scholarly journals Control Strategies for Scabies

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Engelman ◽  
Andrew Steer
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Infectious Complications ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Effective Inclusion

Scabies is a neglected tropical disease of the skin, causing severe itching and stigmatizing skin lesions. Further, scabies leads to impetigo, severe bacterial infections, and post-infectious complications. Around 200 million people are affected, particularly among disadvantaged populations living in crowded conditions in tropical areas. After almost 50 years, research into scabies control has shown great promise, particularly in highly-endemic island settings, but these findings have not been widely adopted. Newer approaches, utilizing ivermectin-based mass drug administration, appear feasible and highly effective. Inclusion of scabies in the WHO portfolio of neglected tropical diseases in 2017 may facilitate renewed opportunities and momentum toward global control. However, further operational research is needed to develop evidence-based strategies for control in a range of settings, and monitor their impact. Several enabling factors are required for successful implementation, including availability of affordable drug supply. Integration with existing health programs may provide a cost-effective approach to control.

scholarly journals Perceived determinants of implementation success of the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana: a qualitative study among programme officers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Desmond Dzidzornu Otoo ◽  
Nana Nimo Appiah-Agyekum ◽  
Francis Anderson Adzei
Keyword(s):  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
National Level ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Programme Implementation ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Health Policy Implementation

Abstract Background The importance of health policy implementation cannot be overemphasized in contemporary public health. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) have negatively impacted society, affect quality of life and make the poor societies poorer. Several policies and strategies have been put in place across the world including the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. Though chalked many successes, the programme continues to lag behind in the full attainment of various objectives. Several factors exist that determine how effective a programme is implemented. Identification of these factors on every programme is essential to determine where more programme resources need to be channelled. This study assessed the determinants of successful implementation of the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. Methods A qualitative approach with the case study design was employed. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify key programme officers at the national, regional and district levels of programme implementation. Eighteen (18) Key informant interviews were conducted at all the three levels of the Ghana Health Service NTDs programme. Data were thematically analysed and presented. Results Findings from the study revealed that determinants that influenced the successful implementation of the NTDs programme include donor support, education and training, partnerships, reliability of the health structure, integrative nature of the programme and management commitment. These determining factors cut across the inner settings of the implementing agency and the external environment. Conclusion Neglected tropical diseases continuously affect Ghanaians, especially the poor. It is important for both policy makers and implementers to identify the factors that ensure the success of the programme in the Ghanaian context. Though the factors are independently sufficient, they synergistically lead to improved programme implementation. Empowering all units involved (local to national level) and maximizing the enabling factors identified to would improve upon implementation and ensure sustainability.

Tattoos Dermatological Complications: Analysis of 53 Cases from Northern Poland

Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Patrycja Rogowska ◽  
Michał Sobjanek ◽  
Martyna Sławińska ◽  
Roman J. Nowicki ◽  
Aneta Szczerkowska-Dobosz
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Infectious Complications ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Similar Distribution ◽  
Koebner Phenomenon ◽  
Northern Poland ◽  
Common Warts ◽  
Cutaneous Reactions ◽  
Eastern European Countries

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The frequency of tattoos varies from 10% to 30% across the population worldwide. The growing popularity of tattooing increases the number of cutaneous reactions connected with this procedure. As we have not found any previous studies in the literature concerning tattoo complications in Poland and other Eastern European countries, we believe this to be the first study of this kind. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical spectrum of complications associated with the procedure of permanent tattooing among patients from Northern Poland. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Medical data of 53 patients who developed tattoo-related cutaneous conditions were analyzed. All of the patients were consulted in the Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology Clinic in Gdańsk in the years 2018–2021. Medical history, dermatological assessment, and photographic documentation of skin lesions were performed in each case. Dermoscopic examination was carried out in 16 cases and 20 skin biopsies of the tattoo reactions were performed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Twenty-one patients (40%) presented tattoo ink hypersensitivity reactions, out of which 18 were triggered by the red ink. In 11 cases (21%), contact dermatitis has developed after tattooing, while 9 of the patients (17%) presented tattoo infectious complications, including local bacterial infections, common warts, molluscum contagiosum, and demodicosis. We collected 8 cases (15%) of papulonodular reactions in black tattoos, and in 6 of them, histology showed granuloma formation. In 2 cases (4%), symptoms of anaphylaxis were observed after the tattooing procedure, and in another 2 cases (4%), Koebner phenomenon in the tattoo was diagnosed. Dermoscopy was the clue to the diagnosis in 4 cases. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This is the first report presenting multiple cases of tattoo complications from Eastern Europe. The results of the study are consistent with other researches, showing a similar distribution of tattoo complications and that across the different pigments used, the red ink is most frequently responsible for tattoo reactions. We emphasize the usefulness of dermoscopic examination in the diagnosis of tattoo-related infections and draw the reader’s attention to the rare, yet hazardous complications connected with peri-tattooing anaphylaxis.

