Human Deaths Research Articles

Predictive analytics of complex healthcare systems using deep learning based disease diagnosis model.

Cancer is a life-threatening disease resulting from a genetic disorder and a range of metabolic anomalies. In particular, lung and colon cancer (LCC) are among the major causes of death and disease in humans. The histopathological diagnoses are critical in detecting this kind of cancer. This diagnostic testing is a substantial part of the patient's treatment. Thus, the recognition and classification of LCC are among the cutting-edge research regions, particularly in the biological healthcare and medical fields. Earlier disease diagnosis can significantly reduce the risk of fatality. Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models are used to hasten these cancer analyses, allowing researcher workers to analyze a considerable proportion of patients in a limited time and at a low price. This manuscript proposes the Predictive Analytics of Complex Healthcare Systems Using the DL-based Disease Diagnosis Model (PACHS-DLBDDM) method. The proposed PACHS-DLBDDM method majorly concentrates on the detection and classification of LCC. At the primary stage, the PACHS-DLBDDM methodology utilizes Gabor Filtering (GF) to preprocess the input imageries. Next, the PACHS-DLBDDM methodology employs the Faster SqueezeNet to generate feature vectors. In addition, the convolutional neural network with long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) approach is used to classify LCC. To optimize the hyperparameter values of the CNN-LSTM approach, the Chaotic Tunicate Swarm Algorithm (CTSA) approach was implemented to improve the accuracy of classifier results. The simulation values of the PACHS-DLBDDM approach are examined on a medical image dataset. The performance validation of the PACHS-DLBDDM model portrays the superior accuracy value of 99.54% over other DL models.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of rabies virus detected in rabid dogs in Cameroon, 2010–2021

Rabies is a viral zoonosis that causes an estimated 60,000 human deaths each year, mainly in Africa and Asia. The etiological agent of rabies, the Rabies Lyssavirus or Rabies Virus (RABV) has been characterized in dog populations in Cameroon, in previous studies. However, the dynamics of RABV maintenance and propagation in dogs are still to be documented in Cameroon. This study thus, aimed at investigating the spatial and temporal dynamics of RABV variants in Cameroon. Long genomic sequences of about 4893 nucleotides, encompassing the N, P, M and G genes as well as part of the G-L intergenic region (Ψ), were determined from 56 RABV strains recovered from dog populations in Cameroon from 2010 to 2021. Temporal and spatial dynamics of RABV circulation in Cameroon were investigated by Bayesian analyses with the BEAST 1.10.4 package from extended RABV genomic sequences data combined with their collection dates and the geographical coordinates of their sampling areas. This revealed a genetic evolution rate of 3.14 × 10−4 substitutions/site/year among Africa-1a and Africa-2 clades of RABV from Cameroon. The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of the studied strains of the Africa-1a lineage was estimated to have emerged between 1880 and 1906 (95 % HPD; mean 1894), while that of the strains of the Africa-2 clade had a slightly later estimated origin between 1907 and 1928 (95 % HPD, mean 1918). Overall, phylogeographic analyses suggested RABV spread in Cameroon between sub-national regions. Our data provides substantial support to previous findings from similar epidemiological settings, indicating human mediated movements of infected dogs between distant cities may be a key factor in the maintenance of the enzootic cycle of rabies among dogs in Cameroon.

Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2022.

To provide comprehensive epidemiological information about the distribution and occurrence of rabies during 2022 in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The US National Rabies Surveillance System collected 2022 animal rabies data from US state and territorial public health departments and USDA Wildlife Services. Temporal and geographic analyses were conducted to evaluate trends in animal rabies cases. During 2022, 54 US jurisdictions reported 3,579 animal rabies cases, reflecting a 2.3% decline from 3,663 cases reported in 2021. Six states collectively reported > 50% of animal rabies cases: Texas (395 [11.0%]), Virginia (337 [9.4%]), Pennsylvania (329 [9.2%]), New York (267 [7.5%]), North Carolina (264 [7.4%]), and California (241 [6.7%]). Out of the total reported rabies animal cases, 3,234 (90.4%) were attributed to wildlife, with bats (1,218 [34.0%]), raccoons (1,014 [28.3%]), skunks (660 [18.4%]), and foxes (269 [7.5%]) representing the primary hosts confirmed with rabies. Rabid cats (222 [6.2%]), cattle (42 [1.2%]), and dogs (50 [1.4%]) constituted > 90% of reported domestic animal rabies cases. In 2022, there was an increase in the number of animal samples submitted for rabies testing in the US and Canada. A notable geographic expansion of gray fox rabies virus variant was detected in the US. Three human rabies deaths due to vampire bat rabies infection occurred in Mexico; none were reported from the US and Canada. Laboratory diagnosis of rabies in animals is critical to ensure judicious use of human rabies postexposure prophylaxis.

