Social media posts and online search behaviour as early-warning system for MRSA outbreaks

Background: Despite many preventive measures, outbreaks with multi-drug resistant micro-organisms (MDROs) still occur. Moreover, current alert systems from healthcare organizations have shortcomings due to delayed or incomplete notifications, which may amplify the spread of MDROs by introducing infected patients into a new healthcare setting and institutions. Additional sources of information about upcoming and current outbreaks, may help to prevent further spread of MDROs. The study objective was to evaluate whether methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreaks could be detected via social media posts or online search behaviour; if so, this might allow earlier detection than the official notifications by healthcare organizations. Methods: We conducted an exploratory study in which we compared information about MRSA outbreaks in the Netherlands derived from two online sources, Coosto for Social Media, and Google Trends for search behaviour, to the mandatory Dutch outbreak notification system (SO-ZI/AMR). The latter provides information on MDRO outbreaks including the date of the outbreak, micro-organism involved, the region/location, and the type of health care organization. Results: During the research period of 15 months (455 days), 49 notifications of outbreaks were recorded in SO-ZI/ AMR. For Coosto, the number of unique potential outbreaks was 37 and for Google Trends 24. The use of social media and online search behaviour missed many of the hospital outbreaks that were reported to SO-ZI/AMR, but detected additional outbreaks in long-term care facilities. Conclusions: Despite several limitations, using information from social media and online search behaviour allows rapid identification of potential MRSA outbreaks, especially in healthcare settings with a low notification compliance. When combined in an automated system with real-time updates, this approach might increase early discovery and subsequent implementation of preventive measures.EPI-Net COMBACTE-MAGNET project 115737Unión Europea FP7/2007–201

Social media posts and online search behaviour as early-warning system for MRSA outbreaks

Despite many preventive measures, outbreaks with multi-drug resistant micro-organisms (MDROs) still occur. Moreover, current alert systems from healthcare organizations have shortcomings due to delayed or incomplete notifications, which may amplify the spread of MDROs by introducing infected patients into a new healthcare setting and institutions. Additional sources of information about upcoming and current outbreaks, may help to prevent further spread of MDROs.The study objective was to evaluate whether methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreaks could be detected via social media posts or online search behaviour; if so, this might allow earlier detection than the official notifications by healthcare organizations

Live/work-building: Towards an efficient use of the city

Since the economic crisis there is a shortage in both dwellings and offices. As a reaction on this the building consists out of dwellings and office spaces for internation orientated companies and expats. By combining dwellings and offices, the building will be used 24/7 with which the building will be used in an efficient way.Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Dwellin

Practical Verification of Infinite Structures in agda2hs

Agda allows for writing code that can be mathematically proven and verified to be correct, this type of languages is generally known as a proof assistant. The agda2hs library makes an effort to translate Agda to readable Haskell, in a way the Haskell is still consistent. In previous work it is shown that with the current agda2hs implementation, rudimentary structures can be translated to Haskell from Agda with agda2hs. In this paper the translation and verification of infinite structures to readable Haskell code is researched. This allows for future work to be done on verification of more complex libraries because the concept of infinite structures is used often in Haskell. The results of the research were that translation of rudimentary infinite structures is possible, but functions creating infinite structures cannot be translated at this point in time.https://github.com/RemcoSchrijver/verification-of-infinite-structures/tree/paper_reference_1 GitHub code repository regarding this Bachelor thesis.CSE3000 Research ProjectComputer Science and Engineerin

Regional Bioeconomy: From Conceptual Frameworks to Management Approach

The growth strategy for circular bioeconomy has a strong regional dimension, and is based on mission driven innovation policies. Regions are challenged to find a balance between economy and ecology, to find new solutions for specific regional problems and opportunities: bio-based value chains, regional carbon balance, new business opportunities for primary sector to avoid emissions, store carbon in bio-based products. Regions differ from each other and develop regional smart specialization strategies, value added economic activities based on unique natural and industrial characteristics and qualities, in balance with the planetary boundaries. The paper will focus in the management concepts and techniques which are necessary for setting conditions for innovations, collaborations and investments as well as for steering, managing and coordinating the deployment of the bioeconomy in European regions. This framework identifies overarching and interacting concepts that need to be addressed during the implementation of the bioeconomy and offer instruments to support the transition to well performing regional innovation systems. The paper will describe these concepts and will design a management tool for approach

Vaccine-Induced Immunopathology during Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: Exploring the Parameters of Pathogenesis

The bovine and human respiratory syncytial viruses cause severe lower respiratory tract infections. Effective vaccines against the respiratory syncytial viruses have been lacking since vaccine failures in the 1960s and 1970s. In this report, we describe a bovine respiratory syncytial virus (bRSV) challenge model in which both classical bRSV respiratory infection and vaccine-enhanced immune pathology were reproduced. The classical, formalin-inactivated (FI) bRSV vaccine that has been associated with vaccine failure was efficient in inducing high antibody titers and reducing viral loads but also primed calves for a far more serious enhanced respiratory disease after a bRSV challenge, thereby mimicking the enhanced clinical situation in FI human RSV (hRSV)-immunized and hRSV-infected infants in the 1960s. We show that immunization with FI-bRSV mainly primes a Th2-like inflammatory response that is characterized by a significant eosinophilic influx in the bronchial alveolar lung fluid and lung tissues and high levels of immunoglobulin E serum antibodies. The current model may be useful in the evaluation of new bRSV candidate vaccines for potency and safety

