Key issues in the persistence of poliomyelitis in Nigeria: a case-control study

Background The completion of poliomyelitis eradication is a global emergency for public health. In 2012, more than 50% of the world’s cases occurred in Nigeria following an unanticipated surge in incidence. We aimed to quantitatively analyse the key factors sustaining transmission of poliomyelitis in Nigeria and to calculate clinical effi cacy estimates for the oral poliovirus vaccines (OPV) currently in use. Methods We used acute fl accid paralysis (AFP) surveillance data from Nigeria collected between January, 2001, and December, 2012, to estimate the clinical effi cacies of all four OPVs in use and combined this with vaccination coverage to estimate the eff ect of the introduction of monovalent and bivalent OPV on vaccine-induced serotype-specifi c population immunity. Vaccine effi cacy was determined using a case-control study with CIs based on bootstrap resampling. Vaccine effi cacy was also estimated separately for north and south Nigeria, by age of the children, and by year. Detailed 60-day follow-up data were collected from children with confi rmed poliomyelitis and were used to assess correlates of vaccine status. We also quantitatively assessed the epidemiology of poliomyelitis and programme performance and considered the reasons for the high vaccine refusal rate along with risk factors for a given local government area reporting a case. Findings Against serotype 1, both monovalent OPV (median 32·1%, 95% CI 26·1–38·1) and bivalent OPV (29·5%, 20·1–38·4) had higher clinical effi cacy than trivalent OPV (19·4%, 16·1–22·8). Corresponding data for serotype 3 were 43·2% (23·1–61·1) and 23·8% (5·3–44·9) compared with 18·0% (14·1–22·1). Combined with increases in coverage, this factor has boosted population immunity in children younger than age 36 months to a record high (64–69% against serotypes 1 and 3). Vaccine effi cacy in northern states was estimated to be signifi cantly lower than in southern states (p≤0·05). The proportion of cases refusing vaccination decreased from 37–72% in 2008 to 21–51% in 2012 for routine and supplementary immunisation, and most caregivers cited ignorance of either vaccine importance or availability as the main reason for missing routine vaccinations (32·1% and 29·6% of cases, respectively). Multiple regression analyses highlighted associations between the age of the mother, availability of OPV at health facilities, and the primary source of health information and the probability of receiving OPV (all p<0·05). Interpretation Although high refusal rates, low OPV campaign awareness, and heterogeneous population immunity continued to support poliomyelitis transmission in Nigeria at the end of 2012, overall population immunity had improved due to new OPV formulations and improvements in programme delivery.Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Vaccine Modeling Initiative, Royal Society.Introduction In May, 2012, after more than 20 years of mass vaccination campaigns, the 65t

Solution-based DNA-templating of sub-10 nm conductive copper nanowires

Templating the electroless reduction of metal ions on DNA is now an established route to the preparation of nanowires and can be particularly useful for the formation of nanowires in the desirable <10 nm size range. However, different preparation conditions produce nanowires of widely different morphologies and conductivities. We describe a method for the synthesis of Cu nanowires in which electroless metal deposition is carried out on DNA 'template' molecules in bulk solution. Though analogous to previous surface-based routes, importantly this now produces conductive material. AFM was used to evaluate the size and morphology of the resulting nanowires; a mean nanowire diameter of 7.1 nm (standard deviation = 4.7 nm) was determined from a statistical analysis of 100 nanowires and the Cu coatings were continuous and smooth. These findings represent a notable improvement in nanowire morphology in comparison to the previous surface-based routes. UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to confirm formation of Cu(0) metal takes place during nanowire synthesis, and additional scanning probe microscopy techniques were employed to probe the electrical properties of the nanowires. The nanowires are less conductive [resistivity ∼ 2 Ω cm] than bulk Cu, but much more conductive than nanowires prepared by the analogous method on surface-bound DNA. Using an extension of our thermodynamic model for DNA-templating, we show that the templating process in bulk solution favours the formation of continuous nanowires compared to templating on surface-bound DNAX-ray photoelectron spectra were obtained at the National EPSRC XPS User's Service (NEXUS) at Newcastle University, an EPSRC mid-range facility. This work was financially supported by Newcastle University, EU ITN NANOEMBRACE (Contract No. 316751) and Intel Ireland Ltd (with special thanks to Bernie D. Capraro, Research Programme Manager

Correlation Of Terrestrial gamma flashes, Electric fields, and Lightning strikes (COTEL) in thunderstorms using networked balloon payloads developed by university and community college students

