Summary
Since the emergence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) in 2012, there have been a number of clusters of human‐to‐human transmission. These cases of human‐to‐human ...transmission involve close contact and have occurred primarily in healthcare settings, and they are suspected to result from repeated zoonotic introductions. In this study, we sequenced whole MERS‐CoV genomes directly from respiratory samples collected from 23 confirmed MERS cases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These samples included cases from three nosocomial and three household clusters. The sequences were analysed for changes and relatedness with regard to the collected epidemiological data and other available MERS‐CoV genomic data. Sequence analysis supports the epidemiological data within the clusters, and further, suggests that these clusters emerged independently. To understand how and when these clusters emerged, respiratory samples were taken from dromedary camels, a known host of MERS‐CoV, in the same geographic regions as the human clusters. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus genomes from six virus‐positive animals were sequenced, and these genomes were nearly identical to those found in human patients from corresponding regions. These data demonstrate a genetic link for each of these clusters to a camel and support the hypothesis that human MERS‐CoV diversity results from multiple zoonotic introductions.
This study considered the impacts of diesel–soybean biodiesel blends mixed with 3% cerium coated zinc oxide (Ce-ZnO) nanoparticles on the performance, emission, and combustion characteristics of a ...single cylinder diesel engine. The fuel blends were prepared using 25% soybean biodiesel in diesel (SBME25). Ce-ZnO nanoparticle additives were blended with SBME25 at 25, 50, and 75 ppm using the ultrasonication process with a surfactant (Span 80) at 2 vol.% to enhance the stability of the blend. A variable compression ratio engine operated at a 19.5:1 compression ratio (CR) using these blends resulted in an improvement in overall engine characteristics. With 50 ppm Ce-ZnO nanoparticle additive in SBME25 (SBME25Ce-ZnO50), the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and heat release rate (HRR) increased by 20.66% and 18.1%, respectively; brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) by 21.81%; and the CO, smoke, and hydrocarbon (HC) decreased by 30%, 18.7%, and 21.5%, respectively, compared to SBME25 fuel operation. However, the oxides of nitrogen slightly rose for all the nanoparticle added blends. As such, 50 ppm of Ce-ZnO nanoparticle in the blend is a potent choice for the enhancement of engine performance, combustion, and emission characteristics.
In May 2015 in United Arab Emirates, asymptomatic Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection was identified through active case finding in 2 men with exposure to infected dromedaries. ...Epidemiologic and virologic findings suggested zoonotic transmission. Genetic sequences for viruses from the men and camels were similar to those for viruses recently detected in other countries.
We report synthesis of Spinel type magnesium ferrite (MgFe
2O
4) material by a simple, inexpensive combustion method with glycine as a fuel and their application as a gas sensor for reducing gases ...(LPG, Acetone, Ethanol, Ammonia). The dependence of reducing gas sensing properties on the structural and surface morphological properties has been studied as an effect of sintering temperatures. The structural and surface morphological properties were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The MgFe
2O
4 were highly oriented along (311) with the spinel type crystal structure. The SEM observation reveals that porous morphology decreases due to the grain growth as sintering temperature increases. The mechanism of reducing gas sensing by the MgFe
2O
4 pellets is explained on the basis of adsorbed oxygen on the sensor surface. The selectivity and maximum response of 71% to 2000 ppm of LPG was observed at 698 K with the (MgFe
2O
4) material sintered at 1173 K.
► Synthesis of MgFe
2O
4 by combustion method and reducing gas sensing properties. ► The influence of sintering temperature on the gas sensing properties of MgFe
2O
4. ► Improvement in selectivity of MgFe
2O
4 to LPG with sintering temperature. ► Potential ability of MgFe
2O
4 to detect different reducing gases.
