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Initially a valedictory lecture, this essay discusses the question for which motives people joined the Christians in the second and third centuries. It analyzes the conversion accounts of Justin Martyr, Tatian the Assyrian, Clement of Alexandria, Gregory the Wonderworker, Cyprian of Carthage, and the story about Thecla of Iconium. Next, it pays attention to the role of simple preachers, the Roman persecutions, and especially the love and care that Christians displayed to both fellow-believers and non-Christian friends and neighbors during plagues. With reference to Cyprian of Carthage and Dionysius of Alexandria and in agreement with Rodney Stark it is argued that someone who was supported was more likely to survive the pandemic than those who were abandoned by their relatives and friends. It is likely that therefore such non-Christians have converted thanks to their experiences with Christians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University is the property of Shenyang Pharmaceutical 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.)

Copyright of Informacion Tecnica Economica Agraria is the property of Asociacion Interprofesional para el Desarrollo Agrario (AIDA) 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.)

Copyright of Review of Historical Sciences / Przegląd Nauk Historycznych is the property of Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Lodzkiego 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.)

Copyright of Cuadernos Dieciochistas is the property of Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca 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.)

The rapid escalation of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 into a global pandemic, culminating in the World Health Organization's declaration on March 11, 2020, marked a historic milestone. The far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates an interdisciplinary approach to address its myriad ethical challenges. This article categorizes the key ethical questions explored from an Islamic perspective into two groups: "Historical Issues" and "Modern Issues." The former revisits questions examined in pre-modern discussions on historical pandemics, while the latter delves into ethical challenges relatively unique to the contemporary context of COVID-19. Each group's exploration is complemented by a section on "Related Sources," offering insight into pertinent primary works. The article concludes with reflections on the evolving trajectory of research in this field. Serving its introductory purpose, the article includes two appendices: Appendix 1, "Overview of Key Ethical Issues," provides a condensed summary in table form, while Appendix 2, "An Extended Bibliography on Islam, Pandemics, COVID-19, and Morality," offers a comprehensive list of primary and secondary sources for researchers interested in further readings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before the year 1990 and up to the late 1990s, Nigeria was ravaged by what was known then as “Advanced Free Fraud” christened (419) and “Trades of Narcotic Drugs”. After more than two decades, a new set of unholy practices have found its way into the fabric of the society and have consistently proven to be worse than the duo of “419” and “trades of narcotic drugs”. This set of practices though not narrowed to the youths but majorly driven and made to flourish by the attendant number of youths who are in haste not only to make a living but flamboyant, thriftless and profligate lives detrimental to norms, values and society itself. Premised on the danger they herald for the society, the paper appraised the numerous unholy practices rampant among youths in Nigeria and their impacts on the society. Exploratory method was made use of; secondary source was employed and inferences were drawn via qualitative analysis. Findings revealed that exponential decadence among youths is directly proportional to the culture of prostitution, regime of internet fraud (yahoo-yahoo), kidnapping for ransom, social revolution of gambling etcetera. The paper concludes that unholy practices among youths have constituted a nuisance in no small measure to the society. The paper however advocates that the government at all levels should up their game in training youths in the vocation that would make them engage and reduce the surge in such practices in the society.

On 27 March 2020, Pope Francis led a special prayer to seek divine intervention for the cessation of the global corona virus pandemic. At the end of the prayer, the pontiff, carrying a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament, pronounced an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing. At its worst, nature can be overwhelming and destructive in its universal ability to strike fear and terror that ridicules the best efforts of science. In such moments of universal terror and dread, human beings, in their helplessness and regardless of place and time, instinctively seek to escape their fate. In most instances, they do so either through faith or reason (science) alone, or through a combination of both. Supernatural powers are invoked through prayers and entreaties to assist mortals in their afflictions. For its part, reason dictates what needs to be done in terms of practical and necessary measures to alleviate pain and suffering while waiting for divine intervention. This article explores the historical response of Christianity during epidemic outbreaks. It does so more specifically through the lens of Catholic religious tradition and practices, in order to highlight a few instances when the Catholic Church partnered with science to shield human beings from nature's threat of extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay discusses several books, ancient and recent, on plagues to ask the question: Can we face death without turning away from it through historical narration? Can we write about death, which only afflicts individuals, without stripping death of its individuality? After briefly addressing these questions, I discuss five books, one from the ancient period (Thucydides's Peloponnesian War), one from the late medieval period (Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron), one from the early modern period (Daniel Defoe's A Journal of the Plague Year), and two from the modern period (Mary Shelley's The Last Man, and Frank Snowden's Epidemics and Society). These books not only come from different eras but also reflect different written responses to death—ancient history, story/fable, reportage, futuristic novel, and contemporary history. The essay concludes by considering a counterargument to its focus on death, an argument developed by Baruch Spinoza which claims that humans should think nothing less than of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Tikrit University for Humanities is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

