Risk Of Infectious Diseases Research Articles

Клиническое наблюдение криптококкового менингита у пациента с системной красной волчанкой

The risk of serious infectious diseases is significantly increased in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The article describes a clinical case of meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, in a 33-year-old female patient with SLE. The diagnosis was based on the results of cerebrospinal fluid analysis, brain magnetic resonance imaging scans, and retrospective analysis of chest computed tomography features. The antifungal therapy comprising liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole was used successfully. Distinctive features of this clinical case include a delayed diagnosis due to the slow development and the presence of non-specific neurological symptoms, as well as the onset of acute renal disorders amid the use of antifungal therapy. The authors discuss the issues of diagnosing infectious complications in patients with SLE, particularly fungal infections, and the up-to-date approaches to therapy of cryptococcal meningitis. The presented clinical report could help therapists and rheumatologists to improve timely recognition of cryptococcal infections in SLE patients. The authors emphasized that CSF examination plays the key role in diagnosing cryptococcal meningitis. KEYWORDS: cerebral cryptococcosis, opportunistic infection, meningoencephalitis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, clinical case, fungal infection, systemic lupus erythematosus. FOR CITATION: Kuzminykh D.A., Eliseev Yu.V., Matrosova M.S. et al. A clinical case of cryptococcal meningitis in patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2023;7(3):174–180 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2023-7-3-174-180.

Exercise Frequency Reduction Is Associated With Higher Risk of Infection in Newly Diagnosed Diabetes: A Nationally Representative Cohort Study.

Exercise is an important method to control the progression of diabetes. Since diabetes compromises immune function and increases the risk of infectious diseases, we hypothesized that exercise may affect the risk of infection by its immunoprotective effects. However, population-based cohort studies regarding the association between exercise and the risk of infection are limited, especially regarding changes in exercise frequency. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the change in exercise frequency and the risk of infection among patients with newly diagnosed diabetes. Data of 10,023 patients with newly diagnosed diabetes were extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort. Self-reported questionnaires for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were used to classify changes in exercise frequency between two consecutive two-year periods of health screenings (2009-2010 and 2011-2012). The association between changes in exercise frequency and the risk of infection was evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression. Compared with engaging in ≥ 5 times of MVPA/week during both periods, a radical decrease in MVPA (from ≥ 5 times of MVPA/week to physical inactivity) was associated with a higher risk of pneumonia (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.48) and upper respiratory tract infection (aHR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01-1.31). In addition, a reduction of MVPA from ≥ 5 to < 5 times of MVPA/week was associated with a higher risk of pneumonia (aHR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.02-2.27), whereas the risk of upper respiratory tract infection was not higher. Among patients with newly diagnosed diabetes, a reduction in exercise frequency was related to an increase in the risk of pneumonia. For patients with diabetes, a modest level of physical activity may need to be maintained to reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Data-driven Approaches to Understand the Implications of Social Processes for Infectious Disease Risk

Data-driven Approaches to Understand the Implications of Social Processes for Infectious Disease Risk

Are current warning and responses systems suitable to respond to emerging infectious diseases?

Abstract Socio-economic, environmental and ecological factors, as well as several natural hazards, have repeatedly been shown to drive emerging infectious-disease risk. However, these drivers are largely excluded from surveillance, warning and response systems. This paper identifies, analyses and categorises 64 warning and response systems for infectious diseases. It finds that 80% of them are “reactive” – they wait for disease outbreaks before issuing an alert and implementing mitigating strategies. Only 6% of the warning and response systems were “prevention-centred.” These both monitored and were linked to strategies that addressed drivers of disease emergence and re-emergence. This paper argues that warning systems’ failure to conceptualise emerging infectious diseases as part of an integrated human, animal and environmental system stems from inadequate multi-sectoral collaboration and governance, compounded by barriers to data sharing and integration. This paper reviews existing approaches and frameworks that could help to build and expand prevention-centred warning and response systems. It also makes recommendations to foster multi-sectoral collaboration in governance and warning systems for infectious diseases. This includes proposing solutions to address compartmentalisation in international agreements, developing One Health national focal points and expanding bottom-up initiatives.

