Poultry rearing and slaughtering practices in rural Egypt: an exploration of risk factors for H5N1 virus human transmission.

BACKGROUND: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) virus continues to cause infections in Egypt. This study describes the practices associated with raising and slaughtering household poultry to identify risk factors for H5N1 infection and reasons for non-compliance with preventive measures. METHODS: An investigation was conducted of 56 households with household flocks (19 households with human H5N1 cases, 19 with poultry H5N1 cases, and 18 with no reported poultry or human H5N1 cases). Data were collected via structured observations and in-depth interviews. RESULTS: Half of the households kept at least some free-range poultry and mixed at least some different species of poultry as it was considered beneficial for the poultry. Feeding and cleaning practices exposed children to contact with poultry; slaughtering contaminated homes; use of personal protective barriers was not a norm; waste management exposed the communities to slaughtering waste and dead chickens; and reporting of sick and dead poultry was not a practice. Only minor changes in poultry-handling took place following H5N1 virus outbreaks. DISCUSSION: H5N1 virus prevention in Egypt represents both an epidemiological and socio-cultural challenge. Traditional poultry-rearing practices that likely increase exposures to H5N1-infected poultry are common throughout Egypt. Despite education campaigns following sporadic H5N1 outbreaks, no differences in these practices could be detected between households with previous H5N1 human or poultry cases and those households with any previous experience with H5N1. Development of H5N1 infection-related education campaign strategies should focus on perceptions underlying traditional practices in order to tailor public awareness messages that are meaningful for communities

Impact of neuraminidase inhibitors on influenza A(H1N1)pdm09‐related pneumonia: an individual participant data meta‐analysis

BACKGROUND: The impact of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) on influenza‐related pneumonia (IRP) is not established. Our objective was to investigate the association between NAI treatment and IRP incidence and outcomes in patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection. METHODS: A worldwide meta‐analysis of individual participant data from 20 634 hospitalised patients with laboratory‐confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 (n = 20 021) or clinically diagnosed (n = 613) ‘pandemic influenza’. The primary outcome was radiologically confirmed IRP. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using generalised linear mixed modelling, adjusting for NAI treatment propensity, antibiotics and corticosteroids. RESULTS: Of 20 634 included participants, 5978 (29·0%) had IRP; conversely, 3349 (16·2%) had confirmed the absence of radiographic pneumonia (the comparator). Early NAI treatment (within 2 days of symptom onset) versus no NAI was not significantly associated with IRP [adj. OR 0·83 (95% CI 0·64–1·06; P = 0·136)]. Among the 5978 patients with IRP, early NAI treatment versus none did not impact on mortality [adj. OR = 0·72 (0·44–1·17; P = 0·180)] or likelihood of requiring ventilatory support [adj. OR = 1·17 (0·71–1·92; P = 0·537)], but early treatment versus later significantly reduced mortality [adj. OR = 0·70 (0·55–0·88; P = 0·003)] and likelihood of requiring ventilatory support [adj. OR = 0·68 (0·54–0·85; P = 0·001)]. CONCLUSIONS: Early NAI treatment of patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection versus no treatment did not reduce the likelihood of IRP. However, in patients who developed IRP, early NAI treatment versus later reduced the likelihood of mortality and needing ventilatory support

