Risk Factors for Severe Cases of 2009 Influenza A (H1N1): A Case Control Study in Zhejiang Province, China

Few case control studies were conducted to explore risk factors for severe cases of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) with the mild cases as controls. Mild and severe cases of 2009 influenza A (H1N1), 230 cases each, were randomly selected from nine cities in Zhejiang Province, China, and unmatched case control study was conducted. This study found that it averagely took 5 days for the severe cases of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) to start antiviral therapy away from onset, 2 days later than mild cases. Having chronic underlying diseases and bad psychological health combined with chronic underlying diseases were two important risk factors for severe cases, and their OR values were 2.39 and 5.85 respectively. Timely anti-viral therapy was a protective factor for severe cases (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: [0.18–0.67]). In conclusion, psychological health education and intervention, as well as timely anti-viral therapy, could not be ignored in the prevention, control and treatment of 2009 influenza A (H1N1)

Model Independent Evolution of Transverse Momentum Dependent Distribution Functions (TMDs) at NNLL

We discuss the evolution of the eight leading twist transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions, which turns out to be universal and spin independent. By using the highest order perturbatively calculable ingredients at our disposal, we perform the resummation of the large logarithms that appear in the evolution kernel of transverse momentum distributions up to next-to-next-to-leading logarithms (NNLL), thus obtaining an expression for the kernel with highly reduced model dependence. Our results can also be obtained using the standard CSS approach when a particular choice of the $b^*$ prescription is used. In this sense, and while restricted to the perturbative domain of applicability, we consider our results as a "prediction" of the correct value of $b_{\rm max}$ which is very close to $1.5 {\rm GeV}^{-1}$. We explore under which kinematical conditions the effects of the non-perturbative region are negligible, and hence the evolution of transverse momentum distributions can be applied in a model independent way. The application of the kernel is illustrated by considering the unpolarized transverse momentum dependent parton distribution function and the Sivers function.Comment: To appear in EPJC. 17 pages, 7 figure

Factorization Theorem For Drell-Yan At Low q_T And Transverse-Momentum Distributions On-The-Light-Cone

We derive a factorization theorem for Drell-Yan process at low q_T using effective field theory methods. In this theorem all the obtained quantities are gauge invariant and the special role of the soft function--and its subtraction thereof--is emphasized. We define transverse-momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDPDFs) which are free from light-cone singularities while all the Wilson lines are defined on-the-light-cone. We show explicitly to first order in \alpha_s that the partonic Feynman PDF can be obtained from the newly defined partonic TMDPDF by integrating over the transverse momentum of the parton inside the hadron. We obtain a resummed expression for the TMDPDF, and hence for the cross section, in impact parameter space. The universality of the newly defined matrix elements is established perturbatively to first order in \alpha_s. The factorization theorem is validated to first order in \alpha_s and also the gauge invariance between Feynman and light-cone gauges.Comment: Minor changes. Version published in JHE

Inside the Outbreak of the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1)v Virus in Mexico

Influenza viruses pose a threat to human health because of their potential to cause global disease. Between mid March and mid April a pandemic influenza A virus emerged in Mexico. This report details 202 cases of infection of humans with the 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1)v which occurred in Mexico City as well as the spread of the virus throughout the entire country.From May 1st to May 5th nasopharyngeal swabs, derived from 751 patients, were collected at 220 outpatient clinics and 28 hospitals distributed throughout Mexico City. Analysis of samples using real time RT-PCR revealed that 202 patients out of the 751 subjects (26.9%) were confirmed to be infected with the new virus. All confirmed cases of human infection with the strain influenza (H1N1)v suffered respiratory symptoms. The greatest number of confirmed cases during the outbreak of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1)v were seen in neighbourhoods on the northeast side of Mexico City including Iztapalapa, Gustavo A. Madero, Iztacalco, and Tlahuac which are the most populated areas in Mexico City. Using these data, together with data reported by the Mexican Secretariat of Health (MSH) to date, we plot the course of influenza (H1N1)v activity throughout Mexico.Our data, which is backed up by MSH data, show that the greatest numbers of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) cases were seen in the most populated areas. We speculate on conditions in Mexico which may have sparked this flu pandemic, the first in 41 years. We accept the hypothesis that high population density and a mass gathering which took in Iztapalapa contributed to the rapid spread of the disease which developed in three peaks of activity throughout the Country

Characteristics of hepatitis C virus resistance in an international cohort after a decade of direct-acting antivirals