Macro-tunnel technology is an alternative that reduces the impact caused by climatic conditions and the incidence of pests and diseases, improving yield and quality. The objective of the work is to evaluate the response of the three Rubus spp. Cultivars in their vegetative and reproductive growth under macro-tunnel, as well as the incidence and severity of pests and diseases, to find the characteristics of each cultivar that allow them to be differentiated morphologically and phenologically. Through an analysis of variance, it is determined that the cvs. San Antonio and Castilla present similar morphological characteristics; while the cv. Brazos is characterized by being a rustic cultivar which presents the highest fruit weight (10.60 g) and yield (179.03 g/plant/cycle-4), however, it is the one that presented the lowest soluble solids (5.8 °Brix) in comparison with 'Castilla' that reaches the highest value (10.88°Brix). Regarding the phenological development, the earliest is 'Brazos' (155 days from transplant to harvest) and the latest is 'Castilla' (169 days). On the other hand, the results show that on average the temperature inside the macro tunnels increases from 5 to 10 °C, and these conditions are inadequate for the development of the crop, favoring the incidence and proliferation of diseases such as powdery mildew and pests such as aphids. 'Brazos' is characterized by having a high resistance to pests (1 %) and diseases (11 %); while 'Castilla' is the most susceptible cultivar with a high incidence (76 %) and severity (12 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay will address how Origen, an early Christian writer, theologian, and pastor, referred to plagues, epidemics, and misfortunes, and how he construed these phenomena in his theology, literary works, and pastoral practice. A comparison with Porphyry will be offered, who likely drew part of his daemonology from Origen. Those responsible for plagues in both Origen’s philosophical theology and in Porphyry’s philosophy are δαίμονες (demons or fallen angels for Origen, daemons for Porphyry; Origen knew and referred to the two views). Porphyry’s attribution of his daemonology to “certain Platonists” who “divulged” these theories probably alludes to Origen and situates Origen within the Platonic school. I suspect that Porphyry was influenced by Origen’s demonology in general and possibly by On Daemons, if his. Porphyry’s terminology of “divulging” corresponds to that used in his anecdote about Origen who, notwithstanding the oath not to divulge Ammonius’ esoteric doctrines, nevertheless did so in On Daemons and The King Is the Only Creator. This indirectly confirms that Porphyry was speaking of the same Origen. Porphyry’s conviction that evil daemons are responsible for plagues, epidemics, and natural disasters is the same as Origen’s in Contra Celsum, which Porphyry knew. Origen was aware that spiritual plagues are worse than physical ones, that misfortunes mostly befall the just, and took over Jesus’ criticism of the ancient view of misfortunes as divine punishments for an individual or his parents or ancestors.

The plagues that appeared cyclically and with a relatively high frequency were for the urban communities of the Middle Ages and the early modern era an experience almost permanently inscribed in everyday life. As part of the struggle against epidemics, in addition to administrative measures taken by the authorities, there began to appear from the end of the XVth century anti-epidemic compendia edited by city physicians (thus medical persons with university education) and intended for a wider audience; they became especially popular in the German cultural area during the XVIth century. It was no different in Gdańsk (Danzig), wherea high level of medicine, and the practice of employing as city physicians well-educated medical persons (from German and Protestant universities) by the city authorities, resulted in the publication of numerous prints of this type. In total, in the years 1508-1588 in Gdańsk (Danzig) seven compendiums of this type were published. They contained general recommendations for protection against plague based on Galen's medical system relating to the so-called six unnatural things (res non naturales); they were part of a trend of popular medical literature containing "rules of health" (regimen sanitatis). The recommendations contained in the prints by Gdańsk (Danzig) city physicians of the XVIth century concerned, therefore, the preservation of unpolluted air in the city, taking sanitary measures, proper diet and physical condition, as well as "surgical" treatments (taking baths in a bathhouse, using laxatives, phlebotomy), and pharmacological care (they were also supervisors of the city pharmacy at that time). These recommendations, however, were not practical advice (contrary to their titles) that could be fully applied in a time of plague; rather, they represented the state of academic medical knowledge of that time and were only a manifestation of its popularization resulting from the medical personnel's duties. A separate place was found for considerations on a kind of "medical theology", related to the commonly shared view that the cause of the epidemic was divine anger interpreted as a punishment for sins. This was of particular importance in the confessional order (with a Lutheran dominant) that was taking shape in Gdańsk (Danzig) during the XVIth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay will address how Origen, an early Christian writer, theologian, and pastor, referred to plagues, epidemics, and misfortunes, and how he construed these phenomena in his theology, literary works, and pastoral practice. A comparison with Porphyry will be offered, who likely drew part of his daemonology from Origen. Those responsible for plagues in both Origen's philosophical theology and in Porphyry's philosophy are δαίμονες (demons or fallen angels for Origen, daemons for Porphyry; Origen knew and referred to the two views). Porphyry's attribution of his daemonology to "certain Platonists" who "divulged" these theories probably alludes to Origen and situates Origen within the Platonic school. I suspect that Porphyry was influenced by Origen's demonology in general and possibly