scholarly journals High-risk human-caused pathogen exposure events from 1975-2016

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 752
Author(s):  
David Manheim ◽  
Gregory Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Natural Occurrence ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Academic Policy ◽  
Significant Harm ◽  
Research Choices ◽  
Safety Procedures ◽  
Pathogen Exposure ◽  
Significant Effort

Biological agents and infectious pathogens have the potential to cause very significant harm, as the natural occurrence of disease and pandemics makes clear. As a way to better understand the risk of Global Catastrophic Biological Risks due to human activities, rather than natural sources, this paper reports on a dataset of 71 incidents involving either accidental or purposeful exposure to, or infection by, a highly infectious pathogenic agent. There has been significant effort put into both reducing the risk of purposeful spread of biological weapons, and biosafety intended to prevent the exposure to, or release of, dangerous pathogens in the course of research. Despite these efforts, there are incidents of various types that could potentially be controlled or eliminated by different lab and/or bioweapon research choices and safety procedures. The dataset of events presented here was compiled during a project conducted in 2019 to better understand biological risks from anthropic sources. The events which are listed are unrelated to clinical treatment of naturally occurring outbreaks, and are instead entirely the result of human decisions and mistakes. While the events cover a wide range of cases, the criteria used covers a variety of events previously scattered across academic, policy, and other unpublished or not generally available sources.

scholarly journals Modes of Interaction in Naturally Occurring Medical Encounters With General Practitioners: The “One in a Million” Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232199379
Author(s):  
Olaug S. Lian ◽  
Sarah Nettleton ◽  
Åge Wifstad ◽  
Christopher Dowrick
Keyword(s):  
General Practitioners ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Mode Competition ◽  
General Applicability ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The One ◽  
Narrative Mode ◽  
Modes Of Interaction

In this article, we qualitatively explore the manner and style in which medical encounters between patients and general practitioners (GPs) are mutually conducted, as exhibited in situ in 10 consultations sourced from the One in a Million: Primary Care Consultations Archive in England. Our main objectives are to identify interactional modes, to develop a classification of these modes, and to uncover how modes emerge and shift both within and between consultations. Deploying an interactional perspective and a thematic and narrative analysis of consultation transcripts, we identified five distinctive interactional modes: question and answer (Q&A) mode, lecture mode, probabilistic mode, competition mode, and narrative mode. Most modes are GP-led. Mode shifts within consultations generally map on to the chronology of the medical encounter. Patient-led narrative modes are initiated by patients themselves, which demonstrates agency. Our classification of modes derives from complete naturally occurring consultations, covering a wide range of symptoms, and may have general applicability.

scholarly journals A System-Agnostic, Adaptable and Extensible Animal Support Cradle System for Cardio-Respiratory-Synchronised, and Other, Multi-Modal Imaging of Small Animals

Tomography ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-54
Author(s):  
Veerle Kersemans ◽  
Stuart Gilchrist ◽  
Philip Danny Allen ◽  
Sheena Wallington ◽  
Paul Kinchesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Data ◽  
Cardiac Monitoring ◽  
Small Animals ◽  
Maintenance System ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Animal Handling ◽  
Imaging Performance ◽  
Significant Effort

Standardisation of animal handling procedures for a wide range of preclinical imaging scanners will improve imaging performance and reproducibility of scientific data. Whilst there has been significant effort in defining how well scanners should operate and how in vivo experimentation should be practised, there is little detail on how to achieve optimal scanner performance with best practices in animal welfare. Here, we describe a system-agnostic, adaptable and extensible animal support cradle system for cardio-respiratory-synchronised, and other, multi-modal imaging of small animals. The animal support cradle can be adapted on a per application basis and features integrated tubing for anaesthetic and tracer delivery, an electrically driven rectal temperature maintenance system and respiratory and cardiac monitoring. Through a combination of careful material and device selection, we have described an approach that allows animals to be transferred whilst under general anaesthesia between any of the tomographic scanners we currently or have previously operated. The set-up is minimally invasive, cheap and easy to implement and for multi-modal, multi-vendor imaging of small animals.

scholarly journals Regulation of Cytochrome c Oxidase by Natural Compounds Resveratrol, (–)-Epicatechin, and Betaine

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1346
Author(s):  
Icksoo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome C ◽  
Cytochrome C Oxidase ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Transport Chain ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Experimental Model Systems

Numerous naturally occurring molecules have been studied for their beneficial health effects. Many compounds have received considerable attention for their potential medical uses. Among them, several substances have been found to improve mitochondrial function. This review focuses on resveratrol, (–)-epicatechin, and betaine and summarizes the published data pertaining to their effects on cytochrome c oxidase (COX) which is the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and is considered to play an important role in the regulation of mitochondrial respiration. In a variety of experimental model systems, these compounds have been shown to improve mitochondrial biogenesis in addition to increased COX amount and/or its enzymatic activity. Given that they are inexpensive, safe in a wide range of concentrations, and effectively improve mitochondrial and COX function, these compounds could be attractive enough for possible therapeutic or health improvement strategies.

