Sentinel hospital-based surveillance of Rotavirus diarrhea in Iran

Background. Rotavirus is the most common causes of severe, acute diarrhea during childhood and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. We established active hospital-based surveillance of childhood diarrhea to assess the scope of severe rotavirus disease in Iran. Methods. From May 2006 through April 2007, prospective surveillance of rotavirus diarrhea among children aged <5 years was conducted in 5 sentinel hospitals in Iran. Stool samples were tested for rotavirus using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay, and rotavirus-positive samples were genotyped using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results. Of 2198 children admitted to the hospital for acute gastroenteritis, 1298 (59.1%) had stool samples test positive for rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay. Of the rotavirus episodes, 85% occurred during the first 2 years of life, with the peak prevalence of severe rotavirus disease occurring from September through January. Among the 110 rotavirus-positive samples that were genotyped, G4P[8] was the most commonly detected rotavirus genotype (30.9% of strains). Other commonly detected genotypes included P[8] with G nontypeable (21.8%), G4 with P nontypeable (13.6%), G1[P8] (10.9%), and G2[P4] (5.5%). Conclusions. Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in Iran, which indicates that safe and effective rotavirus vaccination in Iran is a public health priority. © 2009 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved

Burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis in the Middle Eastern and North African pediatric population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) is the most common cause of severe childhood diarrhea worldwide. Objectives were to estimate the burden of RVGE among children less than five years old in the Middle East (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen), North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia) and Turkey.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A comprehensive literature search was conducted in major databases on the epidemiology and burden of rotavirus among children less than five years old between 1999 and 2009. Data from each country was extracted and compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The search identified 43 studies. RVGE was identified in 16-61% of all cases of acute gastroenteritis, with a peak in the winter. RVGE-related hospitalization rates ranged from 14% to 45%, compared to 14%-28% for non-RVGE. Annually, RVGE caused up to 112 fatalities per 100,000 in certain countries in the region. Hospitalization costs ranged from $1.8 to$4.6 million annually, depending on the country. The most recent literature available showed that G1P[8] was the most prevalent genotype combination in 8 countries (range 23%-56%). G2P[4] was most prevalent in 4 countries (26%-48%). G9P[8] and G4P[8] were also frequently detected.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>RVGE is a common disease associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. Given the variety and diverse rotavirus types in the region, use of a vaccine with broad and consistent serotype coverage would be important to help decrease the burden of RVGE in the Middle East and North Africa.</p

Decline in subarachnoid haemorrhage volumes associated with the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, decreased volumes of stroke admissions and mechanical thrombectomy were reported. The study\u27s objective was to examine whether subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) hospitalisations and ruptured aneurysm coiling interventions demonstrated similar declines. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective, observational study across 6 continents, 37 countries and 140 comprehensive stroke centres. Patients with the diagnosis of SAH, aneurysmal SAH, ruptured aneurysm coiling interventions and COVID-19 were identified by prospective aneurysm databases or by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes. The 3-month cumulative volume, monthly volumes for SAH hospitalisations and ruptured aneurysm coiling procedures were compared for the period before (1 year and immediately before) and during the pandemic, defined as 1 March-31 May 2020. The prior 1-year control period (1 March-31 May 2019) was obtained to account for seasonal variation. FINDINGS: There was a significant decline in SAH hospitalisations, with 2044 admissions in the 3 months immediately before and 1585 admissions during the pandemic, representing a relative decline of 22.5% (95% CI -24.3% to -20.7%, p\u3c0.0001). Embolisation of ruptured aneurysms declined with 1170-1035 procedures, respectively, representing an 11.5% (95%CI -13.5% to -9.8%, p=0.002) relative drop. Subgroup analysis was noted for aneurysmal SAH hospitalisation decline from 834 to 626 hospitalisations, a 24.9% relative decline (95% CI -28.0% to -22.1%, p\u3c0.0001). A relative increase in ruptured aneurysm coiling was noted in low coiling volume hospitals of 41.1% (95% CI 32.3% to 50.6%, p=0.008) despite a decrease in SAH admissions in this tertile. INTERPRETATION: There was a relative decrease in the volume of SAH hospitalisations, aneurysmal SAH hospitalisations and ruptured aneurysm embolisations during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings in SAH are consistent with a decrease in other emergencies, such as stroke and myocardial infarction

Interaction of hydrated metals with chemically modified hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots: wastewater treatment and water splitting

