title: Pathogeography: leveraging the biogeography of human infectious diseases for global health management

text: Biogeography is an implicit and fundamental component of almost every dimension of modern biology, from natural selection and speciation to invasive species and biodiversity management. However, biogeography has rarely been integrated into human or veterinary medicine nor routinely leveraged for global health management. Here we review the theory and application of biogeography to the research and management of human infectious diseases, an integration we refer to as ‘pathogeography’. Pathogeography represents a promising framework for understanding and decomposing the spatial distributions, diversity patterns and emergence risks of human infectious diseases into interpretable components of dynamic socio‐ecological systems. Analytical tools from biogeography are already helping to improve our understanding of individual infectious disease distributions and the processes that shape them in space and time. At higher levels of organization, biogeographical studies of diseases are rarer but increasing, improving our ability to describe and explain patterns that emerge at the level of disease communities (e.g. co‐occurrence, diversity patterns, biogeographic regionalisation). Even in a highly globalized world most human infectious diseases remain constrained in their geographic distributions by ecological barriers to the dispersal or establishment of their causal pathogens, reservoir hosts and/or vectors. These same processes underpin the spatial arrangement of other taxa, such as mammalian biodiversity, providing a strong empirical ‘prior’ with which to assess the potential distributions of infectious diseases when data on their occurrence is unavailable or limited. In the absence of quality data, generalized biogeographic patterns could provide the earliest (and in some cases the only) insights into the potential distributions of many poorly known or emerging, or as‐yet‐unknown, infectious disease risks. Encouraging more community ecologists and biogeographers to collaborate with health professionals (and vice versa) has the potential to improve our understanding of infectious disease systems and identify novel management strategies to improve local, global and planetary health.


title: Lambda interferons come to light: dual function cytokines mediating antiviral immunity and damage control

text: Lambda interferons (IFNλs, type III IFNs or interleukins-28/29) were described fifteen years ago as novel cytokines sharing structural and functional homology with IL-10 and type I IFNs, respectively. IFNλs engage a unique receptor complex comprising IFNLR1 and IL10R2, nevertheless they share signaling cascade and many functions with type I IFNs, questioning their possible non-redundant roles and overall biological importance. Here, we review the latest evidence establishing the primacy of IFNλs in front line protection at anatomical barriers, mediating antiviral immunity before type I IFNs. We also discuss their emerging role in regulating inflammation and limiting host damage, a major difference to type I IFNs. IFNλs come thus to light as dual function cytokines mediating antiviral immunity and damage control.


title: Clinical Characteristics, Associated Factors, and Predicting COVID-19 Mortality Risk: A Retrospective Study in Wuhan, China

text: Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a serious global pandemic. This study investigates the clinical characteristics and risk factors for COVID-19 mortality, and establishes a novel scoring system to predict mortality risk in COVID-19 patients. Methods A cohort of 1,663 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China, of whom 212 died and 1,252 recovered, were included in the present study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data on admission were collected from electronic medical records between January 14, 2020, and February 28, 2020. Clinical outcomes were collected until March 26, 2020. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the association between potential risk factors and COVID-19 mortality. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to predict COVID-19 mortality risk. All analyses were conducted in April 2020. Results Multivariable regression showed increased odds of COVID-19 mortality associated with older age (OR=2.15, 95% CI=1.35, 3.43), male sex (OR=1.97, 95% CI=1.29, 2.99), history of diabetes (OR=2.34, 95% CI=1.45, 3.76), lymphopenia (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.03, 2.46), and increased procalcitonin (OR=3.91, 95% CI=2.22, 6.91, per SD increase) on admission. Spline regression analysis indicated that the correlation between procalcitonin levels and COVID-19 mortality was nonlinear (p=0.0004 for nonlinearity). The area under the receiver operating curve of the COVID-19 mortality risk was 0.765 (95% CI=0.725, 0.805). Conclusions The independent risk factors for COVID-19 mortality included older age, male sex, history of diabetes, lymphopenia, and increased procalcitonin, which could help clinicians to identify COVID-19 patients with poor prognosis at an earlier stage. The COVID-19 mortality risk score model may assist clinicians in reducing COVID-19-related mortality by implementing better strategies for more effective use of limited medical resources.


Cutaneous manifestations in COVID‐19: a skin rash in a child


title: Diarrhoea as the presenting sign in an adolescent suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome

text: Patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) may present with extra-pulmonary symptoms. We report a 16-year-old adolescent with SARS who presented with diarrhoea. Treatment directed against SARS was prompted by an epidemiological link and the clinical picture as the disease evolved. This atypical presentation posed a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Conclusion:Proper disposal of patient excreta is important to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome.


Pandemic: Radiologists’ Ethical and Professional Responsibilities


title: Optical techniques for fast screening – towards prevention of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak

text: • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is emerging and requires early diagnostics. • Biomarkers are present for coronaviruses. • Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy are green technologies capable of high-throughput virus sensing.


Can Hypericum perforatum (SJW) prevent cytokine storm in COVID‐19 patients?


title: Beyond Deaths per Capita: Three CoViD-19 Mortality Indicators for Temporal and International Comparisons

text: CoViD-19 deaths to population size ratios fail to account for well-documented age and sex differences in CoViD-19 mortality. To assess trends across populations for which CoViD-19 deaths might not be available by age and sex, an indirect age-and-sex adjustment can still be performed. The corresponding Comparative CoViD-19 Mortality Ratio (CCMR) only requires population age and sex compositions. To compare CoViD-19 and overall mortality levels, the Crude Death Rate (CDR) and life expectancy at birth for recent calendar years are the most widely available overall mortality indicators. Readily comparable to an annual CDR, a Crude CoViD-19 Death Rate (CCDR) can be calculated for periods of any duration. CoViD-19-induced declines in projected life expectancy at birth for 2020 can also be calculated from existing life tables. We calculate the CCMR and CCDR for the period from their first CoViD-19 death to the present using US age and sex data and current estimates of CoViD-19 deaths in 166 Countries whose population composition is available from the UN, 28 Provinces in China, the 50 United States and DC. Across these 245 populations, 14 States and 11 Countries have CCMR values above 1—the US value by construction. Most affected to date, the period CCDR in New York exceeds its CDR for the most recent year available (7.83 per thousand in 2017). We also calculate CCMR and CCDR values corresponding to projections for the 50 States and DC, and for 49 countries, for which we can additionally calculate reductions in 2020 life expectancy at birth using UN life tables. This suggests life-expectancy reductions between .5 and 1 year for 7 European Countries, 3 South-American Countries and the US. The .55 reduction in the U.S. amounts to nearly twice the largest single-year decline induced by HIV/AIDS (−.3 between 1992 and 1993) or the total decline induced by opioid overdoses (also −.3 between 2014 and 2017), and would bring US life expectancy at birth down to its lowest level since 2008. As current CoViD-19 death counts likely underestimate the total increase in deaths and current projections do not account for possible new infection waves later this year, the impact on 2020 life expectancies at birth should be expected to exceed these figures.


title: Manifestaciones neuroftalmológicas como complicación de una infección por Mycoplasma pneumoniae y desarrollo posterior de una encefalitis aguda diseminada

text: Resumen El objetivo es describir dos cuadros clínicos neuroftalmológicos en niños por infección sistémica por Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae). Se presentan los casos de dos niñas de 14 y 12 años que acudieron a urgencias: la primera con oftalmoplejía internuclear y la segunda con pérdida de visión y cefalea. No presentaban otra focalidad neurológica. En la imagen de resonancia magnética se evidenciaron placas hiperintensas en ambas, sugerentes de cuadro desmielinizante. Al mes, los síntomas neuroftalmológicos se resolvieron y las resonancias magnéticas de control fueron normales. El diagnóstico fue encefalitis diseminada aguda secundaria a M. pneumoniae. El diagnóstico se hace por PCR (gold standard) y/o IgM en serología. Es importante pensar en esta posible etiología ante casos sugerentes de enfermedad desmielinizante. Existe controversia sobre el papel de los antibióticos y si se contemplan los corticoides. Como conclusión, M. pneumoniae debe ser diagnóstico diferencial en afectaciones neuroftalmológicas agudas en niños. Abstract The purpose of this article is to describe two paediatric neuro-ophthalmological clinical cases caused by a systemic infection due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae). The cases are two girls aged 14 and 12 seen in the Emergency Department: The first one had internuclear ophthalmoplegia and second with loss of vision and headache. They had no other neurological foci. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense plaques in both, suggestive of a demyelinating disease. One month later, the neuro-ophthalmological symptoms resolved, with normal follow-up magnetic resonance imagings. The diagnosis was acute disseminated encephalitis secondary to M. pneumoniae. The diagnosis was made using PCR (gold standard) and/or IgM in serology. It is important to think about this possible aetiology in cases of suggestive demyelinating disease. There is controversy about the role of antibiotics and on whether corticosteroids are contemplated. In conclusion, M. pneumoniae must be a differential diagnosis in acute neuro-ophthalmological disorders in children.


title: The term “physical distancing” is recommended rather than “social distancing” during the COVID-19 pandemic for reducing feelings of rejection among people with mental health problems

text: As COVID-19 has plagued our world, the term “social distancing” has been widely used with the aim to encourage the general population to physically distance themselves from others in order to reduce the spread of the virus. However, this term can have unintended but detrimental effects, as it evokes negative feelings of being ignored, unwelcome, left alone with one's own fears, and even excluded from society. These feelings may be stronger in people with mental illnesses and in socio-economically disadvantaged groups, such as stigmatized minorities, migrants, and homeless persons [1], many of them also having high risk for suicidal behaviors [2]. Mental health disorders are pervasive worldwide; the global burden accounting for approximately 21.2–32.4% of years lived with disability—more than any other group of illnesses [3]. So, the vulnerable group of people with mental health disorders represents a considerable share of the total global population.


