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used in this study. RESULTS: Although quarantine is applied as an important and primary solution in the outbreak of epidemics, in cases of pandemics, it may not be free of negative effects on individuals and public health. However, because of the need to reopen and restart social and economic activities, some changes should be made in lifestyles and work activities. Using cyberspace and telework can be helpful. As the findings showed, COVID-19 bubbles can be used to restore social communications. CONCLUSION: Using masks, avoiding unnecessary gatherings, complying with personal and social hygiene, and respecting social distancing can be valuable solutions that, if implemented properly, can decrease the rate of the disease significantly. It is also emphasized that quarantine is still necessary and important as the best solution for sick people and individuals who are suspected carriers of the disease.

scholarly journals Virtual Screening and Statistical Analysis in the Design of New Caffeine Analogues Molecules with Potential Epithelial Anticancer Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 576-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josivan da Silva Costa ◽  
Karina da Silva Lopes Costa ◽  
Josiane Viana Cruz ◽  
Ryan da Silva Ramos ◽  
Luciane Barros Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anticancer Activity ◽  
Binding Free Energy ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Parametric Models ◽  
World Health ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Properties ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Health Organization

About 132 thousand cases of melanoma (more severe type of skin cancer) were registered in 2014 according to the World Health Organization. This type of cancer significantly affects the quality of life of individuals. Caffeine has shown potential inhibitory effect against epithelial cancer. In this study, it was proposed to obtain new caffeine-based molecules with potential epithelial anticancer activity. For this, a training set of 21 molecules was used for pharmacophore perception procedures. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to propose mono-, bi-, tri-, and tetra-parametric models applied in the prediction of the activity. The generated pharmacophore was used to select 350 molecules available at the ZINCpharmer server, followed by reduction to 24 molecules, after selection using the Tanimoto index, yielding 10 molecules after final selection by predicted activity values > 1.5229. These ten molecules had better pharmacokinetic properties than the other ones used as reference and within the clinically significant limits. Only two molecules show minor hits of toxicity and were submitted to molecular docking procedures, showing BFE (binding free energy) values lower than the reference values. Statistical analyses indicated strong negative correlations between BFE and pharmacophoric properties (high influence on BFE lowering) and practically null correlation between BFE and BBB. The two most promising molecules can be indicated as candidates for further in vitro and in vivo analyzes.

scholarly journals Immunizations in Athletes

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 427-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Boston ◽  
Jennifer J. Bryan
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Preventive Care ◽  
Vaccination Status ◽  
World Health ◽  
Team Physician ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Pubmed Search ◽  
Health Organization

Context: Immunizations are a cornerstone of preventive care and an important consideration for team physicians caring for athletes. Evidence Acquisition: A PubMed search was performed from August 2016 through May 2017 as well as a website review of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and Immunization Action Coalition. Study Design: Clinical review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Results: By keeping abreast of diseases endemic to nations to which athletes may be traveling as well as the vaccination status of the athletes, team physicians can provide appropriate advice regarding immunization and prevention of disease. Conclusion: There are a host of regularly updated reliable websites to assist the team physician in these recommendations.

scholarly journals Novel Antiviral Activities of Obatoclax, Emetine, Niclosamide, Brequinar, and Homoharringtonine

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petter I. Andersen ◽  
Klara Krpina ◽  
Aleksandr Ianevski ◽  
Nastassia Shtaida ◽  
Eunji Jo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Rift Valley Fever Virus ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Hiv 1

Viruses are the major causes of acute and chronic infectious diseases in the world. According to the World Health Organization, there is an urgent need for better control of viral diseases. Re-purposing existing antiviral agents from one viral disease to another could play a pivotal role in this process. Here we identified novel activities of obatoclax and emetine against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), echovirus 1 (EV1), human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in cell cultures. Moreover, we demonstrated novel activities of emetine against influenza A virus (FluAV), niclosamide against HSV-2, brequinar against HIV-1, and homoharringtonine against EV1. Our findings may expand the spectrum of indications of these safe-in-man agents and reinforce the arsenal of available antiviral therapeutics pending the results of further in vivo tests.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document