We develop a new strategy to prepare quantum dot (QD) barcode particles by polymerizing double-emulsion droplets prepared in capillary microfluidic devices. The resultant barcode particles are ...composed of stable QD-tagged core particles surrounded by hydrogel shells. These particles exhibit uniform spectral characteristics and excellent coding capability, as confirmed by photoluminescence analyses. By using double-emulsion droplets with two inner droplets of distinct phases as templates, we have also fabricated anisotropic magnetic barcode particles with two separate cores or with a Janus core. These particles enable optical encoding and magnetic separation, thus making them excellent functional barcode particles in biomedical applications.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Persistence of Zika Virus in Body Fluids — Final Report Paz-Bailey, Gabriela; Rosenberg, Eli S; Doyle, Kate ...
New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine,
09/2018, Volume:
379, Issue:
13
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Zika virus has spread rapidly through the Americas during the past few years. In this final report, systematic assessment of ZIKV in different body sites is measured. ZIKV is commonly found in serum, ...urine, and semen and often persists for 2 to 6 weeks.
Vaccination for Dengue Prevention Adams, Laura E; Waterman, Steve; Paz-Bailey, Gabriela
JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association,
03/2022, Volume:
327, Issue:
9
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Adams et al discuss the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for use of the FDA-licensed live-attenuated dengue vaccine in the US. Dengue is caused by 4 closely ...related viruses (DENV-1-4) and is a growing public health concern, with an expanding range of areas with climate conditions conducive to the mosquito vector. In 2019, more than 3 million dengue cases were reported from countries in South, Central, and North America, which was the highest number on record. From 2010 to 2020, dengue outbreaks in endemic US territories such as Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and American Samoa involved more than 30 000 reported cases, about half of which occurred among children aged 0 through 19 years. Among the 30 000 cases, there were 68 fatalities, 6 of which occurred among children.
Dengue viruses (DENV) continue to cause large outbreaks in tropical countries, while chikungunya and Zika (ZIKV) viruses have added complexity to Aedes-borne disease prevention and control efforts. ...Because these viruses are transmitted by the same vectors in urban areas, it is useful to understand if sequential outbreaks caused by these viruses have commonalities, such as similar seasonal and spatial patterns, that would help anticipate and perhaps prevent future outbreaks. We explored and analyzed the heterogeneity of confirmed cases of DENV (2010-2014 and 2015-2022) and ZIKV (2016-2017) during outbreaks in the San Juan metropolitan area of Puerto Rico to explore their degree of overlap and prioritize areas for Aedes aegypti control. Deidentified, georeferenced case data were aggregated into grid cells (500 × 500 m) within a geographical information system of the study area and analyzed to calculate the degree of overlap between outbreaks. Spatial autocorrelations using local indicators of spatial associations were conducted to identify significant disease case hot spots and correlations between outbreaks. We found that 75% of cases during the three transmission periods were concentrated in 25% of the total number of grid cells covering the study area. We also found significant clustering of cases during each outbreak, enabling identification of consistent disease hot spots. Our results showed 85% spatial overlap between cases of ZIKV in 2015-2017 and DENV in 2010-2014 and 97% overlap between DENV cases in 2010-2014 and 2015-2022. These results reveal urban areas at greater risk of future arbovirus outbreaks that should be prioritized for vector control.
The potential eco-toxicity of nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO(2)), silicon dioxide (SiO(2)), and zinc oxide (ZnO) water suspensions was investigated using Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and ...Gram-negative Escherichia coli as test organisms. These three photosensitive nanomaterials were harmful to varying degrees, with antibacterial activity increasing with particle concentration. Antibacterial activity generally increased from SiO(2) to TiO(2) to ZnO, and B. subtilis was most susceptible to their effects. Advertised nanoparticle size did not correspond to true particle size. Apparently, aggregation produced similarly sized particles that had similar antibacterial activity at a given concentration. The presence of light was a significant factor under most conditions tested, presumably due to its role in promoting generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, bacterial growth inhibition was also observed under dark conditions, indicating that undetermined mechanisms additional to photocatalytic ROS production were responsible for toxicity. These results highlight the need for caution during the use and disposal of such manufactured nanomaterials to prevent unintended environmental impacts, as well as the importance of further research on the mechanisms and factors that increase toxicity to enhance risk management.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
6.
