Exploring Future Pandemic Preparedness Through the Development of Preventive Vaccine Platforms and the Key Roles of International Organizations in a Global Health Crisis.

The emergence of more than 40 new infectious diseases since the 1980s has emerged as a serious global health concern, many of which are zoonotic. In response, many international organizations, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), have developed strategies to combat these health threats. The need for rapid vaccine development has been highlighted by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and mRNA technology has shown promise as a platform.

Innovations in TB Screening and Preventive Therapy Services for PLHIV in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia.

Tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) for people living with HIV (PLHIV) has been recommended by Indonesia's National TB Program since 2014 but has seen limited implementation. This study describes TB screening and TPT initiation from 2019 to 2022 among eight healthcare facilities supported by the Zero TB Yogyakarta (ZTB) project. ZTB assigned a dedicated nurse to assist with active TB screening among PLHIV and recommended the immediate initiation of TPT as an innovation implemented.

Laboratory Comparison of Rapid Antigen Diagnostic Tests for Lymphatic Filariasis: STANDARD Q Filariasis Antigen Test (QFAT) Versus Bioline Filariasis Test Strip (FTS).

Accurate rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are needed to diagnose lymphatic filariasis (LF) in global elimination programmes. We evaluated the performance of the new STANDARD Q Filariasis Antigen Test (QFAT) against the Bioline Filariasis Test Strip (FTS) for detecting antigen (Ag) in laboratory conditions, using serum (n = 195) and plasma (n = 189) from LF-endemic areas (Samoa, American Samoa and Myanmar) and Australian negative controls (n = 46). The prior Ag status of endemic samples (54.

Public Health Travel Restrictions Implemented for Persons at Risk of Transmitting SARS-CoV-2 Infection-United States, January 1, 2020-April 6, 2022.

Context: Federal public health travel restrictions (FPHTR) in the United States are implemented for persons who meet specific criteria to prevent spread of communicable diseases of public health concern. FPHTR can mitigate the risk of disease transmission during air travel and mitigating disease translocation between geographic areas.

Objective: To characterize and determine the extent of FPHTR implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Machine learning and molecular dynamics simulations predict potential TGR5 agonists for type 2 diabetes treatment.

Introduction: Treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains a significant challenge because of its multifactorial nature and complex metabolic pathways. There is growing interest in finding new therapeutic targets that could lead to safer and more effective treatment options. Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) is a promising antidiabetic target that plays a key role in metabolic regulation, especially in glucose homeostasis and energy expenditure.

Exposure to specific polyfluoroalkyl chemicals is associated with cardiovascular disease in US adults: a population-based study.

Background: Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) present potential health risks due to their persistence and bioaccumulation. However, there is currently insufficient evidence regarding their impact on cardiovascular disease (CVD). Consequently, it is imperative to investigate the correlation between PFCs and CVD.

Disaster emergency meal plans for Korean patients who require hemodialysis.

Proactive planning and preparation are critical to the safety of patients on dialysis during emergencies, such as natural disasters, and pandemics, such as coronavirus disease 2019. Patients with end-stage kidney disease are particularly vulnerable to disruptions such as power outages, water shortages, transportation issues, and dialysis center closures because they can result in missed dialysis sessions and severe health deterioration. This study aimed to develop tailored dietary guidelines for Korean patients on hemodialysis by applying the U.

Differences in influenza testing and treatment in micropolitan versus metropolitan areas in the U.S. using medicare claims data from 2010 to 2016.

Background: To improve understanding of influenza and rurality, we investigated differences in influenza testing and anti-viral treatment rates between micropolitan (muSAs) and metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) using national medical claims data over multiple influenza seasons.

Methods: Using billing data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for those aged 65 years and older, we estimated weekly rates of ordered rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDT) and antivirals (AV) among Medicare enrollees by core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) during 2010-2016. We used Negative Binomial generalized mixed models to estimate adjusted rate ratios (aRR) between MSAs and muSAs, adjusting for clustering by CBSA plus explanatory variables.

The impact of educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on preventive behaviors for gastric cancer in obese and smoking individuals.

Background: Gastric cancer remains a significant global health issue due to its aggressive nature and high heterogeneity, making early detection and prevention critical. Obesity and smoking are established risk factors that significantly contribute to the development of gastric cancer. Despite the clear links between these risk factors and the disease, there is a lack of targeted educational interventions that address these behaviors.

October 2024 ACIP Meeting Update: Influenza, COVID-19, RSV and Other Vaccines.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a group of medical and public health experts that provides advice to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, normally meets 3 times per year to develop US vaccine recommendations. The ACIP met October 23-24, 2024, to discuss influenza vaccines, chikungunya vaccines, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines, RSV immunizations, meningococcal vaccines, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines, and adult and child/adolescent immunization schedule revisions. This update summarizes the proceedings of these meetings, with an emphasis on topics that are most relevant to the pediatric population.

Duration of infectious virus shedding of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant among immunocompromised patients.

