Perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 among community members of low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: Risk perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are considered important as they impact community health behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 and to assess the factors associated with such risk perceptions among community members in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia, and South America. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 LMICs in Africa, Asia, and South America from February to May 2021. A questionnaire was utilized to assess the perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 and its plausible determinants. A logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with such risk perceptions. Results: A total of 1,646 responses were included in the analysis of the perceived risk of becoming infected and dying from COVID-19. Our data suggested that 36.4% of participants had a high perceived risk of COVID-19 infection, while only 22.4% had a perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. Being a woman, working in healthcare-related sectors, contracting pulmonary disease, knowing people in the immediate social environment who are or have been infected with COVID-19, as well as seeing or reading about individuals infected with COVID-19 on social media or TV were all associated with a higher perceived risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. In addition, being a woman, elderly, having heart disease and pulmonary disease, knowing people in the immediate social environment who are or have been infected with COVID-19, and seeing or reading about individuals infected with COVID-19 on social media or TV had a higher perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. Conclusions: The perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 are relatively low among respondents; this suggests the need to conduct health campaigns to disseminate knowledge and information on the ongoing pandemic

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from microalgae Isochrysis galbana and Nannochloropsis oculata

The present work is carried out to evaluate potential applications of aqueous extracts of two microalgae Isochrysis galbana (PEA) and Nannochloropsis oculata (PEB) containing mainly polysaccharides. The monosaccharide composition of microalgal extracts was determined. GC–MS analyses after derivatization show that glucose is the major compound in both microalgae PEA (56.88 %) and PEB (68.23 %). Mannitol (38.8 %) and inositol (20.32 %) are respectively the second major compounds in PEA and PEB. Silylation of monosaccharides allows the determination of sorbitol that attained 3.38 % in PEB. The determination of antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties were also analyzed. Antioxidant activity was evaluated from the DPPH scavenging activity. PEA and PEB show a concentration dépendent DPPH·radical scavenging activity. At concentration of 10 mg/mL, both PEA and PEB exhibit an antioxidant activity of 41.45 and 59.07 %, respectively. PEB and PEA are able to inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria, Grampositive bacteria and three Candida species. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated on human HeLa cervical cancer cells. HeLa cell proliferation was totally inhibited after treatment with PEA and PEB (1 mg/mL) and the inhibition was dose dependent (from 0.031 to 1 mg/mL). Their anticholinesterase activity was also investigated against butyrylcholinesterase enzymes. These polysaccharides possess interesting antimicrobial, anticancer and anticholinesterase activities that could represent an additional value for these microalgal products. -- Keywords : algae ; DPPH ; cytotoxic activity ; antimicrobial activity ; polysaccharides ; GC-MS

Antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and anticholinesterase activities of water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from microalgae Isochrysis galbana and Nannochloropsis oculata

The present work is carried out to evaluate potential applications of aqueous extracts of two microalgae Isochrysis galbana (PEA) and Nannochloropsis oculata (PEB) containing mainly polysaccharides. The monosaccharide composition of microalgal extracts was determined. GC–MS analyses after derivatization show that glucose is the major compound in both microalgae PEA (56.88 %) and PEB (68.23 %). Mannitol (38.8 %) and inositol (20.32 %) are respectively the second major compounds in PEA and PEB. Silylation of monosaccharides allows the determination of sorbitol that attained 3.38 % in PEB. The determination of antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties were also analyzed. Antioxidant activity was evaluated from the DPPH scavenging activity. PEA and PEB show a concentration dependent DPPH·radical scavenging activity. At concentration of 10 mg/mL, both PEA and PEB exhibit an antioxidant activity of 41.45 and 59.07 %, respectively. PEB and PEA are able to inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria, Grampositive bacteria and three Candida species. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated on human HeLa cervical cancer cells. HeLa cell proliferation was totally inhibited after treatment with PEA and PEB (1 mg/mL) and the inhibition was dose dependent (from 0.031 to 1 mg/mL). Their anticholinesterase activity was also investigated against butyrylcholinesterase enzymes. These polysaccharides possess interesting antimicrobial, anticancer and anticholinesterase activities that could represent an additional value for these microalgal products

Application of APTES-Anti-E-cadherin film for early cancer monitoring

International audienc

Development of a New Integrated Easy to Use Micro-electrochemical Platform for Food Analysis and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Detection

