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Copyright of Akdeniz Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Akdeniz Universitesi Hukuk Fakultesi Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNE) is a challenging disease because of the significant impact of delayed diagnosis on patients. In this study, excised heart valves and blood serum samples were collected from 50 BCNE patients in two central hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Sera were tested by IFA for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies against Bartonella quintana and B. henselae. Genomic DNA extracted from the heart valves was examined for Bartonella-specific ssrA gene in a probe-based method real-time PCR assay. Any positive sample was Sanger sequenced. IgG titer higher than 1024 was observed in only one patient and all 50 patients tested negative for Bartonella IgM. By real-time PCR, the ssrA gene was detected in the valve of one patient which was further confirmed to be B. quintana. Bartonella-like structures were observed in transmission electron microscopy images of that patient. We present for the first time the involvement of Bartonella in BCNE in Iran. Future research on at-risk populations, as well as domestic and wild mammals as potential reservoirs, is recommended.

Objective In evaluation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), anti–double-stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA) play a significant role in diagnosis, monitoring SLE activity, and assessing prognosis. However, evaluations of the performance and limitations for recently developed methods for anti-dsDNA assessment are sparse. Methods Specimens used for antinuclear antibody testing (n = 129) were evaluated for anti-dsDNA assay comparability across 4 medical centers in the United States. The methods compared were Werfen Quanta Lite dsDNA, Zeus Scientific dsDNA Enzyme Immunoassay, Bio-Rad multiplex immunoassay (MIA) dsDNA, ImmunoConcepts Crithidia, and Bio-Rad Laboratories Crithidia. Results For quantitative anti-dsDNA measurements, Spearman's correlation coefficient was highest between Zeus and Werfen (ρ = 0.86; CI, 0.81-0.90; P <.0001). Comparison of MIA to Werfen or Zeus yielded similar results to each other (ρ = 0.58; CI, 0.44-0.68; P <.0001; and ρ = 0.59; CI, 0.46-0.69; P <.0001, respectively), but lower than the correlation between Zeus and Werfen. Positive concordance between assays ranged from 31.4% to 97.1%, and negative concordance between assays ranged from 58.5% to 100%. The detection of anti-dsDNA in those with SLE diagnosis ranged from 50.9% to 77.4% for quantitative assays and 15.1% to 24.5% for Crithidia assays. Conclusion Current quantitative anti-dsDNA assays are not interchangeable for patient follow-up. Crithidia -based assays demonstrate high negative concordance and lack positive concordance among the methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNE) is a challenging disease because of the significant impact of delayed diagnosis on patients. In this study, excised heart valves and blood serum samples were collected from 50 BCNE patients in two central hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Sera were tested by IFA for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies against Bartonella quintana and B. henselae. Genomic DNA extracted from the heart valves was examined for Bartonella-specific ssrA gene in a probe-based method real-time PCR assay. Any positive sample was Sanger sequenced. IgG titer higher than 1024 was observed in only one patient and all 50 patients tested negative for Bartonella IgM. By real-time PCR, the ssrA gene was detected in the valve of one patient which was further confirmed to be B. quintana. Bartonella-like structures were observed in transmission electron microscopy images of that patient. We present for the first time the involvement of Bartonella in BCNE in Iran. Future research on at-risk populations, as well as domestic and wild mammals as potential reservoirs, is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is a critical causative agent behind Kaposi sarcoma (KS), an oncogenic disease with profound consequences in immunocompromised individuals. Studies suggested HHV-8 seroprevalence in healthy populations is uncommon, but comprehensive investigations within the Middle East region remain scarce. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by meticulously assessing HHV-8 seroprevalence among healthy blood donors in Qatar, leveraging serological methodologies and PCR. Methods: We used sera samples collected from 621 healthy blood donors (median age = 36 years, IQR 30–43) from different nationalities residing in Qatar, mainly from the MENA region and Southeast Asia. All sera samples were tested for total anti-HHV-8 IgG antibodies using ELISA. The presence of lytic HHV-8 antibodies was confirmed by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Further, HHV-8 DNA was tested and quantitated by qRT-PCR. Results: ELISA detected anti-HHV-8 IgG total antibodies in 6.9 % [43/621, 95 %CI 5.2–9.2] of the tested samples. Subsequent testing by IFA revealed that 14 % [6/43, 95 %CI 3.6–24.3] of these anti-HHV-8 IgG were classified as HHV-8 lytic antibodies. This suggests that 0.97 % [6/621, 95 %CI 0.2–1.7] of these donors had a recent or ongoing active infection and viral replication. Only one seronegative Qatari blood donor had detectable HHV-8 DNA in his blood. No significant difference was observed between HHV-8 seropositivity and the demographic characteristics of the donors. Conclusion: Our study showed that HHV-8 prevalence in Qatar aligns closely with global reports. Moreover, our findings raise considerations regarding HHV-8’s potential transmission via transfusion, which suggests the value of routine HHV-8 screening, particularly for immunocompromised patients vulnerable to KS.