Real-time and comfortable monitoring of the human breathing could allow identifying anomalies in the rhythm and waveform to be correlated with several pathologic disorders of respiratory and ...cardiovascular systems. A wireless sensor based on a flexible Kapton substrate, suitable to be stuck over the face skin like a plaster and provided with a graphene-oxide (GO) electrode, is here proposed for application to the monitoring of the moisture emitted during inhalations and exhalations. The GO-based electrode increases its dc resistance when exposed to humidity with a sensitivity of 60 Ω/RH. The device is compatible with the radiofrequency identification (RFID) standard in the UHF band. When used in battery-less mode, it can be read up to 60 cm. The RFID sensor has been successfully experimented in a measurement campaign involving 10 volunteers asked to reproduce a set of predefined normal and pathological breaths. The resulting resistance traces permit to well clusterize the breath patterns with respect to the respiration rate (extracted by a fast Fourier transform) and to the average peak variation of the sensor's resistance with an accuracy close to 90%.
Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the resilience of health systems in four governorates affected by conflict from 2014 to 2018, and to convey recommendations. Methods Health ...managers from Al Anbar, Ninawa, Salah al-Din, and Kirkuk governorates discussed resilience factors of Primary Health Care services affected by the 2014-2017 ISIS insurgency in focus groups, and general discussions. Additional information was gathered from key informants and a UNICEF health facility survey. Three specific aspects were examined: (1) meeting health needs in the immediate crisis response, (2) adaptation of services, (3) restructuring and recovery measures. Data from a MoH/UNICEF national health facility survey in 2017 were analyzed for functionality. Results There were many common themes across the four governorates, with local variations. (1) Absorption The shock to the public sector health services by the ISIS invasion caught health services in the four governorates unprepared, with limited abilities to continue to provide services. Private pharmacies and private clinics in some places withstood the initial shock better than the public sector. (2) Adaptation After the initial shock, many health facilities adapted by focusing on urgent needs for injury and communicable disease care. In most locations, maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) preventive and promotive PHC services stopped. Ill persons would sometimes consult health workers in their houses at night for security reasons. (3) Restructuring or transformative activities In most areas, health services recovery was continuing in 2020. Some heavily damaged facilities are still functioning, but below pre-crisis level. Rebuilding lost community trust in the public sector is proving difficult. Conclusion Health services generally had little preparation for and limited resilience to the ISIS influx. Governorates are still restructuring services after the liberation from ISIS in 2017. Disaster planning was identified by all participants as a missing component, as everyone anticipated future similar emergencies. Keywords: Iraq, ISIS, Conflict, Primary Health Care
To review the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in children in the UK.
Retrospective review of children treated for CHC in 3 ...UK paediatric specialist liver centres between 2005 and 2010. Data on viral response to treatment, demographic and clinical details were collected. Treatment outcome was assessed by the absence of detectable viral RNA in blood 24 weeks after treatment-sustained viral response (SVR).
75 children were included; 34 genotype 1; 39 genotypes 2 and 3; 2 genotype 4. Overall SVR was achieved in 54/71 (76%); 65% genotype 1; 89% genotypes 2 and 3; 100% genotype 4. Early response at 12 weeks was achieved in 53 and sustained in 47 (89%). Data on rapid response after 4 weeks of treatment were available in 25; 17/25 (68%) responded and 16 of these (94%) achieved SVR. IL28 T/T genotype was associated with higher SVR. There were no significant changes in weight and height z scores from baseline compared with 24 weeks post-treatment follow-up. No child discontinued treatment due to side effects, although 43 required dose modification. Treatment affected quality of life (QoL) in the initial 12 weeks of treatment, which improved by the end of treatment.
Children respond well to therapy for CHC. Treatment was tolerated with minimal impact on QoL and no significant effect on growth. Knowledge of viral and IL28 genotypes and early viral response is useful to plan treatment in children and provide appropriate counselling.
One third of heart failure patients exhibit dyssynchronized electromechanical activity of the heart (evidenced by a broad QRS-complex). Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in the form of ...biventricular pacing improves cardiac output and clinical outcome of responding patients. Technically demanding and laborious large animal models have been developed to better predict responders of CRT and to investigate molecular mechanisms of dyssynchrony and CRT. The aim of this study was to establish a first humanized in vitro model of dyssynchrony and CRT.
Cardiomyocytes were differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells and cast into a fibrin matrix to produce engineered heart tissue (EHT). EHTs were either field stimulated in their entirety (symmetrically) or excited locally from one end (asymmetrically) or they were allowed to beat spontaneously.
