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Objectives: This study aimed to identify the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of long COVID in a community-based representative sample of patients with COVID-19 aged 19–64 years. Methods: A total of 975 participants completed online or telephone surveys at 1 and 3 months post-diagnosis, covering persistent symptoms, daily activity limitations, vaccination status, and underlying diseases. Results: Long COVID, as defined by the WHO criteria, had a prevalence of 19.7–24.9% in females and 12.7% in males. Logistic regression revealed that the odds of having long COVID symptoms were higher among females compared to males (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.53–3.87), and higher in those aged ≥ 30 years compared to those aged 19–29 years: 30–39 years (OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.59–5.33), 40–49 years (OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.51–4.89), and 50–64 years (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.10–3.49). Additionally, patients with underlying diseases had higher odds of long COVID symptoms compared to those without underlying diseases (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.24–2.64). Among those with long COVID, 54.2% experienced daily activity limitations, and 40.6% received treatment. Furthermore, lower income groups faced greater daily activity limitations but had similar treatment rates to higher income groups. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the need for interest in and the development of programs to support these low-income populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider a deterministic model explaining how Zika virus is transmitted between human and mosquito. The human population is divided into three groups as susceptible (x1), infected (x2), and treated (x3). Similarly, the mosquito population is divided into susceptible (y1) and infected (y2) groups. First, we conduct the local and global stability of the disease-free and endemic equilibrium points in relation to the basic reproductive number. We also study the sensitivity of the basic reproductive number and the endemic equilibrium point with respect to each parameters used in the model. Furthermore, we apply optimal control theory to show that there are cost effective control methods with the prevention effort (u1) of the contact between human and vector and the effort of treatment (u2) for human. Finally, we provide numerical simulations to support and illustrate some of the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At this time, the system with advanced automatic detection capability has consistent execution results and has been verified that it can be used as a necessary tool for cost reduction and the quality control of the product, which is the value of the customer. It will contribute to reducing human error and minimizing defects by designing a system that relies on more mechanization automation, taking into account the characteristics of the machine as well as the role of humans and machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to reveal the epidemiologic characteristics of the outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson in Busan Metropolitan City and to identify points for improvement to prevent of food-borne disease outbreak.Methods: This was a case-control study. The control group comprised asymptomatic students in the same classes of the cases. The presence or absence of symptoms, ingestion of each food provided by school meal service, and commonly ingested foods in addition to those foods in meal service were investigated. Moreover, specimens collected from rectal swab, preserved foods, and environmental surface were tested.Results: Of the 6,092 subjects, 1,111 (1,083 students, 22 school personnel, and 6 foodservice employees) were included in the case group; this corresponded to an 18.4% attack rate. Symptoms included diarrhea (n=1,051, 94.6%), abdominal pain (n=931, 83.8%), febrile sensation (n=502, 45.2%), and vomiting (n=275, 24.8%). The epidemic curves of each 10 schools were unimodal. Investigation of food intake showed a significantly high odds ratio for chocolate cake in 5 out of the 10 schools. Laboratory test detected Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson both in rectal swab specimens of 9 schools and in collected preserved chocolate cakes of 9 schools. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis test result showed that Salmonella enterica seorvar Thompson isolated from human and foods were the same.Conclusions: The source of infection for the Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson outbreak in the 10 schools of Busan Metropolitan City is chocolate cake. Traceback investigation for origin of contaminated food in food-borne disease outbreak and safety control during food production should be more enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]