title: Flight of the COVID-19 patient: experience with a Wuhan evacuee: a case report

text: BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 51-year-old Chinese woman who was evacuated from Wuhan, China and diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 infection at a Southern California quarantine facility. Her clinical course was notable for high fevers, night sweats, productive cough, transient leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis. Evolving hypoxia and infiltrates on chest imaging warranted the trial of an investigational antiviral drug - remdesivir. Our patient recovered and was discharged after 2 weeks of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights our patient’s clinical course, including diagnostic work-up, medical management, and challenges in defining non-infectivity in a relatively unknown disease.


title: Tissue Tropism and Transmission Ecology Predict Virulence of Human RNA Viruses

text: Novel infectious diseases continue to emerge within human populations. Predictive studies have begun to identify pathogen traits associated with emergence. However, emerging pathogens vary widely in virulence, a key determinant of their ultimate risk to public health. Here, we use structured literature searches to review the virulence of each of the 214 known human-infective RNA virus species. We then use a machine learning framework to determine whether viral virulence can be predicted by ecological traits including human-to-human transmissibility, transmission routes, tissue tropisms and host range. Using severity of clinical disease as a measurement of virulence, we identified potential risk factors using predictive classification tree and random forest ensemble models. The random forest model predicted literature-assigned disease severity of test data with 90.3% accuracy, compared to a null accuracy of 74.2%. In addition to viral taxonomy, the ability to cause systemic infection, having renal and/or neural tropism, direct contact or respiratory transmission, and limited (0 < R0 ≤ 1) human-to-human transmissibility were the strongest predictors of severe disease. We present a novel, comparative perspective on the virulence of all currently known human RNA virus species. The risk factors identified may provide novel perspectives in understanding the evolution of virulence and elucidating molecular virulence mechanisms. These risk factors could also improve planning and preparedness in public health strategies as part of a predictive framework for novel human infections. Author Summary Newly emerging infectious diseases present potentially serious threats to global health. Although studies have begun to identify pathogen traits associated with the emergence of new human diseases, these do not address why emerging infections vary in the severity of disease they cause, often termed ‘virulence’. We test whether ecological traits of human viruses can act as predictors of virulence, as suggested by theoretical studies. We conduct the first systematic review of virulence across all currently known human RNA virus species. We adopt a machine learning approach by constructing a random forest, a model that aims to optimally predict an outcome using a specific structure of predictors. Predictions matched literature-assigned ratings for 28 of 31 test set viruses. Our predictive model suggests that higher virulence is associated with infection of multiple organ systems, nervous systems or the renal systems. Higher virulence was also associated with contact-based or airborne transmission, and limited capability to transmit between humans. These risk factors may provide novel starting points for questioning why virulence should evolve and identifying causative mechanisms of virulence. In addition, our work could suggest priority targets for infectious disease surveillance and future public health risk strategies. Blurb Comparative analysis using machine learning shows specificity of tissue tropism and transmission biology can act as predictive risk factors for virulence of human RNA viruses.


docid: vizmbkhh

title: Rotavirus infections in calves in dairy herds

text: Neonatal calf diarrhoea was studied in 115 calves of one dairy herd from January 1976 to June 1977. Two syndromes could he distinguished: a mild and short lasting ‘early diarrhoea’ within the first three days of life and a usually more severe ‘late diarrhoea’ from the fourth to the 14th day of life. The latter type of diarrhoea occurred almost exclusively during the first half of the year. Thirty-four out of 45 calves with late diarrhoea excreted rotaviruses, whereas only one of 34 calves with early diarrhoea excreted virus. In addition, rotavirus excretion was found in 11 calves that cither remained healthy or had recovered from diarrhoea before virus was first detected. Similar findings were obtained in the spring of 1978 but in addition bovine Coronavirus was recovered from four calves with late diarrhoea and from three healthy calves. One faecal sample obtained from a calf with diarrhoea on day 2 yielded K99+ Escherichia coli. Nearly all cows excreted rotavirus-specilic antibodies in their colostrum but no relationship was found between the initial colostral antibody titre against rotavirus and the development of rotavirus-associated diarrhoea in the calf.


Coronavirus and Risk Analysis


title: Spread of infectious microbes during emergency medical response

text: BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, no studies to date demonstrate potential spread of microbes during actual emergency medical service (EMS) activities. Our study introduces a novel approach to identification of contributors to EMS environment contamination and development of infection control strategies, using a bacteriophage surrogate for pathogenic organisms. METHODS: Bacteriophage ΦX174 was used to trace cross-contamination and evaluate current disinfection practices and a hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) wipe intervention within emergency response vehicles. Prior to EMS calls, 2 surfaces were seeded with ΦX174. On call completion, EMS vehicle and equipment surfaces were sampled before decontamination, after decontamination per current practices, and after implementation of the intervention. RESULTS: Current decontamination practices did not significantly reduce viral loads on surfaces (P = .3113), but H(2)O(2) wipe intervention did (P = .0065). Bacteriophage spread to 56% (27/48) of sites and was reduced to 54% (26/48) and 40% (19/48) with current decontamination practices and intervention practices, respectively. CONCLUSION: Results suggest firefighters' hands were the main vehicles of microbial transfer. Current practices were not consistently applied or standardized and minimally reduced prevalence and quantity of microbial contamination on EMS surfaces. Although use of a consistent protocol of H(2)O(2) wipes significantly reduced percent prevalence and concentration of viruses, training and promotion of surface disinfection should be provided.


title: SUMO and Cytoplasmic RNA Viruses: From Enemies to Best Friends

text: SUMO is a ubiquitin-like protein that covalently binds to lysine residues of target proteins and regulates many biological processes such as protein subcellular localization or stability, transcription, DNA repair, innate immunity, or antiviral defense. SUMO has a critical role in the signaling pathway governing type I interferon (IFN) production, and among the SUMOylation substrates are many IFN-induced proteins. The overall effect of IFN is increasing global SUMOylation, pointing to SUMO as part of the antiviral stress response. Viral agents have developed different mechanisms to counteract the antiviral activities exerted by SUMO, and some viruses have evolved to exploit the host SUMOylation machinery to modify their own proteins. The exploitation of SUMO has been mainly linked to nuclear replicating viruses due to the predominant nuclear localization of SUMO proteins and enzymes involved in SUMOylation. However, SUMOylation of numerous viral proteins encoded by RNA viruses replicating at the cytoplasm has been lately described. Whether nuclear localization of these viral proteins is required for their SUMOylation is unclear. Here, we summarize the studies on exploitation of SUMOylation by cytoplasmic RNA viruses and discuss about the requirement for nuclear localization of their proteins.


docid: ymbfoqfa

title: Effective inhibition of MERS-CoV infection by resveratrol

text: BACKGROUND: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging viral pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality. Up to date, there is no approved or licensed vaccine or antiviral medicines can be used to treat MERS-CoV-infected patients. Here, we analyzed the antiviral activities of resveratrol, a natural compound found in grape seeds and skin and in red wine, against MERS-CoV infection. METHODS: We performed MTT and neutral red uptake assays to assess the survival rates of MERS-infected Vero E6 cells. In addition, quantitative PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescent assays determined the intracellular viral RNA and protein expression. For viral productivity, we utilized plaque assays to confirm the antiviral properties of resveratrol against MERS-CoV. RESULTS: Resveratrol significantly inhibited MERS-CoV infection and prolonged cellular survival after virus infection. We also found that the expression of nucleocapsid (N) protein essential for MERS-CoV replication was decreased after resveratrol treatment. Furthermore, resveratrol down-regulated the apoptosis induced by MERS-CoV in vitro. By consecutive administration of resveratrol, we were able to reduce the concentration of resveratrol while achieving inhibitory effectiveness against MERS-CoV. CONCLUSION: In this study, we first demonstrated that resveratrol is a potent anti-MERS agent in vitro. We perceive that resveratrol can be a potential antiviral agent against MERS-CoV infection in the near future.


title: Laparoscopic surgery reduces the incidence of surgical site infections compared to the open approach for colorectal procedures: a meta-analysis

text: BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSI) are the commonest healthcare associated infections. They severely compromise patient safety, are a significant burden on healthcare resources and have an adverse impact on patient quality of life. The incidence of SSIs can be as high as 10% after colorectal procedures. The laparoscopic approach is being increasingly used to undertake colorectal procedures. It provides advantages over the traditional open approach with smaller incisions, shorter hospital stay and equal oncological outcomes. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate whether the laparoscopic approach for colorectal procedures reduces the incidence of SSI compared to the open approach. METHODS: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the two approaches published since 2000 were included in the review. Revman 5.3 software was used to carry out the review. Data were pooled and the results were shown as risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals using the fixed effects model. RESULTS: Sixteen RCT’s were included in the analysis comprising 5797 patients. These covered a range of colorectal pathologies including colon cancer, rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome. Analysis showed significantly lower wound infection rates (RR: 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.60–0.88, p = 0.001) and lower abdominal abscess rates (RR: 0.88, 95% CI 0.62–1.27, p = 0.51). The combined SSI rate was significantly lower in laparoscopic compared to open surgery (RR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.64–0.90, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery significantly lowers the incidence of SSI compared to open surgery. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s10151-020-02293-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.