How can we improve and facilitate multi-sectoral collaboration in warning and response systems for infectious diseases and natural hazards to account for their drivers, interdependencies and cascading impacts?

Socio-economic, environmental and ecological factors have repeatedly been shown to drive emerging infectious disease risk. However, these factors remain largely excluded from surveillance, warning and response systems. Similarly, even though hazards’ impacts are vastly interconnected (e.g. climate change, flooding, droughts, tropical cyclones, heatwaves, water-borne and vector-borne diseases), warning systems tend to act and work in silos. The disconnect among sectors, disaster risk reduction and health preparedness leads to reactive systems that wait for a disaster to occur before issuing a response.

The major threats to the Endangered Barbary macaque Macaca sylvanus in North Africa

The Barbary macaque is currently the only macaque species that occurs beyond Asia. It has been classified as an endangered species on the IUCN’s Red List and is listed in CITES Appendix I. This species is actually restricted to small and fragmented habitats in the Moroccan Rif, Middle and High Atlas, and in the Algerian areas of Chiffa, Grande Kabylie and the Petite Kabylie. A very large number of studies indicated that this primate is in decline and its population is estimated to have declined at a rate exceeding 50% over the last three generations. This article aims to review the major threats and challenges to the Barbary macaque conservation in North Africa. Data were gathered from research articles, scientific books, communications, thesis and PhD dissertations of the authors and of other researchers. Results showed that the major threats to the survival of Barbary macaques are habitat loss and degradation, population fragmentation, capture and trade of macaques, effects of human activities on Barbary macaques’ behavior and ecology, conflict with inhabitants due to crop raiding, the decrease in water availability to macaques, and infectious disease risks. Based on this review, we recommend several measures to reduce the likelihood of the Barbary macaque becoming extinct in many regions of North Africa.

코로나19로 인한 한국의 무역구조 변화에 관한 연구

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic was not a problem in any particular country or a microscopic problem limited to any one field. Human beings around the world have faced the risk of infectious diseases and all countries around the world have implemented policies to respond to them. This study attempted to respond to changes in the international trade environment in the post-COVID-19 era by realistically and objectively grasping and analyzing the product trade structure after COVID-19.&#x0D; Research design, data, methodology : Commodity trade conditions and trade patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed, and how these various situations due to COVID-19 affect the trade structure were analyzed.&#x0D; Results : As a result of the analysis of the trade structure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it shows a different market share, trade concentration index, and trade specialization index than before the pandemic. This phenomenon is generally seen in countries such as China, the United States, Vietnam, Japan, India, and Singapore, which are major trading partners of Korea.&#x0D; Conclusions : As the export specialization of machinery and electrical equipment, Korea's main export items, is decreasing, it is necessary to accurately identify the causes and reasons of the weakened product line at the corporate level and establish a response strategy. In addition, it is necessary to establish various support measures to strengthen Korea's export competitiveness in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era.

육군 초임장교의 그릿, 사회적 지지, 감염병 위험지각이 직무만족에 미치는 영향

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of grit, social support, and infectious disease risk perception on job satisfaction among newly commissioned ROK army officers. Methods: The study design was a descriptive correlational study. 169 officers participated in this study. Data were collected on grit, social support, infectious disease risk perception, and job satisfaction using an online survey. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple regression using SPSS. Results: The job satisfaction was 3.73±0.92. The factors affecting on job satisfaction were social support, service plan: uncertain, grit, perceived health condition, and service plan: short-term. Conclusion: Promoting grit and social support should be recommended to improve the job satisfaction of Newly commissioned ROK army officers. Strategies to enhance grit for ROK army officers in their training period and programs to maintain the level of social support during their service term are suggested.

