Efficacy of the commercial plant products acting against influenza-a review

Abstract Background Influenza infection always poses a threat to human and animal health. Vaccines and antiviral drugs are recommended to deal with the situation. The drawback of these remedial agents made the scientist change their focus on an alternative therapy. The anti-influenza effects of plants have been extensively studied, and many pharmaceutical companies have prepared their products on this basis. Main body The present review documents the successfully launched anti-influenza commercial products. In specific, it exposes the scientifically validated and evidence-based supporting inhibitory action of influenza and its strains. Conclusion This review highlighted the efficacy of the commercial products which effectively combat influenza. It provides a complementary strategy to deal with the worst-case scenario of flu. Meanwhile, to face the emerging strains, brand new products are in great necessity besides prevailing and available drugs.

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Insight into Risks in Aquatic Animal Health in Aquaponics

Aquaponics Food Production Systems ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-15943-6_17 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 435-452 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hijran Yavuzcan Yildiz ◽

Vladimir Radosavljevic ◽

Giuliana Parisi ◽

Aleksandar Cvetkovikj

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Animal Health ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Aquatic Animal ◽

Case Scenario ◽

Worst Case ◽

Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽

Health And Disease ◽

Antiparasitic Agents ◽

Insight Into

AbstractIncreased public interest in aquaponics necessitates a greater need to monitor fish health to minimize risk of infectious and non-infectious disease outbreaks which result from problematic biosecurity. Fish losses due to health and disease, as well as reporting of poor management practices and quality in produce, which could in a worst-case scenario affect human health, can lead to serious economic and reputational vulnerability for the aquaponics industry. The complexity of aquaponic systems prevents using many antimicrobial/antiparasitic agents or disinfectants to eradicate diseases or parasites. In this chapter, we provide an overview of potential hazards in terms of risks related to aquatic animal health and describe preventive approaches specific to aquaponic systems.

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Structure and Hierarchy of Influenza Virus Models Revealed by Reaction Network Analysis

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v11050449 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 449 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Stephan Peter ◽

Martin Hölzer ◽

Kevin Lamkiewicz ◽

Pietro Speroni di Fenizio ◽

Hassan Al Hwaeer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A Virus ◽

Organization Theory ◽

Influenza A ◽

Influenza Infection ◽

Animal Health ◽

Model Development ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Reaction Network ◽

Control Mechanisms ◽

Infection Models

Influenza A virus is recognized today as one of the most challenging viruses that threatens both human and animal health worldwide. Understanding the control mechanisms of influenza infection and dynamics is crucial and could result in effective future treatment strategies. Many kinetic models based on differential equations have been developed in recent decades to capture viral dynamics within a host. These models differ in their complexity in terms of number of species elements and number of reactions. Here, we present a new approach to understanding the overall structure of twelve influenza A virus infection models and their relationship to each other. To this end, we apply chemical organization theory to obtain a hierarchical decomposition of the models into chemical organizations. The decomposition is based on the model structure (reaction rules) but is independent of kinetic details such as rate constants. We found different types of model structures ranging from two to eight organizations. Furthermore, the model’s organizations imply a partial order among models entailing a hierarchy of model, revealing a high model diversity with respect to their long-term behavior. Our methods and results can be helpful in model development and model integration, also beyond the influenza area.

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Reducing Probabilistic Weather Forecasts to the Worst Case Scenario: Anchoring Effects

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e527312012-643 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Sonia Savelli ◽

Susan Joslyn ◽

Limor Nadav-Greenberg ◽

Queena Chen

Keyword(s):

Case Scenario ◽

Worst Case ◽

Weather Forecasts ◽

Worst Case Scenario ◽

Anchoring Effects

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EXPEDITION TO MALI, 2020

Journal of the Institute of Oriental Studies RAS ◽

10.31696/2618-7302-2020-3-12-28 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 12-28

Author(s):

D. V. Vaniukova ◽

◽

P. A. Kutsenkov ◽

Keyword(s):