by On Daemons, if his. Porphyry's terminology of "divulging" corresponds to that used in his anecdote about Origen who, notwithstanding the oath not to divulge Ammonius' esoteric doctrines, nevertheless did so in On Daemons and The King Is the Only Creator. This indirectly confirms that Porphyry was speaking of the same Origen. Porphyry's conviction that evil daemons are responsible for plagues, epidemics, and natural disasters is the same as Origen's in Contra Celsum, which Porphyry knew. Origen was aware that spiritual plagues are worse than physical ones, that misfortunes mostly befall the just, and took over Jesus' criticism of the ancient view of misfortunes as divine punishments for an individual or his parents or ancestors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remarkable Old Testament quest of the ten plagues that crushed the land of Egypt and its people in Exodus Chapter seven to twelve has enthralled some to look for clear clarifications for an account of tragedies that befall one populace yet save another. In fact, scriptural researchers in a 21st century interpretation of the Old Testament assert that from a verifiable angle, the plagues take after common occasions notable in the Middle East, save for their patterns and quick progression. Investigations of past disasters may lead one to moderate the effect of replications. In this specific situation, a causative theory of Old Testament plagues, is looked at which has present day general wellbeing recommendations. To relieve the current pandemic issue, the researcher contends that it is useful to reinforce fundamental instruction in less fortunate districts like Alice (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa) and to empower ecological data declaration for pulling in more individuals' deliberations regarding the pandemic problem. Moreover, normal investigation abilities in helpless regions and truly heavily affected areas must be improved for exploring administrative infringements and breaking the fear of conspiracy theory which is being rumoured. The intricacy in this investigation is a system to consider a chance of present day repeating of pandemic (Covid19) and their effect upon the development of the Church in these last days through a systematic literature review methodology. This investigation takes a glimpse at the different reactions of some Christian Church members to the happenings in five specific areas with the development of the Coronavirus 19 infection and the resulting lockdown of the region. The information gathered for the investigation was broken down utilizing a socio-historical approach. It is reasoned that the trust individuals have in the Church must be a positive addition through standard, straightforward, and exhaustive interchanges that balance the dangers and advantages of public health interventions.

Examining the History of the city of Lisbon through the study of the 16th-18th centuries parish death records reveals a very interesting narrative of death. This narrative can be considered by a double perspective. On one hand, it can be seen as part of the everyday life connected to the preparation for afterlife, the definition of “local”, the last wills of people and the social actors involved - the cemetery, the testaments, the confraternities -, and the funerary practices with a particular focus on the transformation of the sepulture from being part of the sacred temple to the public necropolis. On the other hand, I will study the extraordinary mortality in a comparative perspective and by a differential and explorative analysis of the data preserved in the urban parishes, which were inserted in a context where periodic epidemic outbreaks always caused great disorders, social alarm and an enraptured rise in the number of deads. To achieve these objectives, I will focus on the analysis of the Great Plague of 1569 and the Little Plague of 1698, both occurring during mortality crises of greater chronological amplitude

This article focuses on Dutch songs about natural disasters, published roughly between 1600 and 1900, and investigates which functions they fulfilled from a long-term perspective. It argues that this particular genre is an important source to understand how people coped with catastrophes in the past by highlighting three of its main functions. Firstly, they were used to spread the news by communicating detailed information about the happening from the time of the event to the location and number of deadly incidents. Secondly, authors made sense of the events by interpreting them. In all cases, disasters were interpreted as signs of God’s vengeance and as warnings that the audience needed to repent in order to prevent new disasters. The heated religious debates, caused by the earthquake of Lisbon in 1755, were not reflected in Dutch songs about disasters at all. Thirdly, songs could shape a shared sense of religious or geographical identity. National solidarity reached a height in the nineteenth century, when songs were used as a means to raise money for the victims. Even songs about disasters abroad were primarily used to strengthen communal feelings at the national level. In dit artikel wordt de rol van liederen bij natuurrampen in de zeventiende, achttiende en negentiende eeuw onderzocht. Na rampzalige gebeurtenissen als overstromingen, insectenplagen, runderpest en branden verschenen tal van liederen waarin de gebeurtenissen werden bezongen. Grofweg zijn er drie functies van de liederen te onderscheiden. Ten eerste fungeerden ze als een belangrijk medium om het nieuws te verspreiden onder grote lagen van de bevolking. De liederen bevatten dan ook veel concrete gegevens over de locatie, het aantal slachtoffers en de gevolgen van een ramp. Ten tweede werden de gebeurtenissen in de liederen geïnterpreteerd door er religieuze en soms ook politieke lessen aan te verbinden. Door alle eeuwen heen overheerst een stichtelijke boodschap; de godsdiensttwijfel, die na de ramp van Lissabon in 1755 in sommige intellectuele en wetenschappelijke kringen opkwam, drong niet door tot dit populaire genre. Ten derde konden liederen gevoelens van solidariteit vanuit een religieus en geografisch perspectief bevorderen. Zo konden ze de verbondenheid op het stedelijke, regionale en nationale niveau verhogen. Deze solidariteit kreeg een extra dimensie in de negentiende eeuw, toen de liederen ook werden gebruikt om geld in te zamelen voor de slachtoffers. Zelfs wanneer ze bestemd waren om te collecteren voor de slachtoffers van buitenlandse rampen, stonden de liederen in het teken van het vergroten van nationale saamhorigheid.