Strategies and methodologies for the construction of spiro-fused γ-lactams: an update

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Américo José dos Santos Alves ◽  
Nuno Guerreiro Alves Alves ◽  
Maria I.L. Soares ◽  
Teresa M. V. D. Pinho e Melo
Keyword(s):  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Spirocyclic Compounds

Spiro-γ-lactams (spiropyrrolinin-2-ones) are a class of spirocyclic compounds that are present in a wide range of synthetic bioactive and naturally occurring molecules. The increasing attention to spirocyclic lactams in drug...

Development and characterization of electrospun curcumin-loaded antimicrobial nanofibrous membranes

2020 ◽  
pp. 004051752092551
Author(s):  
Javeed A Awan ◽  
Saif Ur Rehman ◽  
Muhammad Kashif Bangash ◽  
Fiaz Hussain ◽  
Jean-Noël Jaubert
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Medical Applications ◽  
Electrospinning Technique ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Nanofibrous Membranes ◽  
Antimicrobial Barrier ◽  
Anti Hiv

Curcumin is a naturally occurring hydrophobic polyphenol compound. It exhibits a wide range of biological activities such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antifungal, anti-HIV, and antimicrobial activity. In this research work, antimicrobial curcumin nanofibrous membranes are produce by an electrospinning technique using the Eudragit RS 100 (C19H34ClNO6) polymer solution enriched with curcumin. The morphology and chemistry of the membrane are analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Kirby Bauer disk diffusion tests are carried out to examine the antibacterial effectiveness of the membrane. Experimental results show that the nanofibers produced are of uniform thickness morphology and curcumin is successfully incorporated into the nanofibrous mat, while no chemical bonding was observed between curcumin and the polymer. The antimicrobial curcumin nanofibrous membranes can be effectively applied as antimicrobial barrier in a wide variety of medical applications such as wound healing, scaffolds, and tissue engineering.

scholarly journals Breeding Strategies to Improve Miscanthus as a Sustainable Source of Biomass for Bioenergy and Biorenewable Products

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Clifton-Brown ◽  
Kai-Uwe Schwarz ◽  
Danny Awty-Carroll ◽  
Antonella Iurato ◽  
Heike Meyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Eastern Asia ◽  
Germplasm Collections ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Yield Quality ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Commercial Expansion

Miscanthus, a C4 perennial grass native to Eastern Asia, is being bred to provide biomass for bioenergy and biorenewable products. Commercial expansion with the clonal hybrid M. × giganteus is limited by low multiplication rates, high establishment costs and drought sensitivity. These limitations can be overcome by breeding more resilient Miscanthus hybrids propagated by seed. Naturally occurring fast growing indigenous Miscanthus species are found in diverse environments across Eastern Asia. The natural diversity provides for plant breeders, the genetic resources to improve yield, quality, and resilience for a wide range of climates and adverse abiotic stresses. The challenge for Miscanthus breeding is to harness the diversity through selections of outstanding wild types, parents, and progenies over a short time frame to deploy hybrids that make a significant contribution to a world less dependent on fossil resources. Here are described the strategies taken by the Miscanthus breeding programme at Aberystwyth, UK and its partners. The programme built up one of the largest Miscanthus germplasm collections outside Asia. We describe the initial strategies to exploit the available genetic diversity to develop varieties. We illustrate the success of combining diverse Miscanthus germplasm and the selection criteria applied across different environments to identify promising hybrids and to develop these into commercial varieties. We discuss the potential for molecular selections to streamline the breeding process.

The topography, structure and incidence of mineralized bodies in the basal ganglia of the brain of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

1995 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Wadsworth ◽  
H. B. Jones ◽  
J. B. Cavanagh
Keyword(s):  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Natural Occurrence ◽  
Optic Chiasma ◽  
Cynomolgus Monkeys ◽  
Small Vessels ◽  
Mammillary Bodies ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Brain

Whole coronal slices from 6 levels of the brain of 16 cynomolgus monkeys (8 control and 8 treated by daily gavage with a novel pharmaceutical agent for one year) were examined histologically. Mineralized bodies were identified only in coronal sections passing through the optic chiasma and mammillary bodies. Identical mineralized structures were present in the basal ganglia of both control and treated animals. The majority were seen in the globus pallidus, occasionally in the putamen and once in the nearby caudate nucleus. These structures were partially ferruginated and also partially calcified. They appeared to arise in relation to small vessels. They are part of the naturally occurring background pathology of several species of non-human primates and the incidence in this study (3/8 control and 5/8 treated) was approximately what might be expected from reports in the literature. Mineralized bodies of the basal ganglia of primates represent a spontaneous lesion with a characteristic distribution. They may cause confusion in interpretation of toxicological studies if their natural occurrence is not appreciated.