Antibody titer after anti-idiotype rabies vaccination with nano-chitosan adjuvant

Background.The rabies virus neutralizing antibodies titers is a public health problem in the world, including Indonesia. Rabies is zoonotic and causes death in humans with a case fatality rate of 100%. Anti-idiotype antibody (Ab2) from chicken immunoglobulin (IgY) can be a substitute antigen for the rabies virus. This research aims to study the potential of rabies vaccine based on anti-idiotype antibody (Ab2) with nano-chitosan as an adjuvant.Materials and methods.The production of Ab2 is derived from purified and characterized chicken immunoglobulins. Nano-chitosan is made from chitosan from shrimp shell waste. Vaccination tests were carried out on rats compared with commercial vaccines as a positive control and physiological solutions as a negative control. The characterization results of IgY Ab2 were IgY rabies with BM ~180 kDa, heavy chains (BM ~60 kDa), and light chains (BM ~30 kDa) of IgY. Nano-chitosan is less than 100 nm in size, can dissolve well, and does not cause side effects in experimental animals.Results.The vaccine formula uses a concentration of 0.5%, where the ratio of nano-chitosan and Ab2 is 1:1. The Ab2 concentration used was about 1000 units per mL of the Ab2 suspension.Conclusion.This study concludes that anti-idiotype antibodies dissolved in nano-chitosan adjuvant can induce the formation of antibodies with titers that are not statistically different from the antibody titers induced by commercial rabies vaccines. Nano-chitosan has a potential vaccine adjuvant candidate, safe to use, and can enhance the immunogenicity of an antigen applied subcutaneously. According to the results of this study, it is recommended that post-vaccination antibody titers be measured regularly: for example, every one week for six weeks after vaccination. This measurement determines the time of the peak of the antibody titer so that the time for revaccination can be determined.

Performance Evaluation of RC Structures using Next- Generation Performance-Based Seismic Assessment Procedures

Seismic forces have wreaked havoc on buildings around the world, resulting in both property damage and human deaths. Reinforced concrete structures under cyclic loading cannot be predicted using current methods, according to relevant design codes. Code-based seismic design procedures have been replaced by performance-based design procedures (PBSD). PBSD describes a building's overall performance by taking into account its structural and non-structural performance categories. Immediate occupancy, life safety, and collapse prevention are the three types of damage that can be encountered in a construction site. They are ranked based on the amount of damage, downtime, and casualties they inflict. Although these procedures can detect damage, they are unable to assign a numerical value to the seriousness of the damage. The use of damage indices, which are based on structural and response-based parameters, has been proposed by many researchers in the past. The objective of current research is an attempt to summarise all of these efforts and identify grey areas for further investigation. Numerical approaches to integrate structural damages with various PBSD performance levels have been proposed.

Systems biology approaches identify metabolic signatures of dietary lifespan and healthspan across species

Dietary restriction (DR) is a potent method to enhance lifespan and healthspan, but individual responses are influenced by genetic variations. Understanding how metabolism-related genetic differences impact longevity and healthspan are unclear. To investigate this, we used metabolites as markers to reveal how different genotypes respond to diet to influence longevity and healthspan traits. We analyzed data from Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) strains raised under AL and DR conditions, combining metabolomic, phenotypic, and genome-wide information. We employed two computational and complementary methods across species—random forest modeling within the DGRP as our primary analysis and Mendelian randomization in human cohorts as a secondary analysis. We pinpointed key traits with cross-species relevance as well as underlying heterogeneity and pleiotropy that influence lifespan and healthspan. Notably, orotate was linked to parental age at death in humans and blocked the DR lifespan extension in flies, while threonine supplementation extended lifespan, in a strain- and sex-specific manner. Thus, utilizing natural genetic variation data from flies and humans, we employed a systems biology approach to elucidate potential therapeutic pathways and metabolomic targets for diet-dependent changes in lifespan and healthspan.