High energy gamma ray flashes from terrestrial sources have been observed by satellites for decades, but the actual mechanism, assumed to be thunderstorm lightning, has yet to be fully characterized. The goal of COTEL, funded by NASA through the University Student Instrument Project (USIP) program, is to correlate in time TGF events, lightning strikes, and electric fields inside of thunderstorms. This will be accomplished using a small network of balloon-borne payloads suspended in and around thunderstorm environments. The payloads will detect and timestamp gamma radiation bursts, lightning strikes, and the intensity of localized electric fields. While in flight, data collected by the payloads will be transmitted to a ground station in real-time and will be analyzed post-flight to investigate potential correlations between lightning, TGFs, and electric fields. The ground station system that will be used for COTEL was developed for the Eclipse 2017 ballooning project, and was used during flight operations on the day of the eclipse. The COTEL student team is in its second year of effort having spent the first year developing the basic balloon payloads and ground tracking system. Currently the team is focusing on prototype electric field and gamma radiation detectors. Testing and development of these systems will continue into 2018, and flight operations will take place during the spring 2018 Louisiana thunderstorm season. The poster will cover the student team effort in developing said system, an overview of the system architecture, balloon flight tests conducted to date, preliminary results from prototype detectors, and future plans

Cucumber mosaic virus and its 2b protein alter emission of host volatile organic compounds but not aphid vector settling in tobacco

BACKGROUND: Aphids, including the generalist herbivore Myzus persicae, transmit cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). CMV (strain Fny) infection affects M. persicae feeding behavior and performance on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), Arabidopsis thaliana and cucurbits in varying ways. In Arabidopsis and cucurbits, CMV decreases host quality and inhibits prolonged feeding by aphids, which may enhance virus transmission rates. CMV-infected cucurbits also emit deceptive, aphid-attracting volatiles, which may favor virus acquisition. In contrast, aphids on CMV-infected tobacco (cv. Xanthi) exhibit increased survival and reproduction. This may not increase transmission but might increase virus and vector persistence within plant communities. The CMV 2b counter-defense protein diminishes resistance to aphid infestation in CMV-infected tobacco plants. We hypothesised that in tobacco CMV and its 2b protein might also alter the emission of volatile organic compounds that would influence aphid behavior. RESULTS: Analysis of headspace volatiles emitted from tobacco plants showed that CMV infection both increased the total quantity and altered the blend produced. Furthermore, experiments with a CMV 2b gene deletion mutant (CMV∆2b) showed that the 2b counter-defense protein influences volatile emission. Free choice bioassays were conducted where wingless M. persicae could choose to settle on infected or mock-inoculated plants under a normal day/night regime or in continual darkness. Settling was recorded at 15 min, 1 h and 24 h post-release. Statistical analysis indicated that aphids showed no marked preference to settle on mock-inoculated versus infected plants, except for a marginally greater settlement of aphids on mock-inoculated over CMV-infected plants under normal illumination. CONCLUSIONS: CMV infection of tobacco plants induced quantitative and qualitative changes in host volatile emission and these changes depended in part on the activity of the 2b counter-defense protein. However, CMV-induced alterations in tobacco plant volatile emission did not have marked effects on the settling of aphids on infected versus mock-inoculated plants even though CMV-infected plants are higher quality hosts for M. persicae.This work was supported by grants from the Leverhulme Trust (F/09741/F, RPG-2012-667), UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/D014376/1, BB/J011762/1) and the Cambridge University Isaac Newton Trust (12.07/I)

Understanding the Uptown Triangle Neighborhood: Mapping Quality of Life Indicators in the Black Pearl

In the spring of 2015, University of New Orleans (UNO) students enrolled in the MURP 4081/5081 course-Applied Geographic Information Systems: Information Technology for the Planning Profession (also known as ‘Applied GIS’) led by Dr. Michelle Thompson. Since 2008 this course has provided students with a blended experience with learning the theory and receiving an introduction to spatial analysis using the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcGIS software then applying this knowledge as GIS Analysts with a non-profit community partner. In the fall of 2014, Dr. Thompson competed to have this course designated as the inaugural Department of Planning and Urban Studies (PLUS) service learning course. By January 2015, Thompson developed a scope of services and formed a partnership with the Uptown Triangle Neighborhood Association (UTNA) to evaluate Quality of Life Indicators limited to the evaluation of property, road, and storm drain conditions. The Uptown Triangle Neighborhood (UTN), which was formerly known as the ‘Black Pearl’, is a triangular shaped neighborhood and is bounded by Street Charles Avenue, Broadway Avenue, and Leake Avenue. Prior to the UTNA study, Graham Hayes – UTNA Board Member, UT resident, former WhoData Intern and Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies Program’14 graduate, had developed a series of datasets and crowdsourced data through resident and volunteer activities from spring to early fall 2014. The GIS Mapping Analysts collected primary and integrated secondary data to provide the results of their study in this report. Within the same project, a separate team of novice GIS Programming Analysts developed, tested with the GIS Mapping Analysts and deployed a web-enabled data collection application known as the ‘WhoData Map App.’ The goal of this project and the goal of the client, is to create a tool that will empower members of the neighborhood to advocate community involvement in decision making for the Uptown Triangle Neighborhood. It will also provide a strategic resource for members of the community to evaluate future conditions that may impact the quality of life for those that live there

