scholarly journals Comparative profiles of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific milk antibodies elicited by COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the USA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisa Fox ◽  
Claire DeCarlo ◽  
Xiaoqi Yang ◽  
Caroline Norris ◽  
Rebecca L Powell
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Passive Immunization ◽  
Vaccine Recipient ◽  
Human Adenovirus ◽  
Relative Increase ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
The Usa

Three COVID-19 vaccines are licensed for emergency use in the USA: the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna/NIH mRNA-based vaccines, and the Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen human adenovirus (Ad26) vaccine. These vaccines have immunized ~160 million people nationwide, comprising ~53% Pfizer, 39% Moderna, and 8% J&J recipients [1]. Although at varying stages of clinical investigation for use in children, no COVID-19 vaccines are yet available for this population, posing a significant public health concern. One method to protect infants and young children may be passive immunization via antibodies (Abs) provided in the milk of a lactating vaccinated person. Our early work [2] and other recent reports [3-5] examining the milk Ab response to mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination have demonstrated that unlike the post-SARS-CoV-2 infection milk Ab profile, which is rich in specific secretory (s)IgA, the vaccine response is highly IgG-dominant. In this report, we present a comparative assessment of the milk Ab response elicited by not only the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, but importantly, the J&J vaccine as well. This analysis revealed that compared to mRNA vaccine recipients, 49% - 63% fewer J&J vaccine recipient milk samples were positive for Spike-specific IgG, with positive samples exhibiting significantly lower mean IgG titers. J&J recipient milk samples contained significantly less specific IgA than Moderna recipient milk samples, which exhibited significantly greater relative IgA increases compared to both Pfizer and J&J recipients. Absolute and relative vaccine-induced secretory Ab titers were similarly low for all groups, though ~25% more Moderna recipients exhibited a relative increase compared to Pfizer and J&J recipients. These data indicate that J&J vaccine poorly elicits Spike-specific Ab in milk compared to mRNA-based vaccines and that this vaccine should be considered a last choice for immunizing those intending to elicit a strong Ab response in their milk. These data also suggest that Moderna vaccine elicits a superior, albeit moderate, milk (s)IgA response, and highlight the need to design vaccines with optimal protection of the breastfeeding infant in mind.

Plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in animals: current status and future directions

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Sun ◽  
Ximin Zeng ◽  
Xing-Ping Li ◽  
Xiao-Ping Liao ◽  
Ya-Hong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Peptide Antibiotic ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Food Animals

AbstractColistin, a peptide antibiotic belonging to the polymyxin family, is one of the last effective drugs for the treatment of multidrug resistant Gram-negative infections. Recent discovery of a novel mobile colistin resistance gene,mcr-1, from people and food animals has caused a significant public health concern and drawn worldwide attention. Extensive usage of colistin in food animals has been proposed as a major driving force for the emergence and transmission ofmcr-1; thus, there is a worldwide trend to limit colistin usage in animal production. However, despite lack of colistin usage in food animals in the USA,mcr-1-positiveEscherichia coliisolates were still isolated from swine. In this paper, we provided an overview of colistin usage and epidemiology ofmcr-1in food animals, and summarized the current status of mechanistic and evolutionary studies of the plasmid-mediated colistin resistance. Based on published information, we further discussed several non-colistin usage risk factors that may contribute to the persistence, transmission, and emergence of colistin resistance in an animal production system. Filling the knowledge gaps identified in this review is critical for risk assessment and risk management of colistin resistance, which will facilitate proactive and effective strategies to mitigate colistin resistance in future animal production systems.