Group of Pregnant Women: A Proposal for Health Promotion and Education

The present article seeks to show the benefit of the educational action with the pregnant women who were assisted in a Primary Health Care Unit in Fortaleza. The meetings took place monthly with the contribution and organization of a team of health professionals, addressing topics related to different spheres of pregnancy, such as: mental health, infectious diseases during pregnancy, clarification of doubts and myths related to pregnancy, in addition to health promotion by encouraging physical activity. The group made it possible to improve adherence and maintenance of follow-up in the treatment for syphilis, reducing sedentary lifestyle. There was also greater autonomy of the pregnant woman over the gestational period and better knowledge about the physiological body changes expected for that moment. Some difficulties were found, such as the withdrawal of some participants, the physical structure of the basic unit inadequate to accommodate the number of participants interested in the event and the late start of prenatal care, compromising the total effectiveness that the group could offer. Despite the difficulties, it can be seen that the group had a positive influence, contributing with information so that they could elaborate on their pregnancies, prevent themselves from the risk of infectious diseases and perform physical activities safely and previously guided by a health professional.

Minimum dietary diversity and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months in Enebsie Sar Midir Woreda, East Gojjam, North West Ethiopia

BackgroundDietary diversity has been recognized as a significant component of high-quality diets for children’s growth and development. Poor infant and young child feeding practices in the first one thousand days of age is the major contributor of malnutrition that leads to failure to thrive to their age, in low-income countries including Ethiopia. It causes long-term consequences of chronic malnutrition, including as stunting, has an impact on intellectual development, and raises the risk of several infectious diseases and death. There was no research done on the dietary diversity of the children in the study area.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to assess minimum dietary diversity and associated factors among children aged from 6-23 months in Enebsie Sar Midir Woreda.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study design was used to assess the minimum dietary diversity and associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Enebsie Sar Midir Woreda, East Gojjam, North West Ethiopia. A total of 512 Mothers/caregivers of children of 6–23 months old in the community were included in the study using a systemic sampling technique. Data were collected by the interviewer-administered structured, pre-tested questionnaire. A 24-hour recall method was used to capture the dietary intake of children during the previous 24 h period before the interview. The data were coded and entered into SPSS for windows version 20 and analyzed after cleaning. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to isolate independent predictors of minimum dietary diversity. All tests were two-sided and P < 0.05 was used for declaring statistical significance.ResultsThe overall prevalence of minimum dietary diversity was 18.2% (CI: 14.8, 21.7). The dominant food groups consumed were roots, grains, and tubers. While consumption of vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables and other vegetables were relatively low.On multivariable logistic regression model, after adjusting for other variables, availability of cow’s milk at household (AOR = 17.27; 95% CI: 6.73, 44.44), cultivating vegetables (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.05, 9.8), availability of farmland (AOR= 10.15, 95%CI: 1.78, 57.93) and number of animals (AOR = 6.46; 95% CI: 1.97, 21.12) were significantly associated with minimum dietary diversity. ConclusionThe proportion of infant and young children aged between 6-23months receiving minimum dietary diversity score is low compared with a study conducted in Addis Ababa. Availability of both animal and plant-source foods from household production was positively associated with practicing the minimum dietary diversity among children implying the need for strengthening nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices.

