While polarimetric persistent scatterer InSAR (PSI) is an effective technique for increasing the number and quality of selected PS pixels, existing methods are suboptimal; a polarimetric channel ...combination is selected for each pixel based either on amplitude, which works well only for high-amplitude scatterers such as man-made structures, or on the assumption that pixels in a surrounding window all have the same scattering mechanism. In this paper, we present a new polarimetric PSI method in which we use a phase-based criterion to select the optimal channel for each pixel, which can work well even in nonurban environments. This algorithm is based on polarimetric optimization of temporal coherence, as defined in the Stanford Method for PS (StaMPS), to identify the scatterers with stable phase characteristics. We form all possible copolar and cross-polar interferograms from the available polarimetric channels and find the optimum coefficients for each pixel using defined search spaces to optimize the temporal coherence. We apply our algorithm, PolStaMPS, to an area in the Tehran basin that is covered primarily by vegetation. Our results confirm that the algorithm substantially improves on StaMPS performance, increasing the number of PS pixels by 48%, 80%, and 82% with respect to HH+VV, VV, and HH channels, respectively, and increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of selected pixels.
Serolagic and microbiologic identification of avian mycoplasmas from slaughtered poultry in Tehran Valadan, M., Members of Scientific Board of Agricultural Research, Education and Extention Organization; Pourbakhsh, S.A., Members of Scientific Board of Razi Research Institute; Ghalehnoie, M.R., Members of Scientific Board of Agricultural Research, Education and Extention Organization ...
Pajouhesh And Sazandegi,
2010
3
Journal Article
In this research sampling of poultry slaughterhouses in Tehran province was done. The samples were investigated by serological tests : Rapid Serum Agglutination (RSA) , ELISA and Broth & agar ...specific culture of Mycoplasma. The main test for isolation and determination in this survey was RSA. In this investigation 4530 pharyngeal swab and blood sample from 226 poultryhouse were taken, in RSA method with MG antigen 11.27% were positive and false positive. This evaluation for MS was 38.19%. After this step the ELISA test was done on the positive and false positive RSA results, and 66.86% of Mg and 70.13% of Ms were positive. The results indicated that in RSA method, false positive was high and specificity was low. Comparison between prevalence of MG and MS in different seasons revealed in winter there are the most prevalence (P0.001). Out of 226 poultry house covered in the study, in 82 cases, Mycoplasma was isolated from, which 36 cases was non MG and MS Mycoplasma, 12 cases was MG, 29 cases was MS, and 5 cases was simultaneously MG and MS.
and
are important causative agents of superficial mycoses, demonstrating emergent antifungal drug resistance. We studied the antifungal susceptibility profiles in Iranian isolates of these two ...species.
A total of 96
and 45
isolates were subjected to molecular typing by ribosomal ITS region. Antifungal susceptibility profiles for terbinafine, griseofulvin, clotrimazole, efinaconazole, luliconazole, amorolfine and ciclopirox were obtained by CLSI broth microdilution method. The squalene epoxidase (
) gene was subjected to sequencing for mutations, if any, in isolates exhibiting elevated MICs for terbinafine.
Luliconazole and efinaconazole showed the lowest MIC values against
and
isolates. There were five isolates with terbinafine MICs ≥32 µg/mL in our sample. They belonged to
type VIII and harbored two alternative
gene sequence variants, leading to Phe397Leu and Ala448Thr or Leu393Ser and Ala448Thr substitutions in the enzyme. All terbinafine resistant strains could be inhibited by luliconazole and efinaconazole.
This study documented a step in the global spread of resistance mechanisms in
. However, treatment alternatives for resistant isolates were available.
Reducing the burden of death due to infection is an urgent global public health priority. Previous studies have estimated the number of deaths associated with drug-resistant infections and sepsis and ...found that infections remain a leading cause of death globally. Understanding the global burden of common bacterial pathogens (both susceptible and resistant to antimicrobials) is essential to identify the greatest threats to public health. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present global comprehensive estimates of deaths associated with 33 bacterial pathogens across 11 major infectious syndromes.
