Return and volatility spillovers between South African and Nigerian equity markets

PurposeThe paper evaluates the cross-transmission of returns and volatility shocks between Nigeria and South Africa stock markets to infer the extent of interdependence between the two markets. The paper also makes inference to optimal portfolio weights of holding assets in the two markets.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses an asymmetric vector autoregressive-exogenous generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (VAR-X GARCH) model to assess the extent of returns and volatility spillovers between Nigeria and South Africa.FindingsThe results of the empirical analysis show evidence of shock spillovers from the South African stock market to the Nigerian stock market. Moreover, based on the dynamic Sharpe ratio and portfolio weight optimisation, the results indicate the possibility of portfolio diversification when holding simultaneous positions in the two stock markets.Practical implicationsThe results imply the possibility of economic profit for investors who take positions in the two stock markets. The lack of synchronisation of stock markets in the two largest economies in Africa is in contrast with the situations in other regions where stock markets returns of large economies often co-move.Originality/valueThe paper is the first to use the asymmetric VAR-X GARCH model to assess the cross-transmission of shocks between stock markets.

Probabilistic microsimulation to examine the cost-effectiveness of hospital admission screening strategies for carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in the United Kingdom

Background Antimicrobial resistance has been recognised as a global threat with carbapenemase- producing-Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) as a prime example. CPE has similarities to COVID-19 where asymptomatic patients may be colonised representing a source for onward transmission. There are limited treatment options for CPE infection leading to poor outcomes and increased costs. Admission screening can prevent cross-transmission by pre-emptively isolating colonised patients. Objective We assess the relative cost-effectiveness of screening programmes compared with no- screening. Methods A microsimulation parameterised with NHS Scotland date was used to model scenarios of the prevalence of CPE colonised patients on admission. Screening strategies were (a) two-step screening involving a clinical risk assessment (CRA) checklist followed by microbiological testing of high-risk patients; and (b) universal screening. Strategies were considered with either culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. All costs were reported in 2019 UK pounds with a healthcare system perspective. Results In the low prevalence scenario, no screening had the highest probability of cost-effectiveness. Among screening strategies, the two CRA screening options were the most likely to be cost-effective. Screening was more likely to be cost-effective than no screening in the prevalence of 1 CPE colonised in 500 admitted patients or more. There was substantial uncertainty with the probabilities rarely exceeding 40% and similar results between strategies. Screening reduced non-isolated bed-days and CPE colonisation. The cost of screening was low in relation to total costs. Conclusion The specificity of the CRA checklist was the parameter with the highest impact on the cost-effectiveness. Further primary data collection is needed to build models with less uncertainty in the parameters.

Genotypic correlation between Salmonella Enteritidis isolates from broiler breeders and hatchery flocks

In this study, Salmonella Enteritidis strains isolated from dust and environmental materials from different flocks located in Turkey’s Western Black Sea region were examined by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). A total of 59 S. Enteritidis strains isolated from broiler breeder and hatchery flocks, and one S. Enteritidis strain isolated from a stool sample of a farm worker were examined. PFGE analysis revealed two major PFGE groups and nine different macro restriction profiles. It was determined that 85% (51/60) of the strains were close to each other and comprised Group I. All S. Enteritidis strains had the same sequence type (ST): ST11. Isolation of strains with a single genotype suggests that there may be a cross transmission between the flocks.

Dominance of Zoonotic Pathogen Cryptosporidium Meleagridis in Broiler Chickens in Guangdong, China, Reveals Evidence of Cross-Transmission

Background Cryptosporidium is one of the most prevalent parasites infecting both birds and mammals. To examine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species and evaluate the public health significance of domestic chickens in Guangdong Province, Southern China, we analyzed 1001 fecal samples collected from 43 intensive broiler chicken farms from six distinct geographical regions between June 2020 and March 2021. Methods Individual DNAs were subjected to nested PCR-based amplification and sequencing of the small subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA). The 60 kDa glycoprotein gene (pgp60) was performed from all positive SSU rRNA samples to characterise subtypes of C. meleagridis. Results Cryptosporidium infection rates was found to be 13.2%, comprising with infections with C. meleagridis (78/1001, 7.8%), C. baileyi (48/1001, 4.8%) and mixed infections (6/1001, 0.6%). Three subtype families were identified, IIIb, IIIe and IIIg. Six subtypes were identified in broiler chickens, including one novel (IIIgA25G3R1a) and five previously reported (IIIbA23G1R1c, IIIbA24G1R1, IIIbA21G1R1a, IIIeA17G2R1 and IIIeA26G2R1). Within these subtypes, five known subtypes were genetically identical to those identified in humans. Conclusions This is the first report of C. meleagridis in chickens from Guangdong. The frequent occurrence of C. meleagridis in domestic chickens and the common C. meleagridis subtypes identified both in humans and chickens is of public health significance. Our study indicates that broiler chickens represent a potential zoonotic risk for the transmission of Cryptosporidium in this region.

Outbreak of CTX-M-15 Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST394 in a French Intensive Care Unit Dedicated to COVID-19

Infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) are constantly rising worldwide and are often reported as causative agent of outbreaks in intensive care units (ICUs). During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, bacterial cross-transmission was thought unlikely to occur due to the reinforcement of hygiene measures and prevention control. However, we report here an ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae (ST394) isolate responsible for a nosocomial outbreak in an ICU dedicated to COVID-19 patients.

