Quarantine Processes Research Articles

Temperature extremes nip invasive macrophyte Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray in the bud: potential geographic distributions and risk assessment based on future climate change and anthropogenic influences.

Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray, an ornamental submerged plant indigenous to tropical America, has been introduced to numerous countries in Europe, Asia, and Oceania, impacting native aquatic ecosystems. Given this species is a popular aquarium plant and widely traded, there is a high risk of introduction and invasion into other environments. In the current study the potential global geographic distribution of C. caroliniana was predicted under the effects of climate change and human influence in an optimised MaxEnt model. The model used rigorously screened occurrence records of C. caroliniana from hydro informatic datasets and 20 associated influencing factors. The findings indicate that temperature and human-mediated activities significantly influenced the distribution of C. caroliniana. At present, C. caroliniana covers an area of approximately 1531×104 km2 of appropriate habitat, especially in the south-eastern parts of South, central and North America, Southeast Asia, eastern Australia, and most of Europe. The suitable regions are anticipated to expand under future climate scenarios; however, the dynamics of the changes vary between different extents of climate change. For example, C. caroliniana is expected to expand to higher latitudes, following global temperature increases under SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5 scenarios, however, intolerance to temperature extremes may mediate invasion at higher latitudes under future extreme climate scenarios, e.g., SSP5-8.5. Owing to the severe impacts its invasion causes, early warning and stringent border quarantine processes are required to guard against the introduction of C. caroliniana especially in the invasion hotspots such as, Peru, Italy, and South Korea.

IOI’S EXPERIENCE OF TRANSLOCATING EASTERN BARN OWLS FROM PENINSULAR MALAYSIA TO SABAH

The eastern barn owl (Tyto javanica javanica) has proven to be an effective biological control agent for rodent pest populations in Malaysian oil palm plantations. To establish self-sustaining populations of barn owls in areas where their numbers are low or absent, a translocation programme was implemented. This paper discusses the process of translocating barn owls from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah. The study provides valuable insights into the factors that contribute to the success of translocation programmes, such as careful planning, monitoring, and preparation, including the construction of an aviary, installation of barn owl boxes, and adherence to export and import procedures, permit applications, and quarantine processes for barn owls from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah based on IOI’s perspective and experience. Overall, the translocation of barn owls to Sabah is a commendable initiative that not only helps conserve this natural pest controller but also demonstrates the feasibility of translocation as a means of species conservation. Keywords: Barn owl, biological control, translocation, permit application, import-export process.

Factors associated to patients’ referral to public or private Covid-19 healthcare centers in Tabriz, Iran

BackgroundIn Iran, tracking of patients and its associated data recording in private healthcare centers are poor, and thus a majority of patients suffering from Covid-19 are treated without any control on the isolation and quarantine processes. The present study aims to investigate the factors contributed to referral to private or public healthcare centers that provide Covid-19 care services.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to January 2022 in Tabriz, Iran. We invited a total of 258 and 202Covid-19 patients from governmental and private healthcare centers, respectively, to participate in the study by convenient sampling method. Applying a self-administered questionnaire, we collected data on the reason of referring to the healthcare centers, patient’s waiting time, quality of healthcare services received by the patients, patients’ level of satisfaction, accessibility, insurance coverage, perceived severity of the disease, and the level of staff compliance from health protocols. Logistic regression model was used for data analysis by using SPSS-26 software.ResultsAdjusted for other variables, higher socio-economic status (AOR (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 6.64), older age (AOR = 1.02), referral of friends and family members (AOR = 1.52), shorter waiting time (AOR = 1.02) and higher satisfaction (AOR = 1.02) were contributed to referral to private centers. Better accessibility (AOR = 0.98) and wider insurance coverage (AOR = 0.99) were also contributed to referral to governmental centers.ConclusionProviding more appropriate insurance coverage by private healthcare centers, and promoting their level of accessibility seems to promote patients’ referral to such centers. Moreover, establishing an accurate system for recording patients’ information and follow up in private centers might promote the role of private healthcare centers in managing the overload of patients on healthcare system during such epidemics.

Ecological risk screening of sturgeons introduced for aquaculture in Vietnam

AbstractIntroduced non‐native species are major threats to global biodiversity. In Vietnam, non‐native sturgeons have been introduced and widely cultured, but their potential impacts on native aquatic ecosystems have not been screened. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate potential risks that sturgeons likely pose in Vietnam by using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS‐ISK) and interpret outcomes within a management context. Results showed that the Basic Risk Assessment (BRA) scores were 9.0–13.5 and the combined BRA and Climate Change Assessment (BRA+CCA) scores were 5.0–9.5. All five sturgeon species and two hybrid sturgeons cultured in Vietnam were classified as medium risk of invasiveness. Central concerns relating to introduced sturgeons included transmission of new infectious disease agents, and predation and competition for food with native species, especially threatened species. Controlling pathways of sturgeon importation through quarantine processes and preventing sturgeon from escaping into natural waterways are required if sturgeon aquaculture is to be sustainable, native species are to be protected, and biodiversity is to be conserved over the long term.