title: 2019-nCoV: Measures Adopted at the Departments of Oral Surgery and Radiology during the Period of an Uncontrolled Transmission Increase

text: A new mutation of 2019-nCoV emerged and has been spreading worldwide. Dental practices are an important person-to-person transmission route. In this regard, preventive measures are required to avoid the cross contamination among professionals and patients. This report brings recommended measures for dental assistance during the pandemic phase. The clinical protocol applied at the Department of Oral Maxillofacial and Surgery, such as at the Department of Radiology, Hospital University Münster, is described. A management protocol was applied to prevent the transmission route of 2019-nCoV. Patients infected with 2019-nCoV are treated only in emergency situations. The use of protective equipment and dental office isolation were the major points to avoid the contact between infected and non-infected patients. Preventive measures should be taken in order to reduce the spread of 2019-nCoV infection.


title: Clinical characteristics of 54 medical staff with COVID‐19: A retrospective study in a single center in Wuhan, China

text: In December 2019, an outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐Cov‐2) infection occurred in Wuhan, and rapidly spread to worldwide, which has attracted many people's concerns about the patients. However, studies on the infection status of medical personnel is still lacking. A total of 54 cases of SARS‐Cov‐2 infected medical staff from Tongji Hospital between 7 January and 11 February 2020 were analyzed in this retrospective study. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics were compared between different groups by statistical method. From 7 January to 11 February 2020, 54 medical staff of Tongji Hospital were hospitalized due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Most of them were from other clinical departments (72.2%) rather than emergency department (3.7%) or medical technology departments (18.5%). Among the 54 patients with COVID‐19, the distribution of age had a significant difference between non‐severe type and severe/critical cases (median age: 47 years vs 38 years; P = .0015). However, there was no statistical difference in terms of gender distribution and the first symptoms between theses two groups. Furthermore, we observed that the lesion regions in SARS‐Cov‐2 infected lungs with severe‐/critical‐type of medical staff were more likely to exhibit lesions in the right upper lobe (31.7% vs 0%; P = .028) and right lung (61% vs 18.2%; P = .012). Based on our findings with medical staff infection data, we suggest training for all hospital staff to prevent infection and preparation of sufficient protection and disinfection materials.


title: Awake tracheal intubation in a suspected COVID-19 patient with critical airway obstruction

text: Summary We report the airway management of a patient suspected of being COVID-19 positive with impending airway obstruction requiring urgent surgical tracheostomy To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an awake tracheal intubation in a suspected COVID-19 positive patient Various modifications were put in place during the awake tracheal intubation and surgical tracheostomy procedures to minimise aerosol generation from the patient, such as avoiding high flow nasal oxygen, establishing conscious sedation with remifentanil prior to commencing airway topicalisation and avoiding trans-tracheal local anaesthetic infiltration A multidisciplinary team discussion prior to performing the case highlighted aspects of both the airway management and the surgical procedure where particular care and modifications are required There is a lack of national guidance for awake tracheal intubation and tracheostomy in COVID-19 cases This report nevertheless addresses the key procedural modifications required


title: Identification of a conserved linear B-cell epitope in the M protein of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

text: BACKGROUND: The major structural protein of coronaviruses, the membrane (M) protein, can elicit the formation of protective antibodies, but little information is available about the M protein of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Identification of epitopes on the PEDV M protein will be helpful in the elucidation of the antigenic properties of this protein. RESULTS: One hybridoma cell line secreting anti-M protein monoclonal antibody (McAb) was generated and designated 4D4. To map the epitopes on the PEDV M protein, a total of 17 partially overlapping fragments covering the C-terminus of M protein were expressed as fusion proteins with a 6×His tag or a GST tag. A linear motif, (193)TGWAFYVR(200), was identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot (WB) analysis using McAb 4D4. The motif (195)WAFYVR(200) was the minimal requirement for reactivity, as demonstrated by removing amino acids individually from both ends of the motif (193)TGWAFYVR(200). The result of WB analysis showed that the 4D4-defined epitope could be recognized by PEDV-positive serum, but not transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV)-positive serum. Furthermore, this epitope was highly conserved among different PEDV strains, as shown by alignment and comparison of sequences. CONCLUSION: A McAb, 4D4, directed against the M protein of PEDV, was obtained, and the 4D4-defined minimal epitope sequence was (195)WAFYVR(200). The McAb could serve as a candidate for development of a McAb-based antigen capture ELISA for detection of PEDV. The epitope identified provides a basis for the development of epitope-based differential diagnostic techniques and may be useful in the design of epitope-based vaccines.


title: Immune responses to T-cell epitopes of SARS CoV-N protein are enhanced by N immunization with a chimera of lysosome-associated membrane protein

text: In our previous study by Gupta et al, dominant T-cell epitopes of SARS CoV-N(N) protein were predicted by software. The spectrum of interferon (IFN)-γ responses of Balb/c mice immunized against two different forms of SARS CoV-N plasmid was then analyzed. A cluster of dominant T-cell epitopes of SARS CoV-N protein was found in the N-terminus (amino acids 76–114). On the basis of this study, four different plasmids were constructed: (i) DNA encoding the unmodified N (p-N) or N(70−122) (p-N(70−122)) as an endogenous cytoplasmic protein or (ii) DNA encoding a lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP) chimera with N (p-LAMP/N) or N(70−122) (p-LAMP/N(70−122)). The immune responses of mice to these four constructs were evaluated. The results showed marked differences in the responses of the immunized mice. A single priming immunization with the p-LAMP/N construct was sufficient to elicit an antibody response. Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay indicated that p-LAMP/N(70−122) and p-LAMP/N plasmids both elicited a greater IFN-γ response than p-N. p-N and p-N(70−122) constructs induced low or undetectable levels of cytokine secretion. We also found that the p-LAMP/N(70−122) construct promoted a long-lasting T-cell memory response without an additional boost 6 months after three immunizations. These findings show that DNA vaccines, even epitope-based DNA vaccines using LAMP as chimera, can elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses.


title: Coronaviruses Detected in Brazilian Wild Birds Reveal Close Evolutionary Relationships with Beta- and Deltacoronaviruses Isolated From Mammals

text: This study showed that the most of the coronaviruses (CoVs) detected in Brazilian wild birds clustered with the mouse hepatitis virus A59 strain, belonging to the BetaCoV group. Furthermore, CoV detected in two different bird species, Amazona vinacea and Brotogeris tirica, clustered with a CoV isolated from Sparrow (SpaCoV HKU17) belonging to a monophyletic group related with the CoVs isolated from swines (PorCoV HKU15), both belonging to the DeltaCoV genus, previously unreported in South America. Considering the risk of inter-species host switching and further adaptation to new hosts, detection in bird species of CoVs closely related to mammal CoVs should warn for the potential emergence of new threatening viruses. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00239-015-9693-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.


title: Combining qualitative and quantitative research within mixed method research designs: A methodological review

text: Abstract Objectives It has been argued that mixed methods research can be useful in nursing and health science because of the complexity of the phenomena studied. However, the integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches continues to be one of much debate and there is a need for a rigorous framework for designing and interpreting mixed methods research. This paper explores the analytical approaches (i.e. parallel, concurrent or sequential) used in mixed methods studies within healthcare and exemplifies the use of triangulation as a methodological metaphor for drawing inferences from qualitative and quantitative findings originating from such analyses. Design This review of the literature used systematic principles in searching CINAHL, Medline and PsycINFO for healthcare research studies which employed a mixed methods approach and were published in the English language between January 1999 and September 2009. Results In total, 168 studies were included in the results. Most studies originated in the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada. The analytic approach most widely used was parallel data analysis. A number of studies used sequential data analysis; far fewer studies employed concurrent data analysis. Very few of these studies clearly articulated the purpose for using a mixed methods design. The use of the methodological metaphor of triangulation on convergent, complementary, and divergent results from mixed methods studies is exemplified and an example of developing theory from such data is provided. Conclusion A trend for conducting parallel data analysis on quantitative and qualitative data in mixed methods healthcare research has been identified in the studies included in this review. Using triangulation as a methodological metaphor can facilitate the integration of qualitative and quantitative findings, help researchers to clarify their theoretical propositions and the basis of their results. This can offer a better understanding of the links between theory and empirical findings, challenge theoretical assumptions and develop new theory.


title: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS): Development of Diagnostics and Antivirals

text: abstract: The previously unknown coronavirus that caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS‐CoV) affected more than 8,000 persons worldwide and was responsible for more than 700 deaths during the first outbreak in 2002–2003. For reasons unknown, the SARS virus is less severe and the clinical progression a great deal milder in children younger than 12 years of age. In contrast, the mortality rate can exceed 50% for persons at or above the age of 60. As part of the Sino‐European Project on SARS Diagnostics and Antivirals (SEPSDA), an immune phage‐display library is being created from convalescent patients in a phagemid system for the selection of single‐chain fragment variables (scFv) antibodies recognizing the SARS‐CoV.


