Digital Commons Network^™

Neuroinvasion, Neurotropic, And Neuroinflammatory Events Of Sars-Cov-2: Understanding The Neurological Manifestations In Covid-19 Patients, Yassine Yachou, Abdeslem El Idrissi, Vladimir Belapasov, Said Ait Benali

Publications and Research

Respiratory viruses are opportunistic pathogens that infect the upper respiratory tract in humans and cause severe illnesses, especially in vulnerable populations. Some viruses have neuroinvasive properties and activate the immune response in the brain.These immune events may be neuroprotective or they may cause long-term damage similar to what is seen in some neurodegenerative diseases. The new “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2” (SARS-CoV-2) is one of the Respiratory viruses causing highly acute lethal pneumonia coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with clinical similarities to those reported in “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (SARS-CoV) and the “Middle East Respiratory SyndromeCoronavirus” (MERS-CoV) including neurological …

The Surveillance For Enteric Fever In Asia Project (Seap), Severe Typhoid Fever Surveillance In Africa (Seta), Surveillance Of Enteric Fever In India (Sefi), And Strategic Typhoid Alliance Across Africa And Asia (Strataa) Population-Based Enteric Fever Studies: A Review Of Methodological Similarities And Differences, Megan E. Carey, William R. Macwrigh, Justin Im, James E. Meiring, Malick M. Gibani, Se Eun Park, Ashley Longley, Hyon Jin Jeon, Caitlin Hemlock, Mohammad Tahir Yousafzai, Farah Qamar

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Building on previous multicountry surveillance studies of typhoid and others salmonelloses such as the Diseases of the Most Impoverished program and the Typhoid Surveillance in Africa Project, several ongoing blood culture surveillance studies are generating important data about incidence, severity, transmission, and clinical features of invasive Salmonella infections in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. These studies are also characterizing drug resistance patterns in their respective study sites. Each study answers a different set of research questions and employs slightly different methodologies, and the geographies under surveillance differ in size, population density, physician practices, access to healthcare facilities, and access to …

Covid-19 And Liver Injury: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jawad Ahmed, Tehlil Rizwan, Farheen Malik, Raniyah Akhter, Mehreen Malik, Junaid Ahmad, Abdul Wasay Khan, Muhammad A. Chaudhary, Muhammad Shariq Usman

Department of Anaesthesia

Background and Aims: The prevalence and extent of liver damage in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients remain poorly understood, primarily due to small-sized epidemiological studies with varying definitions of “liver injury”. We conducted a meta-analysis to derive generalizable, well-powered estimates of liver injury prevalence in COVID-19 patients. We also aimed to assess whether liver injury prevalence is significantly greater than the baseline prevalence of chronic liver disease (CLD). Our secondary aim was to study whether the degree of liver injury was associated with the severity of COVID-19.
Materials and Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) were systematically searched in June …

Hiv Preexposure Prophylaxis And Treatment As Prevention — Beliefs And Access Barriers In Men Who Have Sex With Men (Msm) And Transgender Women: A Systematic Review, Joshua J. Matacotta, Francisco J. Rosales-Perez, Christian M. Carrillo

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: While the annual rate of new HIV infections and diagnoses has remained stable for most groups, troubling increases are seen in transgender women and racial/ethnic-minority men who have sex with men (MSM), groups that are disproportionately affected by HIV. The primary purpose of this systematic review is to examine factors that impact attitudes and beliefs about preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment as prevention (TasP) and to explore barriers to PrEP uptake in MSM and transgender women.

Methods: Using MeSH terms and relevant keywords, we conducted a systematic review of studies published between 2010 and 2019. We searched 4 literature …

A Fatal Case Of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (Pam) Complicated With Diabetes Insipidus (Di): A Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Zain Mushtaq, Saad Bin Zafar Mahmood, Adil Aziz

Section of Internal Medicine

Naegleria fowleri is a highly infective free-living amoeba usually isolated from soil and fresh water and is primarily found to infect the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). PAM as a cause of meningitis is often overlooked for other, more common causes of meningitis. Despite all the advances in antimicrobial therapy and supportive care systems, the mortality rate of this rare infection remains above 95% with the bulk of the cases being found in developed countries. We are presenting a case of a 44-year-old male with fever, worsening headache, and generalized weakness. Lumbar puncture showed a …

Developing A Virus-Like Particle (Vlp)-Based Vaccine For Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Ashvini Vaidya

