A new tool, the Public Health Workforce Calculator ("Workforce Calculator"), was developed near the onset of the COVID pandemic to help agencies estimate the staffing they would need to fully implement the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS). The data underlying the Workforce Calculator algorithm was from pre-pandemic time periods.

To assess whether the Workforce Calculator continues to reliably estimate staffing need in a peri-COVID context.

Local health departments participated in the National Association of County and City Health Officials Profile survey, which for a random half of agencies, stratified by jurisdiction size, contained a module that asked them to estimate the FTE they would need to fully implement FPHS. For each of the 108 valid responding agencies, these data were compared with the Workforce Calculator output that the agency would have received to assess whether the Workforce Calculator was concordantly estimating staffing needs.

We assessed concordance between the reported staffing needs and the Workforce Calculator's estimates, both graphically and quantitatively, using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient.

For most FPHS categories, the Workforce Calculator systematically underestimated the amount of staffing needed for full implementation relative to agencies' reported needs.

Post-COVID staffing needs systematically appear more substantial than the pre-COVID data on which the Workforce Calculator was based. An update to the Workforce Calculator using post-COVID data would benefit end users.

Tissue-resident mesenchymal stem cells, also known as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), play a crucial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and repair. However, their function in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, remains elusive.

Here, we aimed to assess the influence of house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthmatic inflammation on the numbers and function of lung resident (lr)MSCs.

Experimental asthma was induced in female C57BL6/cmdb mice via intranasal HDM administration. LrMSCs were isolated, expanded, and characterized by flow cytometry and differentiation assays. Human adipose tissue-derived (hAD)MSCs were isolated and stimulated with HDM, LPS, or cytokines. Co-culture experiments with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) assessed immunomodulatory potential. Gene expression, cytokine levels, and T-cell proliferation were analyzed.

Here, we showed that asthmatic lung inflammation significantly reduces the number of lrMSCs. More importantly, remaining lrMSCs showed impaired differentiation potential and lacked immunomodulatory functions. Furthermore, we found that exposure of hAD-MSCs to HDM and LPS similarly led to marked inhibition of differentiation potential and suppression of immunosuppressive activities. Notably, this inhibitory effect persisted despite the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines released by PBMCs in response to LPS and HDM. Furthermore, we showed that inflammatory signaling alone, in the absence of direct LPS and HDM exposure, significantly reduces growth factor-induced adipogenesis and osteogenesis.

Taken together, our findings indicate that asthmatic inflammation not only reduces the number of lrMSCs but also impairs their function, potentially exacerbating disease progression by limiting their immunoregulatory role.

The onset of COVID-19 and its resulting deaths bring family members to face vast challenges and new needs for them. The type of reaction of family members of the victims after the catastrophe of the death of loved ones due to COVID-19 is different. Therefore, the current research was aimed at addressing the psycho-social needs of the families of COVID-19 victims and their reaction to compliance with post-death health protocols.

The present study was conducted using a qualitative approach and a method of conventional content analysis among 30 members of the families of the victims of COVID-19 in the provinces of Lorestan and Tehran in Iran. Participants were reached, and data were collected both face-to-face (23 cases) and online (7 cases) through purposive sampling and snowball sampling as well as semi-structured interviews. Data management was carried out using the MAXQDA-2018 software and its analysis with the Graneheim and Lundman approach method. Guba and Lincoln's criteria were also followed to improve the quality of results.

The findings showed two main categories and nine sub-categories, including (1) needs (financial needs, psychological needs, social needs, educational needs, and spiritual needs) and (2) survivors' reaction to health protocol compliance (carelessness in following protocols, extreme strictness and obsession with following health protocols, encouraging and persuading people to comply with health protocols, revenge from society).

The findings of the study showed that families of COVID-19 victims face many challenges after a patient's death, which leads to the creation of new needs in them as well as the reaction of families after the death of one member, which in some cases can be dangerous to society and requires attention. Hence, it is necessary to do both support and intervention and policy.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant clinical challenge due to its morbidity, mortality, and economic burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study evaluates the cost-utility of tobramycin and colistin as nebulized adjunct therapies to systemic antibiotics for managing VAP in Colombia.

A decision tree model was constructed comparing three interventions: tobramycin + systemic antibiotics, colistin + systemic antibiotics, and systemic antibiotics alone. The model used a one-year time horizon from a third-payer perspective. Clinical probabilities, costs, and utilities were sourced from literature and local databases. Sensitivity analyses (deterministic and probabilistic with 10,000 iterations) assessed uncertainty. Costs were reported in 2023 USD, adjusted by GDP deflator.

