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A placebo-controlled, double-blind study was carried out over 4 months to evaluate two doses of synthetic human calcitonin (0.25 and 0.125 mg) given s.c. three times per week. Enrolled were 60 women, aged 56-82 years, who had experienced a vertebral fracture due to low-energy trauma within the preceding year. During active treatment there was within the first month a dose-dependent decrease of the indices of bone resorption (fasting urinary calcium and hydroxyproline excretions), whereas only the higher dose and a treatment period of 4 months produced a reduction of bone formation (serum osteocalcin). The bone mineral content (BMC) of the nondominant forearm was unchanged. Treatment with calcitonin also had significant, dose-dependent, analgetic effects. The amelioration of pain was, in multivariate analyses, related to a reduction in parameters felt to be markers for bone resorption. In the placebo group there was a significant reduction of the BMC of the forearm but no changes of any of the biochemical markers for bone turnover and no improvement of pain. In conclusion, treatment with two low doses of calcitonin induced changes of the biochemical markers of bone turnover in a dose-dependent manner. The analgetic properties of calcitonin were also of salient clinical importance. The knowledge derived from this study could be adapted to the dosage schedule in long-term trials in osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its popularity for water activities, such as swimming, surfing, fishing, and rafting, inland and coastal bathing areas occasionally experience outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI), including A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b. Asymptomatic infections and symptomatic outbreaks often impact many aquatic birds, which increase chances of spill-over events to mammals and pose concerns for public health. This review examined the existing literature to assess avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission risks to beachgoers and the general population. A comprehensive understanding of factors governing such crossing of the AIV host range is currently lacking. There is limited knowledge on key factors affecting risk, such as species-specific interactions with host cells (including binding, entry, and replication via viral proteins hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, nucleoprotein, and polymerase basic protein 2), overcoming host restrictions, and innate immune response. AIV efficiently transmits between birds and to some extent between marine scavenger mammals in aquatic environments via consumption of infected birds. However, the current literature lacks evidence of zoonotic AIV transmission via contact with the aquatic environment or consumption of contaminated water. The zoonotic transmission risk of the circulating A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus to the general population and beachgoers is currently low. Nevertheless, it is recommended to avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds and to refrain from bathing in locations where mass bird mortalities are reported. Increasing reports of AIVs spilling over to non-human mammals have raised valid concerns about possible virus mutations that lead to crossing the species barrier and subsequent risk of human infections and outbreaks., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has caused widespread mortality in both wild and domestic birds in Europe 2020-2023. In July 2023, HPAI A(H5N1) was detected on 27 fur farms in Finland. In total, infections in silver and blue foxes, American minks and raccoon dogs were confirmed by RT-PCR. The pathological findings in the animals include widespread inflammatory lesions in the lungs, brain and liver, indicating efficient systemic dissemination of the virus. Phylogenetic analysis of Finnish A(H5N1) strains from fur animals and wild birds has identified three clusters (Finland I-III), and molecular analyses revealed emergence of mutations known to facilitate viral adaptation to mammals in the PB2 and NA proteins. Findings of avian influenza in fur animals were spatially and temporally connected with mass mortalities in wild birds. The mechanisms of virus transmission within and between farms have not been conclusively identified, but several different routes relating to limited biosecurity on the farms are implicated. The outbreak was managed in close collaboration between animal and human health authorities to mitigate and monitor the impact for both animal and human health.

