scholarly journals Protection against the Omicron and Subsequent Coronavirus Variants: Medical-grade Masking, Third Dose Vaccination, Updating Vaccines, and Pursuing Universal Vaccine

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahin Akhondzadeh ◽  
Ahmad Shamabadi
Keyword(s):  
Universal Vaccine ◽  
Medical Grade

The article's abstract is not available.

Prevalence of facemask use among general public when visiting wet market during Covid-19 pandemic: An observational study. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gobi Hariyanayagam ◽  
Sera Selvanthan Sundram Gunasekaran ◽  
Shargunan Selvanthan Gunasekaran ◽  
Nur Syafina Insyirah Zaimi ◽  
Nor Amirah Abdul Halim
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
General Population ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Wet Market ◽  
Medical Grade

BACKGROUND In late December 2019, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19; previously known as 2019-nCoV) was epidemiologically linked to seafood and wet animal market in Wuhan, Hubei, China. This event has instigated negative stigma among the general population to view the wet market as a high-risk location for potential transmission of coronavirus. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the prevalence of facemask use among general population visiting the wet market as well as factors contributing to unacceptable facemask practice. Setting The visitors to a district wet market selling range of live or freshly slaughtered animals during COVID-19 pandemic outbreak was observed for facemask practice. METHODS All Individuals visiting the market were observed for the type, category and practice of wearing facemas. Subjects were categorized into two groups of acceptable and unacceptable facemask practice. The Pearson chi-square was used to test for differences in investigated variables in the univariate setting and Binary Logistic regression model was used in the multivariate setting. Main outcome measure Prevalence, acceptance practice and odds ratio of unacceptance of facemask use. RESULTS Among 1697 individuals included in the final analysis, 1687 (99.7%) was observed wearing facemask with 1338 (78.8%) using medical-grade facemask. Among them, 1615 (95.7%) individuals facemask practice was acceptable while the reaming 72 (4.3%) individuals were observed with unacceptable facemask practice. Individuals using medical-grade facemask and high-risk age group are 6.4 times (OR=6.40; 95% CI, 2.00-20.43; p=.002) and 2.06 times practice (OR=2.06; 95% CI, 1.08-3.94; p=.028) more likely to have unacceptable facemask practice respectively. CONCLUSIONS High saturation of facemask among the general population is an adequate indicator of public hygiene measures strategy which can help to mitigate the COVID-19 epidemic impact. Alarmingly, the unacceptable facemask practice among high-risk population raises the need for a targeted approach by healthcare authorities to ensure satisfactory facemask use.

scholarly journals The microscopic distribution of hydrophilic polymers in interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of medical grade silicone

Polymer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 224 ◽  
pp. 123671
Author(s):  
Gregory N. Smith ◽  
Erik Brok ◽  
Martin Schmiele ◽  
Kell Mortensen ◽  
Wim G. Bouwman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymer Networks ◽  
Interpenetrating Polymer Networks ◽  
Hydrophilic Polymers ◽  
Microscopic Distribution ◽  
Medical Grade

scholarly journals Unique structural solution from a VH3-30 antibody targeting the hemagglutinin stem of influenza A viruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne D. Harshbarger ◽  
Derrick Deming ◽  
Gordon J. Lockbaum ◽  
Nattapol Attatippaholkun ◽  
Maliwan Kamkaew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Human Antibody ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
Universal Vaccine ◽  
Structural Details ◽  
Structural Solution

AbstractBroadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) targeting conserved influenza A virus (IAV) hemagglutinin (HA) epitopes can provide valuable information for accelerating universal vaccine designs. Here, we report structural details for heterosubtypic recognition of HA from circulating and emerging IAVs by the human antibody 3I14. Somatic hypermutations play a critical role in shaping the HCDR3, which alone and uniquely among VH3-30 derived antibodies, forms contacts with five sub-pockets within the HA-stem hydrophobic groove. 3I14 light-chain interactions are also key for binding HA and contribute a large buried surface area spanning two HA protomers. Comparison of 3I14 to bnAbs from several defined classes provide insights to the bias selection of VH3-30 antibodies and reveals that 3I14 represents a novel structural solution within the VH3-30 repertoire. The structures reported here improve our understanding of cross-group heterosubtypic binding activity, providing the basis for advancing immunogen designs aimed at eliciting a broadly protective response to IAV.

scholarly journals Medical-Grade Honey as an Alternative Treatment for Antibiotics in Non-Healing Wounds—A Prospective Case Series

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 918
Author(s):  
Adéla Holubová ◽  
Lucie Chlupáčová ◽  
Lada Cetlová ◽  
Niels A. J. Cremers ◽  
Andrea Pokorná
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Wound Dehiscence ◽  
Surgical Wound Dehiscence ◽  
Infected Wounds ◽  
Healing Wounds ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Prospective Case Series ◽  
Medical Grade

