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Benign conditions of the lower urinary tract, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, overactive bladder syndrome, and stress urinary incontinence, are frequent in the general population. Despite their benign nature, they have major adverse effects on the quality of life of the afflicted patients and their partners. Despite major progress in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, improved understanding and management of these patients remain substantial medical needs. This editorial discusses some recent high-quality articles published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine on the understanding of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic, and treatment of benign diseases of the lower urinary tract tissues such as the bladder and prostate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visceral leishmaniasis remains a serious public health issue, and Brazil was among the seven countries with the highest prevalence of this disease worldwide. The measures to control this disease are not easily developed, and the improvement of its diagnosis, surveillance, and control is still needed. This study aimed to carry out the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis of Leishmania infantum in vector samples in some municipalities of the State of São Paulo, which included two municipalities with human disease transmission and two with dog transmission only. Vectors were collected in traps with luminous bait. Next, they were killed at −4 °C and kept in 70% alcohol. Groups of ten female insects (pools) were mashed on cation exchange paper (fine cellulose phosphate with 18 µEq/cm² ionic exchange capacity) for DNA extraction. The PCR was carried out to identify the natural infection of the Leishmania genus in female Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lu. Longipalpis). Out of the 3,880 Lu. longipalpis phlebotomines, 1060 were female and 2820 were male (3:1). The method used to extract the DNA in pools of ten phlebotomines and the PCR resulted in sensitivity, specificity, practicality, and faster analyses when compared to the individual analysis method. The procedure described can be used on a large scale in the leishmaniasis epidemiological surveillance, enabling a higher number of analyses and the optimization of human resources because the traditional diagnostic method is carried out via desiccation of the insect digestive system and microscopic examination, which is time-demanding and there is the need of manual skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Global Globin Network (GGN) is a project-wide initiative of the Human Variome/Global Variome Project (HVP) focusing on haemoglobinopathies to build the capacity for genomic diagnosis, clinical services, and research in low- and middle-income countries. At present, there is no framework to evaluate the improvement of care, treatment, and prevention of thalassaemia and other haemoglobinopathies globally, despite thalassaemia being one of the most common monogenic diseases worldwide. Here, we propose a universally applicable system for evaluating and grouping countries based on qualitative indicators according to the quality of care, treatment, and prevention of haemoglobinopathies. We also apply this system to GGN countries as proof of principle. To this end, qualitative indicators were extracted from the IthaMaps database of the ITHANET portal, which allowed four groups of countries (A, B, C, and D) to be defined based on major qualitative indicators, supported by minor qualitative indicators for countries with limited resource settings and by the overall haemoglobinopathy carrier frequency for the target countries of immigration. The proposed rubrics and accumulative scores will help analyse the performance and improvement of care, treatment, and prevention of haemoglobinopathies in the GGN and beyond. Our proposed criteria complement future data collection from GGN countries to help monitor the quality of services for haemoglobinopathies, provide ongoing estimates for services and epidemiology in GGN countries, and note the contribution of the GGN to a local and global reduction of disease burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional neurological disorder (FND), formerly called conversion disorder, is a condition characterized by neurological symptoms that lack an identifiable organic purpose. These signs, which can consist of motor, sensory, or cognitive disturbances, are not deliberately produced and often vary in severity. Its diagnosis is predicated on clinical evaluation and the exclusion of other medical or psychiatric situations. Its treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary technique addressing each of the neurological symptoms and underlying psychological factors via a mixture of medical management, psychotherapy, and supportive interventions. Recent advances in neuroimaging and a deeper exploration of its epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation have shed new light on this disorder. This paper synthesizes the current knowledge on FND, focusing on its epidemiology and underlying mechanisms, neuroimaging insights, and the differentiation of FND from feigning or malingering. This review highlights the phenotypic heterogeneity of FND and the diagnostic challenges it presents. It also discusses the significant role of neuroimaging in unraveling the complex neural underpinnings of FND and its potential in predicting treatment response. This paper underscores the importance of a nuanced understanding of FND in informing clinical practice and guiding future research. With advancements in neuroimaging techniques and growing recognition of the disorder's multifaceted nature, the paper suggests a promising trajectory toward more effective, personalized treatment strategies and a better overall understanding of the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Much research has been conducted on the causes of childhood cancer, but many areas of uncertainty remain. We conducted a detailed search of recent studies investigating the causes of childhood cancer. Our findings, based on publications from 2014 to 2021, are summarized by topic in three separate papers: factors acting during childhood (Paper 1), factors relating to the parents and pregnancy (Paper 2), and factors relating to the environment (Paper 3). In this first paper, we summarize convincing evidence from studies that show increased childhood cancer risk associated with genetic cancer predisposition, birth defects, prior cancer, medical ionizing radiation, organ transplantation and exposure to cancer-causing viruses, and a reduced risk associated with some childhood vaccinations. Other factors discussed in this paper include the impact of the child's diet, allergies, medications, and body mass index. This review of factors associated with childhood cancer may help evidence-based efforts to reduce cancer in our pediatric populations. Purpose: To review the childhood risk factors for pediatric cancer (diagnosis before age 20). Methods: We conducted literature searches using Ovid Medline and Scopus to find primary research studies, review articles, and meta-analyses published from 2014 to 3 March 2021. Results: Strong evidence indicates that an array of genetic and epigenetic phenomena, structural birth defects, and chromosomal anomalies are associated with an increased risk of various childhood cancers. Increased risk is also associated with prior cancer, likely due to previous treatment agents and therapeutic ionizing radiation. Convincing evidence supports associations between several pediatric cancers and ionizing radiation, immunosuppression, and carcinogenic virus infection both in healthy children and in association with immune suppression following organ transplantation. Breastfeeding and a childhood diet rich in fruits and vegetables appears to reduce the risk of pediatric leukemia but the evidence is less strong. Childhood vaccination against carcinogenic viruses is associated with a lower risk of several cancers; there is less strong evidence that other childhood vaccinations more broadly may also lower risk. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is associated with increased melanoma risk, although most melanomas following childhood UV exposure occur later, in adulthood. Evidence is weak or conflicting for the role of body mass index, other childhood infections, allergies, and certain treatments, including immunomodulator medications and human growth therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) comorbidity is an emerging condition in psychiatry, with relevant nosological, clinical, and therapeutic implications. Methods: We updated our previous systematic review on epidemiology and standard diagnostic validators (including phenomenology, course of illness, heredity, biological markers, and treatment response) of BD-OCD. Relevant papers published until (and including) 15 October 2023 were identified by searching the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, and Cochrane Library, according to the PRISMA statement (PROSPERO registration number, CRD42021267685). Results: We identified 38 new articles, which added to the previous 64 and raised the total to 102. The lifetime comorbidity prevalence ranged from 0.26 to 27.8% for BD and from 0.3 to 53.3% for OCD. The onset of the two disorders appears to be often overlapping, although the appearance of the primary disorder may influence the outcome. Compared to a single diagnosis, BD-OCD exhibited a distinct pattern of OC symptoms typically following an episodic course, occurring in up to 75% of cases (vs. 3%). Notably, these OC symptoms tended to worsen during depressive episodes (78%) and improve during manic or hypomanic episodes (64%). Similarly, a BD course appears to be chronic in individuals with BD-OCD in comparison to patients without. Additionally, individuals with BD-OCD comorbidity experienced more depressive episodes (mean of 8.9 ± 4.2) compared to those without comorbidity (mean of 4.1 ± 2.7). Conclusions: We found a greater likelihood of antidepressant-induced manic/hypomanic episodes (60% vs. 4.1%), and mood stabilizers with antipsychotic add-ons emerging as a preferred treatment. In line with our previous work, BD-OCD comorbidity encompasses a condition of greater nosological and clinical complexity than individual disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, which has become a serious threat to human health worldwide. This article exhaustively reviews colorectal cancer's incidence and relevance, carcinogenesis molecular pathways, up-to-date treatment opportunities, prophylaxis, and screening program achievements, with attention paid to its regional variations and changes over time. This paper provides a concise overview of known CRC risk factors, including familial, hereditary, and environmental lifestyle-related risk factors. The authors take a closer look into CRC's molecular genetic pathways and the role of specific enzymes involved in carcinogenesis. Moreover, the role of the general practitioner and multidisciplinary approach in CRC treatment is summarized and highlighted based on recent recommendations and experience. This article gives a clear understanding and review of the gains and challenges of modern medicine towards CRC. The authors believe that understanding the current patterns of CRC and its revolution is imperative to the prospects of reducing its burden through cancer prevention and cancer-adjusted treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Spontaneous humeral fractures in first- and second-lactation dairy cows are recognized as a serious welfare problem in New Zealand. However, the condition is sporadic, which means that simple epidemiological descriptions and estimates of the extent of the problem are lacking. By combining the data from four independent studies using a multi-method approach, we found that their occurrence is more common than previously thought, with potentially up to 12% of farms and 4,620 dairy cattle affected in the 2013/2014 lactation season. Furthermore, the condition exclusively affects first- and second-lactation spring calving dairy cows, up to 4 months post-partum, and may affect multiple animals on the same farm, in the same season, and over multiple seasons, which are not always consecutive. We suggest that the evidence presented in this paper places an urgent requirement on the New Zealand dairy industry to undertake prompt action to understand the determinants of this epidemic. A multi-method approach integrating data from four independent sources was used to describe some key features of the epidemiology and estimate the herd and within-herd incidence of fractured humeri in New Zealand dairy cattle for the period 2007–2015. The first dataset was from a national case series where cases of humeral fractures in dairy cattle were identified by veterinarians across New Zealand between the 2007/2008 and 2011/2012 lactation seasons. The second dataset was from a pet food company based in the Waikato region, which collated the number of casualty first- and second-lactation cows found to have a fractured humerus post-slaughter in the 2014/2015 lactation season, and the third dataset was a case series conducted by veterinarians employed in a Waikato veterinary business, also from the 2014/2015 lactation season. For the final dataset, 505 randomly selected New Zealand dairy farmers completed a phone survey on the incidence of non-responsive, non-weight-bearing forelimb lameness in first- and second-lactation cows in the 2014/2015 lactation season. Using the telephone survey results, the within-herd and herd-level incidence of cases for first- and second-lactation dairy animals was calculated. The national case series reported 149 cases of humeral fractures in 22 dairy herds; the pet food case series identified 61 cases from 41 farms; and the practice-based case series found 14 cases from 10 farms. Humeral fractures exclusively affected first- and second-lactation dairy cows and had a peak incidence between calving and early mating. The national telephone survey found that non-weight-bearing forelimb lameness requiring euthanasia of first- or second-lactation cows occurred in 11.7% of herds, with a mean within-herd incidence of 2.6% for first lactation cows and 2.8% for second-lactation cows for affected herds. These combined datasets demonstrate that humeral fractures in young, lactating dairy cattle are more common than previously suspected and that they occur nationally and over multiple years on some farms. Further work on this condition is urgently required in New Zealand to establish cost-effective management practices that will reduce unnecessary animal suffering and waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: African swine fever (ASF) is a severe viral disease of domestic pigs and Eurasian wild boars (Sus scrofa) that is caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV). ASF is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, where 24 genotypes of the virus have been reported. Between the late 1950s and the early 1980s, genotype I ASFV emerged in Europe, including Italy. In June 2007, a second ASF epidemic wave caused by genotype II was registered, involving several European and extra-European countries, including Italy in 2022. The present paper aims to provide the state of the art of ASF in Italy, describing the course of ASF in wild boars and domestic pigs as an example of multiple concurring different scenarios. Sardinia is coping with the last phase of the eradication of the disease by applying the exit strategy. Conversely, four clusters of infection located in North, Central, and South Italy are still ongoing. The unique and complex Italian experience in ASF-controlling may be useful to increase know-how on the efficacy of strategies and measures, as well as issues that could be further improved. African swine fever (ASF) is a severe viral disease of domestic pigs and Eurasian wild boars (Sus scrofa) caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV). ASF is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, where 24 genotypes of the virus have been reported. Between the late 1950s and the early 1980s, genotype I ASFV emerged in Europe, including Italy. In June 2007, a second ASF epidemic wave caused by genotype II was registered, involving several European and extra-European countries, including Italy in 2022. The present paper aims to provide the state of the art of ASF in Italy, describing the course of ASF in wild boars and domestic pigs as an example of multiple concurring different scenarios. Sardinia is coping with the last phase of the eradication of the disease by applying the exit strategy. Conversely, four clusters of infection located in North, Central, and South Italy are still ongoing. The unique and complex Italian experience in