A study of persistent viral infections using nude mice and a temperature-sensitive mutant of vesicular stomatitis virus


title: Lack of dyspnea in patients with Covid‐19: another neurological conundrum?

text: One relevant feature of the Covid-19 disease is the absence of dyspnea, described as 'shortness of breath' or 'an unpleasant urge to breathe'. The lack of dyspnea is observed even in the most severe cases, in which subjects present tachypnea and tachycardia. In the Wuhan cohort, 62.4% of severe cases and 46.3% of those who ended up intubated, ventilated or dead did not present dyspnea[1,2].


title: Survival of covid-19 patients requires precise immune regulation: the hypothetical immunoprotective role of nicotinic agonists

text: Summary recent studies have provided novel evidence regarding the effect of nicotine agonists on the prevention or modulation of cytokines storm and reduction of infection. In this study we tried to attempt to address these issues from a therapeutic perspective of nicotine agonists in this manner and we describe one of the most challenging theories of immunotherapy in coronavirus-19 (COV-19). The analysis of the proposed mechanism goes beyond the physiological consequences of a way to design new strategies to provide anti-inflammatory drugs.


title: Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of several ring-contracted amantadine analogs

text: Abstract The synthesis of several (3-noradamantyl)amines, [(3-noradamantyl)methyl]amines, (3,7-dimethyl-1-bisnoradamantyl)amines, and [(3,7-dimethyl-1-bisnoradamantyl)methyl]amines is reported. They were evaluated against a wide range of viruses and one of them inhibited the cytopathicity of influenza A virus at a concentration similar to that of amantadine. Several of the new polycyclic amines show an interesting activity as NMDA receptor antagonists. A rimantadine analogue displayed significant trypanocidal activity. Moreover, to further characterize the pharmacology of these compounds, their effects on dopamine uptake were also assessed.


title: Influenza

text: Influenza is an infectious respiratory disease that, in humans, is caused by influenza A and influenza B viruses. Typically characterized by annual seasonal epidemics, sporadic pandemic outbreaks involve influenza A virus strains of zoonotic origin. The WHO estimates that annual epidemics of influenza result in ~1 billion infections, 3–5 million cases of severe illness and 300,000–500,000 deaths. The severity of pandemic influenza depends on multiple factors, including the virulence of the pandemic virus strain and the level of pre-existing immunity. The most severe influenza pandemic, in 1918, resulted in >40 million deaths worldwide. Influenza vaccines are formulated every year to match the circulating strains, as they evolve antigenically owing to antigenic drift. Nevertheless, vaccine efficacy is not optimal and is dramatically low in the case of an antigenic mismatch between the vaccine and the circulating virus strain. Antiviral agents that target the influenza virus enzyme neuraminidase have been developed for prophylaxis and therapy. However, the use of these antivirals is still limited. Emerging approaches to combat influenza include the development of universal influenza virus vaccines that provide protection against antigenically distant influenza viruses, but these vaccines need to be tested in clinical trials to ascertain their effectiveness.


title: Gynecological malignancies with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during the convalescence of outbreak

text: • COVID-19 has become a global pandemic. • Gynecologic malignancies with lung metastasis should be alert to asymptomatic infection. • Gynecologic malignancies with asymptomatic COVID-19 can be controlled under strict measures.


title: Immune Parameters of Dry Cows Fed Mannan Oligosaccharide and Subsequent Transfer of Immunity to Calves *

text: Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of supplementation of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) to cows during the last 3 wk of the dry period on immune function of the cows and subsequent transfer of passive immunity to their calves. Indicators of nonspecific and specific immunity were evaluated. Cows were vaccinated against rotavirus at 4 and 2 wk before expected parturition. Blood samples were obtained from cows before vaccination and at weekly intervals until calving and from calves at birth and 24h for analysis of serum protein concentrations, packed cell volume, white blood cell counts, white blood cell differentials, and serum rotavirus neutralization titers. Colostrum quantity and quality were measured at calving, and immunoglobulin isotype concentrations in colostrum were determined. Specific immunity was enhanced by MOS supplementation as evidenced by greater serum rotavirus neutralization titers at calving in cows supplemented with MOS compared with control cows. Colostral rotavirus neutralization titers were not affected by treatment. Although numerical differences appeared large, there was a high degree of variability in the colostral rotavirus neutralization titers. Calves from cows fed MOS tended to have greater serum rotavirus neutralization titers compared with calves from cows fed the control diet. There was a tendency for greater increases in serum protein concentrations from birth to 24h in calves from cows fed MOS compared with calves from cows fed the control diet. Results indicate that supplementation of MOS to cows during the dry period enhanced their immune response to rotavirus and tended to enhance the subsequent transfer of rotavirus antibodies to calves.


Pregnancy and H1N1 infection – Authors' reply


docid: muiwpugy

title: Head and neck cancer surgery in COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Italy

text: • The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic represents a great challenge both in itself and for time-sensitive diseases. • Head and neck cancer surgery is a high risk procedure for COVID-19. • Possibility of SARS-CoV-2 false negative at pre-operative evaluation in asymptomatic subjects should not let guard down in the post-operative time.


title: Epidemiology and clinical features of COVID-19: A review of current literature

text: Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 is a pandemic influencing the first half of the year 2020. The virus has rapidly spread to many countries. Studies are rapidly published to share information regarding epidemiology, clinical and diagnostic patterns, and prognosis. The following review condenses the surge of information into an organized format.


title: Major head and neck reconstruction during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The University of Pittsburgh approach

text: The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic has created significant challenges to the delivery of care for patients with advanced head and neck cancer requiring multimodality therapy. Performing major head and neck ablative surgery and reconstruction is a particular concern given the extended duration and aerosolizing nature of these cases. In this manuscript, we describe our surgical approach to provide timely reconstructive care and minimize infectious risk to the providers, patients, and families.


title: Targeting of endoplasmic reticulum-associated proteins to axons and dendrites in rotavirus-infected neurons

text: Abstract To analyze sorting and compartmentalization of molecules in neuronal endomembranes, the distribution of endogenous proteins associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), intermediate compartment, the Golgi apparatus in cultures of dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and hippocampal neurons was compared with that of newly synthesized ER-associated rotavirus proteins. The endogenous ER-retained immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein, protein disulfide isomerase, and a peptide containing the KDEL amino acid sequence appeared in the soma and dendrites up to their first branching, but not in axons. However, two other endogenous ER-associated proteins, calreticulin and calnexin, occurred in axons as well as in the somatodendritic domains. The ER-associated rotavirus proteins, VP7 and NSP4, were widely distributed in cell bodies and dendrites. The former appeared also in axons and its localization partially overlapped with that of calreticulin and calnexin. One intermediate compartment protein, ER-Golgi-intermediate compartment-protein-53 (ERGIC-53), extended beyond the first division of the dendrites and did not, as the small guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein rab2, appear in axons. The location of rab2 to small vesicles was distinct from that of rotavirus VP7. Cis /medial Golgi cistern proteins were restricted to the cell bodies and proximal dendrites. This study emphasizes the marked heterogeneity in the targeting to axons and dendrites of proteins associated with ER and intermediate compartments. Therefore, the composition of axonal ER-retained molecules differs from that in the soma and this variation may reflect differences in functions between the ER compartments. Viral proteins are useful reporters for such heterogeneities and rotavirus VP7 may be a tool to reveal sorting signals for targeting of vesicular proteins to axons via a nonclassical Golgi-independent mechanism. Such signals may also determine viral targeting to different regions of the brain.


title: The common cold

text: The common cold continues to be the major cause of absences from school and work. A better understanding of the epidemiology and the natural history should lead to less anxiety about this disease. Although there is still much misinformation among the public, the time should soon come when better-informed patients with this disease will make fewer visits to the physician and will not expect unnecessary and worthless treatment.


docid: zisiyyrf

title: Squeezing the antibiotic balloon: the impact of antimicrobial classes on emerging resistance

text: ABSTRACT The ongoing problem of emerging antimicrobial resistance has been likened to a balloon where settling one specific issue results in a ‘bulge’ of even worse problems. However, much has been learned about how to best use our critical antibacterial agents in ways to avoid or even repair some of the resistance damage that has been done. A compilation of current literature strongly suggests that to slow the development of resistance to antimicrobial agents it is optimal to use drugs with more than one mechanism of action or target, to prescribe those with demonstrated ability to minimise or reverse resistance problems, and to avoid underdosing of potent antibiotics. The most recent information also indicates that it is best to limit empirical use of β-lactam plus fluoroquinolone combination therapy, since these two classes activate some common resistance responses, and using them together can facilitate multidrug resistance in important pathogens, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species. This review discusses the role of each major antimicrobial class on resistance development and presents specific strategies for combating the growing problem of multidrug-resistant bacteria. We now have the knowledge to better manage our antimicrobial agent prescribing practices, but finding the will and resources to apply our understanding remains a formidable challenge.


title: A Review of Coffee By-Products Including Leaf, Flower, Cherry, Husk, Silver Skin, and Spent Grounds as Novel Foods within the European Union

text: The coffee plant Coffea spp. offers much more than the well-known drink made from the roasted coffee bean. During its cultivation and production, a wide variety of by-products are accrued, most of which are currently unused, thermally recycled, or used as animal feed. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of novel coffee products in the food sector and their current legal classification in the European Union (EU). For this purpose, we have reviewed the literature on the composition and safety of coffee flowers, leaves, pulp, husk, parchment, green coffee, silver skin, and spent coffee grounds. Some of these products have a history of consumption in Europe (green coffee), while others have already been used as traditional food in non-EU-member countries (coffee leaves, notification currently pending), or an application for authorization as novel food has already been submitted (husks, flour from spent coffee grounds). For the other products, toxicity and/or safety data appear to be lacking, necessitating further studies to fulfill the requirements of novel food applications.


title: Proposals for managing patients with thoracic malignancies during COVID-19 pandemic

text: Abstract The objective of this document is to formalize a degraded mode management for patients with thoracic cancers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposals are based on those of the French High Council for Public Health, on published data outside the context of COVID-19, and on a concerted analysis of the risk-benefit ratio for our patients by a panel of experts specialized on thoracic oncology under the aegis of the French-Language Society of Pulmonology (SPLF) / French-language oncology group. These proposals are evolving (10/04/2020) according to the situations encountered which will enrich it, and are to be adapted to our institutional organisations and to the evolution of resources during the COVID-19 epidemic. Patients with symptoms and/or COVID-19+ are not discussed in this document and are managed within the framework of specific channels.


