Public Education and Lyme Disease Prevention in Monroe County: A Multi-Faceted Program of Personal Protection Strategies, Tick Identification/Risk Assessment, Bi-directional Referrals, and Vector Control

The purpose of this paper is to share findings and results from a six-year Lyme disease (LD) prevention program in Monroe County, PA. LD is hyper-endemic among ticks in Monroe County and much of the Northeast. In May 1996, an initial survey of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA) established baseline data for tick densities and species, lifecycle occurrence, and infection rates. LD infection rates were extremely high, up to 63% of Ixodes species tested. Monroe County Vector Control (MCVC) has instituted an innovative prevention program. Community members bitten by ticks who seek medical care are referred to MCVC by their physicians. In some instances, community members bring samples directly to MCVC for tick identification and risk assessment, conducted using regression equations for duration of attachment (Falco et al., 1996; des Vignes et al, 2001). Each individual receives counseling, health education and, if necessary, prompt medical referral to prevent complications of LD. MCVC also conducts LD and tick seminars as requested by the community. Data is presented on the occurrence of ticks by life stage and gender, duration of tick attachment to humans, and health education techniques utilized. The low number of LD cases reported, relative to the number of LD positive ticks and tick bites, indicates that MCVC Lyme disease prevention strategies are successful. This model can be replicated in other region

What Seniors Say About West Nile Virus: The Threat is Not Over

Public health surveillance reports indicate that the recent rapid population increase among senior citizens is accompanied by a nationwide spread of West Nile virus (WNV), an emerging disease that poses a threat to the elderly. Information gathered from senior citizens in the County, showed that overall, 81.6% of seniors knew that WNV is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito; but only 63.2% knew that older adults have a higher risk of severe complications from WNV infection. A tailored health education outreach program, based on the health belief model and epidemiologic triad, was implemented to share about WNV infection prevention and control. This included the reduction of mosquito breeding and bites; improved use of personal protective measures for outdoor exposures at dusk and at night; and use of repellants. Because the threat of WNV is not over, it is important to keep seniors and other vulnerable populations involved in issues that affect their health, community, and environmen

PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO SARS-CoV-2 INFECTION: FROM DRUG REPOSITIONING FOR COVID-19 TREATMENT TO DISEASE ARREST/PREVENTION WITH MoAbs AND NOVEL ANTIVIRALS

COVID-19 disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of the major emergencies that have affected health care systems and society in recent decades. At the end of winter 2021-2022, the number of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and especially those suffering from severe COVID-19 is decreasing in Europe. This is due to the protective effect of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the increasing number of people who had COVID-19, thus developing a certain immunity. However, vaccines to prevent the disease did not appear until more than one year after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, so the initial medical approaches to control the disease focused on the existing drugs that were considered suitable for controlling the pathological events caused by the virus as far as was known at the time. Unfortunately, due in part to the limited initial knowledge of the molecular details of the pathology of COVID-19, many of the proposed drugs fell short of expectations and were abandoned. Over time, the challenge of understanding the mechanisms behind COVID-19 has generated a large body of knowledge about how this beta-coronavirus gains control of the host during infection, a knowledge that has been used to redefine treatment strategies by repurposing existing drugs and to explore new drugs. Here, we draw a picture of the major strategies and groups of drugs studied and provide a critical overview of their efficacy and safety based on the available literature data. The main topics covered are repurposed drugs, anticoagulants, anti-cytokine agents, monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and small antiviral molecules

Does Life Satisfaction Mediate the Association between Socioeconomic Status and Excessive Internet Use?

Excessive Internet use is becoming a rapidly increasing problem in today's society. Our aim was to assess the association between socioeconomic status (SES) of the family and excessive Internet use (EIU), and whether life satisfaction mediates this association. We analyzed data from a representative sample of 2844 Slovak adolescents (mean age 14.34, 50.5% boys) from the 2014 Health Behavior in School aged Children (HBSC) study, based on self-report questionnaires. We assessed the association of SES, measured by several indicators, such as perceived family wealth, parental education, and (un)employment, and adolescent EIU using linear regression, adding life satisfaction as a mediator. Adolescents whose father was unemployed and whose perceived family wealth was low tended to score higher on EIU. Neither gender nor age affected this relationship. Life satisfaction mediated a part of the association between SES and EIU in the case of low perceived family wealth and father's (un)employment. Adolescents with a low SES are more likely to become excessive Internet users, and life satisfaction mediates this association. Prevention of EIU among adolescents should be targeted at those with low SES, with life satisfaction being the topic to address

Adolescents exposed to discrimination:are they more prone to excessive internet use?

BACKGROUND: The Internet may serve as a suitable environment for discriminated adolescents as they may consider the online space as the place where they have possibility to build social ties they are missing in their offline life or manage their self-presentation. Therefore, our aim was to explore the association between different types of discrimination by peers (because of gender, physical appearance, culture/skin color/language, unfavorable family situation) and excessive Internet use (EIU), and whether gender moderates this association. METHODS: We used data from a representative sample of 6,462 Slovak adolescents (mean age: 13.00, 49.6% boys) from the HBSC study conducted in 2018. Data were collected through online self-reported questionnaires. We assessed the association between various types of discrimination by peers and EIU using linear regression, and the role of gender as potential moderator. RESULTS: Discrimination because of physical appearance was most prevalent (18.0%). Adolescents exposed to discrimination by peers reported higher levels of EIU. We found an interaction of gender on the association of discrimination because unfavorable family situation with EIU. Boys who experienced this type of discrimination were at higher risk of EIU compared to girls. CONCLUSION: Discriminated adolescents are more likely to use the Internet excessively, with some associations being stronger for boys than for girls. Prevention strategies focused on raising adolescent awareness of the risks and benefits of the Internet should target discriminated adolescents, especially boys, as they seem to be the vulnerable group

