Influence of non-pharmaceutical interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic on respiratory viral infections - a prospective population-based cohort study.

Unlabelled: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) have been proven successful in a population-based approach to protect from SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a consequential-effect, a reduction in the spread of all respiratory viruses has been observed, but the primary factors behind this phenomenon have yet to be identified. We conducted a subgroup analysis of participants from the ELISA study, a prospective longitudinal cohort study on SARS-CoV-2 transmission, at four timepoints from November 2020 - September 2022.

Transition to endemic: 2-year SARS-CoV-2 surveillance follow-up of the ELISA cohort.

https://bit.ly/43x8q6i.

Outbreak investigation including molecular characterization of community associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a primary and secondary school in Eastern Switzerland.

At our tertiary children's hospital, infections with newly detected methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among children attending primary (age 6-12 years) and secondary school (age 13-16 years) nearly doubled in 2018 compared to previous years. This observation initiated an epidemiological outbreak investigation including phenotypic (susceptibility testing) and genotypic (whole genome sequencing) characterization of the isolates. In addition, a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine source of the outbreak, colonization frequency and to identify risk factors for transmission using a questionnaire.

Higher risk for influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) in asthmatic patients: A Swiss multicenter cohort study on IAPA in critically ill influenza patients.

Background: Influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) is an important complication of severe influenza with high morbidity and mortality.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study in tertiary hospitals in Switzerland during 2017/2018 and 2019/2020 influenza seasons. All adults with PCR-confirmed influenza infection and treatment on intensive-care unit (ICU) for >24 h were included.

Protocol of the Luebeck longitudinal investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection (ELISA) study - a prospective population-based cohort study.

Background: Considering the insufficiently controlled spread of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, partially low vaccination rates, and increased risk of a post-COVID syndrome, well-functioning, targeted intervention measures at local and national levels are urgently needed to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Surveillance concepts (cross-sectional, cohorts, clusters) need to be carefully selected to monitor and assess incidence and prevalence at the population level. A critical methodological gap for identifying specific risks/dynamics for SARS-Cov-2 transmission and post-COVID-19-syndrome includes repetitive testing for past or present infection of a defined cohort with simultaneous assessment of symptoms, behavior, risk, and protective factors, as well as quality of life.

No evidence of harmful effects of steroids in severe exacerbations of COPD associated with influenza.

Purpose: COPD has large impact on patient morbidity and mortality worldwide. Acute exacerbations (AECOPD) are mostly triggered by respiratory infections including influenza. While corticosteroids are strongly recommended in AECOPD, they are potentially harmful during influenza.

Spondylodiscitis due to anaerobic bacteria : Case report and literature review.

Background: While pyogenic spondylodiscitis due to Gram-positive aerobic bacteria and its treatment is well known, spondylodiscitis caused by anaerobic Gram-negative pathogen is rare. In particular, the spondylodiscitis caused by species is an absolute rarity. Thus no established management recommendations exist.

Why Test Purchased Cattle in BVDV Control Programs?

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is controlled in many countries by detection and culling of persistently infected (PI) animals. The most important risk factor for BVDV introduction is purchase. An introduced cow can be PI and transmit the virus to other cattle in the herd.

HSV-pneumonitis in a patient with lung cancer receiving check point inhibitors - a case report.

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is commonly associated with oro-facial and genital manifestations. It rarely causes encephalitis and even less commonly, in heavily immunosuppressed patients, visceral disease or bronchopneumonitis. We present a case of cytologically-proven, PCR-positive HSV-1 tracheobronchitis and pneumonitis in a patient with less severe immunocompromise.

Influenza-associated aspergillosis in critically-ill patients-a retrospective bicentric cohort study.

Influenza was recently reported as a risk factor for invasive aspergillosis (IA). We aimed to describe prognostic factors for influenza-associated IA (IAA) and poor outcome and mortality in critically ill patients in Switzerland. All adults with confirmed influenza admitted to the ICU at two Swiss tertiary care centres during the 2017/2018 influenza season were retrospectively evaluated.

Influence of Older Age and Other Risk Factors on Pneumonia Hospitalization in Switzerland in the Pneumococcal Vaccine Era.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a disease of the extremes of age. However, as other traditional risk factors for pneumococcal pneumonia also increase with older age, it is unclear if older age itself should be an indication for pneumococcal vaccination. Therefore, we assessed the effect of age on risk for hospitalization for pneumonia and for pneumococcal pneumonia.

Antibodies against HPV16E6 oncoprotein in the Swiss HIV cohort study: Kinetics and anal cancer risk prediction.

Our aim was to describe HPV16E6 antibody kinetics prior to anal cancer in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and evaluate the possible contribution of HPV16E6 serology to anal cancer risk prediction. For 91 persons diagnosed with anal cancer in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (1989-2017), serial serum/plasma samples were tested for HPV16E6 antibodies using multiplex serology, supplemented with samples from 1,356 participants without anal cancer. Anal cancer incidence was estimated for PLWHA from 40 years-old in the cART era, stratified by HPV16E6 serostatus.