Mass Murder ◽

The State ◽

Case Scenario ◽

Worst Case ◽

Traditional Art ◽

Peter The Great ◽

State Museum ◽

Bobo Dioulasso ◽

Oriental Studies ◽

The Village

The research expedition of the Institute of Oriental studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences has been working in Mali since 2015. Since 2017, it has been attended by employees of the State Museum of the East. The task of the expedition is to study the transformation of traditional Dogon culture in the context of globalization, as well as to collect ethnographic information (life, customs, features of the traditional social and political structure); to collect oral historical legends; to study the history, existence, and transformation of artistic tradition in the villages of the Dogon Country in modern conditions; collecting items of Ethnography and art to add to the collection of the African collection of the. Peter the Great Museum (Kunstkamera, Saint Petersburg) and the State Museum of Oriental Arts (Moscow). The plan of the expedition in January 2020 included additional items, namely, the study of the functioning of the antique market in Mali (the “path” of things from villages to cities, which is important for attributing works of traditional art). The geography of our research was significantly expanded to the regions of Sikasso and Koulikoro in Mali, as well as to the city of Bobo-Dioulasso and its surroundings in Burkina Faso, which is related to the study of migrations to the Bandiagara Highlands. In addition, the plan of the expedition included organization of a photo exhibition in the Museum of the village of Endé and some educational projects. Unfortunately, after the mass murder in March 2019 in the village of Ogossogou-Pel, where more than one hundred and seventy people were killed, events in the Dogon Country began to develop in the worst-case scenario: The incessant provocations after that revived the old feud between the Pel (Fulbe) pastoralists and the Dogon farmers. So far, this hostility and mutual distrust has not yet developed into a full-scale ethnic conflict, but, unfortunately, such a development now seems quite likely.

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Risk-Based Robust Bidding Strategies for EVs’ Aggregators in Day-ahead Markets with Uncertainty

10.36227/techrxiv.12771257 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed Abdelmoaty ◽

Wessam Mesbah ◽

Mohammad A. M. Abdel-Aal ◽

Ali T. Alawami

Keyword(s):

Robust Optimization ◽

Electricity Market ◽

Real Life ◽

Optimization Approach ◽

Case Scenario ◽

Worst Case ◽

Bidding Strategies ◽

Wind Generators ◽

Proposed Model ◽

Optimal Bidding

In the recent electricity market framework, the profit of the generation companies depends on the decision of the operator on the schedule of its units, the energy price, and the optimal bidding strategies. Due to the expanded integration of uncertain renewable generators which is highly intermittent such as wind plants, the coordination with other facilities to mitigate the risks of imbalances is mandatory. Accordingly, coordination of wind generators with the evolutionary Electric Vehicles (EVs) is expected to boost the performance of the grid. In this paper, we propose a robust optimization approach for the coordination between the wind-thermal generators and the EVs in a virtual<br>power plant (VPP) environment. The objective of maximizing the profit of the VPP Operator (VPPO) is studied. The optimal bidding strategy of the VPPO in the day-ahead market under uncertainties of wind power, energy<br>prices, imbalance prices, and demand is obtained for the worst case scenario. A case study is conducted to assess the e?effectiveness of the proposed model in terms of the VPPO's profit. A comparison between the proposed model and the scenario-based optimization was introduced. Our results confirmed that, although the conservative behavior of the worst-case robust optimization model, it helps the decision maker from the fluctuations of the uncertain parameters involved in the production and bidding processes. In addition, robust optimization is a more tractable problem and does not suffer from<br>the high computation burden associated with scenario-based stochastic programming. This makes it more practical for real-life scenarios.<br>

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A Thermally Conductive Pt/AAO Catalyst for Hydrogen Passive Autocatalytic Recombination

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal11040491 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 491

Author(s):