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) is a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects human reproductive mucosal surfaces. Due to the risk of complications in untreated cases and evolving antibiotic resistance, a prophylactic vaccine is critical for preventing infection. There are four Ng outer-membrane proteins that contribute to Ng survival and resistance: PorB, BamA, TbpA, and MtrE. Each protein contains surface-exposed loops that are targets of bactericidal antibodies. Vaccines were developed by displaying Ng epitopes on the surface of bacteriophage virus-like particles (VLP). VLPs are immunogenic, multivalent, self-assembling complexes composed of viral structural proteins. Antigenic peptide sequences can be displayed on the surface …

A Race Against Time: Reduced Azithromycin Susceptibility In Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhi In Pakistan, Junaid Iqbal, Irum Fatima Dehraj, Megan E. Carey, Zoe A. Dyson, Denise Garrett, Jessica C. Seidman, Furqan Kabir, Senjuti Saha, Stephen Baker, Farah Naz Qamar

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Antimicrobial resistance is an ongoing issue in the treatment of typhoid fever. Resistance to first-line antimicrobials and extensively drug resistant (XDR) Salmonella Typhi isolates in Pakistan have left azithromycin as the only remaining effective oral treatment. Here, we report the emergence of organisms with a single point mutation in acrB gene, implicated in azithromycin resistance, in a S. Typhi isolate from Pakistan. The isolation of this organism is worrisome and highlights the significance of the introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccine in South Asia.
Importance: The emergence of XDR Salmonella Typhi in Pakistan has left azithromycin as the only viable oral …

Topological And System‑Level Protein Interaction Network (Pin) Analyses To Deduce Molecular Mechanism Of Curcumin, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Uniyal, Anukriti -, Vivek Kumar Kashyap, Pallavi Somvanshi, Meenu Gupta, Uma Bhardwaj, Meena Jaggi, Murali M. Yallapu, Shafiul Haque, Subhash C. Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications

Curcumin is an important bioactive component of turmeric and also one of the important natural products, which has been investigated extensively. The precise mode of action of curcumin and its impact on system level protein networks are still not well studied. To identify the curcumin governed regulatory action on protein interaction network (PIN), an interectome was created based on 788 key proteins, extracted from PubMed literatures, and constructed by using STRING and Cytoscape programs. The PIN rewired by curcumin was a scale-free, extremely linked biological system. MCODE plug-in was used for sub-modulization analysis, wherein we identified 25 modules; ClueGo plug-in …

Physical And Mental Health Impacts Of Covid-19 On Healthcare Workers: A Scoping Review, Natasha Shaukat, Daniyal Mansoor Ali, Junaid Razzak

Community Health Sciences

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to 198 countries, with approximately 2.4 million confirmed cases and 150,000 deaths globally as of April 18. Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) face a substantially higher risk of infection and death due to excessive COVID-19 exposure. This review aimed at summarizing the evidence of the physical and mental health impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on health-care workers (HCWs).
Methods: We used the Arksey O'Malley framework to conduct a scoping review. A systematic literature search was conducted using two databases: PubMed and Google Scholar. We found 154 studies, and out of which 10 met our criteria. …

Impact Of Covid-19 On Laboratory Professionals-A Descriptive Cross Sectional Survey At A Clinical Chemistry Laboratory In A Developing Country, Lena Jafri, Sibtain Ahmed, Imran Siddiqui

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: The lab professionals at one end are at increased risk of contracting the infection while on the other end have to deal with the various challenges during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. This survey was undertaken to analyze the lab professionals' perspectives, in terms of the challenges, financial implications, fears, motivation and satisfaction from organizational processes and policies adopted, amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Material & methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. The survey was administered online via the google docs survey tool from medical laboratory professionals (n = 64) serving at the section of Clinical Chemistry, …

From R0 To The Herd: A Review Of The Rules Of Contagion, By Adam Kucharski, Nathan D. Grawe

Numeracy

Adam Kucharski. 2020. The Rules of Contagion: Why Things Spread--and Why They Stop; (London: Profile Books, Ltd.). Hardback ISBN 978-17-88-16019-3. E-book ISBN 978-17-82-83430-4.

Kucharski's well-timed Rules of Contagion provides an introduction to the mathematical and epidemiological principles behind contagious phenomenon. While the author's primary expertise stems from work on biological epidemics, the book points to examples from a wide range of fields including finance, psychology, computer science, and criminology. As such, selections of the book could be used by faculty in a wide range of classes to show how our recent experience with a viral epidemic might add to …

Coverage Of The 2019 Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Outbreak On News Media, Corey H. Basch, Joseph Fera, Christie Jaime, Nasia Quininoes

Publications and Research

Background: The media plays as an important role in delivering information about emergent issues, such as the Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) outbreak of 2019. As such, there has been an increase in news coverage of vector-borne disease coverage due to a rise in emerging or re-emerging arboviruses.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to describe the content of news clips related to the recent (2019) EEEV outbreak in the United States.

