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Since one of the main mode of the COVID-19 transmission is through close contact with the infected person (

Introduction: Since breast imaging requires very close contact with patients, a protocol is needed to perform safe daily screening activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Patients were triaged and separated into three different clinical scenarios by performing a telephone questionnaire before each diagnostic exam or a nasopharyngeal swab before every recovery. Specific procedures for each scenario are described. Results: From July to October 2020, 994 exams were performed. A total of 16 cancers and 7 suspected COVID-19 patients were identified. No medical were was infected. Conclusion: This protocol is an example of the practical use of guidelines applied to a breast unit to assist specialists in preventing COVID-19 infection and optimizing resources for breast cancer diagnosis., Lay abstract On March 11th, 2020, the WHO officially declared the COVID-19 infection pandemic. Since breast cancer represents the most frequent cancer in women of all ages, and breast imaging examinations require very close contact with patients, a protocol was designed to optimize the management of patients and healthcare workers, performing strict COVID-19 screening and avoiding any impairment of survival of patients with breast cancer. Patients were separated into three different clinical scenarios (non-COVID-19 patients, suspected COVID-19 patients and confirmed COVID-19 patients) by performing a telephone questionnaire before each diagnostic exam or a nasopharyngeal swab before every recovery. Specific procedures for each scenario are described. Confirmed or suspected patients are rescheduled if not urgent. From July to October 2020, 994 exams were performed. A total of 16 cancers and 7 suspected COVID-19 patients were identified. No medical staff were infected. This study demonstrates efficacy in terms of continuity in the provision of an essential level of care in a breast cancer screening and ambulatory setting, providing an example of the practical use of guidelines applied to a breast unit, to assist specialists in preventing COVID-19 infection and optimizing resources for breast cancer diagnosis.

Humans and pigs share a close contact relationship, similar biological traits, and one of the highest estimated number of viruses compared to other mammalian species. The contribution and directionality of viral exchange between humans and pigs remain unclear for some of these viruses, but their transmission routes are important to characterize in order to prevent outbreaks of disease in both host species. This review collects and assesses the evidence to determine the likely transmission route of 27 viruses between humans and pigs.

Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), remains the world's largest public health concern in 2021. A history of close contact with infectious patients is a factor that predicts a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result. Meanwhile, the precise predictive value of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to clarify the predictive and discriminatory value of each clinical symptom suggestive of COVID-19. Methods This study enrolled participants who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using a nasopharyngeal swab between November 2020 and January 2021. All enrolled patients were evaluated for data regarding the presence and closeness of contact with infectious patients and comprehensive clinical features (i.e., fever, cough, dyspnea, fatigue, dysosmia, and dysgeusia). Results Among the 1,744 tested participants, 144 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In the test-positive group, self-reported cough, fatigue, dysosmia, and dysgeusia were significant predictors of COVID-19, independent from a history of close contact. In particular, the presence of dysosmia was the strongest predictor of COVID-19 in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Among the 42 patients with self-reported dysosmia, 25 (59.5%) were SARS-CoV-2 test-positive. Self-reported dysosmia was reported by 25 (17.4%) of the 144 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and 15 (60.0%) of the 25 COVID-19 patients with dysosmia had accompanying dysgeusia. Conclusion The presence of dysosmia was reported by 10-25% of patients with COVID-19, and is a significant predictor of COVID-19 infection, independent from a history of close contact.

COVID-19 has affected millions of patients, caregivers, and clinicians around the world. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreads via droplets and close contact from person to person, and there has been an increased concern regarding aerosol drug delivery due to the potential aerosolizing of viral particles. To date, little focus has been given to aerosol drug delivery to patients with COVID-19 treated at home to minimize their hospital utilization. Since most hospitals were stressed with multiple admissions and experienced restricted healthcare resources in the era of COVID-19 pandemic, treating patients with COPD at home became essential to minimize their hospital utilization. However, guidance on how to deliver aerosolized medications safely and effectively to this patient population treated at home is still lacking. In this paper, we provide some strategies and rationales for device and interface selection, delivery technique, and infection control for patients with COPD who are being treated at home in the era of COVID-19 and beyond., Video abstract Point your SmartPhone at the code above. If you have a QR code reader the video abstract will appear. Or use: https://youtu.be/7k9CZmCbROA.

This study attempts to review whether the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is transmitted through the ocular surface and examine the symptoms and signs of ocular disease. Considering that COVID-19 is transmitted by airborne droplets and close contact with infected individuals, we will also review the conditions to which eye clinics and ophthalmologists should pay attention to prevent the transmission of the disease. Although some researchers have argued that COVID-19 transmission cannot occur through the ocular surface, most of them are of the opinion that the ocular surface is a potential pathway of transmission. Until date, ocular signs and symptoms have been rarely reported in the COVID-19 patients. However, there are case reports of conjunctivitis as the first, and rarely, the only clinical symptom of the disease. In addition, low coronavirus RNA positivity can be detected in the ocular surface samples. Further laboratory and clinical investigations are needed to ascertain whether the ocular surface is one of the potential transmission pathways through which severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 can gain entry into the human body.

This case report describes the formation of thick epiretinal fibrosis in the 1st year after implantation of an Argus II retinal prosthesis in a retinitis pigmentosa patient., Purpose: To report and describe the anatomical changes detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography between an Argus II retinal prosthesis and the inner retinal layers during 1-year follow-up. Methods and Results: A patient presented with epiretinal fibrosis 12 months after implant of an Argus II epiretinal prosthesis. One month after uneventful surgery in March 2016, an evident hyporeflective space was detected between the epiretinal prosthesis and the inner retinal surface by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. An epiretinal hyperreflective band was noticed during follow-up and 1 year after surgery. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed close contact of the band with the array, which greatly increased the electrical threshold of stimulation for most of the electrodes. Some electrodes were no longer functioning. No changes in visual performance were detected. Conclusion: Argus II epiretinal prosthesis implant may be complicated by the formation of a hyperreflective epiretinal band, detectable by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The band may alter prosthesis function; to date, the patient did not scored any decrease in visual function.

Active epidemiological surveillance of infectious agents represents a fundamental tool for understanding the transmission dynamics of pathogens and establishing public policies that can reduce or limit their expansion. Epidemiological surveillance of emerging agents, such as the recently recognized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the cause of COVID‐19, is essential to establish the risk of transmission between species. Recent studies reveal that companion animals are organisms susceptible to being infected by this pathogen due to the close contact they have with their owners. For this reason, the aim of the present work was to detect the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in dogs and cats in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, where there is active transmission of this microorganism in human populations. Oral and nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from dogs and cats with a history of exposure to patients with COVID‐19. Total RNA was extracted and detection of viral genes N1 and N2 was performed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). All 130 samples of companion animals tested by RT‐qPCR for SARS‐CoV‐2 were negative at the time they were collected. This study represents the second active surveillance of SARS‐CoV‐2 in populations of domestic dogs and cats in Latin America and the first approach in Mexico. Given that coronaviruses have shown a high capacity to be transmitted between species, it is imperative to establish measures to prevent this agent from entering and establishing in populations of companion animals.

