scholarly journals The multidisciplinary nature of COVID-19 research

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Arencibia-Jorge ◽  
Lourdes García-García ◽  
Ernesto Galban-Rodriguez ◽  
Humberto Carrillo-Calvet
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Scientific Output ◽  
Scientific Production ◽  
Political Impact ◽  
Multidisciplinary Nature ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Bibliometric Measures

Objective. We analyzed the scientific output after COVID-19 and contrasted it with studies published in the aftermath of seven epidemics/pandemics: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Influenza A virus H5N1 and Influenza A virus H1N1 human infections, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Ebola virus disease, Zika virus disease, and Dengue. Design/Methodology/Approach. We examined bibliometric measures for COVID-19 and the rest of the studied epidemics/pandemics. Data were extracted from Web of Science, using its journal classification scheme as a proxy to quantify the multidisciplinary coverage of scientific output. We proposed a novel Thematic Dispersion Index (TDI) for the analysis of pandemic early stages.  Results/Discussion. The literature on the seven epidemics/pandemics before COVID-19 has shown explosive growth of the scientific production and continuous impact during the first three years following each emergence or re-emergence of the specific infectious disease. A subsequent decline was observed with the progressive control of each health emergency. We observed an unprecedented growth in COVID-19 scientific production. TDI measured for COVID-19 (29,4) in just six months, was higher than TDI of the rest (7,5 to 21) during the first three years after epidemic initiation. Conclusions. COVID-19 literature showed the broadest subject coverage, which is clearly a consequence of its social, economic, and political impact. The proposed indicator (TDI), allowed the study of multidisciplinarity, differentiating the thematic complexity of COVID-19 from the previous seven epidemics/pandemics. Originality/Value. The multidisciplinary nature and thematic complexity of COVID-19 research were successfully analyzed through a scientometric perspective.

scholarly journals The multidisciplinary nature of COVID-19 research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Arencibia-Jorge ◽  
Lourdes García-García ◽  
Ernesto Galbán-Rodríguez ◽  
Humberto Carrillo-Calvet
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Scientific Output ◽  
Scientific Production ◽  
Political Impact ◽  
Multidisciplinary Nature ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Bibliometric Measures

ABSTRACTObjectiveWe analyzed the scientific output after COVID-19 and contrasted it with studies published in the aftermath of seven epidemics/pandemics: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Influenza A virus H5N1 and Influenza A virus H1N1 human infections, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Ebola virus disease, Zika virus disease, and Dengue.Design/Methodology/ApproachWe examined bibliometric measures for COVID-19 and the rest of studied epidemics/pandemics. Data were extracted from Web of Science, using its journal classification scheme as a proxy to quantify the multidisciplinary coverage of scientific output. We proposed a novel Thematic Dispersion Index (TDI) for the analysis of pandemic early stages.Results/DiscussionThe literature on the seven epidemics/pandemics before COVID-19 has shown explosive growth of the scientific production and continuous impact during the first three years following each emergence or re-emergence of the specific infectious disease. A subsequent decline was observed with the progressive control of each health emergency. We observed an unprecedented growth in COVID-19 scientific production. TDI measured for COVID-19 (29,4) in just six months, was higher than TDI of the rest (7,5 to 21) during the first three years after epidemic initiation.ConclusionsCOVID-19 literature showed the broadest subject coverage, which is clearly a consecuence of its social, economic, and political impact. The proposed indicator (TDI), allowed the study of multidisciplinarity, differentiating the thematic complexity of COVID-19 from the previous seven epidemics/pandemics.Originality/ValueThe multidisciplinary nature and thematic complexity of COVID-19 research were successfully analyzed through a scientometric perspective.

scholarly journals Exacerbation of Influenza A Virus Disease Severity by Respiratory Syncytial Virus Co-Infection in a Mouse Model

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junu A. George ◽  
Shaikha H. AlShamsi ◽  
Maryam H. Alhammadi ◽  
Ahmed R. Alsuwaidi
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Syncytial Virus

Influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are leading causes of childhood infections. RSV and influenza are competitive in vitro. In this study, the in vivo effects of RSV and IAV co-infection were investigated. Mice were intranasally inoculated with RSV, with IAV, or with both viruses (RSV+IAV and IAV+RSV) administered sequentially, 24 h apart. On days 3 and 7 post-infection, lung tissues were processed for viral loads and immune cell populations. Lung functions were also evaluated. Mortality was observed only in the IAV+RSV group (50% of mice did not survive beyond 7 days). On day 3, the viral loads in single-infected and co-infected mice were not significantly different. However, on day 7, the IAV titer was much higher in the IAV+RSV group, and the RSV viral load was reduced. CD4 T cells were reduced in all groups on day 7 except in single-infected mice. CD8 T cells were higher in all experimental groups except the RSV-alone group. Increased airway resistance and reduced thoracic compliance were demonstrated in both co-infected groups. This model indicates that, among all the infection types we studied, infection with IAV followed by RSV is associated with the highest IAV viral loads and the most morbidity and mortality.

scholarly journals An analysis of International Health Regulations Emergency Committees and Public Health Emergency of International Concern Designations

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. e002502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Mullen ◽  
Christina Potter ◽  
Lawrence O Gostin ◽  
Anita Cicero ◽  
Jennifer B Nuzzo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
International Health ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Director General ◽  
International Health Regulations ◽  
International Response ◽  
Health Regulations