title: Comparative proteomic analysis of cauliflower under high temperature and flooding stresses

text: Abstract High-temperature and waterlogging are major abiotic stresses that affect the yield and quality of cauliflower. Cauliflower cultivars ‘H41’ and ‘H69’ are tolerant to high temperature and flooding, respectively; however, ‘H71’ is sensitive to both stresses. The objectives of this study were to identify the proteins that were differentially regulated and the physiological changes that occurred during different time periods in ‘H41’, ‘H69’, and ‘H71’ when responding to treatments of flooding, 40°C, and both stresses combined. Changes in the leaf proteome were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and identified by Mascot peptide mass fingerprint (PMF) and database searching. Stress treatments caused significant reductions in electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll fluorescence Fv/Fm, chlorophyll content, and water potential as stress times were prolonged. By the comparative proteomic analysis, 85 protein peaks that were differentially expressed in response to combination treatments at 0, 6, and 24h, 69 (33 in ‘H41’, 29 in ‘H69’, and 9 in ‘H71’) were identified, of which were cultivar specific. Differentially regulated proteins predominantly functioned in photosynthesis and to a lesser extent in energy metabolism, cellular homeostasis, transcription and translation, signal transduction, and protein biosynthesis. This is the first report that utilizes proteomics to discover changes in the protein expression profile of cauliflower in response to heat and flooding.


title: Population Responses during the Pandemic Phase of the Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Epidemic, Hong Kong, China

text: During August 2009–July 2010, we conducted 7 longitudinal telephone surveys among 503 adults in Hong Kong, China, to explore changes in their behavioral and psychological responses to the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus epidemic. Trends were examined using generalized estimating equations models. Findings showed that responses varied with the course of the pandemic.


Unique Patterns of Cardiovascular Involvement in COVID-19


title: Constituents of buriti oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.) like inhibitors of the SARS-Coronavirus main peptidase: an investigation by docking and molecular dynamics

text: Statistics show alarming numbers of infected and killed in the world, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which still doesn’t have a specific treatment and effective in combating all efforts to seek treatments and medications against this disease. Natural products are of relevant interest in the search for new drugs. Thus, Buriti oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.) is a natural product extracted from the fruit of the palm and is quite common in the legal Amazon region, Brazil. In the present work, the anti-Covid-19 biological activity of some constituents of Buriti oil was investigated using in silico methods of Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. The main results of Molecular Docking revealed favorable interaction energies in the formation of the 2GTB peptidase complex (main peptidase of SARS-CoV) with the 13-cis-β-carotene ligands (ΔG(bind) = −10.23Kcal mol(−1)), 9-cis -β-carotene (ΔG(bind) = −9.82Kcal mol(−1)), and α-carotene (ΔG(bind) = −8.34Kcal mol(−1)). Molecular Dynamics simulations demonstrated considerable interaction for these ligands with emphasis on α-carotene. Such theoretical results encourage and enable a direction for experimental studies in vitro and in vivo, essential in the development of new drugs with enzymatic inhibitory action for Covid-19. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.


title: Bilateral cardiac sympathetic denervation in children with long-QT syndrome and Cathecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia

text: • Left cardiac sympathetic denervation is reported to reduce the rate of events and sudden death in young patients with channelopathy. • Horner syndrome and recurrence can be seen after left cardiac sympatetic denervation. • Bilateral cardiac sympathetic denervation in pediatric patient, is reported as a case report. • As a result of our clinical experience bilateral cardiac sympathetic denervation is effective and safe procedure which reduces recurrence in pediatric patients with channelopathies.


title: Distinct genetic spectrums and evolution patterns of SARS-CoV-2

text: Four signature groups of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified using two-way clustering method in about twenty thousand high quality and high coverage SARS-CoV-2 complete genome sequences. Some frequently occurred SNVs predominate but are mutually exclusively presented in patients from different countries and areas. These major SNV signatures exhibited distinguished evolution patterns overtime. Although it was rare, our data indicated possible cross-infections with multiple groups of SNVs existed simultaneously in some patients, suggesting infections from different SARS-CoV-2 clades or potential re-combination of SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Interestingly nucleotide substitutions among SARS-CoV-2 genomes tend to occur at the sites where one bat RaTG13 coronavirus sequences differ from Wuhan-Hu-1 genome, indicating the tolerance of mutations on those sites or suggesting that major viral strains might exist between Wuhan-Hu-1 and RaTG13 coronavirus.


title: The International Polar Year, 2007–2008, An Opportunity to Focus on Infectious Diseases in Arctic Regions

text: On 3 occasions over the past 125 years, scientists from around the world have worked together to organize scientific and exploration activities in polar regions (www.ipy.org). The first International Polar Year (IPY) in 1881-1884 marked the first major coordinated international scientific initiative to collect standardized meteorological and geophysical data in polar regions. Fifteen expeditions led by 12 nations amassed a large amount of data, but the scientific value was diminished by disjointed publication efforts and lack of long-term institutional commitment; lessons were learned and corrected in subsequent polar years. The second IPY began in 1932. Forty-four nations led expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic, resulting in greater understanding of the aurora, magnetism, and meteorology. Air and marine navigation, radio operations, and weather forecasting were greatly improved as a result. The third IPY, in 1957-58, was renamed the International Geophysical Year and capitalized on technologic advances developed during World War II. Technologic and scientific momentum was redirected toward research, particularly to studies of the upper atmosphere, a legacy that continues to the present day. Notable achievements included launching the first satellite, measurement of atmospheric greenhouse gases, delineating the system of mid-ocean ridges, and confirming the theory of plate tectonics.


title: The year in review

text: SUMMARY Over the last year there have been more studies determining predisposition to severe bronchiolitis and its consequences. Studies have highlighted various single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to be significantly associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalisation, and a candidate gene approach demonstrated that innate immune gene SNPs had the strongest association with bronchiolitis. The impact of ‘other’ viruses (RSV, influenza, adenovirus, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus [hMPV], coronavirus, boca-virus, enterovirus, paraechovirus) has been investigated. In one series only children with RSV infection experienced recurrent wheezing and in another only RSV infection was associated with respiratory complications (hypoxia correlated with prolonged hospitalisation). Others have examined the long-term outcome of viral infection in infancy. The above studies and others published in the last year will be discussed.


title: Phylogenetic Insight into Zika and Emerging Viruses for a Perspective on Potential Hosts

text: Global viral diversity is substantial, but viruses that contribute little to the public health burden or to agricultural damage receive minimal attention until a seemingly unimportant virus becomes a threat. The Zika virus (ZIKV) illustrated this, as there was limited information and awareness of the virus when it was identified as a public health emergency in February 2016. Predicting which virus may pose a future threat is difficult. This is in part because significant knowledge gaps in the basic biology and ecology of an emerging virus can impede policy development, delay decision making, and hinder public health action. We suggest using a phylogenetic framework of pathogens and their infected host species for insight into which animals may serve as reservoirs. For example, examining flaviviruses closely related to ZIKV, the phylogenetic framework indicates New World monkeys are the most likely candidates to be potential reservoirs for ZIKV. Secondarily, mammals that are in close proximity to humans should be considered because of the increased opportunity for pathogen exchange. The increase in human-mediated environmental change is accelerating the probability of another previously overlooked virus becoming a significant concern. By investing in basic science research and organizing our knowledge into an evolutionary framework, we will be better prepared to respond to the next emerging infectious disease. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10393-017-1237-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.


title: Gastrointestinal Diseases of Foals

text: Few foals escape gastrointestinal disease during the first few weeks of life. Nutritional and infectious causes of foal diarrhea are considered from both diagnostic and therapeutic viewpoints. The diagnosis and therapy of gastric and duodenal ulcer disease in foals are also discussed.


title: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus and dromedaries

text: Abstract Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a zoonotic viral disease that can be transmitted from dromedaries to human beings. More than 1500 cases of MERS have been reported in human beings to date. Although MERS has been associated with 30% case fatality in human beings, MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in dromedaries is usually asymptomatic. In rare cases, dromedaries may develop mild respiratory signs. No MERS-CoV or antibodies against the virus have been detected in camelids other than dromedaries. MERS-CoV is mainly acquired in dromedaries when they are less than 1 year of age, and the proportion of seropositivity increases with age to a seroprevalence of 100% in adult dromedaries. Laboratory diagnosis of MERS-CoV infection in dromedaries can be achieved through virus isolation using Vero cells, RNA detection by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR and antigen detection using respiratory specimens or serum. Rapid nucleocapsid antigen detection using a lateral flow platform allows efficient screening of dromedaries carrying MERS-CoV. In addition to MERS-CoV, which is a lineage C virus in the Betacoronavirus (betaCoV) genus, a lineage B betaCoV and a virus in the Alphacoronavirus (alphaCoV) genus have been detected in dromedaries. Dromedary CoV UAE-HKU23 is closely related to human CoV OC43, whereas the alphaCoV has not been detected in human beings to date.


title: Automated vocabulary discovery for geo-parsing online epidemic intelligence

text: BACKGROUND: Automated surveillance of the Internet provides a timely and sensitive method for alerting on global emerging infectious disease threats. HealthMap is part of a new generation of online systems designed to monitor and visualize, on a real-time basis, disease outbreak alerts as reported by online news media and public health sources. HealthMap is of specific interest for national and international public health organizations and international travelers. A particular task that makes such a surveillance useful is the automated discovery of the geographic references contained in the retrieved outbreak alerts. This task is sometimes referred to as "geo-parsing". A typical approach to geo-parsing would demand an expensive training corpus of alerts manually tagged by a human. RESULTS: Given that human readers perform this kind of task by using both their lexical and contextual knowledge, we developed an approach which relies on a relatively small expert-built gazetteer, thus limiting the need of human input, but focuses on learning the context in which geographic references appear. We show in a set of experiments, that this approach exhibits a substantial capacity to discover geographic locations outside of its initial lexicon. CONCLUSION: The results of this analysis provide a framework for future automated global surveillance efforts that reduce manual input and improve timeliness of reporting.