ASF-controlling may be useful to increase know-how on the efficacy of strategies and measures, as well as issues that could be further improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a common and debilitating sequela of lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT). There is significant heterogeneity in reported PTS incidence due to lack of standardised diagnostic criteria. This review aimed to develop diagnostic criteria for PTS and subsequently refine the reported incidence and severity. Methods: PRISMA principles were followed; however, the review was not registered. The Cochrane CENTRAL database, MEDLINE, Embase, the NHS NICE Healthcare Databases Advanced Search interface, and trial registers including isrctn.com and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for studies addressing areas of interest (PTS definition, epidemiology, assessment). An experienced Clinical Librarian undertook the systematic searches, and two independent reviewers agreed on the relevance of the papers. Conflicts were resolved through panel review. Evidence quality was assessed using a modified Coleman scoring system and weighted according to their relevance to the aforementioned areas of interest. Results: A total of 339 abstracts were retrieved. A total of 33 full-text papers were included in this review. Following qualitative analysis, four criteria were proposed to define PTS: (1) a proven thrombotic event on radiological assessment; (2) a minimum 24-month follow-up period after an index DVT; (3) assessment with a validated score; and (4) evidence of progression of venous insufficiency from baseline. Four papers conformed to our PTS definition criteria, and the incidence of mild to moderate PTS ranged from 7 to 36%. On reviewing the studies which utilised the recommended Villalta scale, PTS incidence narrowed further to 23–36%. Incidence and severity reached a plateau at 24 months. Conclusions: Four diagnostic criteria were developed from qualitative synthesis. When these criteria were applied to the literature, the range of reported PTS incidence narrowed. These four criteria may standardise PTS diagnosis in future studies, facilitating the pooling of data for meta-analysis and synthesis of higher levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A well-structured digital database is essential for any national priority project as it can provide real-time data analysis and facilitate quick decision making. In recent times, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, invasive fungal infections (IFIs) have emerged as a significant public health challenge in India, affecting vulnerable population, including immunocompromised individuals. The lack of comprehensive and well-structured data on IFIs has hindered efforts to understand their true burden and optimize patient care. To address this critical knowledge gap, the ICMR has undertaken a Pan-India pioneer initiative to develop a network of Advanced Mycology Diagnostic research centres in different geographical zones of the country (ICMR-MycoNet). Under the aegis of this project, a clinical registry on IFIs in the ICUs is initiated. This process paper presents a detailed account of the steps involved in the establishment of a web-based data entering and monitoring platform to capture data electronically, ensuring robust and secure data collection and management. This system not only allows participating ICMR-MycoNet centres to enter patient information directly into the database using standardized Case Report Form (CRF) but also includes data validation checks to ensure the accuracy and completeness of entered data. It is complemented by a real-time, web-based, and adaptable data visualization platform. This registry aims to provide crucial epidemiological insights, promote evidence-based hospital infection control programs, and ultimately improve patient outcomes in the face of this formidable healthcare challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cacao swollen shoot disease (CSSD) caused by complexes of cacao swollen shoot badnaviruses (family Caulimoviridae, genus Badnavirus) remains highly prevalent and devastating in West Africa. The disease continues to impact substantially on cacao yield loss, cacao tree mortality, and decline in foreign exchange income from cacao bean sales. Currently, the disease is estimated to have a prevalence rate of over 30% in Ghana, as assessed in the ongoing third country-wide surveillance program. Although achievements from past research interventions have greatly elucidated the etiology, biology, epidemiology, diagnostics, and management of the disease, there are some outstanding knowledge gaps. The role of these information gaps and their effect on CSSD epidemiology and prevalence remain unanswered. This paper summarizes existing scientific knowledge from past research achievements that have provided elucidation on CSSD epidemiology, management options, and guided future research. The discussion highlights the need for multidisciplinary research with modern tools and institutional collaborators to holistically bring clarity on knowledge gaps on pathogen biology, virus–host-–vector interactions, role of environmental and soil nutrient effects on CSSD severity, evolution pattern, role of alternative hosts on virus species diversity, vector population dynamics, and their overall impact on CSSD prevalence and integrated management in cacao plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report by Butler et al. is well conceived, executed and will be a useful addition to the literature on Hyperuricemia (HU) and gout. While there are a growing number of studies probing the epidemiology for the condition [[2]] this report is significant in that it aims to stratify a population-based risk allele profile. References 1 Chen-Xu M., Yokose C., Rai S.K., Pillinger M.H., Choi H.K. Contemporary prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia in the United States and decadal trends: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2016. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: The observed trend of increasing numbers of humans living on the Earth will result in increased demand for food, especially foods of high nutritional value, such as meat. This phenomenon will result in the growth of the livestock population. One of the most commonly consumed foods worldwide is pork. Therefore, it is reasonable to suspect that the pig world population, in the near future, will increase as well. Pigs are prone to infections/invasions with numerous viral, bacterial, and parasitic aetiological factors. Such infections are referred to as zoonotic infections. In view of the growing number of pigs headage, the possible risk of human infection of zoonotic origin seems to be increased. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the most up-to-date data regarding the epidemiology of several of the most significant porcine zoonoses, with available preventive measures to control them. The available data indicate that the human world population will constantly grow in the subsequent decades. This constant increase in the number of people on the Earth will lead to growth in food demand, especially in food of high nutritional value. Therefore, it is expected that the world livestock population will also increase. Such a phenomenon enhances the risk of transmitting pathogens to humans. As pig production is one of the most significant branches of the world's livestock production, zoonoses of porcine origins seem to be of particular importance. Therefore, in this review, we aim to introduce the latest data concerning, among other things, epidemiology and available preventive measures to control the most significant porcine zoonoses of viral, bacterial, and parasitic origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) prevalence in Poland is more frequent in individuals who live in a city. There are more studies demonstrating that long-term exposure to air pollutants is an independent risk factor for developing AD. The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiology of AD and food allergy (FA) in school children and adolescents living in Krakow, and to find a potential relationship between the incidence of atopic dermatitis with exposure to polluted air. In this paper, we presented the incidence of AD and FA between 2014 and 2018. We analyzed data collected from nearly 30,000 children aged 7–8 and adolescents aged 16–17 from the population of children and youth