Busting Myths about SARS-CoV-2 Viral Pandemic to Non-medical Personnel

Background: During these moments of anxiety, fear and to some extentdespair, it is imperative for everyone to have access to the right information.This can be achieved through breaking down the science and medicalterminologies used to express the scenarios emanating from the COVID-19pandemic. Forward: This commentary focuses on the most askedquestions that, when not answered with scientific grounds to convince thenon-medics can result in non-science based “infodemics”. The brief historybehind COVID-19 pandemic, the science of SARS-CoV-2, the taxonomiesused, a brief on the Pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2, the genetic make up,most vulnerable indivduals, antibodies against COVID-19, mother to babytransmission, conspiracy theories reagading the virus being weaponized,mutations occurring with SARS-CoV-2 and reoccurrence of COVID-19in the future are all explained at great length. The review made referencesto the existing publications regarding this pandemic. Conclusion: Whilethe science regarding this virus is not exhausted, we confirmed that, theknowledge gap between non-medics and medics is wide. The resultsemerging from the pandemic to form data are questionable, so it is ourcollective responsibility to fight against this virus in order to stop furtherspreading by providing the right information to the public. If we would notcome together to fight and win this battle, we might be witnessing manylarge cities turning into emerging epicenters of COVID-19

İçme suyundaki patojenik mikroorganizmaların (bakteri ve protozoonlar) konvansiyonel yöntemler ile identifikasyonu

Bu çalışma, Batı Afrika'nın Gambiya kentinde bulunan köylerin su fıçılarından alınan içme suyu örneklerinin mikrobiyal yükünü saptamaya odaklanmıştır. Dolayısıyla içme suyundaki hastalıklara neden olan patojen mikroorganizmaları ve hastalıkları ortadan kaldırmayı amaçlamaktadır. İzin alınarak, 20 farklı istasyondan en aseptik şartlarda 20 su örneği toplanmış ve 30 dakika içinde laboratuara getirilmiştir. Aralarından bazıları kimyasal olarak analiz edilmiştir ve hepsi parazit sayımına tabi tutulmuş ve konsantre bir hacim sağlamak için sentrifükasyonun ardından kültüre alınmıştır. Kimyasal parametrelerde, EPA standartlarına göre çok farklılık saptanmamıştır. Pek çok numunede bilinen organizmalar tanımlanmamasına rağmen, örneklerden birinde Entameoba histolytica ve Giardia benzeri organizmanın kisti belirlenmiştir. Hemen hemen tüm örneklerde MacConkey agara ekilen koloniler nadiren Eosin methylene blue (EMB) agarında koloni şeklinde büyüme göstermiştir. Seçici ortamdaki saf kültürler doğrulayıcı testlerden geçerek, API testi ile içme suyundaki Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae ve Citrobacter freundii'yi onaylamıştır. Bu çalışma, musluk suyunun temiz ve güvenli olduğunu gösterirken, su fıçılarından alınan içme suyunun, gastroenterit veya bulaşıcı ishale neden olabilecek bazı patojen mikroplar içerdiğini ortaya koymuştur. Depolama tesisleri, klor içeren bileşiklerle sık sık dezenfekte edilmelidir veya su fıçıları temiz olanlarla değiştirilmelidirThis study focuses on conventional approaches while considering indicator organisms for the contamination of drinking water drawn from the jar in one of the villages found in the Gambia, West Africa. The study intends to rule in pathogenic microorganisms when present in water would cause contamination and hence disease to the inhabitants. 20 samples were collected and brought to the laboratory within 30 minutes. Chlorine, Nitrate, Nitrite, Alkalinity, Lead, Hardness, copper, iron, and pesticides were analyzed and all samples were subjected to parasite counting and cultured after centrifuging to enable a concentrated volume. The chemical parameters were not very deviating from Environmental Protecting Agency (EPA) standards. Almost all the samples showed growth on MacConkey plates but rare growth was seen on EMB agar. The pure cultures were subcultured on selective media and confirmatory tests such as oxidase and the API were used to confirm the pathogens. Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia like organism were isolated, also ameaba cysts and unidentified organisms were seen. Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae and Citrobacter freundii were some of the pathogens isolated from the drinking water. The study concluded that, while the tap water was cleaner and safer, the drinking water from jars contain some pathogenic microbes that can cause gastroenteritis or infectious diarrhoea. The storage facilities need to be either replaced with a different and clean container or the jars be frequently disinfected with chlorine-containing compounds