Covid-19 Pandemisinin Sektörel Ölçekte Mali Analizi: Getir Girişim Sermayesi Örneği

Covid- 19’ un küresel ölçekte tehlikeli bir salgın halinedönüşmesi ile ülkeler çeşitli karantina süreçlerini kapsayankısıtlamalara gitmişlerdir. Bu kısıtlamalar sürecinde bazıfirmalar kişilerin kısıtlama alanları içerisinde hizmet alımınadevam edebilmesi için online sipariş verebilecekleri çeşitliuygulamalar geliştirmişlerdir. Birçok sektör Covid-19’ungetirdiği yeni şartlara göre yeniden yapılanma sürecinegirmiştir. Pandemi süreci dijitalleşmenin yaygınlaşmasına veonline alışveriş şirketlerinin çoğalmasına neden olmuştur. Buhizmetlere olan ilgi pandemi’nin etkisiyle aşırı talep görür halegelmiş ve önemli bir büyüme yönünde ivme kazanmıştır. Buuygulamalardan birisi de RE-PIE Gayrimenkul ve GirişimSermayesi Portföy Yönetimi A.Ş. Getir Girişim Sermayesininkurmuş olduğu “Getir” uygulamasıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı,RE-PIE Gayrimenkul ve Girişim Sermayesi Portföy YönetimiA.Ş. Getir Girişim Sermayesinin kurmuş olduğu “Getir”firmasının pandemi öncesi ve sonrası finansal açıdan etkilerinigörebilmek için finansal analiz yöntemlerinden birisi olankarşılaştırmalı tablolar analizinin yapılmasıdır. Çalışmakapsamında, Covid-19’un sektörel etkileri ele alınmış Covid ’inetkilerini sektör bazlı görebilmek adına gerekli literatür taramasıyapılmıştır. Çalışmada karşılaştırılmalı tablolar analizi hakkındabilgi verilmiştir. Çalışmanın yönteminde, işletmeninin BağımsızDenetim Raporlarınca; Bilanço Tablosu, Kâr veya ZararTablosu, Diğer Kapsamlı Gelir Tablosu, Nakit Akış Tablosu veToplam Değer / Net Varlık Değeri Değişim Tabloları 2019-2020-2021 yılları baz alınarak karşılaştırmalı tablolar analiziyöntemine tabi tutularak incelenmiştir. Bu çalışma sonucunda;kısıtlamalar nedeniyle küresel ölçekte bazı sektörlerde daralmalaryaşanmasına rağmen, bu durum bazı firmaların büyümelerineve yüksek kârlar elde etmelerine olanak tanıdığı ve ülkemizdebüyük ilgi toplayan “Getir” uygulamasının pandemi öncesi vesonrası kıyaslandığında büyük bir başarı yakaladığı tespitedilmiştir.

Establishing the role and desirable relationship between the government and medical personnel in the post-corona era in Korea

This study aims to analyse academic papers on the topic of coronavirus published in Korea, and, on that basis, to select important topics that should be addressed by policymakers. The study constructs an eco-network that includes two keywords, ‘government’ and ‘medical manpower’, and analyses it. The research results thus obtained may contribute to deriving policy information with which to respond to situations similar to the corona pandemic that may occur in the future. For this purpose, we analyse academic papers published during the two-year period from January 2020, when the first corona patient was first identified in Korea, to December 2021. As research methods, text network analysis and ego network analysis methods were applied. As a result, seven important policy tasks were derived. Among these policy themes, in particular the topic relating to citizen participation in medical law revision and quarantine processes was selected as representing the task to be resolved first.