The remarkable Old Testament quest of the ten plagues that crushed the land of Egypt and its people in Exodus Chapter seven to twelve has enthralled some to look for clear clarifications for an account of tragedies that befall one populace yet save another. In fact, scriptural researchers in a 21st century interpretation of the Old Testament assert that from a verifiable angle, the plagues take after common occasions notable in the Middle East, save for their patterns and quick progression. Investigations of past disasters may lead one to moderate the effect of replications. In this specific situation, a causative theory of Old Testament plagues, is looked at which has present day general wellbeing recommendations. To relieve the current pandemic issue, the researcher contends that it is useful to reinforce fundamental instruction in less fortunate districts like Alice (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa) and to empower ecological data declaration for pulling in more individuals' deliberations regarding the pandemic problem. Moreover, normal investigation abilities in helpless regions and truly heavily affected areas must be improved for exploring administrative infringements and breaking the fear of conspiracy theory which is being rumoured. The intricacy in this investigation is a system to consider a chance of present day repeating of pandemic (Covid-19) and their effect upon the development of the Church in these last days through a systematic literature review methodology. This investigation takes a glimpse at the different reactions of some Christian Church members to the happenings in five specific areas with the development of the Coronavirus 19 infection and the resulting lockdown of the region. The information gathered for the investigation was broken down utilizing a socio-historical approach. It is reasoned that the trust individuals have in the Church must be a positive addition through standard, straightforward, and exhaustive interchanges that balance the dangers and advantages of public health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bubonic is the most prevalent plague form in Madagascar. Indoor ground application of insecticide dust is the conventional method used to control potentially infected rodent fleas that transmit the plague bacterium from rodents to humans. The use of bait stations is an alternative approach for vector control during plague epidemics, as well as a preventive control method during non-epidemic seasons. Bait stations have many advantages, principally by reducing the amount of insecticide used, lowering the cost of the treatment and minimizing insecticide exposure in the environment. A previous study reported promising results on controlling simultaneously the reservoir and vectors, when slow-acting rodenticide was incorporated in bait stations called “Boîtes de Kartman”. However, little evidence of an effective control of the fleas prior to the elimination of rodents was found. In this study, we evaluated bait stations containing insecticide powder and non-toxic attractive rodent bait for their potential to control rat fleas. Its efficacy was compared to the standard method. The impact of both methods on indoor and outdoor rodent fleas, as well as the human household flea Pulex irritans were analyzed at different time points after treatments. Bait stations did not cause any significant immediate or delayed reduction of rat fleas and increasing the number of operational bait stations per household did not significantly improve their efficacy. Insecticide ground dusting appeared to be the most efficient method to control indoor rat fleas. Both methods appeared to have little impact on the density of outdoor rat fleas and human fleas. These results demonstrate limited effectiveness for bait stations and encourage the maintenance of insecticide dusting as a first-line control strategy in case of epidemic emergence of plague, when immediate effect on rodent fleas is needed. Recommendations are given to improve the efficacy of the bait station method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crayfish plague, caused by the pathogen Aphanomyces astaci, is one of the main factors responsible for the decimation of the native European crayfish species Austropotamobius pallipes. In Spain, two North American freshwater crayfish species, Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus, were intentionally introduced during the 1970s for aquaculture and fishery purposes. Since then, incidences of crayfish plague have been continually reported. In this work, we evaluated more than 50 diagnosed cases of crayfish plague that have occurred in the Iberian Peninsula since 2004 by performing a microscopic examination of infected specimens and by molecularly identifying and haplotyping the pathogen. Our results showed that (i) the pathogen A. astaci has been active 45 years since the first introductions of the invasive North American crayfish species in the Iberian Peninsula, and (ii) P. clarkii and P. leniusculus are chronic reservoirs of the crayfish plague pathogen. Moreover, our data confirmed a correspondence between pathogen origin and spread and the specific haplotypes carried by the North American invasive crayfish located in the vicinity of each outbreak. We generated a crayfish plague incidence map of the Iberian Peninsula that shows (i) a northern area, mainly inhabited by alien P. leniusculus, where crayfish plague cases are associated with the b-haplotype specific to P. leniusculus, and (ii) southern, central and eastern areas that are basically inhabited by alien P. clarkii, where crayfish plague cases are associated with the d1- and d2-haplotypes specific to P. clarkii. The results presented here are evidence of the long standing and negative impact of the two invasive crayfish species on the native species, indicating the need for more extensive