Molecular characterisation of human rabies in Tanzania and Kenya: a case series report and phylogenetic investigation

BackgroundRabies remains a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. However, human rabies deaths are rarely laboratory-confirmed or sequenced, especially in Africa. Five human rabies deaths from Tanzania and Kenya were investigated and the causative rabies viruses sequenced, with the aim of identifying implications for rabies control at individual, healthcare and societal levels.Case presentationThe epidemiological context and care of these cases was contrasting. Four had a clear history of being bitten by dogs, while one had an unclear biting history. Two individuals sought medical attention within a day of being bitten, whereas three sought care only after developing rabies symptoms. Despite seeking medical care, none of the cases received complete post-exposure prophylaxis: one patient received only tetanus vaccination, one did not complete the post-exposure vaccination regimen, one followed an off-label vaccination schedule, and two did not receive any post-exposure vaccinations before the onset of symptoms. These cases highlight serious gaps in health-seeking behaviour, and in health systems providing appropriate care following risky exposures, including in the accessibility and effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis as it is administered in the region.ConclusionsThe viral genomic and epidemiological data confirms dog-mediated rabies as the cause of each of these deaths. The phylogenetic investigation highlights the transboundary circulation of rabies within domestic dog populations, revealing distinct rabies virus clades with evidence of regional spread. These findings underscore the importance of coordinated cross-border control efforts between the two countries. Urgent action is needed to improve awareness around the need for emergency post-exposure vaccines that should be accessible in local communities and administered appropriately, as well as investment in coordinated dog vaccination to control dog-mediated rabies, the underlying cause of these deaths.Graphical

Impacts of Various Insecticide Forms on Avian Health and Mortality: A Comprehensive Review

Since the time of its synthesis and application, insecticides have prevented millions of deaths in humans, animals and avian lives. They have significantly contributed to the revolution in agriculture and human health by reducing agricultural pests and vector-borne illnesses. The chance of birds being exposed to insecticides is increased by a number of factors, including farming methods, insect and crop kinds, pesticide form, food, and habitat preferences. Granular insecticides, often used in agriculture, are highly concentrated and attractive to songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Liquid sprays, particularly those used for locust control, can affect bird species beyond agricultural areas due to wide-range applications. Treated seeds can poison birds depending on various factors like toxicity and seed availability. Despite the known dangers, many pesticide-related bird deaths go unreported, highlighting the need for comprehensive studies to understand and mitigate these effects. Insecticides have a variety of sub lethal effects on birds, such as deformed embryos, smaller broods, less vigilant parenting, weakened territorial defence, anorexia and weight loss, weakened immune response, lethargic behaviour, increased susceptibility to predators, disruption of the endocrine system, interference with thermoregulation, and inability to orient in the correct direction for migration. Therefore, exposure to pesticides lowers the likelihood of survival and successful reproduction, which eventually interferes with the growth of a robust bird population.

First Report of a Fatal Septicemia Case Caused by Vibrio metoecus: A Comprehensive Functional and Genomic Study