Background: Alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists (α 2 -agonists) are widely used in animals as sedatives and for pre-anaesthetic medication. Medetomidine has often been given subcutaneously (SC) to rats, although its absorption rate is slow and the individual variation in serum drug concentrations is high via this route. In addition, α 2 -agonists have various effects on metabolic and endocrine functions such as hypoinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia and diuresis. Vatinoxan is a peripherally acting α 2 -adrenoceptor antagonist that, as a hydrophilic molecule, does not cross the blood-brain barrier in significant quantities and thus alleviates peripheral cardiovascular effects and adverse metabolic effects of α 2 -agonists. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vatinoxan on sedation, blood glucose concentration, voiding and heart and respiratory rates and arterial oxygen saturation in rats sedated with subcutaneous medetomidine, midazolam and fentanyl., Results: Onset of sedation and loss of righting reflex occurred significantly faster with vatinoxan [5.35 ± 1.08 (mean ± SD) versus 12.97 ± 6.18 min and 6.53 ± 2.18 versus 14.47 ± 7.28 min, respectively]. No significant differences were detected in heart and respiratory rates and arterial oxygen saturation between treatments. Blood glucose concentration (18.3 ± 3.6 versus 11.8 ± 1.2 mmol/L) and spontaneous urinary voiding [35.9 (15.1-41.6), range (median) versus 0.9 (0-8.0) mL /kg/min] were significantly higher without vatinoxan., Conclusions: Acceleration of induction of sedation, alleviation of hyperglycaemia and prevention of profuse diuresis by vatinoxan may be beneficial when sedating rats for clinical and experimental purposes with subcutaneous medetomidine, midazolam and fentanyl., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

We report cases of mammalian infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b in Northern Ireland. Two common gulls ( Larus canus ) and two red fox kits ( Vulpes vulpes ), were found dead in close vicinity. Comparison of viral whole genome sequences obtained from the animals identified a novel mammalian adaptation, PB2-M535I. Analysis of genetic sequences from other recent mammalian infections shows that this mutation has arisen on at least five occasions in three European countries since April 2023.

Since mid-July 2023, an outbreak caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b genotype BB is ongoing among farmed animals in South and Central Ostrobothnia, Finland. Infections in foxes, American minks and raccoon dogs have been confirmed on 20 farms. Genetic analysis suggests introductions from wild birds scavenging for food in farm areas. Investigations point to direct transmission between animals. While no human infections have been detected, control measures are being implemented to limit spread and human exposure.

Multiple introductions of SARS-COV-2 Omicron variant BA.1 and BA.1.1. lineages to Finland were detected in early December 2021. Within 3 weeks, Omicron overtook Delta as the most common variant in the capital region. Sequence analysis demonstrated the emergence and spread through community transmission of a large cluster of BA.1.1 virus.

Recombinant sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant were detected in surveillance samples collected in north-western Finland in January 2022. We detected 191 samples with an identical genome arrangement in weeks 3 to 11, indicating sustained community transmission. The recombinant lineage has a 5'-end of BA.1, a recombination breakpoint between orf1a and orf1b (nucleotide position 13,296-15,240) and a 3'-end of BA.2 including the S gene. We describe the available genomic and epidemiological data about this currently circulating recombinant XJ lineage.

Invasive infections by group B streptococci (iGBS) are the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in the first three months of life worldwide. The clinical and microbiological characteristics of neonatal and infant iGBS in Italy during the years 2015-2019 were investigated. Voluntary-based surveillance reported 191 cases (67 early-onset (EOD) and 124 late-onset disease (LOD)) and 89 bacterial isolates were received. The main clinical manifestations were sepsis (59.2%) followed by meningitis (21.5%), bacteremia (12.0%) and septic shock (6.3%). Hospitalized preterm babies accounted for one third of iGBS and constituted the most fragile population in terms of mortality (8.2%) and brain damage (16.4%). GBS serotype III was predominant in EOD (56%) and caused almost all LOD (95%). The rate of resistance to clindamycin reached 28.8%. Most of clindamycin-resistant GBS strains (76%) were serotype III-ST17 and possessed the genetic markers of the emerging multidrug resistant (MDR) CC-17 sub-clone. Our data revealed that iGBS is changing since it is increasingly reported as a healthcare-associated infection (22.6%), mainly caused by MDR-CC17. Continuous monitoring of the clinical and microbiological characteristics of iGBS remains of primary importance and it represents, at present, the most effective tool to support prevention strategies and the research on the developing GBS vaccine.