Millions of pilgrims visit Lourdes each year, often seeking revitalisation rather than miraculous cures. We sought to understand the phenomenon of transcendent experiences. We spoke with 67 pilgrims including assisted pilgrims, young volunteers and medical staff. About two in five reported a transcendent experience: some felt they had communicated or had close contact with a divine presence, while others reported a powerful experience of something intangible and otherworldly. Transcendent experiences are an important feature of pilgrimage to Lourdes and the place offers the faithful a means of connecting with the divine, with nature and with the self.

Background During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, multiple preventative measures were used to prevent the virus from spreading in the population. The Israeli defense force deployed further means to contain the disease, including putting units in quarantine, physical distancing and using masks, gowns and disinfectants when in contact with suspected patients. Methods We used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) tests to screen for patients among asymptomatic soldiers within units participating in civilian aid or in close contact with known patients, using personal protective equipment. Positive results were repeated and followed with serological testing to verify the nature of results. Results Between April and May 2020, we screened a total of 1,453 soldiers in 13 different units. We found 11 false positive results, leading to unnecessary measures until resolution, and three true positive results (0.2%). All true positive results had unreported symptoms concomitant with SARS-CoV-2 disease. These results led to the resolution of this screening policy. Conclusion Screening asymptomatic army personnel in this setting with rt-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 is not warranted and leads to unnecessary false positive results. Efforts should be directed at identifying symptomatic patients.

BACKGROUND: In their practice, health-care professionals are at increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, which is particularly high for dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and dental technicians due to close contact with patients and exposure to biological fluids and aerosol/droplets during dental procedures AIM: The purpose of this study is to survey the opinion of dentists and dental technicians about the impact of the state of emergency in Bulgaria related to the COVID-19 epidemic on their practices MATERIALS AND METHODS: A specially developed web-based survey conducted among 49 dentists and dental technicians was used The results were processed with SPSS v 18 at significance level of p < 0 05 RESULTS: A group of 49 dentists and dental technicians were included in the survey Оf them (20 41 ± 5 76) reported that they did not work at all during the state of emergency Relatively, a large number of dentists (81 82 ± 8 22) respond that they have completely changed their patient care protocols The result is similar for dental technicians (77 77 ± 8 00) More than half of the dentists (59 09 ± 10 48) respond that they specifically disinfect the dental impressions, and of the dental technicians (29 63 ± 8 78) say that they insist on this All of the respondents share that they use special protective equipment in their practices CONCLUSION: Although significant progress has been made in controlling COVID-19 and dental clinics and practices are gradually resuming routine patient care, the prevention and control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission during dental procedures remains a serious challenge © 2021 Tanya Bozhkova, Nina Musurlieva

Introducción: la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 ha causado una interrupción en la prestación de los servicios de salud de todo el mundo, con lo que ha modificado el ejercicio de la medicina. La dermatología, una especialidad medicoquirúrgica, en la que existe contacto estrecho con el paciente, ha experimentado reducción en el número de consultas y cancelación de procedimientos quirúrgicos y dermocosméticos, en cumplimiento de las recomendaciones y lineamientos nacionales e internacionales. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal descriptivo por medio de una encuesta aplicada por vía electrónica a los dermatólogos colombianos, miembros de la Asociación Colombiana de Dermatología y Cirugía Dermatológica. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la magnitud del impacto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en la práctica de los dermatólogos colombianos. Resultados: el 74% de los encuestados reportó suspensión de la consulta dermatológica, el 83% de procedimientos dermatológicos y solo un 6% atendía pacientes de urgencias durante el confinamiento obligatorio. Secundario a la pandemia por COVID-19, un 79% de los dermatólogos colombianos introdujo la modalidad de teleconsulta y los costos asociados al cumplimiento de las normas de bioseguridad generaron gastos imprevistos para el 20% de los encuestados. Conclusiones: la situación actual es un gran reto para la especialidad, que no solo debe mitigar el riesgo biológico derivado del retorno a sus actividades presenciales, sino conocer e implementar medidas preventivas que permitan proteger la salud y el bienestar común, mientras se fortalecen las condiciones para un ejercicio seguro y de calidad, apoyado en las nuevas tecnologías.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) had a global impact on health sectors including dentistry. As dental services have to be performed and cannot be withheld for a prolonged period, dentists should prepare themselves to understand the disease process and to face future treatment challenges in affected patients to fully resume dental services. There was a need to evaluate the knowledge of dentists on Covid-19 disease process, and readiness in practicing dentistry in this situation. Aim: This study aimed at assessing the knowledge, practice, and level of preparedness of dentists in Nigeria towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: An online cross-sectional survey involving dentists practicing in Nigeria was carried out using the SurveyMonkey™ platform. The link for the questionnaire from the platform was forwarded to dentists individually and on platforms of various oral health-care providers. The questionnaires tested for knowledge, practice, and preparedness of the respondents to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their biodata and practice experiences were also collected. Data were electronically retrieved from the SurveyMonkey platform in Excel spreadsheet and analysis was done; statistical significance was established at P ≤ 0.05. Results and discussion: A total of 209 dentists participated in the online survey; there were more respondents from the age group of 25 to 34 years. Majority of the participants practiced in the tertiary setting. Over 97% of the respondents first learned about the novel coronavirus through the media; 97.1% agreed that the main mode of spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is through respiratory droplets on close contact, and 91.4% agreed on spread through respiratory droplets on surfaces. Over 35% had no previous training on infection and prevention control (IPC) and 50% of the centers where the respondents practice had no IPC committee. Ninety-nine percent of the respondents have heard about personal protective equipment (PPE), but only 51.5% had PPE in their clinic, while 33.7% of these have had training on the use of PPE. Over 80% of respondents exhibited fear; junior residents were the most fearful, and 67% of respondents from tertiary institutions have limited their procedures during this pandemic. Conclusion: This study showed that COVID-19 pandemic poses a new threat to dental practices worldwide and Nigeria in particular. Therefore, the practice of dentistry must evolve in the presence of COVID-19.

Facing the unprecedented global public health crisis caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), nucleic acid tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are the gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19. The asymptomatic carriers were not suspected of playing a significant role in the ongoing pandemic, and universal nucleic acid screening in close contacts of confirmed cases and asymptomatic carriers has been carried out in many medium- and high-risk areas for the spread of the virus. Recently, anal swabs for key population screening have been shown to not only reduce missed diagnoses but also facilitate the traceability of infectious sources. As a specimen for the detection of viruses, the goal of this paper is to briefly review the transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 and the necessity of using anal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 screening to minimize transmission and a threat to other people with COVID-19.

