2024 Mpox outbreak: A rapidly evolving public health emergency of international concern: Introduction of an Updated Mpox Identify-Isolate-Inform (3I) Tool.

The declaration of a second Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for mpox in August 2024 underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of the evolving epidemiology [1] clinical manifestations, and zoonotic potential of this emerging threat [2]. This work delves into the intricate interplay between human and animal mpox infections, with a specific focus on the unique characteristics of various viral clades and their implications for individual and public health. There is a critical need to elucidate the factors driving multiple spillover events and the subsequent emergence of new clades better adapted to human-to-human transmission.

Food for thought: Making the case for food produced via regenerative agriculture in the battle against non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs).

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a global health challenge, leading to substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic strain. Our review underscores the escalating incidence of NCDs worldwide and highlights the potential of regenerative agriculture (RA) products in mitigating these diseases. We also explore the efficacy of dietary interventions in NCD management and prevention, emphasizing the superiority of plant-based diets over those high in processed foods and red meat.

Drug use and COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and infection among underserved, minority communities in Miami, Florida.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately impacted people who use drugs (PWUD). This study explored relationships between drug use, COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and infection. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Miami, Florida between March 2021 and October 2022 as part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) initiative and the Miami Adult Studies on HIV (MASH) cohort.

Community-Engaged Research: COVID-19 Testing, Infection, and Vaccination among Underserved Minority Communities in Miami, Florida.

Community collaboration is a cornerstone of modern public health efforts. This work aimed to use community-engaged research to explore COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and infection in a minoritized community. This study was conducted in Miami, Florida, from March 2021 to February 2022 in community partner sites and the Miami Adult Studies on HIV (MASH) cohort.

Disability and COVID-19: Challenges, testing, vaccination, and postponement and avoidance of medical care among minoritized communities.

Background: People with disabilities face heightened vulnerability to COVID-19.

Objective: This study investigated (1) the relationships between disability and COVID-19-related challenges, testing, vaccination, and infection and (2) predictors of loss of healthcare coverage and postponement and avoidance of medical care during the pandemic.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Miami, Florida, between March 2021 and February 2022 as part of the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Underserved Populations initiative.

Remission of severe forms of long COVID following monoclonal antibody (MCA) infusions: A report of signal index cases and call for targeted research.

Objective: Long COVID has afflicted tens of millions globally leaving many previously-healthy persons severely and indefinitely debilitated. The objective here was to report cases of complete, rapid remission of severe forms of long COVID following certain monoclonal antibody (MCA) infusions and review the corresponding pathophysiological implications.

Design: Case histories of the first three index events (among others) are presented.

Monkeypox 2022 Identify-Isolate-Inform: A 3I Tool for frontline clinicians for a zoonosis with escalating human community transmission.

Monkeypox 2022, a zoonotic virus similar to smallpox, presented as a rapidly escalating human outbreak with community transmission outside endemic regions of Africa. In just over one month of detection, confirmed cases escalated to over 3300, with reports of patients in at least 43 non-African nations. Mechanisms of transmission in animals and the reservoir host remain uncertain; spread from humans to wild or domestic animals risks the creation of new endemic zones.

Monkeypox 2022: A Primer and Identify-Isolate-Inform (3I) Tool for Emergency Medical Services Professionals.

Monkeypox 2022 exhibits unprecedented human-to-human transmission and presents with different clinical features than those observed in prior outbreaks. Previously endemic only to West and Central Africa, the monkeypox virus spread rapidly world-wide following confirmation of a case in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2022 of an individual that had traveled to Nigeria. Detection of cases with no travel history confirms on-going community spread.

A framework for research linking weather, climate and COVID-19.

Early studies of weather, seasonality, and environmental influences on COVID-19 have yielded inconsistent and confusing results. To provide policy-makers and the public with meaningful and actionable environmentally-informed COVID-19 risk estimates, the research community must meet robust methodological and communication standards.

Coalition: Advocacy for prospective clinical trials to test the post-exposure potential of hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19.

Our coalition of public health experts, doctors, and scientists worldwide want to draw attention to the need for high-quality evaluation protocols of the potential beneficial effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a post-exposure drug for exposed people. In the absence of an approved, recognized effective pre or post-exposure prophylactic drug or vaccine for COVID-19, nor of any approved and validated therapeutic drug, coupled with social and political pressure raised by publicity both regarding the potential beneficial effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as well as potential risks from HCQ, we urge the immediate proper clinical trials. Specifically, we mean using HCQ for post-exposure of people with close contact with patients with positive COVID19 rtPCR, including home and medical caregivers.