Copyright of Yıldırım Beyazıt Law Review (YBLR) is the property of Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University Law School and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background & objectives Q fever is an important zoonotic disease affecting humans as well as animals. The objective of this study was to assess the burden of Q fever in individuals with acute febrile illness, particularly those in close contact with animals. Various diagnostic methods were also evaluated in addition to clinical examination analysis and associated risk factors. Methods Individuals presenting with acute febrile illness who had animal exposure were enrolled (n=92) in this study. Serum samples were tested using IgG and IgM phase 2 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The PCR targeting the com1 and IS1111 genes was performed on blood samples. PCR amplicons were sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. Demographic data, symptoms, and risk factors were collected through a structured questionnaire. Results Among individuals with acute febrile illness, 34.7 per cent (32 out of 92) were found to be infected with Coxiella burnetii. PCR exhibited the highest sensitivity among the diagnostic methods employed. The most common clinical manifestations included headache, chills, arthralgia, and fatigue. Individuals engaged in daily livestock-rearing activities were found to be at an increased risk of infection. Interpretation & conclusions Q fever is underdiagnosed due to its varied clinical presentations, diagnostic complexities, and lack of awareness. This study underscores the importance of regular screening for Q fever in individuals with acute febrile illness, particularly those with animal exposure. Early diagnosis and increased awareness among healthcare professionals are essential for the timely management and prevention of chronic complications associated with Q fever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an oncogenic virus involved in several diseases. The gold standard for KSHV sero diagnosis remains the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), which is time-consuming and operator-dependent. We compared this method with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) targeting solubilized KSHV whole-genome extract among positive (n = 49, including 76% of HIV-infected patients) and negative (n = 14) control groups. We also included 14 sera with equivocal IFA results. ELISA showed better performance in detecting KSHV antibodies (McNemar’s test, P = 0.0455). The sensitivity and specificity of both methods were 79% (64–89) and 100% (66–100) for the IFA, respectively, and 94% (83–99) and 100% (66–100) for ELISA, respectively. All IFA equivocal results were either negative or positive with ELISA. ELISA is more reliable and could be a good alternative for determining KSHV serological status, particularly in the context of immunocompromised patients and equivocal serology with the IFA.IMPORTANCEKaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) sero status remains challenging because no perfect reference is available for the detection of KSHV antibodies. The current gold-standard method, the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), has a very good specificity of close to 100%, but a lower sensitivity of around 80–85%, which decreases to 64–67% in immunocompromised patients. Additionally, this method is time-consuming and operator-dependent compared with new serological assays such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Thus, further research is still needed to improve KSHV sero diagnosis. Here, we compare the KSHV IgG ELISA kit assay (Advanced Biotechnologies Inc) with the gold-standard IFA, targeting the LANA-1 protein from latent BC-3 cell lines.

Afektinės būsenos iškilimas savižudybės procese laikomas rimtu savižudybės grėsmės ženklu. Šiame tyrime siekiama aprašyti afektinių būsenų, būdingų savižudybės procesui, patyrimą ir įvertinti jų formavimosi prielaidas gyvenimo laikotarpiu. Tyrime taikyta kokybinė perspektyva, jos tikslas buvo pasiekti gyvenimiškas žmonių patirtis retrospektyviai, atliekant giluminius pusiau struktūruotus interviu. Tyrimo imtį sudaro 12 tyrimo dalyvių (4 vyrai, 1 nedvinarės lytinės tapatybės asmuo ir 7 moterys), bandžiusių nusižudyti ne daugiau kaip prieš vienerius metus, vykdant tyrimą besigydžiusių Vilniaus miesto psichikos sveikatos centre. Duomenys sisteminti taikant fenomenologinę interpretacinę analizę, siekiant atskleisti pasikartojančius išgyvenimus. Atlikus duomenų analizę išryškėjo 9 pagrindinės grupės patirtinės temos: kai kurie gyvenimo sunkumai, užgulę savižudybės proceso metu, nebuvo patiriami kaip susiję su suicidiškumu; pasikartojantys trauminiai įvykiai suteikė pagrindą formuotis didelio trūkumo jausmams; kompensacinis mechanizmas užpildė didelio trūkumo jausmų išgyvenimą; prasidėjo išsekimas nuo pastangos palaikyti kompensacinį mechanizmą; pagrindinis trigeris tiesiogiai konfrontavo su kompensaciniu mechanizmu; po pagrindinio trigerio išgyvenimo ėjo afekto būsena; afekto būsenos metu disociacija gali padėti izoliuoti psichologinį skausmą; esant afekto būsenos, mintys apie savižudybę patirtos kaip kylančios automatiškai; savižudybė suvokta kaip priemonė sustabdyti kančią. Tyrimo rezultatai atskleidė, jog žmonių pasakojimuose galima įžvelgti afektinių būsenų, būdingų savižudybės procesui, formavimosi modelį. Žmonės geba, pasitelkę refleksiją, intuityviai atskirti reikšmingus sunkius gyvenimo įvykius nuo savižudybės procesui nereikšmingų ir permąstyti savo patirtis. Šis gebėjimas yra vertingas intervencijų ir postvencijų išteklius.