title: Frameshifting RNA Pseudoknots: Structure and Mechanism

text: Programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) is one of multiple translational recoding processes that fundamentally alters triplet decoding of the messenger RNA by the elongating ribosome. The ability of the ribosome to change translational reading frames in the −1 direction (−1 PRF) is employed by many positive strand RNA viruses, including economically important plant viruses and many human pathogens such as retroviruses, e.g., HIV-1, and coronaviruses, e.g., the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), in order to properly express their genomes. −1 PRF is programmed by a bipartite signal embedded in the mRNA and includes a heptanucleotide “slip site” over which the paused ribosome “backs up” by one nucleotide, and a downstream stimulatory element, either an RNA pseudoknot or a very stable RNA stem-loop. These two elements are separated by 6–8 nucleotides, a distance that places the 5′ edge of the downstream stimulatory element in direct contact with the mRNA entry channel of the 30S ribosomal subunit. The precise mechanism by which the downstream RNA stimulates −1 PRF by the translocating ribosome remains unclear. This review summarizes the recent structural and biophysical studies of RNA pseudoknots and places this work in the context of our evolving mechanistic understanding of translation elongation. Support for the hypothesis that the downstream stimulatory element provides a kinetic barrier to the ribosome mediated unfolding is discussed.


title: The mannose-binding lectin: a prototypic pattern recognition molecule

text: The innate immune system is comprised of a sophisticated network of recognition and effector molecules that act together to protect the host in the first minutes or hours of exposure to an infectious challenge. The mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an evolutionary conserved circulating host defense protein that acts as a broad-spectrum recognition molecule against a wide variety of infectious agents. Target binding triggers the MBL pathway of complement activation. MBL can be considered conceptually as an ‘ante-antibody’ because it has a role in mammals during the lag period that is required to develop an antibody response against infectious agents. Additionally, there are MBL-like homologues in animals that lack adaptive immunity that activate a primitive complement system, and under these circumstances these MBL-like molecules play an analogous role to antibodies in higher animals. These molecules might be considered to be functional antecedents of antibodies. Recent work also indicates that MBL recognizes altered self-antigens, and as such MBL has a role that extends beyond a traditional role in first line host defense as it appears to play a role as a modulator of inflammation.


title: The Korean Influenza National Immunization Program: History and Present Status

text: The Korean influenza national immunization program was first established as an interim program in 1997, administering the influenza vaccine to low-income elderly adults. In 2005, the program assumed its present form of providing free influenza vaccination to adults aged ≥65 years. After turning over the influenza vaccination for elderly adults to the private sectors in 2015, the influenza vaccination coverage rate among this population increased to >80%. In addition, after the 2009 H1N1 influenza epidemic crisis, the vaccine was domestically produced. By reaching a 75% vaccination coverage rate in the target groups, it was possible to put an end to the influenza pandemic and fix the shortcomings of the system that existed at that time. The influenza vaccination program, provided free of cost, was extended to include infants aged <12 months in 2016 and ≤59 months in 2017 in order to reduce the influenza burden in these populations. However, the vaccine effectiveness remains low despite the high vaccination rates in elderly adults. Therefore, several areas, such as the adoption of quadrivalent influenza vaccine, adjuvanted influenza vaccine, and high-dose influenza vaccine and the expansion of vaccination target groups, still need to be addressed.


Letter to the Editor: “Our Response to COVID-19 as Endocrinologists and Diabetologists”


docid: pyfyylvn

title: Immunoperoxidase tracing of Junin virus neural route after footpad inoculation

text: To determine the pathway adopted by peripherally inoculated Junin virus (JV) to reach the CNS, rat tissues were serially harvested to trace the sequence of viral progression from right hind footpad to brain. Immunoperoxidase (PAP) labeling of viral antigen, concomitantly with infectivity assays and histological examination of each selected sample, were carried out. As from the 2nd week post-infection (pi), neurological disease inducing 100% mortality at 1 month was evident. At day 5 pi, viral antigen was first detected at footpad level in epidermic and dermic cells, as well as in neighbouring myocytes; labeled macrophages infiltrating small nerve branches were also disclosed. As from 10–15 days pi, viral antigen became apparent along ipsilateral sciatic nerve structures and within lumbar spinal ganglion neurons, followed by a fast viral spread throughout CNS neurons that involved spinal cord and brain. Concurrent histopathology featured minimal inflammatory reaction together with generalized astrocytic activation. Hematogenous viral transport was negligible, since JV was isolated much earlier and in higher infectivity titers in neural tissues than in blood. It may be concluded that after viral replication in footpad, JV neural route was demonstrated by its PAP labeling from peripheral nerves to cerebral cortex.


title: An effective strategy for recapitulating N-terminal heptad repeat trimers in enveloped virus surface glycoproteins for therapeutic applications

text: Sequestering peptides derived from the N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR) of class I viral fusion proteins into a non-aggregating trimeric coiled-coil conformation remains a major challenge. Here, we implemented a synthetic strategy to stabilize NHR-helical trimers, with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp41 fusion protein as the initial focus. A set of trimeric scaffolds was realized in a synthetic gp41 NHR-derived peptide sequence by relying on the tractability of coiled-coil structures and an additional isopeptide bridge-tethering strategy. Among them, (N36M)(3) folded as a highly stable helical trimer and exhibited promising inhibitory activity against HIV-1 infection, exceptional resistance to proteolysis, and effective native ligand-binding capability. We anticipate that the trimeric coiled-coil recapitulation methodology described herein may have broader applicability to yield NHR trimers of other class I enveloped viruses and to prepare helical tertiary structure mimetics of certain natural protein–protein interactions for biomedical applications.


title: Optimization and validation of sample preparation for metagenomic sequencing of viruses in clinical samples

text: BACKGROUND: Sequence-specific PCR is the most common approach for virus identification in diagnostic laboratories. However, as specific PCR only detects pre-defined targets, novel virus strains or viruses not included in routine test panels will be missed. Recently, advances in high-throughput sequencing allow for virus-sequence-independent identification of entire virus populations in clinical samples, yet standardized protocols are needed to allow broad application in clinical diagnostics. Here, we describe a comprehensive sample preparation protocol for high-throughput metagenomic virus sequencing using random amplification of total nucleic acids from clinical samples. RESULTS: In order to optimize metagenomic sequencing for application in virus diagnostics, we tested different enrichment and amplification procedures on plasma samples spiked with RNA and DNA viruses. A protocol including filtration, nuclease digestion, and random amplification of RNA and DNA in separate reactions provided the best results, allowing reliable recovery of viral genomes and a good correlation of the relative number of sequencing reads with the virus input. We further validated our method by sequencing a multiplexed viral pathogen reagent containing a range of human viruses from different virus families. Our method proved successful in detecting the majority of the included viruses with high read numbers and compared well to other protocols in the field validated against the same reference reagent. Our sequencing protocol does work not only with plasma but also with other clinical samples such as urine and throat swabs. CONCLUSIONS: The workflow for virus metagenomic sequencing that we established proved successful in detecting a variety of viruses in different clinical samples. Our protocol supplements existing virus-specific detection strategies providing opportunities to identify atypical and novel viruses commonly not accounted for in routine diagnostic panels. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40168-017-0317-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.


title: Expansion of Hospital‐Based Blood Collections in the Face of COVID‐19 Associated National Blood Shortage

text: BACKGROUND: When the coronavirus pandemic caused widespread school and business closures in March 2020, blood drives were cancelled and the supply of blood decreased suddenly in the United States (US). In response, hospital‐based transfusion medicine physicians instituted policies to conserve blood and decrease blood product usage. These efforts were aided by the US Surgeon General recommendation to cancel all elective procedures. Nevertheless, the duration, severity, and impact of the pandemic on the national blood supply was uncertain. Hospitals with in‐house donor programs had the opportunity not only to control demand, but also increase supply. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A hospital‐based blood donor center was rapidly mobilized to increase the supply of in‐house collected blood, in order to counteract a sudden but potentially long‐term depletion of the national blood supply during a pandemic. RESULTS: Collections increased approximately five‐fold above baseline for whole blood units, while apheresis platelet units were maintained at the historical average for the blood donor center. Cancellation of elective procedures showed a modest, but not yet statistically significant decrease in average blood product usage per day, nevertheless the in‐house collection rate was sufficient to meet demand. CONCLUSION: A hospital‐based blood donor center can quickly increase collection volumes and capacity in the face of a national emergency / pandemic. The desire to collect units should be balanced with safety concerns, need for sustainability, and blood product demand. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


title: Knowledge, perception, performance, and attitude regarding hand hygiene and related factors among infection control nurses in South Korea: A cross-sectional study

text: BACKGROUND: We assessed the current status of knowledge, perception, attitude, and role model regarding hand hygiene (HH) among infection control nurses (ICNs) and identified the factors influencing these variables. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was adapted from a World Health Organization survey. Data were collected from November 8, 2017, to February 2, 2018. RESULTS: ICNs showed the following scores (mean ± SD): knowledge (19.5 ± 2.3), perception (69.9 ± 8.9), attitude (46.9 ± 5.8), and role model (39.2 ± 6.0). HH performance of health care workers (HCWs) was 75.2 ± 15.5. Mean HH performance scores of HCWs (P = .007) differed significantly according to infection control experience (3 groups: ≤12 months, 13-24 months, >24 months). Perception, attitude, and role model scores showed positive correlations with each other (P < .01). The regression model for HH performance of HCWs was calculated as follows: Y(1) = 31.638 + 0.067X(1) (perception of ICNs) + 0.133X(2) (attitude of ICNs) + 0.825X(3) (role model of ICNs) (P < .001; adjusted R(2) = 0.115). DISCUSSION: Perception, attitude, and role model scores of ICNs were significant predictors of HH performance of HCWs. CONCLUSIONS: Specialized well-structured HH education programs should be developed for ICNs that will help improve HH performance of HCWs.