control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Kazakhstan, a live plague vaccine EV 76 NIIEG has been used for plague prophylaxis since the mid-1930s. Vaccination is administered yearly among people living in plague-enzootic areas. Similar practices are used in other former Soviet Union countries. Yet, to this day, the effectiveness period of the vaccine is unknown. It is also not clear how different factors can affect the effectiveness of the vaccine over time. Methods: We surveyed changes in antibody levels specific for F1 antigens of Yersinia pestis among vaccinated people 4, 8, and 12 months post- vaccination. Blood samples were taken from the participants of the study for producing sera, which was later analyzed using indirect hemagglutination reaction with antigenic erythrocyte assay (micromethod) for identifying antibodies to F1 Y.pestis. Results: In first-time-receivers of the plague vaccine, antibody titer reached the highest level of antibody that represents a conditionally protective titer after 4 months, dropped drastically after 8 months, and dropped again after 12 months. Similar results were obtained among those who have been vaccinated previously. However, in that group, the percentage of people with a level of antibody that represents a conditionally protective titer remained statistically significant even after 8 and 12 months. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we recommend initiating vaccination campaigns for the medical and veterinary staff, as well as the general population four months prior to the springtime epizootics of plague among wild rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously shown that the cell morphogenesis NlpD lipoprotein is essential for virulence of the plague bacteria, Yersinia pestis. To elucidate the role of NlpD in Y. pestis pathogenicity, we conducted a whole-genome comparative transcriptome analysis of the wild-type Y. pestis strain and an nlpD mutant under conditions mimicking early stages of infection. The analysis suggested that NlpD is involved in three phenomena: (i) Envelope stability/integrity evidenced by compensatory up-regulation of the Cpx and Psp membrane stress-response systems in the mutant; (ii) iron acquisition, supported by modulation of iron metabolism genes and by limited growth in iron-deprived medium; (iii) activity of the twin-arginine (Tat) system, which translocates folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. Virulence studies of Y. pestis strains mutated in individual Tat components clearly indicated that the Tat system is central in Y. pestis pathogenicity and substantiated the assumption that NlpD essentiality in iron utilization involves the activity of the Tat system. This study reveals a new role for NlpD in Tat system activity and iron assimilation suggesting a modality by which this lipoprotein is involved in Y. pestis pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of pneumonic plague, a disease involving uncontrolled bacterial growth and host immunopathology. Secondary septicemic plague commonly occurs as a consequence of the host inflammatory response that causes vasodilation and vascular leakage, which facilitates systemic spread of the bacteria and the colonization of secondary tissues. The mortality rates of pneumonic and septicemic plague are high even when antibiotics are administered. In this work, we show that primary pneumonic or secondary septicemic plague can be preferentially modeled in mice by varying the volume used for intranasal delivery of Y. pestis. Low volume intranasal challenge (10μL) of wild type Y. pestis resulted in a high frequency of lethal secondary septicemic plague, with a low degree of primary lung infection and rapid development of sepsis. In contrast, high volume intranasal challenge (30μL) yielded uniform early lung infection and primary disease and a significant increase in lethality. In a commonly used BSL2 model, high volume challenge with Y. pestis lacking the pigmentation locus (pgm-) gave 105-fold greater deposition compared to low volume challenge, yet moribund mice did not develop severe lung disease and there was no detectable difference in lethality. These data indicate the primary cause of death of mice in the BSL2 model is sepsis regardless of intranasal dosing method. Overall, these findings allow for the preferential modeling of pneumonic or septicemic plague by intranasal dosing of mice with Y. pestis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing historical records we are able to estimate the risk of premature death during the second plague pandemic, and identify the Black Death and pestis secunda epidemics. We show a novel method of calculating Bayesian credible intervals for a ratio of beta distributed random variables and use this to quantify uncertainty of relative risk estimates for these two epidemics which we consider in a 2 × 2 contingency table framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this research work was to investigate the effect of the direct seeding and conventional tillage of soybean on the incidence of plagues and natural enemies. The study was carried out on the farm “Día y Noche” of the Basic Unit of Cooperative Production “28 de Octubre” (UBPC, for its Spanish acronym), and in the Laboratories of the Agricultural Research Center of Central University of Las Villas. Field experiments were conducted on an Inceptisol, since November 2013 to May 2014. The soybean cultivar Incasoy – 27 was used. The insects in relation to the development stages of the plant were identified and quantified. In both systems 10 species of phytophagous insects and one of entomophagous insects were quantified; Hedylepta indicata L. stands out with more presence in the direct seeding, while Diabrotica balteata LeConte and the species belong to the family Pentatomidae caused most damage to the plants in conventional tillage.