Background & Aims: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens provide a cure in >95% of patients with chronic HCV infection. However, in some patients in whom therapy fails, resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) can develop, limiting retreatment options and risking onward resistant virus transmission. In this study, we evaluated RAS prevalence and distribution, including novel NS5A RASs and clinical factors associated with RAS selection, among patients who experienced DAA treatment failure. Methods: SHARED is an international consortium of clinicians and scientists studying HCV drug resistance. HCV sequence linked metadata from 3,355 patients were collected from 22 countries. NS3, NS5A, and NS5B RASs in virologic failures, including novel NS5A substitutions, were examined. Associations of clinical and demographic characteristics with RAS selection were investigated. Results: The frequency of RASs increased from its natural prevalence following DAA exposure: 37% to 60% in NS3, 29% to 80% in NS5A, 15% to 22% in NS5B for sofosbuvir, and 24% to 37% in NS5B for dasabuvir. Among 730 virologic failures, most were treated with first-generation DAAs, 94% had drug resistance in ≥1 DAA class: 31% single-class resistance, 42% dual-class resistance (predominantly against protease and NS5A inhibitors), and 21% triple-class resistance. Distinct patterns containing ≥2 highly resistant RASs were common. New potential NS5A RASs and adaptive changes were identified in genotypes 1a, 3, and 4. Following DAA failure, RAS selection was more frequent in older people with cirrhosis and those infected with genotypes 1b and 4. Conclusions: Drug resistance in HCV is frequent after DAA treatment failure. Previously unrecognized substitutions continue to emerge and remain uncharacterized. Lay summary: Although direct-acting antiviral medications effectively cure hepatitis C in most patients, sometimes treatment selects for resistant viruses, causing antiviral drugs to be either ineffective or only partially effective. Multidrug resistance is common in patients for whom DAA treatment fails. Older patients and patients with advanced liver diseases are more likely to select drug-resistant viruses. Collective efforts from international communities and governments are needed to develop an optimal approach to managing drug resistance and preventing the transmission of resistant viruses

Epidemiological trends of HIV/HCV coinfection in Spain, 2015-2019

Altres ajuts: Spanish AIDS Research Network; European Funding for Regional Development (FEDER).Objectives: We assessed the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and active HCV infection (HCV-RNA-positive) in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Spain in 2019 and compared the results with those of four similar studies performed during 2015-2018. Methods: The study was performed in 41 centres. Sample size was estimated for an accuracy of 1%. Patients were selected by random sampling with proportional allocation. Results: The reference population comprised 41 973 PLWH, and the sample size was 1325. HCV serostatus was known in 1316 PLWH (99.3%), of whom 376 (28.6%) were HCV antibody (Ab)-positive (78.7% were prior injection drug users); 29 were HCV-RNA-positive (2.2%). Of the 29 HCV-RNA-positive PLWH, infection was chronic in 24, it was acute/recent in one, and it was of unknown duration in four. Cirrhosis was present in 71 (5.4%) PLWH overall, three (10.3%) HCV-RNA-positive patients and 68 (23.4%) of those who cleared HCV after anti-HCV therapy (p = 0.04). The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies decreased steadily from 37.7% in 2015 to 28.6% in 2019 (p < 0.001); the prevalence of active HCV infection decreased from 22.1% in 2015 to 2.2% in 2019 (p < 0.001). Uptake of anti-HCV treatment increased from 53.9% in 2015 to 95.0% in 2019 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In Spain, the prevalence of active HCV infection among PLWH at the end of 2019 was 2.2%, i.e. 90.0% lower than in 2015. Increased exposure to DAAs was probably the main reason for this sharp reduction. Despite the high coverage of treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents, HCV-related cirrhosis remains significant in this population

Denkwerkstatt "Ressourcenknappheit"- Handlungs- und Aktionsfelder II

Vorwort: Non-Profit Manager*innen von heute sind Generalist*innen, die sich initiativ und eigenverantwortlich mit den Herausforderungen unserer Zeit auseinandersetzen und im besten Falle geeignete Lösungen dafür finden und diese auch richtig kommunizieren können. Aus diesem Grunde wird genau diese Fähigkeit bei Studierenden aus den Masterstudiengängen Management in Nonprofit-Organisationen und Soziale Arbeit der Hochschule Osnabrück gefördert. Im Rahmen des Moduls Handlungsfelder II entwickelten rund 30 Studierende im Wintersemester 2020/2021 in einer Denkwerkstatt ihre eigenen Lösungen in Bezug auf Forschung, Produkte / Dienstleistungen und Kommunikation. Die Studierenden wählten in einem partizipativen Prozess ihre eigenen Schwerpunktthemen aus und arbeiteten dann ein Semester lang an den Inhalten. Begleitet wurden sie durch ein Teamteaching von Prof. Dr. Gesa Birnkraut und Marlene Eimterbäumer, die Modelle, Methoden und Coaching zur Unterstützung anboten. Die Modelle und Methoden finden sich in den Beiträgen der Studierenden wieder (unter anderem das socio-ecological model, der Business Model Canvas, der story telling canvas, das design thinking). Am Ende des Semesters stand eine Präsentation vor den Kommiliton*innen und den Lehrenden, aber auch vor externen Gästen, die aus unterschiedlichen Expertisegebieten kamen und dementsprechend Feedback gaben. Das Modul selbst wurde von der Hochschule im Rahmen der Innovativen Lehre an der Fakultät Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften gefördert. Für die Studierenden stellte das Modul durchaus eine große Herausforderung dar, denn in der Denkwerkstatt musste unter hoher Komplexität stark prozessbezogen gearbeitet werden im Gegensatz zu der sonstigen hohen Ergebnisorientierung. Die durchweg sehr guten Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der Einsatz und das Aushalten der Unsicherheit sich gelohnt haben. Aufgeteilt ist das vorliegende Buch in die zwei Schwerpunktthemen Ressourcenknappheit / Wirtschaft und Wasserknappheit. In diesen beiden Schwerpunktthemen finden Sie jeweils einen Beitrag von den Forscher*innen, den Lösungsfinder*innen und den Kommunikator*innen

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Treatment and outcomes in children with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

CAPRISA, 2018.Abstract available in pdf