A fast-acting inhibitor of blood-stage with mechanism distinct from artemisinin and chloroquine.

Artemisinins are first-line treatment for malaria, prized for their extremely fast reduction of parasite load in patients. New fast-acting antimalarial compounds are urgently needed to counter artemisinin resistance, but the fast parasite reduction observed with artemisinins is rare among antimalarial compounds. Here we show that MMV1580853 has a very fast killing rate, comparable to that of dihydroartemisinin.

MicroRNAs modulate SARS-CoV-2 infection of primary human hepatocytes by regulating the entry factors ACE2 and TMPRSS2.

Background And Aims: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) preferentially infects the respiratory tract; however, several studies have implicated a multi-organ involvement. Hepatic dysfunctions caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection have been increasingly recognized and described to correlate with disease severity. To elucidate molecular factors that could contribute towards hepatic infection, we concentrated on microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs that modulate various cellular processes and which are reported to be differentially regulated during liver injury.

Inhibition of MRTF-A Ameliorates Pathological Remodeling of the Pressure-loaded Right Ventricle.

Right ventricular (RV) fibrosis is associated with RV dysfunction in a variety of RV pressure-loading conditions where RV mechanical stress is increased, but the underlying mechanisms driving RV fibrosis are incompletely understood. In pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases characterized by elevated mechanical stress and transforming growth factor - beta-1 (TGF-β1) signaling, myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) is a mechanosensitive protein critical to driving myofibroblast transition and fibrosis. Here we investigated whether MRTF-A inhibition improves RV pro-fibrotic remodeling and function in response to a pulmonary artery banding (PAB) model of RV pressure-loading.

A picomolar inhibitor of the IPP pathway.

We identified MMV026468 as a picomolar inhibitor of blood-stage . Phenotyping assays, including isopentenyl diphosphate rescue of parasite growth inhibition, demonstrated that it targets MEP isoprenoid precursor biosynthesis. MMV026468-treated parasites showed an overall decrease in MEP pathway intermediates, which could result from inhibition of the first MEP enzyme DXS or steps prior to DXS such as regulation of the MEP pathway.

Inactivation of yellow fever virus by WHO-recommended hand rub formulations and surface disinfectants.

Despite continued outbreaks of yellow fever virus (YFV) in endemic regions, data on its environmental stability or guidelines for its effective inactivation is limited. Here, we evaluated the susceptibility of the YFV 17D vaccine strain to inactivation by ethanol, 2-propanol, World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended hand rub formulations I and II, as well as surface disinfectants. In addition, two pathogenic strains were tested to compare inactivation kinetics by WHO-recommended hand rub formulations I and II.

Genetic determinants of host- and virus-derived insertions for hepatitis E virus replication.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a long-neglected RNA virus and the major causative agent of acute viral hepatitis in humans. Recent data suggest that HEV has a very heterogeneous hypervariable region (HVR), which can tolerate major genomic rearrangements. In this study, we identify insertions of previously undescribed sequence snippets in serum samples of a ribavirin treatment failure patient.

Case report of a rare cause of secondary hypertension illustrating the importance of cardio-obstetric preconception counselling.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases represent a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. High blood pressure during pregnancy is a major driver of short- and long-term cardiovascular health in both mother and child. Screening and adequate treatment of elevated blood pressure before pregnancy significantly reduce mortality risk to mother and child.

Renal implications of coronavirus disease 2019: insights into viral tropism and clinical outcomes.

In recent years, multiple coronaviruses have emerged, with the latest one, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing a global pandemic. Besides respiratory symptoms, some patients experienced extrapulmonary effects, such as cardiac damage or renal injury, indicating the broad tropism of SARS-CoV-2. The ability of the virus to effectively invade the renal cellular environment can eventually cause tissue-specific damage and disease.

Virucidal activity of a plant-oil-based oral rinse against respiratory viruses.

Background: Respiratory viruses have been reported to infect the salivary glands and the throat, which are potential reservoirs for virus replication and transmission. Therefore, strategies to reduce the amount of infective virus particles in the oral mucous membranes could lower the risk of transmission.

Methods: The viral inactivation capacity of a plant-oil-based oral rinse (Salviathymol®) was evaluated in comparison with chlorhexidine (Chlorhexamed® FORTE) using a quantitative suspension test according to EN 14476.

A comprehensive approach for evaluating the virucidal performance of domestic laundry detergents under practical conditions.

Aims: We aimed to develop a method to assess the virucidal performance of domestic laundry in a lab-scale washing machine (Rotawash) based on EN 17658.

Methods And Results: For method development, virus recovery was investigated after drying on cotton carriers for three test viruses murine norovirus (MNV), modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), and bovine coronavirus (BCoV), followed by washing simulations in flasks and Rotawash. MNV and MVA demonstrated sufficient recovery from carriers after drying and washing (up to 40°C and 60 min).