scholarly journals Modelling the Wolbachia Incompatible Insect Technique: strategies for effective mosquito population elimination

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.E. Pagendam ◽  
B.J. Trewin ◽  
N. Snoad ◽  
S.A. Ritchie ◽  
A.A. Hoffmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Population Process ◽  
Incompatible Insect Technique ◽  
Reducing Costs

AbstractThe Wolbachia Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) shows promise as a method for eliminating invasive mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus)(Diptera: Culicidae) and reducing the incidence of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Successful implementation of this biological control strategy relies on high-fidelity separation of male from female insects in mass production systems for inundative release into landscapes. Processes for sex-separating mosquitoes are typically error prone, laborious and IIT programs run the risk of releasing Wolbachia infected females and replacing wild mosquito populations. We introduce a simple Markov Population Process (MPP) model for studying mosquito populations subjected to a Wolbachia-IIT program which exhibit an unstable equilibrium threshold. The model is used to study, in silico, scenarios that are likely to yield a successful elimination result. Our results suggest that elimination is best achieved by releasing males at rates that adapt to the ever-decreasing wild population, thus reducing the risk of releasing Wolbachia-infected females while reducing costs. While very high-fidelity sex-separation is required to avoid establishment, release programs tend to be robust to the release of a small number of Wolbachia-infected females. These findings will inform and enhance the next generation of Wolbachia-IIT control strategies that are already showing great promise in field trials.

scholarly journals Modelling the Wolbachia incompatible insect technique: strategies for effective mosquito population elimination

BMC Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Pagendam ◽  
B. J. Trewin ◽  
N. Snoad ◽  
S. A. Ritchie ◽  
A. A. Hoffmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Process Model ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Incompatible Insect Technique

Abstract Background The Wolbachia incompatible insect technique (IIT) shows promise as a method for eliminating populations of invasive mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae) and reducing the incidence of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Successful implementation of this biological control strategy relies on high-fidelity separation of male from female insects in mass production systems for inundative release into landscapes. Processes for sex-separating mosquitoes are typically error-prone and laborious, and IIT programmes run the risk of releasing Wolbachia-infected females and replacing wild mosquito populations. Results We introduce a simple Markov population process model for studying mosquito populations subjected to a Wolbachia-IIT programme which exhibit an unstable equilibrium threshold. The model is used to study, in silico, scenarios that are likely to yield a successful elimination result. Our results suggest that elimination is best achieved by releasing males at rates that adapt to the ever-decreasing wild population, thus reducing the risk of releasing Wolbachia-infected females while reducing costs. Conclusions While very high-fidelity sex separation is required to avoid establishment, release programmes tend to be robust to the release of a small number of Wolbachia-infected females. These findings will inform and enhance the next generation of Wolbachia-IIT population control strategies that are already showing great promise in field trials.

Antithrombotic Therapy for DVT/PE

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 161-162
Author(s):  
Thomas Hyers
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Heparin ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Term Therapy ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Long Term Therapy

SummaryProblems with unfractionated heparin as an antithrombotic have led to the development of new therapeutic agents. Of these, low molecular weight heparin shows great promise and has led to out-patient therapy of DVT/PE in selected patients. Oral anticoagulants remain the choice for long-term therapy. More cost-effective ways to give oral anticoagulants are needed.