HIV Counseling and Testing Uptake, Knowledge and Attitude and Influencing Factors among Student Nurses and Midwives in The Gambia: An Institutional-based Cross-sectional Study

HIV counseling and testing (HCT) has become paramount in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS worldwide. However, the uptake of HCT has been very slow globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Student nurses formed the largest group undergoing health care training in the country compared to doctors and other health cadres. According to WHO, they are part of the most vulnerable group to HIV infection, judging by the fact that they interact more with patients/clients than other healthcare professionals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HCT uptake, knowledge, and attitude and evaluate influencing factors among student nurses and midwives in public nursing schools. An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from 305 randomly selected nursing students and midwives using a validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (chi square, logistics regression, one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-test) were used for data analysis using SPSS version 25.0. A p-value < 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. Out of the 305 students recruited for the study, 60.98% were females, with a mean age of 25.5 years old. About 58.4% of the participants had tested for HIV in the past. About 95.7% acknowledged the importance of HCT in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. HCT uptake among student nurses and midwives was influenced by factors ranging from an individual that are interpersonal challenges (such as concerns of friends), perceived susceptibility to the disease, lack of confidentiality, stigma and discrimination from health service providers. Therefore, these barriers can be addressed through an organized targeted health education intervention and advocacy programs across health training institutions in the Gambia and beyond

Abnormal Gene Expression Regulation Mechanism of Myeloid Cell Nuclear Differentiation Antigen in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma (LA) is the main pathological type of lung cancer with a very low 5-year survival rate. In the present study, after downloading the mRNA, miRNA, and DNA methylation sequencing data from TCGA, combined with the downloaded clinical data, comparative analysis, prognostic analysis, GO and KEGG analysis, GSEA analysis, methylation analysis, transcriptional regulation and post-transcriptional regulation were performed. We found that both methylation and gene expression of MNDA in LA were down-regulated, while high expression of MNDA was associated with good overall survival in LA. To probe the mechanism, further analysis showed that SPI1 was the main transcription factor of MNDA, but it was also down-regulated in LA. At the same time, the expression of eight target miRNAs of MNDA was significantly up-regulated, and the expression of hsa-miR-33a-5p and hsa-miR-33b-5p were verified to directly target MNDA. In conclusion, the abnormal expression of MNDA in LA is the result of the combined effects of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation

Zoonotic Spillover in an Era of Rapid Deforestation of Tropical Areas and Unprecedented Wildlife Trafficking: Into the Wild

Rapid deforestation and unprecedented wildlife trafficking are important factors triggering the rate of zoonotic spillover from animals to humans. Consequently, this leads to the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases among the human population. Deforestation is an important ecological disruption that leads to the loss of biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity results in the persistence of highest-quality hosts of zoonotic pathogens dominating the low-diversity communities, a process termed the dilution effect. Activities like intensive farming and logging that resulted in deforestation bring vulnerable people in close contact with these highest-quality reservoir hosts (wildlife). As a result of this vulnerability, there is an increased risk of spillover, leading to zoonotic infection in humans and eventually disease outbreaks during human–human transmission. One prominent example of a disease of wildlife origin is the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2), even though the original source has not been found. Another important factor facilitating the risk of spillover and emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases is wildlife trafficking. This involves illegal hunting and trading of wildlife and their products, which increases the risk of spillover as a result of exchange of bodily fluids and bloodmeals between humans and wildlife during the hunting and butchering of animals’ carcasses. Consequently, little or no hygiene protocol and poor handling practices during the wildlife-trade chain expose poachers, consumers, and local market sellers to the risk of zoonotic diseases. Despite the interventions on deforestation-induced spillover and wildlife trafficking-associated spillover, there are still knowledge and research gaps that need to be addressed towards preventing the outbreaks of future zoonotic infectious diseases. In response to this, there is a need for interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaborations among researchers from various fields as well as sectors in minimizing the risk of zoonotic spillover driven by deforestation and wildlife trafficking at the human–animal–environmental nexus. In addition, there is a need for integrated and unified evidence-based policy formulation that puts an end to deforestation and wildlife trafficking, especially in tropical areas such as Africa and Asia