Towards detection and diagnosis of Ebola virus disease at point-of-care.

Ebola outbreak-2014 (mainly Zaire strain related Ebola virus) has been declared most widely spread deadly persistent epidemic due to unavailability of rapid diagnostic, detection, and therapeutics. Ebola virus disease (EVD), a severe viral hemorrhagic fever syndrome caused by Ebola virus (EBOV) is transmitted by direct contact with the body fluids of infected person and objects contaminated with virus or infected animals. World Health Organization (WHO) has declared EVD epidemic as public health emergency of international concern with severe global economic burden.

Anatomic laboratory and forensic aspects of biological threat agents.

Anatomic pathology of surgical and cytologic samples and forensic autopsies is a critical component of our defense against biological terrorism. In many instances, rapid, valuable diagnosis may be obtained by the proper immediate use of the anatomic pathology laboratory. Included in this field is the work of medical examiners and coroners, who are essential public health partners for terrorism preparedness and response.

Viral hemorrhagic fevers.

A taxonomically diverse set of single-stranded ribonucleic acid(ssRNA) viruses from four diverse viral families Arenaviridae,Bunyaviridae, Filoviridae, and Flaviviridae cause an acute systemic febrile syndrome called viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). The syndrome produces combinations of prostration, malaise, increased vascular permeability, and coagulation maladies. In severe illness,VHF may include generalized bleeding but the bleeding does not typically constitute a life-threatening loss of blood volume.

Emerging natural threats and the deliberate use of biological agents.

Over the past several years there has been an increasing awareness and interest by the medical community, the media, and government at all levels regarding the need to plan for and defend against biological weapons. This article offers an overview of various new and emerging natural biological threats.

A multidisciplinary approach to teach responses to weapons of mass destruction and terrorism using combined simulation modalities.

Study Objective: To reinforce concepts presented in the lectures; understand the complexity and speed of casualty and information generation during a Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism (WMD/T) event; experience the novelty of combined weapons' effects; recognize the time course of the various chemical, biological, and radiation agents; and make challenging decisions with incomplete and conflicting information.

Settings: Two environments simulated simultaneously: one a major trauma center emergency room (ER) with two patient simulators and several human actors; the other an Emergency Operations Command Center (EOC).

Target Audience: Students for this course included: clinicians, scientists, military and intelligence officers, lawyers, administrators, and logistic personnel whose jobs involve planning and executing emergency response plans to WMD/T.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Teach Responses to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Using Combined Simulation Modalities.

Study Objective: To reinforce concepts presented in the lectures; understand the complexity and speed of casualty and information generation during a Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism (WMD/T) event; experience the novelty of combined weapons' effects; recognize the time course of the various chemical, biological, and radiation agents; and make challenging decisions with incomplete and conflicting information.

Settings: Two environments simulated simultaneously: one a major trauma center emergency room (ER) with two patient simulators and several human actors; the other an Emergency Operations Command Center (EOC).

Target Audience: Students for this course included: clinicians, scientists, military and intelligence officers, lawyers, administrators, and logistic personnel whose jobs involve planning and executing emergency response plans to WMD/T.

TLR2 and TLR4 serve distinct roles in the host immune response against Mycobacterium bovis BCG.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) proteins mediate cellular activation by microbes and microbial products. To delineate the role of TLR proteins in the development of host immune responses against mycobacteria, wild-type and TLR-deficient mice were infected with nonpathogenic Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Two weeks after intraperitoneal challenge with BCG, few bacilli were present in the lungs of wild-type and TLR4(-/-) mice, whereas bacterial loads were tenfold higher in the lungs of infected TLR2(-/-) mice.

Lethal invasive cestodiasis in immunosuppressed patients.

Using both traditional methods and broad-range 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) polymerase chain reaction, we examined 2 cases of lethal cestodiasis, in which the disease agent had been poorly identified or misidentified. In one case, involving a patient with AIDS, we identified the human dwarf tapeworm, Hymenolepis nana, as a cause of aberrant metastatic larval disease. In the second case with similar pathologic abnormalities, involving a patient with Hodgkin disease, we identified a larval cestode with a previously uncharacterized 18S rDNA sequence.

Intracellular and interstitial expression of Helicobacter pylori virulence genes in gastric precancerous intestinal metaplasia and adenocarcinoma.

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric cancer are associated with Helicobacter pylori, but the bacterium often is undetectable in these lesions. To unravel this apparent paradox, IM, H. pylori presence, and the expression of H.