Yersinia pestis was introduced to Brazil during the third plague pandemic and currently exists in several recognized foci. There is currently limited available phylogeographic data regarding Y. pestis in Brazil. We generated whole genome sequences for 411 Y. pestis strains from six Brazilian foci to investigate the phylogeography of Y. pestis in Brazil; these strains were isolated from 1966 to 1997. All 411 strains were assigned to a single monophyletic clade within the 1.ORI population, indicating a single Y. pestis introduction was responsible for the successful establishment of endemic foci in Brazil. There was a moderate level of genomic diversity but little population structure among the 411 Brazilian Y. pestis strains, consistent with a radial expansion wherein Y. pestis spread rapidly from the coast to the interior of Brazil and became ecologically established. Overall, there were no strong spatial or temporal patterns among the Brazilian strains. However, strains from the same focus tended to be more closely related and strains isolated from foci closer to the coast tended to fall in more basal positions in the whole genome phylogeny than strains from more interior foci. Overall, the patterns observed in Brazil are similar to other locations affected during the 3rd plague pandemic such as in North America and Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinghai-Tibet plateau is a natural plague focus and is the largest such focus in China. In this area, while Marmota himalayana is the primary host, a total of 18 human plague outbreaks associated with Tibetan sheep (78 cases with 47 deaths) have been reported on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau since 1956. All of the index infectious cases had an exposure history of slaughtering or skinning diseased or dead Tibetan sheep. In this study, we sequenced and compared 38 strains of Yersinia pestis isolated from different hosts, including humans, Tibetan sheep, and M. himalayana. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed based on genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified from our isolates and reference strains. The phylogenetic relationships illustrated in our study, together with the finding that the Tibetan sheep plague clearly lagged behind the M. himalayana plague, and a previous study that identified the Tibetan sheep as a plague reservoir with high susceptibility and moderate sensitivity, indicated that the human plague was transmitted from Tibetan sheep, while the Tibetan sheep plague originated from marmots. Tibetan sheep may encounter this infection by contact with dead rodents or through being bitten by fleas originating from M. himalayana during local epizootics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plague (Yersinia pestis) and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (Leishmania major) are two rodent-associated diseases which are vectored by fleas and phlebotomine sand flies, respectively. In Central Asia, the great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) serves as the primary reservoir for both diseases in most natural foci. The systemic insecticide fipronil has been previously shown to be highly effective in controlling fleas and sand flies. However, the impact of a fipronil-based rodent bait, on flea and sand fly abundance, has never been reported in Central Asia. A field trial was conducted in southeastern Kazakhstan to evaluate the efficacy of a 0.005% fipronil bait, applied to gerbil burrows for oral uptake, in reducing Xenopsylla spp. flea and Phlebotomus spp. sand fly abundance. All active gerbil burrows within the treated area were presented with ~120 g of 0.005% fipronil grain bait twice during late spring/early summer (June 16, June 21). In total, 120 occupied and 14 visited gerbil colonies were surveyed and treated, and the resulting application rate was minimal (~0.006 mg fipronil/m2). The bait resulted in 100% reduction in Xenopsylla spp. flea abundance at 80-days post-treatment. Gravid sand flies were reduced ~72% and 100% during treatment and at week-3 post-treatment, respectively. However, noticeable sand fly reduction did not occur after week-3 and results suggest environmental factors also influenced abundance significantly. In conclusion, fipronil bait, applied in southeastern Kazakhstan, has the potential to reduce or potentially eliminate Xenopsylla spp. fleas if applied at least every 80-days, but may need to be applied at higher frequency to significantly reduce the oviposition rate of Phlebotomus spp. sand flies. Fipronil-based bait may provide a means of controlling blood-feeding vectors, subsequently reducing disease risk, in Central Asia and other affected regions globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is a highly infectious, zoonotic disease. Hundreds of human plague cases are reported across the world annually. Qinghai Plateau is one of the most severely affected plague regions in China, with more than 240 fatal cases of Y. pestis in the last 60 years. Conventional epidemiologic analysis has effectively guided the prevention and control of local plague transmission; however, molecular genetic analysis is more effective for investigating population diversity and transmission. In this report, we employed different genetic markers to analyze the population structure of Y. pestis in Qinghai Plateau. Methodology/Principal finding: We employed a two-step hierarchical strategy to analyze the phylogeny of 102 Qinghai Plateau isolates of Y. pestis, collected