scholarly journals Utilization of SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance in Africa—A Rapid Review

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 969
Author(s):  
Tafadzwa Dzinamarira ◽  
Grant Murewanhema ◽  
Patrick Gad Iradukunda ◽  
Roda Madziva ◽  
Helena Herrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Evidence ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Rna Detection ◽  
Primary Literature ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Epidemiological Significance

Wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in wastewater is desirable for understanding COVID-19 in settings where financial resources and diagnostic facilities for mass individual testing are severely limited. We conducted a rapid review to map research evidence on the utilization of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance in Africa. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and the World Health Organization library databases for relevant reports, reviews, and primary observational studies. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis of the findings from included primary studies revealed the testing methodologies utilized and that detected amount of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA correlated with the number of new cases in the studied areas. The included reviews revealed the epidemiological significance and environmental risks of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater. Wastewater surveillance data at the community level can be leveraged for the rapid assessment of emerging threats and aid pandemic preparedness. Our rapid review revealed a glaring gap in the primary literature on SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance on the continent, and accelerated and adequate investment into research is urgently needed to address this gap.

scholarly journals Potential of CRISPR/Cas13 System in Treatment and Diagnosis of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Khodavirdipour ◽  
Motahareh Piri ◽  
Sarvin Jabbari ◽  
Mohammad Khalaj-kondori
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tool ◽  
Human Kidney ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Rapid Action ◽  
Antiparasitic Drug ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Treatment And Diagnosis

AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) belongs to coronaviridae families, like sarbecovirus (SARS), and causes pyrexia, pertussis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in major. Started from Wuhan, China now forced the World Health Organization (WHO) to call it a pandemic. These dreadful figures elevate the need for rapid action for a rapid diagnostic tool, an efficacious therapy, or vaccine for such widespread disease. Here we reviewed all the latest research and trials including conventional antiviral medicines that have a narrow and finite effect on COVID-19. Recently, some advances have been made by a nucleotide/nucleoside analogues (NUC) inhibitor (remdesivir), ivermectin (antiparasitic drug), and convalescent plasma, the later one has more recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition, a clinical-grade soluble human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), named hrsACE2, was able to inhibit the infection of human blood vessel organoids, as well as the human kidney organoids, by the virus. As of now, innovative therapeutics based on the CRISPR/Cas13d might overcome the challenge of COVID-19 either as a treatment option or precise and rapid diagnostic tool due to its rapid and precise nature. In this updated comprehensive rapid review, we try to cover all recent findings in terms of genomics, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

scholarly journals Nucleated Red Blood Cell in Cord Blood as a Marker of Perinatal Asphyxia

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 264-268
Author(s):  
Piush Kanodia ◽  
Nisha Keshary Bhatta ◽  
Rupa Rajbhandari Singh ◽  
Gauri Shankar Shah ◽  
Shankar Prasad Yadav ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Roc Curve ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Perinatal Asphyxia ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
World Health ◽  
P Value ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Normal Neonates ◽  
Control Study

Introduction: Perinatal asphyxia is a common problem with the incidence varying from 0.5 –2% of live births. According to World Health Organization, approximately 4 million babies die each year before they reach the age of one month. The number of NRBC/100 WBC is variable but is rarely greater than 10 in normal neonates. This simple test can be helpful in the rapid assessment of perinatal asphyxia. Material and Methods: This prospective case-control study and there were 82 newborns in Case and 82 newborns in Controls comprising of asphyxiated and nonasphyxiated neonates, respectively, over a period of 12 months. Results: Out of the 82 neonates in case group, fifty nine (59) neonates were found to have NRBC level ≥10/100WBC, out of which 58 (70.7%) were cases and 1(1.2%) was a control. NRBCs count of ≥10/100WBC were seen more in the newborn who had low 5 min Apgar score and in the newborn with severe HIE, these association were statistically significant (P value <0.001). The cut-off NRBC value of ≥10/100WBC also found to have a sensitivity of 70.30% with a specificity of 98.78%. NRBC has a positive predictive value of 98.31% with a negative predictive value of 77.14%. Significance and sensitive area for ROC curve was 0.875. The ROC curve was calculated with cut-off NRBC value of ≥10/100WBC.Conclusions: NRBC counts can be very useful to differentiate HIE newborns from non-HIE newborns which will help in appropriate management and better outcome of these newborns.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2015;35(3):264-268