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the increase of hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome in the Turkish population: a retrospective study

Aim: With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic starting in late 2019 and continuing into 2020, permanent or periodic quarantine processes and curfews have been implemented. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of extended quarantine processes during the pandemic on the development of metabolic syndrome (MET-S) due to physical inactivity. 
 Material and Method: This retrospective study consists of two groups. The first group consists of patients who applied to our hospital in the 12 months preceding the pandemic. The second group consists of the same patients who applied to the same hospital within 12 months of the onset of the pandemic. A total of 44,024 participants who had lab data prior to and during the pandemic were included in the study. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), Triglyceride (TRIG), Total Cholesterol (T-Chol), High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. The test averages were compared between the two groups and their effects on the development of MET-S were subjected to statistical analysis.
 Results: When we compared our patients' HDL-C, FPG and TRIG levels measured during the pandemic and the pre-pandemic period, we found a statistically significant increase (p100 mg/dL and TRIG>150 mg/dL during the pandemic was statistically significantly higher than during the pre-pandemic period (51.7% vs 45.8%, p

A real-time recombinase polymerase amplification assay for fast and accurate detection of Ditylenchus destructor

Ditylenchus destructor is a plant-parasitic nematode that seriously infests sweet potato crop in China. Thus, fast and accurate detection of D. destructor in soil and plant tissue samples is of great significance. In this study, a real-time recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay was developed for the rapid and accurate detection of D. destructor in various samples. The RPA assay could be easily operated and detected as low as 1/500 individual J4 nematode DNA per reaction in 20 min at 39 °C with high specificity. The assay meets the requirements of rapid detection prior to port quarantine as well as on-site real-time detection and can be applied to detect the parasite in soil and plant samples. The modified gDNA extraction method for a single nematode established in this study significantly reduced the time of detection and improved the applicability of the real-time RPA assay for on-site detection in different environments. The real-time RPA assay to detect D. destructor will be useful for epidemiological investigations in the field as well as for quarantine processes in the sweet potato and potato trade.

Covid-19 Salgın Sürecinde Anlamlı Yaşam ve Yılmazlık Arasındaki İlişkide Umut ve Yalnızlığın Aracı Rolü

The pandemic has also revealed the quarantine processes. Therefore, individuals' psychological resilience and loneliness are also affected. As a result, individuals have made efforts to seek hope and meaningful life paths in this life. In this study, the role of hope and meaningful life in the relationship between the loneliness levels of university students and their psychological resilience was examined. The study was carried out on a total of 307 university students, 208 (68%) female and 99 (32%) male. The easy-to-reach sampling method was used in the study. According to the results of the research, significant relationships were found between loneliness, resilience, hope and meaningful life. Preloading results showed that hope and meaningful life had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between loneliness and resilience.

In-flight transmission of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the outbreak potential of imported clusters of COVID-19: a review of published evidence

International air travel has been highlighted as a concern since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to importation of cases. We summarise the available evidence for in-flight transmission of wild type SARS-CoV-2 during 2020, and for imported COVID-19 clusters to cause outbreaks. This paper provides a data baseline prior to the emergence of new mutations causing SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, whose characteristics may increase the potential risk of in-flight transmission and imported outbreaks. The evidence on in-flight transmission of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 is limited, and is described in a small number of published reports. Most of the available evidence pertains to the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, during a period without non-pharmaceutical interventions such as distancing and in-flight mask wearing. There is considerable potential for outbreaks of COVID-19 from imported cases or clusters when public health guidance around quarantine of travellers and self-isolation of cases is not adhered to. Risks can be mitigated by measures such as: avoiding non-essential travel, targeted testing and quarantine of travellers from high incidence regions or regions of concern, managed quarantine processes, and protocols for rapid investigation and control of transmission from a possible variant of concern. Measures should be dynamically assessed and proportionate to the level of risk.Graphical abstract

Blockchain Quarantine Monitoring System for the Control of Covid-19 Pandemic

Objective: After the emergence of the new type of coronavirus (COVID-19) as a viral respiratory disease, it has started to increase rapidly and steadily all over the world. Several studies are carried out in different areas all over the world in order to control and effectively treat the disease. However, it seems that the most appropriate way to manage the pandemic is to prevent the transmission. In many different countries and Turkey the spread of the covid-19 pandemic is being taken under control with innovative digital tecnologies. In this study, we tested whether the blockchain application can be used in the successful execution of quarantine processes in order to support the controlled progress of the COVID-19 pandemic process. Method: In this study, a unique control system called Blockchain Quarantine Monitoring System is proposed to monitor a quarantined closed area. The study is based on the problem scenario related to the isolation of the predicted quarantine patient. Results: The proposed model started with placing a quarantine control system at the entrance of the closed area where quarantine is applied. As the last step, the Quarantine Monitoring System web software was developed so that the quarantine monitoring system can work in all areas where the internet is available, regardless of location. Conclusions: The modeling suggested in our study showed that; Block chain application is a useful method for the effectiveness of quarantine, which is the main factor that can reduce the spread of pandemics. Keywords: COVID-19, blockchain, pandemic, quarantine. Special Issue of Health Sciences DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/7-08-01

