scholarly journals Protecting the Herd: Why Pharmacists Matter in Mass Vaccination

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
Lois Lee ◽  
Gregory M. Peterson ◽  
Mark Naunton ◽  
Shane Jackson ◽  
Mary Bushell
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Mass Vaccination ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Online Library

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing. The unprecedented challenges worldwide implore the urgent development of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Globally, pharmacists have been delivering important public health services as part of the COVID-19 response. It remains to be seen what role they will play once a vaccine is available. This review examines herd immunity and the potential role of the pharmacy profession in mass vaccination against COVID-19, particularly within the Australian context. Aim: A literature review was conducted to review the global development of COVID-19 vaccines, and the Australian healthcare workforce capability and existing policy for mass vaccination and the potential role of the pharmacist. Method: ScienceDirect, Scopus, The National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Wiley Online Library, PubMed, and Google Scholar were used to search for relevant literature using keywords COVID-19, vaccines, immunisation, herd immunity, pandemic, pharmacist and Australian healthcare. Results: A large portion of the literature was journal articles, and information from governmental and international bodies such as the World Health Organisation were often referenced. Over 20 million Australians need to be immunised through vaccination or acquire immunity through natural infection for the country to achieve herd immunity for COVID-19. When examining state and territory pandemic plans, pharmacists are underutilised. Modifying legislation to allow pharmacists to administer approved COVID-19 vaccines will enable a trained and skilled workforce to be deployed to increase the rate of mass vaccination. Conclusion: In preparation for a successful COVID-19 vaccine, the Australian Government must consider various elements in their vaccination policy. This includes the estimated herd immunity threshold, methods of vaccine delivery, vaccine clinic locations, staffing arrangements and training, and strategies for vaccine prioritisation. Pharmacists can and should play a key role in the roll out of mass COVID-19 vaccination.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the first pharmacy-led weight management programme in Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i45-i46
Author(s):  
A Peletidi ◽  
R Kayyali
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Introduction Obesity is one of the main cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.(1) In primary care, pharmacists are in a unique position to offer weight management (WM) interventions. Greece is the European country with the highest number of pharmacies (84.06 pharmacies per 100,000 citizens).(2) The UK was chosen as a reference country, because of the structured public health services offered, the local knowledge and because it was considered to be the closest country to Greece geographically, unlike Australia and Canada, where there is also evidence confirming the potential role of pharmacists in WM. Aim To design and evaluate a 10-week WM programme offered by trained pharmacists in Patras. Methods This WM programme was a step ahead of other interventions worldwide as apart from the usual measuring parameters (weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure (BP)) it also offered an AUDIT-C and Mediterranean diet score tests. Results In total,117 individuals participated. Of those, 97.4% (n=114), achieved the programme’s aim, losing at least 5% of their initial weight. The mean % of total weight loss (10th week) was 8.97% (SD2.65), and the t-test showed statistically significant results (P<0.001; 95% CI [8.48, 9.45]). The programme also helped participants to reduce their waist-to-height ratio, an early indicator of the CVD risk in both male (P=0.004) and female (P<0.001) participants. Additionally, it improved participants’ BP, AUDIT-C score and physical activity levels significantly (P<0.001). Conclusion The research is the first systematic effort in Greece to initiate and explore the potential role of pharmacists in public health. The successful results of this WM programme constitute a first step towards the structured incorporation of pharmacists in public’s health promotion. It proposed a model for effectively delivering public health services in Greece. This study adds to the evidence in relation to pharmacists’ CVD role in public health with outcomes that superseded other pharmacy-led WM programmes. It also provides the first evidence that Greek pharmacists have the potential to play an important role within primary healthcare and that after training they are able to provide public health services for both the public’s benefit and their clinical role enhancement. This primary evidence should support the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, to “fight” for their rights for an active role in primary care. In terms of limitations, it must be noted that the participants’ collected data were recorded by pharmacists, and the analysis therefore depended on the accuracy of the recorded data, in particular on the measurements or calculations obtained. Although the sample size was achieved, it can be argued that it is small for the generalisation of findings across Greece. Therefore, the WM programme should be offered in other Greek cities to identify if similar results can be replicated, so as to consolidate the contribution of pharmacists in promoting public health. Additionally, the study was limited as it did not include a control group. Despite the limitations, our findings provide a model for a pharmacy-led public health programme revolving around WM that can be used as a model for services in the future. References 1. Mendis S, Puska P, Norrving B, World Health Organization., World Heart Federation., World Stroke Organization. Global atlas on cardiovascular disease prevention and control [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization in collaboration with the World Heart Federation and the World Stroke Organization; 2011 [cited 2018 Jun 26]. 155 p. Available from: http://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/publications/atlas_cvd/en/ 2. Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union. Pharmacy with you throughout life:PGEU Annual Report [Internet]. 2015. Available from: https://www.pgeu.eu/en/library/530:annual-report-2015.html