Asymmetrical pacing led to a depolarization wave from one end to the other end, which was visualized in human EHT transduced with a fast genetic Ca2+-sensor (GCaMP6f) arguing for dyssynchronous excitation. Symmetrical pacing in contrast led to an instantaneous (synchronized) Ca2+-signal throughout the EHT. To investigate acute and long-term functional effects, spontaneously beating human EHTs (0.5–0.8 Hz) were divided into a non-paced control group, a symmetrically and an asymmetrically paced group, each stimulated at 1 Hz. Symmetrical pacing was clearly superior to asymmetrical pacing or no pacing regarding contractile force both acutely and even more pronounced after weeks of continuous stimulation. Contractile dysfunction that can be evoked by an increased afterload was aggravated in the asymmetrically paced group. Consistent with reports from paced dogs, p38MAPK and CaMKII-abundance was higher under asymmetrical than under symmetrical pacing while pAKT was considerably lower.
This model allows for long-term pacing experiments mimicking electrical dyssynchrony vs. synchrony in vitro. Combined with force measurement and afterload stimulus manipulation, it provides a robust new tool to gain insight into the biology of dyssynchrony and CRT.
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•Cardiac electrical dyssynchrony can be modeled in vitro in engineered heart tissue.•Asymmetrically paced engineered heart tissue recapitulates important protein markers of cardiac dyssynchrony.•Asymmetrical vs. symmetrical pacing in vitro allows for studying synchrony in cardiomyocytes in an isolated manner.
Background
Evaluating the serum levels of IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and IL-6 and genotyping of rs12252 SNP of
IFITM3
gene among different categories of COVID-19 patients might aid in understanding the ...pathogenesis of COVID-19 and contribute to developing disease-specific biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study involving a total of 84 COVID-19 patients confirmed by positive RT-PCR and 28 healthy controls. COVID-19 patients were recruited from the intensive care unit (ICU) and COVID unit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka. COVID-19 patients were categorized into moderate, severe, and critically ill groups according to the World Health Organization classification. The serum IP-10, MCP-1, and MIP-1α levels were measured by cytometric bead array assay by flow cytometry, and serum IL-6 level was detected by the chemiluminescence method. rs12252 SNP of the
IFITM3
gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR RFLP).
Results
The serum IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and IL-6 levels among critically ill COVID-19 patients were significantly higher than that in patients with moderate disease and healthy controls (
p
< 0.001). Genotype distribution for rs12252 (42 T/C) SNP of the
IFITM3
gene between the different groups of COVID-19 patients and healthy controls showed that CC genotype was statistically associated with disease severity (
p
< 0.001).
Conclusions
IP-10 and MCP-1, MIP-α, IL-6, and CC genotype of rs12252 (42 T/C) SNP of
IFITM3
gene are associated with COVID-19 severity.
Botanical insecticides are relatively safe and degradable, and are readily available sources of biopesticides. The most prominent phytochemical pesticides in recent years are those derived from neem ...trees, which have been studied extensively in the fields of entomology and phytochemistry, and have uses for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The neem products have been obtained from several species of neem trees in the family Meliaceae. Six species in this family have been the subject of botanical pesticide research. They are Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Azadirachta excelsa Jack, Azadirachta siamens Valeton, Melia azedarach L., Melia toosendan Sieb. and Zucc., and Melia volkensii Gürke. The Meliaceae, especially A. indica (Indian neem tree), contains at least 35 biologically active principles. Azadirachtin is the predominant insecticidal active ingredient in the seed, leaves, and other parts of the neem tree. Azadirachtin and other compounds in neem products exhibit various modes of action against insects such as antifeedancy, growth regulation, fecundity suppression and sterilization, oviposition repellency or attractancy, changes in biological fitness, and blocking development of vector-borne pathogens. Some of these bioactivity parameters of neem products have been investigated at least in some species of insects of medical and veterinary importance, such as mosquitoes, flies, triatomines, cockroaches, fleas, lice, and others. Here we review, synthesize, and analyze published information on the activity, modes of action, and other biological effects of neem products against arthropods of medical and veterinary importance. The amount of information on the activity, use, and application of neem products for the control of disease vectors and human and animal pests is limited. Additional research is needed to determine the potential usefulness of neem products in vector control programs.
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