A new electrochemical platform was established during this work for food diagnosis and carrying on tests in situ for the detection of different toxin species. It has the advantage to be easy to use, portable and can help to conduct such tests in a very specific way, instantly and doesn't require expensive equipments or laborious experiments. This entire platform is based on combining an electronic portable system with home manufactured screen printed sensors, and running both cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques for electro analytical experiments. The detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin type B will be carried as an application in order to validate the well performance of this electrochemical workstation

Essential Oils and Biological Activities of <i>Eucalyptus falcata</i>, <i>E. sideroxylon</i> and <i>E. citriodora</i> Growing in Tunisia

Many plants are able to synthesize essential oils (EOs), which play key roles in defense against weeds, fungi and pests. This study aims to analyze the chemical composition and to highlight the antioxidant, antimicrobial and phytotoxic properties of the EOs from Eucalyptus falcata, E. sideroxylon and E. citriodora growing in Tunisia. EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and their antioxidant properties were determined by total antioxidant capacity (TAC), DPPH and ABTS assays. The phytotoxic potential was assessed against weeds (Sinapis arvensis, Phalaris canariensis) and durum wheat crop (Triticum durum) and compared to chemical herbicide glyphosate. The antifungal activity was investigated in vitro against eight target fungal strains. All EOs displayed a specific richness in oxygenated monoterpenes (51.3–90%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (4.8–29.4%), and 1,8-cineole, citronellal, citronellol, trans-pinocarveol, globulol, spathulenol and citronellyl acetate were the main constituents. Eucalyptus EOs exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity and E. citriodora oil exhibited significant activity when compared with E. falcata and E. sideroxylon EOs. The phytotoxic potential of the tested oils had different efficacy on seed germination and the growth of seedlings and varied among tested herbs and their chemical composition variability. Their effectiveness was better than that of glyphosate. At the post-emergence stage, symptoms of chlorosis and necrosis were observed. Furthermore, a decrease in chlorophyll and relative water content, electrolyte leakage and high levels of MDA and proline were indicators of the oxidative effects of EOs and their effectiveness as bioherbicides. Moreover, all the EOs exhibited moderate fungitoxic properties against all the tested fungal strains. Therefore, according to the obtained results, Eucalyptus EOs could have potential application as natural pesticides

Characterisation of electrochemical immunosensor for detection of viable not-culturable forms of Legionellla pneumophila in water samples

International audienceLegionella pneumophila may cause a fatal pneumonia in humans known as Legionnaires’ disease (LD). The strategies of L. pneumophila to adapt to and resist stressful environmental conditions include the ability to enter into a VBNC (viable but not culturable) state. The detection of L. pneumophila in environmental samples benefits from the use of standardised methods: for detection and enumeration following membrane filtration (AFNOR T90-431, ISO 11731) and detection and quantification by polymerase chain reaction PCR (AFNOR T90-471, ISO 12869). Culture is hampered by its inability to detect VBNC forms and PCR is unable to discriminate between live and dead bacteria. The present immunosensor was obtained by the immobilisation of a monoclonal anti-L. pneumophila antibody (MAb) on an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode by the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) method using an aminosilane. The immunosensor was characterised by wettability (contact angle measurement), atomic force microscopy (AFM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A limit of detection of 10 bacteria per mL was observed on artificial samples

Treatment and long-term outcome in primary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

Background: Primary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a rare disorder and little is known about treatment practices and long-term outcome. Methods: Paediatric and adult nephrologists contacted through European professional organizations entered data in an online form. Results: Data were collected on 315 patients (22 countries, male 84%, adults 35%). Mutation testing had been performed in 270 (86%); pathogenic variants were identified in 258 (96%). The median (range) age at diagnosis was 0.6 (0.0-60) years and at last follow-up 14.0 (0.1-70) years. In adults, height was normal with a mean (standard deviation) score of -0.39 (±1.0), yet there was increased prevalence of obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m2; 41% versus 16% European average; P < 0.001). There was also increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage ≥2 in children (32%) and adults (48%). Evidence of flow uropathy was present in 38%. A higher proportion of children than adults (85% versus 54%; P < 0.001) received medications to reduce urine output. Patients ≥25 years were less likely to have a university degree than the European average (21% versus 35%; P = 0.003) but full-time employment was similar. Mental health problems, predominantly attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (16%), were reported in 36% of patients. Conclusion: This large NDI cohort shows an overall favourable outcome with normal adult height and only mild to moderate CKD in most. Yet, while full-time employment was similar to the European average, educational achievement was lower, and more than half had urological and/or mental health problems