Further thoughts on the limitations of a recently published review of national influenza pandemic plans in Europe.

In their critique of our analysis of national pandemic influenza preparedness plans in Europe, Nicoll and Kaiser raise a number of issues</jats:p

Control in the technical societies: a brief history

By the time control engineering emerged as a coherent body of knowledge and practice (during and just after WW2) professional engineering societies had existed for many decades. Since control engineering is an interdisciplinary branch of the profession, new sections devoted to control were quickly established within the various existing technical societies. In addition, some new bodies devoted specifically or primarily to control were established. This article, a revised version of a paper presented at the IEEE 2009 Conference on the History of Technical Societies, describes how control engineering as a distinct branch of engineering became represented in technical societies in a number of countries

Monocyte/macrophage interactions with myogenic precursor cells during skeletal muscle regeneration

Adult skeletal muscle has the remarkable property of regenerating after damage, owing to satellite cells and myogenic precursor cells becoming committed to adult myogenesis to rebuild the muscle. This process is accompanied by the continuing presence of macrophages, from the phagocytosis of damaged myofibres to the full re-formation of new myofibres. In recent years, there has been huge progress in our understanding of the roles of macrophages during skeletal muscle regeneration, notably concerning their effects on myogenic precursor cells. Here, we review the most recent knowledge acquired on monocyte entry into damaged muscle, the various macrophage subpopulations, and their respective roles during the sequential phases of muscle repair. We also discuss the role of macrophages after exercise-induced muscle damage, notably in humans. Skeletal muscle regenerates after injury thanks to myogenic precursor cells. Macrophages are continuously present during muscle regeneration. While in resting muscle, macrophages are located in the epimysium, they infiltrate the parenchyma after muscle injury. A sequence of pro-inflammatory then anti-inflammatory macrophages accompanies muscle regeneration, each subset of macrophages providing specific cues to myogenic cells for proliferation then differentiation. \ua9 2013 The Authors Journal compilation \ua9 2013 FEBS

Women’s views on accepting COVID-19 vaccination during and after pregnancy, and for their babies: A multi-methods study in the UK.

Background: COVID-19 vaccines are advised for pregnant women in the United Kingdom (UK) however COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women is inadequate. Methods: An online survey and semi-structured interviews were used to investigate pregnant women’s views on COVID-19 vaccine acceptability for themselves when pregnant, not pregnant and for their babies. 1,181 women, aged over 16 years, who had been pregnant since 23rd March 2020, were surveyed between 3rd August–11th October 2020. Ten women were interviewed. Results: The majority of women surveyed (81.2%) reported that they would ‘definitely’ or were ‘leaning towards’ accepting a COVID-19 vaccine when not pregnant. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was significantly lower during pregnancy (62.1%, p<0.005) and for their babies (69.9%, p<0.005). Ethnic minority women were twice as likely to reject a COVID-19 vaccine for themselves when not pregnant, pregnant and for their babies compared to women from White ethnic groups (p<0.005). Women from lower-income households, aged under 25-years, and from some geographic regions were more likely to reject a COVID-19 vaccine when not pregnant, pregnant and for their babies. Multivariate analysis revealed that income and ethnicity were the main drivers of the observed age and regional differences. Women unvaccinated against pertussis in pregnancy were over four times more likely to reject COVID-19 vaccines when not pregnant, pregnant and for their babies. Thematic analysis of the survey freetext responses and interviews found safety concerns about COVID-19 vaccines were common though wider mistrust in vaccines was also expressed. Trust in vaccines and the health system were also reasons women gave for accepting COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusion: Safety information on COVID-19 vaccines must be clearly communicated to pregnant women to provide reassurance and facilitate informed pregnancy vaccine decisions. Targeted interventions to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake among ethnic minority and lower-income women may be needed

Latent effect of gamma irradiation on reproductive potential and ultrastructure of males' testes of Culex pipiens (Diptera; Culicidae)