Introduction: The iron requirement of the body increases during this period and resulting into anemia. National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-20), about 65% women (15-49 y) and about 62% of pregnant women were suffering from various degrees of anemia in Gujarat. Current study is the part of the innovation pilot project in which counselling was very important component. It motivated the beneficiaries to increase uptake of project services. Thus, the current paper is designed with the aim and objective to analyse the effect of counselling done for all the beneficiaries (Pregnant women and adolescent girls) in context for their improvement in anaemia status. Materials and Methods: The current study, conducted between June 2020 to March 2021 in Bhanvad Taluka of DevBhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat, is part of the innovation pilot Anaemia Project under ICDS. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, the study focused on 60 pregnant women and 304 adolescent girls, selected through simple random sampling. Verbal Informed Consent was obtained from each participant, and a semi-structured, pilot-tested questionnaire was administered in the local language by the evaluation team. The active involvement of counsellors, including FHW/ MS/ FHS/ ASHA, added a crucial dimension to the project, enhancing its effectiveness and outreach. Results: it was found that overall anemia burden among beneficiaries was reduced (9.34%) considering baseline and endline data taken during the study. This reduction was more seen among PWs (18.33%) as compared to AGs (7.56%). Conclusion: The results showed that nutrition education and counselling positively influenced the intake of dietary iron and vitamin C-rich foods.

Abstract Background Women of reproductive age (WRA) in developing countries are often at risk of micronutrient deficiencies due to inadequate intakes and excessive losses. Objective The purpose of this trial is to assess the effectiveness of United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Antenatal Preparation-Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (UNIMMAP-MMS) versus iron-folic acid (IFA) among WRA in reducing anemia. Methods Three parallel groups of WRA will participate in a community-based, individually randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled superiority trial. After consent, the sample of 375 mildly or moderately anemic women based on hemoglobin by Hemocue will be randomly assigned across two interventions and one control arm. Trial participants in intervention arms will receive UNIMMAP-MMS or IFA while those in the control arm will receive placebos twice a week for 17 weeks. The primary outcome will be a change in mean hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. Outcome assessors and study participants will be blinded to the type of supplements and study arm. Discussion The World Health Organization (WHO) added UNIMMAP-MMS to its essential medicine lists in 2021 but recommended rigorous study. Several factors in addition to inadequate intakes of iron and folic acid contribute to the high prevalence of anemia among WRA in the Somali region. The findings of this study will provide evidence on the effect of UNIMMAP-MMS and IFA on Hb concentrations and anemia prevalence among anemic WRA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05682261. Registered on January 12, 2023.

Copyright of Psychology / Psichologija is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Women of reproductive age (WRA) in developing countries are often at risk of micronutrient deficiencies due to inadequate intakes and excessive losses. Objective: The purpose of this trial is to assess the effectiveness of United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Antenatal Preparation-Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (UNIMMAP-MMS) versus iron-folic acid (IFA) among WRA in reducing anemia. Methods: Three parallel groups of WRA will participate in a community-based, individually randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled superiority trial. After consent, the sample of 375 mildly or moderately anemic women based on hemoglobin by Hemocue will be randomly assigned across two interventions and one control arm. Trial participants in intervention arms will receive UNIMMAP-MMS or IFA while those in the control arm will receive placebos twice a week for 17 weeks. The primary outcome will be a change in mean hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. Outcome assessors and study participants will be blinded to the type of supplements and study arm. Discussion: The World Health Organization (WHO) added UNIMMAP-MMS to its essential medicine lists in 2021 but recommended rigorous study. Several factors in addition to inadequate intakes of iron and folic acid contribute to the high prevalence of anemia among WRA in the Somali region. The findings of this study will provide evidence on the effect of UNIMMAP-MMS and IFA on Hb concentrations and anemia prevalence among anemic WRA. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05682261. Registered on January 12, 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The level of adherence is an indicator of the successful implementation of a program to provide both multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) and iron folic acid (IFA). Moreover, factors that may have an impact on the level of adherence are knowledge level, consumption acceptability, characteristic acceptability, and family support. Objectives: To analyze the relationship and differences in the level of adherence of pregnant women to consuming MMS and IFA in the work area of Mulyorejo Public Health Center, Surabaya. Methods: This study is an observational study (prospective cohort design). A total of 244 samples from each of the two sample groups, which are the MMS group and the IFA group, were observed for 30 days. This study was expected to discover the adherence level of pregnant women to consuming MMS or IFA. In addition, the Mann-Whitney test was used in the comparative analysis, and the chi-square test was used in the relationship analysis. Results: According to the findings, it was discovered that pregnant women who consumed MMS had a higher average adherence rate (79.9%) compared to those who consumed IFA (71.2%). However, the results showed that there was no significant difference between the two (p-value = 0.400), and identical results applied for knowledge level, consumption acceptability, and characteristic acceptability. Moreover, in comparison to the IFA group (32.2), the MMS group had a higher average family support (34.9). Additionally, there was a relationship between the adherence level and both knowledge level and consumption acceptability (p-value<0,05), but there was no relationship between the adherence level and family support (p-value>0.05). Conclusions: There was no significant difference among the variables. In addition, there was a relationship between the adherence level and both knowledge level and consumption acceptability, but not between the adherence level and family support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF) continues to cause enormous economic loss to the global pig industry. Since there is no safe and effective vaccine, accurate and timely diagnosis of ASF is essential to implement control measures. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) is a gold standard serological method recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). In this study, we used primary fetal kidney cells to establish a wild boar cell line (BK2258) that supported the efficient replication of ASF virus (ASFV) SD/DY-I/21 and showed visible cytopathic effect (CPE). Moreover, using BK2258, we established a sensitive and specific IFA for ASFV antibody detection. To standardize and evaluate the performance of this assay, we used serum samples from pigs infected with the low virulent genotype I SD/DY-I/21 and genotype II HLJ/HRB1/20, and immunized with the vaccine candidate HLJ/18-7GD, field samples, and negative serum samples. The IFA reacted with the ASFV-positive sera and displayed bright fluorescence foci. There was no non-specific green fluorescence due to cellular senescence or other cell damage-causing factors. Compared to a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA), ASFV antibodies were detected 1–4 days earlier using our IFA. The detection limits of the IFA and iELISA for the same ASFV-antibody positive serum samples were 1:25,600 and 1:6,400, respectively, indicating that the IFA is more sensitive than iELISA. The newly established IFA was highly specific and did not cross-react with sera positive for six other important porcine pathogens (i.e., Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), Porcme circovirus type 2 (PCV2), Pseudorabies virus (PRV), Foot-and-Mouth disease virus type O (FMDV/O), and Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV)). This study thus provides a sensitive, specific, and reliable detection method that is suitable for the serological diagnosis of ASF.

