scholarly journals A REVIEW ON THE STATE OF ZIKA VIRUS IN NIGERIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akeeb O .bola Oyefolu ◽  
Joseph Ojonugwa Shaibu ◽  
Abdul-azeez A. Anjorin ◽  
Kabiru O. Akinyemi
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
The State ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Current State ◽  
First Case ◽  
Virus Mutant

Background: Zika virus, a flavivirus primarily transmitted through bites of mosquito (Aedes aegypti), blood transfusion, sexual contact and motherto-child was named after Zika forest in Uganda where it was first isolated from a sentinel monkey in 1947. It is a positively sensed single stranded RNA virus (+ssRNA) of approximately 11000Kb in length, encoding three (3) structural and seven (7) non-structural proteins. The virus has spread across several countries of the world between 1947 and today. Between March 2015 and November 2016, about 500,000 to 1.5 million people have been reported infected with Zika virus in Brazil alone, resulting in several cases of microcephaly, severe brain and ocular malformations, abortions, Guillain-Barre syndrome and even deaths. Cases of Zika virus infections have also been documented in some African countries with resulting isolation and sequencing of several strains. In Nigeria however, the first case of Zika virus was reported as far back as 1954 in the Eastern part of the country during a research on Yellow fever. Zika virus mutant strains might have evolved with corresponding effects on man due to continuous environmental changes and human factors worldwide. Aim: This study was aimed at reviewing the state of Zika virus in Nigeria: past and present. Methods: Original research articles and reviews were searched on the NCBI, Research gate, PubMed and Google scholar using queries such as; Zika, epidemiology of Zika, pathogenesis of Zika and molecular characterization of Zika. Results: High points on virology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention and management were pooled together and discussed. Conclusion: The knowledge gained from this paper will help understand the current state of Zika virus in Nigeria. Keywords: Nigeria, Zika, flavivirus, RNA, microcephaly, epidemiology, genomics.

scholarly journals Incidence of Zika Virus Infection from a Dengue Epidemiological Study of Children in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1802
Author(s):  
Pimolpachr Sriburin ◽  
Pichamon Sittikul ◽  
Nathamon Kosoltanapiwat ◽  
Salin Sirinam ◽  
Watcharee Arunsodsai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Chain Reactions ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reactions ◽  
First Case ◽  
Archived Samples

Zika virus (ZIKV) is the mosquito-transmitted virus that the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2016 due to the consequence of microcephaly from infected pregnancies. The incidence of Zika infection has been unclear in many countries because most infected people have nonspecific febrile illnesses. This study’s aim is to investigate the incidence of symptomatic Zika virus infections from the archived samples of a dengue cohort study of children in central Thailand from 2006 to 2009. We performed Zika NS1 immunoglobulin (Ig)G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening to identify symptomatic Zika infections in paired acute/convalescent serum samples. Symptomatic Zika infections were confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) of acute serum samples. The comparison of the Zika NS1 IgG ELISA results between acute and convalescent samples showed 290/955 (30.4%) seropositive cases. Zika RT-PCR results were positive in 28 febrile cases (15 females, 13 males). Zika RT-PCR showed that symptomatic Zika infection occurred in children aged 4–11 years in Ratchaburi province, Thailand (2007–2009, first case in April 2007), and the symptomatic Zika:dengue infection ratio was 28 Zika:394 dengue (1:14). Phylogenetic analysis showed that all Zika viruses were of Asian lineage. Zika NS1 IgG ELISA identified Zika-infected patients and showed a low Zika:dengue ratio.

Creative Reconstruction: A Systematic Approach to Reinventing Large Cities in Democratic Republic of Congo

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1485-1497
Author(s):  
Mia Nsokimieno Misilu Eric
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Capital City ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Current State ◽  
Legacy Cities

The current state of large cities in Democratic Republic of Congo highlights the necessity of reinventing cities. More than fifty years after the independence, these major cities, like Kinshasa the capital city, are in a state of are in a state of disrepair. They are damaged, dysfunctional, and more vulnerable. Today, these legacy cities do not meet the international requirements of livable cities. Democratic Republic of Congo faces the challenge of rebuilding its cities for sustainability. The movement for independence of African countries enabled the shift from colonial cities to legacy cities. It is important to understand the cultural and ideological foundations of colonial city. Commonly, colonial cities served as purpose-built settlements for the extraction and transport of mineral resources toward Europe. What's required is a creative reconstruction to achieve a desired successful urban change. Creative reconstruction tends to ensure urban transformation in relation with urbanization, by making continuous and healthy communities. Creative reconstruction seems appropriate way of building back cities in harmony with cultural values. The article provides a framework for urban regeneration. The study is based on principle of thinking globally and acting locally in building back better cities.