AbstractLaboratory male pupae of Culex pipiens were exposed to 23, 41, 74 and 128 Gy doses of gamma radiation according to the LD25, LD50, LD75 and LD90 calculation, respectively. The inherited deleterious effects of gamma radiation were observed in the F1, F2 and F3 generations. Levels of sterility index in the F1 and F2 were higher than those of untreated control but in the F3 generation there was a semi-sterility compared with the control. Ultrastructure of normal males' testes of C. pipiens was studied using transmission electron microscopy. Histopathological responses were observed in the irradiated testes of C. pipiens. Gamma radiation had greatly affected the testes, such as (i) rupture, necrosis, degeneration and small vacuoles were reported in the testicular wall (ii) an abnormal distribution of the developmental stages of spermatogonia and spermatocytes leading to a general decrease in the rate of spermatogenesis; and (iii) deformity of sperm inhibitting the movements and the fertility of the sperm led to the decrease in the reproductive potential of C. pipiens. Consequently, these radiation doses are consistent with those used in the already established Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programmes against Culex pipiens

Prevalence and Classification of Amphistomes in Cattle and Buffaloes

Amphistomes are snail-borne trematodes infect rumens and reticulums capable of causing acute and chronic disease in cattle and buffaloes. A total of 897 of cattle and buffaloes were examined by faecal examinations and by postmortem examinations in Giza and Garbia governourates. The collected Amphistomes were morphologically and histologically classified. We found that the incidence of Amphistomes in totally examined animals was 4.9%. The incidence was higher in the oldest animals(than young), in the spring (than other seasons) and in Garbia (than Giza). But the incidence was the same in males and females. The collected Amphistomes were classified as Paramphistomum microbothrium, Paramphistomum cervi and Carmyerius gergaerius. We concluded that Amphistomes are prevalent among the examined cattle and buffaloes in Giza and Garbia governorates.

Pollution des eaux superficielles et des nappes en milieu urbain : cas de la zone industrielle de Douala-Bassa (Cameroun)

Une étude a été menée dans la zone industrielle de Douala-Bassa afin d'évaluer l'ampleur de la pollution des cours d'eau et des nappes superficielles et de prédire la vulnérabilité de ces dernières. L'étude est basée sur l'analyse des eaux issues de deux campagnes de terrain portant chacune sur 7 prélèvements dans les eaux de surface et 8 dans les eaux souterraines. Outre les analyses physico-chimiques de base, la particularité de l'étude a porté sur la caractérisation de la matière organique et la dynamique de métaux lourds, notamment le plomb, lenickel et le cuivre. Les résultats montrent que les eaux de surface sont neutres (pH 6,2), peu minéralisées (conductivité moyenne 262 mS/cm) et peu turbides (7 NTU) à l'amont. Elles s'enrichissent ensuite dans leréseau où elles deviennent acides (pH 5,8), plus minéralisées (623 à 818 mS/cm) suite aux apports générés par les activités industrielles et domestiques. Les eaux de surface sont polluées (carbonique organique total, 13,0 mg/l ; turbidité 168 NTU). Une source potentielle de pollution au nickel et en matière organique est observée dans les eaux souterraines qui compromet l'exploitation durable de cette ressource en eau

Factors influencing completion of multi-dose vaccine schedules in adolescents: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Completion of multiple dose vaccine schedules is crucial to ensure a protective immune response, and maximise vaccine cost-effectiveness. While barriers and facilitators to vaccine uptake have recently been reviewed, there is no comprehensive review of factors influencing subsequent adherence or completion, which is key to achieving vaccine effectiveness. This study identifies and summarises the literature on factors affecting completion of multi-dose vaccine schedules by adolescents. METHODS: Ten online databases and four websites were searched (February 2014). Studies with analysis of factors predicting completion of multi-dose vaccines were included. Study participants within 9-19 years of age were included in the review. The defined outcome was completion of the vaccine series within 1 year among those who received the first dose. RESULTS: Overall, 6159 abstracts were screened, and 502 full texts were reviewed. Sixty one studies were eligible for this review. All except two were set in high-income countries. Included studies evaluated human papillomavirus vaccine, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and varicella vaccines. Reported vaccine completion rates, among those who initiated vaccination, ranged from 27% to over 90%. Minority racial or ethnic groups and inadequate health insurance coverage were risk factors for low completion, irrespective of initiation rates. Parental healthcare seeking behaviour was positively associated with completion. Vaccine delivery in schools was associated with higher completion than delivery in the community or health facilities. Gender, prior healthcare use and socio-economic status rarely remained significant risks or protective factors in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Almost all studies investigating factors affecting completion have been carried out in developed countries and investigate a limited range of variables. Increased understanding of barriers to completion in adolescents will be invaluable to future new vaccine introductions and the further development of an adolescent health platform. PROSPERO reg# CRD42014006765