Botswana: country report on children’s environmental health

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience Erick
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
World Health ◽  
Contaminated Water ◽  
Country Report ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Children’S Environmental Health ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), 5.9 million children under age 5 died in 2015, and globally, the main causes of child deaths are pneumonia, prematurity, intrapartum-related complications, neonatal sepsis, congenital anomalies, diarrhoea, injuries and malaria. In 2012, it was reported that one quarter of childhood deaths and disease burden could have been prevented by reducing environmental risks. Children are vulnerable to environmental risks such as air pollution, inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene, hazardous chemicals and waste, radiation, climate change, as well as emerging threats like e-waste. They are particularly vulnerable to these threats due to their developing organs and immune systems, smaller bodies and airways. In 2010, there were 132,989 in-patient morbidities. This number represents a 5.2% increase from the 126,381 registered in 2009. The major causes of infant morbidity and morbidity in children under 5 years old were diarrhoea and pneumonia. Although morbidity cases increased in 2010, there was a 6% decline in in-patient mortality from 6952 registered deaths in 2009 to 6535 deaths in 2010. Pneumonia and diarrhoea were the major causes of both infant and child mortalities. In Botswana, various environmental risk factors such as contaminated water, air and soil pollution and poor waste management have been associated with children’s environmental health (CEH). The outbreaks of diarrhoea in the country have always been associated with contaminated water. In the recent outbreak of diarrhoea in August 2018, laboratory investigations attributed the outbreak of diarrhoea to rotavirus. Children (1–6 years) living in areas with high levels of traffic congestion (living near a busy road) had higher levels of lead in their blood than those who lived in areas with less traffic. Poor waste management may lead to contamination of air, soil and water. CEH has not been given the attention it deserves in Botswana. It is, therefore, time to raise awareness on the subject. Health care workers, for example, need to be trained on diseases affecting children that are due to environmental exposures. Communities as well need to be trained on environmental factors that are prevalent in their areas and the effects of those on children’s health. It is important that research should be conducted on CEH in Botswana. At the time of compiling this report, the author was not aware of any CEH network in the country or networks in the region. To raise awareness and advocacy of CEH, there is a need for the establishment of a CEH network in the country or to participate in networks in the regions.

scholarly journals Sex hormones as an emerging weapon to combat COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 01-03
Author(s):  
Dattatreya Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Close Contact ◽  
Virus Detection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rapid Screening ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Rna Detection ◽  
Highly Pathogenic ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) started as an epidemic in Wuhan in 2019 and was declared pandemic by WHO in March 2020. The virus has been identified and named as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This novel coronavirus strain is the causative agent of COVID-19, and continues to rapidly spread worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is a highly pathogenic and transmissible coronavirus that spreads through respiratory droplets and unprotected close contact. “COVID‑19 outbreak, which has caused >95 million confirmed infections and >2 million coronavirus related deaths, is one of the most disastrous worldwide crises in recent years. Several methods have been used to examine SARS-CoV-2 infections.” i.e. RT-qPCR for viral RNA detection, and rapid screening procedures for antibody or virus detection. COVID-19 shows an incubation period of 3–7 days globally. Approximately 80% of the cases remain mild or asymptomatic, 15% are severe and 5% infectious cases turn to critical, requiring ventilation [2]. Several clinical trials have been proposed for its treatment and management with supportive aim of mortality reduction [1]. By glancing a view on fig 1, it can be evidently seen that COVID-19 cases have started to rise significantly since last few months. Furthermore, as per World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 131,020,967 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at a global level recently.

scholarly journals Aspek biopsikososial ibu hamil bersalin dan nifas terkonfirmasi covid-19: Rapid review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-58
Author(s):  
Silvia Rizki Syah Putri ◽  
Cesa Septiana Pratiwi ◽  
Herlin Fitriani Kurniawati ◽  
Luluk Rosida
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

World Health Organization (WHO) menyebut coronavirus disease yang ditemukan pertama kali di Wuhan dengan novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) yang disebabkan oleh virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Ibu hamil, bersalin, nifas dan bayi baru lahir juga merupakan sasaran yang rentan terhadap infeksi Covid-19 (Kemenkes RI, 2020).Tujuan dari Rapid Review ini adalah untuk mengetahui ibu hamil, bersalin dan nifas yang terkonfirmasi Covid-19.Dari 12 Artikel yang didapatkan ibu hamil, bersalin dan nifas terkonfirmasi  Covid-19 dilihat dari aspek biologi, aspek psikologi dan aspek sosial. Tetapi masih diperlukan untuk mengivestigasi mendalam terkait pengalaman ibu hamil, bersalin dan nifas terkonfirmasi Covid-19.

scholarly journals A Rapid Review of Communication Strategies for Physical Activity Guidelines and Physical Activity Promotion: A Review of Worldwide Strategies

