Estimating the burden and modeling mitigation strategies of pork-related hepatitis E virus foodborne transmission in representative European countries

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen posing global health burden, and the concerns in Europe are tremendously growing. Pigs serve as a main reservoir, contributing to pork-related foodborne transmission. In this study, we aim to specifically simulate this foodborne transmission route and to assess potential interventions. We firstly established a dose-response relationship between the risk of transmission to human and the amount of ingested viruses. We further estimated the incidence of HEV infection specifically attributed to pork-related foodborne transmission in four representative European countries. Finally, we demonstrated a proof-of-concept of mitigating HEV transmission by implementing vaccination in human and pig populations. Our modeling approach bears essential implications for better understanding the transmission of pork-related foodborne HEV and for developing mitigation strategies

The effects of daily fasting hours on shaping gut microbiota in mice

BACKGROUND: It has recently been reported that intermittent fasting shapes the gut microbiota to benefit health, but this effect may be influenced to the exact fasting protocols. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of different daily fasting hours on shaping the gut microbiota in mice. Healthy C57BL/6 J male mice were subjected to 12, 16 or 20 h fasting per day for 1 month, and then fed ad libitum for an extended month. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing and food intake was recorded as well. RESULTS: We found that cumulative food intake was not changed in the group with 12 h daily fasting, but significantly decreased in the 16 and 20 h fasting groups. The composition of gut microbiota was altered by all these types of intermittent fasting. At genus level, 16 h fasting led to increased level of Akkermansia and decreased level of Alistipes, but these effects disappeared after the cessation of fasting. No taxonomic differences were identified in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicated that intermittent fasting shapes gut microbiota in healthy mice, and the length of daily fasting interval may influence the outcome of intermittent fasting

Unique challenges to control the spread of COVID-19 in the Middle East

The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading at unprecedented pace among the Middle East and neighboring countries. This region is geographically, economically, politically, culturally and religiously a very sensitive area, which impose unique challenges for effective control of this epidemic. These challenges include compromised healthcare systems, prolonged regional conflicts and humanitarian crises, suboptimal levels of transparency and cooperation, and frequent religious gatherings. These factors are interrelated and collectively determine the response to the pandemic in this region. Here, we in-depth emphasize these challenges and take a glimpse of possible solutions towards mitigating the spread of COVID-19

Ivermectin effectively inhibits hepatitis E virus replication, requiring the host nuclear transport protein importin α1

We show that ivermectin, an FDA-approved anti-parasitic drug, effectively inhibits infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 3 in a range of cell culture models, including hepatic and extrahepatic cells. Long-term treatment showed no clear evidence of the development of drug resistance. Gene silencing of importin-α1, a cellular target of ivermectin and a key member of the host nuclear transport complex, inhibited viral replication and largely abolished the anti-HEV effect of ivermectin.</p

Ivermectin effectively inhibits hepatitis E virus replication, requiring the host nuclear transport protein importin α1

We show that ivermectin, an FDA-approved anti-parasitic drug, effectively inhibits infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 3 in a range of cell culture models, including hepatic and extrahepatic cells. Long-term treatment showed no clear evidence of the development of drug resistance. Gene silencing of importin-α1, a cellular target of ivermectin and a key member of the host nuclear transport complex, inhibited viral replication and largely abolished the anti-HEV effect of ivermectin.</p

Dampak Pembangunan Infrastruktur Perdesaan Pada Program PNPM Mandiri Perdesaan Di Kabupaten Toli Toli

The purpose of this study was to determine the Development Impact of Rural Infrastructure in PNPM RuralProgram in Toli-Toli. Research conducted on the implementation of PNPM Rural Program in Toli-Toli forfiscal year 2007 and 2008.Primary data obtained from interviews with relevant parties and direct observation in the field, then the datais processed with Descriptive Analysis.The results showed the impact of rural infrastructure development in poor communities in Toli Toli, namely:increasing revenue, impoving public education, improving health and improving the public midset. Impact onvillage institutions, namely: the function and role of local government to be effective, institutions ofparticipatory development and improvement of the quality of facilities.and social infrastructure andeconomic base of societ

Protective Effect of Antioxidant Peptides Derived from Yak Milk Casein on Oxidative Stress Injury in HEK293 Cells

In this experiment, HEK293 cells were induced by H2O2 to establish a cell model of oxidative damage, and the optimal H2O2 concentration and treatment time were determined. The effects of five antioxidant peptides (AFK, IEQI, FPFF, LPVPQ and RELEEL) derived from yak milk casein on the survival rate, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione contents of the damaged cells were studied, and the mechanism of action of the antioxidant peptides was explored to provide a theoretical basis for their development and application in high value-added biological products and functional foods. The results showed that these antioxidant peptides had different scavenging effects on different radical species, but they all showed a dose-effect relationship. After being treated with a final concentration of 400 μmol/L H2O2 for 12 h, the inhibitory rate of HEK293 cells was (46.21 ± 0.40)%. Cytotoxicity test showed that the five antioxidant peptides had no toxic or side effects on HEK-293 cells, and did not promote cell proliferation either. These antioxidant peptides could significantly reduce the contents of malondialdehyde (except LPVPQ) and oxidized glutathione in HEK293 cells damaged by oxidation, and enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes. RELEEL at a concentration of 200 μg/mL significantly reduced MDA content to (0.062 ± 0.000) nmol/104 cells and increased glutathione content to (61.17 ± 2.48) μg/106 cells while maintaining high GSH/GSSG ratio of 64.93 ± 0.95. The antioxidant peptide LPVPQ at 200 μg/mL significantly reduced the content of oxidized glutathione to (0.74 ± 0.26) μg/106 cells and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to (1.17 ± 0.02) U/104 cells; the antioxidant peptide AFK at 200 μg/mL significantly enhanced catalase (CAT) activity to (0.60 ± 0.09) U/104 cells. These results indicate that the antioxidant peptides derived from yak milk casein have positive effects on cells damaged by oxidation, which can provide a reference for further development of relevant products

Systematically comparing COVID-19 with the 2009 influenza pandemic for hospitalized patients

Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively compare the clinical features of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with hospitalized 2009 influenza pandemic patients. Methods: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google scholar were systematically searched to identify studies related to COVID-19 and the 2009 influenza pandemic. The pooled incidence rates of clinical features were estimated using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model with the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation method. Results: The incidence rates of fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, rhinorrhea, myalgia/muscle pain, or vomiting were found to be significantly higher in influenza patients when compared with COVID-19 patients. The incidence rates of comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease/hypertension and diabetes, were significantly higher in COVID-19 compared with influenza patients. In contrast, comorbidities such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and immunocompromised conditions were significantly more common in influenza compared with COVID-19 patients. Unexpectedly, the estimated rates of intensive care unit admission, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, treatment with antibiotics, and fatality were comparable between hospitalized COVID-19 and 2009 influenza pandemic patients. Conclusions: This study comprehensively estimated the differences and similarities of the clinical features and burdens of hospitalized COVID-19 and 2009 influenza pandemic patients. This information will be important to better understand the current COVID-19 pandemic