Combinatorial Synthesis of Novel 3/5(3,5)-(Di)nitro/chloropaeonol Carbonyl Hydrazone Derivatives as Nematicidal Agents

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genqiang Chen ◽  
Lina Zhu ◽  
Yanfei Xia ◽  
Jinming Yang ◽  
Song Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Nematicidal Activity ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Root Bark ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Wide Range

Background: Developing the high-efficiency and low-risk small-molecule green-nematocide is the key of effective control of the nematodes. Paeonol, is a naturally occurring phenolic compound, isolated from the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa and the whole plant of Cynanchum paniculatum. Due to its crucial phenolic ketone skeleton, modern biological science research has indicated that paeonol has a wide range of biological activities. The structural modification of paeonol into paeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives is a potential approach for the development of novel nematodes, which showed more toxicity than paeonol. However, there are no reports on the nematicidal activity of paeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives to control Heterodera glycines. Results: We always endeavor to discover and develop biorational natural products-based pesticidal agents, 4 significant intermediates and 21 novel 3/5(3,5)-(di)nitro/chloropaeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives were prepared, and their structures well characterized by 1H NMR, HRMS, MS, and mp. Due to the steric hindrance, the substituents on the C=N double bond of all hydrazine compounds adopted E configuration. Results of nematicidal activity revealed that, among all compounds, especially 5-nitropaeonol (5) and 3,5-dinitropaeonol (7) displayed the most potent nematicidal activity H. glycines in vivo with LC50 values of 0.0323 and 0.0367 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: It suggested that for the 3/5(3,5)-(di)nitro/chloropaeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives, a nitro group introduced at C5 position of 1 was necessary for obtaining the potent compound as nematicidal agents. These preliminary results will pave the way for further modification of paeonol in the development of potential new nematicides.

scholarly journals Oxazolidinones as Chiral Auxiliaries in the Asymmetric 1,4-Conjugate Addition Reaction Applied to the Total Synthesis of Natural Products: A Supplemental Mini-Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahideh Zadsirjan ◽  
Majid M. Heravi
Keyword(s):  
Total Synthesis ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Conjugate Addition ◽  
Chiral Auxiliary ◽  
Addition Reactions ◽  
Chiral Auxiliaries ◽  
Complex Molecules ◽  
Total Syntheses ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Wide Range

Background: The most frequently used chiral auxiliaries, oxazolidinones (Evans' oxazolidinones) have been employed in 1,4-congugate addition reactions to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Supplementary to our previous reports in this mini-review, we attempted to underscore the applications of this strategy in a step (steps) in the total synthesis of some naturally occurring compounds exhibiting diverse biological activities. Objective: In this mini-review, we try to underscore the applications of oxazolidinones (Evans’ oxazolidinones) in 1,4-congugate addition reactions to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl in the total synthesis of some naturally occurring compounds exhibiting diverse biological activities. Conclusion: In spite of well-known superiority of asymmetric catalyzed reactions, the use of auxiliarycontrolled reactions are still considered as commanding, vital and sometimes as only tools in the generation of stereogenic centers during the construction of complex molecules and total synthesis of naturally occurring compounds. The commercial availability, or readily accessibility of a wide variety of chiral amino alcohols as starting materials to synthesize a wide range of oxazolidinones is the merits of them. In addition, the ease of removal and subjection to various and diverse stereoselective reactions make oxazolidinones as the ideal and superior chiral auxiliaries. In this regard, they were successfully used in asymmetric 1,4-conjugate addition reactions with high stereoselectivities. The high degree of asymmetric induction can be attributed to the rigid chelation of N-acyloxazolidinones with metal ions, as well as the covering of one face of the system by the bulkiness of 4-substituent. In summary, in this report, the importance of the applications of chiral oxazolidinones as suitable chiral auxiliaries in the stereoselective, 1,4-conjugate addition reactions in asymmetric synthesis and in particular, the total synthesis of naturally occurring compounds and some complex molecules were underscored. Noticeably, in these total syntheses, this chiral auxiliary is controlling the stereochemistry of a newly created stereogenic center as well as preserving the configuration of other chiral centers, which already have been presented in the precursor. General methods have been established for the attachment of the chiral auxiliary as a moiety to the substrate molecule in high to excellent yields. At the end of these reactions, this auxiliary can be easily removed leaving various desired reactive motifs for the next step in multi-step synthesis.

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