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Emily Budzynski-Seymour ◽  
Karen Milton ◽  
Hayley Mills ◽  
Matthew Wade ◽  
Charles Foster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Background: To support the strategy development for communication of the updated physical activity (PA) guidelines, the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Expert Panel for Communication was created. Methods: To help inform this process, a rapid review was performed to identify and describe how other nations are communicating their PA guidelines and PA generally. Elements of the health-enhancing physical activity policy audit tool created by the World Health Organization were used to investigate all 195 countries. Results: Seventy-seven countries had their own guidelines; 53 used the World Health Organization guidelines, and for 65 countries, no guidelines could be found. For the communication, 27 countries used infographics; 56 had government policies/documents, and 11 used a mass media campaign. Only 6 of these had been evaluated. Although many countries used infographics, there were no associated evaluations. As such, any future communication strategies should incorporate an evaluation. Mass media campaigns had the strongest evidence base, proving to be an effective strategy, particularly when incorporating aspects of social marketing. Conclusion: This review provides an insight into strategies countries worldwide have taken to communicate PA guidelines and PA promotion. These should be carefully considered when deciding how best to communicate and promote PA guidelines.

scholarly journals Management of oncology patients receiving anti-cancer treatment in the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esat Namal ◽  
Nur Dinc ◽  
Sezer Saglam ◽  
Ali Vefa Ozturk ◽  
Safiye Koculu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Oncology Patients ◽  
Rna Detection ◽  
Recommended Treatment ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
The World ◽  
Oropharyngeal Swab ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background/Aim: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) has deeply affected life all over the World. The World Health Organization named this disease as COVID-19. The most important factor in the transmission of the disease is asymptomatic carriers. We’ve tested all oncology patients, that receive anti-cancer therapy, for COVİD-19 to prevent asymptomatic oncology patients from spreading infection and to make the decision to postpone chemotherapy in infected patients. Then, we analyzed the clinical and radiological findings of infected patients.Materials and Methods: Oncology patients who have indications of receiving anti-cancer treatment in the hospital were tested for COVID-19, two day prior to their treatment even if they were asymptomatic by collecting nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab specimens for RT-PCR for viral RNA detection. Positive patients, underwent inspiratory phase of chest computed tomography (CT) examination. Infected patients were given the recommended treatment for COVID-19. Anti-cancer treatment of all patients that had positive PCR results was delayed for 14 days.Results: PCR test was positive in 28 of 312 patients that we tested, and the positivity rate was 8.9%. Three patients (10.7%) had symptoms; 2 of whom had dyspnea and cough, and 1 had headache, and 25 patients (89.3%) had no symptoms.Conclusion: In oncology patients, who are receiving anti-cancer treatment, we have to recognize the asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. We recommend testing for COVID-19 in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy, periodically or before each anti-cancer treatment, in order to continue their treatment without any problems and to prevent the risk of transmission.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way people recreate outdoors: Preliminary report on a national survey of outdoor enthusiasts amid the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William L. Rice ◽  
Caleb Meyer ◽  
Ben Lawhon ◽  
B. Derrick Taff ◽  
Tim Mateer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Effort ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Natural World ◽  
World Health ◽  
State University ◽  
Leave No Trace ◽  
Academic Partner ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Recreation Use ◽  
The Way

On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The pandemic is rapidly altering daily life and leading to changes in the way we spend time outside. In an effort to gather timely and relevant data on national recreation patterns, before, during, and after the pandemic, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics worked quickly with its academic partner, Pennsylvania State University, to offer guidance to land managers, recreation providers, and outdoor enthusiasts across the country. In total, 1,012 outdoor recreationists were surveyed through the Leave No Trace community in a 48-hour window beginning on the morning of April 9th. Our hope is that the results of this rapid assessment will provide valuable information for managing the changing recreation use of public lands, predicting spikes in recreation, and offering insight for land managers as they work to protect the natural world. The following tables, figures, and corresponding brief descriptions are intended to provide initial results of this research effort. Further results are forthcoming.

scholarly journals Developing an Innovative Pandemic Treaty to Advance Global Health Security

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-508
Author(s):  
Lawrence O. Gostin ◽  
Benjamin Mason Meier ◽  
Barbara Stocking
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Global Health Security ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Health Security ◽  
State Obligations ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractRecognizing marked limitations of global health law in the COVID-19 pandemic, a rising number of states are supporting the development of a new pandemic treaty. This prospective treaty has the potential to clarify state obligations for pandemic preparedness and response and strengthen World Health Organization authorities to promote global health security. Examining the essential scope and content of a pandemic treaty, this column analyzes the policymaking processes and substantive authorities necessary to meet this historic moment.

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