in Krakow. We correlated it with annual mean concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, which indicated a gradual improvement in the air quality in Krakow. As our research results show that the prevalence of atopic dermatitis decreased with food allergy prevalence depending on the age group. We can suspect that this is the result of children growing out of a food allergy. It may be also influenced by more consequential eating habits in a group of adolescents and the elimination of allergenic foods from the diet. The decreasing incidence of atopic dermatitis appears to be also related to improvement in air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents various issues related to the increasing drug resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and the occurrence and spread of multidrug-resistant clones. One of the most important is the incidence and evolution of resistance mechanisms of N. gonorrhoeae to beta-lactam antibiotics. Chromosomal resistance to penicillins and oxyimino-cephalosporins and plasmid resistance to penicillins are discussed. Chromosomal resistance is associated with the presence of mutations in the PBP2 protein, containing mosaic variants and nonmosaic amino acid substitutions in the transpeptidase domain, and their correlation with mutations in the mtrR gene and its promoter regions (the MtrCDE membrane pump repressor) and in several other genes, which together determine reduced sensitivity or resistance to ceftriaxone and cefixime. Plasmid resistance to penicillins results from the production of beta-lactamases. There are different types of beta-lactamases as well as penicillinase plasmids. In addition to resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, the paper covers the mechanisms and occurrence of resistance to macrolides (azithromycin), fluoroquinolones and some other antibiotics. Moreover, the most important epidemiological types of multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae, prevalent in specific years and regions, are discussed. Epidemiological types are defined as sequence types, clonal complexes and genogroups obtained by various typing systems such as NG-STAR, NG-MAST and MLST. New perspectives on the treatment of N. gonorrhoeae infections are also presented, including new drugs active against multidrug-resistant strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: ADHD is recognized as one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. The worldwide prevalence of ADHD is estimated at 5.3%; however, estimates vary as a function of a number of factors, including diagnostic methods, age, sex and geographical location. A review of studies is needed to clarify the epidemiology of ADHD in Canada. (2) Methods: A search strategy was created in PubMed and adapted for MEDLINE and PsycINFO. Papers were included if they examined diagnosed ADHD prevalence and/or incidence rates in any region of Canada, age group and gender. A snowball technique was used to identify additional papers from reference lists, and experts in the field were consulted. (3) Results: Ten papers included in this review reported on prevalence, and one reported on incidence. One study provided an overall prevalence estimate across provinces for adults of 2.9%, and one study provided an overall estimate across five provinces for children and youth of 8.6%. Across age groups (1 to 24 years), incidence estimates ranged from 0.4% to 1.2%, depending on province. Estimates varied by age, gender, province, region and time. (4) Conclusions: The overall Canadian ADHD prevalence estimate is similar to worldwide estimates for adults. Most studies reported on prevalence rather than incidence. Differences in estimates across provinces may reflect the varying number of practitioners available to diagnose and prescribe medication for ADHD across provinces. To achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of ADHD in Canada, a study is needed that includes all provinces and territories, and that considers estimates in relation to age, gender, ethnicity, geographical region, socioeconomic status and access to mental healthcare coverage. Incidence rates need further examination to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finland is a relatively small genetic isolate with a genetically non-homogenous population. Available Finnish data on neuroepidemiology of adult-onset disorders are limited, and this paper describes the conclusions that can be drawn and their implications. Apparently, Finnish people have a (relatively) high risk of developing Unverricht-Lundborg disease (EPM1), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Spinal muscular atrophy, Jokela type (SMAJ) and adult-onset dystonia. On the other hand, some disorders, such as Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) and Wilson's disease (WD), are almost absent or completely absent in the population. Valid and timely data concerning even many common disorders, such as stroke, migraine, neuropathy, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, are unavailable, and there are virtually no data on many less-common neurological disorders, such as neurosarcoidosis or autoimmune encephalitides. There also appear to be marked regional differences in the incidence and prevalence of many diseases, suggesting that non-granular nationwide data may be misleading in many cases. Concentrated efforts to advance neuroepidemiological research in the country would be of clinical, administrative and scientific benefit, but currently, all progress is blocked by administrative and financial obstacles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The condition of a joint in a human being is prone to wear and several pathologies, particularly in the elderly and athletes. Current means towards assessing the overall condition of a joint to assess for a pathology involve using tools such as X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging, to name a couple. These expensive methods are of limited availability in resource-constrained environments and pose the risk of radiation exposure to the patient. The prospect of acoustic emissions (AEs) presents a modality that can monitor the joints' conditions passively by recording the high-frequency stress waves emitted during their motion. One of the main challenges associated with this sensing method is decoding and linking acquired AE signals to their source event. In this paper, we investigate AEs' use to identify five kinds of joint-wear pathologies using a contrast of expert-based handcrafted features and unsupervised feature learning via deep wavelet decomposition (DWS) alongside 12 machine learning models. The results showed an average classification accuracy of 90 ± 7.16% and 97 ± 3.77% for the handcrafted and DWS-based features, implying good prediction accuracies across the various devised approaches. Subsequent work will involve the potential application of regressions towards estimating the associated stage and extent of a wear condition where present, which can form part of an online system for the condition monitoring of joints in human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation has been described as a global epidemic with a three-fold increase in prevalence in the last 50 years. As the prevalence of atrial fibrillation continues to grow, multiple landmark trials have been designed to determine the best method to treat atrial fibrillation. Initial trials have stated that rate control was not inferior to rhythm control, however, as the efficacy of rhythm control of atrial fibrillation has improved, a benefit in rhythm control has been shown. Because of this trend towards increased rhythm control, more patients have been placed on anti-arrhythmic medications. This paper will review the epidemiology and clinical impact of the utilization of anti-arrhythmic medications. As we enter the era of rhythm control, increased awareness is needed regarding the monitoring and potential adverse events that can occur with these medications. Providers must balance the increased emphasis on rhythm control with the overall clinical impact on their patients due to drug-to-drug interactions and adverse effects that can occur with different co-morbidities. If the clinical momentum towards rhythm control continues, real-world data analysis will be needed to evaluate the clinical impact of the use, risk, and benefits of anti-arrhythmic medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 15% of all