Abstract Background In recent years, we have witnessed an unprecedented increase in the incidence of vibriosis due to global warming. Vibrio metoecus is a recently described Vibrio cholerae-like species that has not been associated with septicemia death in humans. During follow-up of human vibriosis, we received a blood isolate from a patient with secondary septicemia who died a few hours after admission. Methods Phenotypic and genotypic methods failed to identify the isolate, which could only be identified by average nucleotide identity after genome sequencing. The isolate was subjected to in vitro and ex vivo assays, complemented by comparative genomics focused on the identification of unique genetic traits. Strains and genomes from the same and related species (V. cholerae and Vibrio mimicus) were used for analyses. Results The isolate was the only one able to resist and multiply in human serum. Its genome contained virulence genes shared with V. mimicus and/or V. cholerae, with those associated with sialic acid degradation within pathogenicity island 2 standing out. However, it also presented a unique gene cluster, flanked by a transposase gene, putatively related to surface polysaccharide pseudosialyzation. Conclusions We document the first case of death caused by septicemia due to V. metoecus and propose that the acquisition of surface pseudosialyzation genes explains the ability of certain isolates of this species to survive in blood. Our discovery underscores the urgent need to monitor and study newly emerging pathogenic species, as climate change may be facilitating their spread and increasing the risk of serious infections in humans.

Correlation of CT measurements of total body gas volume and hounsfield units with post-mortem interval

Accurate estimation of the post-mortem interval (PMI) may be a matter of crucial importance in forensic investigations.A preliminary investigation to assess whether longitudinal changes in organ Hounsfield units (HU) and total body gas volume (TBGV), as measured from serial PMCT scans, correlate with postmortem interval (PMI).: Eight euthanised lambs each had five whole body CT scans performed over seven days and measurements were taken from the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and spleen. HU tissue density was measured directly from the PMCT images, while TBGV was calculated using ImageJ software. A random effect model was fitted with the subject fitted as a random intercept. Ethical and Animal Welfare approval was obtained. : The average increase in TBGV was 422 ml/Kg with a change of 77 ml/Kg per day. For each additional post-mortem day, the HU of the brain, heart, lung, liver and spleen decreased by per day since death, while HU for the kidneys increased by day since death. Expect for the kidney where it increased, there was clear and progressive decrease in tissue densities and for all organs there was an increase in TBGV over time. However, the overlap in values between cases indicates that more work is required before either HU or TBGV can be developed as non-invasive methods to reliably determine time of death in humans.

Reducing spatial heterogeneity in coverage improves the effectiveness of dog vaccination against rabies.

Vaccination programs are the mainstay of control for many infectious diseases. Heterogeneous coverage is hypothesised to reduce vaccination effectiveness, but this impact has not been quantified in real systems. We address this gap using fine-scale data from two decades of rabies contact tracing and dog vaccination campaigns in Serengeti district, Tanzania. Using generalised linear mixed models, we find that current local (village-level) dog rabies incidence decreases with increasing recent local vaccination coverage. However, current local incidence is most dependent on recent incidence, both locally and in the wider district, consistent with high population connectivity. Removing the masking effects of prior non-local incidence shows that, for the same average prior vaccination coverage beyond the focal village, more spatial variation increases local incidence. These effects led to outbreaks following years when vaccination campaigns missed many villages, whereas when heterogeneity in coverage was reduced, incidence declined to low levels (<0.4 cases/1,000 dogs annually and no human deaths), such that short vaccination lapses thereafter did not lead to resurgence. We inferred ongoing rabies incursions into the district, suggesting regional connectivity as an important source of residual transmission. Overall, we provide an empirical demonstration of how the same average vaccination coverage can lead to differing outcomes based on its spatial distribution, highlighting the importance of fine-scale monitoring in managing vaccination programs.

Rabies control costs at the provincial level: Who should pay more, the community or the government?