IntroductionViral infections have been implicated in the initiation of the autoimmune diseases. Recent reports suggest that a proportion of patients with COVID-19 develop severe disease with multiple organ injuries. We evaluated the relationship between COVID-19 severity, prevalence and persistence of antinuclear and other systemic and organ specific autoantibodies as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection specific anti-nucleocapsid (N) IgG antibodies and protective neutralizing antibody (Nab) levels.MethodsSamples from 119 COVID-19 patients categorized based on their level of care and 284 healthy subjects were tested for the presence and persistence of antinuclear and other systemic and organ specific autoantibodies as well as SARS-CoV-2 and neutralizing antibody levels.ResultsThe data shows significantly increased levels of anti RNP-A, anti-nucleocapsid and neutralizing antibody among patients receiving ICU care compared to non-ICU care. Furthermore, subjects receiving ICU care demonstrated significantly higher nucleocapsid IgG levels among the RNP-A positive cohort compared to RNP-A negative cohort. Notably, the expression of anti RNP-A antibodies is transient that reverts to non-reactive status between 20 and 60 days post symptom onset.ConclusionsCOVID-19 patients in ICU care exhibit significantly higher levels of transient RNP-A autoantibodies, anti-nucleocapsid, and SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies compared to patients in non-ICU care.

Access to and utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) is important for optimising health and nutrition during pregnancy. This study aimed to assess adherence to and factors associated with ANC and antenatal supplement use among Laotian women, and consider culturally appropriate strategies to increase micronutrient intakes. Mother-child (aged 21 d to

The tradition of the origin of the Yorùbá people of Western Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Togo, and the Diaspora indicate one source, Ilé-Ifè, where the varieties of their indigenous political system originated. However, since the colonial period, a debate remains about the place of the Oòni, the King of Ilé-Ifè, in the political and religious systems of the Yorùbá nation, which has led to a perennial discourse across Yorùbáland. Using literature, primary sources such as oral interviews, and participant observations of rituals and festivals spanning several years, this study critically analyses the position of the Oòni in the religious system of Ilé-Ifè. The findings of this study reveal that the festivals in Ilé-Ifè are within the purview of certain family compounds headed by the Ìsòrò (king-priests). It also discovered that the mandatory performance of the Oòni in Ifè festivals is limited the Ìdìó, Olójó, Edì, Ìtàpá, Pokùlere and Ifá festivals only. The participatory role of the Oòni is reflective of the commemoration of the important culture heroes of Ile-Ife who have reigned before Lajamisan, the originator of the current dynasty in the Ìtàpá festival of Obàtálá, Ìdìó festival of Odùduwà, Olójó festival of Ògún, and Pokùlere festival of Obalùfòn. The study further reveals that in the Edì and Ifá festivals, the Oòni re-enacts the performance of the previous Ifè kings in the epochal events in the history of Ilé-Ifè considered important enough to be re-enacted. In line with existing debate about the nature of the religious or political status of the King of Ifè, this study concludes that the structure of the Ifè religious system does not underscore the Johnsonian theory ascribing the role of a chief priest to the Oòni.