Tobramycin demonstrated the highest cost-effectiveness. Incremental QALYs were 0.06 for tobramycin and 0.02 for colistin; incremental costs were US$338.09 and US$130.63, respectively. The ICER was US$5625.86 for tobramycin and US$5422.31 for colistin. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$5180/QALY, tobramycin had a 56.5% probability of being cost-effective.

Tobramycin is more cost-effective than colistin as an adjunctive nebulized treatment for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in Colombia. These findings may help inform clinical guidelines and reimbursement decisions. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and to incorporate utility data specific to the Colombian population.

In March 2024, clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses were first detected in U.S. dairy cattle. Similar viruses have since caused 70 zoonotic human infections. To assess changes to zoonotic potential, we characterized A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses isolated from cows' milk and birds. Bovine-derived viruses are lethal in mice and ferrets and transmit to direct but not airborne contact ferrets. All viruses replicate in human bronchial epithelial cells despite preferentially binding avian virus-like receptors. The bovine-derived viruses remain susceptible to FDA-approved antivirals, and they are inhibited by sera from ferrets vaccinated with WHO-recommended candidate vaccine viruses (CVV) or human sera from clade 2.3.4.4c vaccinees. While 2.3.4.4b viruses induce severe disease in mammalian models, they retain many avian virus-like characteristics. Combined, we conclude that the risk of contemporary bovine-derived viruses to humans not in contact with affected animals is low. However, heightened vigilance remains essential to promptly detect and respond to any changes.

The impact of exosomes derived from patients with High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) on cognitive function in mice was investigated, along with the underlying mechanisms. Exosomes were extracted from HACE patients and injected into the dentate gyrus (DG) of mice. A series of behavioral tests assessed cognitive abilities. Results indicated that mice injected with HACE patient exosomes exhibited significant declines in exploratory behavior and object recognition, suggesting notable cognitive impairments. Additionally, these exosomes induced oxidative stress responses and abnormal activation of microglia, closely associated with neuronal death. Proteomic analysis revealed that the differentially expressed protein STAMBP, which is closely linked to neurodevelopment, may play a key role. In conclusion, our findings highlight the potential impact of exosomes from HACE patients on cognitive dysfunction in mice, providing new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of HACE.

To explore the relationship between heat shock protein 27(HSP27) and Janus kinase 2(JAK2), Recombinant signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) related factors, To further explore the mechanism of silicosis fibrosis and potential therapeutic targets.

The gene expression profile microarray(GSE110147) of a patient with pulmonary fibrosis was obtained from the gene Expression Omnibus(GEO) database, and the HSP27 high expression was set and the genes related to apoptosis pathway were screened out. The STRING online database was used to construct the key gene target map, and the protein interaction network(PPI) was constructed by Cytoscape. The correlation between HSP27 and JAK2, HSP27 and STAT3 was analyzed. The silicosis model was established by one-time instillation of silica(SiO_2) suspension through oropharyngeal endotracheal intubation. Twenty SPF healthy adult Wistar male rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 5 rats in each group. Silicosis model group for 6 weeks(feeding for 6 weeks) and silicosis model group for 8 weeks(feeding for 8 weeks): oropharyngeal intratracheally instilled 50 mg/mL SiO_2 suspension 1.0 mL per animal. Model control group for 6 weeks(feeding for 6 weeks) and model control group for 8 weeks(feeding for 8 weeks): saline 1.0 mL/animal was instilled into oropharynx and trachea. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed. The silicon nodule samples were subjected to immunofluorescence assay, and the quantitative analysis of HSP27 and JAK2 apoptosis protein was performed by Western blot.

The correlation coefficient between HSP27 and STAT3, JAK2 was r=-0.815, P<0.01, and the correlation coefficient between HSP27 and STAT3 was r=-0.817, P<0.01, HSP27 and JAK2, STAT3 had a negative correlation. After the rats were exposed to dust, the silicosis model groups of 6 weeks and 8 weeks had significantly increased silicotic nodules in the lung. The result of immunofluorescence staining showed that HSP27, JAK2 and STAT3 were co-expressed in the fibrotic area. Compared with the model control group of 6 weeks and 8 weeks, the expression of HSP27, JAK2 and STAT3 in the fibrotic area of the silicosis model group of 6 weeks and 8 weeks increased, and the difference was statistically significant(With the extension of modeling time, the expression of HSP27 protein in the silicosis model 8 weeks group was higher than that in the silicosis model 6 weeks group(P<0.05). The expression of JAK2 protein in the 8-week silicosis model group was lower than that in the 6-week silicosis model group(P=0.32), and the expression of STAT3 protein was lower than that in the 6-week silicosis model group(P<0.05).

