Spread of variants of epidemic disease based on the microscopic numerical simulations on networks

Viruses constantly undergo mutations with genomic changes. The propagation of variants of viruses is an interesting problem. We perform numerical simulations of the microscopic epidemic model based on network theory for the spread of variants. Assume that a small number of individuals infected with the variant are added to widespread infection with the original virus. When a highly infectious variant that is more transmissible than the original lineage is added, the variant spreads quickly to the wide space. On the other hand, if the infectivity is about the same as that of the original virus, the infection will not spread. The rate of spread is not linear as a function of the infection strength but increases non-linearly. This cannot be explained by the compartmental model of epidemiology but can be understood in terms of the dynamic absorbing state known from the contact process.

The functional role of sulforaphane in intestinal inflammation: A Review

Intestinal inflammation represented by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a global epidemic disease and the number of patients is still increasing. This digestive tract disease not only affects the...

Obesity-Induced Inflammation Cooperates with Loss of DNA Methyltransferase 3A to Develop Early-Onset of Leukemia

Obesity is an increasing epidemic disease world-wide responsible for enhancing the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as well as cancer. However, it is unclear if and how obesity contributes to the transformation of pre-leukemic stem and progenitors (pre-LHSC/Ps) into full-blown leukemia such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or severe form of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). We hypothesized that obesity induced chronic inflammation might be responsible for clonal selection of pre-LHSC/Ps bearing pre-leukemic mutations such as DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and for promoting the progression of early-onset MPN towards severe forms of AML/leukemia. To test this hypothesis, we genetically crossed pre-leukemic Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+ mice with leptin deficient obese (LepOb/Ob) mice to obtain Ob/Ob;Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+ compound mutant mice. Further, the Dnmt3a gene was deleted by giving the PolyIC and the deletion was confirmed through PCR. After 12 days of post-PolyIC the myeloid cells (neutrophils and monocytes) were expanded in Ob/Ob;Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+ mice compared to Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+, Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre-, Ob/Ob and WT mice. We have harvested and analyzed all these mice after 26 days of post-PolyIC. Interestingly, Ob/Ob;Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+ mice showed increased BM cellularity, both the frequency of lineage negative, Sca-1+ and c-KIT+ (LSK) cells, short-term hematopoietic stem cells (ST-HSCs; LSK/CD48+/CD150-), granulocyte macrophage progenitor (GMPs; LSK/CD16+/CD34+), and reduction in LT-HSCs (LT-HSCs; LSK/CD48-/CD150+) compared to other groups. Flow cytometry analysis of PB, BM and spleen from Ob/Ob;Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+ mice demonstrated a significant increase in the frequency of mature myeloid cells (Gr-1+/Mac-1+) and a profound reduction in B220+ B cells compared to other groups. Remarkably, these mice also showed splenomegaly, elevated heart size and early signs of AML blasts as reflected by the presence of c-KIT+/CD11b+ double positive cells in the BM, consistent with severe MPN/AML development. Taken together, these results demonstrate that obesity induced inflammation cooperates with pre-leukemic Dnmt3a+/- mutation to induce an early-onset of severe MPN/AML like disease.

A plague epidemic disease optimizing approach

In order to solve some optimization problems with multi-local optimal solutions, a plague infectious disease optimization (PIDO) algorithm is proposed by the dynamic model of plague infectious disease with pulse vaccination and time delay. In this algorithm, it is assumed that there are several villagers living in a village, each villager is characterized by some characteristics. The plague virus is prevalent in the village, and the villagers contract the infectious disease through effective contact with sick rats. The plague virus attacks is the few characteristics of the human body. Under the action of the plague virus, the growth status of each villager will be randomly transformed among 4 states of susceptibility, exposure, morbidity and recovery, thus a random search is achieved for the global optimal solution. The physical strength degree of villagers is described by the human health index (HHI). The higher the villager’s HHI index, the stronger the physique and the higher the surviving likelihood. 9 operators (S_S, S_E, E_E, E_I, E_R, I_I, I_R, R_R, R_S) are designed in the PIDO algorithm, and each operator only deals with the 1/1000∼1/100 of the total number of variables each time. The case study results show that PIDO algorithm has the characteristics of fast search speed and global convergence, and it is suitable for solving global optimization problems with higher dimensions.