Our study aimed at assessing the role of Coxiella burnetii in nonspecific febrile illness at the National Center of Infectious Diseases in Algeria, EL-HADI FLICI Hospital. Seventy patients were included and compared to seventy controls without any ongoing infection. Coxiella burnetii infection was investigated using IFA serology and qPCR. Serology was positive in 3 of 70 patients (4.30%), including 1 in whom PCR was also positive (1.42%). All three patients reported frequent contact with ruminants. These results suggest that C. burnetii is an agent of nonspecific febrile illness in Algeria.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the knowledge as well as the rate of adherence to supplement medications. Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out at a teaching hospital for obstetrics and gynecology in Karbala with 100 pregnant women at the second trimester, data were collected using two questionnaires, one about knowledge and other about adherence to micronutrient supplementation, laboratory tests were used to determine the levels of Hemoglobin and plasma level of calcium, and vitamin D. Results: The overall adherence rate to supplement medication among pregnant women was low in spite of good knowledge score. Biochemical laboratory results showed more than half of participants were found to have haemoglobin Less than normal level. Most of participant confirmed to have deficiency of plasma 25-Hydroxy-vitaminD, and more than two third of them have normal calcium level. Conclusion: The present study revealed that most pregnant women have a poor adherence to micronutrient supplementation, therefore there is a need for interventional strategies to optimize adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lexikos is the property of Bureau of the Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Our study aimed at assessing the role of Coxiella burnetii in nonspecific febrile illness at the National Center of Infectious Diseases in Algeria, EL-HADI FLICI Hospital. Seventy patients were included and compared to seventy controls without any ongoing infection. Coxiella burnetii infection was investigated using IFA serology and qPCR. Serology was positive in 3 of 70 patients (4.30%), including 1 in whom PCR was also positive (1.42%). All three patients reported frequent contact with ruminants. These results suggest that C. burnetii is an agent of nonspecific febrile illness in Algeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN), at the time of network consignment and bandwidth registration, the active network consignment method did not take into consideration the intrusion, congestion load and bandwidth necessities as a whole. The significance centred bandwidth registration methods result in famishment of slightest significance congestion. Hence in this paper, we propose a Joint Channel Assignment and Bandwidth Reservation using Improved FireFly Algorithm (JCABR-IFA) in WMN. Initially the priority of each node is determined based on the channel usage, future interference and link congestion probability metrics. The bandwidth is allocated proportional to the node priority and the total number of traffic flows served by the requested node. For channel assignment and path selection, the improved FireFly Algorithm (IFA) is used. The objective function of IFA is determined in terms of link capacity, interference and flow conservation constraints. Then the channels and the path which minimize the objective function are selected by applying IFA. By simulation results we show that the proposed technique minimizes the traffic and enhances the channel efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Internacional de Humanidades is the property of Common Ground Research Networks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

According to the Adjatado systems of knowledge, the Ifá is a mediator between the world of the living and of the dead and this mediation depends on the funerary rites. Ifá is a word used to refer to the science of divination, the son of God, among other names. It is present from a person's birth to death. The paper discusses the Ifá's relation with the cultural processes of the construction of the Adjatado person, assuming its significant role in the lives of the Adjatado people in sustaining personal experience. After discussing selected cultural perspectives, about the meaning of Ifá for the Adjatado people, we propose a dialogue on the construction of the person in relation to death in the framework of Semiotic-Cultural Constructivism in psychology, in which death can be discussed from a philosophical perspective, articulated to the phenomenology of temporality, tradition, and alterity (cf. Simão, 2005; 2010; Simão, Guimarães & Valsiner, 2015), nevertheless, the subject of death has not yet been much explored. We argue that the dialogue here proposed enables an understanding of how the meanings that the Adjatado confer to the experience of death is related to processes that involve the cultivation of the person in the culture, addressing further developments concerning dialogues between diverse cultural understandings on psychological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anemia is a manifestation of under-nutrition and poor dietary intake of iron and is a public health problem in India. Iron deficiency is the primary cause of anemia among women in India with a prevalence reported in National Family Health Survey-4 as 54.4% among pregnant women and 52.2% among women of age 15-49 years in rural area. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in selected health blocks of Himachal Pradesh. Methodology: It was a community based cross-sectional study where 09 health blocks from 07 districts were selected randomly using probability proportionate to size criteria for selection of blocks. Considering 50% prevalence, 5% error and 80% Confidence level, a sample size 164 was obtained and taking 10% dropout a total sample size of 180 was obtained. 20 pregnant women from each block were enrolled after written informed consent and screened for anemia. Results: A total of 180 women were enrolled for the study. The mean age of the study subjects was 26.3±4.13 years with mean age of marriage as 22.44±2.97 years. 102 (56.6%) subjects were primigravida. The prevalence of anemia observed was 29.4% and mean hemoglobin levels observed were 11.7±1.47 gm/dL. Conclusion: We estimated prevalence of anemia among pregnant women as 29.4% which is lower than that reported in India but still there are lacunas which are to be filled so as to further reduce its prevalence.