Calorimetric Sensor for Ethanol Using Ni2+-nitrilotriacetic Acid (NTA) Resin Immobilized Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH)

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 795-799
Author(s):  
YongJin Li
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Nitrilotriacetic Acid ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Calorimetric Sensor ◽  
Controlled Pore Glass ◽  
Pore Glass ◽  
One Step ◽  
Immobilization Matrix ◽  
Enzyme Thermistor

Background: A simple, fast and economic analytical method for the determination of ethanol is important for clinical, biological, forensic and physico-legal purposes. Methods: Ni2+-NTA resin was used as an immobilization matrix for the simple one-step purification/ immobilization of his6-tagged ADH. Different alcohols with a concentration range of 0.5-50% V/V, namely methanol, ethanol and propanol were measured using prepared ADH enzyme thermistor. The ethanol content of Tsingtao beer was tested as a real sample containing alcohol. Reproducibility and stability of prepared ADH enzyme thermistor were also investigated by repeated measurements. Results: In comparison to the controlled pore glass (a common used support for the immobilization of enzyme) used in thermal biosensor, the use of Ni2+-NTA resin not only led to simple one-step purification/ immobilization by his6-tagged ADH binding to Ni2+-NTA resin, but also made the immobilizing supports reusable. The prepared biosensor can be used to determine ethanol and methanol by the calorimetric measurement. A linear range of 1 -32% (V/V) and 2-20% (V/V) was observed for ethanol and methanol, respectively. The detection limits were 0.3% (V/V) and 1% (V/V) for ethanol and methanol, respectively. The tested ethanol concentration of Tsingtao beer was 4.5% V/V, which is comparable with the labeled alcohol by volume (ABV) 4.80%. Conclusion: Ni2+-NTA resin, as an immobilization matrix in ET sensor, provides a simple one-step purification/immobilization for His6-tagged recombinase and a reusable immobilization matrix. The prepared biosensor exhibits good repeatability and stability. Such a new biosensor shows great promise for rapid, simple, and cost-effective analysis of ethanol and methanol, both in qualitative and in quantitative tests.

scholarly journals Electrochemical Response of Glucose Oxidase Adsorbed on Laser-Induced Graphene

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1893
Author(s):  
Sónia O. Pereira ◽  
Nuno F. Santos ◽  
Alexandre F. Carvalho ◽  
António J. S. Fernandes ◽  
Florinda M. Costa
Keyword(s):  
Electron Transfer ◽  
Glucose Oxidase ◽  
Ph Dependence ◽  
High Surface ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Glucose Detection ◽  
Half Wave ◽  
Electrochemical Transducers

Carbon-based electrodes have demonstrated great promise as electrochemical transducers in the development of biosensors. More recently, laser-induced graphene (LIG), a graphene derivative, appears as a great candidate due to its superior electron transfer characteristics, high surface area and simplicity in its synthesis. The continuous interest in the development of cost-effective, more stable and reliable biosensors for glucose detection make them the most studied and explored within the academic and industry community. In this work, the electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOx) adsorbed on LIG electrodes is studied in detail. In addition to the well-known electroactivity of free flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), the cofactor of GOx, at the expected half-wave potential of −0.490 V vs. Ag/AgCl (1 M KCl), a new well-defined redox pair at 0.155 V is observed and shown to be related to LIG/GOx interaction. A systematic study was undertaken in order to understand the origin of this activity, including scan rate and pH dependence, along with glucose detection tests. Two protons and two electrons are involved in this reaction, which is shown to be sensitive to the concentration of glucose, restraining its origin to the electron transfer from FAD in the active site of GOx to the electrode via direct or mediated by quinone derivatives acting as mediators.

scholarly journals Efficient Design of Energy Disaggregation Model with BERT-NILM Trained by AdaX Optimization Method for Smart Grid

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4649
Author(s):  
İsmail Hakkı ÇAVDAR ◽  
Vahit FERYAD
Keyword(s):  
Smart Grids ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Optimization Technique ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Efficient Design ◽  
Energy Disaggregation ◽  
Load Monitoring