Ghana: the State of Agriculture and Prospects for Food Security in the Context of Achieving SDGs

2018 ◽  
pp. 16-31
Author(s):  
Tatyana Denisova
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The State ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Government

For the first time in Russian African studies, the author examines the current state of agriculture, challenges and prospects for food security in Ghana, which belongs to the group of African countries that have made the most progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals adopted by UN member states in 2015 with a view of achieving them by 2030. The SDGs include: ending poverty in all its forms everywhere (Goal 1); ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture (2); ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (3), etc. These goals are considered fundamental because the achievement of a number of other SDGs – for example, ensuring quality education (4), achieving gender equality (5), ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns (12), etc. – largely depends on their implementation. Ghana was commended by the world community for the significant reduction in poverty, hunger and malnutrition between 2000 and 2014, i.e. for the relatively successful implementation of the first of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 2000–2015) – the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. However, SDGs require more careful study and planning of implementation measures. In order to achieve the SDGs, the Government of Ghana has adopted a number of programs, plans and projects, the successful implementation of which often stumbles upon the lack of funding and lack of coordination between state bodies, private and public organizations, foreign partners – donors and creditors, etc., which are involved in the processes of socioeconomic development of Ghana. The author determines the reasons for the lack of food security in Ghana, gives an assessment of the state of the agricultural sector, the effective development of which is a prerequisite for the reduction of poverty and hunger, primarily due to the engagement of a significant share (45%) of the economically active population in this sector. The study shows that the limited growth in food production is largely due to the absence of domestic markets and necessary roads, means of transportation, irrigation and storage infrastructure, as well as insufficient investment in the agricultural sector, rather than to a shortage of fertile land or labor.

On the Development of Islamic Jurisprudence

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Murad Wilfried Hofmann
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Current State ◽  
Islamic Jurisprudence ◽  
The Status ◽  
Sensitive Issues ◽  
Status Of Women ◽  
Islam And Democracy

This article examines the state of Islamic jurisprudence with regard to many sensitive issues, such as the status of women and minorities in Islam, Islam and Democracy, hudud punishments. The author explores the current state of Islamic discourse on jurisprudence and identifies three approaches-traditional, secular and reformist. The paper explores the positions of the traditional ulama and the reformist muj­tahids on the mentioned topics and finds the reformist position more sensible and closer to the position of ihe Qur'an and Sunnah. This paper while advocating neo-ijtihad, makes an impressive case for the merit???? and Islamic credibility of the reformist jurisprudence.

Dengue and Zika Virus Infections Are Enhanced by Live Attenuated Dengue Vaccine but Not by Recombinant DSV4 Vaccine Candidate in Mouse Models

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Shukla ◽  
Julia A. Brown ◽  
Hemalatha Beesetti ◽  
Richa Ahuja ◽  
Viswanathan Ramasamy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Models ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Dengue Vaccine

Immuno-informatics-based identification of novel potential B cell and T cell epitopes to fight Zika virus infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wahiba Ezzemani ◽  
Marc P. Windisch ◽  
Anass Kettani ◽  
Haya Altawalah ◽  
Jalal Nourlil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
Complex Class ◽  
Major Histocompatibility ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex

Background: Globally, the recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil, Asia Pacific, and other countries highlighted the unmet medical needs. Currently, there are neither effective vaccines nor therapeutics available to prevent or treat ZIKV infection. Objective: In this study, we aimed to design an epitope-based vaccine for ZIKV using an in silico approach to predict and analyze B- and T-cell epitopes. Methods: The prediction of the most antigenic epitopes has targeted the capsid and the envelope proteins as well as nonstructural proteins NS5 and NS3 using immune-informatics tools PROTPARAM, CFSSP, PSIPRED, and Vaxijen v2.0. B and T-cell epitopes were predicted using ABCpred, IEDB, TepiTool, and their toxicity were evaluated using ToxinPred. The 3-dimensional epitope structures were generated by PEP-FOLD. Energy minimization was performed using Swiss-Pdb Viewer, and molecular docking was conducted using PatchDock and FireDock server. Results: As a result, we predicted 307 epitopes of MHCI (major histocompatibility complex class I) and 102 epitopes of MHCII (major histocompatibility complex class II). Based on immunogenicity and antigenicity scores, we identified the four most antigenic MHC I epitopes: MVLAILAFLR (HLA-A*68 :01), ETLHGTVTV (HLA-A*68 :02), DENHPYRTW (HLA-B*44 :02),QEGVFHTMW (HLA-B*44 :03) and TASGRVIEEW (HLA-B*58:01), and MHC II epitopes: IIKKFKKDLAAMLRI (HLA-DRB3*02 :02), ENSKMMLELDPPFGD (HLA-DRB3*01:01), HAETWFFDENHPYRT (HLA-DRB3*01:01), TDGVYRVMTRRLLGS (HLA-DRB1*11 :01), and DGCWYGMEIRPRKEP (HLA-DRB5*01:01). Conclusion : This study provides novel potential B cell and T cell epitopes to fight Zika virus infections and may prompt further development of vaccines against ZIKV and other emerging infectious diseases. However, further investigations for protective immune response by in vitro and in vivo studies to ratify the immunogenicity, safety of the predicted structure, and ultimately the vaccine properties to prevent ZIKV infections are warranted.

scholarly journals Assessing the Level of Renewable Energy Development in the European Union Member States. A 10-Year Perspective

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3765
Author(s):  
Jarosław Brodny ◽  
Magdalena Tutak ◽  
Peter Bindzár
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
The State ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Current State ◽  
Renewable Energy Development ◽  
European Union Countries

The global economic development is, to a great extent, dependent on access to large amounts of cheap energy sources. The growing social awareness of ecology and the enormous damage to the Earth’s ecosystem due to the production of energy from conventional sources have forced fundamental changes in the energy sector. Renewable energy is considered to be an opportunity for such changes. The current state of the art allows such changes to be made without restricting economic development. Therefore, activities related to the energy transition are being taken all over the world. The European Union has definitely managed to achieve the most tangible effects in this regard. This article presents the findings of the research aimed at presenting the current state of renewable energy in the European Union and analyzing the changes reported in this sector in the last decade. The research was carried out using a selected set of 11 indicators characterizing renewable energy in individual countries. These indicators were selected on the basis of literature review and own studies of the state of renewable energy and its development prospects. Based on these indicators, changes in the energy structure of individual European Union countries between 2008–2018 were determined. The study is divided into two main stages. The principal components analysis (PCA) was used for the first analysis. In turn, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was adopted to assess the level of renewable energy development in the European Union countries. Both these methods and the extended statistical analysis were applied to determine the state of renewable energy development in the European Union countries in the studied period and to divide the Member States into classes with different levels of development. The results of the study showed that the EU countries are characterized by significant differences in the development of RES during the period in question. The unquestionable leaders in this respect are Sweden, Austria, Finland, and Latvia. Based on the findings, it is possible to evaluate the effects of activities related to renewable energy development and to prepare assumptions for future activities. Additionally, both the research and its findings broaden the knowledge of the directions of renewable energy development in individual European Union countries. This is particularly important in the context of changes related to the need to reduce harmful substance emissions and the implementation of the European Green Deal idea.

scholarly journals Fludarabine Inhibits Infection of Zika Virus, SFTS Phlebovirus, and Enterovirus A71

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 774
Author(s):  
Chengfeng Gao ◽  
Chunxia Wen ◽  
Zhifeng Li ◽  
Shuhan Lin ◽  
Shu Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Enterovirus A71 ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Severe Fever

Viral infections are one of the leading causes in human mortality and disease. Broad-spectrum antiviral drugs are a powerful weapon against new and re-emerging viruses. However, viral resistance to existing broad-spectrum antivirals remains a challenge, which demands development of new broad-spectrum therapeutics. In this report, we showed that fludarabine, a fluorinated purine analogue, effectively inhibited infection of RNA viruses, including Zika virus, Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, and Enterovirus A71, with all IC50 values below 1 μM in Vero, BHK21, U251 MG, and HMC3 cells. We observed that fludarabine has shown cytotoxicity to these cells only at high doses indicating it could be safe for future clinical use if approved. In conclusion, this study suggests that fludarabine could be developed as a potential broad-spectrum anti-RNA virus therapeutic agent.

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