Background: In India, anaemia is the most widespread nutritional deficiency disorder occurring primarily due to iron deficiency. Despite implementation of the Weekly Iron & Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme under NRHM since 2013, the prevalence of anaemia is high among adolescents and pregnant women (PW) Objectives: To assess consumption of IFA in adolescent school going girls and pregnant women in selected health blocks of Himachal Pradesh. Methodology: It was a community-based study which was a part of project under WCD department of H.P. PW and school going adolescent girls of age 10-19 years from 9 Community development blocks were selected randomly using PPS. IFA consumption in last one year among adolescent girls and last 1 month among pregnant women was assessed by interviewing them. Results: Total participants among PW were 180 with mean age of 26.3±4.13, whereas 720 adolescents with mean age of 15.82±1.19 were enrolled in the study. Out of 180 PWs, 160(88.8%) received IFA where majority (156;97%) of them consumed IFA distributed by ASHA worker. On the other hand, majority of adolescent girls (484/720;67%) did not receive IFA, 196/236 (83%) who received IFA was distributed by ASHAs. Mean Hb level of PW was 11.7±1.47 whereas for adolescents was 12.73±4.85. Conclusion: It was observed that most of the pregnant women are utilizing government services, however the services are not being utilized by the school going adolescent girls as WIFS are not provided regularly.

Background: Iron deficiency is the primary cause of anemia among school going adolescent girls in India Objective: To find the prevalence of anemia among school going adolescent girls in selected health blocks of Himachal Pradesh Methodology: It was a community based cross-sectional study where 09 health blocks from 07 districts were selected randomly using probability proportionate to size criteria for selection of blocks. A total of 720 adolescent girls were enrolled for the study. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 15.82±1.19 years. The prevalence of anemia observed was 31.6% and mean hemoglobin levels observed were 12.73±4.85 gm/dL Conclusion: We observed prevalence of anemia among school going adolescent girls as 31.6% which is lower than that reported in India. A way to reduce this burden of anemia among adolescent girls is WIFS which has reduced anemia prevalence among adolescent girls but still there is a long way to go

Simple Summary: Human cases of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), diagnosed serologically by immunofluorescence assay, have recently been reported in the Goiás state, midwestern Brazil. Because serological cross-reactions among different rickettsial species that belong to the spotted fever group (SFG) are common, the agent responsible for the BSF cases in Goiás remains unknown. We evaluated the presence of anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies in dogs, horses and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), as well as rickettsial DNA in ticks collected from these animals and from the environment, in an area where BSF cases have been reported and two areas under surveillance in Goiás. The DNA of Rickettsia that did not belong to the SFG was detected in Amblyomma dubitatum, which was identified by DNA sequencing as Rickettsia bellii. Seroreactivity to SFG and R. bellii antigens was detected in dogs, horses and capybaras, with higher titers for R. bellii in dogs and capybaras. These data demonstrate the circulation of SFG rickettsiae in the region and the need for further research to definitively determine the agent responsible for rickettsiosis cases in this area. Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is the most important tick-borne diseases affecting humans in Brazil. Cases of BSF have recently been reported in the Goiás state, midwestern Brazil. All cases have been confirmed by reference laboratories by seroconversion to Rickettsia rickettsii antigens. Because serological cross-reactions among different rickettsial species that belong to the spotted fever group (SFG) are common, the agent responsible for BSF cases in Goiás remains unknown. From March 2020 to April 2022, ticks and plasma were collected from dogs, horses and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), and from the vegetation in an area where BSF cases have been reported and two areas under epidemiological surveillance in Goiás. Horses were infested by Amblyomma sculptum, Dermacentor nitens and Rhipicephalus microplus; dogs by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.), Amblyomma ovale and A. sculptum, and capybaras by A. sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum. Adults of A. sculptum, A. dubitatum, Amblyomma rotundatum and immature stages of A. sculptum and A. dubitatum, and Amblyomma spp. were collected from the vegetation. DNA of Rickettsia that did not belong to the SFG was detected in A. dubitatum, which was identified by DNA sequencing as Rickettsia bellii. Seroreactivity to SFG and Rickettsia bellii antigens was detected in 25.4% (42/165) of dogs, 22.7% (10/44) of horses and 41.2% (7/17) of capybaras, with higher titers for R. bellii in dogs and capybaras. The seropositivity of animals to SFG Rickettsia spp. antigens demonstrates the circulation of SFG rickettsiae in the region. Further research is needed to fully determine the agent responsible for rickettsiosis cases in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is a critical causative agent behind Kaposi sarcoma (KS), an oncogenic disease with profound consequences in immunocompromised individuals. Studies suggested HHV-8 seroprevalence in healthy populations is uncommon, but comprehensive investigations within the Middle East region remain scarce. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by meticulously assessing HHV-8 seroprevalence among healthy blood donors in Qatar, leveraging serological methodologies and PCR. We used sera samples collected from 621 healthy blood donors (median age = 36 years, IQR 30–43) from different nationalities residing in Qatar, mainly from the MENA region and Southeast Asia. All sera samples were tested for total anti-HHV-8 IgG antibodies using ELISA. The presence of lytic HHV-8 antibodies was confirmed by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Further, HHV-8 DNA was tested and quantitated by qRT-PCR. ELISA detected anti-HHV-8 IgG total antibodies in 6.9 % [43/621, 95 %CI 5.2–9.2] of the tested samples. Subsequent testing by IFA revealed that 14 % [6/43, 95 %CI 3.6–24.3] of these anti-HHV-8 IgG were classified as HHV-8 lytic antibodies. This suggests that 0.97 % [6/621, 95 %CI 0.2–1.7] of these donors had a recent or ongoing active infection and viral replication. Only one seronegative Qatari blood donor had detectable HHV-8 DNA in his blood. No significant difference was observed between HHV-8 seropositivity and the demographic characteristics of the donors. Our study showed that HHV-8 prevalence in Qatar aligns closely with global reports. Moreover, our findings raise considerations regarding HHV-8's potential transmission via transfusion, which suggests the value of routine HHV-8 screening, particularly for immunocompromised patients vulnerable to KS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Anemia in pregnancy is an important global public health problem. It is estimated that 38% of pregnant women worldwide are anemic. In Africa, literature from observational studies show 20% of maternal deaths are attributed to anemia. In Uganda, 50% of pregnant women have iron deficiency anaemia. The proportion of pregnant women receiving Iron-Folic acid (IFA) supplementation has improved. However, the number of IFA pills consumed is still low. We carried out a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of dispensing blister and loose packaged IFA pills on adherence measured by count on next return visit and hemoglobin levels among pregnant women at two National Referral Hospitals in Kampala, Uganda. Methods This trial was conducted between April and October 2016. Nine hundred fifty pregnant women at ≤28 weeks were randomized to either the blister (intervention arm) or loose (control arm) packaged IFA. The participants completed the baseline measurements and received 30 pills of IFA at enrolment to swallow one pill per day. We assessed adherence by pill count and measured hemoglobin at four and 8 weeks. The results were presented using both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. Results There were 474 participants in the control and 478 in the intervention arms. Adherence to IFA intake was similar in the two groups at 4th week (40.6 and 39.0%, p = 0.624) and 8th week (51.9 and 46.8%, p = 0.119). The mean hemoglobin level at 4 weeks was higher in the blister than in the loose packaging arms (11.9 + 1.1 g/dl and 11.8 + 1.3 g/dl, respectively; p = 0.02), however, similar at week 8 (12.1 + 1.2 and 12.0 + 1.3, respectively; p = 0.23). However, over the 8-week period blister packaging arm had a higher change in hemoglobin level compared to loose package (blister package 0.6 ± 1.0; loose packaging 0.2 ± 1.1; difference: 0.4 g/dL (95% CI: 0.24–0.51 g/dL); p = 0.001. There were no serious adverse events. Conclusions Our results showed no effect of blister packaging on IFA adherence among pregnant women. However, our findings showed that blister packaged group had a higher hemoglobin increase compared to loose iron group. Trial registration No. PACTR201707002436264 (20 /07/ 2017).