Human Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic of 2019-20 that was emerged in China in December 2019. More than 37,000deaths with7, 84, 440confirmed cases has been reported from around 200 different countries has been reported till now and the number is increasing every second. The spread is said to be through human to human transmission via close contact or respiratory droplets produced when people cough or sneeze. No treatment for the illness has been approved yet. The urgent need is to find solution to this growing problem that has affected the whole mankind. World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are continuously working to find the solution. In the same line they have proposed many potent drugs that may have efficiency against the newly emerged viral infection. To support the efforts the present study is designed to carry out the in silico analysis viz. Docking studies of around 16drugs recently recommended by US FDA by observing the interaction of test molecules with SARS proteinase.

The present study describes the epidemiological characteristics of 3,08,259 suspected cases of COVID-19 from the Pune district, India. The samples were referred for COVID-19 testing between January 24, 2020 and April 30, 2021. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from the ICMR-portal as a single dataset and analyzed. Of the 3,08,259 samples tested, 2,63,833 (85.6%) were asymptomatic. Symptomatic cases ratio in the first and the second COVID-19 wave was 1:2. Among symptomatic cases, cough was the most common complaint, followed by fever. Among the COVID-19 positives, one-fifth were asymptomatic, highlighting the necessity for close contact tracing even among apparently healthy contacts. The second wave of COVID-19 had double the per cent of symptomatic individuals as compared to the first wave.

Introduction: The growth and development of babies are directly linked to breastfeeding, an action that is essential to be done. In 2020 there is concern about this act due to the pandemic by COVID-19. Objective: to describe the recommendations on prevention of transmission related to breastfeeding of mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Development: Currently, the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has its transmission through close contact and without protection from infected individuals through their secretions or excretions, mostly through salivary droplets. When breastfeeding, it is necessary that the mother promotes health prevention, doing the correct hand hygiene, using a mask, disinfecting the bottle, if collecting milk. Conclusion: Breastfeeding at this time of pandemic is not contraindicated, but prevention is necessary. Introdução: O crescimento e desenvolvimento dos bebês estão ligados diretamente a amamentação, ação a qual é imprescindível ser feita. No ano de 2020 existe a preocupação em relação a este ato devido à pandemia pelo COVID-19. Objetivo: descrever as recomendações sobre a prevenção da transmissão relacionadas à amamentação de mães com suspeita ou confirmação de COVID-19. Desenvolvimento: Atualmente a pandemia provocada pelo novo coronavírus SARS-CoV-2 tem a sua transmissão através do contato próximo e sem proteção de indivíduos infectados por meio das suas secreções ou excreções, sendo na sua maioria através de gotículas salivares. Ao amamentar é necessário que a mãe promova a prevenção de saúde, fazendo a higienização correta das mãos, usando máscara, desinfectar o frasco, caso faça coleta do leite. Conclusão: A amamentação neste momento de pandemia não está contraindicada, mas é necessária a prevenção.

Background: COVID-19 has tremendously affected the world including Afghanistan since its outbreak.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the public knowledge about COVID-19 in Afghanistan as well as practices used to prevent contracting the disease. It also studied the attitudes of the public towards the COVID-19 survivors, and the impact of the participants’ gender, place of residence and marital status on their responses.Method: The data were collected from 1472 individuals through an online survey questionnaire. SPSS version 24.0 was used to analyze the data.Results: The findings showed that the public were very knowledgeable about COVID-19. They used various practices to varying extent to prevent contracting COVID-19 and its spread. Moreover, the participants’ attitudes towards the COVID-19 survivors varied. They had negative attitudes towards them if close contact was concerned, but their attitudes were positive towards them if close contact was not involved, e.g., educating community members about the disease. Gender and place of residence had a significant impact on the participants’ knowledge and practices, but they did not affect their attitudes towards the survivors. Furthermore, marital status significantly affected the participants’ practices, but it did not have any impact on their knowledge and attitudes towards the survivors.

In 2020, the COVID-19 disease was a relevant event within all public health systems in the world. In March of that year, the Dominican Republic declared the first case moving towards community broadcasting. Based on this, human behaviors and responses to this disease have taken on different practical and theoretical nuances. Here we propose an analysis of the persistence of myths within the health personnel of the Dr. Hugo Mendoza Pediatric Hospital. The methodology used was an online survey (social networks) of 981 health professionals residing in the Dominican Republic. The survey included sociodemographic data, risk perception, attitudes, beliefs. Participants completed the survey between March 30 and April 6, 2020. Among some of the most outstanding results: the majority of respondents (89%) consider that limiting close contact with sick people, washing their hands, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands are steps to prevent infection with the new coronavirus. Finally, the execution of information campaigns is recommended to promote good practices and clarify misconceptions about COVID-19. Dentro de la coyuntura del 2020, la enfermedad COVID-19 supuso un acontecimiento relevante dentro de todos los sistemas de salud pública del mundo. Ahora bien, en marzo de 2020, República Dominicana declaró el primer caso, avanzando hacia la transmisión comunitaria. A partir de ello, los comportamientos y respuestas humanas frente a esta enfermedad han tomado distintos matices, tanto prácticos como teóricos. Aquí se propone un análisis sobre la persistencia de mitos dentro del personal de salud del Hospital Pediátrico Dr. Hugo Mendoza. La metodología empleada consistió en una encuesta en línea (redes sociales) a 981 profesionales de la salud residentes en República Dominicana. El cuestionario incluyó datos sociodemográficos, percepción de riesgo, actitudes, creencias. Los participantes completaron el cuestionario entre el 30 de marzo y el 6 de abril del 2020. Entre algunos de los resultados más sobresalientes: la mayoría de los encuestados (89%) consideró que limitar el contacto cercano con personas enfermas, lavarse las manos y evitar tocarse los ojos, la nariz y la boca con las manos sin lavar son medidas que previenen una infección por coronavirus. Finalmente, se recomienda la ejecución de campañas de información para promover las buenas prácticas y aclarar concepciones erróneas sobre la COVID-19.

This article analyzes the fight against domestic violence towards woman from a new standpoint: a study of “Rede Catarina” program, implemented in the municipality of Sao Miguel do Oeste. It is notorious that this issued was, for a long time, overlooked by the State. For this reason, this study starts off by addressing the fundamental rights of women, who are more susceptible to gender discrimination (this being the reason why they are part of the group of vulnerable minorities), followed by the chronological analysis of the facts that paved the way for the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law, which implemented new mechanisms to fight domestic violence, especially those provided for in articles 22, 23 and 24, which address urgent protective measures. However, we identified the need to complement these mechanisms, since these victims lacked direct and regular monitoring; so, the Military Police of Santa Catarina created an institutional program known as “Rede Catarina”, based on close contact with victims. The main focus point of this program was the municipality of Sao Miguel do Oeste, and the conclusion reached is that this new model of a closer relationship between the State and the victims can indeed help in the effectiveness of the urgent protective measures, as it ends up providing protection and guidance to the parties involved.