Quantum Interference: From Kaons to Neutrinos (with Quantum Beats in between)

Using the vehicle of resolving an apparent paradox, a discussion of quantum interference is presented. The understanding of a number of different physical phenomena can be unified, in this context. These range from the neutral kaon system to massive neutrinos, not to mention quantum beats, Rydberg wave packets, and neutron gravity.Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX, 3 figure

Structural Plasticity of the Semliki Forest Virus Glycome upon Interspecies Transmission

Cross-species viral transmission subjects parent and progeny alphaviruses to differential post-translational processing of viral envelope glycoproteins. Alphavirus biogenesis has been extensively studied, and the Semliki Forest virus E1 and E2 glycoproteins have been shown to exhibit differing degrees of processing of N-linked glycans. However the composition of these glycans, including that arising from different host cells, has not been determined. Here we determined the chemical composition of the glycans from the prototypic alphavirus, Semliki Forest virus, propagated in both arthropod and rodent cell lines, by using ion-mobility mass spectrometry and collision-induced dissociation analysis. We observe that both the membrane-proximal E1 fusion glycoprotein and the protruding E2 attachment glycoprotein display heterogeneous glycosylation that contains N-linked glycans exhibiting both limited and extensive processing. However, E1 contained predominantly highly processed glycans dependent on the host cell, with rodent and mosquito-derived E1 exhibiting complex-type and paucimannose-type glycosylation, respectively. In contrast, the protruding E2 attachment glycoprotein primarily contained conserved under-processed oligomannose-type structures when produced in both rodent and mosquito cell lines. It is likely that glycan processing of E2 is structurally restricted by steric-hindrance imposed by local viral protein structure. This contrasts E1, which presents glycans characteristic of the host cell and is accessible to enzymes. We integrated our findings with previous cryo-electron microscopy and crystallographic analyses to produce a detailed model of the glycosylated mature virion surface. Taken together, these data reveal the degree to which virally encoded protein structure and cellular processing enzymes shape the virion glycome during interspecies transmission of Semliki Forest virus

"I could do almost nothing without digital technology":a qualitative exploration of adolescents' perception of the risks and challenges of digital technology

BACKGROUND: The fast development of digital technology and of its use at even younger ages is significantly shaping the current generation of adolescents. This is leading to an almost unlimited accessibility that provides a large number of opportunities, but also to many challenges that adolescents have to face. The aim of our study was to explore the perceptions adolescents have of the risks of digital technology.METHODS: We conducted online semi-structured interviews as a part of the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. The sample consisted of 15 Slovak adolescents (mean age: 15.33; 20% boys). To analyse our data, we used consensual qualitative research and thematic analysis.FINDINGS: Our findings confirmed that adolescents are aware of the risks associated with the use of digital technology. Regarding their specific types of the perceived risks, we identified four main themes: 1. dependence on the functionality of technology; 2. problematic control; 3. vulnerability in the virtual environment; 4. health risks. Adolescents thus want technology that is functional, safe and does not endanger their health.CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that adolescents know of the risks they may experience due the digital technology, they still use it. Preventive strategies should focus on functionality, safety and healthiness; furthermore, they should support the constant development of adolescents' digital awareness and raising their awareness about effective and non-threating use of technology.</p

"I could do almost nothing without digital technology":a qualitative exploration of adolescents' perception of the risks and challenges of digital technology

BACKGROUND: The fast development of digital technology and of its use at even younger ages is significantly shaping the current generation of adolescents. This is leading to an almost unlimited accessibility that provides a large number of opportunities, but also to many challenges that adolescents have to face. The aim of our study was to explore the perceptions adolescents have of the risks of digital technology.METHODS: We conducted online semi-structured interviews as a part of the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. The sample consisted of 15 Slovak adolescents (mean age: 15.33; 20% boys). To analyse our data, we used consensual qualitative research and thematic analysis.FINDINGS: Our findings confirmed that adolescents are aware of the risks associated with the use of digital technology. Regarding their specific types of the perceived risks, we identified four main themes: 1. dependence on the functionality of technology; 2. problematic control; 3. vulnerability in the virtual environment; 4. health risks. Adolescents thus want technology that is functional, safe and does not endanger their health.CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that adolescents know of the risks they may experience due the digital technology, they still use it. Preventive strategies should focus on functionality, safety and healthiness; furthermore, they should support the constant development of adolescents' digital awareness and raising their awareness about effective and non-threating use of technology.</p

"I could do almost nothing without digital technology":a qualitative exploration of adolescents' perception of the risks and challenges of digital technology

BACKGROUND: The fast development of digital technology and of its use at even younger ages is significantly shaping the current generation of adolescents. This is leading to an almost unlimited accessibility that provides a large number of opportunities, but also to many challenges that adolescents have to face. The aim of our study was to explore the perceptions adolescents have of the risks of digital technology.METHODS: We conducted online semi-structured interviews as a part of the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. The sample consisted of 15 Slovak adolescents (mean age: 15.33; 20% boys). To analyse our data, we used consensual qualitative research and thematic analysis.FINDINGS: Our findings confirmed that adolescents are aware of the risks associated with the use of digital technology. Regarding their specific types of the perceived risks, we identified four main themes: 1. dependence on the functionality of technology; 2. problematic control; 3. vulnerability in the virtual environment; 4. health risks. Adolescents thus want technology that is functional, safe and does not endanger their health.CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that adolescents know of the risks they may experience due the digital technology, they still use it. Preventive strategies should focus on functionality, safety and healthiness; furthermore, they should support the constant development of adolescents' digital awareness and raising their awareness about effective and non-threating use of technology.</p