Objective: The duration of viral shedding and criteria for de-isolation in the hospital among immunocompromised patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate viral shedding duration in immunocompromised patients infected with the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed at 2 tertiary medical centers in Japan during the Omicron epidemic waves from July 2022 to January 2023.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Exposure in the U.S. Population: NHANES 1999-March 2020.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals" because of their persistence in the environment, have been used in many commercial applications since the 1940s. Of late, the detection of PFAS in drinking water throughout the United States has raised public and scientific concerns. To understand PFAS exposure trends in the general U.

Wearable heart rate variability analysis system based on ionic conductive hydrogels.

Developing a wearable device that can continuously and reliably detect and evaluate heart rate variability (HRV) parameters is critical for the diabetic population with cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN). In this work, we proposed a zwitterionic conducting hydrogel that enabled a reliable and comfortable wearable device for the evaluation and detection of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The hydrogel can achieve a strain of 2003 %, an electrical conductivity of 190 mS/m, and is capable of adhering to a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and glass.

Updates to HIV transmission rate estimates along the HIV care continuum in the United States, 2019.

Background: In 2019, there were an estimated 1.2 million persons with HIV (PWH) and 35,100 new infections in the United States. The HIV care continuum has a large influence on transmission dynamics.

Tuberculosis in the US Kidney Failure Population.

Background: People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher risk for progression to tuberculosis disease following infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We produced a nationwide incidence estimate and description of tuberculosis among people with kidney failure.

Methods: We completed a cross-sectional descriptive analysis of people with a reported case of tuberculosis in the United States between 2010 and 2021.

Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Among Children.

Importance: The degree that in-home cannabis smoking can be detected in the urine of resident children is unclear.

Objective: Test association of in-home cannabis smoking with urinary cannabinoids in children living at home.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from Project Fresh Air, a 2012-2016 randomized clinical trial to reduce fine particulate matter levels.

Folate and Vitamin B12 Status among Non-Pregnant, Non-Lactating Women of Reproductive Age and Predicted Risk for Neural Tube Defects, Morogoro Region, Tanzania.

Introduction: Population risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) can be determined using red blood cell (RBC) folate. However, a paucity of biomarker and surveillance data among non-lactating, non-pregnant women of reproductive age (NPWRA) from Africa limits accurate assessment. Our study assessed folate and vitamin B12 status among non-lactating NPWRA and predicted population risk of NTDs in Tanzania.

A Death From Necrotizing Wound Infection After Cesarean Section: Resurgence of Group A Streptococcal Puerperal Sepsis.

Necrotizing wound infections are potentially lethal complications of surgeries, including cesarean deliveries. A 32-year-old female with obesity and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) underwent uncomplicated cesarean section. Four days later, she developed abdominal pain and imaging showed ascites; she was treated with antibiotics.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of pyrazinamide resistance-India, 2018-2020.

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is a key first-line antituberculosis drug that plays an important role in eradicating persister (TB) bacilli and shortening the duration of tuberculosis treatment. However, PZA-resistance is on the rise, particularly among persons with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis. This nationwide study was conducted to explore the prevalence of mutations conferring PZA resistance, catalogue mutation diversity, investigate the associations of PZA resistance with specific lineages, examine co-resistance to 13 first- and second-line drugs, and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of sequencing A and D genes for predicting PZA resistance.

Population Size Estimation of Men Who Have Sex With Men in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Google Trends Analysis.

Background: Population size estimation (PSE) for key populations is needed to inform HIV programming and policy.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the utility of applying a recently proposed method using Google Trend (GT) internet search data to generate PSE (Google Trends Population Size Estimate [GTPSE]) for men who have sex with men (MSM) in 54 countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

Methods: We examined GT relative search volumes (representing the relative internet search frequency of specific search terms) for "porn" and, as a comparator term, "gay porn" for the year 2020.

Impact of fluconazole on outcomes of patients with primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis: a commercial health insurance claims-based, propensity score matched analysis.

Background: Patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis often experience prolonged symptoms lasting weeks to months. Limited data exist regarding whether fluconazole prevents development of disseminated disease or shortens symptom duration. We describe factors associated with fluconazole receipt and assess its effect on outcomes among patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.

Three-Dimensional (3D) Printing in Non-Industrial Spaces: A Summary of Emissions Evaluations in 11 School Settings.

Background: Additive manufacturing or 3-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging technology with increasing prevalence in non-industrial settings such as university and school settings. However, printers are often located in spaces not designed for this purpose.

Methods: 3D-printer use in 11 university and K-12 schools was evaluated by identifying emissions using area air sampling for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particle counting instruments (PCIs) measuring ultrafine particulate (UFP) and evaluating controls to reduce potential exposure.

Evaluating the potential of Kalanchoe pinnata, Piper amalago amalago, and other botanicals as economical insecticidal synergists against Anopheles gambiae.

Background: Synergists reduce insecticide metabolism in mosquitoes by competing with insecticides for the active sites of metabolic enzymes, such as cytochrome P450s (CYPs). This increases the availability of the insecticide at its specific target site. The combination of both insecticides and synergists increases the toxicity of the mixture.

The association between oxidative balance score with constipation and diarrhea in US adults: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2007-2010.

Background: Oxidative stress is associated with functional bowel disorders. The Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) is used to represent the overall level of oxidative stress experienced by an individual. Sex differences are exhibited in the occurrence of constipation and diarrhea.