Genetic structure of Fusarium verticillioides populations from maize in Iran

Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most important fungal pathogens of maize since it causes severe yield losses and produces the mycotoxins fumonisins that represent a major concern for human and animal health. Information about genetic diversity and population structure of fungal pathogens is essential for developing disease management strategies. The aim of this research was to investigate the genetic structure of F. verticillioides isolated from different provinces of Iran through determination of mating type idiomorphs, phylogenetic analyses based on translation elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α), RNA Polymerase II Subunit (RPB2), beta-tubulin (tub2) and Calmodulin (cmdA) genes and genetic diversity analyses based on 6 simple-sequence repeats (SSRs). Both mating types were detected in Iranian populations of F. verticillioides, particularly in Qazvin and Khuzestan, with equal frequency, which highlighted that sexual reproduction is favorable under field conditions. However, the linkage disequilibrium indices did not support the hypothesis of random mating in Khuzestan and Fars. Although assessment of nucleotide diversity based on housekeeping genes showed low level of variation among strains, genotype diversity based on SSRs revealed a high level of genetic diversity within Iranian populations. AMOVA analysis highlighted that the genetic variation of F. verticillioides in Iran was mainly distributed within population of a single area (97%), while a small proportion of genetic variation (3%) resided among populations. These patterns of variation are likely explained by the continuous gene flow among populations isolated from different areas. On the other hand, principal coordinate analysis indicated that the distribution of genetic variation among populations could be explained by the geographical distances. Consequently, to reduce pathogen gene flow among regions, the quarantine processes in Iran should be intensified.

Comparison of X-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to detect pest-infested fruits: A pilot study

Non-destructive testing (NDT) technology is a widely used inspection method for agricultural products. Compared with the conventional inspection method, there is no extensive sample preparation for NDT technology, and the sample is not damaged. In particular, NDT technology is used to inspect the internal structure of agricultural products infested by pests. The introduction and spread of pests during the import and export process can cause significant damage to the agricultural environment. Until now, pest detection in agricultural products and quarantine processes have been challenging because they used external inspection methods. However, NDT technology is advantageous in these inspection situations. In this pilot study, we investigated the feasibility of X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify pest infestation in agricultural products. Three kinds of artificially pest-infested fruits (mango, tangerine, and chestnut) were non-destructively inspected using X-ray CT and MRI. X-ray CT was able to identify all pest infestations in fruits, while MRI could not detect the pest-infested chestnut. In addition, X-ray CT was superior to the quarantine process than MRI based on the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), image acquisition time, and cost. Therefore, X-ray CT is more appropriate for the pest quarantine process of fruits than MRI.

Epidemiological Investigation of Bovine Tuberculosis Infection Dynamics in Turkey

A national epidemiological research project was carried out to define the dynamics affecting the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) infection in Turkey and to identify the risk factors. Official veterinarian (OV) and breeder original questionnaires were produced separately as part of this study to collect thorough data regarding the disease from the field. The number of questionnaires that needed to be filled out was decided by 95% confidence interval (CI) and 5% margin of error. The findings of 371 OV and 317 breeder questionnaires completed online across the country were analyzed. In addition, 28 outbreaks determined by random method were visited. To observe regional differences and field conditions, the opinions of OVs who monitored the disease and breeders were compiled. It was observed that the data obtained from both questionnaires was largely compatible. The main factors in the epidemiology of bTB infection were found to be effective fight, development of state policy, providing adequate financing, animal purchase, ear tagging and records, animal traders, animal markets, animal movements, conditional slaughtering, slaughterhouses, postmortem inspection, premise conditions, socio-economic impact, evaluation of raw milk, disease-free premises, compensation payments, and quarantine processes.

BRAZILIAN PUBLIC HEALTH AND COVID-19: WHAT THE BRAZILIAN POPULATION EXPECTS

This text aims in a systemic and classic way to conceptualize the coronavirus (COVID-19), following the proposal analyzes the cases of infection in the countries Brazil and Italy, in order to obtain results that may be significant to the quarantine processes acquired by both countries , through a literary review. The data collection base is the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. After analyzing the data collected at the base, it was thought about how public policies exterminate subordinated subjects, where the black-poor-peripheral population of Brazil will be put in check to corroborate the social and effective consequences of the restriction of the rights of Brazilian citizens.