soft-tissue tumors arise in the hand. Because of the location of these tumors, even small abnormalities may be alarming to patients on presentation. Although the majority of lesions are benign and can be diagnosed solely by history and physical examination, additional imaging workup may be required to confirm a diagnosis or define anatomic extent of involvement. This paper aims to review the basic epidemiology, clinical presentation, imaging findings, and treatment options of the more common soft-tissue tumors of the hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleural space infections have been a well-recognized clinical syndrome for over 4000 years and continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, our collective understanding of the causative pathophysiology has greatly expanded over the last few decades, as have our treatment options. The aim of this paper is to review recent updates in our understanding of this troublesome disease and to provide updates on established and emerging treatment modalities for patients suffering from pleural space infections. With that, we present a review and discussion synthesizing the recent pertinent literature surrounding the history, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of these challenging infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Obesity has been linked to several common cancers including breast, colorectal, esophageal, kidney, gallbladder, uterine, pancreatic, and liver cancer. Obesity also increases the risk of dying from cancer and may influence the treatment choices. About 4–8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity. The underlying mechanism of obesity causing cancer is complex and is incompletely understood. Lifestyle changes that include diet, exercise, and behavior therapy are the mainstay of interventions. Drug therapy and weight reduction surgery result in a more rapid weight loss and may be used for a subgroup of cancer survivors with obesity. This review highlights the epidemiology and the risk associated with the development and recurrence of cancer in obese individuals and the management of obesity. Background: Obesity or excess body fat is a major global health challenge that has not only been associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease but is also a major risk factor for the development of and mortality related to a subgroup of cancer. This review focuses on epidemiology, the relationship between obesity and the risk associated with the development and recurrence of cancer and the management of obesity. Methods: A literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar was performed and the keywords 'obesity' and cancer' were used. The search was limited to research papers published in English prior to September 2022 and focused on studies that investigated epidemiology, the pathogenesis of cancer, cancer incidence and the risk of recurrence, and the management of obesity. Results: About 4–8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity. Obesity is a risk factor for several major cancers, including post-menopausal breast, colorectal, endometrial, kidney, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, and gallbladder cancer. Excess body fat results in an approximately 17% increased risk of cancer-specific mortality. The relationship between obesity and the risk associated with the development of cancer and its recurrence is not fully understood and involves altered fatty acid metabolism, extracellular matrix remodeling, the secretion of adipokines and anabolic and sex hormones, immune dysregulation, and chronic inflammation. Obesity may also increase treatment-related adverse effects and influence treatment decisions regarding specific types of cancer therapy. Structured exercise in combination with dietary support and behavior therapy are effective interventions. Treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues and bariatric surgery result in more rapid weight loss and can be considered in selected cancer survivors. Conclusions: Obesity increases cancer risk and mortality. Weight-reducing strategies in obesity-associated cancers are important interventions as a key component of cancer care. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate the complex relationship between obesity and cancer with the identification of targets for effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus potentially causing serious illness in humans and other animals. Since 2004, several studies have highlighted the progressive spread of WNV Lineage 2 (L2) in Europe, with Italy being one of the countries with the highest number of cases of West Nile disease reported. In this paper, we give an overview of the epidemiological and genetic features characterising the spread and evolution of WNV L2 in Italy, leveraging data obtained from national surveillance activities between 2011 and 2021, including 46 newly assembled genomes that were analysed under both phylogeographic and phylodynamic frameworks. In addition, to better understand the seasonal patterns of the virus, we used a machine learning model predicting areas at high-risk of WNV spread. Our results show a progressive increase in WNV L2 in Italy, clarifying the dynamics of interregional circulation, with no significant introductions from other countries in recent years. Moreover, the predicting model identified the presence of suitable conditions for the 2022 earlier and wider spread of WNV in Italy, underlining the importance of using quantitative models for early warning detection of WNV outbreaks. Taken together, these findings can be used as a reference to develop new strategies to mitigate the impact of the pathogen on human and other animal health in endemic areas and new regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cohort studies of nuclear workers are key to study the health effects of protracted exposures to low doses of ionizing radiation (IR), which is necessary to verify the adequacy of radiation protection standards. In this cohort of nuclear workers monitored for exposure to IR and followed-up for mortality, a strong healthy worker effect was observed. Exposure to IR was significantly associated with death from leukaemia and dementia. This second finding is novel and should be interpreted with caution at this stage. It should motivate the research community to evaluate its replicability by studying dementia in other cohorts exposed to low-dose IR. Findings for solid cancers were not statistically significant, but estimates were still imprecise and compatible with those from other studies. Continued follow-up of the cohort and its participation in pooled analyses with similar cohorts will help to further improve the statistical precision of risk estimates in the future. Cohorts of nuclear workers are particularly relevant to study the health effects of protracted exposures to low doses at low dose-rates of ionizing radiation (IR). In France, a cohort of nuclear workers badge-monitored for external IR exposure has been followed-up for several decades. Its size and follow-up period have recently been extended. The present paper focuses on mortality from both cancer and non-cancer diseases in this cohort. The SELTINE cohort of nuclear workers employed by CEA, Orano, and EDF companies was followed-up for mortality from 1968 to 2014. Mortality in the cohort was compared to that in the French general population. Poisson regression methods were used to estimate excess relative rates of mortality per unit of cumulative dose of IR, adjusted for calendar year, age, company, duration of employment, and socioeconomic status. The cohort included 80,348 workers. At the end of the follow-up, the mean attained age was 63 years, and 15,695 deaths were observed. A strong healthy worker effect was observed overall. A significant excess of pleural cancer mortality was observed but not associated with IR dose. Death from solid cancers was positively but non-significantly associated with radiation. Death from leukaemia (excluding chronic lymphocytic leukaemia), dementia, and Alzheimer's disease were positively and significantly associated with IR dose. Estimated dose–risk relationships were consistent with those from other nuclear worker studies for all solid cancers and leukaemia but remained associated with large uncertainty. The association between IR dose and dementia mortality risk should be interpreted with caution and requires further investigation by