The electronic and adsorption properties of chemically modified square hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots are investigated using density functional theory calculations. The free energy and frequency calculations show that all the boron nitride flakes are stable before/after modification and metal adsorption. Edge modification significantly enhances the stability and interactivity of the flake. For instance, the free energy of binding decreases from -6.5 eV in hydrogenated flake to -7.1 eV in pristine one and dipole moment increases from 4.5 D to 54.9 D, respectively. A wide spectrum of band gaps can also be achieved, where the band gap can be smoothly varied from ~ 6 eV in edge fluorinated flakes to 0.2 in sulfureted ones. Six hydrated metals, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Zn, are considered for adsorption by the flakes. The transition metals are highly selected by the flakes while heavy metals are weakly adsorbed. All hydrated metals are physically adsorbed by the edge and surface of hydrogenated flakes except Cu which is chemically adsorbed. Chemical groups or elements attached to the flake strongly enhance the adsorption strength; the adsorption energy of hydrated Cr on surface increases from 0.6 eV to 8.6 eV after attaching two COOH groups to the surface. Hydrogen evolution has also been observed through the adsorption process. The calculated low overpotential for the oxygen evolution reaction (0.52 V) and hydrogen adsorption strength (0.11 eV) for the hydrogen evolution reaction indicate that boron nitride quantum dots are not only potential candidates for the removal of different metals from wastewater but also for efficient water splitting

The electronic, adsorption, and catalytic properties of Bi-, Sb-, and As-nanoclusters

Density functional theory calculations are employed to investigate the electronic, adsorption, and catalytic properties of Bi-, Sb-, and As-nanoclusters. The stability of these clusters are confirmed by the obtained positive binding energies, the change in the free energy, and frequencies, also they can be grown on different substrates such as graphene and hexagonal boron nitride. They have energy gaps ranging from 2.1 to 3 eV that can be controlled by adsorption of different gases or molecules, for instance, adsorption of C2 decreases the gap in Sb-18-a cluster from 2.7 eV to 0.8 eV. These clusters show also interesting adsorption properties where some gases are physically adsorbed (like, N2 and CH4) while others are chemically adsorbed (O2 and SO2). In the first case, the linear N2 molecule has a strong triple bond, from the sp-hybridization, that can't be broken through the interaction with the clusters, the same occurs also for the sp3-hybridized CH4 with the strong sigma bonds. For the sp2-hybridized O2 molecule, one of the relatively weaker double bond can be broken through the interaction to form another with the cluster. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on the edges of these clusters requires lower overpotential than their surfaces due to the moderate adsorption of O by one edge atom with respect to the strong adsorption by two surface atoms. Nanoclusters and quantum dots of Sb provide the best values for the overpotential due to moderate bonding that Sb atoms form with all intermediates not only O, namely overpotentials equal 0.31 and 0.39 V for the nanocluster and the quantum dots, respectively. This significant enhancement of the OER activity makes such clusters strong applicants for water oxidation catalysts

Preparation, spectroscopic and structural studies on charge-transfer complexes of 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline with some electron acceptors

Charge-transfer (CT) complexes formed in the reactions of 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me2phen) with some acceptors such as chloranil (Chl), picric acid (HPA) and chloranilic acid (H2CA) have been studied in the defined solvent at room temperature. Based on elemental analysis and infrared spectra of the solid CT-complexes along with the photometric titration curves for the reactions, obtained data indicate the formation of 1:1 charge-transfer complexes [(Me2phen)(Chl)] (1), [(Me2phenH)(PA)] (2) and [(Me2phenH)(HCA)] (3), respectively, was proposed. In the three complexes, infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopic data indicate a charge-transfer interaction and as far as complexes 2 and 3 are concerned this interaction is associated with a hydrogen bonding. The formation constants for the complexes (KC) were shown to be dependent upon the nature of the electron acceptors used. The X-ray structure of complex 3 indicate the formation of dimeric units [Me2phenH]2[(HCA)2] in which the two anions (HCA)− are connected by two O–HO hydrogen bonds whereas the cations and anions are joined together by strong three-center (bifurcated) N–HO hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the cations are arranged in a π–π stacking

Measles cases among adolescents in southern Pakistan 2012–2015:the case for revisiting vaccination strategies

Aims: Surveillance of adult measles in Pakistan is a challenge as it does not enjoy the status of a reportable disease unlike childhood cases and therefore cases remain undetected and unreported or misdiagnosed. Consequently no data or estimates of young adult cases, seroprevalence, or estimates of susceptible preadolescent or young adult population exist. We have presented both laboratory conformed and clinically suspected cases of measles occurring in adolescents and adults in the southern province of Sindh in Pakistan.Methods: Through an examination of 2 independent databases, i.e. a laboratory database of measles IgM positive cases and clinically detected cases on surveillance performed by the Disease Early Warning System, we have analyzed and reported age-specific positivity rates from 2012 to 2015 in Sindh, Pakistan.Results: High rates of laboratory confirmed measles were observed in those aged 9 y and younger. Among adolescents and adults, significantly higher positivity rates were observed among those aged 10-19 y. Clinically detected cases from Sindh showed similar distribution of cases.Conclusions: High burden of cases among children(SIAs) among this age group are inadequate and need to be strengthened. Cases among those 10-19 y further demonstrate the need for consolidating SIAs with an additional strategy to vaccinate those who remain non-immune at college entry and in institutions where outbreaks can be prevented. Such measures are essential to achieving the goal of measles elimination in the country and region