We estimated deaths associated with 33 bacterial genera or species across 11 infectious syndromes in 2019 using methods from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, in addition to a subset of the input data described in the Global Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance 2019 study. This study included 343 million individual records or isolates covering 11 361 study-location-years. We used three modelling steps to estimate the number of deaths associated with each pathogen: deaths in which infection had a role, the fraction of deaths due to infection that are attributable to a given infectious syndrome, and the fraction of deaths due to an infectious syndrome that are attributable to a given pathogen. Estimates were produced for all ages and for males and females across 204 countries and territories in 2019. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for final estimates of deaths and infections associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens following standard GBD methods by taking the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles across 1000 posterior draws for each quantity of interest.
From an estimated 13·7 million (95% UI 10·9–17·1) infection-related deaths in 2019, there were 7·7 million deaths (5·7–10·2) associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens (both resistant and susceptible to antimicrobials) across the 11 infectious syndromes estimated in this study. We estimated deaths associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens to comprise 13·6% (10·2–18·1) of all global deaths and 56·2% (52·1–60·1) of all sepsis-related deaths in 2019. Five leading pathogens—Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa—were responsible for 54·9% (52·9–56·9) of deaths among the investigated bacteria. The deadliest infectious syndromes and pathogens varied by location and age. The age-standardised mortality rate associated with these bacterial pathogens was highest in the sub-Saharan Africa super-region, with 230 deaths (185–285) per 100 000 population, and lowest in the high-income super-region, with 52·2 deaths (37·4–71·5) per 100 000 population. S aureus was the leading bacterial cause of death in 135 countries and was also associated with the most deaths in individuals older than 15 years, globally. Among children younger than 5 years, S pneumoniae was the pathogen associated with the most deaths. In 2019, more than 6 million deaths occurred as a result of three bacterial infectious syndromes, with lower respiratory infections and bloodstream infections each causing more than 2 million deaths and peritoneal and intra-abdominal infections causing more than 1 million deaths.
The 33 bacterial pathogens that we investigated in this study are a substantial source of health loss globally, with considerable variation in their distribution across infectious syndromes and locations. Compared with GBD Level 3 underlying causes of death, deaths associated with these bacteria would rank as the second leading cause of death globally in 2019; hence, they should be considered an urgent priority for intervention within the global health community. Strategies to address the burden of bacterial infections include infection prevention, optimised use of antibiotics, improved capacity for microbiological analysis, vaccine development, and improved and more pervasive use of available vaccines. These estimates can be used to help set priorities for vaccine need, demand, and development.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and Department of Health and Social Care, using UK aid funding managed by the Fleming Fund.
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe and even fatal disease in human beings and animals. Effective vaccines may contribute to control toxoplasmosis. GRA14, a novel secreted dense granule ...protein of T. gondii, has been proposed as a vaccine candidate due to its intervacuolar transport and unique topology in the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. In this study, we constructed a DNA vaccine encoding GRA14 of T. gondii. BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly three times at 2 week intervals and challenged with T. gondii RH strain 5 weeks later. The immune responses were evaluated using lymphocyte proliferation assay, cytokine and antibody measurements. In addition, the survival times and parasite load of mice challenged with the virulent T. gondii RH strain were evaluated. The results showed that the mice immunized with pcGRA14 induced both enhanced specific humoral and Th1 cellular immune responses, and also mice immunized with the pcGRA14 showed an increased survival time and decreased parasite load compared with control groups (P<.05). The results indicated, for the first time, that the GRA14 is a potential DNA vaccine against toxoplasmosis.
The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019) provided systematic estimates of incidence, morbidity, and mortality to inform local and international efforts toward ...reducing cancer burden.
To estimate cancer burden and trends globally for 204 countries and territories and by Sociodemographic Index (SDI) quintiles from 2010 to 2019.
The GBD 2019 estimation methods were used to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2019 and over the past decade. Estimates are also provided by quintiles of the SDI, a composite measure of educational attainment, income per capita, and total fertility rate for those younger than 25 years. Estimates include 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).