scholarly journals The Role of Interleukin 17 in Tumour Proliferation, Angiogenesis, and Metastasis

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Yang ◽  
Heechan Kang ◽  
Anthony Fung ◽  
Hailin Zhao ◽  
Tianlong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Chemotherapy Resistance ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Defence Reactions

With 7.6 million deaths globally, cancer according to the World Health Organisation is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is a cytokine produced by Th17 cells, a T helper cell subset developed from an activated CD4+ T-cell. Whilst the importance of IL-17 in human autoimmune disease, inflammation, and pathogen defence reactions has already been established, its potential role in cancer progression still needs to be updated. Interestingly studies have demonstrated that IL-17 plays an intricate role in the pathophysiology of cancer, from tumorigenesis, proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis, to adapting the tumour in its ability to confer upon itself both immune, and chemotherapy resistance. This review will look into IL-17 and summarise the current information and data on its role in the pathophysiology of cancer as well as its potential application in the overall management of the disease.

scholarly journals The Impact of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Aetiology and Development of Uveal Melanoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1700
Author(s):  
Melissa Chalada ◽  
Charmaine A. Ramlogan-Steel ◽  
Bijay P. Dhungel ◽  
Christopher J. Layton ◽  
Jason C. Steel
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Uveal Melanoma ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Genetic Mutations ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

Uveal melanoma (UM) is currently classified by the World Health Organisation as a melanoma caused by risk factors other than cumulative solar damage. However, factors relating to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) susceptibility such as light-coloured skin and eyes, propensity to burn, and proximity to the equator, frequently correlate with higher risk of UM. These risk factors echo those of the far more common cutaneous melanoma (CM), which is widely accepted to be caused by excessive UVR exposure, suggesting a role of UVR in the development and progression of a proportion of UM. Indeed, this could mean that countries, such as Australia, with high UVR exposure and the highest incidences of CM would represent a similarly high incidence of UM if UVR exposure is truly involved. Most cases of UM lack the typical genetic mutations that are related to UVR damage, although recent evidence in a small minority of cases has shown otherwise. This review therefore reassesses statistical, environmental, anatomical, and physiological evidence for and against the role of UVR in the aetiology of UM.

scholarly journals Women’s postnatal care based on the Polish and international recommendations

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 65-68
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Czerwińska-Osipiak ◽  
Beata Pięta ◽  
Justyna Kamińska ◽  
Halina Nowakowska
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Postnatal Care ◽  
Perinatal Care ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
World Health ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Risk Pregnancy

Abstract Introduction. The issue of high-risk pregnancy has been widely discussed in the recent years. As a result, many countries have introduced programs to improve perinatal care in order to meet the needs of pregnant women as well as those going into labour. Much less attention was dedicated to health and social circumstances of women in the postpartum period. The World Health Organisation developed a document (WHO Recommendations on Postnatal Care of the Mother and Newborn, 2013) in which it clearly defines recommendations formulated for the professionals who are care providers to the child and the mother after birth. The authors of the report indicate that the postnatal period is crucial for both the mothers and their children, and the lack of proper care given to them may lead to deterioration of their health and even death. According to the code of professional practice, the Polish midwife identifies and determines individuals’ requirements as well as health needs, recognizes nursing difficulties, and, effectively plans and oversees their care. The Polish guideline for the highest standard of medical care during pregnancy, the delivery, the postpartum period and the neonatal care is the Regulation of the Health Minister from 20th September 2012. Aim. This paper collected current and adopted recommendations regarding postpartum care with an emphasis on the significant role of the midwife.

scholarly journals Relevance of animal infections in SARS-Cov-2 spread: an update after 1 year of pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frazzini Sara ◽  
Amadori Massimo ◽  
Lauretta Turin ◽  
Federica Riva
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
World Health ◽  
Chinese City ◽  
Experimental Infections ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Therapy Studies

In December 2019, several cases of pneumonia caused by a novel Coronavirus, later identified as SARS-CoV-2, were detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Due to its rapid, worldwide spread, on 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization declared a pandemic state. Since this new virus is genetically similar to the coronaviruses of bats, it was thought to have a zoonotic origin. Within a year of the appearance of SARS-CoV-2, several cases of infection were also reported in animals, suggesting animal-to-human and animal-to-animal transmission within mammals. Natural infection has been found in both companion and captive animals such as lions, tigers and gorillas. Among farm animals, the only ones found to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection so far are minks. Experimental infections have documented the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 of several animal species, such as humanized mice, hamsters, cats, dogs, ferrets, racoon dogs, cattle and non-human primates. Experimental infections are crucial for both elucidation of the role of animals in transmission and development of appropriate animal models for pathogenesis and therapy studies. This review aims to update the knowledge on natural and experimental SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals.

Imaging in low-grade glioma: a guide for neurologists

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Larsen ◽  
Nigel Hoggard ◽  
Fiona M McKevitt
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Planning ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Low Grade Glioma ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Contemporary Management

The management of low-grade glioma (LGG) is shifting as evidence has emergedthat refutes the previously commonplace imaging-based ‘watch and wait’ approach, in favour of early aggressive surgical resection. This coupled with the recent 2016 update to the World Health Organisation Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System is changing LGG imaging and management. Recently in Practical Neurology the contemporary management of low-grade glioma and the changes to this grading system were discussed in detail. 1 In this complementary article, we discuss the role of imaging in the diagnosis, surgical planning and post-treatment follow-up of LGG. We describe the principles of imaging these tumours and use several cases to highlight some difficult scenarios.

scholarly journals Way ahead - Post Covid-19 Lockdown in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2 (Supp)) ◽  
pp. 175-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish Rana ◽  
Rashmi Kundapur ◽  
Amir Maroof ◽  
Vipul Chaudhari ◽  
Amiruddin Kadri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Susceptible Population ◽  
Good Data ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Gradual Development ◽  
Containment Measures

COVID 19 pandemic is a global health emergency which every country is grappling with since beginning of this year.  Countries have their own strategies to cope with the cases and there have been no universal guidelines or recommendations for same. We commend the Hon. Prime Minister for taking pre-emptive timely measures to contain the pandemic at very beginning of infection in India as sustaining containment measures. Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) has acknowledged India’s efforts. According to experts for effective herd immunity about 60% of population needs to be infected, after which the infection will slow down and cases will continue to occur at low levels. For that we need good data coming from the system and government shall ensure that good data is provided for monitoring and surveillance. If all the susceptible population is exposed (without any restrictions) then we have an exponential rise in cases and our health system will be overwhelmed probably resulting in large number of deaths.  Great Britain went ahead with strategy of developing herd immunity in its population and safeguarding the elderly but after projections from Imperial College COVID 19 team, reversed their strategy to social distancing and saving lives as their health system will be overwhelmed.  COVID 19 is a mild disease for people in the younger age group while in people above the age of 60 years, the mortality is high. So staggered exposure of younger population to infection while safeguarding the elderly population at home will prevent the surge of cases and facilitate gradual development of immunity in population. Government should also focus on developing a robust health care system for screening and management of cases coupled with gradual relaxation of restriction so that health system is not overwhelmed with management of COVID 19.