between 1954 and 2011. First, we defined the genealogy of Y. pestis by constructed minimum spanning tree based on 25 key SNPs. Seven groups were identifi7ed, with group 1.IN2 being identified as the dominant population. Second, two methods, MLVA and CRISPR, were applied to examine the phylogenetic detail of group 1.IN2, which was further divided into three subgroups. Subgroups of 1.IN2 revealed a clear geographic cluster, possibly associated with interaction between bacteriophage and Y. pestis. More recently, Y. pestis populations appear to have shifted from the east toward the center and west of Qinghai Plateau. This shift could be related to destruction of the local niche of the original plague focus through human activities. Additionally, we found that the abundance and relative proportion of 1.IN2 subgroups varied by decade and might be responsible for the fluctuations of plague epidemics in Qinghai Plateau. Conclusion/Significance: Molecular genotyping methods provided us with detailed information on population diversity and the spatial-temporal distribution of dominant populations of Y. pestis, which will facilitate future surveillance, prevention, and control of plague in Qinghai Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The third plague pandemic originated from Yunnan Province, China in the middle of the 19th century. The last human plague epidemic in Yunnan occurred from 1986–2005. On June 6, 2016, a case of human plague was reported in the Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan. The patient suffered from primary septicemic plague after exposure to a dead house rat (Rattus flavipectus), which has been identified as the main plague reservoir in the local epizootic area. Moreover, a retrospective investigation identified another bubonic plague case in this area. Based on these data, human plague reemerged after a silent period of ten years. In this study, three molecular typing methods, including a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) analysis, different region analysis (DFR), and multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA), were used to illustrate the molecular characteristics of Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) strains isolated in Yunnan. The DFR profiles of the strains isolated in Yunnan in 2016 were the same as the strains that had previously been isolated in this Rattus flavipectus plague focus. The c3 spacer present in the previously isolated strains was absent in the spacer arrays of the Ypc CRISPR loci of the strains isolated in 2016. The MLVA analysis using MLVA (14+12) showed that the strains isolated from the human plague case and host animal plague infection in 2016 in Yunnan displayed different molecular patterns than the strains that had previously been isolated from Yunnan and adjacent provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To establish correlates of human immunity to the live plague vaccine (LPV), we analyzed parameters of cellular and antibody response to the plasminogen activator Pla of Y. pestis. This outer membrane protease is an essential virulence factor that is steadily expressed by Y. pestis. Methodology/Principal findings: PBMCs and sera were obtained from a cohort of naïve (n = 17) and LPV-vaccinated (n = 34) donors. Anti-Pla antibodies of different classes and IgG subclasses were determined by ELISA and immunoblotting. The analysis of antibody response was complicated with a strong reactivity of Pla with normal human sera. The linear Pla B-cell epitopes were mapped using a library of 15-mer overlapping peptides. Twelve peptides that reacted specifically with sera of vaccinated donors were found together with a major cross-reacting peptide IPNISPDSFTVAAST located at the N-terminus. PBMCs were stimulated with recombinant Pla followed by proliferative analysis and cytokine profiling. The T-cell recall response was pronounced in vaccinees less than a year post-immunization, and became Th17-polarized over time after many rounds of vaccination. Conclusions/Significance: The Pla protein can serve as a biomarker of successful vaccination with LPV. The diagnostic use of Pla will require elimination of cross-reactive parts of the antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rodents are reservoirs and hosts for several zoonotic diseases such as plague, leptospirosis, and leishmaniasis. Rapid development of industry and agriculture, as well as climate change throughout the globe, has led to change or increase in occurrence of rodent-borne diseases. Considering the distribution of rodents throughout Iran, the aim of this review is to assess the risk of rodent-borne diseases in Iran. Methodology/Principal finding: We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Magiran databases up to September 2016 to obtain articles reporting occurrence of rodent-borne diseases in Iran and extract information from them. Out of 70 known rodent-borne diseases, 34 were reported in Iran: 17 (50%) parasitic diseases, 13 (38%) bacterial diseases, and 4 (12%) viral diseases. Twenty-one out of 34 diseases were reported from both humans and rodents. Among the diseases reported in the rodents of Iran, plague, leishmaniasis, and hymenolepiasis were the most frequent. The most infected rodents were Rattus norvegicus (16 diseases), Mus musculus (14 diseases), Rattus rattus (13 diseases), Meriones persicus (7 diseases), Apodemus spp. (5 diseases), Tatera indica (4 diseases), Meriones libycus (3 diseases), Rhombomys opimus (3 diseases), Cricetulus