In 2019, there were an estimated 23.6 million (95% UI, 22.2-24.9 million) new cancer cases (17.2 million when excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and 10.0 million (95% UI, 9.36-10.6 million) cancer deaths globally, with an estimated 250 million (235-264 million) DALYs due to cancer. Since 2010, these represented a 26.3% (95% UI, 20.3%-32.3%) increase in new cases, a 20.9% (95% UI, 14.2%-27.6%) increase in deaths, and a 16.0% (95% UI, 9.3%-22.8%) increase in DALYs. Among 22 groups of diseases and injuries in the GBD 2019 study, cancer was second only to cardiovascular diseases for the number of deaths, years of life lost, and DALYs globally in 2019. Cancer burden differed across SDI quintiles. The proportion of years lived with disability that contributed to DALYs increased with SDI, ranging from 1.4% (1.1%-1.8%) in the low SDI quintile to 5.7% (4.2%-7.1%) in the high SDI quintile. While the high SDI quintile had the highest number of new cases in 2019, the middle SDI quintile had the highest number of cancer deaths and DALYs. From 2010 to 2019, the largest percentage increase in the numbers of cases and deaths occurred in the low and low-middle SDI quintiles.
The results of this systematic analysis suggest that the global burden of cancer is substantial and growing, with burden differing by SDI. These results provide comprehensive and comparable estimates that can potentially inform efforts toward equitable cancer control around the world.
Azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus (ARAf), reported as a global public health concern, has been unexpectedly observed in different countries.
To identify ARAf and detect azole resistance related ...to the CYP51A mutation in different hospital environmental samples.
In this multi-centre study from Iran, surfaces of electronic equipment and appliances from different hospitals in Iran were sampled using cotton swabs. All samples were cultured using azole-containing agar plates (ACAPs). Recovered Aspergillus isolates were identified at the species level using partial DNA sequencing of the β-tubulin gene. The azole susceptibility testing of A. fumigatus isolates was performed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A3 guideline. The sequencing of the CYP51A gene was also performed to detect mutations related to resistance.
Out of the 693 collected samples, 89 (12.8%) Aspergillus species were recovered from ACAPs. Aspergillus fumigatus (41.6%) was the most prevalent, followed by A. tubingensis (23.6%) and A. niger (15.6%). Among 37 isolates of A. fumigatus, 19 (51.3%) showed high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to at least one of the three azoles, voriconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole. CYP51A polymorphisms were detected in all 19 isolates, of which 52.6% showed the TR34/L98H mutation. Other detected mutations were G432C, G448S, G54E/G138C, F46Y, and Y121F/M220I/D255E. T289F and G432C were the first reported mutations in ARAf.
There was a considerable level of azole resistance in hospital environmental samples, a serious warning for patients vulnerable to aspergillosis. Our findings have also revealed a different mutation pattern in the CYP51A gene.
Given the projected trends in population ageing and population growth, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase. In addition, strong evidence has emerged supporting the importance ...of potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia. Characterising the distribution and magnitude of anticipated growth is crucial for public health planning and resource prioritisation. This study aimed to improve on previous forecasts of dementia prevalence by producing country-level estimates and incorporating information on selected risk factors.
We forecasted the prevalence of dementia attributable to the three dementia risk factors included in the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 (high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, and smoking) from 2019 to 2050, using relative risks and forecasted risk factor prevalence to predict GBD risk-attributable prevalence in 2050 globally and by world region and country. Using linear regression models with education included as an additional predictor, we then forecasted the prevalence of dementia not attributable to GBD risks. To assess the relative contribution of future trends in GBD risk factors, education, population growth, and population ageing, we did a decomposition analysis.
We estimated that the number of people with dementia would increase from 57·4 (95% uncertainty interval 50·4–65·1) million cases globally in 2019 to 152·8 (130·8–175·9) million cases in 2050. Despite large increases in the projected number of people living with dementia, age-standardised both-sex prevalence remained stable between 2019 and 2050 (global percentage change of 0·1% –7·5 to 10·8). We estimated that there were more women with dementia than men with dementia globally in 2019 (female-to-male ratio of 1·69 1·64–1·73), and we expect this pattern to continue to 2050 (female-to-male ratio of 1·67 1·52–1·85). There was geographical heterogeneity in the projected increases across countries and regions, with the smallest percentage changes in the number of projected dementia cases in high-income Asia Pacific (53% 41–67) and western Europe (74% 58–90), and the largest in north Africa and the Middle East (367% 329–403) and eastern sub-Saharan Africa (357% 323–395). Projected increases in cases could largely be attributed to population growth and population ageing, although their relative importance varied by world region, with population growth contributing most to the increases in sub-Saharan Africa and population ageing contributing most to the increases in east Asia.