other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 represents the greatest health crisis in recent human history. To date, it is still difficult to estimate its impact on mortality. This paper investigates the excess crude mortality in 27 European countries. The differences between the values observed in 2020 and 2021 with those predicted by a joinpoint regression model were evaluated. A multi-regression analysis was implemented to assess the relationship between health variables and excess mortality. Europe experienced a marked and surprising (S-value > 52) increase in crude mortality during 2020 (Δ% = +10.0%, 95% CI: [2.5; 18.7]) and 2021 (Δ% = +12.1%, 95% CI: [4.3; 21.2]). The difference between average excesses of Eastern and Western countries was not surprising (S < 2) and had little relevance (ΔE-W = −2.4, 95% CI: [−2; 7]) during 2020 but was more pronounced (S = 15, ΔE-W = +17.2, 95% CI: [11.0; 23.5]) during 2021. Excess crude mortality increased in 2021 (Δ% = +65%, 95% CI: [12.6; 118], S = 5.9). Evidence has been found for a surprising and marked negative linear relationship between COVID-19 vaccinations and excess mortality ("2021 excess mortality = A + BX4", with "A = 58 ± 7, S = 28" and "B = −0.65 ± 0.10, S = 22, Radj2 = 0.65, 95% CI: [0.38; 0.82]). In light of the current literature, these findings provide solid evidence of the substantial role of COVID-19 in the unexpected and marked excess mortality recorded in Europe. COVID-19 vaccinations have appeared to be one of the main determinants for reducing mortality. Future research should explore these aspects in more detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its high mortality rate of approximately 90 % , the Ebola virus disease (EVD) has not received enough attention in terms of in-depth research. This illness has been responsible for over 40 years of epidemics throughout Central Africa. However, during 2014–2015, the Ebola-driven epidemic in West Africa became, and remains, the deadliest to date. Thus, Ebola has been declared one of the major public health issues. This paper aims at exploring the effects of external fluctuations on the prevalence of the Ebola virus. We begin by proposing a sophisticated biological system that takes into account vaccination and quarantine strategies as well as the effect of time lags. Due to some external perturbations, we extend our model to the probabilistic formulation with white noises. The perturbed model takes the form of a system of stochastic differential equations. Based on some non-standard analytical techniques, we demonstrate two main approach properties: intensity and elimination of Ebola virus. To better understand the impact of applied strategies, we deal with the stochastic control optimization approach by using some advanced theories. All of this theoretical arsenal has been numerically confirmed by employing some real statistical data of Ebola virus. Finally, we mention that this work could be a rich basis for further investigations aimed at understanding the complexity of Ebola virus propagation at pathophysiological and mathematics levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We aim to raise awareness that sex is an important factor to take into account in modern-day thoracic oncology practice. Summarized, women should be specifically targeted in smoking cessation campaigns and sex-specific barriers should be addressed. Women present more often with adenocarcinoma histology and EGFR/ALK alterations, as lung cancer in never-smokers is more common in women compared to men. Lung cancer in female patients may show a poorer response to immune checkpoint inhibition; therefore, the addition of chemotherapy should be considered. On the other hand, women experience more benefits from targeted therapy against EGFR. In general, prognosis for women is better compared to that in men. Lung cancer screening trials report that women derive more benefit from screening, although they have not been designed for women. Future trial designs should take this into account and encourage participation of women. This paper describes where and how sex matters in today's management of lung cancer. We consecutively describe the differences between males and females in lung cancer demographics; sex-based differences in the immune system (including the poorer outcomes in women who are treated with immunotherapy but no chemotherapy); the presence of oncogenic drivers and the response to targeted therapies according to sex; the greater benefit women derive from lung cancer screening and why they get screened less; and finally, the barriers to smoking cessation that women experience. We conclude that sex is an important but often overlooked factor in modern-day thoracic oncology practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on cerebral palsy among children and adolescents in Arabic-speaking countries are scarce. In this systematic review, we aimed to describe the epidemiology of cerebral palsy among children and adolescents in Arabic-speaking countries in terms of prevalence, risk factors, motor types, and rehabilitation. Methods: Six key bibliographic databases were searched for relevant literature published to 17 July 2021. Titles and abstracts were screened for potential inclusion and two independent reviewers screened the full texts of potential articles following pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. The included studies were evaluated independently by three reviewers. The risk of bias was assessed, and data were extracted and analysed. Results: A total of 32 studies from 7 countries met our inclusion criteria. The prevalence of cerebral palsy in Arabic-speaking countries was 1.8/1000 live births (95% CI: 1.2–2.5). Spastic cerebral palsy was the most common motor type, representing 59.8% (95% CI: 46.2–72.7) of pooled estimates. This included children with spastic quadriplegia, diplegia, and hemiplegia; 25.1% (95% CI: 18.2–32.8), 16.2% (95% CI: 11.4–23.3), and 10.4% (95% CI: 7.3–13.8), respectively. Consanguinity was high and represented 37.7% (95% CI: 29.3–46.6). Only one included study reported the types of rehabilitation received (e.g., physiotherapy and assistance devices). Conclusions: This paper provides a summary of the epidemiology of cerebral palsy in Arabic-speaking countries and highlights areas for future research. There is still a substantial knowledge gap on the epidemiology of cerebral palsy in these regions. Countries in the Arab region should follow examples of countries that have successfully established cerebral palsy registries to generate evidence on epidemiology of cerebral palsy and opportunities for prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of human life around the world, due to its tremendous outcomes on public health and socio-economic activities. Policy makers have tried to develop efficient responses based on technologies and advanced pandemic control methodologies, to limit the wide spreading of the virus in urban areas. However, techniques such as social isolation and lockdown are short-term solutions that minimize the spread of the pandemic in cities and do not invert long-term issues that derive from climate change, air pollution and urban planning challenges that enhance the spreading ability. Thus, it seems crucial to understand what kind of factors assist or prevent the wide spreading of the virus. Although AI frameworks have a very efficient predictive ability as data-driven procedures, they often struggle to identify strong correlations among multidimensional data and provide robust explanations. In this paper, we propose the fusion of a heterogeneous, spatio-temporal dataset that combine data from eight European cities spanning from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021 and describe atmospheric, socio-economic, health, mobility and environmental factors all related to potential links with COVID-19. Remote sensing data are the key solution to monitor the availability on public green spaces between cities in the study period. So, we evaluate the benefits of NIR and RED bands of satellite images to calculate the NDVI and locate the percentage in vegetation cover on each city for each week of our 2-year study. This novel dataset is evaluated by a tree-based machine learning algorithm that utilizes ensemble learning and is trained to make robust predictions on daily cases and deaths. Comparisons with other machine learning techniques justify its robustness on the regression metrics RMSE and