Remote and rural communities in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected by infectious animal diseases due to their close contact with livestock and limited access to animal health personnel). However, animal disease surveillance and diagnosis in LMICs is often challenging, and turnaround times between sample submission and diagnosis can take days to weeks. This diagnostic gap and subsequent disease under‐reporting can allow emerging and transboundary animal pathogens to spread, with potentially serious and far‐reaching consequences. Point‐of‐care tests (POCTs), which allow for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases in non‐laboratory settings, have the potential to significantly disrupt traditional animal health surveillance paradigms in LMICs. This literature review sought to identify POCTs currently available for diagnosing infectious animal diseases and to determine facilitators and barriers to their use and uptake in LMICs. Results indicated that some veterinary POCTs have been used for field‐based animal disease diagnosis in LMICs with good results. However, many POCTs target a small number of key agricultural and zoonotic animal diseases, while few exist for other important animal diseases. POCT evaluation is rarely taken beyond the laboratory and into the field where they are predicted to have the greatest impact, and where conditions can greatly affect test performance. A lack of mandated test validation regulations for veterinary POCTs has allowed tests of varying quality to enter the market, presenting challenges for potential customers. The use of substandard, improperly validated or unsuitable POCTs in LMICs can greatly undermine their true potential and can have far‐reaching negative impacts on disease control. To successfully implement novel rapid diagnostic pathways for animal disease in LMICs, technical, regulatory, socio‐political and economic challenges must be overcome, and further research is urgently needed before the potential of animal disease POCTs can be fully realized.

Novel coronavirus or COVID-19 is a viral illness that can cause severe respiratory symptoms. It spreads between people through direct, indirect (through contaminated objects or surfaces), or close contact with infected people via mouth and nose secretions. COVID-19 has caused a worldwide pandemic that necessitated many countries to perform a national lockdown. In Jordan, a complete lockdown was imposed by the government on March 17th, 2020 and continued for more than two months. The lockdown included every single sector in the country. Hospitals were only dealing with outpatient emergency cases, urgent referrals from primary or secondary health institutions and with inpatients whose medical conditions required keeping them admitted. Elective clinics and surgeries were canceled. At the King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH), which is the only tertiary center in northern Jordan, we dealt with four cases of traumatic eye injury that resulted in a ruptured globe. The four cases were for eyes that had a history of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and were visually compromised in the involved eye compared to the other eye. The percentage of open globe injuries to the total number of emergency cases presented during the lockdown was significantly higher than the percentage of open globe injuries to the total number of emergency cases presented during the corresponding period in the previous year (p=0.0005). We believe the lockdown inside homes has resulted in higher risk of trauma and rupture globe in this group of patients.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is thought to spread from person to person primarily by the respiratory route and mainly through close contact (1). Community mitigation strategies can lower the risk for disease transmission by limiting or preventing person-to-person interactions (2). U.S. states and territories began implementing various community mitigation policies in March 2020. One widely implemented strategy was the issuance of orders requiring persons to stay home, resulting in decreased population movement in some jurisdictions (3). Each state or territory has authority to enact its own laws and policies to protect the public's health, and jurisdictions varied widely in the type and timing of orders issued related to stay-at-home requirements. To identify the broader impact of these stay-at-home orders, using publicly accessible, anonymized location data from mobile devices, CDC and the Georgia Tech Research Institute analyzed changes in population movement relative to stay-at-home orders issued during March 1-May 31, 2020, by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories.* During this period, 42 states and territories issued mandatory stay-at-home orders. When counties subject to mandatory state- and territory-issued stay-at-home orders were stratified along rural-urban categories, movement decreased significantly relative to the preorder baseline in all strata. Mandatory stay-at-home orders can help reduce activities associated with the spread of COVID-19, including population movement and close person-to-person contact outside the household.

Zoos use ambassador animals in educational programs featuring close contact with humans. Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) at the Saint Louis Zoo are retrieved for programs by a keeper wearing brown handling gloves, but green cleaning gloves are worn during normal husbandry when physical contact with the animal is only incidental. The chinchillas' primary keeper anecdotally reported more reactivity and movement from chinchillas when approached with handling gloves. Animals' behavioral reactions to the presence of humans often include locomotion and vigilance, but these responses may be attenuated by predictability. To investigate these behaviors, handling trials involving brief contact attempts with both cleaning and handling gloves were filmed. Results indicated that chinchillas responded to disturbances by moving, jumping, and adopting more alert body postures. Surprisingly, movement was recorded in longer durations when the keeper attempted to touch the animals with cleaning gloves. This higher arousal may indicate that the animal was not expecting to be handled, yet an attempt to do so was being made. This reaction provides evidence that potentially aversive events should be reliably and consistently signaled.

Aim To identify policies on the consumption of hot drinks by patients and visitors on all perinatal and postnatal wards in the United Kingdom, and to seek the opinions of members of the wider burns MDT as to whether standardised patient education or regulation of hot drinks around newborn babies is required. Methods All maternity units with postnatal wards across the United Kingdom were surveyed to establish availability of hot drinks on site and whether these were permitted on postnatal wards around infants. An online questionnaire was distributed to members of the British Burn Association to ascertain opinions on hot drinks policies. Results Hot takeaway drinks were permitted around newborn infants in 194 of surveyed postnatal wards and were only banned by two units. The online survey received 49 responses from different members of the British Burn Association. Thirty responders (61%) supported a takeaway hot drink ban, while those against the policy would alternatively encourage patient education, dedicated drinking areas and introduction of safety measures. Conclusions Almost every postnatal unit in the UK has access to hot drink retailers on site allowing parents and visitors to bring them into close contact with babies. With varying local regulations, this poses potentially serious consequences during feeding or carrying. We propose a standardised antenatal education be made available, together with standardised designated areas on wards for parents and visitors to consume hot drinks away from infants.

Percival S. Bailey (1892–1973) was a scholar, neuroscientist, neuropathologist, and neurosurgeon who made decisive contributions in the field of neuro-oncology. Far less known are his groundbreaking insights into understanding hypothalamic physiology through the study of craniopharyngiomas. As one of Harvey W. Cushing’s most talented trainees, Bailey was instrumental in developing Cushing’s project of a histologically based prognostic classification of brain tumors. He worked at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital on and off between 1919 and 1928, owing to frequent clashes with his mentor. A major cause of this long-term conflict was Bailey’s 1921 experimental demonstration of the hypothalamic origin of diabetes insipidus and Fröhlich’s syndrome. This finding challenged Cushing’s view that both alterations were due to pituitary gland insufficiency. In a seminal monograph written with John F. Fulton in 1929, both authors provided the first comprehensive account of the specific hypothalamic disturbances caused by tumors that originated within the infundibulum and third ventricle. The methodical study of Cushing’s craniopharyngioma specimens allowed Bailey to recognize the close contact between these lesions and hypothalamic nuclei, a key concept that Bailey originally advanced for proper surgical planning. This article aims to credit Bailey for his pioneering definition of craniopharyngiomas as tumors with a true intrahypothalamic position.