Non-healing wounds are usually colonised by various types of bacteria. An alternative to antibiotic treatment in patients with infected wounds with local signs of inflammation may be medical-grade honey (MGH), which favourably affects the healing process with its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of MGH therapy on the healing process of non-healing wounds of various aetiologies and different wound colonisations. Prospective, observation–intervention case studies (n = 9) of patients with wounds of various aetiologies (venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, surgical wound dehiscence) are presented. All wounds were treated with MGH and the healing trajectory was rigorously and objectively monitored. In all cases, pain, odour, and exudation were quickly resolved, which led to an improvement in the quality of life of patients. Despite the proven bacterial microflora in wounds, antibiotic treatment was not necessary. The effects of MGH alleviated the signs of local infection until their complete elimination. In eight out of nine cases, the non-healing wound was completely healed. MGH has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in wounds of various aetiologies and forms an effective alternative for the use of antibiotics for treating locally infected wounds.

scholarly journals Fit Testing Retrofitted Full-Face Snorkel Masks as a Form of Novel Personal Protective Equipment During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Stephanie Toigo ◽  
Michel Jacques ◽  
Tarek Razek ◽  
Ewa Rajda ◽  
Sidney Omelon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Passing Rate ◽  
Fit Testing ◽  
Full Face ◽  
Medical Grade

ABSTRACT Objective: Bottlenecks in the personal protective equipment (PPE) supply chain have contributed to shortages of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in fractures in the functionality of healthcare systems. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of retrofitted commercial snorkel masks as an alternative respirator for healthcare workers during infectious disease outbreaks. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed, analyzing qualitative and quantitative fit test results of the retrofitted Aria Ocean Reef® full-face snorkeling mask on healthcare workers at the McGill University Health Centre between April-June 2020. Historical fit test results, using medical-grade respirators, for healthcare workers were also analyzed. Results: During the study period, 71 participants volunteered for fit testing, 60.6% of which were nurses. The overall fit test passing rate using the snorkel mask was 83.1%. Of the participants who did not previously pass fit testing with medical-grade respirators, 80% achieved a passing fit test with the snorkel respirator. Conclusions: The results suggest that this novel respirator may be an effective and feasible alternative solution to address PPE shortages, while still providing healthcare workers with ample protection. Additional robust testing will be required to ensure that respirator fit is maintained, after numerous rounds of disinfection.

scholarly journals HIV Universal Vaccine

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Malecki ◽  
Bianka Saetre
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Molecular Medicine ◽  
High Efficacy ◽  
Therapeutic Vaccines ◽  
Rapid Reduction ◽  
Universal Vaccine ◽  
Healthy Donors ◽  
Induced Immunity

Background: For many deadly viruses, there are no preventive and / or therapeutic vaccines approved by health authorities World-wide (e.g., HIV, Ebola, Dengue, and many others). Although, for some viruses, prophylactic vaccines are very effective (e.g., HBV, Polio, Rota, and many others). In this realm, we design, manufacture, test, and streamline into the clinics novel viral universal vaccines (VUV). VUV have such unique features, that medical vaccination or natural infection induced immunity against some viruses (e.g., HBV) in patients, who became infected with other viruses (e.g., HIV), upon the VUV’s administration, is redirected against these other, newly infecting viruses (e.g., HIV). Specific Aim: The specific aim of this work was biomolecular engineering of the HIV universal vaccine (HIVUV) comprising the two main functional domains: CD4 or anti-gp120 - as the HIV tagging domain and HBsAg - as the immune response eliciting domain, so that upon its administration the HBV medical immunization or natural infection induced immunity would be redirected, accelerated, and amplified to fight the HIV infection. Healthy Donors and Patients: Per the Institutional Review Board approval and in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki, all healthy donors and patients were presented with the Patients’ Bill of Rights and provided Patient Informed Consent. All the procedures were pursued by the licensed medical doctors. Methods & Results: We have biomolecularly engineered HIV universal vaccine (HIVUV) comprising human CD4 or anti-gp120 and HBsAg of HBV. By immunoblotting and magnetic activated molecular sorting, we have demonstrated high specificity of this vaccine in binding HIV. By flow cytometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, we have demonstrated high efficacy of these vaccines to engage HBV immunized patients’ immune system to work against HIV. Administration of HIVUV to blood or lymph of the HIV+ patients resulted in rapid reduction of the HIV viremia down to undetectable. It also resulted in protection of populations of CD4+ cells against HIV caused decline. Conclusions: We have demonstrated the proof of concept for high efficacy of VUV, specifically HIVUV, in annihilating HIV. Nevertheless, the same compositions, processes, and methods, for persons skilled in biotechnology, pharmacogenomics, and molecular medicine, are adaptable for other deadly viral infections, which we vigorously pursue.

scholarly journals Prediction of tool-wear in turning of medical grade cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy (ASTM F75) using non-parametric Bayesian models

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 1259-1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien McParland ◽  
Szymon Baron ◽  
Sarah O’Rourke ◽  
Denis Dowling ◽  
Eamonn Ahearne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tool Wear ◽  
Bayesian Models ◽  
Molybdenum Alloy ◽  
Cobalt Chromium ◽  
Astm F75 ◽  
Cobalt Chromium Molybdenum ◽  
Medical Grade ◽  
Non Parametric
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