HSP27, JAK2 and STAT3 are highly expressed in the silicotic nodules of the rat model of silicosis. HSP27 is negatively correlated with JAK2 and STAT3.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has mutated over time, resulting in variations of circulating viral variants, which may impact the virus's properties, such as transmission or the severity of symptoms. Thus, there is a need for comprehensive approach less dependent of viral variants. For that purpose, we have employed the innovative and unique Resonant Recognition Model (RRM) to identify the common characteristics of all variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus and based on these characteristics, we have explored the possibility to develop approach against SARS-CoV-2 infection, less dependent on viral variants. This paper is a continuation of our previous research, where we have used the RRM model to design de novo peptide CovA, capable to prevent SARS-CoV-2 interaction with ACE2 receptor on host cells. Using Inhibitor Screening Assay Kits and viral replication in SARS-CoV-2/Vero E6 cells model, it has been previously shown that CovA can prevent viral interaction with receptor and viral replication in host cells. This test has been done on Wuhan variant only. Here, we have tested this RRM designed peptide CovA for efficiency with some other different SARS-CoV-2 variants. It has been shown here, that CovA act on all tested viral variants, but with different efficiency. Apart from representing the basis of new COVID-19 drugs discovery, this research once again presents the ability of RRM model to design de novo bioactive peptides with desired biological function.

Oyo State, Nigeria, reported its first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case on 21 March 2020 and subsequently recorded the fifth highest number of cases in Nigeria, most in the capital city Ibadan. We aimed to identify severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants that were circulating in Ibadan between August 2021 and August 2022 and to assess the utility of healthcare worker (HCW)-associated infections for endemic COVID-19 surveillance.

Following ethical approval, SARS-CoV-2 real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)-confirmed samples were reverse-transcribed and sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq using ARTIC SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and sequencing protocols. Genomes were assembled using the nf-core/viralrecon pipeline. Quality control, phylogenetic, analysis, and variant identification were performed using publicly available software implemented in a custom Nextflow pipeline. Biodata and relevant clinical information were obtained from electronic case investigation forms.

We analyzed 258 samples with minimum non-N coverage of 70% and identified 12 SARS-CoV-2 lineages and 7 clades, all but one aligning with global lineages. Lineages BA.1 (22%) and BA.1.1 (48%) were the most common. Delta lineage predominated from August to September 2021, and was replaced by Omicron lineage from December 2021. Samples from HCWs (n = 60; 23%) accounted for a third (4 of 12) of all major lineages observed.

We contributed 258 genomes from Oyo State to the GSAID repository and identified Delta and Omicron lineages circulating in Ibadan, in temporal alignment with global circulating lineages. As clinical testing declines HCWs are useful sentinels for genomic epidemiology capturing much of the diversity.

Data on immunogenicity and safety of heterologous prime-boost (HePB) regimens using the BBIBP-CorV and Ad26.COV2.S have not yet been reported in sub-Saharan Africa.

We conducted a randomized, observer-blinded, non-inferiority trial assessing the immunogenicity and safety of HePB regimens using BBIBP-CorV and Ad26.COV2.S, in adults aged 18-65 years. Participants enrolled, were stratified by baseline severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serostatus, and randomized into four arms in a 1:1:1:1 ratio: A1 (BBIBP-CorV, Ad26.COV2.S), A2 (BBIBP-CorV, BBIBP-CorV), B1 (Ad26.COV2.S, BBIBP-CorV), and B2 (placebo, Ad26.COV2.S), administered at 28-day intervals. Fifteen participants in each arm were randomized separately in the immunology subset at a ratio of 1:1:1:1. Primary endpoints were the geometric mean titers (GMTs) of anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.1 and safety at 4 weeks after second vaccination. The non-inferiority margin was 0.67 fold difference in geometric mean ratio (GMR) between the ratio of GMTs in the heterologous versus corresponding homologous arms.

A total of 369 participants were randomized, and 367 of them received at least one dose of vaccine. Participants were between 18 and 65 years of age. Four weeks after second dose, GMT of nAbs in arms A1 and A2 was 802.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 635.3-1014.3) and 202.6 (95% CI: 150.8-272.1), respectively, with an adjusted GMR of 4.2 (2-sided 95% CI: 2.9-5.9). GMTs were 603.6 (95% CI: 446.1-816.7) and 725.7 (95% CI: 539.5-976.1) in arms B1 and B2, respectively, with an adjusted GMR of 0.8 (2-sided 95% CI: .5-1.2). Three serious adverse events were reported and none of them were related to the vaccination.

The noninferiority criterion was met only in arm A1 versus A2. HePB regimens were safe and well tolerated.

NCT04998240.