The insufficient knowledge of the processes of state development of the society of Kievan Rus, known to contemporaries as “Rus” or “Rus Land”, suggests once again addressing the issue of the impact on this global event of a historical scale associated with the transition from primitive communal relations in the Eastern Slavic world to civilizational, on the part of multiethnic components in the composition of the local population in different regions of the country. After all, it is known that Rus, besides the Slavs-autochthons, inhabited the Balts and Finno-Ugrians in the North-West and North-East; for several centuries, in the south, farmers were in close contact with nomads (Khazars, Pechenegs, Torques, Polovtsy). In the latter case, representatives of nomadic societies as a whole did not enter the new ethnic composition of the country, in contrast to the Scandinavians, who, after several generations, “disappeared” in the East Slavic majority. A different fate was traced for the Balts, who, before the resettlement of new settlers on their lands, constituted the main group of the substrate element. Some of them were assimilated by the Slavs, and the other part developed in its own way and subsequently formed a state called the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Rus and Samogitia. A different share was expected of the Finno-Ugrians in the North of Eastern Europe and in the Volga region: having come under administrative pressure from the Old Rus princes, the local ancient population was one of the components of the future authoritarian Moscow state. Probably, there should be taken into account the old point of view of M. Aleshkovsky and V. Yanin, according to which the study of the formation of northern urbanization centers, and, first of all, Novgorod the Great, involves not only the Slavic component, but also other components, primarily the Finnish substrate.

Nasogastric tubes are used frequently in surgical patients for bowel decompression, provision of enteral nutritional support and preventing aspiration of gastric contents. There is no conclusive research into the risk of COVID-19 transmission associated with nasogastric tube insertion, although evidence from the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak appears to suggest that there is no increased risk of transmission. However, close contact with a COVID-19 patient, especially those displaying respiratory symptoms, is likely to increase the risk of transmission. Nasogastric tube insertion requires increased time spent at a patient's bedside and can also cause pharyngeal irritation, resulting in coughing. In addition, the nasogastric tube can expose the healthcare worker to potentially infectious saliva. Therefore, there is a clear need for increased evidence regarding the risk of transmission associated with nasogastric tube insertion, to ensure that such risks can be mitigated.

Brucella is caused by a Gram-negative bacillus and is a common disease in endemic areas where people are in close contact with animals and dairy products, but brucellar cervical epidural abscess is rare. We describe a rare case of a C5–6 brucellar epidural abscess in a veterinary doctor who was treated with decompression and instrumentation. We also review the cases of cervical brucellar epidural abscess treated with instrumentation in the literature.

Summary Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic but the follow-up data of discharged patients was barely described. Aim To investigate clinical outcomes, distribution of quarantine locations and the infection status of the contacts of COVID-19 patients after discharge. Design A prospective cohort study. Methods Demographics, baseline characteristics of 131 COVID-19 patients discharged from 3 February 2020 to 21 February 2020 in Wuhan, China were collected and analyzed by reviewing the medical records retrospectively. Post-hospitalization data related to clinical outcomes, quarantine locations and close contact history were obtained by following up the patients every week up to 4 weeks. Results Fifty-three (40.05%) patients on discharge had cough (29.01%), fatigue (7.63%), expectoration (6.11%), chest tightness (6.11%), dyspnea (3.82%), chest pain (3.05%) and palpitation (1.53%). These symptoms constantly declined in 4 weeks post-discharge. Transient fever recurred in 11 (8.4%) patients. Among the discharged patients, 78 (59.5%) underwent chest CT and 2 (1.53%) showed deterioration. A total of 94 (71.8%) patients received SARS-CoV-2 retest and 8 (6.10%) reported positive. Seven (2.29%) patients were readmitted because of fever or positive SARS-CoV-2 retest. After discharge, 121 (92.37%) and 4 (3.05%) patients were self-quarantined at home or community spots, respectively, after a close contact with 167 persons in total who were free of COVID-19 at the endpoint of study. Conclusion The majority of COVID-19 patients after discharge were in the course of recovery. Readmission was required in rare cases due to suspected recurrence of COVID-19. Although no contacted infection observed, appropriate self-quarantine and regular re-examination are necessary, particularly for those who have recurred symptoms.

The pandemic SARS‐CoV‐2 has been reported in 123 countries with more than 5,000 patients died from it. However, the original and intermediate hosts of the virus remain unknown. In this study, 1,914 serum samples from 35 animal species were used for detection of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific antibodies using double‐antigen sandwich ELISA after validating its specificity and sensitivity. The results showed that no SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific antibodies were detected in above samples which excluded the possibility of 35 animal species as intermediate host for SARS‐CoV‐2. More importantly, companion animals including pet dogs (including one dog the SARS‐CoV‐2 patient kept and two dogs which had close contact with it) and cats, street dogs and cats also showed serological negative to SARS‐CoV‐2, which relieved the public concerns for the pets as SARS‐CoV‐2 carriers.

The current review covered most of the researches have been done since the new coronavirus found in Wuhan city of China at the end of December 2019 up to date by considering the most beneficial ones for our society. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that potentially acts on the human respiratory system. It is first found in animal then transmitted into human. The virus can be transmitted between human to human via close contact or from the tiny droplet while coughing or sneezing. WHO characterized the situation by pandemic global concern because the virus spread over 200 territories and more than millions peoples were infected and over two hundred thousand people deceased as a result of COVID-19. At the moment nothing can stop the virus from spreading, neither vaccine nor medicines were found to stop the virus and secure life of people of the planet. The aim of the present review was to show the main feature of the SARS-CoV-2 and to find the common statements between the previously published studies on the output of their works. The other objective of this review was to encourage publics to treat the virus in safe way based on the discovery by researchers toward secure life of million peoples that could be infected by the 2019 new coronavirus. This review were summarized several researches about the SARS-CoV-2 since its appearance to present time May 2020. Several reports from WHO, CDC and FDA were included about spreading or the way of transmission, causes, prevention, diagnosis and risk factors of the COVID-19. The current review find the common statements about different aspects of the 2019 new coronavirus that could be help the new research to benefit from these statement for further investigations. This review showed that urgent steps for the current time to secure life of millions peoples is to quarantines people at home and governmental authorities have to take the responsibilities of this steps and to encourage people to stay at home and teach them the self-prevention is a better treatment for all humanities.

Dermanyssus infestation is a rural parasitic problem occurs occasionally in urban areas in people with close contact to pigeons. It can be diagnosed through clinical cutaneous symptoms in exposed body parts, nocturnal itching, and presence of mites in infested locations and can be treated by antiacaricide, environmental, and symptomatic treatments.

