Clinical review: Update of avian influenza A infections in humans

Influenza A viruses have a wide host range for infection, from wild waterfowl to poultry to humans. Recently, the cross-species transmission of avian influenza A, particularly subtype H5N1, has highlighted the importance of the non-human subtypes and their incidence in the human population has increased over the past decade. During cross-species transmission, human disease can range from the asymptomatic to mild conjunctivitis to fulminant pneumonia and death. With these cases, however, the risk for genetic change and development of a novel virus increases, heightening the need for public health and hospital measures. This review discusses the epidemiology, host range, human disease, outcome, treatment, and prevention of cross-transmission of avian influenza A into humans

Genetics and Genomic Regions Affecting Response to Newcastle Disease Virus Infection under Heat Stress in Layer Chickens.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a highly contagious avian pathogen that poses a tremendous threat to poultry producers in endemic zones due to its epidemic potential. To investigate host genetic resistance to NDV while under the effects of heat stress, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on Hy-Line Brown layer chickens that were challenged with NDV while under high ambient temperature to identify regions associated with host viral titer, circulating anti-NDV antibody titer, and body weight change. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on chromosome 1 was associated with viral titer at two days post-infection (dpi), while 30 SNPs spanning a quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosome 24 were associated with viral titer at 6 dpi. Immune related genes, such as CAMK1d and CCDC3 on chromosome 1, associated with viral titer at 2 dpi, and TIRAP, ETS1, and KIRREL3, associated with viral titer at 6 dpi, were located in two QTL regions for viral titer that were identified in this study. This study identified genomic regions and candidate genes that are associated with response to NDV during heat stress in Hy-Line Brown layer chickens. Regions identified for viral titer on chromosome 1 and 24, at 2 and 6 dpi, respectively, included several genes that have key roles in regulating the immune response

Paperless ticketing using mobile vision: An Ashesi case

Applied project submitted to the Department of Computer Science, Ashesi University College, in partial fulfillment of Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, April 2017The bus is used by most staff and faculty to get to and from school the campus daily during the weekdays. The current system for paying for fares involves paying for a paper ticket with cash and does not allow for any other payment options. In this project, this problem has been addressed with the implementation of a Mobile Vision Android application and the accompanying Web application, which has proven useful in helping the finance team better monitor, transactions and generate reports. This project is another step to moving the Ashesi community to a cashless one.Ashesi University Colleg

Efetividade das políticas públicas no combate ao tráfico de mulheres para fins de exploração sexual: região amazônica

O tráfico de seres humanos é um dos crimes mais antigos da humanidade, uma vez que comercializar pessoas assume características diversas de acordo com as vulnerabilidades de grupos e nações. O Brasil por ser um país em desenvolvimento, com ainda, grande vulnerabilidade econômica é um dos países onde mais ocorre o tráfico de seres humanos. Sendo que milhares de pessoas são traficadas anualmente e o maior índice do tráfico no Brasil é de mulheres para fins de exploração sexual. A região amazônica é a que tem o maior número de rotas para o tráfico de mulheres, pois faz fronteira com sete países e há grande vulnerabilidade econômica, cultural e social, sendo meios facilitadores do tráfico na região. Diante desse contexto o presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a efetividade dos institutos jurídicos e as políticas públicas no combate ao tráfico de mulheres para fins de exploração sexual na região amazônica

Transcriptome Analysis in Spleen Reveals Differential Regulation of Response to Newcastle Disease Virus in Two Chicken Lines.

Enhancing genetic resistance of chickens to Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) provides a promising way to improve poultry health, and to alleviate poverty and food insecurity in developing countries. In this study, two inbred chicken lines with different responses to NDV, Fayoumi and Leghorn, were challenged with LaSota NDV strain at 21 days of age. Through transcriptome analysis, gene expression in spleen at 2 and 6 days post-inoculation was compared between NDV-infected and control groups, as well as between chicken lines. At a false discovery rate <0.05, Fayoumi chickens, which are relatively more resistant to NDV, showed fewer differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than Leghorn chickens. Several interferon-stimulated genes were identified as important DEGs regulating immune response to NDV in chicken. Pathways predicted by IPA analysis, such as "EIF-signaling", "actin cytoskeleton organization nitric oxide production" and "coagulation system" may contribute to resistance to NDV in Fayoumi chickens. The identified DEGs and predicted pathways may contribute to differential responses to NDV between the two chicken lines and provide potential targets for breeding chickens that are more resistant to NDV

Commercial Layer-type Chickens and Newcastle Disease Virus Infection:Toward Genetic Selection of More Resilient Chickens

Exotic Newcastle Disease Virus(NDV)causes major losses due to extremely quickmortalityin chickensafter exposure to the virus. In places where this virusis not effectively controlled through vaccination and biosecurity, people rely heavily on poultry to provideprotein and income.Losses from NDV contributeto worldwide hunger and poverty. It may be possible to use genetic selection to produce chickens thatnot onlyhave a stronger immune response in the face of NDV challengebut also respond better to vaccination. In order for genetic selection to be successful,two major elements are required: differences in immune response between chickens and genetic control of these differences. This study clearly demonstrates the existence of both these factors.These findings provide strong possibility for the ability of genetic selection to produce chickens that are more resistant to NDV and thereby lessen the burdens of hunger and poverty

One Health proof of concept: Bringing a transdisciplinary approach to surveillance for zoonotic viruses at the human-wild animal interface.

As the world continues to react and respond inefficiently to emerging infectious diseases, such as Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome and the Ebola and Zika viruses, a growing transdisciplinary community has called for a more proactive and holistic approach to prevention and preparedness - One Health. Such an approach presents important opportunities to reduce the impact of disease emergence events and also to mitigate future emergence through improved cross-sectoral coordination. In an attempt to provide proof of concept of the utility of the One Health approach, the US Agency for International Development's PREDICT project consortium designed and implemented a targeted, risk-based surveillance strategy based not on humans as sentinels of disease but on detecting viruses early, at their source, where intervention strategies can be implemented before there is opportunity for spillover and spread in people or food animals. Here, we share One Health approaches used by consortium members to illustrate the potential for successful One Health outcomes that can be achieved through collaborative, transdisciplinary partnerships. PREDICT's collaboration with partners around the world on strengthening local capacity to detect hundreds of viruses in wild animals, coupled with a series of cutting-edge virological and analytical activities, have significantly improved our baseline knowledge on the zoonotic pool of viruses and the risk of exposure to people. Further testament to the success of the project's One Health approach and the work of its team of dedicated One Health professionals are the resulting 90 peer-reviewed, scientific publications in under 5 years that improve our understanding of zoonoses and the factors influencing their emergence. The findings are assisting in global health improvements, including surveillance science, diagnostic technologies, understanding of viral evolution, and ecological driver identification. Through its One Health leadership and multi-disciplinary partnerships, PREDICT has forged new networks of professionals from the human, animal, and environmental health sectors to promote global health, improving our understanding of viral disease spillover from wildlife and implementing strategies for preventing and controlling emerging disease threats

More MHC-like Class I Y mRNA Detected in Relatively Resistant Fayoumis than Susceptible Leghorns

The inbred chicken lines Fayoumi and Leghorn have been shown to be relatively resistant and susceptible, respectively, to Newcastle disease virus (NDV). In this experiment we detected higher gene expression levels of MHC-like class I Y (MHCIY) in the Fayoumi trachea, lung, and Harderian gland of NDV challenged and nonchallenged birds across multiple time points. MHC region is important to the immune system and is often associated with resistance to pathogens. This gene may be associated with the Fayoumis’ resistant phenotype