Alina E. Kozhukhova ◽

Stephanus P. du Preez ◽

Aleksander A. Malakhov ◽

Dmitri G. Bessarabov

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Particle Size ◽

Combustion Temperature ◽

Volume Fraction ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Al Alloy ◽

Impregnation Method ◽

Case Scenario ◽

Worst Case ◽

Thermal Distribution

In this study, a Pt/anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) catalyst was prepared by the anodization of an Al alloy (Al6082, 97.5% Al), followed by the incorporation of Pt via an incipient wet impregnation method. Then, the Pt/AAO catalyst was evaluated for autocatalytic hydrogen recombination. The Pt/AAO catalyst’s morphological characteristics were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average Pt particle size was determined to be 3.0 ± 0.6 nm. This Pt/AAO catalyst was tested for the combustion of lean hydrogen (0.5–4 vol% H2 in the air) in a recombiner section testing station. The thermal distribution throughout the catalytic surface was investigated at 3 vol% hydrogen (H2) using an infrared camera. The Al/AAO system had a high thermal conductivity, which prevents the formation of hotspots (areas where localized surface temperature is higher than an average temperature across the entire catalyst surface). In turn, the Pt stability was enhanced during catalytic hydrogen combustion (CHC). A temperature gradient over 70 mm of the Pt/AAO catalyst was 23 °C and 42 °C for catalysts with uniform and nonuniform (worst-case scenario) Pt distributions. The commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code STAR-CCM+ was used to compare the experimentally observed and numerically simulated thermal distribution of the Pt/AAO catalyst. The effect of the initial H2 volume fraction on the combustion temperature and conversion of H2 was investigated. The activation energy for CHC on the Pt/AAO catalyst was 19.2 kJ/mol. Prolonged CHC was performed to assess the durability (reactive metal stability and catalytic activity) of the Pt/AAO catalyst. A stable combustion temperature of 162.8 ± 8.0 °C was maintained over 530 h of CHC. To confirm that Pt aggregation was avoided, the Pt particle size and distribution were determined by TEM before and after prolonged CHC.

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Differential Expression of Serum Exosome microRNAs and Cytokines in Influenza A and B Patients Collected in the 2016 and 2017 Influenza Seasons

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10020149 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 149

Author(s):

Sreekumar Othumpangat ◽

William G. Lindsley ◽

Donald H. Beezhold ◽

Michael L. Kashon ◽

Carmen N. Burrell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Influenza A ◽

Influenza Infection ◽

Cell Types ◽

Airway Epithelial Cells ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Influenza B ◽

Airway Epithelial ◽

Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 ◽

Novel Approach

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have remarkable stability and are key regulators of mRNA transcripts for several essential proteins required for the survival of cells and replication of the virus. Exosomes are thought to play an essential role in intercellular communications by transporting proteins and miRNAs, making them ideal in the search for biomarkers. Evidence suggests that miRNAs are involved in the regulation of influenza virus replication in many cell types. During the 2016 and 2017 influenza season, we collected blood samples from 54 patients infected with influenza and from 30 healthy volunteers to identify the potential role of circulating serum miRNAs and cytokines in influenza infection. Data comparing the exosomal miRNAs in patients with influenza B to healthy volunteers showed 76 miRNAs that were differentially expressed (p < 0.05). In contrast, 26 miRNAs were differentially expressed between patients with influenza A (p < 0.05) and the controls. Of these miRNAs, 11 were commonly expressed in both the influenza A and B patients. Interferon (IFN)-inducing protein 10 (IP-10), which is involved in IFN synthesis during influenza infection, showed the highest level of expression in both influenza A and B patients. Influenza A patients showed increased expression of IFNα, GM-CSF, interleukin (IL)-13, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα, while influenza B induced increased levels of EGF, G-CSF, IL-1α, MIP-1α, and TNF-β. In addition, hsa-miR-326, hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-885, hsa-miR-122-5p, hsa-miR-133a-3p, and hsa-miR-150-5p showed high correlations to IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A, IL-1β, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) with both strains of influenza. Next-generation sequencing studies of H1N1-infected human lung small airway epithelial cells also showed similar pattern of expression of miR-375-5p, miR-143-3p, 199a-3p, and miR-199a-5p compared to influenza A patients. In summary, this study provides insights into the miRNA profiling in both influenza A and B virus in circulation and a novel approach to identify the early infections through a combination of cytokines and miRNA expression.

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Antimicrobial multidrug resistance in the era of COVID-19: a forgotten plight?