Influenza surveillance in 15 countries in Africa, 2006-2010

BACKGROUND: In response to the potential threat of an influenza pandemic, several international institutions and governments, in partnership with African countries, invested in the development of epidemiologic and laboratory influenza surveillance capacity in Africa. METHODS: We used a standardized form to collect information on influenza surveillance system characteristics, the number and percent of influenza-positive patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and virologic data. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2010, the number of ILI and SARI sites in 15 African countries increased from 21 to 127 and from 2 to 98, respectively. Influenza was detected in 22% of ILI cases and 10% of SARI cases. Children 0-4 years accounted for 48% all ILI and SARI cases of which 20% and 10 respectively were positive for influenza. Influenza peaks were generally discernible in North and South Africa. Substantial co-circulation of influenza A and B occurred most years. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza is a major cause of respiratory illness in Africa, especially in children. Further strengthening influenza surveillance, along with conducting special studies on influenza burden, cost of illness, and role of other respiratory pathogens will help detect novel influenza viruses and inform and develop targeted influenza prevention policy decisions in the region.The work presented in this manuscript was funded completely or in part by host governments, Institute Pasteur, and cooperative agreements with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and/or the U.S. Department of Defense.http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/jid/currenthb2013ay201

Neuraminidase Inhibitors and Hospital Length of Stay: A Meta-analysis of Individual Participant Data to Determine Treatment Effectiveness Among Patients Hospitalized With Nonfatal 2009 Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) Virus Infection

© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: [email protected]. BACKGROUND: The effect of neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) treatment on length of stay (LoS) in patients hospitalized with influenza is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a one-stage individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis exploring the association between NAI treatment and LoS in patients hospitalized with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus (A[H1N1]pdm09) infection. Using mixed-effects negative binomial regression and adjusting for the propensity to receive NAI, antibiotic, and corticosteroid treatment, we calculated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Patients with a LoS o

IDENTIFICATION OF INHERITED AND DE NOVO EXOMIC VARIATIONS IN AN EMIRATI FAMILY WITH NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a heterogenous group of disorders that affect children at any point of development and lead to mental and motor function deficits. Often, the underlying cause could be genetic and inherited. This study investigated possible genetic variations that could have led to these neurological abnormalities and other genetic disorders in an Emirati family. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was used to sequence the protein-coding regions of the genome to identify potential de novo and inherited variants that are associated with disorders in this family. WES of DNA from the parents and ten children were performed. Several variants were identified in high-risk genes associated with autism and epilepsy. However, most of these have previously been classified as benign. Several potentially pathogenic inherited and de novo variants were also identified These include a homozygous deletion of HBA2 gene in some of the family members indicating potential thalassemia, the Protein S (PROS1) variant rs146366248 (AF= 0.0007675) associated with protein S deficiency and thrombophilia, Fc fragment of IgG receptor IA (FCGR1A) variant rs74315310 (AF= 0.004104) associated with familial deficiency of IGG receptor I and the de novo rs132630331 variant in Glycerol Kinase (GK) associated with glycerol kinase deficiency. NDDs have very complex aetiology and could also have been caused by chromosomal abnormalities and copy number variations, which cannot be detected with WES, as well as environmental factors. Hence, further study is required to confirm these findings and to extend it to genomic regions not covered in this study

Investigating the mechanical performance and characteristics of nitrile butadiene rubber date palm fiber reinforced composites for sustainable bio-based materials

The recent focus on enhancing sustainability has emphasized the proper utilization of natural fibers and waste materials. Natural fiber reinforced composites have emerged as a promising solution for future bio-based products. This study aims to investigate the synergistic effects between date palm fiber (DPF) and Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) in order to develop innovative bio-based composites suitable for diverse industrial applications. The composites were produced through a mixing process using a Brabender internal mixer, followed by rolling. Various reinforcement materials and processing conditions were employed to characterize and analyze the mechanical properties of the composites. These properties included tensile strength, tensile modulus, strain, tear resistance, mechanical hardness, and compression behavior, assessed according to ASTM standards. The results revealed that the composites with a 40 wt% fiber loading exhibited the highest elastic modulus and tear resistance, indicating good compatibility and adhesion between the fibers and rubber. Additionally, the composites displayed increased brittleness and strain with higher fiber content. The mechanical hardness of the composites suggested their potential for various industrial applications, with the best results obtained at a 30 wt% fiber loading. Furthermore, the compression strength of the composites, evaluated using the ASTM D395 standard and a compression molding method, displayed significant improvement at a 40 wt% fiber content, indicating favorable characteristics and potential for industrial applications requiring oil, fuel, abrasion, and heat resistance in the form of bio-based products