scholarly journals 1536Antimicrobial resistance in the emerging COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Jaiswal ◽  
Ankita Jaiswal ◽  
Surabhi Puri ◽  
Adarsh Pal
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Resistance Management ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Bacterial Coinfection

Abstract Background Inappropriate usage of antibiotics among COVID-19 patients can raise disastrous effects on antimicrobial resistance management and antibiotic stewardship programs. A study from USA reported 71% of COVID-19 patients received antibiotics while only 4% had bacterial co-infection. Similar findings were reported from a review of data from COVID-19 cases in Asia, which reported more than 70% of the patient receiving antibiotics however less than 10% on average had bacterial coinfection. The World Health Organisation discourages the use of antibiotics for mild cases of COVID-19, however they recommend it for severe cases at increased risk of secondary bacterial infection and death. This review aims to discuss the usage of antibiotics in COVID-19 patients pointing the role of bacterial coinfections, types of antibiotics used, and antibiotic resistance. Methods We systematically searched Medline, Cochrane library, Google Scholar for eligible studies published from 1st January 2020 till 29th May 2021. We included English language articles. We included patients of all age groups, in all settings. Primary outcome variable was bacterial coinfection and antimicrobial usage among COVID-19 patients. Results Less than 10% of the hospitalised COVID-19 patients had bacterial Co-infection. Antibiotics used among COVID-19 positives were moxifloxacin, ceftriaxone, azithromycin, piperacillin-tazobactam, levofloxacin, meropenem, etc. Conclusions Low proportion of COVID-19 patients had bacterial co-infection. Routine usage of antibiotics among COVID-19 positives should be discouraged. Key messages Bacterial co-infection among COVID-19 patients is low and therefore misuse of antibiotics among them should be discouraged.

scholarly journals Pharmacy Education In Indonesia

2021 ◽  
pp. 432-442
Author(s):  
Fonny Cokro ◽  
Pretty Falena Kambira Atmanda ◽  
Reynelda Juliani Sagala ◽  
Sherly Tandi Arrang ◽  
Dion Notario ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Pharmacy Education ◽  
World Health ◽  
Educational Systems ◽  
Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽  
Career Opportunities ◽  
The Government ◽  
One Year

Pharmacy education in Indonesia mainly involves a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by a one-year professional pharmacy programme. The curriculum and learning outcomes of undergraduate and professional pharmacy programmes follow academic standards set by the Association of Indonesian Pharmacy Higher Education, based on the Seven Star Pharmacist concept developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Most pharmacy undergraduate programmes are focused on general pharmacy skills and knowledge, which includes pharmaceutical sciences and clinical pharmacy. Professional pharmacy programmes provide more pharmacy practice training and skills; thus, graduates have broader career opportunities than undergraduates because they are prepared for higher responsibilities within pharmacy practice. Although there have been significant improvements in pharmacy education, there remain challenges related to government policies, stakeholder agreements, educational offerings, competencies, and training. This requires considerable collective efforts from the government, educational systems, associations, and other stakeholders to improve the role of pharmacists in Indonesia.

scholarly journals Fluid Flow and Mass Transport in Brain Tissue

Fluids ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori A. Ray ◽  
Jeffrey J. Heys
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Brain Dysfunction ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
The Past ◽  
Advective Flows ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Flow And Mass Transport ◽  
Removal System

Despite its small size, the brain consumes 25% of the body’s energy, generating its own weight in potentially toxic proteins and biological debris each year. The brain is also the only organ lacking lymph vessels to assist in removal of interstitial waste. Over the past 50 years, a picture has been developing of the brain’s unique waste removal system. Experimental observations show cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain, enters the brain along discrete pathways, crosses a barrier into the spaces between brain cells, and flushes the tissue, carrying wastes to routes exiting the brain. Dysfunction of this cerebral waste clearance system has been demonstrated in Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, and stroke. The activity of the system is observed to increase during sleep. In addition to waste clearance, this circuit of flow may also deliver nutrients and neurotransmitters. Here, we review the relevant literature with a focus on transport processes, especially the potential role of diffusion and advective flows.

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