Background. The development of secondary cataract after implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) as a result of migration and reproduction of residual epithelial cells after phacoemulsification occurs in 45–78% of patients. The currently used IOL models do not adequately protect the posterior part of the lens capsule and the front surface of the lens from the deposition of epithelial cells on them. Objective. The aims of the paper are as follows: (1) modeling the process of development of secondary cataract due to proliferation, migration and metaplasia of residual epithelial cells (E-LEC); (2) evaluation of existing technical solutions to combat clouding of the lens capsule (CLC), secondary cataract, after implantation of IOL; (3) development of original technical approach to solving the problem of CLC with next modeling; (4) conducting an experiment to study the movement of a dye solution in an extracted pig's eye lens, implanted with a "Support OP" lens based on the data obtained during simulation. Methods. To model the migration of epithelial cells, the COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4 software environment and the Fluid flow library were used. For computer analysis, IOL of our own design and the lens of an American company were taken. During the simulation, it was taken into account that cells of a polygonal or oval shape have sizes from 48 to 142 μm and a constant propagation velocity of 10 - 4 m/s. The main attention was paid to the spread of epithelial cells not only towards the posterior wall of the lens capsule, but also to the front surface of the lens itself. After carrying out computer modeling, the results of which have been repeatedly confirmed, an experiment was carried out in which a capsule bag of a pig's eye lens was implanted with an implanted IOL of its own design. An aqueous dye solution, applied under a pressure not exceeding the penetration strength of the lens capsule, imitated the movement of epithelial cells. The study was conducted in compliance with the ARRIVE guidelines. Results. The simulation showed that the use of the IOL sharp edge design just partially protects the back wall of the capsule from the growth of epithelial cells (E-cells) on it, despite the fact that the lens is made of hydrophobic acrylic. This IOL doesn’t tightly contact with the back wall of the capsule and therefore the migration of lens epithelial cells in this direction is possible. The front of the lens also remains vulnerable to fibrous hyperplasia, which leads not only to visual impairment, but also to its complete loss. The proposed volume-replacing IOL of its own design, which has a sharp edge, which provides close contact with the lens capsule, a groove-trap for migrating cells, and in the front of the elements for suture fixation. Conclusions. The study revealed a number of factors that need to be addressed to prevent the development of secondary cataract. The intraocular lens must be made of biocompatible material, for the full tension of lens capsule, it is necessary that the haptic is angulated, the optical part should include at least one of the elements (a sharp edge or a special side). Based on this, the proposed approach takes into account the problems described in the article and includes the above elements and a special groove-trap for epithelial cells. Modeling and experimental testing of the proposed option confirmed its effectiveness.

Objective. Patients treated with radionuclide therapy may require restrictions on certain activities for a period of time following treatment to optimise protection of the public and ensure the legal dose limit is not exceeded. Software may be used to calculate necessary restriction periods for an individual based on longitudinal dose rate measurements from the time of radiopharmaceutical administration. A spreadsheet program has been used for this purpose in Australian hospitals for the last two decades. However, this spreadsheet has a limitation in that it uses an approximation in the calculation of dose from a contact pattern, which affects the calculated restriction period. A computer program called Dorn was developed that provides the same functionality as the spreadsheet but without this approximation. Proffered radiation safety advice from Dorn and the spreadsheet were compared. Approach. Advice from the spreadsheet and Dorn were compared for 55 patients who underwent iodine-131 therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer. Main results. The restriction periods for caring for infants, close contact with children and sleeping with a partner were typically about 13 hours longer in Dorn than in the spreadsheet, but in some cases were over a week shorter or a month longer. Significance. If the Dorn program is used clinically in place of the spreadsheet, some patients will enjoy shorter restriction periods and the therapy provider can be more confident in their compliance with regulatory requirements and best practice. Dorn is freely available from https://doi.org/jg5f., Comment: 17 pages, 16 figures

Purpose This report introduces a tool for merging two voxel phantoms to calculate the deposited dose that a person receives from a patient undergoing Nuclear medicine procedures. Materials and methods The phantoms must be converted to the text format used by GEANT4 to treat DICOM images via the GAMOS utilities. The Merge Phantoms Tool can merge two phantoms in two different cases: standing either side by side or opposite. The merged phantom is also in text format and is subsequently input back into GAMOS to calculate the equivalent dose that a person receives from a patient. The equivalent doses to the eyes of people in contact are calculated in a case where a patient was administered 185 MBq of 18F-FDG during a PET examination. Results The corresponding doses when the two phantoms are standing opposite are greater than those when they are standing side by side and smaller than those from point and tube source calculated by Sumi Yokoyama at any distance. Conclusions The Merge phantoms tool and GAMOS software can be used to calculate the deposited dose that a person receives from a patient. An accurate dose calculation can be used for radiation protection, or deciding whether a patient can be released from isolation if the dose is small even in a close contact.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is among the top ten leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and studies have shown that adherence to a six Month course of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) reduces the incidence of TB disease in HIV-negative/positive populations at risk of developing active TB disease. Objective: This study was carried out to identify active TB cases among children aged 0-5 years who are in close contact with adult cases of pulmonary TB (PTB), to determine the adherence rate to IPT among these close contacts that do not have active TB and to identify factors associated with non adherence if any. Methodology: This study was a prospective descriptive study carried out in Rivers state, Nigeria in two health facilities that offers services for TB diagnosis and treatment. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Rivers State Ministry of Health while verbal consent was obtained from the parents/caregivers of the children. Children aged 0-5 years who were in close contact with newly diagnosed PTB cases were recruited for the study. They were screened for HIV and evaluated for TB using clinical features and standard laboratory investigations. Those without active TB disease were commenced on isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for six months at a daily dose of 5mg/kg after adherence counselling and followed up at the health centres. Obtained data was analysed using Epi Info Version 7.2.3.1 statistical software. Descriptive statistics was used while the test for association between variables was done with chi-square test at p ≤ 0.05 level of significance. Frequency tables were used for presentation of results. Results: A total of Sixty three children were recruited for the study 37 (58.7%) were males while 26 (41.3%) were females. Thirty two (50.8%) were children of index PTB patients while 29 (46.1%) belonged to lower socio-economic class. Their age ranged from 4 months to 4 years with a mean age of 2.84years ±1.27years. Six (16.2%) out of the 37 males and 2 (7.7%) out of the 26 females were confirmed to have active TB, giving a TB prevalence of 12.7%. The gender difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.32). Of the fifty five children that commenced INH in the first Month, only twenty four of them completed the six Month course of INH, giving an IPT adherence rate of 49.6%. Identified reasons for non adherence includes ‘My child is not sick’, ‘No transport Money’, ‘My child is writing exams”. “My child is tired of the drugs”, “the Health workers are not friendly’ and ‘long waiting time before collecting medications”. Conclusion: Early contact tracing is important for early detection of TB cases in children. Adherence to IPT in this study is low and strategies like community tracing of defaulters using trained social workers and community nurses as well as use of well-supervised and convenient ambulatory treatment centres that are manned by trained lower cadre health staff can improve adherence.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 transmission has been reported to be associated with close contact with infected individuals. However, the mechanistic pathway for transmission in close contact settings is unclear. Our objective was to identify, appraise and summarise the evidence from studies assessing the role of close contact in SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Methods: This review is part of an Open Evidence Review on Transmission Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2. We conduct ongoing searches using WHO Covid-19 Database, LitCovid, medRxiv, PubMed and Google Scholar; assess study quality based on the QUADAS-2 criteria and report important findings on an ongoing basis. Results: We included 181 studies: 171 primary studies and 10 systematic reviews. The settings for primary studies were predominantly in home/quarantine facilities (31.6%) and acute care hospitals (15.2%). The overall reporting quality of the studies was low to moderate. There was significant heterogeneity in design and methodology. The frequency of attack rates (PCR testing) was 3.5-75%; attack rates were highest in prison and wedding venues, and in households. The frequency of secondary attack rates was 0.3-100% with rates highest in home/quarantine settings. Three studies showed no transmission if index cases had recurrent infection. Viral culture was performed in three studies of which two found viable virus; culture results were negative where index cases had recurrent infections. Ten studies performed genomic sequencing with phylogenetic analysis – the completeness of genomic similarity ranged from 81-100%. Findings from systematic reviews showed that children were significantly less likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2 and household contact was associated with a significantly increased risk of infection. Conclusions: The evidence from published studies demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted via close contact settings. The risk of transmission is greater in household contacts. There was wide variation in methodology. Standardized guidelines for reporting transmission in close contact settings should be developed to improve the quality reporting.

Amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers are the most neurotoxic aggregates causing neuronal death and cognitive damage. A detailed elucidation of the aggregation pathways from oligomers to fibril formation is crucial to develop therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although experimental techniques rely on the measure of time- and space-average properties, they face severe difficulties in the investigation of Aβ peptide aggregation due to their intrinsically disorder character. Computer simulation is a tool that allows tracing the molecular motion of molecules; hence it complements Aβ experiments, as it allows to explore the binding mechanism between metal ions and Aβ oligomers close to the cellular membrane at the atomic resolution. In this context, integrated studies of experiments and computer simulations can assist in mapping the complete pathways of aggregation and toxicity of Aβ peptides. Aβ oligomers are disordered proteins, and due to a rapid exploration of their intrinsic conformational space in real-time, they are challenging therapeutic targets. Therefore, no good drug candidate could have been identified for clinical use. Our previous investigations identified two small molecules, M30 (2-Octahydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-ylethanamine) and Gabapentin, capable of Aβ binding and inhibiting molecular aggregation, synaptotoxicity, intracellular calcium signaling, cellular toxicity and memory losses induced by Aβ. Thus, we recommend these molecules as novel candidates to assist anti-AD drug discovery in the near future. This review discusses the most recent research investigations about the Aβ dynamics in water, close contact with cell membranes, and several therapeutic strategies to remove plaque formation.

In-fight transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant could occur on airplane, and close contact is the main mode of transmission. Vaccination still protects against the Delta variant transmission.

We report the MDP SPECT/CT findings of Baastrup disease in the interspinal region of L4 to L5 in a 76-year-old woman with a history of lung cancer. Baastrup disease, also known as "kissing" spine, is characterized by close contact of adjacent spinous processes with resultant enlargement, flattening, and reactive sclerosis of apposing interspinous surfaces. Knowledge regarding the appearance of Baastrup disease on 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT is important to distinguish it from spinal bone metastasis.

Surgical procedures requiring close contact with saliva, such as salivary gland surgery, may determine the risk of spreading the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The use of PPE and isolation settings are mandatory to protect health workers.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has not only greatly burdened healthcare system globally but also exposed the medical and paramedical staff to risk of infection. Although the major mode of transmission of this highly infectious disease is via close contact with an infected person i.e., droplet infection due to coughing/sneezing and aerosol generation, few research articles have shown presence of SARS-CoV-2 in blood and serum. This poses a potential risk to health care professionals who are handling these samples. Once the suspected/confirmed case of COVID-19 is admitted in the hospital setting, it requires a battery of clinical chemistry investigations. Laboratory has a vital and indispensable role to play in the management of COVID-19 patients as several biochemical markers are used for prognostication as well as monitoring and guiding treatment in the critical patients. Hence, this evaluation was undertaken to have protocols based on robust recommendations and guidelines to be followed while handling the potentially infective samples in the clinical laboratories in order to ensure safety of the staff. However, these recommendations are based on the limited and rapidly evolving knowledge available at the moment and hence need to be reviewed periodically.

Jamal Ahmadzadeh, Kazhal MobarakiSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, IranCorrespondence: Kazhal MobarakiEpidemiologist in Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Resalat Street, Urmia, IranTel +98 918 173 2869Fax +98 443 224 0642Email Mobaraki.k@umsu.ac.irPurpose: This study represents the current epidemiological status of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) worldwide in the first three months of 2019.Patients and methods: Full details of the MERS-CoV cases available and published in the disease outbreak news on the WHO website were retrieved. Related details of laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV were extracted and analyzed by standard statistical methods.Results: A total of 107 cases of MERS-CoV, including 18 deaths (overall case fatality rate (CFR), 16.8%; male-specific CFR was 17.5% [14/80] and female-specific CFR was 14.8% [4/27]) were reported to WHO from the National International Health Regulation Focal Points of Saudi Arabia and Oman. The overall mean age was 50±17 years and 80 patients (74.8%) were male. The average time from the onset of the symptoms to the first hospitalization was 3±3.3 days; from the first hospitalization to laboratory confirmation was 3.6±6.5 days; from the onset of symptom to death was 17.5±11.7 days; and the mean length of hospitalization forpatients with MERS-CoV was 3.5±3.9 days. Males in comparison to females had a 1.5-fold increased chance (adjusted OR =1.5 [95% CI: 1.3–1.8]) of death related to MERS-CoV infection; 1.05 [95% CI: 1.1–3.3], 1.05 [95% CI: 1.2–2.8] and 1.06 [95% CI: 1.2–2.0] for those who had exposure to camels, camel milk consumption, and close contact with MERS-CoV cases, respectively. Health care workers had 2.4 fold [95% CI: 1.2–3.1] greater odds of death compared to other people.Conclusion: The knowledge obtained from this study can contribute to the development of a prevention program and early system warning against MERS-CoV infection.Keywords: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, emerging infectious disease, disease outbreaks

