scholarly journals Mutational landscape of SARS-CoV-2 genome in Turkey and impact of mutations on spike protein structure

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260438
Author(s):  
Ozden Hatirnaz Ng ◽  
Sezer Akyoney ◽  
Ilayda Sahin ◽  
Huseyin Okan Soykam ◽  
Gunseli Bayram Akcapinar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Structure ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
World Health ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Surface Hydrophilicity ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Genome Data ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Uk

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of May 25th, 2021 there were 2.059.941 SARS-COV2 genome sequences that have been submitted to the GISAID database, with numerous variations. Here, we aim to analyze the SARS-CoV-2 genome data submitted to the GISAID database from Turkey and to determine the variant and clade distributions by the end of May 2021, in accordance with their appearance timeline. We compared these findings to USA, Europe, and Asia data as well. We have also evaluated the effects of spike protein variations, detected in a group of genome sequences of 13 patients who applied to our clinic, by using 3D modeling algorithms. For this purpose, we analyzed 4607 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences submitted by different lab centers from Turkey to the GISAID database between March 2020 and May 2021. Described mutations were also introduced in silico to the spike protein structure to analyze their isolated impacts on the protein structure. The most abundant clade was GR followed by G, GH, and GRY and we did not detect any V clade. The most common variant was B.1, followed by B.1.1, and the UK variant, B.1.1.7. Our results clearly show a concordance between the variant distributions, the number of cases, and the timelines of different variant accumulations in Turkey. The 3D simulations indicate an increase in the surface hydrophilicity of the reference spike protein and the detected mutations. There was less surface hydrophilicity increase in the Asp614Gly mutation, which exhibits a more compact conformation around the ACE-2 receptor binding domain region, rendering the structure in a “down” conformation. Our genomic findings can help to model vaccination programs and protein modeling may lead to different approaches for COVID-19 treatment strategies.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccination Perception and Attitude among Healthcare Workers in Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110133
Author(s):  
Samar Fares ◽  
Merihan M. Elmnyer ◽  
Shimaa Sabry Mohamed ◽  
Radwa Elsayed
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
P Value ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Introduction COVID-19 pandemic has affected the whole world, especially the frontline worriers. To get shielded through this war, the world is racing to reach and manufacture COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination hesitancy is one of the significant obstacles to global health. Objectives This study aimed to assess the perception and attitude of healthcare workers in Egypt toward COVID-19 vaccines, acknowledge the determinants of their attitude, and the factors that could increase the acceptance of the vaccine. Methods an observational web-based anonymous survey was conducted on 385 Egyptian healthcare workers in different governorates. The questionnaire-based on Vaccine Hesitancy Survey Questions of the World Health Organization was available in Arabic and English languages and was tested for reliability. Results Regarding vaccination decision, 51% of the participants were undecided, 28% refused, and 21% accepted vaccination. Reasons for vaccine acceptance mainly were risks of COVID-19 (93%), safety (57.5%), and effectiveness (56.25%) of the vaccine. Simultaneously, the reasons for vaccine hesitancy were the absence of enough clinical trials (92.4%) and fear of side effects of the vaccine (91.4%). The leading factor that could increase vaccination acceptance among the participants was to get sufficient and accurate information about the available vaccines. The participants revealed a high mean level of concern for COVID-19 vaccines’ safety (3.8 of 5) that differs significantly among the different study groups ( P-value .002). Conclusion Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, only approximately 21% of Egyptian healthcare workers in our study accepted the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy represents a major barrier to implementing vaccination programs.