Sequential Delivery of Novel Triple Drug Combination via Crosslinked Alginate/Lactoferrin Nanohybrids for Enhanced Breast Cancer Treatment

While breast cancer remains a global health concern, the elaboration of rationally designed drug combinations coupled with advanced biocompatible delivery systems offers new promising treatment venues. Herein, we repurposed rosuvastatin (RST) based on its selective tumor apoptotic effect and combined it with the antimetabolite pemetrexed (PMT) and the tumor-sensitizing polyphenol honokiol (HK). This synergistic three-drug combination was incorporated into protein polysaccharide nanohybrids fabricated by utilizing sodium alginate (ALG) and lactoferrin (LF), inspired by the stealth property of the former and the cancer cell targeting capability of the latter. ALG was conjugated to PMT and then coupled with LF which was conjugated to RST, forming core shell nanohybrids into which HK was physically loaded, followed by cross linking using genipin. The crosslinked HK-loaded PMT&ndash;ALG/LF&ndash;RST nanohybrids exhibited a fair drug loading of 7.86, 5.24 and 6.11% for RST, PMT and HK, respectively. It demonstrated an eight-fold decrease in the IC50 compared to the free drug combination, in addition to showing an enhanced cellular uptake by MCF-7 cells. The in vivo antitumor efficacy in a breast cancer-bearing mouse model confirmed the superiority of the triple cocktail-loaded nanohybrids. Conclusively, our rationally designed triple drug-loaded protein/polysaccharide nanohybrids offer a promising, biocompatible approach for an effective breast tumor suppression

Triggering Breast Cancer Apoptosis via Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibition and DNA Damage by Novel Pyrimidinone and 1,2,4-Triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidinone Derivatives

Combinations of apoptotic inducers are common clinical practice in breast cancer. However, their efficacy is limited by the heterogeneous pharmacokinetic profiles. An advantageous alternative is merging their molecular entities in hybrid multitargeted scaffolds exhibiting synergistic activities and uniform distribution. Herein, we report apoptotic inducers simultaneously targeting DNA and CDK-2 (cyclin-dependent kinase-2) inspired by studies revealing that CDK-2 inhibition sensitizes breast cancer to DNA-damaging agents. Accordingly, rationally substituted pyrimidines and triazolopyrimidines were synthesized and assayed by MTT against MCF-7, MDA-MB231, and Wi-38 cells compared to doxorubicin. The N-(4-amino-2-((2-hydrazinyl-2-oxoethyl)thio)-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidin-5-yl)acetamide 5 and its p-nitrophenylhydrazone 8 were the study hits against MCF-7 (IC50 = 0.050 and 0.146 μM) and MDA-MB231 (IC50 = 0.826 and 0.583 μM), induced DNA damage at 10.64 and 30.03 nM, and inhibited CDK-2 (IC50 = 0.172 and 0.189 μM). 5 induced MCF-7 apoptosis by 46.75% and disrupted cell cycle during S phase. Docking and MD simulations postulated their stable key interactions.peerReviewe

Self-Compassion and Cultural Values: A Cross-Cultural Study of Self-Compassion Using a Multitrait-Multimethod (MTMM) Analytical Procedure

Self-compassion is natural, trainable and multi-faceted human capacity. To date there has been little research into the role of culture in influencing the conceptual structure of the underlying construct, the relative importance of different facets of self-compassion, nor its relationships to cultural values. This study employed a cross-cultural design, with 4,124 participants from 11 purposively sampled datasets drawn from different countries. We aimed to assess the relevance of positive and negative items when building the self-compassion construct, the convergence among the self-compassion components, and the possible influence of cultural values. Each dataset comprised undergraduate students who completed the “Self-Compassion Scale” (SCS). We used a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach to the multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) model, separating the variability into self-compassion components (self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness), method (positive and negative valence), and error (uniqueness). The normative scores of the Values Survey Module (VSM) in each country, according to the cultural dimensions of individualism, masculinity, power distance, long-term orientation, uncertainty avoidance, and indulgence, were considered. We used Spearman coefficients (rs) to assess the degree of association between the cultural values and the variance coming from the positive and negative items to explain self-compassion traits, as well as the variance shared among the self-compassion traits, after removing the method effects produced by the item valence. The CFA applied to the MTMM model provided acceptable fit in all the samples. Positive items made a greater contribution to capturing the traits comprising self-compassion when the long-term orientation cultural value was higher (rs = 0.62; p = 0.042). Negative items did not make significant contributions to building the construct when the individualism cultural value was higher, but moderate effects were found (rs = 0.40; p = 0.228). The level of common variance among the self-compassion trait factors was inversely related to the indulgence cultural value (rs = -0.65; p = 0.030). The extent to which the positive and negative items contribute to explain self-compassion, and that different self-compassion facets might be regarded as reflecting a broader construct, might differ across cultural backgrounds