Background and Aim: Rabies is a zoonotic disease that persists endemic in numerous countries worldwide. In Vietnam, the main sources of rabies are dogs and cats, and they caused 76 human deaths annually by 2017–2021. Long An province has recently experienced an increasing burden of rabies, with seven fatal cases reported in the past 5 years. Various rabies control measures have been implemented in this province, including mass vaccination of the animal population, post-vaccination monitoring, diagnostic testing of suspected rabid dogs, dog bite investigation, animal management, pre-exposure treatment, post-exposure treatment (PET), and awareness programs. This study aimed to estimate the cost of rabies control measures for animals and humans in Long An province in 2022. Materials and Methods: An economic model was developed to estimate the costs of rabies control under two scenarios, with and without external financial support from the private sector. Inputs for the model included data from published literature, publicly available reports on rabies, government data, expert opinions, and a pilot study conducted in Vietnam. Results: The total annual costs of rabies control, with or without external support, were estimated to be VND 62.62 and 62.77 billion (equivalent to USD 2.67 and 2.68 million), respectively. The highest proportion of costs was related to PET in humans (84.50% and 84.30%), followed by the cost of mass vaccination paid by animal owners (14.28% and 13.90%). Most of the expenses were paid by the private sector (98.87% and 98.98%) rather than the public sector (1.14% and 1.20%). Conclusion: This study described a transparent and reproducible method for estimating the economic costs of rabies control at the provincial level. The economic model developed showed that control of rabies by mass vaccination is more cost-effective than using PET to prevent human death. The model can be applied to future economic analyses of rabies control in other provinces of Vietnam and other rabies-endemic countries. Keywords: animals, control measures, deterministic economic model, humans, rabies.

Identification of clade-defining single nucleotide polymorphisms for improved rabies virus surveillance

BackgroundRabies is an ancient disease that remains endemic in many countries. It causes many human deaths annually, predominantly in resource-poor countries. Over evolutionary timelines, several rabies virus (RABV) genotypes have stabilised, forming distinct clades. Extensive studies have been conducted on the origin, occurrence and spread of RABV clades. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distribution across the RABV genome and its clades remains largely unknown, highlighting the need for comprehensive whole-genome analyses. MethodsWe accessed whole genome sequences for RABV from public databases and identified SNPs across the whole genome sequences. Then, we annotated these SNPs using an R script, and these SNPs were categorised into different categories; universal, clade-specific, and clade-defining, based on the frequency of occurrence. ResultsIn this study, we present the SNPs occurring in the RABV based on whole genome sequences belonging to 8 clades isolated from 7 different host species likely to harbour dog-related rabies. We classified mutations into several classes based on their location within the genome and assessed the effect of SNP mutations on the viral glycoprotein. ConclusionsThe clade-defining mutations have implications for targeted surveillance and classification of clades. Additionally, we investigated the effects of these mutations on the Glycoprotein of the virus. Our findings contribute to expanding knowledge about RABV clade diversity and evolution, which has significant implications for effectively tracking and combatting RABV transmission.

A novel method for the degradation of human blood clot by immobilised bromelain using multi-walled carbon nanotube and polyphenol oxidase

Pathological blood clot in blood vessels, which often leads to cardiovascular diseases, are one of the most common causes of death in humans. Therefore, enzymatic therapy to degrade blood clots is vital. To achieve this goal, bromelain was immobilized and used for the biodegradation of blood clots. Bromelain was extracted from the pineapple fruit pulp (Ananas comosus) and purified by ion exchange chromatography after precipitation with ammonium sulphate (0-80 %), resulting in a yield of 70%, purification fold of 1.42, and a specific activity of 1175 U/mg. Bromelain was covalently immobilized on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), with an enzyme loading of 71.35%. The results of the characterization of free and immobilized bromelain demonstrated that the optimum pH for free and immobilized bromelain activity was 7.0, while the pH range of stability was from 5.0 to 8.5 and 4.0 to 9.0, respectively. The optimum temperature for free and immobilized bromelain activity was 45ºC, whereas the stability was 15 to 50°C and 15 to 55°C, respectively. The immobilized bromelain activity was decreased after the fifth reuse, and the storage period of the free and immobilized bromelain was decreased after 6 and 123 days, respectively. Casein was the best substrate-free bromelain, and fibrin was the best substrate for immobilized bromelain. The results of the purification of polyphenol oxidases (PPO) from potatoes by ion exchange chromatography gave a yield of about 54 %, a purification fold of 1.27, and a specific activity of 2804 U/mg. The current study showed that the immobilized bromelain can significantly biodegrade human blood clots in vitro, while the PPO enzyme has no significant effect on blood clots.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in American black bears (Ursus americanus): A case report in a cub from California and serologic survey for exposure in wild black bears from several states