The influence of cardiac arrhythmias on the detection of heartbeats in the photoplethysmogram: benchmarking open-source algorithms.

Cardiac arrhythmias are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Wearable devices based on photoplethysmography give the opportunity to screen large populations, hence allowing for an earlier detection of pathological rhythms that might reduce the risks of complications and medical costs. While most of beat detection algorithms have been evaluated on normal sinus rhythm or atrial fibrillation recordings, the performance of these algorithms in patients with other cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or bigeminy, remain unknown to date.

Increased SARS-CoV-2 reactive low avidity T cells producing inflammatory cytokines in pediatric post-acute COVID-19 sequelae (PASC).

Background: A proportion of the convalescent SARS-CoV-2 pediatric population presents nonspecific symptoms, mental health problems, and a reduction in quality of life similar to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID-19 symptomatic. However, data regarding its clinical manifestation and immune mechanisms are currently scarce.

Methods: In this study, we perform a comprehensive clinical and immunological profiling of 17 convalescent COVID-19 children with post-acute COVID-19 sequelae (PASC) manifestation and 13 convalescent children without PASC manifestation.

Stability of pathogens on banknotes and coins: A narrative review.

For the prevention of infectious diseases, knowledge about potential transmission routes is essential. Pathogens can be transmitted directly (i.e.

Fading SARS-CoV-2 humoral VOC cross-reactivity and sustained cellular immunity in convalescent children and adolescents.

Cross-reactive cellular and humoral immunity can substantially contribute to antiviral defense against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC). While the adult SARS-CoV-2 cellular and humoral immunity and its cross-recognition potential against VOC is broadly analyzed, similar data regarding the pediatric population are missing. In this study, we perform an analysis of the humoral and cellular SARS-CoV-2 response immune of 32 convalescent COVID-19 children (children), 27 convalescent vaccinated adults(C + V+) and 7 unvaccinated convalescent adults (C + V-).

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization in individuals with natural, vaccine-induced and hybrid immunity: a retrospective population-based cohort study from Estonia.

A large proportion of the world's population has some form of immunity against SARS-CoV-2, through either infection ('natural'), vaccination or both ('hybrid'). This retrospective cohort study used data on SARS-CoV-2, vaccination, and hospitalization from national health system from February 2020 to June 2022 and Cox regression modelling to compare those with natural immunity to those with no (Cohort1, n = 94,982), hybrid (Cohort2, n = 47,342), and vaccine (Cohort3, n = 254,920) immunity. In Cohort 1, those with natural immunity were at lower risk for infection during the Delta (aHR 0.

The impact of gender on the self-confidence of practical and surgical skills among OBGYN residents: a trinational survey.

Introduction: Gender disparities exist in the OBGYN discipline. This study investigates, for the first time, whether gender impacts on the confidence of practical and surgical skills among OBGYN residents, and of being prepared to work as a specialist.

Methods: The gynecological societies of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland established a web-based survey of 30 questions that was sent to all registered OBGYN members-in-training from August to September 2020.

Virucidal activity of oral, hand, and surface disinfectants against respiratory syncytial virus.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is known as a major cause of respiratory tract infection in adults and children. Human-to-human transmission occurs via droplets as well as direct and indirect contact (e.g.

The use of prescription drugs and health care services during the 6-month post-COVID-19 period.

COVID-19 and other acute respiratory viruses can have a long-term impact on health. We aimed to assess the common features and differences in the post-acute phase of COVID-19 compared with other non-chronic respiratory infections (RESP) using population-based electronic health data. We applied the self-controlled case series method where prescription drugs and health care utilisation were used as indicators of health outcomes during the six-month-long post-acute period.

Fear of COVID-19 among patients with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection: A cross-sectional study in Estonian family practices.

Background: Fear of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been associated with significant health effects.

Objectives: To assess COVID-19 fear and investigate factors associated with higher fear among COVID-19 survivors over 6 months after infection.

Methods: Cross-sectional study using multistage sampling (family practices within the highest 5th percentile of numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients and random sample of patients within these practices) performed from March 15 to 17 July 2021.

A retrospective cohort study of incidence and risk factors for severe SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection among fully vaccinated people.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is currently the mainstay in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are still people among vaccinated individuals suffering from severe forms of the disease. We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on data from nationwide e-health databases.

Stability and Inactivation of Monkeypox Virus on Inanimate Surfaces.

The spread of nonzoonotic monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections necessitates the reevaluation of hygiene measures. To date, only limited data are available on MPXV surface stability. Here, we evaluate the stability of infectious MPXV on stainless steel stored at different temperatures, while using different interfering substances to mimic environmental contamination.

Method-comparison study between a watch-like sensor and a cuff-based device for 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

The use of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has been continuously increasing over the last decades. However, cuff-based devices may cause discomfort, particularly at night, leading to potentially non-representative blood pressure (BP) values. We investigated the feasibility of a cuff-less BP monitoring solution in 67 subjects undergoing conventional 24-h ABPM.