The monospecific dense fine speckled (DFS) immunofluorescence assay (IFA) pattern is considered a potential marker to aid in exclusion of antinuclear antibody (ANA)-associated rheumatic diseases (AARD). This pattern is typically produced by autoantibodies against transcription co-activator DFS70/LEDGFp75, which are frequently found in healthy individuals and patients with miscellaneous inflammatory conditions. In AARD patients, these antibodies usually co-exist with disease-associated ANAs. Previous studies reported the occurrence of monospecific autoantibodies that generate a DFS-like or pseudo-DFS IFA pattern but do not react with DFS70/LEDGFp75. We characterized this pattern using confocal microscopy and immunoblotting. The target antigen associated with this pattern partially co-localized with DFS70/LEDGFp75 and its interacting partners H3K36me2, an active chromatin marker, and MLL, a transcription factor, in HEp-2 cells, suggesting a role in transcription. Immunoblotting did not reveal a common protein band immunoreactive with antibodies producing the pseudo-DFS pattern, suggesting they may recognize diverse proteins or conformational epitopes. Given the subjectivity of the HEp-2 IFA test, the awareness of pseudo-DFS autoantibodies reinforces recommendations for confirmatory testing when reporting patient antibodies producing a putative DFS pattern in a clinical setting. Future studies should focus on defining the potential diagnostic utility of the pseudo-DFS pattern and its associated antigen(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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From June 2013 to January 2014, blood sera samples and ticks were collected from domestic dogs and wild small mammals, and ticks from the vegetation in a preservation area of the Atlantic Forest biome (Turvo State Park), and the rural area surrounding the Park in Derrubadas municipality, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Dogs were infested by Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma aureolatum adult ticks, whereas small mammals were infested by immature stages of A. ovale, Amblyomma yucumense, Amblyomma brasiliense, Ixodes loricatus, and adults of I. loricatus. Ticks collected on vegetation were A. brasiliense, A. ovale, A. yucumense, Amblyomma incisum, and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi. Three Rickettsia species were molecularly detected in ticks: Rickettsia bellii in I. loricatus (also isolated through cell culture inoculation), Rickettsia amblyommatis in A. brasiliense, and Rickettsia rhipicephali in A. yucumense. The latter two are tick-rickettsia associations reported for the first time. Seroreactivity to Rickettsia antigens were detected in 33.5% (55/164) small mammals and 8.3% (3/36) canine sera. The present study reveals a richness of ticks and associated-rickettsiae in the largest Atlantic Forest Reserve of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is characterized by a rich fauna of wild mammals, typical of more preserved areas of this biome. Noteworthy, none of the detected Rickettsia species have been associated to human or animal diseases. This result contrasts to other areas of this biome in Brazil, which are endemic for tick-borne spotted fever caused by Rickettsia rickettsii or Rickettsia parkeri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer treatment has come a long way in increasing overall survival; however, evasion of the immune system continues to be a challenge in treating individuals with established disease burdens. Due to the difficulty in stimulating an immune response against cancer, approaches utilizing combination adjuvants with different mechanisms may be beneficial. A combination of these adjuvants with other adjuvants or other treatments has demonstrated synergistic effects in the form of a robust and sustained immune response, demonstrating the importance of further development. This review discusses the intricacies of immune evasion, applications of adjuvants with different mechanisms of action, and adjuvants used for cancer immunotherapy in clinical trials.