IntroductionNine events have been assessed for potential declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). A PHEIC is defined as an extraordinary event that constitutes a public health risk to other states through international spread and requires a coordinated international response. The WHO Director-General convenes Emergency Committees (ECs) to provide their advice on whether an event constitutes a PHEIC. The EC rationales have been criticised for being non-transparent and contradictory to the International Health Regulations (IHR). This first comprehensive analysis of EC rationale provides recommendations to increase clarity of EC decisions which will strengthen the IHR and WHO’s legitimacy in future outbreaks.Methods66 EC statements were reviewed from nine public health outbreaks of influenza A, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, polio, Ebola virus disease, Zika, yellow fever and coronavirus disease-2019. Statements were analysed to determine which of the three IHR criteria were noted as contributing towards the EC’s justification on whether to declare a PHEIC and what language was used to explain the decision.ResultsInterpretation of the criteria were often vague and applied inconsistently. ECs often failed to describe and justify which criteria had been satisfied.DiscussionGuidelines must be developed for the standardised interpretation of IHR core criteria. The ECs must clearly identify and justify which criteria have contributed to their rationale for or against PHEIC declaration.ConclusionStriving for more consistency and transparency in EC justifications would benefit future deliberations and provide more understanding and support for the process.

scholarly journals Structure and Receptor Binding Preferences of Recombinant Hemagglutinins from Avian and Human H6 and H10 Influenza A Virus Subtypes

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (8) ◽  
pp. 4612-4623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Yang ◽  
Paul J. Carney ◽  
Jessie C. Chang ◽  
Julie M. Villanueva ◽  
James Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Glycan Microarray ◽  
Detailed Structural Analysis ◽  
Major Surface ◽  
Human Infections

ABSTRACTDuring 2013, three new avian influenza A virus subtypes, A(H7N9), A(H6N1), and A(H10N8), resulted in human infections. While the A(H7N9) virus resulted in a significant epidemic in China across 19 provinces and municipalities, both A(H6N1) and A(H10N8) viruses resulted in only a few human infections. This study focuses on the major surface glycoprotein hemagglutinins from both of these novel human viruses. The detailed structural and glycan microarray analyses presented here highlight the idea that both A(H6N1) and A(H10N8) virus hemagglutinins retain a strong avian receptor binding preference and thus currently pose a low risk for sustained human infections.IMPORTANCEHuman infections with zoonotic influenza virus subtypes continue to be a great public health concern. We report detailed structural analysis and glycan microarray data for recombinant hemagglutinins from A(H6N1) and A(H10N8) viruses, isolated from human infections in 2013, and compare them with hemagglutinins of avian origin. This is the first structural report of an H6 hemagglutinin, and our results should further the understanding of these viruses and provide useful information to aid in the continuous surveillance of these zoonotic influenza viruses.

EPIDEMIC INFLUENZA: A VIRUS DISEASE

The Lancet ◽  
1935 ◽  
Vol 225 (5828) ◽  
pp. 1118-1124 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.P. Laidlaw
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Virus Disease

scholarly journals Knowledge, (mis-)conceptions, risk perception, and behavior change during pandemics: A scoping review of 149 studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 777-799
Author(s):  
Umair Majid ◽  
Aghna Wasim ◽  
Simran Bakshi ◽  
Judy Truong
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
And Behavior

The severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus-2 pandemic has spread rapidly and has a growing impact on individuals, communities, and healthcare systems worldwide. At the core of any pandemic response is the ability of authorities and other stakeholders to react appropriately by promoting hygiene and social distancing behaviors. Successfully reaching this goal requires both individual and collective efforts to drastically modify daily routines and activities. There is a need to clarify how knowledge and awareness of disease influence risk perception, and subsequent behavior in the context of pandemics and global outbreaks. We conducted a scoping review of 149 studies spanning different regions and populations to examine the relationships between knowledge, risk perceptions, and behavior change. We analyzed studies on five major pandemics or outbreaks in the twenty-first century: severe acute respiratory syndrome, influenza A/H1N1, Middle East respiratory syndrome, Ebola virus disease, and coronavirus disease 2019.

scholarly journals Epidemiological Surveillance of Influenza Virus Matrix Gene in Pigs, in Lagos, Nigeria, 2015-2016

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Abdul-Azeez A. Anjorin ◽  
Olumuyiwa B. Salu ◽  
Akeeb O.B. Oyefolu ◽  
Bamidele O. Oke ◽  
James B. Ayorinde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Pandemic Influenza ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Matrix Gene

AbstractThe co-infection of different influenza A virus enable viral gene re-assortments especially in pigs that serve as mixing vessel with the possibility of emergence of novel subtypes. Such re-assortants pose serious public health threat, as epitomised by the emergence of pandemic influenza in 2009. In Nigeria, there is mixture of animal species and highly populated densities that can increase the risk of influenza virus endemicity, genetic reshuffling and emergence of future pandemic influenza viruses. Thus, this study was aimed at determining influenza virus disease burden in pigs. This study was a cross sectional molecular surveillance of influenza virus. A total of 194 pig nasal samples from reported cases and randomly sampled were collected from pig farms in Ojo and Ikorodu in Lagos State between October, 2015 and April, 2016. The samples were investigated for the presence of influenza virus matrix gene by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction and detected by gel electrophoresis. P-values were calculated using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. The result showed that 25 (12.9%) samples were positive for influenza A virus, out of which, 20 (80%) were samples from Ojo while 5 (20%) were samples from Ikorodu. Epidemiological parameters for the sampled locations, methods either as reported case or randomised, and sex compared were significant at 95% confidence interval. This study determined influenza viral burden in pigs with a molecular prevalence of 12.9% to influenza A. It further confirmed the sub-clinical and clinical circulation of Influenza A virus in pigs in Ojo and Ikorodu in Lagos. Therefore, the detection of influenza A virus in commercial pigs in Nigeria accentuates the importance of continuous surveillance and monitoring of the virus in order to prevent the advent of virulent strains that may spread to Pig-handlers and the community at large.

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