Occupational stress in criminal police: study in a prison unit in Minas Gerais

Purpose: The objective of this work was to identify the levels of occupational stress in Criminal Police, as well as their generating factors (stressors), coping strategies and suggestions for improvement. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a quantitative study carried out in a Prison Unit in Minas Gerais, data were collected through an electronic questionnaire, adapted from the Theoretical Model for Explanation of Occupational Stress (MTEG) developed and validated by Zille (2005). The results were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistics and the discursive questions were treated from the Content Analysis Findings: The main results indicate that 89% of those surveyed present stress ranging from mild to moderate to very intense and the main stressors are related to the insufficient number of staff, the biological risk of infectious diseases, overcrowding and high risk of detainees, in addition to the relationship with colleagues and management. It is also worth mentioning improvement actions aimed at 3 categories: Public Power, Management and Servants. Research limitations/implications (if applicable): It is worth noting the fact that it was carried out only in a prison unit and the impossibility of interviews, in view of the restrictions imposed by the Covid 19 Pandemic. Practical implications: The study highlights suggestive actions that involve the government, the direction of the Unit and also the Criminal Police in an attempt to collaborate to reduce the level of stress experienced by servers. In addition to the clamor for an increase in the number of employees, the valorization of work, dialogue, training are some of the practical actions to be taken. Social implications: It is believed that the research draws attention to variables that influence the level of security, both of the agents and the community. Therefore, it is a matter of collective interest. Originality/value (mandatory): We sought to contribute to the advancement of research on stress at work carried out by Criminal Police, pointing out the main stress-generating factors and indications of improvements, from the perspective of those involved. In this way, it contributes with information that can help the management of prisons, as well as justify more solid public actions for the category.

1097. Risk of Severe COVID-19 Disease in Individuals with Down syndrome: a Matched Cohort Study from a Large, Integrated Health Care System

Abstract Background Down syndrome (DS) is associated with an increased risk of infections attributed to immune defects. Whether individuals with DS are at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 remains unclear. Methods In a matched cohort study, we evaluated the risk of COVID-19 infection and severe COVID-19 disease in individuals with DS and their matched counterparts in a pre-COVID-19 vaccination period at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Multivariable Cox proportion hazard regression was used to investigate associations between DS and risk of COVID-19 infection and severe COVID-19 disease. Results Our cohort included 2,541 individuals with DS and 10,164 without DS matched on age, sex, and race/ethnicity (51.6% female, 53.3% Hispanic, median age 25 years [interquartile range 14 – 38]), with pulmonary disease as the most common comorbidity (13.1%) followed by diabetes (5.4%). While the rate of COVID-19 infection in individuals with DS was 32% lower than their matched counterparts (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.68, 95% CI: 0.56-0.83), the rate of severe COVID-19 disease was 6-fold higher (aHR 6.14, 95% CI: 1.87-20.16) (Table 1). The Kaplan-Meier plot demonstrated similar cumulative incidence for those with and without DS at the beginning of the pandemic, followed by a rate increase in July 2020 (at 4 months of follow-up), and in November 2020 (at 8 months of follow-up) (Figure 1), after which the cumulative incidence for those with DS was consistently higher. Figure 2 demonstrated consistently higher cumulative incidence estimates of COVID-19 hospitalization for those with DS than those without. Table 1.Incidence rates and hazard ratios of COVID-19 infection, severe COVID-19 disease and COVID-19 hospitalization mortality among 2,541 individuals with Down Syndrome and 10,164 matched counterparts without Down Syndrome at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, 03/01/2020 - 12/31/2020 aAdjusted for covariates: body mass index, smoking, number of outpatient visits, number of emergency department visits, number of hospitalizations, frailty status based on frailty index (yes/no), all baseline comorbidities, and medical center area. Abbreviations: DS = Down Syndrome; non-DS = matched counterparts without Down Syndrome; CI = confidence interval Figure 1.Cumulative incidence estimates of COVID-19 infection by Down syndrome status, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, 03/01/2020 - 12/31/2020Figure 2.Cumulative incidence estimates of COVID-19 hospitalization by Down syndrome status, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, 03/01/2020 - 12/31/2020 Conclusion Although the risk of COVID-19 infection is lower, the risk of severe disease is higher in individuals with DS compared to their matched counterparts. Better infection monitoring, early treatment, and promotion of vaccine for COVID-19 are warranted for DS populations. Disclosures Jennifer H. Ku, PhD MPH, GSK: Grant/Research Support|Moderna: Grant/Research Support Myron J. Levin, MD, Curevo: Advisor/Consultant|Merck: Advisor/Consultant|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant|seqirus: Advisor/Consultant|SmithKline Beecham: Grant/Research Support Yi Luo, PhD, Glaxosmithkline: Grant/Research Support|Moderna: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Grant/Research Support|Seqirus: Grant/Research Support Ana Florea, PhD MPH, Gilead: Grant/Research Support|GSK: Grant/Research Support|Moderna: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Grant/Research Support Yun Tian, MS, Glaxosmithkline: Grant/Research Support|Moderna: Grant/Research Support Hung Fu Tseng, PhD MPH, GSK: Grant/Research Support|Janssen: Advisor/Consultant|Moderna: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant|Seqirus: Grant/Research Support.

The prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders related symptoms and the association with working place among healthcare workers who were in the fighting against COVID-19 in regional China.

To investigate the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) related symptoms among healthcare workers (HWs) who were in the fighting against COVID-19 in Nanjing of China, and further to examine the association between working place and FGIDs-related symptoms among HWs during the period of COVID-19 epidemic. An online anonymous survey was conducted among those HWs without history of FGIDs, who took part in the fighting against the COVID-19 epidemic between July and September of 2021 in Nanjing, China. All the 15 FGIDs-related symptoms included in the Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire for adults were investigated in this study. The outcome variable was the presence of FGIDs-related symptoms ("Yes" or "No"), while the independent measure was participants' working place ("in-ward" or "out-ward"). Logistics regression models were applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the association of working place with FGIDs-related symptoms among those healthcare workers. Totally, 336 eligible participants completed the survey. The prevalence of FGIDs-related symptoms was 48.8% (95%CI = 43.4%, 54.3%) among overall participants, with 40.7% (95%CI = 33.14%, 48.71%) and 56.3% (95%CI = 48.59%, 63.73%) for in-ward and out-ward HWs, respectively. Compared to their in-ward counterparts, those out-ward HWs were at a 1.88-fold likelihood (95%CI = 1.22, 2.89) to experience FGIDs-related symptoms during the period of fighting against the COVID-19 epidemic. After adjustment for potential confounders, such a positive association attenuated but still remained significant. A high prevalence of FGIDs-related symptoms was observed among those HWs who were without history of FGIDs during the fighting against COVID-19, and out-ward HWs were at a significantly higher risk to experience FGIDs-related symptoms relative to their in-ward counterparts in regional China. It has important implications that particular attention shall be paid to functional gastrointestinal issues for healthcare workers, especially those who are at uncertain risks of infectious diseases, when they participate in response to public health emergencies in future.

Risk of Viral Infectious Diseases from Live Bats, Primates, Rodents and Carnivores for Sale in Indonesian Wildlife Markets.

Southeast Asia is considered a global hotspot of emerging zoonotic diseases. There, wildlife is commonly traded under poor sanitary conditions in open markets; these markets have been considered 'the perfect storm' for zoonotic disease transmission. We assessed the potential of wildlife trade in spreading viral diseases by quantifying the number of wild animals of four mammalian orders (Rodentia, Chiroptera, Carnivora and Primates) on sale in 14 Indonesian wildlife markets and identifying zoonotic viruses potentially hosted by these animals. We constructed a network analysis to visualize the animals that are traded alongside each other that may carry similar viruses. We recorded 6725 wild animals of at least 15 species on sale. Cities and markets with larger human population and number of stalls, respectively, offered more individuals for sale. Eight out of 15 animal taxa recorded are hosts of 17 zoonotic virus species, nine of which can infect more than one species as a host. The network analysis showed that long-tailed macaque has the greatest potential for spreading viral diseases, since it is simultaneously the most traded species, sold in 13/14 markets, and a potential host for nine viruses. It is traded alongside pig-tailed macaques in three markets, with which it shares six viruses in common (Cowpox, Dengue, Hepatitis E, Herpes B, Simian foamy, and Simian retrovirus type D). Short-nosed fruit bats and large flying foxes are potential hosts of Nipah virus and are also sold in large quantities in 10/14 markets. This study highlights the need for better surveillance and sanitary conditions to avoid the negative health impacts of unregulated wildlife markets.