Trypanosoma cruzi is an important cause of disease and death in humans and dogs, and although wildlife infections are common, less is known about disease manifestations. A 12-week-old male American black bear (Ursus americanus) cub with mild lethargy and anorexia presented to a wildlife rehabilitation center in Lake Tahoe, California. The cub continued to become increasingly weak and showed decreasing interest in play and other activities. The cub was anemic and had increased γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) liver enzymes. A large number of trypanosomes were noted on a thin blood smear. Trypanosoma cruzi was isolated in culture from a subsequent blood collection. Proliferative bony lesions were noted on radiographs, but this finding was considered unrelated to the T. cruzi infection. The number of parasites observed in thin blood smears dramatically dropped over time, but it remained PCR positive until at least nine months. The cub continued to gain weight and became increasingly active. Serum samples from the cub were positive with three different serologic assays (IFA, ELISA, and ICT). The bear was not treated because of the decreasing parasitemia and the improvement in activity and appetite. Although the bear could not be released due to issues unrelated to T. cruzi, it remains healthy in a captive facility. Sequence analysis of the DHFR-TS and COII-ND1 gene sequences confirmed the bear was infected with DTC TcIV. Following the detection of this clinical case, a serologic survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of T. cruzi exposure of black bears in California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Because no serologic assay has been validated for use in bears, three different assays were used. Marked differences in apparent seroprevalence range from 1% (requiring all three assays to be positive) to ∼20.7% (requiring only one assay to be positive). Black bears are naturally exposed to T. cruzi across the United States. Future studies using PCR testing of tissues or blood would be needed to better understand the prevalence of T. cruzi in wild black bears, lineages most commonly associated with infection, and if T. cruzi represents a health threat to bears.

New approaches must be taken to control rabies in low- and middle-income countries.

Krishna Prasad Acharya and Sarita Phuyal argue that while low- to middle-income countries may have some rabies control initiatives in place, these are not fully effective and strategies must be improved to reach the global goal of eliminating human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.

A virus associated with the zoonotic pathogen Plasmodium knowlesi causing human malaria is a member of a diverse and unclassified viral taxon.

Apicomplexa are single-celled eukaryotes that can infect humans and include the mosquito-borne parasite Plasmodium, the cause of malaria. Increasing rates of drug resistance in human-only Plasmodium species are reducing the efficacy of control efforts and antimalarial treatments. There are also rising cases of P. knowlesi, the only zoonotic Plasmodium species that causes severe disease and death in humans. Thus, there is a need to develop additional innovative strategies to combat malaria. Viruses that infect non-Plasmodium spp. Disease-causing protozoa have been shown to affect pathogen life cycle and disease outcomes. However, only one virus (Matryoshka RNA virus 1) has been identified in Plasmodium, and none have been identified in zoonotic Plasmodium species. The rapid expansion of the known RNA virosphere using structure- and artificial intelligence-based methods suggests that this dearth is due to the divergent nature of RNA viruses that infect protozoa. We leveraged these newly uncovered data sets to explore the virome of human-infecting Plasmodium species collected in Sabah, east (Borneo) Malaysia. We identified a highly divergent RNA virus in two human-infecting P. knowlesi isolates that is related to the unclassified group 'ormycoviruses'. By characterising fifteen additional ormycoviruses identified in the transcriptomes of arthropods we show that this group of viruses exhibits a complex ecology at the arthropod-mammal interface. Through the application of artificial intelligence methods, we then demonstrate that the ormycoviruses are part of a diverse and unclassified viral taxon. This is the first observation of an RNA virus in a zoonotic Plasmodium species. By linking small-scale experimental data to large-scale virus discovery advances, we characterise the diversity and genomic architecture of an unclassified viral taxon. This approach should be used to further explore the virome of disease-causing Apicomplexa and better understand how protozoa-infecting viruses may affect parasite fitness, pathobiology, and treatment outcomes.

High-Throughput Screening System Evaluation of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Extracts and Their Fractions against Mosquito Vectors.

Infectious diseases that cause illness and/or death in humans can be contracted from mosquito bites. A viable and alternate method of personal protection that can lower the danger of human exposure to mosquito-borne diseases is the use of plant-based repellents. Using a high-throughput screening system, the current work examined the toxicity, contact irritancy, and spatial repellency of Andrographis paniculata crude extract and its fractions against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles minimus, and An. dirus. Five fractions (i.e., F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5) were separated from the crude extract by column and thin layer chromatography and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The major active compounds identified from F3 and F5 were 4-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide and andrographolide. Three concentrations (1.0, 2.5, and 5.0%) for each of the crude extracts and the five fractions were individually impregnated on nylon netting strips and evaluated against the three mosquito species. Results showed that the highest contact irritancy was elicited by the crude extract at 5% concentration against Ae. aegypti (43.70% escaped). Results of the spatial activity index (SAI) showed that fractions F3 and F5 at 2.5% demonstrated the strongest repellency against Ae. aegypti (SAI = 0.84) and An. minimus (SAI = 0.83), respectively. Both the crude extract and its components did not cause any knockdown or mortality. These findings suggest that fractionation of A. paniculata extracts is valuable in assessing their spatial repellent efficacy against mosquitoes. Fractions F3 and F5 hold promise as natural mosquito repellents and could contribute to developing effective mosquito control strategies.

Rabies, The Administration of Vaccines and Public Health Concern, Neglected Challenges and Historical Perspective in China

Rabies virus is transmitted via contact of saliva of a rabid animal with a person ,s mucosa or a skin lesion. It is a fatal encephalomyelitis caused by members of expanding Lyssavirus genus, and the genus included 17 species. The aim of this literature review is to survey on rabies and vaccination in China, threats and challenges to eliminate it, especially in China. The information provided is obtained from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical observations and studies which were gathered from various literature sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The keywords were dogs, glycoprotein, lyssavirus, post-exposure prophylaxis, and rabies virus. Rabies virus is a bullet shaped enveloped virion, and the classical rabies virus and its field strains are discovered worldwide and induces to rabies in animals and humans. In recent years, China has made wonderful and significant achievements in rabies prevention and control, and currently, the mortality and incidence rate of human infection with rabies have decreased to the minimum level historically, which has caused a notable foundation for the ultimate elimination of human rabies. Generally, five proteins are available in mature rabies virus particles, phosphoprotein, nucleoprotein, glycoprotein, matrix protein, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The main carriers of rabies in China are dogs which are accountable for most of the human rabies deaths in China. Most common way of entry of rabies virus into the body is both via infected neural tissue through open cuts in the skin and salvia. The most notable parameters which limit rabies vaccinations are limited laboratory-based surveillance, diminished community outreach and education, underestimation of the population at risk, irregular vaccine applications in space and time, inaccessible naïve free-ranging dogs, exclusion of puppies, cold chain failure, translocation of cases, effect of other species, including cats, wildlife, and livestock, accessibility to remote hotspots, competing priorities, lack of adequate resources, impact of poverty on responsible social ownership and routine animal health care, cultural disparities, Sisyphean fatigue, frustration and staff burn-out. Rabies remain a public health problem and continue to present health risks for both animals and human; It is important to improve access to PEP in endemic countries where human rabies deaths still happen, but the big problem is its costs that should be curtailed and surveillance strengthened for controlling and eliminating it.

The Death of the Gods in Mesopotamian Literature

The beliefs of ancient Mesopotamia included many important topics, which looked into the secret of man’s existence, life, and well-being, and the matter went beyond that when he beliefs with his death or the cessation of his life, so the idea of death for him was mysterious, frightening, or chilling the soul, and surrounded by the unknown. So the study of death and life is one of the topics, which draws knowledge of the emotional state towards knowing mortality and how to deal with it, especially, when the people of Mesopotamia thought about, all this leading us to a better understanding of death. The people of Mesopotamia did not doubt about the inevitability of death for man, and made immortality the share of the gods, but Mesopotamian mythological thought leads us to differentiate between the death of gods and the death of humans. Through literary texts we know that the death of gods means disappearing and then appearing or returning again. It also means changing from one state to another as a result of an act that was not death in the true sense, but rather it is their transformation from one state to another. Or they took the permanent form or nature consecrated to them after they were killed, or the final stable form whose accompanying entity was known.