Results: Only 3 of the important topics identified were mentioned in a majority of the 110 videos analyzed. These topics were, mosquito mentioned as transmitter, prevention by …

A Study On Ecological Distribution Of And Selected Gene Expression In Amblyomma Americanum: An Insight Into The Alpha-Galactose Allergy Caused By Tick Bites, Leah Cuthill

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Ticks transmit a wide variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminthes to vertebrates. Their life cycle depends on blood meals from various hosts as well as on environmental conditions such as the temperature and habitat type. A newly recognized allergic disease has been identified and is characterized by a delayed reaction following the consumption of some mammalian meats. The allergy often results in life threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis, hives, and breathing problems 3-6 hours after the consumption of mammalian meat. Not everyone develops the allergy when they are bitten by a lone star tick, and the cause …

Foundational Research And Nih Funding Enabling Emergency Use Authorization Of Remdesivir For Covid-19, Ekaterina Galkina Cleary, Matthew J. Jackson, Zoë Folchman-Wagner, Fred D. Ledley

Natural & Applied Sciences Faculty Publications

Emergency Use Authorization for remdesivir months after discovery of COVID-19 is unprecedented. Typically, decades of research and public-sector funding are required to establish the mature body of foundational research requisite for efficient, targeted drug discovery and development. This work quantifies the body of research related to remdesivir’s biological target, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), or parent chemical structure, nucleoside analogs (NcAn), through 2019, as well as NIH funding for this research 2000–2019. There were 6,567 RdRp-related publications in PubMed, including 1,263 with NIH support, and 11,073 NcAn-related publications, including 2,319 with NIH support. NIH support for RdRp research comprised 2,203 Project …

Trichosporon Species And Fusarium Species As A Cause Of Empyema Thoracis In A Diabetic Patient, Nousheen Iqbal, Muhammad Ammar, Muhammad Irfan, Kauser Jabeen

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

Of late, fungal infections are increasingly being recognized in diabetic patients. Here we present a case of polymicrobial fungal empyema due to Trichosporon species and Fusarium species developed after community-acquired pneumonia in a diabetic patient. Trichosporon species are basidiomycetous yeast and Fusarium species are soil saprophytes with a worldwide distribution. Fungal empyema cases are rare and are mostly caused by Aspergillus and Candida species. Polymicrobial fungal empyema with Trichosporon species and Fusarium species has not been reported previously. Our patient was successfully treated with antifungal therapy. This case highlights that fungal empyema should be considered in diabetic patients especially if …

Convalescent Plasma In Covid-19, Ranjit S. Banwait, Joshua K. Salabei, Troy J. Fishman, Uma G. Iyer

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

The recent pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, which causes novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), has had devastating impact on a global and national scale. In order to overcome this outbreak it is imperative we find treatments that are safe and effective. To date, no definitive treatment is available that can curtail the spread of this viral syndrome. Convalescent plasma (CP) is one such option that has repeatedly served as an important tool in treatment of various bacterial and viral infections, especially in the setting of no specific antimicrobial or vaccination against an infectious disease. Herein, we review the history of CP, prior …

A Case Of Disseminated Nocardia Beijingensis In An Immunocompetent Patient, Manifesting As Subcutaneous And Cns Nocardiosis., Scott Cathcart, Patricia Stogsdill, Rebecca Bell

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction

Nocardiosis is an uncommon infection, typically encountered in immunocompromised patients. With only 5 cases reported thus far in the United States, we present a case of disseminated Nocardia beijingensis in an immunocompetent patient, involving the lung, subcutaneous tissue, and CNS.

Clinical Findings

A 60-year-old immunocompetent male with no significant medical history presents to our institution after a complicated medical course, beginning with vague respiratory complaints. Initial work-up revealed a large right upper lung mass of unclear etiology. A month later he had a syncopal episode followed by the development of focal neurologic deficits.