migratorius (3 diseases), and Nesokia indica (2 diseases). Conclusions/Significance: The results of this review indicate the importance of rodent-borne diseases in Iran. Considering notable diversity of rodents and their extensive distribution throughout the country, it is crucial to pay more attention to their role in spreading infectious diseases for better control of the diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global introductions of aquatic species and their associated pathogens are threatening worldwide biodiversity. The introduction of two North American crayfish species, Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus, into Japan in 1927 seems to have negatively affected native Japanese crayfish populations of Cambaroides japonicus. Several studies have shown the decline of these native populations due to competition, predation and habitat colonization by the two invasive North American crayfish species. Here, we identify an additional factor contributing to this decline. We report the first crayfish plague outbreaks in C. japonicus populations in Japan, which were diagnosed using both histological and molecular approaches (analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region). Subsequent analyses of the mitochondrial ribosomal rnnS and rnnL regions of diseased specimens indicate that these outbreaks originated from a P. clarkii population and identify a novel haplotype of Aphanomyces astaci, d3-haplotype, hosted by P. clarkii. Overall, our findings demonstrate the first two cases of crayfish plague in Japan, and the first case in a non-European native crayfish species, which originated from the red swamp crayfish P. clarkii. This finding is a matter of concern for the conservation of the native freshwater species of Japan and also highlights the risk of introducing crayfish carrier species into biogeographic regions harboring species susceptible to the crayfish plague. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, was classified as a reemerging infectious disease by the World Health Organization. The five human pneumonic plague cases in Yulong County in 2005 gave rise to the discovery of a Yulong plague focus in Yunnan province, China. Thereafter, continuous wild rodent plague (sylvatic plague) was identified as the main plague reservoir of this focus. In this study, the epizootics in Yulong focus were described, and three molecular typing methods, including the different region (DFR) analysis, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs), and the multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) (14+12), were used for the molecular typing and source tracing of Y. pestis isolates in the Yulong plague focus. Simultaneously, several isolates from the vicinity of Yunnan were used as controls. The results showed that during the 10-year period from 2006 to 2016, an animal plague epidemic occurred in 6 of those years, and 5 villages underwent an animal plague epidemic within a 30-km2 area of the Yulong plague focus. Searching for dead mice was the most effective monitoring method in this plague focus. No positive sample has been found in 6937 captured live rodents thus far, suggesting that the virulence of strains in the Yulong plague focus is stronger and the survival time of mice is shorter after infection. Strains from Lijiang, Sichuan and Tibet were of the same complex based on a typing analysis of DFR and CRISPR. The genetic relationship of Y. pestis illustrated by MLVA “14+12” demonstrates that Tibet and Sichuan strains evolved from the strains 1.IN2 (Qinghai, 1970 and Tibet, 1976), and Lijiang strains are closer to Batang strains (Batang County in Sichuan province, 2011, Himalaya marmot plague foci) in terms of genetic or phylogenic relationships. In conclusion, we have a deeper understanding of this new plague focus throughout this study, which provides a basis for effective prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the apocalyptic symbols that excited the imagination of the commentators are the seven bowls from Revelation 15–16. Usually interpreters approach this imagery by looking at the Old Testament, Jewish, New Testament, or the historical-cultural setting. This article explores the seven bowls within Revelation’s own symbolic tapestry. It uses intratextual analysis of Revelation’s own symbolic language in order to understand the meaning of the seven plagues. The article has two parts. This first part presents the background tapestry of the seven bowls. It argues that the hymn of Revelation 15:3–4 is a key passage for understanding the plagues. Also, it analyses the terms used for the plagues, the wrath of God, and the pouring of the bowls, in order to clarify their contextual significance.

Among the apocalyptic symbols that excited the imagination of the commentators are the seven bowls from Revelation 15-16. Usually interpreters approach this imagery by looking at the Old Testament, Jewish, New Testament, or the historical-cultural setting. This article explores the seven bowls within Revelation’s own symbolic tapestry. It uses intratextual analysis of Revelation’s own symbolic language in order to understand the meaning of the seven plagues. The article has two parts. This first part presents the background tapestry of the seven bowls. It argues that the hymn of Revelation 15:3-4 is a key passage for understanding the plagues. Also, it analyses the terms used for the plagues, the wrath of God, and the pouring of the bowls, in order to clarify their contextual significance.