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Sykes AL, Larrieu E, Poggio TV, Céspedes MG, Mujica GB, Basáñez MG, Prada JM. Modelling diagnostics for Echinococcus granulosus surveillance in sheep using Latent Class Analysis: Argentina as a case study. One Health 2022; 14:100359. [PMID: 34977321 PMCID: PMC8683760 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato is a globally prevalent zoonotic parasitic cestode leading to cystic echinococcosis (CE) in both humans and sheep with both medical and financial impacts, whose reduction requires the application of a One Health approach to its control. Regarding the animal health component of this approach, lack of accurate and practical diagnostics in livestock impedes the assessment of disease burden and the implementation and evaluation of control strategies. We use of a Bayesian Latent Class Analysis (LCA) model to estimate ovine CE prevalence in sheep samples from the Río Negro province of Argentina accounting for uncertainty in the diagnostics. We use model outputs to evaluate the performance of a novel recombinant B8/2 antigen B subunit (rEgAgB8/2) indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting E. granulosus in sheep. Necropsy (as a partial gold standard), western blot (WB) and ELISA diagnostic data were collected from 79 sheep within two Río Negro slaughterhouses, and used to estimate individual infection status (assigned as a latent variable within the model). Using the model outputs, the performance of the novel ELISA at both individual and flock levels was evaluated, respectively, using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and simulating a range of sample sizes and prevalence levels within hypothetical flocks. The estimated (mean) prevalence of ovine CE was 27.5% (95%Bayesian credible interval (95%BCI): 13.8%-58.9%) within the sample population. At the individual level, the ELISA had a mean sensitivity and specificity of 55% (95%BCI: 46%-68%) and 68% (95%BCI: 63%-92%), respectively, at an optimal optical density (OD) threshold of 0.378. At the flock level, the ELISA had an 80% probability of correctly classifying infection at an optimal cut-off threshold of 0.496. These results suggest that the novel ELISA could play a useful role as a flock-level diagnostic for CE surveillance in the region, supplementing surveillance activities in the human population and thus strengthening a One Health approach. Importantly, selection of ELISA cut-off threshold values must be tailored according to the epidemiological situation.
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Key Words
- Argentina
- BCI, Bayesian Credible Interval
- Bayesian inference
- CE, Cystic Echinococcosis
- CI, Confidence Interval
- DALY, Disability-adjusted life year
- Diagnostics
- ELISA, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Echinococcosis
- JAGS, Just Another Gibbs Sampler
- LCA, Latent class analysis
- Latent class analysis
- MCAR, Missing completely at random
- MCMC, Markov Chain Monte Carlo
- OD, Optical density
- ROC, Receiver Operating Characteristic
- SD, Standard deviation
- Surveillance
- USD, United States Dollar
- WB, Western blot
- WHO, World Health Organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abagael L. Sykes
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research and MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Edmundo Larrieu
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, General Pico, Argentina
- Escuela de Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Choele Choel, Argentina
| | | | | | | | - Maria-Gloria Basáñez
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research and MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Joaquin M. Prada
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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Abd-Alrazaq AA, Alajlani M, Alhuwail D, Erbad A, Giannicchi A, Shah Z, Hamdi M, Househ M. Blockchain technologies to mitigate COVID-19 challenges: A scoping review. Comput Methods Programs Biomed Update 2020; 1:100001. [PMID: 34337586 PMCID: PMC7734436 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpbup.2020.100001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Background: As public health strategists and policymakers explore different approaches to lessen the devastating effects of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), blockchain technology has emerged as a resource that can be utilized in numerous ways. Many blockchain technologies have been proposed or implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, to the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive reviews have been conducted to uncover and summarise the main feature of these technologies. Objective: This study aims to explore proposed or implemented blockchain technologies used to mitigate the COVID-19 challenges as reported in the literature. Methods: We conducted a scoping review in line with guidelines of PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). To identify relevant studies, we searched 11 bibliographic databases (e.g., EMBASE and MEDLINE) and conducted backward and forward reference list checking of the included studies and relevant reviews. The study selection and data extraction were conducted by 2 reviewers independently. Data extracted from the included studies was narratively summarised and described. Results: 19 of 225 retrieved studies met eligibility criteria in this review. The included studies reported 10 used cases of blockchain to mitigate COVID-19 challenges; the most prominent use cases were contact tracing and immunity passports. While the blockchain technology was developed in 10 studies, its use was proposed in the remaining 9 studies. The public blockchain technology was the most commonly utilized type in the included studies. All together, 8 different consensus mechanisms were used in the included studies. Out of 10 studies that identified the used platform, 9 studies used Ethereum to run the blockchain. Solidity was the most prominent programming language used in developing blockchain technology in the included studies. The transaction cost was reported in only 4 of the included studies and varied between USD 10-10 and USD 5. The expected latency and expected scalability were not identified in the included studies. Conclusion: Blockchain technologies are expected to play an integral role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Many possible applications of blockchain were found in this review; however, most of them are not mature enough to reveal their expected impact in the fight against COVID-19. We encourage governments, health authorities, and policymakers to consider all blockchain applications suggested in the current review to combat COVID-19 challenges. There is a pressing need to empirically examine how effective blockchain technologies are in mitigating COVID-19 challenges. Further studies are required to assess the performance of blockchain technologies' fight against COVID-19 in terms of transaction cost, scalability, and/or latency when using different consensus algorithms, platforms, and access types.