scholarly journals Probiotics: A Promising Candidate for Management of Colorectal Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3178
Author(s):  
Ashutosh Tripathy ◽  
Jayalaxmi Dash ◽  
Sudhakar Kancharla ◽  
Prachetha Kolli ◽  
Deviyani Mahajan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
World Health ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Function ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Prevention Therapy ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Cancerous Cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the World’s third most frequently diagnosed cancer type. It accounted for about 9.4% mortality out of the total incidences of cancer in the year 2020. According to estimated facts by World Health Organization (WHO), by 2030, 27 million new CRC cases, 17 million deaths, and around 75 million people living with the disease will appear. The facts and evidence that establish a link between the intestinal microflora and the occurrence of CRC are quite intuitive. Current shortcomings of chemo- and radiotherapies and the unavailability of appropriate treatment strategies for CRC are becoming the driving force to search for an alternative approach for the prevention, therapy, and management of CRC. Probiotics have been used for a long time due to their beneficial health effects, and now, it has become a popular candidate for the preventive and therapeutic treatment of CRC. The probiotics adopt different strategies such as the improvement of the intestinal barrier function, balancing of natural gut microflora, secretion of anticancer compounds, and degradation of carcinogenic compounds, which are useful in the prophylactic treatment of CRC. The pro-apoptotic ability of probiotics against cancerous cells makes them a potential therapeutic candidate against cancer diseases. Moreover, the immunomodulatory properties of probiotics have created interest among researchers to explore the therapeutic strategy by activating the immune system against cancerous cells. The present review discusses in detail different strategies and mechanisms of probiotics towards the prevention and treatment of CRC.

scholarly journals Comprehensive physiotherapy management in covid-19 – a narrative review

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 38030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deivendran Kalirathinam ◽  
Raj Guruchandran ◽  
Prabhakar Subramani
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Review ◽  
World Health ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Uk

The 2019 novel coronavirus officially named as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by the World Health Organization, has spread to more than 180 countries. The ongoing global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, spread to the United Kingdom (UK) in January 2020. Transmission within the UK was confirmed in February, leading to an epidemic with a rapid increase in cases in March. As on April 25- 2020, there have been 148,377 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK and 20,319 people with confirmed infection have died. Survival of critically ill patients is frequently associated with significant functional impairment and reduced health-related quality of life. Early physiotherapy and community rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients has recently been identified as an essential therapeutic tool and has become a crucial evidence-based component in the management of these patients. This comprehensive narrative review aims to describe recent progress in the application of physiotherapy management in COVID 19 patients. Assessment and evidence- based treatment of these patients should include prevention, reduction of adverse consequences in immobilization, and long-term impairment sequelae. A variety of techniques and modalities of early physiotherapy in intensive care unit are suggested by clinical research. They should be applied according to the stage of the disease, comorbidities, and patient’s level of cooperation.

scholarly journals A pilot study of clonazepam versus psychodynamic group therapy plus clonazepam in the treatment of generalized social anxiety disorder

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 567-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Z. Knijnik ◽  
Carlos Blanco ◽  
Giovanni Abrahão Salum ◽  
Carolina U. Moraes ◽  
Clarissa Mombach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Group Therapy ◽  
Social Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Global Functioning ◽  
Psychodynamic Group Therapy ◽  
Efficacy Measures ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractBackgroundBoth psychodynamic group therapy (PGT) and clonazepam are used as treatment strategies in reducing symptoms of generalized social anxiety disorder (GSAD). However, many individuals remain symptomatic after treatment with PGT or clonazepam.MethodFifty-eight adult outpatients with a diagnosis of GSAD according to DSM-IV were randomized to 12 weeks PGT plus clonazepam or clonazepam. The Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) Scale was the primary efficacy measure. Secondary efficacy measures included the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) total score, the World Health Organization Instrument to Assess Quality of Life—Brief (WHOQOL-Bref) Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).ResultsCGI-I data from 57 patients (intent-to-treat population) showed that patients who received PGT plus clonazepam presented significantly greater improvement than those who received clonazepam (P = 0.033). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the secondary efficacy measures.ConclusionsOur study suggests that the combination of PGT with clonazepam may be a promising strategy for the treatment of GSAD, regarding gains in the global functioning. However the present study failed to detect more specific changes in social anxiety symptomatology between the two groups.

Pharmaceutical Data Integrity: issues, challenges and proposed solutions for manufacturers and inspectors

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-182
Author(s):  
Sia Chong Hock ◽  
Vernon Tay ◽  
Vimal Sachdeva ◽  
Chan Lai Wah
Keyword(s):  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Data Integrity ◽  
Database Management System ◽  
World Health ◽  
Record Management ◽  
Guidance Documents ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing ◽  
The Uk