Growth in the number of individuals living with dementia underscores the need for public health planning efforts and policy to address the needs of this group. Country-level estimates can be used to inform national planning efforts and decisions. Multifaceted approaches, including scaling up interventions to address modifiable risk factors and investing in research on biological mechanisms, will be key in addressing the expected increases in the number of individuals affected by dementia.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gates Ventures.
The global burden of lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and corresponding risk factors in children older than 5 years and adults has not been studied as comprehensively as it has been in children ...younger than 5 years. We assessed the burden and trends of LRIs and risk factors across all age groups by sex, for 204 countries and territories.
In this analysis of data for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we used clinician-diagnosed pneumonia or bronchiolitis as our case definition for LRIs. We included International Classification of Diseases 9th edition codes 079.6, 466–469, 470.0, 480–482.8, 483.0–483.9, 484.1–484.2, 484.6–484.7, and 487–489 and International Classification of Diseases 10th edition codes A48.1, A70, B97.4–B97.6, J09–J15.8, J16–J16.9, J20–J21.9, J91.0, P23.0–P23.4, and U04–U04.9. We used the Cause of Death Ensemble modelling strategy to analyse 23 109 site-years of vital registration data, 825 site-years of sample vital registration data, 1766 site-years of verbal autopsy data, and 681 site-years of mortality surveillance data. We used DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, to analyse age–sex-specific incidence and prevalence data identified via systematic reviews of the literature, population-based survey data, and claims and inpatient data. Additionally, we estimated age–sex-specific LRI mortality that is attributable to the independent effects of 14 risk factors.
Globally, in 2019, we estimated that there were 257 million (95% uncertainty interval UI 240–275) LRI incident episodes in males and 232 million (217–248) in females. In the same year, LRIs accounted for 1·30 million (95% UI 1·18–1·42) male deaths and 1·20 million (1·07–1·33) female deaths. Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates were 1·17 times (95% UI 1·16–1·18) and 1·31 times (95% UI 1·23–1·41) greater in males than in females in 2019. Between 1990 and 2019, LRI incidence and mortality rates declined at different rates across age groups and an increase in LRI episodes and deaths was estimated among all adult age groups, with males aged 70 years and older having the highest increase in LRI episodes (126·0% 95% UI 121·4–131·1) and deaths (100·0% 83·4–115·9). During the same period, LRI episodes and deaths in children younger than 15 years were estimated to have decreased, and the greatest decline was observed for LRI deaths in males younger than 5 years (–70·7% –77·2 to –61·8). The leading risk factors for LRI mortality varied across age groups and sex. More than half of global LRI deaths in children younger than 5 years were attributable to child wasting (population attributable fraction PAF 53·0% 95% UI 37·7–61·8 in males and 56·4% 40·7–65·1 in females), and more than a quarter of LRI deaths among those aged 5–14 years were attributable to household air pollution (PAF 26·0% 95% UI 16·6–35·5 for males and PAF 25·8% 16·3–35·4 for females). PAFs of male LRI deaths attributed to smoking were 20·4% (95% UI 15·4–25·2) in those aged 15–49 years, 30·5% (24·1–36·9) in those aged 50–69 years, and 21·9% (16·8–27·3) in those aged 70 years and older. PAFs of female LRI deaths attributed to household air pollution were 21·1% (95% UI 14·5–27·9) in those aged 15–49 years and 18·2% (12·5–24·5) in those aged 50–69 years. For females aged 70 years and older, the leading risk factor, ambient particulate matter, was responsible for 11·7% (95% UI 8·2–15·8) of LRI deaths.
The patterns and progress in reducing the burden of LRIs and key risk factors for mortality varied across age groups and sexes. The progress seen in children younger than 5 years was clearly a result of targeted interventions, such as vaccination and reduction of exposure to risk factors. Similar interventions for other age groups could contribute to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals targets, including promoting wellbeing at all ages and reducing health inequalities. Interventions, including addressing risk factors such as child wasting, smoking, ambient particulate matter pollution, and household air pollution, would prevent deaths and reduce health disparities.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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