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Key Words
- 2019-nCov
- Blockchain
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, Novel coronavirus disease
- DAG, Direct Acyclic Graph
- DPoS, Proof of Location
- Novel coronavirus
- PRISMA-ScR, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extention for Scoping Reviews
- PlBFT, Plenum Byzantine Fault Tolerance
- PoA, Proof of Authority
- PoS, Proof of Stake
- PoW, Proof of Work
- PrBFT, Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance
- SARS-CoV-2
- SARS-CoV-2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
- USD, United States Dollar
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa A Abd-Alrazaq
- Division of Information and Computing Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- Institute of Digital Healthcare, University of Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - Mohannad Alajlani
- Institute of Digital Healthcare, University of Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - Dari Alhuwail
- Information Science Department, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait
- Health Informatics Unit, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait
| | - Aiman Erbad
- Division of Information and Computing Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Anna Giannicchi
- Behavioral Health Services and Policy Research Department, New York State Psychiatric Institute, United States
| | - Zubair Shah
- Division of Information and Computing Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mounir Hamdi
- Division of Information and Computing Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mowafa Househ
- Division of Information and Computing Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
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Kumar P, Hama S, Omidvarborna H, Sharma A, Sahani J, Abhijith KV, Debele SE, Zavala-Reyes JC, Barwise Y, Tiwari A. Temporary reduction in fine particulate matter due to 'anthropogenic emissions switch-off' during COVID-19 lockdown in Indian cities. Sustain Cities Soc 2020; 62:102382. [PMID: 32834936 PMCID: PMC7357527 DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2020.102382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic elicited a global response to limit associated mortality, with social distancing and lockdowns being imposed. In India, human activities were restricted from late March 2020. This 'anthropogenic emissions switch-off' presented an opportunity to investigate impacts of COVID-19 mitigation measures on ambient air quality in five Indian cities (Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai), using in-situ measurements from 2015 to 2020. For each year, we isolated, analysed and compared fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration data from 25 March to 11 May, to elucidate the effects of the lockdown. Like other global cities, we observed substantial reductions in PM2.5 concentrations, from 19 to 43% (Chennai), 41-53% (Delhi), 26-54% (Hyderabad), 24-36% (Kolkata), and 10-39% (Mumbai). Generally, cities with larger traffic volumes showed greater reductions. Aerosol loading decreased by 29% (Chennai), 11% (Delhi), 4% (Kolkata), and 1% (Mumbai) against 2019 data. Health and related economic impact assessments indicated 630 prevented premature deaths during lockdown across all five cities, valued at 0.69 billion USD. Improvements in air quality may be considered a temporary lockdown benefit as revitalising the economy could reverse this trend. Regulatory bodies must closely monitor air quality levels, which currently offer a baseline for future mitigation plans.