Epidemiological performance and subsequent costs of different surveillance strategies to control bovine herpesvirus type 1 in dairy farms.

This study aimed at comparing the surveillance program of bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV1) as laid down by EU Decision 2004/558/EC and 2007/584/EC ('conventional design') with an alternative design. The alternative design was based on monthly bulk-milk testing, clinical surveillance and a risk-based component that involves testing of animals that are purchased from non-free cattle herds. Scenario-tree analyses were carried out to determine sensitivities of the surveillance system (and its components) and the monthly confidence of freedom on herd-level.

Comparison of two intravaginal progesterone releasing devices (PRID-Delta vs CIDR) in dairy cows: blood progesterone profile and field fertility.

Objectives were to compare circulating progesterone (P4) profile and pregnancies per AI (P/AI) of two commercial intravaginal P4 devices (PRID-Delta(®) vs CIDR(®)). In Experiment 1, ovariectomized dairy cows (PRID-Delta, n=6 vs CIDR, n=6) were sampled throughout 7 days to measure circulating P4. In Experiment 2 (PRID-Delta, n=399 vs CIDR, n=375), cows were assigned to treatments, as follows: D0, an intravaginal P4 device containing 1.

[Isolation of cytostatically active proteins from seeds of Ricinus communis, Abrus praecatorius and Canavalia ensiformis (author's transl)].

The extraction and isolation of, as yet, uninvestigated antitumor active protein mixtures from the seeds of Abrus praecatorius, Canavalia ensiformis and especially Ricinus communis is reported. By means of membrane ultrafiltration of crude ricin a low-molecular weight protein mixture, Ro 413, could be obtained, which showed, in comparison to ricin-toxin, a reduced toxicity but with the same cytostatic action. An almost complete separation of Ro 413 into the individual components was achieved using preparative disc electrophoresis.

[Manometry and gastro-esophageal closure mechanism. An attempt at evaluation (author's transl)].

The registration of resting pressures and motility activity has considerably increased our knowledge of the normal functioning of the esophagus. We have not jet solved all the methodological problems of manometry; however perfusion manometry, which is used today, has enabled us to make an exact cassification of functional disorders and adequate therapy. An understanding of the methodological problems involved is necessary for the correct use of the manometric method and the correct interpretation of its results.

Somatostatin mode of action on gastric acid secretion in dogs.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the mode of the inhibitory effect of somatostatin on gastric acid secretion. This was done in Heidenhain-pouch dogs studying the effect of somatostatin on cumulative dose response curves of pentagastrin, carbachol and histamine. Somatostatin inhibited gastric secretion after all three stimuli, with decreasing potency against carbachol, pentagastrin and histamine.

The relationship between serum IRG levels and LES Pressure under various conditions.

In investigations with various groups of patients there was no correlation between fasting serum IRG levels and LES pressures in individual subjects with undisturbed for disturbed sphincters. After food ingestion a short phase of LES pressure increase (from 13.5 +/- 1.

The effect of pressure changes inside the antrum on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in man and dog.

The pressure change inside the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in response to pressure changes inside the antrum was investigated in man and in dogs with antral pouches. In dogs with innervated antral pouches a pressure increase of 20 cm H2O inside the antrum produced an increase in LES pressure of 14 +/- 7 mm Hg, whereas an antral pressure of 80 cm H2O caused a decrease of 26 +/- 12 mm Hg in LES pressure (x +/- SD). Truncal vagotomy abolished LES response to the various antral pressures.

Experimental hypergastrinaemia in the dog.

In order to investigate chronic hypergastrinaemia in dogs, studies with various excluded antrum preparations were performed. Gastric secretion was collected from denervated fundic pouches and gastrin levels were measured pre- and postoperatively by radioimmunoassay. In some samples the gastrins were separated according to their molecular size.

Motilin effects on gastrointestinal motility and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in dogs.

Natural porcine motilin induces phasic contractions of the lower esophageal sphincter in dogs. These contractions are related to gastric contractions, which have the characteristics of interdigestive-motility patterns. Duodenal alkalinization produces an insignificant LES pressure increase after 5 minutes.

The effect of intravenous infusion of synthetic human gastrin-I on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in the dog and its relation to gastrin level.

To demonstrate the relation between gastrin level and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, experiments with intravenous infusions of synthetic human gastrin-I (SHG-I) were performed in anaesthetized dogs. The results show that infusions with 5 mug-kg-1-h-1 SHG-I have an initially increasing effect on LES pressure but produce unphysiologically high gastrin blood levels. Physiological levels of gastrin were measured only using an infusion dose of 0.

The motor-stimulating effect of natural motilin on the lower esophageal sphincter fundus, antrum and duodenum in dogs.

Natural motilin was investigated for its effect on gastrointestinal motor activity in anesthetized dogs. In doses starting from 10 ng/kg as single injection and 100 ng/kg-h as intravenous infusion, motilin induced phasic pressure changes in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and in the lumen of the fundus, antrum, and duodenum. Tachyphylaxis was seen in 6 out of 10 dogs.