“If I'm a naturopath, It's because I trust nature above everything else”: Canadian naturopaths' construction of vaccination as a risk object

Canadians and Quebecers increasingly consult complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners in parallel with biomedical providers. The close relationship between vaccine hesitancy and CAM use remains under explored in Western countries. We present the results of a qualitative study conducted among one of Quebec's most used CAM approaches: naturopathy. Using Boholm and Corvellec's relational theory of risk to illustrate naturopaths' construction of vaccination as an “object of risk”, we describe how the health representations of 30 Quebec naturopath interviewees are associated with the ways they perceived the risks of infectious diseases and vaccination. Our findings illustrate how Quebec naturopaths' view the body as “at risk” from the possible harmful effects of vaccines. For these naturopaths, the body is a site, a “terrain”, where homeostasis must continually be preserved, and needs to be protected from risks such as vaccines—which were seen as far riskier than infectious diseases—through natural means. Such views are often perceived as unscientific or even irrational by public health researchers. Our study highlights that naturopaths' attitudes towards vaccination are perfectly aligned with the epistemological tenets of their risk representations and conceptions of health.

The Effect of Provisioning Micronutrients for Pregnant Women up to Breastfeeding to Prevent Postpartum Blues in Balikpapan City

The groups most susceptible to micronutrient deficiencies are pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children under 5 years of age. This is because they need vitamins and minerals in greater quantities than the other groups. In addition, this group is also very susceptible to the adverse effects of micronutrient deficiencies. Lack of micronutrients can increase the risk of infectious diseases, death from diarrhoea, measles, malaria and the lungs, including the risk of developing blues.&#x0D; The analytical observational method used a retrospective cohort design. The purpose of this design is to know the effect of micronutrient feeding to pregnant women with the incidence of postpartum blues. Balikpapan City has health centres’ in 6 sub-districts, represented by 10 health centres’ through simple random sampling. The sample of each health centre is a quota of 20 mothers. Analysis using the frequency distribution to calculate the frequency or number and percentage of the measured aspects. Test the hypothesis proposed in this study using the Manova test and Multivariate using Multivariate Linear Regression.&#x0D; Results Micronutrients are needed by pregnant women, there are 44.5% of mothers who do not routinely take drugs obtained during ANC, Micronutrient Intake is Not Fulfilled during Postpartum as many as 92 mothers (46.0%). Multivariate test. Wilks' Lambda Siq. The income obtained can be spent so that it is petrified to prevent the risk of postpartum blues&#x0D; Conclusion: families need to be involved in preventing postpartum, in order to detect the risk of postpartum by reminding them to take medication regularly.

Infectious disease risk communication and engagement using puppetry and related approaches for improving handwashing with soap in an informal settlement of Nairobi

Handwashing with soap (HWWS) has been estimated to have the potential to prevent 35% of the 704,880 deaths per year caused by diarrhoeal infectious diseases (UN Millennium Project, 2018), its wider risk reduction influence subsequently accentuated in times of COVID-19. However, this depends on place specific risk communication that leads to behaviour change, particularly amongst children in economically poor neighbourhoods. A study centred on five schools in the informal settlement of Kawangware, Nairobi found that puppetry, shadow shows and school model making produced effective risk communication and engagement spaces. Increased HWWS occurred when children designed, owned, and were able to apply risk communication.

Nanotechnology approach for exploring the enhanced bioactivities, biochemical characterisation and phytochemistry of freshly prepared Mentha arvensis L. nanosuspensions.