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Key Words
- AOD, aerosol optical depth
- AQI, air quality index
- Air pollution
- CO, carbon monoxide
- CO2, carbon dioxide
- COVID-19, Coronavirus disease 2019
- Coronavirus pandemic
- EPA, Environmental Protection Agency
- ER, excess risk
- ESA, European Space Agency
- Emission switch-off
- GEV, generalized extreme value
- GoI, Government of India
- HB, health burden
- Health and economic impacts
- MODIS, moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer
- MSL, mean sea level
- NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- NH3, ammonia
- NO2, nitrogen dioxide
- O3, ozone
- PDF, probability density function
- PM, particulate matter
- PM10, PM with aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 10 μm
- PM2.5 concentration
- PM2.5, PM with aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5 μm
- RH, relative humidity
- RR, relative risk
- SARS-CoV-2 Virus
- SARS-CoV-2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
- SO2, sulphur dioxide
- SSEC, Space Science and Engineering Centre
- TROPOMI, TROPOspheric monitoring instrument
- UK, United Kingdom
- USA, United States of America
- USD, United States Dollar
- VSL, value of statistical life
- WHO, World Health Organization
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Kumar
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Sarkawt Hama
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Hamid Omidvarborna
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Ashish Sharma
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Jeetendra Sahani
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - K V Abhijith
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Sisay E Debele
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Juan C Zavala-Reyes
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Yendle Barwise
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Arvind Tiwari
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Gunshot wounds to the hip region are likely to cause complex peritrochanteric fracture. The fracture patterns are often highly comminuted and accompanied by injuries to local structures and abdominal viscera. Our case series analyses 25 orthopaedic procedures performed. The overall union rate for primary fixation was 66%. Two patients underwent revision surgery for failed primary fixation. Two cases where fixation had failed were revised to total hip replacement successfully. These types of injuries present a formidable challenge. Preservation of the femoral head should be prioritised to avoid arthroplasty. Long-term follow-up is necessary in assessing the success of these procedures.
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Ahmad A, Mishra RK, Vyawahare A, Kumar A, Rehman MU, Qamar W, Khan AQ, Khan R. Thymoquinone (2-Isoprpyl-5-methyl-1, 4-benzoquinone) as a chemopreventive/anticancer agent: Chemistry and biological effects. Saudi Pharm J 2019; 27:1113-26. [PMID: 31885471 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains the topmost disorders of the mankind and number of cases is unceasingly growing at unprecedented rates. Although the synthetic anti-cancer compounds still hold the largest market in the modern treatment of cancer, natural agents have always been tried and tested for potential anti-cancer properties. Thymoquinone (TQ), a monoterpene and main ingredient in the essential oil of Nigella sativa L. has got very eminent rankings in the traditional systems of medicine for its anti-cancer pharmacological properties. In this review we summarized the diverse aspects of TQ including its chemistry, biosynthesis, sources and pharmacological properties with a major concern being attributed to its anti-cancer efficacies. The role of TQ in different aspects involved in the pathogenesis of cancer like inflammation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, proliferation, invasion and migration have been described. The mechanism of action of TQ in different cancer types has been briefly accounted. Other safety and toxicological aspects and some combination therapies involving TQ have also been touched. A detailed literature search was carried out using various online search engines like google scholar and pubmed regarding the available research and review accounts on thymoquinone upto may 2019. All the articles reporting significant addition to the activities of thymoquinone were selected. Additional information was acquired from ethno botanical literature focusing on thymoquinone. The compound has been the centre of attention for a long time period and researched regularly in quite considerable numbers for its various physicochemical, medicinal, biological and pharmacological perspectives. Thymoquinone is studied for various chemical and pharmacological activities and demonstrated promising anti-cancer potential. The reviewed reports confirmed the strong anti-cancer efficacy of thymoquinone. Further in-vitro and in-vivo research is strongly warranted regarding the complete exploration of thymoquinone in ethnopharmacological context.
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Key Words
- AMPK, AMP-activated protein kinase
- APC, adenomatous polyposis coli
- Anti-cancer therapeutics
- CDDP, cisplatin
- CDKs, cyclin-dependent kinases
- EMT, epithelial to mesenchymal transition
- FGFs, fibroblast growth factors
- FTIR, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy
- GBM, glioblastoma multiforme
- HPDE, human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells
- IUPAC, international union of pure and applied chemistry
- LKB1, liver kinase B1
- LPS, lipopolysaccharide
- MC-A, myrtucommulone-A
- NLCs, nanostructured lipid carriers
- NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance
- NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Natural compounds
- OEC, oral epithelial cells
- PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen
- PXRD, powder x-ray diffraction
- Phytopharmaceuticals
- Plant products
- RES, resveratrol
- RNS, reactive nitrogen species
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- SCLC, small cell lung carcinoma
- SLNs, solid lipid nanoparticles
- THQ, thymohydroquinone
- TMZ, temozolomide
- TNBC, triple negative breast cancer
- TNFα, tumor necrosis factor alpha
- TQ, thymoquinone
- Thymoquinone
- UMSCC, university of Michigan squamous cell carcinoma
- USD, United States Dollar
- VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor
- WHO, world health organization
- XIAP, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein
- eEF-2K, elongation factor 2 kinase
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