MAE. Furthermore, the explainable frameworks SHAP and LIME are utilized to locate potential positive or negative influence of the factors on global and local level, with respect to our model's predictive ability. A variation of SHAP, namely treeSHAP, is utilized for our tree-based algorithm to make fast and accurate explanations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The aim of this paper was to analyse the prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in the Croatian population. This is the first epidemiological study of its kind conducted in our population. It is important to correctly diagnose thyroid dysfunction due to the detrimental effects of thyroid dysfunction on human health (especially in pregnant women and patients with cardiovascular diseases). The results of our study conducted on 4402 individuals, showed a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism in our country (10.5%) compared to other countries, while the prevalence of hyperthyroidism was quite similar (1.3%). We also observed that a high proportion of thyroid disorders remained undiagnosed (as many as 92.6% subclinical hypothyroid, 93.9% clinical hypothyroid, 83% subclinical hyperthyroid and 71.4% clinical hyperthyroid participants). Therefore, our study indicates that investing in prevention programs is crucial. Thyroid dysfunction appears to be the leading endocrine disorder. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 4402 individuals from three Croatian cohorts. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism (subclinical and clinical) and positive thyroid antibodies in the Croatian population. The results of the study indicated that 17.6% of participants were euthyroid with positive antibodies. The prevalence of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism was 3% and 7.4%, respectively, while the prevalence of clinical and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 0.2% and 1.1%, respectively. Among them, 92.6% subclinical hypothyroid, 93.9% clinical hypothyroid, 83% subclinical hyperthyroid and 71.4% clinical hyperthyroid participants were undiagnosed. Finally, the prevalence of undiagnosed subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism in our population was 6.9% and 2.8%, respectively, while the prevalence of undiagnosed subclinical and clinical hyperthyroidism was 0.9% and 0.1%, respectively. Women showed a higher prevalence of thyroid disorders; 1.57 times higher odds of euthyroidism with positive antibodies, 2.1 times higher odds of subclinical hyperthyroidism, 2.37 times higher odds of clinical hypothyroidism and 1.58 times higher odds of subclinical hypothyroidism than men. These results indicate an extremely high proportion of undiagnosed cases, and therefore require investments in a prevention programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of the epidemiology of arthropod-borne viruses are based on understanding whether a given virus is found in a particular location or locations, how prevalent the virus is in that area, which vertebrate hosts serve as reservoirs of the virus, the relationship between the size of the populations of these reservoirs and the prevalence of the virus and, of course, whether the virus causes human, livestock, or wildlife diseases, as well as other characteristics. However, seasonal conditions fluctuate, annual conditions fluctuate, human impacts alter the environment, and the habitat and ecosystems naturally change. Because these parameters provide a more encompassing view of the natural history of a virus, it is important to recognize that point prevalence studies comprise only a single view of the situation and that longitudinal studies are required to obtain a more complete and useful understanding of the natural history of the virus. This paper provides details as to whether and how to conduct such studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In areas where Histoplasma is endemic in the environment, occupations involving activities exposing workers to soil that contains bird or bat droppings may pose a risk for histoplasmosis. Occupational exposures are frequently implicated in histoplasmosis outbreaks. In this paper, we review the literature on occupationally acquired histoplasmosis. We describe the epidemiology, occupational risk factors, and prevention measures according to the hierarchy of controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a new result that allows for studying the global stability of the disease-free equilibrium point when the basic reproduction number is less than 1, in the fractional calculus context. The method only involves basic linear algebra and can be easily applied to study global asymptotic stability. After proving some auxiliary lemmas involving the Mittag–Leffler function, we present the main result of the paper. Under some assumptions, we prove that the disease-free equilibrium point of a fractional differential system is globally asymptotically stable. We then exemplify the procedure with some epidemiological models: a fractional-order SEIR model with classical incidence function, a fractional-order SIRS model with a general incidence function, and a fractional-order model for HIV/AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study a class of second-order delay fractional differential equations with a variable-order Caputo derivative. This type of equation is an extension to ordinary delay equations which are used in the modeling of several biological systems such as population dynamics, epidemiology, and immunology. Usually, fractional differential equations are difficult to solve analytically, and with fractional derivatives of variable-order, they become more challenging. Therefore, the need for reliable numerical techniques is worth investigating. To solve this type of equation, we derive a new approach based on the operational matrix. We use the shifted Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind as the basis for the approximate solutions. A convergence analysis is discussed and the uniform convergence of the approximate solutions is proven. Several examples are discussed to illustrate the efficiency of the presented approach. The computed errors, figures, and tables show that the approximate solutions converge to the exact ones by considering only a few terms in the expansion, and illustrate the novelty of the presented approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tinea imbricata is a unique fungal skin disease that mostly affects indigenous populations in Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Central and South America. The control and management of this disease among these communities are challenging given their remote locations, certain traditional practices, and severe malnutrition status. To date, there are only a handful of reports published globally, which highlights the need for a more holistic approach in addressing this skin disease. Several bodies of evidence and reports have shown that host genetic factors have a profound influence on the pathogenesis of tinea imbricata, while skin microbiota is touted to have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. However, there are limited studies of how host genetics and skin microbiota impact disease susceptibility in the host. To improve the understanding of this disease and to find possible long-term effective treatment among the affected indigenous communities, a comprehensive literature review is needed. Hence, this review paper aims to present the current status of tinea imbricata among the indigenous communities, together with published findings on the possible underlying reasons for its specific distribution among these communities, particularly on the ways in which host skin microbiota and host genetics affect occurrence and disease patterns. This information provides valuable insights for future research by highlighting the current knowledge gaps in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whip smut of sugarcane is the most serious and widely spread disease of sugarcane and causes a significant reduction in cane quantity and quality. The severity of this disease often depends on the pathogen races, environmental conditions, cultivar genotype and the interaction among these three factors. Under optimum climatic conditions, this disease has the potential to cause total crop failure. Resistance screening is an ongoing process due to the variability among smut pathogen isolates. Multiple races and