Exploring the drug delivery capabilities of NbC MXene functionalized with oxygen and fluorine: A DFT study.

MXenes quantum dots (QDs), including NbC, NbCO, and NbCF, are emerging materials with exceptional structural, electronic, and optical properties, making them highly suitable for biomedical applications. This study investigates the structural optimization, stability, electronic properties, and drug-loading potential of these QDs using fluorouracil (Flu) as a model drug. Structural analyses show that the functionalization of NbC with O and F atoms enhances stability, with binding energies (BEs) of 7.

Exploring the structural, electronic, and hydrogen storage properties of hexagonal boron nitride and carbon nanotubes: insights from single-walled to doped double-walled configurations.

This study investigates the structural intricacies and properties of single-walled nanotubes (SWNT) and double-walled nanotubes (DWNT) composed of hexagonal boron nitride (BN) and carbon (C). Doping with various atoms including light elements (B, N, O) and heavy metals (Fe, Co, Cu) is taken into account. The optimized configurations of SWNT and DWNT, along with dopant positions, are explored, with a focus on DWNT-BN-C.

Progress Toward Measles Elimination - World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2019-2022.

In 2015, all 22 World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries and areas (countries) pledged to achieve measles elimination by 2020. Despite success in several countries, most countries in the region still have not eliminated measles. This report updates a previous report and describes progress toward measles elimination in EMR during 2019-2022.

Electronic and optical properties of chemically modified 2D GaAs nanoribbons.

We employed density functional theory calculations to investigate the electronic and optical characteristics of finite GaAs nanoribbons (NRs). Our study encompasses chemical alterations including doping, functionalization, and complete passivation, aimed at tailoring NR properties. The structural stability of these NRs was affirmed by detecting real vibrational frequencies in infrared spectra, indicating dynamical stability.

Progress Toward Measles Elimination - Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2013-2019.

In 1997, during the 41st session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, the 21 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region* (EMR) passed a resolution to eliminate measles (1). In 2015, this goal was included as a priority in the Eastern Mediterranean Vaccine Action Plan 2016-2020 (EMVAP) (2), endorsed at the 62nd session of the Regional Committee (3). To achieve this goal, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean developed a four-pronged strategy: 1) achieve ≥95% vaccination coverage with the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) among children in every district of each country through routine immunization services; 2) achieve ≥95% vaccination coverage with a second MCV dose (MCV2) in every district of each country either through implementation of a routine 2-dose vaccination schedule or through supplementary immunization activities (SIAs); 3) conduct high-quality, case-based surveillance in all countries; and 4) provide optimal measles clinical case management, including dietary supplementation with vitamin A (4).

Interaction of hydrated metals with chemically modified hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots: wastewater treatment and water splitting.

The electronic and adsorption properties of chemically modified square hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots are investigated using density functional theory calculations. The free energy and frequency calculations show that all the boron nitride flakes are stable before/after modification and metal adsorption. Edge modification significantly enhances the stability and interactivity of the flake.

Adelmidrol protects against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a more serious condition of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a widely spread type of chronic liver disease. Oxidative stress and inflammation induced by lipotoxicity are involved in hepatic injury of NASH. This work aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of adelmidrol (PPAR α and γ agonist) against NASH in mice.

Measles and rubella elimination in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: successes and challenges.

In 2019, upon reviewing countries' reports, the regional verification commission for measles and rubella elimination declared elimination of measles and rubella in Bahrain, Islamic Republic of Iran and Oman. This achievement in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) constitutes a major success, since it occurs at a time when there remain highly challenging situations in several countries of the Region. In addition, there are unprecedented high transmission rates of measles throughout the world, with other World Health Organization (WHO) regions either not progressing (status quo) or regressing.

Global impact of rotavirus vaccine introduction on rotavirus hospitalisations among children under 5 years of age, 2008-16: findings from the Global Rotavirus Surveillance Network.

Background: Rotavirus vaccine use in national immunisation programmes has led to declines in hospital admissions for rotavirus gastroenteritis among children; however, the global impact of rotavirus vaccine introduction has not been described using primary data. We describe the impact of rotavirus vaccine introduction on admissions for acute rotavirus gastroenteritis in primarily low-income and middle-income countries, using 9 years of data from the WHO-coordinated Global Rotavirus Surveillance Network (GRSN).

Methods: Between Jan 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2016, children younger than 5 years of age who were admitted to hospital with acute gastroenteritis were prospectively enrolled in GRSN sites.

Progress Toward Measles Elimination - Pakistan, 2000-2018.

In 1997, the 21 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region* (EMR) passed a resolution during the 41st session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean to eliminate measles (1). In 2015, this goal was included as a priority in the Eastern Mediterranean Vaccine Action Plan 2016-2020 (2), approved at the 62nd session of the Regional Committee (3). To achieve measles elimination, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean developed the following four-pronged strategy: 1) achieve ≥95% vaccination coverage with the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) among children in every district of each country through routine immunization services; 2) achieve ≥95% vaccination coverage with a second MCV dose in every district of each country either through implementation of a routine 2-dose vaccination schedule or through supplementary immunization activities (SIAs); 3) conduct high-quality, case-based measles surveillance in all countries; and 4) provide optimal measles clinical case management, including dietary supplementation with vitamin A (4).