Main Diagnoses, Therapeutics Interventions, and Outcomes …

How Can Econometrics Help Fight The Covid'19 Pandemic?, Kevin Alvarez, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

The current pandemic is difficult to model -- and thus, difficult to control. In contrast to the previous epidemics whose dynamics was smooth and well described by the existing models, the statistics of the current pandemic is highly oscillating. In this paper, we show that these oscillations can be explained if we take into account the disease's long incubation period -- as a result of which our control measures are determined by outdated data, showing number of infected people two weeks ago. To better control the pandemic, we propose to use the experience of economics, where also the effect of …

A Rare Case Of Leprosy In West Florida, Adrian Lugo, Taylor Studsrud, Nemer Dabage, James Demaio

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

• Leprosy is caused by acid-fast bacilli of the M. leprae complex, which includes M. leprae and M. lepromatosis.
• Transmission in the U.S. is rare, but has been documented in hunters who handle wild ninebanded armadillo.
• The origins of M. leprae infection among armadillos, the geographic range of the infected animals, and the potential risks infected armadillos present to people have been topics of concern.
• The infection originated amongst armadillos decades before they were ever used in leprosy research, and numerous surveys have confirmed that armadillos in the southern United States are a large natural reservoir for M. leprae; its prevalence …

A School-Based Sexual Health Education Program, Tracy L. Kendall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A small rural community has high incidence rates of chlamydia (4,751 per 100,000) and gonorrhea (970 per 100,000) in females 15–24 years old. Data obtained from Texas Health and Human Services showed that incidence rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea in females 15–24 years old were higher in Navarro County, Texas, than the state of Texas. Texas schools do not mandate sex health education. There is a gap in school-based sexual health education available to 18- and 19-year-old females residing in this rural community in Texas. The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the impact of school-based sexual health …

Hpv Vaccination In Females: The Role Of Primary Health Care And Primary Health Care Providers, Brooke Bouza

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Two reasons for subpar coverage of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine are missed clinical opportunities and nonacceptance of the vaccine upon recommendation from a medical provider. The purpose of study one was to examine factors associated with access and adherence to physician’s recommendations in association with HPV vaccine uptake. Data were obtained from National Health Interview Survey (2017). Variables theoretically related to clinical opportunities and adherence to physician’s recommendations were examined in association with HPV vaccine uptake. Univariate logistic regressions were run to determine the associations between the aforementioned variables and uptake of the HPV vaccine. Multinomial logistic regressions were …

The Clinical Features Of Co-Circulating Dengue Viruses And The Absence Of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever In Pakistan, Erum Khan, Dhani Prakoso, Kehkashan Imtiaz, Faisal Malik, Joveria Farooqi, Maureen T. Long, Kelli L. Barr

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most common and widespread arboviral infection worldwide. Though all four DENV serotypes cocirculate in nature, the clinicopathological framework of these serotypes is undefined in Pakistan. A cross-sectional, observational study was performed to document the circulation of various arboviruses in the Sindh region of Pakistan. Here we describe a population of patients diagnosed with DENV spanning a 2-year period. This study used an orthogonal system of NS1 antigen ELISA followed by RT-PCR for DENV detection and subtyping. A total of 168 NS1 positive patients were evaluated of which 91 patients were serotyped via RT-PCR. There was …

We Are Not Alone In Trying To Be Alone, Patricia C. Lopes

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Certain diseases, like colds, tend not to stop us. A paracetamol here, an ibuprofen there, and we are on the go. That is, until we, as a species, are faced with a virus that not only spreads through social contact, but has an estimated reproductive number of 2 to 2.5 and potentially kills 3–4% of those infected (WHO, 2020). To reduce transmission probability of COVID-19, governmental agencies around the world have recommended or enforced measures to decrease social contact; early evidence suggests these measures produce the intended effect (Kucharski et al., 2020).

Medical Resource Use And Costs Of Treating Sickle Cell-Related Vaso-Occlusive Crisis Episodes: A Retrospective Claims Study, Nirmish Shah, Menaka Bhor, Lin Xie, Jincy Paulose, Huseyin Yuce

Publications and Research

Background: The study investigated the economic burden of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, through assessment of overall utilization and costs and costs per VOC episode (regarding the number of VOC episodes and health care setting, respectively).