title: Virulence, antimicrobial resistance and phylogenetic analysis of zoonotic walking pneumonia Mycoplasma arginini in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

text: Abstract In the scientific literature, a small amount of information is found concerning mycoplasmosis in camel species. A variety of pathogens could be causative agents for pneumonia, but walking pneumonia is mostly caused by Mycoplasma with slow development and mild symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify mycoplasmas from camels (Camelus dromedarius) and extending the arsenal of factors implicated in pathogenicity of M. arginini to shed light on the current knowledge gap. 460 lung samples (pneumonic; n=210 and apparently healthy; n=250) were randomly collected from the one-humped camels (C. domedarius) that have been imported from Sudan and slaughtered at Cairo Slaughterhouse. 48 out of 210 isolates (22.9%) recovered from the pneumonic lungs were recorded as M. arginini. Positive PCR results were obtained for all 48 isolates. On the other hand, infection with the organism was not detected in the apparently healthy lungs. Hemolysis and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) production, a compound that has previously not been identified as a virulence factor in M. arginini, was evident in 100% of the isolates. The 48 M. arginini isolates were weak in their ability to form biofilm on polystyrene surfaces. All isolates were 100% susceptible to florfenicol and streptomycin and 100% resistant to ciprofloxacin. Resistance to lincomycin, spiromycin, tylosin, doxacyclin and erythromycin was observed at different frequencies. 13 different combinations of antibiotics representing one to four classes were evident with the Macrolide erythromycin being the most represented. It also should be noted that the ciprofloxacin, doxacyclin, lincomycin, erythromycin combination was the most noted in 21/48 isolates. Surprisingly, none of the virulence genes (vsp, uvrC and gapA) and quinolone resistance genes (parC and gyrA) were detected by PCR.


title: Molecular detection and characterization of unclassified bovine enteric caliciviruses in South Korea

text: Abstract The unclassified bovine enteric calicivirus (BEC) is a new bovine enteric calicivirus that is different from bovine norovirus, and causes diarrhea and pathologies in the small intestine of calves. This virus includes Nebraska (NB)- and Newbury agent 1 (NA1)-like strains. The prevalence of this BEC and its genetic characterization has only been reported in the UK and the USA. This study examined the prevalence and genetic diversity of these BECs in diarrheic calves in South Korea. Among a total of 645 diarrheic fecal specimens obtained from 629 cattle herds, these unclassified BECs were detected in 59 (9.1%) diarrheic fecal samples from 57 herds (9.3%) by either RT-PCR or nested PCR. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the partial RdRp gene showed that all the Korean BECs clustered together and were closely related to the NB-like viruses (80.9–88.1% nucleotide and 84.5–98.4% amino acid) but not to the NA1-like viruses (75.8–78.4% nucleotide and 79.7–82.8% amino acid). Although these viruses could not be classified into NA1- and NB-like viruses from the sequence and phylogenetic data of the entire capsid gene, all the Korean BECs clustered together on a branch separate from the other known BECs. These results show that these BEC infections are endemic in diarrheic calves in South Korea. The infecting strains are genetically closer to the NB-like viruses but have a distinct evolutionary pathway.


title: Coronavirus nonstructural protein 1: common and distinct functions in the regulation of host and viral gene expression

text: The recent emergence of two highly pathogenic human coronaviruses (CoVs), severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV, has ignited a strong interest in the identification of viral factors that determine the virulence and pathogenesis of CoVs. The nonstructural protein 1 (nsp1) of CoVs has attracted considerable attention in this regard as a potential virulence factor and a target for CoV vaccine development because of accumulating evidence that point to its role in the downregulation of host innate immune responses to CoV infection. Studies have revealed both functional conservation and mechanistic divergence among the nsp1 of different mammalian CoVs in perturbing host gene expression and antiviral responses. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the biological functions of CoV nsp1 that provides an insight into the novel strategies utilized by this viral protein to modulate host and viral gene expression during CoV infection.


docid: ahjitbke

title: Clinical placements for medical students in the time of COVID‐19


title: Phylogenetic analysis of partial S1 and N gene sequences of infectious bronchitis virus isolates from Italy revealed genetic diversity and recombination

text: A total of ten infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) isolates collected from commercial chickens in Italy in 1999 were characterized by RT-PCR and sequencing of the S1 and N genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial S1 gene sequences showed that five field viruses clustered together with 793/B-type strains, having 91.3–98.5% nucleotide identity within the group, and one isolate had very close sequence relationship (94.6% identity) with 624/I strain. These two IBV types have been identified in Italy previously. The other three variant isolates formed novel genotype detected recently in many countries of Western Europe. For one of these variant viruses, Italy-02, which afterwards became the prototype strain, the entire S1 gene was sequenced to confirm its originality. In contrast, phylogenetic analysis of more conserved partial N gene sequences, comprising 1–300 nucleotides, revealed different clustering. Thus, three variant IBVs of novel Italy-02 genotype, which had 96.7–99.2% S1 gene nucleotide identity with each other, belonged to three separate subgroups based on N gene sequences. 624/I-type isolate Italy-06 together with Italy-03, which was undetectable using S1 gene primers, shared 97.7% and 99.3% identity, respectively, in N gene region with vaccine strain H120. Only one of the 793/B-type isolates, Italy-10, clustered with the 793/B strain sharing 99.3% partial N gene identity, whereas the other four isolates were genetically distant from them (only 87.7–89.7% identity) and formed separate homogenous subgroup. The results demonstrated that both mutations and recombination events could contribute to the genetic diversity of the Italian isolates.


title: Interferons as Therapeutic Agents for Infectious Diseases

text: This article explains the rationale for development of interferons as therapeutic agents, and describes commercial products available today. It also provides a summary of studies that have been performed with interferons for use as exogenous biological response modifiers in viral infections. Overall, the best data exist for treatment of viral hepatitis B and C, for which interferons are a cornerstone of therapy. Although infections with human papillomavirus and common cold viruses sometimes respond favorably to interferons, their outcomes are far from ideal. Finally, the role of interferons as vaccine adjuvants is still being explored but could be promising.


title: Group A streptococcal pharyngitis

text: Abstract Acute pharyngitis is a common illness in both children and adults, caused by a wide variety of microbial agents. In children, approximately 20% of pharyngitis is caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS); in adults, 5% of pharyngitis is due to GABHS. The signs and symptoms of infection are variable, ranging from mild sore throat with minimal physical findings to high fever and severe pain. The differential diagnosis of GABHS pharyngitis is extensive. Most cases of acute pharyngitis in both children and adults are caused by viruses. The gold standard diagnostic test for GABHS remains the throat culture. It is important to select appropriate candidates for culture to maintain the sensitivity of the test. Penicillin is still recommended as first-line treatment for documented GABHS infections. Prompt treatment is important to prevent serious sequelae of infection.


title: A hospital-based COVID-19 abortion case in the early phase of the pandemic()

text: In this case report we discuss changes in hospital-based abortion care due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We highlight our experience with exposure to an asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patient. We hope early lessons from the United States epicenter will guide clinicians providing abortion care during this and future pandemics.


title: A modular framework for multiscale multicellular spatial modeling of viral infection, immune response and drug therapy timing and efficacy in epithelial tissues: A multiscale model of viral infection in epithelial tissues

text: Development of predictive quantitative models of all aspects of COVID-19 is essential for rapidly understanding the causes of differing disease outcomes and vulnerabilities, suggesting drug and therapeutic targets, and designing optimized personalized interventions. Easy to implement, predictive multiscale modeling frameworks to integrate the wide variety of clinical and research datasets into actionable insights, which could inform therapeutic regime strategies are lacking. We present a multiscale, multicellular, spatiotemporal model of the infection of epithelial tissue by a generic virus, a simplified cellular immune response and viral and immune-induced tissue damage. Our initial model is built of modular components to allow it to be easily extended and adapted in a collaborative fashion to describe specific viral infections, tissue types and immune responses. The model allows us to define three parameter regimes: where viral infection coincides with a massive cytopathic effect, where the immune System rapidly controls the virus and where the immune System controls the virus but extensive tissue damage occurs. We use the model in a proof-of-concept application to evaluate a number of drug therapy concepts. Inhibition of viral internalization and faster immune-cell recruitment lead to containment of infection. Fast viral internalization and slower immune response lead to uncontrolled spread of infection. Simulation of a drug, whose mode of action is to reduce production of viral RNAs, shows that a relatively limited reduction of viral replication at the beginning of infection greatly decreases the total area of tissue damage and maximal viral load, while even a treatment that greatly reduces the rate of genomic replication rapidly loses efficacy as the infection progresses. A number of simulation conditions lead to stochastically variable outcomes, with some replicas clearing or controlling the virus, while others see virus-induced damage sweep the simulated lung patch. The model is open-source and modular, allowing rapid development and extension of its components by groups working in parallel.