Gut microbiota and the human gut physiological changes

Abdalla Abdelhalim Mohamed, Ph.D., Khalid/0000-0003-3822-9073WOS:000595674000002Background The human gut can be colonized by number of microorganisms. The most studied are bacteria, which changes from birth to newborn born into adult-like gut microbiota. Much is known about the effects of dietary, medications, and lifestyles on the bacterial composition. However, the host physiological changes influencing the gut microbiota, the immediate consequences, and the possible gut microbiota therapy are not studied at length. This review is based profoundly on animal model studies through experimentation and some human clinical trials for the past 20 years. Forward The physiological factors studied to influences gut microbiota are bacterial mucosal receptors, mucin glycosylation, mucus, epithelial microvilli, and tight junction. Host secretions and immune response such as immunity, secretory A (sIgA), inflammasome, innate immunity, immune response, glycans, bile acids, peristalsis, microRNA, and adhesion to intestinal glycans are as well found to confer variety of alterations on gut microbial flora. Conclusion Despite the resilience of the gut microbiota in response to changes, chain of events causes the imbalance microbiota. Increased pro-inflammatory potential with the help of cell barriers, host secretions, and immune response mediate gut recovery.National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [31670121, 31771277]This work was supported by Grant 31670121 and 31771277 from National Natural Science Foundation of China

Prevalence and associated influential factors of mental health problems among Chinese college students during different stages of COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

This systematic review aims to take China as an example to determine the prevalence of mental health problems and associated influential factors of college students in different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide a reference for effective intervention in the future. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google scholar. A total of 30 articles were included. 1,477,923 Chinese college students were surveyed. In the early stage, the prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD ranged from 9.0% to 65.2%, 6.88%–41.1%, 8.53%–67.05%, and 2.7%–30.8%, respectively. Major risk factors were being a female, a medical student, isolation or quarantine, having family members or friends infected with COVID-19, and challenges of online learning. During the normalization stage, depression, anxiety, and insomnia prevalence rates ranged from 8.7% to 50.2%, 4.2%–34.6%, and 6.1%–35.0%, respectively. The main risk factors were self-quarantined after school reopening, regular taking temperature, and wearing face masks. The prevalence rates of mental health problems and associated influential factors unveiled in both stages showed that the students' mental health status was greatly affected. Therefore, a combination of efforts from the government, universities, and families or communities is highly needed to alleviate the mental health sufferings of students

miR-34b/c-5p/CXCL10 Axis Induced by RSV Infection Mediates a Mechanism of Airway Hyperresponsive Diseases

Background: RSV is closely correlated with post-infection airway hyperresponsive diseases (AHD), but the mechanism remains unclear. Objective: Due to the pivotal role of miRNAs in AHD, we analyzed the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) in RSV-infected patients, asthma patients, and COPD patients from public datasets and explored the mechanisms of association between RSV and AHD. Methods: We obtained miRNA and mRNA databases of patients with RSV infection, as well as miRNA databases of asthma and COPD patients from the GEO database. Through integrated analysis, we screened DEmiRs and DEGs. Further analysis was carried out to obtain the hub genes through the analysis of biological pathways and enrichment pathways of DEGs targeted by DEmiRs and the construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Results: The five differential molecules (miR-34b/c-5p, Cd14, Cxcl10, and Rhoh) were verified through in vivo experiments that had the same expression trend in the acute and chronic phases of RSV infection. Following infection of BEAS-2B cells with RSV, we confirmed that RSV infection down-regulated miR-34b/c-5p, and up-regulated the expression levels of CXCL10 and CD14. Furthermore, the results of the dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that CXCL10 was the target of hsa-miR-34c-5p. Conclusions: miR-34b/c-5p/CXCL10 axis mediates a mechanism of AHD