Global threat of COVID 19 and evacuation of the citizens of different countries

Beginning from China on December 2019, COVID-19 epidemic has spreaded all over the world in a short period of time and has been a pandemic. In challenge with this pandemic quarantine technique has been used widely after tens of years. In the course of the pandemic, many countries evacuated their citizens from affected regions and combined the evacuation with quarantine process. Some examples of these countries who evacuated their citizens are Germany, Italy, Spain, and USA. In further times, during the course of pandemic, according to spread, other countries evacuated their citizens from these countries too. Despite being the origin of the pandemic, in later times Wuhan was also a place where people were evacuated to. Evacuation and quarantine have caused social and psychological impacts on people and some of them took place in mainstream media. In this review article, evacuation and quarantine processes as well as the society’s reactions to these, have been compiled.

Point-of-care diagnostic (POCD) method for detecting Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in pinewood using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with the portable optical isothermal device (POID).

The pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a causative agent of pine wilt disease (PWD). To date, although several molecular diagnostic methods have been developed, rapid on-site diagnostic tools for detecting PWN in pinewood are limited. In this study, a point of care diagnostic (POCD) method for detecting PWN in pinewood using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay was developed. This method comprises quick gDNA extraction buffer (DAP buffer) for the direct extraction of gDNA of PWN from pinewood and a battery-mounted portable optical isothermal device (POID) for the detection of PWD in the field. The RPA assay can distinguish between the PWN and its conspecies which exist in pinewood and can complete diagnostic procedures within 25 min in the field. Moreover, the RPA assay can detect PWN in old wood samples in both natural and stored conditions. The POCD-RPA assay to detect PWN will be useful for epidemiological investigations in the field as well as for quarantine processes in the wood trade.

BRAZILIAN PUBLIC HEALTH AND COVID-19: WHAT THE BRAZILIAN POPULATION EXPECTS

This text aims in a systemic and classic way to conceptualize the coronavirus (COVID-19), following the proposal analyzes the cases of infection in the countries Brazil and Italy, in order to obtain results that may be significant to the quarantine processes acquired by both countries , through a literary review. The data collection base is the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. After analyzing the data collected at the base, it was thought about how public policies exterminate subordinated subjects, where the black-poor-peripheral population of Brazil will be put in check to corroborate the social and effective consequences of the restriction of the rights of Brazilian citizens.

Biodiversity conservation in tropical forest landscapes of Oceania

The fragmented island realm of Oceania includes a relatively small proportion of the world’s tropical forests, but those forests support unusual richness of narrowly endemic species. In common with tropical forests across most of the world, tropical forests in Oceania are declining due to factors associated with increasing human population size, economic drivers and more intensive exploitation. In parts of Oceania, forests are being cleared at unsustainable rates, and replaced with far simpler ecosystems of timber or food crops. To a small degree, the present-day biodiversity of tropical forests in some parts of Oceania may be predisposed to such disturbance, given a history of natural disturbance (particularly through cyclones), and of smaller-scale slash-and-burn agriculture or landscape-scale burning. But, in most places, the current intensity, scale and/or rate of modification far surpass their precedents, and biodiversity is consequently diminishing. Tropical forests in Australia may be an exception to this trend, with now reasonably effective protection. However, more so than for tropical forests in most other continents, the major biodiversity conservation challenges for tropical forests in Oceania are extrinsic. Introduced plants, animals and diseases have collapsed ecological communities through much of Oceania, homogenising the biota from a series of highly distinctive and localised species assemblages to a more impoverished set of ubiquitous disturbance-tolerant exotic species. In many islands, this simplification has occurred regardless of the extent of native forest remaining, such that retention and reservation of primary forest is an insufficient conservation action. The fate of biodiversity in Oceania is also likely to be much affected by climate change, an unbalanced consequence given the region’s relatively small contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Future hope for biodiversity conservation in tropical forests of Oceania lies in the renewed application of some traditional management constraints, the appropriate delivery of international support (such as may be available through carbon markets), improved quarantine processes, and through some protection naturally offered by the remote scattering of the islands that comprise Oceania.

“Quarantine Matters!”: Quotidian Relationships around Quarantine in Australia's Northern Borderlands

This paper investigates practices of border formation through an analysis of Australia's quarantine processes. We use the work of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), through the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS), to interrogate the ways in which borders are made and remade in daily life. By exploring quotidian practices of quarantine we argue that borders are the sites of complex and fluid relationships that are constantly being renegotiated as multiple active agents cohabit, contest, belong, and exclude. We find that quarantine borders are constantly being (re)made by forces outside NAQS's control, including through the practices of Yolngu Indigenous land-management staff and rangers, individual local residents, and diverse non-humans. Borders are revealed as active spaces produced in multiple locations at multiple scales. They are underpinned by diverse ontologies and are always more-than-human. This challenges the overly simplified view evoked within AQIS's public awareness material and the prevailing national discourse of defence, invasion, and fear. Through attention to quotidian practices of border making, different ways of understanding borderland geographies emerge.