Nosocomial cluster of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae in an intensive care unit dedicated COVID-19

Concomitant prevention of SARS-CoV-2 and extensively drug-resistant bacteria transmission is a difficult challenge in intensive care units dedicated to COVID-19 patients. We report a nosocomial cluster of four patients carrying NDM-1 plasmid-encoded carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae. Two main factors may have contributed to cross-transmission: misuse of gloves and absence of change of personal protective equipment, in the context of COVID-19-associated shortage. This work highlights the importance of maintaining infection control measures to prevent CPE cross-transmission despite the difficult context and that this type of outbreak can potentially involve several species of Enterobacterales.

Predicting Parasite Dynamics in Mixed-Use Trans-Himalayan Pastures to Underpin Management of Cross-Transmission Between Livestock and Bharal

The complexities of multi-use landscapes require sophisticated approaches to addressing disease transmission risks. We explored gastro-intestinal nematode (GINs) infections in the North India Trans-Himalayas through a socio-ecological lens, integrating parasite transmission modelling with field surveys and local knowledge, and evaluated the likely effectiveness of potential interventions. Bharal (blue sheep; Pseudois nayaur), a native wild herbivore, and livestock share pasture year-round and livestock commonly show signs of GINs infection. While both wild and domestic ungulates had GINs infections, egg counts indicated significantly higher parasite burdens in bharal than livestock. However, due to higher livestock densities, they contributed more to the total count of eggs and infective larvae on pasture. Herders also reported health issues in their sheep and goats consistent with parasite infections. Model simulations suggested that pasture infectivity in this system is governed by historical pasture use and gradually accumulated larval development during the summer, with no distinct short-term flashpoints for transmission. The most effective intervention was consequently predicted to be early-season parasite suppression in livestock using temperature in spring as a cue. A 1-month pause in egg output from livestock could lead to a reduction in total annual availability of infective larvae on pasture of 76%, potentially benefitting the health of both livestock and bharal. Modelling suggested that climate change over the past 33 years has led to no overall change in GINs transmission potential, but an increase in the relative influence of temperature over precipitation in driving pasture infectivity. Our study provides a transferable multi-pronged approach to investigating disease transmission, in order to support herders' livelihoods and conserve wild ungulates.

The effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in different socioeconomic populations in Kuwait: A modelling study

Background: Aggressive non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) may reduce transmission of SARS-CoV2. The extent to which these interventions are successful in stopping the spread have not been characterized in countries with distinct socioeconomic groups. We compared the effects of a partial lockdown on disease transmission among Kuwaitis (P1) and non-Kuwaitis (P2) living in Kuwait. Methods: We fit a metapopulation Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) model to reported cases stratified by two groups to estimate the impact of a lockdown on the effective reproduction number (Re). We estimated the basic reproduction number (R0) for the transmission in each group and simulated the potential trajectories of an outbreak from the first recorded case of community transmission until 12 days after the lockdown. We estimated R­e values of both groups before and after the lockdown, simulated the effect of these values on epidemic curves and explored a range of cross-transmission scenarios. Results: We estimate R0 at 1·06 (95% CI: 1·05-1·28) for P1 and 1·83 (1·58-2·33) for P2. On March 22nd, Re for P1 and P2 are estimated at 1·13 (1·07-1·17) and 1·38 (1·25-1·63) respectively. After the curfew had taken effect, Re for P1 dropped modestly to 1·04 (1·02-1·06) but almost doubled for P2 to 2·47 (1·98-3·45). Our simulated epidemic trajectories show that the partial curfew measure modestly reduced and delayed the height of the peak in P1, yet significantly elevated and hastened the peak in P2. Modest cross-transmission from P2 to P1 elevated the height of the peak in P1 and brought it forward in time closer to the peak of P2. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that a lockdown can reduce SARS-CoV2 transmission in one subpopulation but accelerate it in another. At the population level, the consequences of lockdowns may vary across the socioeconomic spectrum. Any public health intervention needs to be sensitive to disparities within populations.

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICES, AND ATTITUDE OF HAND HYGIENE AMONG UNIVERSITY NURSING AND OPTOMETRY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THEIR FINAL YEAR OF TRAINING

Safe Hand hygiene practice is considered the most essential component of patient safety. Especially when it comes to health professionals; students are exposed to their clinical practice in the first years of their education. This accelerates the chances of getting infection via cross-transmission of hands through the healthcare worker to the patient is the most common quantitative cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out to investigate the level of knowledge, practices, and attitude of Hand hygiene among university nursing and optometry undergraduate students in their final year of training. A total of one hundred and forty-three subjects took part in the survey of which 73 nursing students and 70 optometry students. Fisher’s exact test was applied to test the level of Knowledge on practice and attitude. And the correlation coefficient r=-1 to +1 with P>0.05 was obtained. To add, using an observational checklist will be the ideal way to assess the hand hygiene practice in the clinical area. Moreover, add a mandatory component as patient safety into the curricula of the undergraduate students of allied health will enhance patient safety more effectively.

Isolation and Molecular Characteristics of a CIAV Isolate From Pigeons, China

Chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) mainly infects chickens and causes immunosuppression. In this study, a CIAV isolate, designated as Pigeon-CIAV-1906, was efficiently isolated from two sick pigeons by inoculating the samples into MSB1 cells. The genome of Pigeon-CIAV-1906 was amplified by PCR and analyzed. The genome size of Pigeon-CIAV-1906 was 2,298 bp with the highest homology (99.5%) to Jilin strain (JL14023) and the lowest homology (91.5%) to Brazil strain (KY024579), which phylogenetically clustered into Group A. Notably, several amino acids such as 139K and 394Q related with high virulence were found in the VP1 of Pigeon-CIAV-1906. The isolation of Pigeon-CIAV-1906 and its molecular characteristics provide evidence for the cross-transmission of CIAV from chicken to pigeon and give novel insights into the molecular epidemiology of CIAV.