Introduction of Inactivated Polio Vaccine, Withdrawal of Type 2 Oral Polio Vaccine, and Routine Immunization Strengthening in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative has reduced the global incidence of polio by 99% and the number of countries with endemic polio from 125 to 3 countries. The Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018 (Endgame Plan) was developed to end polio disease. Key elements of the endgame plan include strengthening immunization systems using polio assets, introducing inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), and replacing trivalent oral polio vaccine with bivalent oral polio vaccine ("the switch").

Vaccine preventable diseases and immunization during humanitarian emergencies: challenges and lessons learned from the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Editorial).

The last few years have seen the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region suffer from multiple wars and conflicts leading to humanitarian emergencies of unprecedented magnitude. In addition to the many lives lost and affected, the conflicts have significantly impacted the infrastructure needed for delivery of healthcare services. Approximately 30 million people have fled their countries; the refugee population in Jordan has doubled and even tripled in Lebanon.

A global review of national influenza immunization policies: Analysis of the 2014 WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form on immunization.

Introduction: The WHO recommends annual influenza vaccination to prevent influenza illness in high-risk groups. Little is known about national influenza immunization policies globally.

Material And Methods: The 2014 WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form (JRF) on Immunization was adapted to capture data on influenza immunization policies.

Hepatitis B control among children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization.

In the pre-vaccination era, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) ranged from two to seven percent in a total population of over 580 million people. Mortality estimates place cirrhosis among the top ten causes of years of life lost in the EMR. The region has made notable achievements, improving coverage from only 6% in 1992, when WHO recommended hepatitis B vaccination of all infants, to 83% in 2014.

Development of a District-Level Programmatic Assessment Tool for Risk of Measles Virus Transmission.

All six World Health Organization (WHO) regions have now set goals for measles elimination by or before 2020. To prioritize measles elimination efforts and use available resources efficiently, there is a need to identify at-risk areas that are offtrack from meeting performance targets and require strengthening of programmatic efforts. This article describes the development of a WHO measles programmatic risk assessment tool to be used for monitoring, guiding, and sustaining measles elimination efforts at the subnational level.

Global invasive bacterial vaccine-preventable diseases surveillance--2008-2014.

Meningitis and pneumonia are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children globally infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae causing a large proportion of disease. Vaccines are available to prevent many of the common types of these infections. S.

WHO global rotavirus surveillance network: a strategic review of the first 5 years, 2008-2012.

Since 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) has coordinated the Global Rotavirus Surveillance Network, a network of sentinel surveillance hospitals and laboratories that report to ministries of health (MoHs) and WHO clinical features and rotavirus testing data for children aged <5 years hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. In 2013, WHO conducted a strategic review to assess surveillance network performance, provide recommendations for strengthening the network, and assess the network's utility as a platform for other vaccine-preventable disease surveillance. The strategic review team determined that during 2011 and 2012, a total of 79 sites in 37 countries met reporting and testing inclusion criteria for data analysis.

Progress toward measles elimination--Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2008-2012.

In 1997, the 22 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) adopted a goal of measles elimination by 2010. To achieve this goal, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) developed a four-pronged strategy: 1) achieve ≥ 95% vaccination coverage of children with the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) in every district of each country through routine immunization services, 2) achieve ≥ 95% vaccination coverage with the second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2) in every district of each country either through a routine 2-dose vaccination schedule or through supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), 3) conduct high-quality, case-based surveillance in all countries, and 4) provide optimal clinical case management, including supplementing diets with vitamin A. Although significant progress was made toward measles elimination in the EMR during 1997-2007, the measles elimination goal was not reached by the target date of 2010, and the date was revised to 2015.

Baseline burden of rotavirus disease in Sudan to monitor the impact of vaccination.

Background: In 2011, Sudan became the first low-income country in Africa to introduce a rotavirus vaccine. Prevaccine baseline data on rotavirus disease burden are crucial for monitoring the impact of this new vaccine program.

Methods: We conducted active, hospital-based surveillance for rotavirus disease at 8 regional public hospitals in Sudan using a standard protocol recommended by the World Health Organization for 2 full years immediately preceding vaccine introduction.

Bacterial meningitis surveillance in the Eastern Mediterranean region, 2005-2010: successes and challenges of a regional network.

Objective: To describe epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region countries and assist in introduction of new bacterial vaccines.

Study Design: A laboratory-based sentinel surveillance was established in 2004, and up to 10 countries joined the network until 2010. Personnel at participating hospitals and national public health laboratories received training in surveillance and laboratory methods and used standard clinical and laboratory-confirmed case definitions.

Characterization of human rotaviruses circulating in Iraq in 2008: atypical G8 and high prevalence of P[6] strains.

Fecal samples from 976 children with gastroenteritis were collected and analyzed for group A rotavirus (RVA), in three different cities in Iraq between January 2008 and December 2008. RVA antigen was detected in 394 (40%) of the samples, and 98 samples were available for further genotype analyses using multiplex RT-PCR and sequence analyses for untypeable strains. The G/P-genotype combination was determined for 69 samples, and 19, 2 and 8 samples remained P-untypeable, G-untypeable and G/P-untypeable (UT), respectively.

[Epidemiology of rotavirus gastroenteritis among children under 5 years of age in Tunisia - results of sentinel hospital surveillance 2009 to 2011].

Background: Rotavirus is the major cause of severe acute gastroenteritis among young children. The objectives of this study were to assess the epidemiology, clinical and virological features of community-acquired rotavirus acute gastroenteritis, in children under 5 years of age, hospitalized in Tunisia.

Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted from April 2009 to March 2011, in 11 sentinel pediatric departments.