Data Integrity, which is data deemed Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, and Available (ALCOA-plus), has been the focus of the pharmaceutical industry in recent years. With the growing use of computerized systems and rising prevalence of outsourcing manufacturing processes, ensuring data integrity is becoming more challenging in an increasingly complex pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. To address this issue, multiple legislation and guidance documents such as ‘Data Integrity and Compliance with CGMP Guidance for Industry’ from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ‘GxP’ Data Integrity Guidance and Definitions from the UK Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and ‘Guidance on Good Data and Record Management Practices’ from the World Health Organization (WHO), have been published in recent years. However, with rising data integrity issues observed by FDA, WHO, MHRA and other pharmaceutical inspectors even after these guidance documents have been published, their overall effectiveness is yet to be determined. This paper compares and evaluates the legislation and guidance currently in existence; and discusses some of the potential challenges pharmaceutical manufacturers face in maintaining data integrity with such legislation and guidance in place. It appears that these legislation and guidance are insufficient in maintaining data integrity in the industry when used alone. Last, but not least, this paper also reviews other solutions, such as the need for a company culture of integrity, a good database management system, education and training, robust quality agreements between contract givers and acceptors, and performance of effective audits and inspections, to aid in maintaining data integrity in the manufacturing industry. These proposed solutions, if successfully implemented, can address the issues associated with data integrity, and raise the standard of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing worldwide.

Reasons for Vaccine Rejection in 0 to 2 Years Old Children Registered to Family Health Centers in Konya

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (02) ◽  
pp. 074-079
Author(s):  
Hasan Kucukkendirci ◽  
Fatih Kara ◽  
Gulsum Gulperi Turgut
Keyword(s):  
Health Personnel ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractObjective According to the 2017 report of the World Health Organization (WHO), ∼1.5 million people die from vaccine preventable diseases. The WHO is working to generate and popularize effective vaccination programs. However, the concept of “vaccine rejection,” which first started in Europe and United States, has started to make an impact in Turkey during the past 10 years. It is therefore seen as a growing danger in future. This study was conducted to determine, detect, and prevent the reasons of vaccine rejection that have increased in recent years.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and December at 2015. In all districts of Konya (n = 31), it was aimed to reach all 242 families who rejected vaccination to their 0 to 2 years old babies. Families having more than one child refused to vaccinate all of their children. A questionnaire consisting of 47 questions was prepared by the researchers, using the standard trainings of the Ministry of Health and the literature. A total of 172 families agreed to participate in this study. The questionnaire was applied to the parents using the telephone interview technique. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation and percentage.Results About 41.3% (n = 71) of the mothers were high school graduates, 50.6% (n = 87) of their fathers were university graduates. About 82.6% (n = 142) of the participants received examination, treatment and follow-up services from family physicians and family health personnel. About 20.9% (n = 36) of the children were the only children of the family. About 55.8% (n = 96) of the families also refused the vaccination for other children. About 83.7% (n = 144) of the unvaccinated children had infants/children follow-up care. While all participants stated that vaccines had side effects, 31.4% (n = 54) of these believed that vaccines cause autism or paralysis in infants. About 62.2% (n = 107) of their mothers did not receive tetanus vaccine during pregnancy. The highest rate of nonvaccination was with the second dose of hepatitis A vaccine, which 96.5% (n = 166) refused. The most accepted vaccine was the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine, which was refused by 18.0% (n = 31). About 79.7% (n = 137) of the participants did not know the reason for the vaccination and 95.9% (n = 165) thought that the vaccines were not required. All participants received information from the health personnel about the vaccines. While 9.9% (n = 17) of the families thought that vaccines cause infertility, 44.8% (n = 77) did not receive vaccination because the vaccines were produced abroad.Conclusion A growing number of families refuse to have their babies vaccinated. The production of vaccines abroad is a major cause of insecurity. There are also beliefs that vaccines cause infertility. Vaccine production in Turkey should be accelerated and public education about vaccines should be reviewed. Training provided to families about vaccines should also be reviewed.

scholarly journals Mental healthcare in Hungary: contradictions and possibilities

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamás Kurimay
Keyword(s):  
Health Spending ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
World Health ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Official Language ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Uk

The Republic of Hungary is a landlocked country of 93000 km2 in central Europe; it is bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. Its official language is Hungarian. Hungary joined the European Union (EU) in 2004. About 90% of the population of c. 10 million is ethnically Hungarian, with Roma comprising the largest minority population (6–8%). Currently classified as a middle-income country with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $191.7 billion (2007 figure), Hungary's total health spending accounted for 7.4% of GDP in 2007, less than the average of 8.9% among member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD, 2009). The proportion of the total health budget for mental health is 5.1%, which is low when compared with, for instance, the UK (England and Wales 13.8%, Scotland 9.5%) (World Health Organization, 2008, p. 118, Fig. 8.1).