mutation ability of smut pathogen makes the breeding task more complex. A number of studies on various aspects of the disease epidemiology and management have been published. Due to many overlapping characteristics within the species complex, there is a dearth of information on early detection and strategies to control the smut pathogen. Furthermore, there is a need to coordinate these findings to expedite its research and control. In this paper, we summarize the disease etiology, especially disease impact on the qualitative and quantitative parameters of sugarcane. We also gathered research progress on molecular-based detection and available information on genetic variability in S.scitamineum. The research on the set of management options needed to effectively cope with the disease are reviewed herein. The present review is expected to be helpful for the further investigation on smut resistance in sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B (HBV) is one of the most common infectious diseases, with a worldwide annual incidence of over 250 million people. About one-third of the cases are in China. While China made significant efforts to implement a nationwide HBV vaccination program for newborns, a significant number of susceptible adults and teens remain. In this paper, we analyze a game-theoretical model of HBV dynamics that incorporates government-provided vaccination at birth coupled with voluntary vaccinations of susceptible adults and teens. We show that the optimal voluntary vaccination brings the disease incidence to very low levels. This result is robust and, in particular, due to a high HBV treatment cost, essentially independent from the vaccine cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Wuhan Province, in China, in December 2019, spreading rapidly around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared this pandemic at the beginning of March 2020 and, at the same time, the first patient in Galați County was confirmed. Both the global and the regional epidemiological evolutions have taken place with variations in incidence, which have been graphically recorded in several "waves". We conducted a retrospective study on cases of COVID-19 infection, hospitalized between March and June 2020 in an infectious diseases clinic from Galati, in the south-east of Romania. The present paper describes the "first-wave" regional epidemiological and clinical-biological features and the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. A poor outcome was related to late presentation to hospital, old age, and over six comorbid conditions including Alzheimer's disease. The high death rate among people from long-term care institutions is the consequence of the cumulative risk factors associated with immune senescence and inflammation, while COVID-19 is more likely a contributing factor to lower life expectancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to describe the surveillance system MIDaS and to show how this system has been used for evaluating the consequences of the French COVID-19 lockdown on the bacterial mix of AP-HM and the antibiotic resistance. MIDas is a kind of surveillance activity hub, allowing the automatic construction of surveillance control boards. We investigated the diversity and resistance of bacterial agents from respiratory, blood, and urine samples during the lockdown period (from week 12 to 35 of 2020), using the same period of years from 2017 to 2019 as control. Taking into account the drop in patient recruitment, several species have exhibited significant changes in their relative abundance (either increasing or decreasing) with changes up to 9%. The changes were more important for respiratory and urine samples than for blood samples. The relative abundance in respiratory samples for the whole studied period was higher during the lockdown. A significant increase in the percentage of wild phenotypes during the lockdown was observed for several species. The use of the MIDaS syndromic collection and surveillance system made it possible to efficiently detect, analyze, and follow changes of the microbiological population as during the lockdown period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the 30 January 2020, the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Social restrictions with different efficiencies were put in place to avoid transmission. Students living in student accommodation constitute an interesting group to test restrictions because they share living places, workplaces and daily routines, which are key factors in the transmission. In this paper, we present a new geospatial agent-based simulation model to explore the transmission of COVID-19 between students living in Newcastle University accommodation and the efficiency of simulated restrictions (e.g., facemask, lockdown, self-isolation). Results showed that facemasks could reduce infection peak by 30% if worn by all students; an early lockdown could keep 65% of the students safe in the best case; self-isolation could keep 86% of the students safe; while the combination of these measures could prevent disease in 95% of students in the best case-scenario. Spatial analyses showed that the most dangerous places were those where many students interact for a long time, such as faculties and accommodation. The developed ABM could help university managers to respond to current and future epidemics and plan effective responses to keep safe as many students as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, there are millions of people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, a bone disease that increases the risk of fracture due to low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone architecture. In the US alone, there are approximately ten million men and women diagnosed with osteoporosis and this number is still growing. Diagnosis is made by measuring bone mineral density. Medications used for the treatment of osteoporosis are bisphosphonates, denosumab, raloxifene, and teriparatide. Recently, romosozumab has been added as well. In recent years, a number of advances have been made in the field of diagnostic methods and the diverse treatment options for osteoporosis. Despite these advances and a growing incidence of osteoporosis, there is a large group being left undertreated or even untreated. This group of the under/untreated has been called the treatment gap. Concerns regarding rare side effects of the medications, such as osteonecrosis of the jaw, have been reported to be one of the many causes for the treatment gap. Also, this group seems not to be sufficiently informed of the major benefits of the treatment and the diversity in treatment options. Knowledge of these could be very helpful in improving compliance and hopefully reducing the gap. In this paper, we summarize recent evidence regarding the efficacy of the various treatment options, potential side effects, and the overall benefit of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many of the models used nowadays in mathematical epidemiology, in particular in COVID-19 research, belong to a certain subclass of compartmental models whose classes may be divided into three " (x , y , z) " groups, which we will call respectively "susceptible/entrance, diseased, and output" (in the classic SIR case, there is only one class of each type). Roughly, the ODE dynamics of these models contains only linear terms, with the exception of products between x and y terms. It has long been noticed that the reproduction number R has a very simple Formula in terms of the matrices which define the model, and an explicit first integral Formula is also available. These results can be traced back at least to Arino, Brauer, van den Driessche, Watmough, and Wu (2007) and to Feng (2007), respectively, and may be viewed as the "basic laws of SIR-type epidemics". However, many papers continue to reprove them in particular instances. This motivated us to redraw attention to these basic laws and provide a self-contained reference of related formulas for (x , y , z) models. For the case of one susceptible class, we propose to use the name SIR-PH, due to a simple probabilistic interpretation as SIR models where the exponential infection time has been replaced by a PH-type distribution. Note that to each SIR-PH model, one may associate a scalar quantity Y (t) which satisfies "classic SIR relations",which may be useful to obtain approximate control policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]