The claim that Ifa is not merely a form of worship has been made by many scholars and remains a controversy. According to them, it is the core of Yoruba philosophy and scientific as well. Nevertheless, there exists art and science of an intellectual orientation regarding the development of Yoruba people. There are artworks, sculptures, incantations (poetry), and performances in Ifa. Divination is based on the binary system linked to science, as well as the process of traditional healing. Indeed, where you have art and science, intellectual property rights (IPRs) are in pursuit. In this case, copyright, patents, and trade secrets. The aim of this article is to examine IPRs in the spiritual world of Ifa and Yoruba philosophy; proposing that spiritual intellectual properties are for an entirely different world with a protection mechanism outside the modern approach of protection, while other forms of traditional intellectual properties outside the realm of the spiritual world requires modern intellectual property protection approach, subsequent to the understanding of the creator or inventor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Africa, ethics are encapsulated their various religious and social activities. Among the Yoruba, ethnical codes are propagated in religious activities especially, Ifá and in socio-cultural activities such as ayò ọlọ́pọ́n. Ifá, the springboard on which Yoruba culture rests have specialized formal and informal rules regulating its activities. This informs why violation of rules guiding Ifá profession is regarded as ethical misconduct; the punishment of which may attract severe spiritual and/or human sanctions. Likewise, ayò ọlọ́pọ́n-indigenous Yoruba sociocultural board game have informal ethical rules. However, despite the national and international nomenclatures of Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n, no study is known that undertakes ethical interrelationship between the two cultural elements together. Employing code-a semiotic element, a channel through which communication is encoded. Ethical code of Ifá is compared with ayò ọlọ́pọ́n. It is found out that, there are affinities between operational rules guiding against Ifá divination profession and rules guiding against ayò game. This study concludes that, among the Yoruba, ethical codes of Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n are activated for sustainability of peace and development. Ethics of Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n are found related and therefore, ayò ọlọ́pọ́n ethical code is an extension of Ifá ethical code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet of Things (IoT) allows all entities such as computing devices, machines, objects, people, etc., to interact with each other through their Internet Protocol (IP) addresses without human intervention. Consequently, IP addresses are being exhausted rapidly. Named-Data Networking (NDN) tends to transit the conventional host-centric network into the data-centric network. However, routing attacks such as Interest Flooding Attack (IFA) is a primary security concern. To date, far too little attention has been paid to classify the IFA detection mechanisms and further identify the key points to design an efficient detection technique. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive survey of state-of-the-art IFA detection mechanisms and analysed the algorithms used. In this paper, we summarize the different types of possible attack models with a specific name with a description in NDN, specifically the PIT-oriented routing attack. Besides, we classified these mechanisms into nine categories with its topology used, analogy metrics and attack focus. Finally, we have highlighted and provide recommendations in some critical pieces of architecture in detection mechanism design as future challenges to secure the IoT data from IFA in NDN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is an important oncogenic α-herpesvirus that induces Marek's disease (MD), characterized by severe immunosuppression and rapid-onset T-cell lymphomas in its natural chicken hosts. Historically, MD is regarded as an ideal biomedical model for studying virally induced cancers. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against viral or host antigenic epitopes are crucial for virology research, especially in the exploration of gene functions, clinical therapy, and the development of diagnostic reagents. Utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing technology, we produced a pp38-deleted MDV-1 mutant—GX0101Δpp38—and used it for the rapid screening and identification of pp38-specific mAbs from a pool of MDV-specific antibodies from 34 hybridomas. The cross-staining of parental and mutated MDV plaques with hybridoma supernatants was first performed by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Four monoclonal hybridomas—namely, 4F9, 31G7, 34F2, and 35G9—were demonstrated to secrete specific antibodies against MDV-1's pp38 protein, which was further confirmed by IFA staining and confocal analysis. Further experiments using Western blotting, immunoprecipitation (IP), liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis demonstrated that the pp38-specific mAb 31G7 has high specificity and wide application potential for further research in MD biology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the use of CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing technology for efficient screening and identification of mAbs against a specific viral protein, and provides a meaningful reference for the future production of antibodies against other viruses—especially for large DNA viruses such as herpesviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]