Determining Risk for Severe Leptospirosis by Molecular Analysis of Environmental Surface Waters for Pathogenic Leptospira

BACKGROUND: Although previous data indicate that the overall incidence of human leptospirosis in the Peruvian Amazon is similar in urban and rural sites, severe leptospirosis has been observed only in the urban context. As a potential explanation for this epidemiological observation, we tested the hypothesis that concentrations of more virulent Leptospira would be higher in urban than in rural environmental surface waters. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A quantitative real-time PCR assay was used to compare levels of Leptospira in urban and rural environmental surface waters in sites in the Peruvian Amazon region of Iquitos. Molecular taxonomic analysis of a 1,200-bp segment of the leptospiral 16S ribosomal RNA gene was used to identify Leptospira to the species level. Pathogenic Leptospira species were found only in urban slum water sources (Fisher's exact test; p = 0.013). The concentration of pathogen-related Leptospira was higher in urban than rural water sources (~10(3) leptospires/ml versus 0.5 × 10(2) leptospires/ml; F = 8.406, p < 0.05). Identical 16S rRNA gene sequences from Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae were found in urban slum market area gutter water and in human isolates, suggesting a specific mode of transmission from rats to humans. In a prospective, population-based study of patients presenting with acute febrile illness, isolation of L. interrogans-related leptospires from humans was significantly associated with urban acquisition (75% of urban isolates); human isolates of other leptospiral species were associated with rural acquisition (78% of rural isolates) (chi-square analysis; p < 0.01). This distribution of human leptospiral isolates mirrored the distribution of leptospiral 16S ribosomal gene sequences in urban and rural water sources. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings data support the hypothesis that urban severe leptospirosis in the Peruvian Amazon is associated with higher concentrations of more pathogenic leptospires at sites of exposure and transmission. This combined quantitative and molecular taxonomical risk assessment of environmental surface waters is globally applicable for assessing risk for leptospiral infection and severe disease in leptospirosis-endemic regions

Mortality benefits of population-wide adherence to national physical activity guidelines: a prospective cohort study

We quantified the mortality benefits and attributable fractions associated with engaging in physical activity across a range of levels, including those recommended by national guidelines. Data were from the Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey, a population-based prospective cohort comprising 1,796 male and 2,122 female participants aged 16-96 years, randomly selected from 30 English constituencies in 1990. Participants were tagged for mortality at the Office for National Statistics. Cox multivariable regression quantified the association between self-reported achievement of activity guidelines--150 min of at least moderate activity per week, equivalent here to 30 or more 20-min episodes of at least moderate activity per month--and mortality adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, social class, geographical area, anxiety/depression and interview season. There were 1,175 deaths over a median (IQR) of 22.9 (3.9) years follow-up; a mortality rate of 15.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 14.4-16.1 per 1,000 person years. Compared with being inactive (no 20-min bouts per month), meeting activity guidelines (30+ bouts) was associated with a 25% lower mortality rate, adjusting for measured confounders. If everyone adhered to recommended-, or even low-activity levels, a substantial proportion of premature mortality might be avoided (PAF, 95% CI 20.6, 6.9-32.3 and 8.9, 4.2-13.4%, respectively). Among a representative English population, adherence to activity guidelines was associated with significantly reduced mortality. Efforts to increase population-wide activity levels could produce large public health benefits and should remain a focus of health promotion efforts.The Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey was funded by the Department of Health, Health Education Authority, The Sports Council and Allied Dunbar Assurance plc. This work was supported by the Medical Research Council (MC_UU_12015/1, MC_UU_12015/3 and MC_UU_12015/4). The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Health Service, the National Institute for Health Research, or the UK Department of Health.This is the final published version. It first appeared at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10654-014-9965-5