Passive cooling of highly-concentrator triple-junction solar cell using a straight-finned heat sink: An experimental investigation

Herein, an experimental setup in Saudi Arabia's hot weather conditions is used to assess the electrical and thermal performance of concentrator photovoltaic triple junction (CPV TJ) cells fed through various Fresnel lenses with concentration ratios (CRs) ranging from 30.5 to 109 suns. The thermal characteristics of triple junction solar cells are investigated in passive cooling utilizing two straight-finned heat sinks with dimensions 40 × 40 mm (HS-A) and 40× 100 mm (HS–B). Results show that the temperature and power production of the cells increases with the solar concentration ratio, whereas its efficiency decreases. It is found that using a heat sink, reduces the cell's temperature and improves heat uniformity. The larger heat sink (HS–B) performs better since it maintains the cell operating temperature at 44.7, 46.8, and 52.5 °C for the CRs of 68, 80, and 109 suns, respectively, compared to 46.5, 55.4, and 66.4 °C for the smaller one (HS-A) under the same operating conditions. Furthermore, at a CR of 68 suns, the TJ cell with the aluminium finned heat sink generates an electric output of 2.32 W/cm2 using HS-B and 2.29 W/cm2 using (HS-A), compared to 2.22 W/cm2 produced by the uncooled cell without heat sink under the same conditions

Heat transfer and pressure drop of Al2O3/water nanofluid in conically coiled tubes: Experimental and artificial neural network prediction

A novel model of an artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed in order to predict the thermal performance of Al2O3/water nanofluid in conically coiled tubes (CCTs). Experiments were conducted at volume concentrations of 0.3 %, 0.6 %, and 0.9 % of Al2O3/water nanofluid and coil torsions ranging from 0.02 to 0.052. Feed-forward neural network (FFNN) have been modelled and trained in order to predict the experimental and non-experimental Nusselt number (Nu) and.friction factor (ƒ). Using the TRAINLM algorithm, the FFNN for predicting Nu and ƒ is well-trained, with correlation coefficients of 0.9952 and 0.9482, respectively. FFNN exhibited greater accuracy in predicting the Nu and friction factor, since the Root mean square error (RMSE) between experimental and predicted data was minimal. The average RMSE, and Mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were 9.6166 and 3.101 for the predicted Nusselt number. The predicted results of the ANN for the average Nusselt number and friction factor at φ = 0.8 % align well with the experimental data, even though they have not yet been empirically validated. These findings demonstrate the capability of ANNs to accurately predict the Nusselt number and friction factor and yield satisfactory outcomes

Determining the appropriate natural fibers for intelligent green wearable devices made from biomaterials via multi-attribute decision making model

Intelligent and green wearable technology becomes essential for new modern societies. This work introduces a multi criteria decision making model to properly assess and compare relative desired criteria for selecting the most suitable constituents for green body wearable bio-products made from bio-based materials. It aims to enhance the sustainability of intelligent green wearable devices by providing support in the selection process of lightweight, eco-friendly materials suitable for personal body wearable bio-products made of natural fiber composites to improve qualities that may help in better monitoring human vital signs and thereby address the health care concern. The relative intrinsic characteristic and merits of various natural fibers were utilized to compare and evaluate their relative performance in bio-composites. The model considered several evaluation factors like mechanical performance including tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, comfortability including size and weight, availability, fiber orientation, cellulose content, and cost. Results have demonstrated different priorities of the considered natural fibers relative to each evaluation factor. However, the model was capable of properly evaluating and ranking the best fibers relative to the whole conflicting evaluation criteria simultaneously. The closeness of priorities in several cases emphasizes upon using such decision making models to be able to judge the relative merits of natural fibers for such applications. It can also help designers to avoid bias during determining the best alternatives considering several conflicting evaluation criteria