Biomarkers of Stress in Music Interventions: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Mitsui Wong ◽  
Talha Tahir ◽  
Michael Mitsui Wong ◽  
Annilee Baron ◽  
Rachael Finnerty
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Music Intervention ◽  
P Values ◽  
Stress Biomarkers ◽  
Study Protocols ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Psychological stress is a significant public health concern as it is associated with various comorbidities and long-term health implications. Music interventions are emerging therapies for alleviating psychological stress and improving one’s physical and mental well-being. We conducted a systematic literature review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement guidelines for reporting to identify all neuroendocrine biomarkers used to evaluate psychological stress in randomized control trials involving music interventions. We identified 18 unique biomarkers of stress from 14 full-text randomized controlled trials studies. Only one of the 14 music studies included a music therapy intervention. The most frequently used biomarkers across the studies were plasma cortisol, salivary cortisol, and salivary α-amylase. Of the 14 studies, 12 included in this review assessed at least one of these three biomarkers. Of these 12 studies, five papers reported p-values for changes in both stress biomarkers and psychological stress outcome measures. Four of the five studies found significant p-values for the reduction of both stress biomarkers and psychological stress in music intervention groups. The variety of stress biomarkers used and the variance in study protocols makes it difficult to assess the magnitude of effect of music interventions on psychological stress. However, our findings suggest that music interventions have the potential for reducing both stress biomarker levels and psychological stress in acute stress situations.

scholarly journals Association of Living Arrangement Conditions and Socioeconomic Differentials with Anemia Status among Women in Rural Bangladesh

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghose Bishwajit ◽  
Sanni Yaya ◽  
Shangfeng Tang ◽  
Akmal Hossain ◽  
Yang Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Household Characteristics ◽  
Significant Public Health Concern ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Health Survey Data ◽  
Socioeconomic Differentials

In Bangladesh, iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and remains a significant public health concern. Being a high anemia prevalent country, numerous efforts have been made to confront the issue especially among women and children by both local and international actors. Though the situation has substantially improved in recent years, a staggering number of adult women are currently living with anemia. The etiology of anemia is a multifactorial problem and has been proposed to be associated with various household, societal, economic, cultural factors apart from dietary habits. However, evidence regarding the household arrangements and socioeconomic determinants of anemia is scarce, especially in the context of Bangladesh. To this end, we utilized the 2011 demographic and health survey data to explore the association between anemia status and selected demographic, socioeconomic, and household characteristics. Our result showed significant correlation of anemia with both sociodemographic and household characteristics. Among the sociodemographic variables the following were found to be significantly associated with anemia status: age (p=0.014; OR = 1.195; 95% CI = 1.036–1.378) and microcredit membership (p=0.014; OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.037–1.386). Regarding the household arrangements, women utilizing biomass fuel for cooking (p<0.019; OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 0.981–2.460) were more likely to be anemic.

The Scope and Impact of a Novel, Urban, Rapid Patient Interhospital Transfer System to Improve Neuroemergent Care: The Design and Development of the Neuroemergency Transfer Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
John S ◽  
◽  
Woodward J ◽  
Keegan KC ◽  
Tchalukov K ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Care Facility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Transfer Program ◽  
Transfer Time ◽  
Urban Settings ◽  
Patient Transfers ◽  
Interhospital Transfer ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Significant Public Health

Background: Access to neuroemergent care in the United States represents a significant public health concern, with limited neurosurgery and/ or neurocritical care coverage in both rural and urban settings. Inadequate access to neuroemergent providers, even in urban settings, may result in prolonged patient transfer time, associated neurological decline and translate into increased morbidity and mortality. Methods: A single center retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of interhospital patient transfers to a neuroscience ICU between 2008-2018 was performed. Results: 9637 patients were included for analysis. A substantial increase in transfer requests were observed, 610 to 1221 from 2008 to 2018 respectively, with concurrent increase in the number and geographic distribution of referral centers. Ultimately, 7726 (80.2%) patients were discharged home or to outpatient or acute rehabilitation while 1820 (18.9%) were discharged to a long-term acute care facility (LTAC), hospice, or expired during the index admission. The leading diagnoses for transfer were: 1. intracerebral hemorrhage, 2. subarachnoid hemorrhage, 3. ischemic stroke, 4. subdural hematoma and 5. brain tumor. Transfer from an ED or ICU constituted 93.3% of requests. Mean total transfer time between 2012-2018 was < 155 minutes annually (range 128-155 minutes). In 2018, 91.5% of patients had health insurance with 68.7% covered by some form of Medicaid or Medicare. Conclusions: The ongoing evolution and overall success of the NTP draws chiefly from the designation of an easily accessible central operator to orchestrate transfer, establishing a network of community referral centers and optimization of regional patient transportation - all with the solitary goal of improving patient outcomes.