Surveillance for control of antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a growing threat to public health and the provision of health care. Its surveillance should provide up-to-date and relevant information to monitor the appropriateness of therapy guidelines, antibiotic formulary, antibiotic stewardship programmes, public health interventions, infection control policies, and antimicrobial development. In Europe, although the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network provides annual reports on monitored resistant bacteria, national surveillance efforts are still fragmented and heterogeneous, and have substantial structural problems and issues with laboratory data. Most incidence and prevalence data cannot be linked with relevant epidemiological, clinical, or outcome data. Genetic typing, to establish whether trends of antimicrobial resistance are caused by spread of resistant strains or by transfer of resistance determinants among different strains and species, is not routinely done. Furthermore, laboratory-based surveillance using only clinical samples is not likely to be useful as an early warning system for emerging pathogens and resistance mechanisms. Insufficient coordination of surveillance systems of human antimicrobial resistance with animal surveillance systems is even more concerning. Because results from food surveillance are considered commercially sensitive, they are rarely released publicly by regulators. Inaccurate or incomplete surveillance data delay a translational approach to the threat of antimicrobial resistance and inhibit the identification of relevant target microorganisms and populations for research and the revitalisation of dormant drug-discovery programmes. High-quality, comprehensive, and real-time surveillance data are essential to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance. Improvement of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems and better alignment between human and veterinary surveillance systems in Europe must become a scientific and political priority, coordinated with international stakeholders within a global approach to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance

Horizon scanning exercise on preparedness for future risk assessment requirements and possible challenges in regulatory science

The horizon scanning exercise aimed to support EFSA’s preparedness for future risk assessment requirements and challenges in regulatory science and communication in scientific thematic areas for which knowledge gaps might exist. Six areas of common interest (i.e. thematic areas) were explored through the horizon scan: (i) animal welfare and safety of the food chain, (ii) exposure science in risk assessment, (iii) nutrition and healthy diets from sustainable food systems, (iv) safety assessment of innovative products, (v) sustainable food systems and food safety, and (vi) evidence-based risk communication in the EU Food Safety System. By applying a horizon scanning methodology and a comprehensive mapping exercise, this project delivered an overview of emerging and upcoming (scientific) developments in these six thematic areas, to enable the anticipation of future work and expertise requirements. A modified Delphi method was used to collect the necessary information from (regulatory) scientists and other EU and international stakeholders. Moreover, the mapping exercise provided an understanding of ongoing and planned research activities being undertaken by relevant scientific actors, thus identifying potential opportunities for cooperation. The horizon scan resulted in a set of recommended actions for the six thematic areas that could contribute in EFSA’s preparedness and in preventing challenges and potential divergences from materialising. With all necessary prudence, the report can conclude that while significant research is undertaken, the connection to EFSA’s strategy is not yet fully clear to all relevant stakeholders, emphasising the need for cooperation between EFSA and its stakeholders. The findings of this horizon scanning exercise should not be considered as an indication of the direction that ongoing EU policy initiatives in the food system may take. In order to address future regulatory science and policy needs, EFSA should work jointly with other EU agencies and policy makers towards identifying solutions

White Paper: Bridging the gap between surveillance data and antimicrobial stewardship in the animal sector-practical guidance from the JPIAMR ARCH and COMBACTE-MAGNET EPI-Net networks

BACKGROUND: The JPIAMR ARCH and COMBACTE-MAGNET EPI-Net networks have joined efforts to formulate a set of target actions to link the surveillance of antimicrobial usage (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities in four different settings. This White Paper focuses on the veterinary setting and embraces the One Health approach.METHODS: A review of the literature was carried out addressing research questions in three areas: AMS leadership and accountability; AMU surveillance and AMS; and AMR surveillance and AMS. Consensus on target actions was reached through a RAND-modified Delphi process involving over 40 experts in infectious diseases, clinical microbiology, AMS, veterinary medicine and public health, from 18 countries.RESULTS/DISCUSSION: Forty-six target actions were developed and qualified as essential or desirable. Essential actions included the setup of AMS teams in all veterinary settings, building government-supported AMS programmes and following specific requirements on the production, collection and communication of AMU and AMR data. Activities of AMS teams should be tailored to the local situation and capacities, and be linked to local or national surveillance systems and infection control programmes. Several research priorities were also identified, such as the need to develop more clinical breakpoints in veterinary medicine.CONCLUSIONS: This White Paper offers a practical tool to veterinary practitioners and policy makers to improve AMS in the One Health approach, thanks to surveillance data generated in the veterinary setting. This work may also be useful to medical doctors wishing to better understand the specificities of the veterinary setting and facilitate cross-sectoral collaborations