title: Multicenter Evaluation of the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel for Detection of Viruses and Bacteria in Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimens

text: The QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel (QIAstat-Dx RP) is a multiplex in vitro diagnostic test for the qualitative detection of 20 pathogens directly from nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) specimens. The assay is performed using a simple sample-to-answer platform with results available in approximately 69 min. The pathogens identified are adenovirus, coronavirus 229E, coronavirus HKU1, coronavirus NL63, coronavirus OC43, human metapneumovirus A and B, influenza A, influenza A H1, influenza A H3, influenza A H1N1/2009, influenza B, parainfluenza virus 1, parainfluenza virus 2, parainfluenza virus 3, parainfluenza virus 4, rhinovirus/enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus A and B, Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This multicenter evaluation provides data obtained from 1,994 prospectively collected and 310 retrospectively collected (archived) NPS specimens with performance compared to that of the BioFire FilmArray Respiratory Panel, version 1.7. The overall percent agreement between QIAstat-Dx RP and the comparator testing was 99.5%. In the prospective cohort, the QIAstat-Dx RP demonstrated a positive percent agreement of 94.0% or greater for the detection of all but four analytes: coronaviruses 229E, NL63, and OC43 and rhinovirus/enterovirus. The test also demonstrated a negative percent agreement of ≥97.9% for all analytes. The QIAstat-Dx RP is a robust and accurate assay for rapid, comprehensive testing for respiratory pathogens.


title: Human rhinoviruses: coming in from the cold

text: Rhinovirus infections cause at least 70% of virus-related wheezing exacerbations and cold and flu-like illnesses. Infections are also associated with otitis media, sinusitis and pneumonia. The annual impact of human rhinovirus (HRV) infections costs billions of healthcare dollars. To date, 100 serotyped HRV or 'classical' strains have been divided between two genetically distinct species based on subgenomic sequences, but many more, apparently novel strains remain un-characterized, circulating in unknown patterns and causing undefined illnesses. Until recently, the genomes of less than half the classical strains had been sequenced. In April 2009, the remaining classical HRV genome sequences were reported. These data will inform therapeutic development and phylogenetic analysis for this subset of HRV strains but should be viewed as one step in a long road leading to comprehensive HRV characterization.


title: Hijacking the Supplies: Metabolism as a Novel Facet of Virus-Host Interaction

text: Viral replication is a process that involves an extremely high turnover of cellular molecules. Since viruses depend on the host cell to obtain the macromolecules needed for their proper replication, they have evolved numerous strategies to shape cellular metabolism and the biosynthesis machinery of the host according to their specific needs. Technologies for the rigorous analysis of metabolic alterations in cells have recently become widely available and have greatly expanded our knowledge of these crucial host–pathogen interactions. We have learned that most viruses enhance specific anabolic pathways and are highly dependent on these alterations. Since uninfected cells are far more plastic in their metabolism, targeting of the virus-induced metabolic alterations is a promising strategy for specific antiviral therapy and has gained great interest recently. In this review, we summarize the current advances in our understanding of metabolic adaptations during viral infections, with a particular focus on the utilization of this information for therapeutic application.


title: Biophysical Analyses for Probing Glycan-Protein Interactions

text: Glycan-protein interactions occur at many physiological events, and the analyses are of considerable importance for understanding glycan-dependent mechanisms. Biophysical approaches including 3D structural analysis are essential for revealing glycan-protein interactions at the atomic level. The inherent diversity of glycans suits them to function as identification tags, e.g., distinguish self from the nonself components of pathogens. However, the complexity of glycans and poor affinities for interaction partners limit the usefulness of conventional analyses. To cope with such troublesome glycans, a logical sequence of biophysical analyses need to be developed. In this chapter, we introduce a workflow of glycan-protein interaction analysis consisting of six steps: preparation of lectin and glycan, screening of glycan ligand, determination of binding epitope, quantitative interaction analysis, 3D structural analysis, and molecular dynamics simulation. Our increasing knowledge and understanding of lectin-glycan interactions will hopefully lead to the design of glyco-based medicines and vaccines.


Infección respiratoria aguda causada por el metapneumovirus humano: análisis de 39 casos


title: Links and interactions between mycoplasmas and viruses: past confusions and present realities

text: Links between mycoplasmas and viruses are ancient, multiple and complex, from past confusions during the first decades of the virus era to present realities illustrated by the possible implication of mycoplasms as co-factors in natural infections of AIDS. Mycoplasma viruses (phages) may also be responsible for modifying the pathogenic power of mycoplasmas, at least for plants and insects. In addition, several mycoplasmas are able to act as undesirable cell culture contaminants that induce erroneous results in both applied and general virology. These problems are examined within a historical context.


title: Selenium – associated gene signatures within the SARS-CoV-2 – host genomic interaction interface

text: A recent study by Sies and Parnham expanded on the therapeutic potential of Epselen, an organoselenium compound, as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2’s main protease. In this study, using an unbiased, data driven bioinformatic screening of two independently extracted SARS-CoV-2 – induced host gene signatures confirms Selenium as a potential drug candidate. This pathway based approach adds transcriptomic evidence complimenting the protein-centered rationale expanded on by the authors. Given that aside from host – protein interactions, antisense transcript mRNA-mRNA interactions have been demonstrated to occur at selenocysteine related insertions in RNA viruses, transcriptomic-level evidence offer unique insight into viral lifecycles. Furthermore, the pathways identified from these two selenium associated signatures provide further insight into the perturbations of selenium metabolism introduced by SARS-CoV-2 during its lifecycle.


title: Genotypic diversity, circulation patterns, and co-detections among rhinoviruses in Queensland, 2001

text: Rhinoviruses (RVs) occur more frequently than other viruses and more often in people displaying symptoms than in those without. RVs exacerbate chronic airway disease and confound the clinical diagnosis of influenza-like illness. We sought to estimate the spectrum of RV diversity, RV species seasonality and to breakdown RV involvement in respiratory virus co-detections by comprehensive molecular testing of a convenience collection of airway sample extracts from patients with suspected respiratory infections, collected during 2001. RVs were the most common virus detected. We were able to genotype ∼90% of RV detections, identifying 70 distinct RVs, spanning all three species. RV-Bs were under-represented. We found RV species co-circulated at times, although one species usually dominated. Each species displayed a bimodal distribution. Notably, RVs and influenza A viruses (IFAV) seldom co-occurred, supporting their roles as primary pathogens of the airway among acutely ill infants. Whether RV circulation has a moderating or controlling effect on the IFAV season or is controlled by it cannot be determined from these data. Despite the frequent perception that RVs commonly co-occur with another virus, our findings indicated this was not the case. Nearly 80% of RV detections occurred alone. Understanding more about population-level interference between viruses may allow us to harness aspects of it to generate a non-specific antiviral intervention that mimics a putative protective effect. For routine respiratory virus screening to best serve the patient, RV testing should be a principal component of any acute respiratory illness testing algorithm throughout the year.


title: Status and strategies for the management of head and neck cancer during COVID‐19 pandemic: Indian scenario

text: In India, oral cancer is the most common head and neck cancer (HNC) in men, mainly caused by the consumption of smoked and smokeless tobacco. During the current pandemic, delaying surgery for even 1 or 2 months may lead to more extensive surgery or inoperability, where only supportive care can be provided. Being semi‐emergent in nature, treatment for these patients is currently on hold or delayed in most centers across the country. This study was conducted to assess the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic and inability of the health system to treat HNC in a timely fashion and how surgeons are coping to this emergent situation. This article highlights the situation in India, a country burdened with one of the highest incidence rates of HNC.


title: A cluster of adenovirus type B55 infection in a neurosurgical inpatient department of a general hospital in Guangdong, China

text: BACKGROUND: Human adenovirus type 55 is a re‐emerging human respiratory pathogen that is associated with several respiratory infections outbreaks in military and school populations. In this study, we describe the first HAdV55‐associated hospital outbreak documented in Guangdong, China. METHODS: Active surveillance was conducted in the involved neurosurgical inpatient department. All staff and patients in the involved neurosurgical department were surveyed for any symptoms of fever (≥38°C) and enlarged tonsils during the outbreak period. Throat swabs and demographic information were collected for all cases. For each specimen, assays for common respiratory viruses were performed using one‐step reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. HAdV‐positive samples were inoculated onto Hep‐2 cells for isolation. Hexon genes, fiber genes, penton genes, and whole genomes were sequenced. A phylogenetic tree was constructed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Forty‐three cases, including 24 laboratory‐confirmed cases and 19 possible cases, were identified. Nurses had the highest attack rate of infection, with a rate of 36.4%. The attack rate for doctors and inpatients was 20.0% and 16.7%, respectively. HAdV55 was the sole pathogen identified during this outbreak. The hexon, fiber, and penton genes from seven isolated HAdV55 stains were sequenced. All these genes showed 100% homology and fell into the HAdV55 [P14H11F14] cluster, indicating that HAdV55 was the single viral strain for the outbreak. While not conclusive, the epidemic investigation revealed that the outbreak was introduced by nurses from sources outside the hospital. It was likely that a transmission from staff to inpatients had occurred.


title: MERS: Progress on the global response, remaining challenges and the way forward

text: Abstract This article summarizes progress in research on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) since a FAO-OIE-WHO Global Technical Meeting held at WHO Headquarters in Geneva on 25–27 September 2017. The meeting reviewed the latest scientific findings and identified and prioritized the global activities necessary to prevent, manage and control the disease. Critical needs for research and technical guidance identified during the meeting have been used to update the WHO R&D MERS-CoV Roadmap for diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines and a broader public health research agenda. Since the 2017 meeting, progress has been made on several key actions in animal populations, at the animal/human interface and in human populations. This report also summarizes the latest scientific studies on MERS since 2017, including data from more than 50 research studies examining the presence of MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels.


A word of caution and call for cross‐society collaboration to develop surgical guidance about COVID‐19


title: Potent antiviral agent WIN 54954: high specific activity labelling with tritium

text: Abstract Valuable antiviral compound WIN 54954 (2) was tritiated at high specific activity and the product was characterized.