scholarly journals Medication Errors: Scope and prevention strategies

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Brunetti ◽  
Dong-Churl Suh
Keyword(s):  
Medication Error ◽  
Medication Errors ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Error Prevention ◽  
Integration Of Technology ◽  
Significant Public Health Concern ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Safety Systems ◽  
Improve Patient

Background: Medication errors are a significant public health concern.  Although significant advances have been made, errors are still relatively common and represent an opportunity for healthcare improvement.Methodology/Principal Findings: Since the publication of To Err is Human, medication errors have been under tremendous scrutiny.  Organizations have moved towards a non-punitive approach to evaluating errors.  This approach to medication errors has aided in identifying common pathways to medication errors and improving understanding regarding the anatomy of a medication error.  As a result, prevention strategies have been developed to target common themes contributing to errors.  Error prevention strategies may target common contributors of medication errors, broadly grouped as performance lapses, lack of knowledge, and lack or failure of safety systems.  Strategies to thwart medication errors range from process improvement to integration of technology in the health care environment.Conclusions/Significance:  Organizations should devote resources to address medication error prevention strategies in an effort to improve patient outcomes and decrease morbidity and mortality associated with medication errors.

scholarly journals Characteristics of registered clinical trials assessing treatments for COVID-19: a cross-sectional analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e039978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemalkumar B Mehta ◽  
Stephan Ehrhardt ◽  
Thomas J Moore ◽  
Jodi B Segal ◽  
G Caleb Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Cross Sectional Analysis ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Sectional Analysis

ObjectivesThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted many initiatives to identify safe and efficacious treatments, yet little is known regarding where early efforts have focused. We aimed to characterise registered clinical trials assessing drugs or plasma treatments for COVID-19.Design, setting and participantsCross-sectional analysis of clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19 that were registered in the USA or in countries contributing to the WHO’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Relevant trial entries of drugs or plasma were downloaded on 26 March 2020, deduplicated, verified with reviews of major medical journals and WHO websites and independently analysed by two reviewers.Main outcome(s)Trial intervention, sponsorship, critical design elements and specified outcomesResultsOverall, 201 clinical trials were registered for testing the therapeutic benefits of 92 drugs or plasma, including 64 in monotherapy and 28 different combinations. Only eight (8.7%) products or combinations involved new molecular entities. The other test therapies had a wide range of prior medical uses, including as antivirals, antimalarials, immunosuppressants and oncology treatments. In 152 trials (75.7%), patients were randomised to treatment or comparator, including 55 trials with some form of blinding and 97 open-label studies. The 49 (24.4%) of trials without a randomised design included 29 single armed studies and 20 trials with some comparison group. Most trial designs featured multiple endpoints. Clinical endpoints were identified in 134 (66.7%) of trials and included COVID-19 symptoms, death, recovery, required intensive care and hospital discharge. Clinical scales were being used in 33 (16.4%) trials, most often measures of oxygenation and critical illness. Surrogate endpoints or biomarkers were studied in 88 (42.3%) of trials, primarily assays of viral load. Although the trials were initiated in more than 17 countries or regions, 100 (49.8%) were registered in China and 78 (37.8%) in the USA. Registered trials increased rapidly, with the number of registered trials doubling from 1 March to 26 March 2020.ConclusionsWhile accelerating morbidity and mortality from the COVID-19 pandemic has been paralleled by early and rapid clinical investigation, many trials lack features to optimise their scientific value. Global coordination and increased funding of high-quality research may help to maximise scientific progress in rapidly discovering safe and effective treatments.

scholarly journals Fathers experiences of sleeping problems in children with autism