Dengue Paz-Bailey, Gabriela; Adams, Laura E; Deen, Jacqueline ...
The Lancet (British edition),
02/2024, Volume:
403, Issue:
10427
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Dengue, caused by four closely related viruses, is a growing global public health concern, with outbreaks capable of overwhelming health-care systems and disrupting economies. Dengue is endemic in ...more than 100 countries across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, and the expanding range of the mosquito vector, affected in part by climate change, increases risk in new areas such as Spain, Portugal, and the southern USA, while emerging evidence points to silent epidemics in Africa. Substantial advances in our understanding of the virus, immune responses, and disease progression have been made within the past decade. Novel interventions have emerged, including partially effective vaccines and innovative mosquito control strategies, although a reliable immune correlate of protection remains a challenge for the assessment of vaccines. These developments mark the beginning of a new era in dengue prevention and control, offering promise in addressing this pressing global health issue.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This Viewpoint from the CDC discusses the prevalence of dengue infection in US territories and opportunities to combat it, such as vaccines and novel vector control methods.
Impacts of COVID-19 mitigation measures on seasonal respiratory viruses is unknown in sub-tropical climates.
We compared weekly testing and test-positivity of respiratory infections in the 2019-2020 ...respiratory season to the 2012-2018 seasons in southern Puerto Rico using Wilcoxon signed rank tests.
Compared to the average for the 2012-2018 seasons, test-positivity was significantly lower for Influenza A (p<0.001) & B (p<0.001), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (p<0.01), respiratory adenovirus (AdV) (p<0.05), and other respiratory viruses (p<0.001) following March 2020 COVID-19 stay at home orders.
Mitigation measures and behavioral social distancing choices may have reduced respiratory viral spread in southern Puerto Rico.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To investigate differences in pain management between dogs and cats after surgical sterilization. We hypothesized that dogs would be more likely to be discharged with analgesics after sterilization ...compared to cats and that owner compliance would be better in dogs.
175 respondents owning 92 dogs and 83 cats from a high-volume, low-cost veterinary clinic in Michigan during August 2022.
Owners received an online survey designed to assess their pet's postoperative analgesic care. They were asked demographic information about themselves and their pets. Additionally, they were asked if their pet was discharged with analgesics, if they were administered as prescribed, and if their pet was painful at home. Dogs and cats were included if they were sterilized within 6 months of survey completion and in the owner's care at the time of the procedure.
The survey was distributed to 5,241 owners and received 227 responses, a response rate of 4.4%. Analgesics were prescribed for 19 of 162 (12%) pets: 14 of 88 (16%) dogs and 5 of 74 (6.7%) cats. There was no difference in the prescription of analgesics between dogs and cats after ovariohysterectomy (P = .09) or orchiectomy (P = .73). 15 of 19 owners reported their compliance in administering analgesics at 78.9%. Owners' subjective assessments showed that 24 of 86 (28%) dogs and 12 of 68 (17%) cats appeared painful at home.
Postoperative pain in cats may not be appropriately managed.
Nanoparticle‐shelled bubbles, prepared with glass capillary microfluidics, are functionalized to produce catalytic micromotors that exhibit novel assembly and disassembly behaviors. Stable ...microbubble rafts are assembled at an air–solvent interface of nonaqueous propylene carbonate (PC) solvent by creating a meniscus using a glass capillary. Upon the addition of hydrogen peroxide fuel, catalytic microbubbles quickly break free from the bubble raft by repelling from each other and self‐propelling at the air–fuel interface (a mixture of PC and aqueous hydrogen peroxide). While most of micromotors generate oxygen bubbles on the outer catalytic shell, some micromotors contain cracks and eject bubbles from the hollow shells containing air. Nanoparticle‐shelled bubbles with a high buoyancy force are particularly attractive for studying novel propulsion modes and interactions between catalytic bubble micromotors at air–fuel interfaces.
Nanoparticle‐shelled SiO2‐Ti/Pt microbubbles, prepared with glass capillary microfluidics, are functionalized to produce catalytic micromotors that exhibit novel assembly and disassembly behaviors. Upon the addition of hydrogen peroxide fuel, catalytic microbubbles quickly break free from the bubble raft by repelling from each other and self‐propelling at the air–solution interface.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK