Pandemic Research Articles

Community and Care: Black Civil Society and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 in the United States

Abstract During the deadliest pandemic of the twentieth century, the Great Influenza pandemic of 1918–1920, African Americans in the United States appeared to be an especially vulnerable population. The health effects of racialized segregation, produced by congested housing conditions, environmental racism, and exclusion from or discrimination in healthcare services, threatened a devastating situation during the second wave of the pandemic in late 1918. This paper argues that a network of Black civil society organizations and activists sprang into action to ameliorate the worst effects of this public health emergency, and that it was able to provide care and relief that would have largely been denied by white-led public and private institutions. This network had been built up in the preceding decades and can therefore serve as an important model and informational resource in utilizing community-centered planning to prepare marginalized peoples for the spread of pandemic disease.

Speech Acts of Advising in Selected News Texts about Coronavirus

After the invading of Coronavirus in 2019 in China, The world Health Organization has declared this virus as a pandemic. The virus outbreaks among countries terrifying manner which makes governments take some quick decisions to stop it. Government all over the world employes TV channels and media to deliver instructions and advices to their peoples. But, this time the advice and instructions are different in style and language, since there is a crisis which may destroy the whole country, as what has happened in Ital pandemicly. Therefore, the speech act of advising which is used under this circumstances is a bit different for imposing more emphasis to face that danger. Advising people needs to be more directive and imperative. This study hypothesizes that under serious crisis, speech act of advice tends to be more directive and imperative to make the language receiver takes the advice in his/her consideration. This study tries to answer the following question: Do strategies in performing speech act of advice under a common crisis differ between government and Tv Channels? The study analyses ten texts from two different news channels. The first five texts are taken from Kurdistan 24 Channel and the other five are taken from BBC NEWS Channel. The study reaches to the findings that under serious crisis, there is no difference between western and esteran government in the strategies used to direct their people. In both channels, the speech act of advice tends to be direct and imperative more than other strategies to express it.

A review of Mpox: Biological characteristics, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies

AbstractThe outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV) was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the zoonotic disease caused by viral infection was renamed as “Mpox” on November 28, 2022. Currently, there is no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Mpox, and a main preventive strategy against MPXV infection remains the smallpox vaccine. Although there was an emergency use authorization (EUA) of Brincidofovir and Tecovirimat for the clinical treatment of clade II Mpox, while Tecovirimat failed to reduce the duration of Mpox lesions among patients infected with clade I Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Therefore, it is still an urgent need to develop an effective medication. This review aims to enhance the understanding of Mpox and contribute to its prevention and treatment strategies, it provides a systemic introduction of the biological and epidemiological characteristics of MPXV, the clinical feature and diagnosis of Mpox, as well as treatment and prevention strategies, which will improve the comprehension about MPXV and offer potential strategies for clinical treatment.

Clustering Analysis Identified Distinct Clinical Phenotypes among Hemodialysis Patients in Their Immunological Response to the BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic induced a major health crisis worldwide, notably among end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, especially with messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, is highly effective and reduces hospitalization and mortality in both the general and ESKD populations. Age and previous COVID-19 infection have been identified as major determinants of the vaccine response in both the general population and ESKD patients. Methods: To determine the specific phenotype of ESKD patients in relation to their vaccine response, a clustering approach was used in a cohort of 117 fully vaccinated patients. Results: Clustering revealed three distinct clinical phenotypes among hemodialysis patients in terms of immunological response. Two clusters, consisting of either women with a long dialysis history or male subjects with diabetes with a moderate history of dialysis, exhibited low levels of IgG anti-spike antibodies. The third cluster consisted of non-diabetic middle-aged men with a moderate dialysis vintage and a very good serological response to vaccination. Conclusions: These vaccinal phenotypes of dialysis patients are easily identifiable in current practice, allowing for differential serological follow-up and tailored booster SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Prevalence of Mayaro infections in Amazonian peri-urban areas.

A retrospective cohort with 967 acute febrile individuals negative for Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya and Malaria demonstrated two positive results by conventional polymerase chain reaction plus sequencing for Mayaro genotype D in a peri-urban region, indicating the need for changes in diagnosis protocols and active genomic surveillance in Brazil to prevent virus outbreaks.

Mpox: lessons learnt from previous viral outbreaks applicable to the ongoing outbreak

Human monkeypox (Mpox) is a zoonotic infection caused by Mpox virus (MPXV) that was first identified in a smallpox suspect in 1970, and presents with smallpox-like symptoms but with less severe manifestations. The infection is initiated through rapid replication at the inoculation site, with early symptoms including fever, chills, and exhaustion. The advent of smallpox vaccines has significantly contributed to its prevention. Due to its zoonotic nature, individuals who consume or handle animals susceptible to the virus are at increased risk and should take appropriate precautions. Both vaccines and non-pharmacological interventions have proven potent in limiting the spread of the infection. This narrative review examines the emergence and spread of Mpox in humans, delving into the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and preventive strategies for Mpox, as well as the transmission dynamics of the two MPXV clades. It also highlights the increase in cases outside Africa, with a particular focus on a UK outbreak linked to travel from Nigeria. The importance of vaccination, especially smallpox vaccines, is underscored, noting recent advancements in vaccine development such as the Vaccinia Ankara vaccine. The review emphasizes the need for robust surveillance, diagnostics, and strategies to control and manage epidemics, drawing lessons from past experiences. It concludes by stressing the clinical similarities between Mpox and smallpox and the growing public health concern posed by Mpox, especially in areas with high human-wildlife interactions.

Dirty lives, wild birds, clean places, and exceptional health: a critical discourse analysis of Danish and Norwegian news coverage of avian influenza risk

Avian influenza outbreaks are recurring worldwide. In Norwegian and Danish media, fluctuating attention has been paid to these outbreaks and the coverage that exists largely portrays the situation as a distant problem, limited to so-called non-Western countries. In the present article, we have analysed news articles from two Norwegian and two Danish newspapers published in 2006/2008, 2017 and 2021 using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). By analysing linguistic articulations of risk and blame for avian influenza in Norwegian and Danish media, we explore how this portrayal creates discursive distinctions between risk and blame ‘here’ in Europe and ‘there’ in Asian and African countries. We discuss these discursive contrasts in light of Bergamo’s theory of ideology of health progress and Douglas’ understanding of hygiene as cultural ideas. Our analysis reveals that dominant portrayals of avian influenza in the news media construct particular discourses of blame, risk, and responsibility for disease emergence and spread that are ideologically underpinned by an understanding of disease management, meat production, and animal health in Norway and Denmark as exceptional. We argue that this may have implications for perceptions of places at risk of emergence and spread of viruses and the nature of responses for pandemic preparedness and disease eradication.

Home environments in an age of precarity

Environment-behavior research prior to the 2000s often portrayed homes as relatively self-contained, insular settings that provided residents refuge from the demands and distractions of the outside world—a kind of safe haven for domestic activities and family life. Residential security was viewed largely in relation to personal assets and the nearby environment, including one's capacity to afford high quality housing, defensible space design of the dwelling, and the absence of nearby threats such as fire and flood hazards, seismic risks, and undesirable land uses like oil drilling sites, landfills, and congested roadways. These proximal sources of residential precarity still play a role in people's lives, but their impacts on people are amplified nowadays by a variety of increasingly pervasive threats situated at societal and global levels such as climate change and extreme weather events, disease pandemics, rampant cybercrime, and growing worries about the spread of nuclear weapons. Also, the modern home has become a polyfunctional hub for both household and non-domestic activities, owing to the infusion of work, educational, and recreational activities into residences via their online connections to the outside world. We offer a social ecological analysis of the changing meanings and functions of home environments in the early 21st Century, and a conception of domestic precarity that highlights its links to broader existential concerns driven by societal and global forces. Future policies and environmental interventions to effectively curb residential precarity will require collaboration among individuals from multiple fields and between diverse organizations and institutions working at municipal, state, national and international levels.

Evaluation of a DNA vaccine with self-designed CpG sequences against J genotype IHNV infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rainbow trout suffer from infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) outbreaks, which lead to massive mortality and huge economic loss worldwide. The approved commercial vaccine is used for the prevention of IHN in Canada. Given that Chinese domestic J-genotype isolates are different from North American IHNV isolates, the development of an effective DNA vaccine against Chinese J-genotype isolates is urgent. In this study, we developed a DNA vaccine encoding glycoprotein based on our previously isolated IHNV GS21 strain and self-designed CpG sequences were supplemented as molecular adjuvants. The vaccinated rainbow trout were significantly protected against IHNV with approximately a relative percent survival (RPS) of 94.74 % compared to the unvaccinated group. Moreover, the specific antibody of IgM and neutralizing antibody (NAb) was significantly provoked after the vaccination. Particularly, the antiviral immune response was rapidly evoked in the early stage of vaccination including the up-regulation of Mx-1, IFN-Ⅰ, and IFN-γ. The IHNV load in vaccinated fish was apparently lower than that in the unvaccinated group. Furthermore, the integration of exogenous genes into the host chromosome and the spread of antimicrobial-resistant genes were not found. These results suggested that our vaccine enhances robust immune responses and evokes considerable protection against IHNV with limited genetically modified risk, which is an effective and promising vaccine candidate for further prevention of IHNV outbreaks.

New Insights into the Epidemiological Characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), a prevalent respiratory pathogen affecting children and adolescents, is known to trigger periodic global epidemics. The most recent significant outbreak commenced in the first half of 2023 and reached its peak globally during the autumn and winter months. Considering the worldwide repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly essential to delve into the epidemiological characteristics of M. pneumoniae both before and after the pandemic. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the key features of M. pneumoniae epidemics in the pre-and post-COVID-19 contexts, including but not limited to shifts in the susceptible population, the molecular genotypes of the pathogen, the clinical manifestations, and potential new trends in drug resistance. Additionally, we will introduce the latest advancements in the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae.

Serotypic and genotypic profile of dengue virus outbreaks in India between 2011 and 2017.

The epidemiology of dengue has been demonstrating significant changes in recent years, with rising incidence of infection in countries with known endemicity and occurrence of fresh outbreaks in previously unaffected territories. India, which has been a traditional hotspot dengue virus (DENV) transmission in the endemic south-east Asian region, has also been affected by the sweeping changes in dengue epidemiology. Two remarkable developments characterize the alterations witnessed by India 2011-2017. Firstly, all parts of the country have witnessed abrupt replacement of existing DENV lineages with emerging novel strains. Secondly, co-circulation of multiple serotypes of DENV have been reported from all across the country 2011-2017; thereby hinting at the transition of the country towards hyper-endemicity. Considering the potential clinical implications of such epidemiological transformation in terms increasing involvement of pediatric patients and growing predisposition to serious complications, the present review provides an update on the serotypic and genotypic profile of dengue outbreaks that have been witnessed by different zones of India between 2011 and 2017. Dividing the country into northern, southern, eastern, western, central and north-eastern zones, we describe discrete zone-specific distribution patterns of DENV serotypes and genotypes and observe simultaneous circulation of different DENV strains in different parts of the country. Random shifts in the genetic characteristics of the circulating strains and the widespread co- circulation of all four serotypes underscore the need for undertaking continuous and representative molecular surveillance of the circulating DENV strains across the country for prompt identification of emerging strains and novel mutants; gain insights into the formulation of Dengue vaccines and develop a clearer understanding of the molecular basis of immune evasion, disease epidemiology and pathogenesis.

The Veg∗n Eating Motives Inventory Plus (VEMI+): A measure of health, environment, animal rights, disgust, social, pandemic and zoonotic diseases, and farm workers’ rights motives

Health, environmental concern, and animal rights are established motives for reduced meat consumption that can be measured by the Vegetarian Eating Motives Inventory (VEMI). This preregistered study aimed to expand the VEMI to include four less-studied motives: disgust, social, concern about zoonotic diseases and pandemics, and concern for workers' rights. We had three objectives: to combine the seven motives into a comprehensive model, to test if the VEMI+ scales function equivalently across omnivore and vegan groups, and to validate and differentiate these motives against external measures and meat reduction appeals. In samples of 731 omnivores and 731 vegans (total N = 1,462), we found support for the measurement invariance of a seven-factor structure across groups and created a scale with reliable measures for each dimension (ω total between 0.82 and 0.97). Vegans scored higher overall, with substantially higher scores on environmental concern, animal rights, disgust, and zoonotic disease concerns, while omnivores had slightly higher scores on health, social, and workers’ rights scales. Scale scores had expected correlations with criterion measures and differentially predicted support for motive-tailored appeals. This study enhances our understanding of dietary motivations and provides a valuable tool for future research.

Using serosurveys to optimize surveillance for zoonotic pathogens.

Zoonotic pathogens pose a significant risk to human health, with spillover into human populations contributing to chronic disease, sporadic epidemics, and occasional pandemics. Despite the widely recognized burden of zoonotic spillover, our ability to identify which animal populations serve as primary reservoirs for these pathogens remains incomplete. This challenge is compounded when prevalence reaches detectable levels only at specific times of year. In these cases, statistical models designed to predict the timing of peak prevalence could guide field sampling for active infections. Thus, we develop a general model that leverages routinely collected serosurveillance data to optimize sampling for elusive pathogens by predicting time windows of peak prevalence. Using simulated data sets, we show that our methodology reliably identifies times when pathogen prevalence is expected to peak. Then, we demonstrate an implementation of our method using publicly available data from two putative Ebolavirus reservoirs, straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) and hammer-headed bats (Hypsignathus monstrosus). We envision our method being used to guide the planning of field sampling to maximize the probability of detecting active infections, and in cases when longitudinal data is available, our method can also yield predictions for the times of year that are most likely to produce future spillover events. The generality and simplicity of our methodology make it broadly applicable to a wide range of putative reservoir species where seasonal patterns of birth lead to predictable, but potentially short-lived, pulses of pathogen prevalence.

Pichia pastoris an Ideal Host for the Production of Recombinant Influenza Vaccines

Pichia pastoris is a methylotrophic yeast with remarkable characteristics such as lacking endotoxin, producing high amounts of recombinant protein, performing post-translational modifications, and so on. Influenza A virus, a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family, is the cause of avian influenza. Three avian influenza virus subtypes, H5, H7 and H9, are commercially and physiologically significant in the poultry industry. Some researchers considered influenza to be the next pandemic disease. Nowadays, researchers have paid attention to producing novel and effective recombinant vaccines, especially in the poultry industry. Due to the advantages of P. pastoris yeast, it can be used as an ideal expression system for producing subunit vaccines. Although several studies have been conducted in this field, there is no comprehensive review of using P. pastoris to produce recombinant influenza vaccines. This review explains the different strains, phenotypes, and advantages of this yeast and then the production of recombinant influenza vaccines using this expression system is discussed in detail.

A critical review on phytochemicals as antiviral medications for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.

A pandemic of acute respiratory infection, which was specified as coronavirus disease 2019, was instigated by a different strain of the virulent coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that first appeared in late 2019. Since viral infections spread fast and there is presently no effective treatment, the use of plants with a long history of use in treating these infections has been explored regularly. The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought to light the dearth of medications with approval to treat acute viral illnesses. Because of this, the illness had a high fatality rate. The mortality rate was initially quite high and varied according to the patient's geographic location. For instance, among Chinese patients, the rate was 3·6%, whereas 1·5% of COVID-19-related deaths were documented outside of China. As of 2020, India has a 1.4% case fatality rate (CFR) of COVID-19 mortality, compared to 2.8% in Brazil and 1.8% in the USA. Many studies are being conducted to create pharmaceutical compounds specifically targeting important SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Several drug discovery initiatives are being undertaken to find powerful inhibitors by combining biochemical assay and computer-aided drug design techniques. Although plant-derived compounds have not had much success in the dominion of antivirals, plants are, however, believed to be a limitless supply of medications for a variety of diseases and clinical conditions. The scientific foundation required for developing novel natural source medications is provided by the chemical characterization and analysis of plant components. Most viral infections treated by ethnobotanical applications and historical literature on ayurveda, and traditional medicine are generally attributed to phytochemicals, which are compounds derived from medicinal plants. In this review, we have described the application of vascular plant-derived chemicals, such as tannins, polyphenols, alkaloids, and flavonoids, as antivirals, especially for managing COVID-19. This article discusses novel bioactive compounds and their molecular structures that target the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as prospective candidates for anti-coronavirus disease drugs. Moreover, to confirm the effectiveness of the phytochemicals that have demonstrated antiviral activity, clinical trials would need to be conducted in addition to the preclinical research that has already been done. To ensure spectacular findings, more applications of the compound would need to be studied to fully understand the effects of those phytochemicals whose clinical usefulness has already been established.

A Review of Evidence Related to the Zoonotic Characteristics of the Monkeypox Virus.

The 2022 monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreaks spurred global public health concern. In response, we undertook a living systematic review of its zoonotic characteristics, including potential reservoirs and susceptible species, transmissibility, and clinical presentation in nonhuman species. Electronic database searches yielded 148 eligible records published between 2000 and 2022. Primary reservoirs remain unidentified, with natural isolation identified in 2 species, the sooty mangabey monkey and rope squirrel. Transmission primarily occurs from animals to humans, but evidence of reverse zoonosis has emerged. Data on clinical infection and manifestations are sparse, with evidence of potentially susceptible species drawn primarily from experimental studies. Only 10% of articles were appropriate for quality assessment and most of these were rated as critically low. Overall, while evidence regarding MPXV exists, the quality of data are extremely poor, resulting in significant uncertainty regarding MPXV's zoonotic traits. High-quality empirical research to understand the impact of MPXV on animal and human populations is warranted.

Identifying Luteolin as a Potential Drug for Treating Lung Adenocarcinoma with COVID-19 Affection based on Integration Analysis of Pharmacology and Transcriptome.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a major type of lung cancer worldwide, and under the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), its cancer burden is enlarged. This study aimed to explore potential drug targets and potential drugs for developing effective treatments for patients with both lung cancer and COVID-19. The interaction network of molecule compounds-target genes was constructed based on Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) and gene expression data from public databases. The potential effectiveness of drugs was analyzed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Western blot, transfection assay, Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and flow cytometry were performed to investigate the function of HSP90AA1 in LUAD cells. Eight target genes (GSK3B, HMOX1, HSP90AA1, ICAM1, MAPK1, PLAU, RELA and TNFSF15.) were identified, and two of them (HSP90AA1 and RELA) were significantly associated with LUAD prognosis. Luteolin was discovered to bind with HSP90AA1. Moreover, in vitro cell experiments demonstrated that HSP90AA1 had higher expression in A549 cells, promoted cell viability and suppressed apoptosis in A549 cells and H1299 cells. HSP90AA1 was a target gene for further designing effective drugs for LUAD patients. Luteolin was a potential drug for treating patients with both LUAD and COVID-19.

Construction of a New Emergency Management System for Potentially Viral/Viral Municipal Solid Waste in China: Based on the "Beam-Column Structure" Framework Model

Emergency management of municipal solid waste during public health emergencies is crucial for curbing the spread of viruses and controlling environmental pollution. Most existing solid waste management systems, are designed with a top-down approach, covering multiple industries and sectors. However, these systems often fail to effectively manage potentially viral solid waste in household waste, which impedes effective solid waste management during public health emergencies and increases the risk of viral outbreaks. For example, during the COVID-19 outbreak, negligent management of potentially viral solid waste may result in the formation of a potential transmission chain of COVID-19 virus. Improper waste management may contaminate natural vectors such as water, soil and air, thereby increasing the pathways of human contact with infected vectors and promoting the risk of transmission of viral diseases such as dengue, Zika and hepatitis A. In this study, the applicability and limitations of the Chinese public emergency management system in the disposal of Potentially Viral/Viral Municipal Solid Waste (PVMSW) were analyzed in the breakout of public health crises. To address the need for precise risk control, efficient collaboration among key stakeholders, functional integration crossing multiple management organizations and flexible responses to complex situations, we proposed a PVMSW emergency management system based on a "Beam-Column Structure" model. This system consists of four modules: main traction, organizational leadership, functional articulation and demand matching. Each module is supported by the corresponding safeguards, including multi-level subject responsibilities, multi-scenario organization and implementation, multi-chain process connection and multi-demand control methods. The PVMSW emergency management system proposed in this study contributes to extending the framework of existing waste management protocols and enhancing the timely collection, transportation and disposal of PVMSW in public health crises. It offers valuable insights and guidance on the practices for improving risk awareness and management capacity in China's solid waste emergency response.

Development of Theory of Uncertainty on COVID-19: Theory Derivation Based on Uncertainty in Illness Theory

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop the Theory of Uncertainty on COVID-19 using the strategy of theory derivation. Methods: Theory derivation was carried out in the following steps: review the literature to explore the phenomena related to uncertainty on COVID-19; select a parent theory that provides valuable concepts and a useful structure for derivation, and identify the concepts and structure of the parent theory to use in derivation; modify and redefine the concepts and structure of the parent theory to create a derived theory. In the literature review process, relevant findings were synthesized to support the propositions of the derived theory. Results: The Theory of Uncertainty on COVID-19 was derived from the Uncertainty in Illness Theory to make it relevant and applicable to a specific aspect of uncertainty on COVID-19, health-related uncertainty perceived by a person who has not contracted COVID-19. It is a middle-range theory targeting the general population and consists of a linear and unidirectional model centered on three themes: antecedents of uncertainty, appraisal of uncertainty, and coping with uncertainty. Conclusion: The Theory of Uncertainty on COVID-19 will be able to contribute to efforts to manage perceived uncertainty on pandemic diseases and improve individual biopsychosocial health in the future.

Impact of Human Immunological Responses and Viral Genetic Diversity on Outbreak of Human Monkeypox Virus. A Comprehensive Literature Review Study

Monkeypox was caused by Monkeypox Virus (MPXV) and can infect both humans and animals. An understanding of the interplay between host immunity and genetic diversity was necessary to understand the etiology and epidemiology of monkeypox disease. Objective: To clarify how genetic differences and host immune responses interact when a moneypox infection occurs. Furthermore, we also aim to provide insights into individual variability in illness outcomes and possible treatment targets by investigating how distinct genetic profiles affect immune system activation and efficacy. Methods: Recent research on monkeypox, concentrating on the immune response mechanisms of the host and genetic variables linked to virus vulnerability have thoroughly analyzed. For this purpose, the data were searched from various research engines such as google scholar, pubmed, medline etc., by using different key words i.e., monkeypox and host immunity, monkeypox and antibodies interactions, monkeypox outbreak, mnkeypox strains. Conclusions: The way a monkeypox infection progresses and turns out was greatly influenced by the interplay between host genetic differences and immunological responses. Public health initiatives and the creation of tailored treatment plans can both benefit from the identification of genetic markers linked to immunological response profiles and vulnerability.