Methods: Using the Medicaid Analytic Extracts database, the first SCD-related diagnosis claim (index claim) between June 1, 2009–December 31, 2012 was identified among eligible adults. Patients were required to have continuous medical and pharmacy benefits for 6 months pre- and 12 months post-index. Discrete VOC claims identified within a 3-day gap were combined as a single VOC episode. Annual all-cause …

Investigation Of Japanese Encephalitis Virus As A Cause Of Acute Encephalitis In Southern Pakistan, April 2015-January 2018, Tazeen Fatima, Abida Rais, Erum Khan, Susan L. Hills, Trudy V. Chambers, Aneeta Hotwani, Shahida Qureshi, Saad Shafqat, Saima Malik, Farah Qamar, Fatima Mir, Anthony A. Marfin, Anita K. M. Zaidi, Asif Raza Khowaja, Sadia Shakoor

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Japanese encephalitis (JE) occurs in fewer than 1% of JE virus (JEV) infections, often with catastrophic sequelae including death and neuropsychiatric disability. JEV transmission in Pakistan was documented in 1980s and 1990s, but recent evidence is lacking. Our objective was to investigate JEV as a cause of acute encephalitis in Pakistan.
Methods: Persons aged ≥1 month with possible JE admitted to two acute care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan from April 2015 to January 2018 were enrolled. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum samples were tested for JEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) using the InBios JE DetectTM assay. Positive or equivocal samples …

Workshop #1: Vulnerable Populations & Planning Considerations For The 2020 Hurricane Season: After Action Report (Aar), Converge Nsf Working Group, Joshua G. Behr, Wie Yusuf, Jennifer Marshall, Elizabeth Dunn

Presentations, Lectures, Posters, Reports

This workshop shed light on the challenges and importance of adapting current hurricane season planning. Coexisting with COVID-19 will pose even more challenges for hurricane season responses. Suggested adaptations include identifying further shelter spaces to reduce the numbers of evacuees per building (for required social distancing), create isolation spaces to protect populations vulnerable to COVID-19, and quarantine those who are symptomatic. Some strategies being considered include modifying existing shelters (e.g. schools, by using classrooms) and using hotels, dormitories, and other large vacant spaces (e.g., stores and convention centers).

Along with identifying new shelter options comes modifying procedures for screening, triage, …

Impacts Of Rift Valley Fever Virus: A One Health Approach To Assess Burden And Inform Prevention And Control Options, Catherine Machalaba

Dissertations and Theses

Background: Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a climate-sensitive emerging zoonotic disease associated with large-scale livestock production losses and human disease burden in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. While recognized as a key One Health issue based on its transmission dynamics involving human, animal and environmental determinants, there has been poor coordination between sectors to reduce the risk and impact of RVF. Efforts to counter the disease remain largely reactive, presenting an ongoing threat to local and global health security. The intent of this dissertation was to improve understanding of the burden of RVF across society and to identify entry …

Covid-19: Implications, Reactions And Future Directions, Rahim Dhanani, Mohammad Wasif, Hamdan Ahmed Pasha,, Muntazir Hussain, Shayan Khalid, Abdul Basit Shah Vardag, Khadija Mahmood, Raza Hussain

Section of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery

Humanity has faced several foes over the centuries, a formidable one amongst them is the current pandemic of COVID-19. The symptoms of COVID-19 are more or less related to the nose and throat. Therefore, patients more often present to Ear Nose Throat (ENT) clinics with symptoms including cough, sore throat, fever and shortness of breath. In the management of head and neck pathologies, as the airway is a direct source of infection, the impact of COVID-19 holds special significance. This review has attempted to explain the various aspects of the disease itself, its diagnosis, the use of personal protective equipment …

Quercetin And Vitamin C: An Experimental, Synergistic Therapy For The Prevention And Treatment Of Sars-Cov-2 Related Disease (Covid-19), Ruben Manuel Luciano Colunga Biancatelli, Max Berrill, John D. Catravas, Paul Ellis Marik

Bioelectrics Publications

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents an emergent global threat which is straining worldwide healthcare capacity. As of May 27th, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has resulted in more than 340,000 deaths worldwide, with 100,000 deaths in the US alone. It is imperative to study and develop pharmacological treatments suitable for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Ascorbic acid is a crucial vitamin necessary for the correct functioning of the immune system. It plays a role in stress response and has shown promising results when administered to the critically ill. Quercetin is a well-known flavonoid whose antiviral properties …

A Case Of Pott's Disease: Typical Presentation Of An Uncommon Disease In The United States, Neha Patel, Ravi Patel, Marek Krysztofiak, K V. Sundaresh

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

Pott’s disease (PD), also known as tuberculosis spondylitis, is a rare disease of the spine which is typically caused by extraspinal infection. The basic lesion in Pott's disease is a combination of osteomyelitis and arthritis, usually affecting more than one vertebra. The anterior aspect of the vertebral body adjacent to the subchondral plate is commonly involved. Spinal TB can include any of the following: progressive bone destruction leading to vertebral collapse and kyphosis, cold abscess formation (due to extension of infection into adjacent ligaments and soft tissues), spinal canal narrowing by abscesses, granulation tissue or direct dural invasionresulting in spinal …