Microbial survival of heating and cross-contamination are the two transmission routes during food preparation in the consumers' kitchen that are relevant for QMRA (Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment). The aim of the present study was to extend the limited amount of data on microbial survival during real-life preparation of meat and meat products and to obtain accessory temperature data that allow for a more general (product unspecific) approach. Therefore survival data were combined with extensive measurements of time- and location dependent temperature using an infrared camera for the surface and buttons for the inside of the product, supplemented with interpolation modelling. We investigated the survival of heating of Escherichia coli O111:H2 in beefsteak, hamburgers (beef and 50% beef 50% pork (HH)), meatballs (beef and HH) and crumbs (HH). For beefsteak, survival as a whole is dominated by the sides, giving a log reduction of 1-2 (rare), 3-4 (medium) and 6-7 (done). Limited measurements indicated that done preparation gave 5-6 log reduction for crumbs and at least 8-9 log for the other products. Medium preparation gave a higher reduction in hamburgers (2-4 log) than in meatballs (1-2 log) and in beef (3-4) than in HH (2-3) hamburgers. In general, our 'done' results give larger inactivation than found in literature, whereas 'rare' and 'medium' results are similar. The experiments resulted in two types of curves of D70/z-values, dependent on product, doneness and for beefsteaks sides vs. top/bottom. One type of curve agrees reasonably with literature D70/z estimates from isothermal temperature experiments, which supports using these estimates for home style cooking QMRA calculations. In case of the other type of curve, which is mainly found for (near) surface contamination in close contact with the pan, these literature estimates cannot be applied. We also applied a simplified approach, assuming thermal inactivation is dominated by the highest temperatures reached. The time duration of this highest temperature gives accessory D-values which prove to fit with isothermal temperature literature data, thus suggesting application of such data for QMRA is possible by this approach also, which is less labor intensive both in terms of measurements and modelling. In real life, variability in product properties and preparation styles is large. Further studies are needed to analyze the effect on survival, preferably focusing on determining the essential variables. More variation in heating time will allow for estimating D70/z point estimates rather than curves representing possible sets of D70/z-values.

Southeast Asia is considered one of worldwide hotspots consisting many distinct zoonotic infections. With optimal condition for the development of various pathogens, Vietnam is facing serious risks of zoonotic diseases. Besides, more than 50% Vietnamese people settle in rustic areas and earn their livings through small-scale animal breeding. It is possible that zoonotic diseases can be easily spread to the population by close contact with the infected animals, their infected residues, contaminated water, soil, or other possible means of transmission. In fact, zoonotic infections-transmissible infections between vertebrate animals and humans-cover a wide range of diseases with distinctive clinical and epidemiological highlights. With insufficient understanding and swift alteration in toxicity of the pathogens, these infections have gained more concerns due to sophisticated routes of transmission and harmful threats to humans. Recently emerging viral diseases exerted potential dangers to human beings, which required many countries to impose immediate actions to prevent any complications. Vietnam has recorded several cases of zoonotic diseases, especially pig-related illnesses; however, the studies on these diseases in this country remain limited. This work aims to highlight the zoonotic diseases transferring from pigs to humans and discuss risk factors of these diseases in Vietnam.

Introduction: In order to satisfy the aesthetic desires of the population, by masking the restorations was the search for the evolution of restorative materials enabling the introduction of metal-free materials. But previous studies that have been made with metal structures often cannot be removed and therefore require devices that can be masked, because there is no desire for a total passage of light avoiding dim reflection of these funds. For these situations, you must opt for a ceramic system to provide a degree of opacity, without losing its characteristics of light transmission, reflectance and saturation. Case report: In case the patient had clinical a metal ceramic crown on the molten core element 21, it was confirmed radiographically the core could not be removed because it would fracture risk to the tooth. We chose to use an opaquer ceramic framework to prevent the passage of light over dark metal. The material of choice was zirconia ceramic by high flexural strength, allowing it to function as a framework for crowns. Conclusion: With the correct application of ceramic coverage on Caquetá noted that it is possible to mask the gray color of the metal through the knowledge of the optical material, the correct use of these properties, opacity and translucidus, and a close contact between dentists and prosthetic. Introdução: A fim de satisfazer os anseios estéticos, da população, por mascarar as restaurações houve a busca pela evolução dos materiais restauradores possibilitando a introdução de materiais livres de metais. Porém trabalhos prévios que foram confeccionados com estruturas metálicas muitas vezes não podem ser removidos e, portanto, necessitam de artifícios para que possam ser mascarados, pois não há o desejo de uma total passagem de luz evitando a reflexão desses fundos escurecidos. Para estas situações, é necessário optar por um sistema cerâmico que apresente um grau de opacidade, sem perda de suas características de translucidez, refletância e saturação. Relato do caso: A paciente possuía uma coroa metalo-cerâmica sobre núcleo fundido no elemento 21, constatou-se radiograficamente que o núcleo não podia ser retirado, pois traria risco de fratura ao dente. Optou-se por utilizar uma cerâmica mais opaca de arcabouço para evitar a passagem de luz sobre o metal escurecido. O material de escolha foi à cerâmica de zircônia por apresentar alta resistência à flexão, permitindo que funcione como arcabouço para coroas unitárias. Conclusão: Com a correta aplicação de cerâmicas de cobertura sobre o casquete observou- se que é possível mascarar a cor acinzentada do metal através dos conhecimentos ópticos do material, a correta utilização dessas propriedades, opacidade e translucides, e um estreito contato entre dentista e protético.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of Giardia (G.) lamblia infections among the aboriginal community during the wet and dry seasons. Methods: A total of 473 stool samples from the aborigines in Temerloh, Pahang, Malaysia were collected during wet (n=256) and dry seasons (n=217). Smear of all the PVA-preserved stool samples were subjected to Trichrome staining and microscopic examination under 1 000 x magnification (Nikon eclipse E100) for the detection of G. lamblia. Positivity was recorded based on the presence of G. lamblia in trophozoite and/or cyst forms. Results: The prevalence of giardiasis was 12.10% and 8.29% during the wet and dry season, respectively. Age of less or equal to 15 years old and presence of other family members with G. lamblia infection were found to be the significant risk factors to acquire G. lamblia infections during both seasons. Untreated water supply was the significant risk factor of giardiasis during the dry season. This study highlighted the possibility of anthroponotic transmission of G. lamblia during both seasons and waterborne transmission during the dry season in the aboriginal community. Conclusions: This study suggests that seasonal variation plays an important role in the prevalence and risk factor of G. lamblia infection in the aboriginal community. Therefore, close contact with Giardia-infected family members and water-related activities or usage of untreated water must be avoided to reduce the burden of G. lamblia infection in this community.

Caregivers are confronted with the eroticisation of the care relationship due to the direct physical and close contact with patients and access to their private area. Through lack of training, caregivers often draw on their own personal resources to respond in a suitable and professional manner in these situations.

Background Pigs (Sus scrofa) are the natural hosts of pseudorabies virus (PRV), also known as Aujeszky’s disease. Infection in mammals, with the exception of humans, typically causes extreme itching, facial swelling, and excessive salivation, followed by death in non-suid species. The risk to susceptible mammals was assumed to decrease when PRV was eliminated from U.S. commercial swine in 2004, though the virus remains endemic in feral swine. Infected feral swine pose a threat to the disease-free status of the commercial swine industry, and to other animals, including dogs, that come in direct or indirect contact with them. Since dogs are commonly used for hunting feral swine, they are at high risk of exposure. Case presentation The following report describes the progression of pseudorabies infection in dogs in two states after exposure to feral swine. The first case occurred in a dog in Alabama after participation in a competitive wild hog rodeo. The second case occurred in multiple dogs in Arkansas after hunting feral swine, and subsequent consumption of the offal. The antibody prevalence of feral swine in the two states where the dogs were exposed is also examined. Conclusions Dogs that are used for hunting feral swine are at high risk of exposure to pseudorabies because the disease is considered endemic in feral swine in the U.S.