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control ◽

10.1186/s13756-021-00893-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eric Pelfrene ◽

Radu Botgros ◽

Marco Cavaleri

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Multidrug Resistance ◽

Regulatory Network ◽

One Health ◽

Animal Health ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Economic Conditions ◽

Main Body ◽

The One ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global problem to which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may further contribute. With resources deployed away from antimicrobial stewardship, evidence of substantial pre-emptive antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients and indirectly, with deteriorating economic conditions fuelling poverty potentially impacting on levels of resistance, AMR threat remains significant. Main body In this paper, main AMR countermeasures are revisited and priorities to tackle the issue are re-iterated. The need for collaboration is stressed, acknowledging the relationship between human health, animal health and environment (“One Health” approach). Among the stated priorities, the initiative by the European Medicines Regulatory Network to further strengthen the measures in combatting AMR is highlighted. Likewise, it is asserted that other emerging health threats require global collaboration with the One Health approach offering a valuable blueprint for action. Conclusion The authors stress the importance of an integrated preparedness strategy to tackle this public health peril.

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A Comparison of Match Demands Using Ball-in-Play versus Whole Match Data in Professional Soccer Players of the English Championship

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports9060076 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 76

Author(s):

Dylan Mernagh ◽

Anthony Weldon ◽

Josh Wass ◽

John Phillips ◽

Nimai Parmar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Training Methods ◽

Case Scenario ◽

Worst Case ◽

Repeated Measures Design ◽

Worst Case Scenario ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Peak Match ◽

Playing Time

This is the first study to report the whole match, ball-in-play (BiP), ball-out-of-play (BoP), and Max BiP (worst case scenario phases of play) demands of professional soccer players competing in the English Championship. Effective playing time per soccer game is typically <60 min. When the ball is out of play, players spend time repositioning themselves, which is likely less physically demanding. Consequently, reporting whole match demands may under-report the physical requirements of soccer players. Twenty professional soccer players, categorized by position (defenders, midfielders, and forwards), participated in this study. A repeated measures design was used to collect Global Positioning System (GPS) data over eight professional soccer matches in the English Championship. Data were divided into whole match and BiP data, and BiP data were further sub-divided into different time points (30–60 s, 60–90 s, and >90 s), providing peak match demands. Whole match demands recorded were compared to BiP and Max BiP, with BiP data excluding all match stoppages, providing a more precise analysis of match demands. Whole match metrics were significantly lower than BiP metrics (p < 0.05), and Max BiP for 30–60 s was significantly higher than periods between 60–90 s and >90 s. No significant differences were found between positions. BiP analysis allows for a more accurate representation of the game and physical demands imposed on professional soccer players. Through having a clearer understanding of maximum game demands in professional soccer, practitioners can design more specific training methods to better prepare players for worst case scenario passages of play.

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Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) Causes Low Levels of Parasitism in Three North American Pentatomids Under Field Conditions

Journal of Insect Science ◽

10.1093/jisesa/iez074 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Joshua M Milnes ◽

Elizabeth H Beers

Keyword(s):

North American ◽

Native Species ◽

Classical Biological Control ◽

The United States ◽

Host Finding ◽

Pest Species ◽

Case Scenario ◽

Worst Case ◽

Egg Masses ◽

Trissolcus Japonicus

Abstract Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead), an Asian parasitoid of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), was first detected in North America in 2014. Although testing in quarantine facilities as a candidate for classical biological control is ongoing, adventive populations have appeared in multiple sites in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Extensive laboratory testing of T. japonicus against other North American pentatomids and H. halys has revealed a higher rate of parasitism of H. halys, but not complete host specificity. However, laboratory tests are necessarily artificial, in which many host finding and acceptance cues may be circumvented. We offered sentinel egg masses of three native pentatomid (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) pest species (Chinavia hilaris (Say), Euschistus conspersus Uhler, and Chlorochroa ligata (Say)) in a field paired-host assay in an area with a well-established adventive population of T. japonicus near Vancouver, WA. Overall, 67% of the H. halys egg masses were parasitized by T. japonicus during the 2-yr study. Despite the ‘worst case’ scenario for a field test (close proximity of the paired egg masses), the rate of parasitism (% eggs producing adult wasps) on all three native species was significantly less (0.4–8%) than that on H. halys eggs (77%). The levels of successful parasitism of T. japonicus of the three species are C. hilaris > E. conspersus > C. ligata. The potential impact of T. japonicus on these pentatomids is probably minimal.

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