One of the basic conditions for the successful implementation of energy demand-side management (EDM) in smart grids is the monitoring of different loads with an electrical load monitoring system. Energy and sustainability concerns present a multitude of issues that can be addressed using approaches of data mining and machine learning. However, resolving such problems due to the lack of publicly available datasets is cumbersome. In this study, we first designed an efficient energy disaggregation (ED) model and evaluated it on the basis of publicly available benchmark data from the Residential Energy Disaggregation Dataset (REDD), and then we aimed to advance ED research in smart grids using the Turkey Electrical Appliances Dataset (TEAD) containing household electricity usage data. In addition, the TEAD was evaluated using the proposed ED model tested with benchmark REDD data. The Internet of things (IoT) architecture with sensors and Node-Red software installations were established to collect data in the research. In the context of smart metering, a nonintrusive load monitoring (NILM) model was designed to classify household appliances according to TEAD data. A highly accurate supervised ED is introduced, which was designed to raise awareness to customers and generate feedback by demand without the need for smart sensors. It is also cost-effective, maintainable, and easy to install, it does not require much space, and it can be trained to monitor multiple devices. We propose an efficient BERT-NILM tuned by new adaptive gradient descent with exponential long-term memory (Adax), using a deep learning (DL) architecture based on bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT). In this paper, an improved training function was designed specifically for tuning of NILM neural networks. We adapted the Adax optimization technique to the ED field and learned the sequence-to-sequence patterns. With the updated training function, BERT-NILM outperformed state-of-the-art adaptive moment estimation (Adam) optimization across various metrics on REDD datasets; lastly, we evaluated the TEAD dataset using BERT-NILM training.

scholarly journals Controlling the Spatial Spread of a Xylella Epidemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Aniţa ◽  
Vincenzo Capasso ◽  
Simone Scacchi
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Weed Biomass ◽  
Spatial Spread ◽  
Olive Trees

AbstractIn a recent paper by one of the authors and collaborators, motivated by the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) outbreak, which has been ongoing in Southern Italy since 2013, a simple epidemiological model describing this epidemic was presented. Beside the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the main players considered in the model are its insect vectors, Philaenus spumarius, and the host plants (olive trees and weeds) of the insects and of the bacterium. The model was based on a system of ordinary differential equations, the analysis of which provided interesting results about possible equilibria of the epidemic system and guidelines for its numerical simulations. Although the model presented there was mathematically rather simplified, its analysis has highlighted threshold parameters that could be the target of control strategies within an integrated pest management framework, not requiring the removal of the productive resource represented by the olive trees. Indeed, numerical simulations support the outcomes of the mathematical analysis, according to which the removal of a suitable amount of weed biomass (reservoir of Xylella fastidiosa) from olive orchards and surrounding areas resulted in the most efficient strategy to control the spread of the OQDS. In addition, as expected, the adoption of more resistant olive tree cultivars has been shown to be a good strategy, though less cost-effective, in controlling the pathogen. In this paper for a more realistic description and a clearer interpretation of the proposed control measures, a spatial structure of the epidemic system has been included, but, in order to keep mathematical technicalities to a minimum, only two players have been described in a dynamical way, trees and insects, while the weed biomass is taken to be a given quantity. The control measures have been introduced only on a subregion of the whole habitat, in order to contain costs of intervention. We show that such a practice can lead to the eradication of an epidemic outbreak. Numerical simulations confirm both the results of the previous paper and the theoretical results of the model with a spatial structure, though subject to regional control only.

scholarly journals Implementation of Fused Filament Fabrication in Dentistry

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6444
Author(s):  
Jörg Lüchtenborg ◽  
Felix Burkhardt ◽  
Julian Nold ◽  
Severin Rothlauf ◽  
Christian Wesemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fused Deposition Modeling ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Fused Filament Fabrication ◽  
Digital Light Processing ◽  
Fused Deposition ◽  
Surgical Guides ◽  
Novel Approach

Additive manufacturing is becoming an increasingly important technique for the production of dental restorations and assistive devices. The most commonly used systems are based on vat polymerization, e.g., stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP). In contrast, fused filament fabrication (FFF), also known under the brand name fused deposition modeling (FDM), is rarely applied in the dental field. This might be due to the reduced accuracy and resolution of FFF compared to vat polymerization. However, the use of FFF in the dental sector seems very promising for in-house production since it presents a cost-effective and straight forward method. The manufacturing of nearly ready-to-use parts with only minimal post-processing can be considered highly advantageous. Therefore, the objective was to implement FFF in a digital dental workflow. The present report demonstrates the production of surgical guides for implant insertion by FFF. Furthermore, a novel approach using a temperature-sensitive filament for bite registration plates holds great promise for a simplified workflow. In combination with a medical-grade filament, a multi-material impression tray was printed for optimized impression taking of edentulous patients. Compared to the conventional way, the printed thermoplastic material is pleasant to model and can allow clean and fast work on the patient.

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