Maternal Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Safety of Breastfeeding in Infants Born to Infected Mothers

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a recent epidemic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In pregnancy, SARS-Cov-2 infection creates additional alarm due to concerns regarding the potential for transmission from the mother to the baby during both the antenatal and postpartum times. In general, breastfeeding is seldom disallowed because of infection of the mother. However, there are few exceptions with regards to certain infectious organisms with established transmission evidence from mother to infant and the link of infection of a newborn with significant morbidity and mortality. It is confirmed that pregnant women can become infected with SARS-CoV-2, although the debate on the possible vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is still open. In this regard, the literature is still poor. On the contrary, the information on the safety of breastfeeding even during infections seems reassuring when the mother takes the necessary precautions. However, there are still answered questions regarding the precautions to be taken during breastfeeding by COVID-19 patients. This paper reviews the existing answers to these and many other questions. This review therefore presents a summary of the present-day understanding of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and discusses the answers around the maternal transmission of COVID-19 and the potential threat of breastfeeding to babies born to infected pregnant mothers. In conclusion, intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection is less likely to occur during pregnancy. Most studies suggest that COVID-19 is not transmitted through breast milk. Correspondingly, COVID-19-infected neonates might acquire the infection via the respiratory route because of the postnatal contact with the mother rather than during the prenatal period. International organizations encourage breastfeeding regardless of the COVID-19 status of the mother or child as long as proper hygienic and safety measures are adhered to so as to minimize the chance of infant infection by droplets and direct contact with the infected mother. Pasteurized donor human milk or infant formula as supplemental feeding can be quite beneficial in the case of mother–infant separation till breastfeeding is safe.

Bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cell improves diabetes-associated fatty liver via mitochondria transformation in mice

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a global epidemic disease. Its incidence is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Presently, there is no approved pharmacological agents specially developed for NAFLD. One promising disease-modifying strategy is the transplantation of stem cells to promote metabolic regulation and repair of injury. Method In this study, a T2DM model was established through 28-week high-fat diet (HFD) feeding resulting in T2DM-associated NAFLD, followed by the injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The morphology, function, and transfer of hepatocyte mitochondria were evaluated in both vivo and in vitro. Results BMSC implantation resulted in the considerable recovery of increasing weight, HFD-induced steatosis, liver function, and disordered glucose and lipid metabolism. The treatment with BMSC transplantation was accompanied by reduced fat accumulation. Moreover, mitochondrial transfer was observed in both vivo and vitro studies. And the mitochondria-recipient steatotic cells exhibited significantly enhanced OXPHOS activity, ATP production, and mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced reactive oxygen species levels, which were not achieved by the blocking of mitochondrial transfer. Conclusion Mitochondrial transfer from BMSCs is a feasible process to combat NAFLD via rescuing dysfunction mitochondria, and has a promising therapeutic effect on metabolism-related diseases.

Mental Well-Being During Stages of COVID-19 Lockdown Among Pregnant Women And New Mothers

Background: Pregnancy and early motherhood are sensitive times where epidemic disease outbreaks can affect mental health negatively. Countries and health care systems handled the pandemic and lockdowns differently and knowledge about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental well-being of pregnant women and new mothers is limited and points in different directions. Aim. to investigate symptoms of anxiety and depression in a population of pregnant women and new mothers in various stages of infection pressure and lock down during the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark. Methods: The study population was nested an inception cohort of women recruited in their first trimester of pregnancy. Data about mental health of the woman was obtained in relation to pregnancy and child development (first trimester, 8 weeks postpartum and 5 months postpartum), and data were analysed cross-sectionally according to calendar time (periods defined by infection rate and lock-down during the COVID-19 epidemic).Results: No differences in reported levels of depressive symptoms between the six examined time periods of the pandemic were observed. Specifically, symptoms remained unchanged after the first lock-down. No major changes in anxiety symptoms were observed in relation to increased infection pressure or lockdowns, but a small increase was observed during the second lockdown in women 8 weeks postpartum. Conclusion: No clear change in mood among pregnant women was seen between during the stages of Covid-19 pandemic in Denmark.