Client perspectives on choice of abortion method in England and Wales

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2021-201242
Author(s):  
Rebecca Blaylock ◽  
Shelly Makleff ◽  
Katherine C Whitehouse ◽  
Patricia A Lohr
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Medical Abortion ◽  
Study Data ◽  
World Health ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Surgical Methods ◽  
Appointment Availability ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Uk

IntroductionThe National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the World Health Organization recommend that services provide a choice between medical and surgical methods of abortion. We analysed qualitative study data to examine patient perspectives on abortion method choice and barriers to meeting them.MethodsIn-depth interviews with 24 clients who had an abortion at British Pregnancy Advisory Service clinics were carried out between December 2018 and July 2019 to examine perspectives of quality of abortion care. In this article we focus on client perspectives on choice of abortion method. We performed thematic analysis of data relating to choice of abortion method, refined the analysis, interpreted the findings, and organised the data into themes.ResultsParticipants’ preferences for abortion method were shaped by prior experience of abortion, accessibility and privacy, perceptions of risk and experiences of abortion method, and information gathering and counselling. Participants’ ability to obtain their preferred method was impacted by intersecting constraints such as appointment availability, service location and gestational age.ConclusionsOur findings show that many factors shape participants’ preferences for abortion method. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some abortion services have constrained abortion method choices, with an emphasis on medical abortion and ‘no-touch’ care. Providers in the UK and beyond should aim to restore and expand more treatment options when the situation allows.

Healthwise, Part 3. The importance of remaining active

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 384-391
Author(s):  
Linda Nazarko
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
The Third ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Uk

The old adage, ‘sitting will be the death of you’, is proving to be a grim prediction that is borne out by research. Globally, physical inactivity leads to approximately 5 million deaths per year and is the fourth leading cause of death and disability ( Kohl et al, 2012 ; World Health Organization (WHO), 2020 ). Evidence suggests that, in the UK, inactivity leads to around 69 000 preventable deaths annually ( Heron et al, 2019 ). This article, the third in a series, explores inactivity, its consequences and how readers can remain healthy and well by maintaining or increasing activity levels.

Understanding Bone Conditions

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Sutcliffe ◽  
Cameron Swift
Keyword(s):  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Bone Fragility ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nursing Management ◽  
Skeletal Disease ◽  
Secondary Care Setting ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Uk

The aim of this chapter is to provide nurses with the knowledge to be able to assess, manage, and care for people with bone conditions in an evidence-based and person-centred way. Bone conditions (a major category of musculoskeletal conditions) cover a wide spectrum of diseases, some of which may be considered mild and self-limiting, while others may have a significant impact upon the individual’s quality of life and ability to function. It is estimated that up to 30% of all GP consultations are about musculoskeletal complaints; many are age-associated, and population ageing will continue to increase this demand (Oliver, 2009). The chapter will focus on osteoporosis, hip fracture (perhaps the most serious and costly consequence of osteoporosis or osteopaenia), Paget’s disease, and osteoarthritis, respectively. The chapter will provide a broad overview of these common conditions, enabling a proactive approach to patient care within a multidisciplinary context, whether in the primary or secondary care setting. The nursing management of the symptoms and common health problems associated with bone conditions can be found in several Part 2 chapters, and these are highlighted throughout the chapter. Osteoporosis has been defined as:...A progressive systemic skeletal disease characterised by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. (WHO, 1994)…The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a clinical definition of osteoporosis based on a bone mineral density (BMD) measurement of the spine or hip, expressed in standard deviation (SD) units called T scores. Using this definition, an individual is classified as having osteoporosis if his or her T score is ≤–2.5 SD at the spine or hip (WHO, 1994). It is estimated that osteoporosis occurs in approximately 3 million people in the UK, resulting in more than 230,000 fractures per annum, the most frequent being hip, vertebral body, and forearm fractures. In total, 75,000 hip fractures occur annually (British Orthopaedic Association, 2007), with the average age of incidence being 84 and 83 in men and women, respectively (National Hip Fracture Database, 2010).

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