Very little influenza in the WHO European Region during the 2020/21 season, weeks 40 2020 to 8 2021

Between weeks 40 2020 and 8 2021, the World Health Organization European Region experienced a 99.8% reduction in sentinel influenza virus positive detections (33/25,606 tested; 0.1%) relative to an average of 14,966/39,407 (38.0%; p < 0.001) over the same time in the previous six seasons. COVID-19 pandemic public health and physical distancing measures may have extinguished the 2020/21 European seasonal influenza epidemic with just a few sporadic detections of all viral subtypes. This might possibly continue during the remainder of the influenza season.ECDC and WHO internal fundsS

Capacity of Public Health Surveillance to Comply with Revised International Health Regulations, USA

Most states have the reporting capacity to comply

Gemini GMOS and WHT SAURON integral-field spectrograph observations of the AGN driven outflow in NGC 1266

We use the SAURON and GMOS integral field spectrographs to observe the active galactic nucleus (AGN) powered outflow in NGC 1266. This unusual galaxy is relatively nearby (D=30 Mpc), allowing us to investigate the process of AGN feedback in action. We present maps of the kinematics and line strengths of the ionised gas emission lines Halpha, Hbeta, [OIII], [OI], [NII] and [SII], and report on the detection of Sodium D absorption. We use these tracers to explore the structure of the source, derive the ionised and atomic gas kinematics and investigate the gas excitation and physical conditions. NGC 1266 contains two ionised gas components along most lines of sight, tracing the ongoing outflow and a component closer to the galaxy systemic, the origin of which is unclear. This gas appears to be disturbed by a nascent AGN jet. We confirm that the outflow in NGC 1266 is truly multiphase, containing radio plasma, atomic, molecular and ionised gas and X-ray emitting plasma. The outflow has velocities up to \pm900 km/s away from the systemic velocity, and is very likely to be removing significant amounts of cold gas from the galaxy. The LINER-like line-emission in NGC 1266 is extended, and likely arises from fast shocks caused by the interaction of the radio jet with the ISM. These shocks have velocities of up to 800 km/s, which match well with the observed velocity of the outflow. Sodium D equivalent width profiles are used to set constraints on the size and orientation of the outflow. The ionised gas morphology correlates with the nascent radio jets observed in 1.4 GHz and 5 GHz continuum emission, supporting the suggestion that an AGN jet is providing the energy required to drive the outflow.Comment: Contains 18 figures. Accepted to MNRA

The IMPROVE guidelines (Ischaemia Models: Procedural Refinements Of in Vivo Experiments)

Most in vivo models of ischaemic stroke target the middle cerebral artery and a spectrum of stroke severities, from mild to substantial, can be achieved. This review describes opportunities to improve the in vivo modelling of ischaemic stroke and animal welfare. It provides a number of recommendations to minimise the level of severity in the most common rodent models of middle cerebral artery occlusion, while sustaining or improving the scientific outcomes. The recommendations cover basic requirements pre-surgery, selecting the most appropriate anaesthetic and analgesic regimen, as well as intraoperative and post-operative care. The aim is to provide support for researchers and animal care staff to refine their procedures and practices, and implement small incremental changes to improve the welfare of the animals used and to answer the scientific question under investigation. All recommendations are recapitulated in a summary poster (see supplementary information)

Arthritis is associated with high nutritional risk among older Canadian adults from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Abstract This study assessed the association between arthritis, functional impairment, and nutritional risk (NR). Cross-sectional data were from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a nationally representative sample of 45–85-year-old community-dwelling Canadians (n = 41,153). The abbreviated Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluating for Eating and Nutrition II (SCREEN II-AB) Questionnaire determined NR scores (continuous), and high NR (score < 38); the Older American Resources and Services scale measured functional impairment. NR scores and status (low/high) were modelled using multiple linear and logistic regressions, respectively. Analyses adjusted for demographic characteristics, functional impairment, and health (body mass index, self-rated general and mental health). Additional analyses stratified the models by functional impairment. People with arthritis had poorer NR scores (B: − 0.35, CI − 0.48, − 0.22; p < 0.05) and increased risks of high NR (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06, 1.17). Among those with functional impairment, the likelihood of high NR was 31% higher in people with arthritis compared to those without arthritis (95% CI 1.12, 1.53). Among those with no functional impairment, the likelihood of high NR was 10% higher in people with arthritis compared to those without (95% CI 1.04, 1.16). These relationships differed based on the type of arthritis. Arthritis is associated with high NR in community-dwelling older adults, both with and without functional impairment. Findings highlight the need for further research on these relationships to inform interventions and improve clinical practices

New Strategy to Monitor and Assess Laboratory Biosafety Programs

Laboratory biosafety -- a component of biosecurity -- has elements that comprise a facility‰Ûªs capability to protect employees and the surrounding public and environment. Six logic models comprising a laboratory biosafety program (LPBs) were established: laboratory biosafety, biosurety, procedural, biocontainment, information security, and training. And 161 indicators were mapped to the logic model elements. These formed a toolset to monitor and evaluate LBPs. While evaluation of cost-impacts provides business intelligence for resource planning, this integrated approach also provides information about LBPs gaps