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Ann Potter
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sleeping Problems ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of fathers in the management of sleeping problems in children with autism and their perspectives of the impact of these difficulties on family life. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews with 25 UK-based fathers of children with autism were undertaken. Findings Two-thirds of fathers reported that their children experienced severe sleeping problems in the areas of bed-time resistance, sleep onset and night-time waking. Fathers were significantly involved in the management of these difficulties and reported a range of associated deleterious impacts on the family, including significant negative effects on paternal and maternal health, father’s employment, couple relationship and sibling experiences. Research limitations/implications The interview sample cannot be said to be representative of all fathers of children with autism since the backgrounds of those taking part were relatively homogeneous in respect of ethnicity, marital status and level of education. Practical implications Improvements in effective, family-centred provision are urgently needed which employ a co-parenting, gender-differentiated methodology. Social implications Given the severity and frequency of difficulties, sleeping problems in children with autism should be viewed as a significant public health concern. Originality/value This is one of the first studies, qualitative or quantitative, to explore the role and perspectives of fathers of children with autism in the important area of sleep management.

scholarly journals Noninvasive Optical, Electrical, and Acoustic Methods of Total Hemoglobin Determination

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W McMurdy ◽  
Gregory D Jay ◽  
Selim Suner ◽  
Gregory Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽  
Oxygen Deficiency ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Total Hemoglobin ◽  
Admittance Plethysmography ◽  
Significant Public Health

Abstract Background: Anemia is an underdiagnosed, significant public health concern afflicting &gt;2 billion people worldwide. The detrimental effects of tissue oxygen deficiency on the cardiovascular system and concurrent appearance of anemia with numerous high-risk disorders highlight the importance of clinical screening. Currently there is no universally accepted, clinically applicable, noninvasive hemoglobin/hematocrit screening tool. The need for such a device has prompted an investigation into a breadth of techniques. Methods: A synopsis of the literature and current directions of research in noninvasive total hemoglobin measurement was collected. Contributions highlighted in this review are limited to those studies conducted with a clinical aspect, and most include in vivo patient studies. Results: The review of potential techniques presented here includes optoacoustic spectroscopy, spectrophotometric imaging, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, transcutaneous illumination, electrical admittance plethysmography, and photoplethysmography. The technological performance, relative benefits of each approach, potential instrumentation design considerations, and future directions are discussed in each subcategory. Conclusions: Many techniques reviewed here have shown excellent accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in measuring hemoglobin/hematocrit, thus in the near future a new clinically viable tool for noninvasive hemoglobin/hematocrit monitoring will likely be widely used for patient care. Limiting factors in clinical adoption will likely involve technology integration into the current standard of care in each field routinely dealing with anemia.

scholarly journals Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm infection patterns in raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Missouri and Arkansas, USA

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. Al-Warid ◽  
A. V. Belsare ◽  
K. Straka ◽  
M. E. Gompper
Keyword(s):  
Procyon Lotor ◽  
Missouri River ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Mean Intensity ◽  
Baylisascaris Procyonis ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Paratenic Hosts ◽  
North And South

Summary Baylisascaris procyonis is a helminth parasite of raccoons Procyon lotor and represents a health concern in paratenic hosts, including humans and diverse domestic and wildlife species. In North America the helminth is expanding its geographic range. To better understand patterns of infection in the Ozark region of the USA, raccoons (n = 61) were collected in 2013-2014 from five counties in Missouri and Arkansas, USA and necropsied. We documented B. procyonis in all surveyed locations. The overall prevalence of B. procyonis was 44.3 % (95 % CI = 31.9 - 57.4) and was significantly higher in females than males. There were also significant differences in prevalence among raccoons sampled north and south of the Missouri River. Mean intensity was 9.9 (CI = 5.44 - 17.22), and parasites were highly aggregated among hosts such that approximately 20 % of hosts harbor 90 % of parasites. These levels of parasitism indicate that B. procyonis is common in the region and its impacts on paratenic hosts could be qualitatively similar to effects observed in other localities.

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