Mentha arvensis L. is the most valuable medicinal plant that possesses anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. There are few studies available in the literature about M. arvensis L nanoparticles, but their nanosuspensions-based information remains unclear and needs further study. This study was designed to explore the nanotechnology approach for biochemical characterisation, enhanced bioactivities, and photochemistry of freshly prepared M. arvensis L. nanosuspensions. Nanosuspensions of M. arvensis L. leaves were prepared by following the nanoprecipitation method. In this study, we performed structural and biochemical characterisation through analyses of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), phase contrast microscopy and enhanced bioactivities; antioxidant, alpha-amylase inhibition, glycation inhibition and cytotoxicity assays. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of phenols, amines hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, alkenes, alkenes and alkynes. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of chlorogenic acid, a principal phenolic component. Biofilm inhibition activity revealed that the growth formation of Escherichia coli inhibited up to 62.4% and 53.35% by leaves extract and nanosuspension, respectively. However, the growth of Staphylococcus aureus was not inhibited by nanosuspension and extract. Nanosuspension and extract exhibited 155.92 mg, 108.11 mg gallic acids per 100 g of dry weight total phenolic content and 233.44 mg, 163.933 mg catechin per 100 g of dried weight total flavonoid content in extract and nanosuspension, respectively. Antioxidant activity revealed the scavenging potential of nanosuspensions and extract was 41.01% and 12.07%, respectively. Alpha-amylase inhibiting activity of nanosuspension and extract was 36% and 33%, while, the antiglycation potential of nanosuspension and extract were 41.68% and 35.18%, respectively. Nanosuspensions and extract showed maximum hemolytic activity at 12.91% and 17.18%, respectively. These cost-effective nanoformulations could serve as a platform for therapeutic purposes in controlling the high risk of infectious diseases and designing efficient plant nanosuspensions by discovering novel bioactive compounds in an adequate manner.

Drug design strategies for the treatment of coronavirus infection

The increasing size and density of the human population is leading to an increasing risk of infectious diseases that threaten to spread yet another pandemics. The widespread use of vaccination has reduced morbidity and mortality associated with viral infections and in some cases eradicated the virus from the population entirely. Regrettably, some virus species retain the ability to mutate rapidly and thus evade the vaccine-induced immune response. New antiviral drugs are therefore needed for the treatment and prevention of viral diseases. Modern research into the structures and properties of viral proteases, which are of key importance in the life cycle of viruses, makes it possible, in our opinion, to turn these enzymes into promising targets for the development of effective viral disease control methods.

Investigating mangrove-human health relationships: A review of recently reported physiological benefits.

Ecosystems continue to experience degradation worldwide, with diminishing ecosystem services presenting unfavourable outlooks for all aspects of human wellbeing including health. To inform protective policies that safeguard both ecological and health benefits, syntheses of available knowledge are required especially for neglected ecosystems such as mangroves. However, reviews about relationships between mangroves and human health are rare. This review identifies and categorizes evidence reported in the Web of Science database about health impacts of mangrove ecosystem goods and services. 96 papers were retained after application of exclusion criteria and filtration steps to results of database and bibliographical searches. Findings highlight most abundantly that bioactive extracts of mangrove sediment, plant, and plant associates are useful for the treatment of human ailments and infections. Also reported is the heavy and trace metal bioremediation capacity of mangroves ecosystems, with concomitant modulating effects on associated human health risks. Evidence of mangrove influence on human nutrition via fisheries and food production support services, either singularly or in conjunction with linked ecosystems is also offered. Finally, mangrove effects on the prevalence of causative agents, and therefore on the incidence and distribution of infectious diseases, are also presented. Positive influences of mangroves on human health are implied via three of the four routes reported, which diminish with degradation and appreciate with proper ecosystem functioning. The undesirable links lie chiefly with higher infectious disease risk posed by mangroves, which requires further exploration regarding suspected ecological pathways available for limiting said risks. Other gaps identified are sparse information about in-vivo efficacy and safety of mangrove bioactive isolates, specific nutrient content and diversity associated with mangrove-supported food production outcomes, and the geographically limited nature of most findings. Beyond economic value, health benefits of mangroves are significant and outweigh their disservices to humans. To ensure sustainable supply of the full complement of these benefits, they should be considered when designing ecosystems management regimes.