New Strategy to Monitor and Assess Laboratory Biosafety Programs

OBJECTIVE: To develop a toolset to monitor and assess laboratory biosafety program performance and cost INTRODUCTION: Laboratory biosafety – a component of biosecurity – has specific elements that together, comprise a facility’s capability to both protect employees and the surrounding public and environment. Measuring these elements permits assessment and the costing of program-specific safety interventions. In the absence of a strategy and toolset, we developed a conceptual framework and toolset that monitors and assesses laboratory biosafety programs (LBPs) and provides useful information (e.g., return on investment [ROI]) for decision makers. METHODS: We conducted academic and open source literature reviews of LBPs and affiliated organizations laboratory manuals to identify objectives, goals, and indicators. These findings were aligned to laboratory biosafety-specific inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes to create a strategic, conceptual framework (logic models) used to assess performance and measure the cost and ROI. Indicators were identified in existing literature or developed and mapped to the logic model elements. RESULTS: Six logic models were created: laboratory biosafety, biosurety, procedural, biocontainment, information security, and training. The laboratory biosafety logic model served as the overall framework for the remaining five sub-logic models. We also established a database containing 161 indicators mapped to each of the logic model elements. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a strategic framework that monitors and evaluates LBPs. While evaluation of cost-impacts in LBPs provides business intelligence for resource planning, this integrated approach also provides information about gaps. We plan to pilot this toolset and refine indicators using principal component analysis

Identification and Assessment of Public Health Surveillance Gaps under the IHR (2005)

OBJECTIVE: To conceive and develop a model to identify gaps in public health surveillance performance and provide a toolset to assess interventions, cost, and return on investment (ROI). INTRODUCTION: Under the revised International Health Regulations (IHR [2005]) one of the eight core capacities is public health surveillance. In May 2012, despite a concerted effort by the global community, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported out that a significant number of member states would not achieve targeted capacity in the IHR (2005) surveillance core capacity. Currently, there is no model to identify and measure these gaps in surveillance performance. Likewise, there is no toolset to assess interventions by cost and estimate the ROI. We developed a new conceptual framework that: (1) described the work practices to achieve effective and efficient public health surveillance; (2) could identify impediments or gaps in performance; and (3) will assist program managers in decision making. METHODS: Published articles and grey-literature reports, manuals and logic model examples were gathered through a literature review of PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and other databases. Logic models were conceived by categorizing discrete surveillance inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes. Indicators were selected from authoritative sources or developed and then mapped to the logic model elements. These indicators will be weighted using the principle component analysis (PCA), a method for enhanced precision of statistical analysis. Finally, on the front end of the tool, indicators will graphically measure the surveillance gap expressed through the tool’s architecture and provide information using an integrated cost-impact analysis. RESULTS: We developed five public health surveillance logic models: for IHR (2005) compliance; event-based; indicator-based; syndromic; and predictive surveillance domains. The IHR (2005) domain focused on national-level functionality, and the others described the complexities of their specific surveillance work practices. Indicators were then mapped and linked to all logic model elements. CONCLUSIONS: This new framework, intended for self-administration at the national and subnational levels, measured public health surveillance gaps in performance and provided cost and ROI information by intervention. The logic model framework and PCA methodology are tools that both describe work processes and define appropriate variables used for evaluation. However, both require real-world data. We recommend pilot testing and validation of this new framework. Once piloted, the framework could be adapted for the other IHR (2005) core capacities

Identification and Assessment of Public Health Surveillance Gaps under the IHR (2005)

We developed an interactive and comprehensive toolset useful to WHO member states to assess progress toward implementation of the surveillance core capacity under the IHR (2005). The tool will provide data to track progress in achieving effective and efficient public health surveillance. Further, the tool will enable decision makers to allocate resources so as to prioritize needs and assess ROI

Very little influenza in the WHO European Region during the 2020/21 season, weeks40 2020 to 8 2021

Between weeks40 2020 and 8 2021, the World Health Organization European Region experienced a 99.8% reduction in sentinel influenza virus positive detec-tions (33/25,606 tested; 0.1%) relative to an average of 14,966/39,407 (38.0%; p<0.001) over the same time in the previous six seasons. COVID-19 pandemic public health and physical distancing measures may have extinguished the 2020/21 European seasonal influenza epidemic with just a few sporadic detections of all viral subtypes. This might possibly continue dur-ing the remainder of the influenza season. We study features of influenza epidemiology in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region from week40 2020 to week8 2021, a period when in usual seasons the highest influenza activity (peak of seasonal epidemic) would be expected. Results are compared to those of the previous six seasons (2014/15-2019/20)