A review of the recent advances on Lassa fever with special reference to molecular epidemiology and progress in vaccine development

Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus (LASV), is endemic in West Africa and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. At least three of the four proposed seven lineages of LASV are found in Nigeria, where the multimammate rat, Mastomys natalensis, serves as the primary reservoir. Endemic countries report approximately 200,000 infections and 5,000 deaths annually, with Nigeria experiencing thousands of infections and hundreds of deaths including healthcare workers. The aim of this review is to provide scientific information for better understanding of the evolutionary biology, molecular epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention of Lassa fever in Nigeria and other endemic regions worldwide, which can lead to improved control efforts and reduce morbidity and mortality from recurrent epidemics. To achieve this aim, observational studies such as case series, cross-sectional and cohort studies published between December 2017 and September 2022 were searched for on various online databases including Google Scholar, Africa Journals Online (AJOL), Research Gates, PubMed, PMIC, NCDC, and WHO websites. Although the origin and evolutionary history, and the transmission dynamics of Lassa virus have been revealed through recent. molecular epidemiological studies, the factors that drive the evolution of the virus remain unclear. Genetic changes in the viral genome may have enabled the virus to adapt to humans. Diagnosis of Lassa fever has also advanced from basic serological tests to more sophisticated methods such as quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and sequencing, which are particularly useful for identifying outbreak strains. Several vaccines, including recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV), virus-like particle (VLP), and DNA-based vaccines, have shown promise in animal models and some have progressed to phase 2 clinical trials. Preventing and controlling Lassa fever is critical to safeguard the health and well-being of affected communities. Effective measures such as rodent control, improved sanitation, and early detection and isolation of infected individuals are essential for reducing transmission. Ongoing research into the genetic and ecological factors that drive the evolution of Lassa virus is necessary to reduce the impacts of Lassa fever.

A review of the recent advances on Lassa fever with special reference to molecular epidemiology and progress in vaccine development

Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus (LASV), is endemic in West Africa and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. At least three of the four proposed seven lineages of LASV are found in Nigeria, where the multimammate rat, Mastomys natalensis, serves as the primary reservoir. Endemic countries report approximately 200,000 infections and 5,000 deaths annually, with Nigeria experiencing thousands of infections and hundreds of deaths including healthcare workers. The aim of this review is to provide scientific information for better understanding of the evolutionary biology, molecular epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention of Lassa fever in Nigeria and other endemic regions worldwide, which can lead to improved control efforts and reduce morbidity and mortality from recurrent epidemics. To achieve this aim, observational studies such as case series, cross-sectional and cohort studies published between December 2017 and September 2022 were searched for on various online databases including Google Scholar, Africa Journals Online (AJOL), Research Gates, PubMed, PMIC, NCDC, and WHO websites. Although the origin and evolutionary history, and the transmission dynamics of Lassa virus have been revealed through recent molecular epidemiological studies, the factors that drive the evolution of the virus remain unclear. Genetic changes in the viral genome may have enabled the virus to adapt to humans. Diagnosis of Lassa fever has also advanced from basic serological tests to more sophisticated methods such as quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and sequencing, which are particularly useful for identifying outbreak strains. Several vaccines, including recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV), virus-like particle (VLP), and DNA-based vaccines, have shown promise in animal models and some have progressed to phase 2 clinical trials. Preventing and controlling Lassa fever is critical to safeguard the health and well-being of affected communities. Effective measures such as rodent control, improved sanitation, and early detection and isolation of infected individuals are essential for reducing transmission. Ongoing research into the genetic and ecological factors that drive the evolution of Lassa virus is necessary to reduce the impacts of Lassa fever

La fièvre de Lassa, une fièvre hémorragique virale causée par le virus de Lassa (LASV), est endémique en Afrique de l'Ouest et est associée à une morbidité et une mortalité élevées. Au moins trois des quatre lignées proposées de LASV se trouvent au Nigeria, où le rat multimammaire, Mastomys natalensis, sert de réservoir principal. Les pays endémiques signalent environ 200,000 infections et 5,000 décès par an, le Nigéria connaissant des milliers d'infections et des centaines de décès, y compris des travailleurs de la santé. L'objectif de cette revue est de fournir des informations scientifiques pour une meilleure compréhension de la biologie évolutive, de l'épidémiologie moléculaire, de la pathogenèse, du diagnostic et de la prévention de la fièvre de Lassa au Nigeria et dans d'autres régions endémiques du monde, ce qui peut conduire à des efforts de contrôle améliorés et réduire la morbidité et la mortalité des épidémies récurrentes. Pour atteindre cet objectif, des études observationnelles telles que des séries de cas, des études transversales et de cohorte publiées entre décembre 2017 et septembre 2022 ont été recherchées sur diverses bases de données en ligne, notamment Google Scholar, Africa Journals Online (AJOL), Research Gate, PubMed, PMIC, Sites Web du NCDC et de l'OMS. Bien que l'origine et l'histoire évolutive, ainsi que la dynamique de transmission du virus de Lassa aient été révélées par des études épidémiologiques moléculaires récentes, les facteurs qui déterminent l'évolution du virus restent flous. Des modifications génétiques du génome viral pourraient avoir permis au virus de s'adapter à l'homme. Le diagnostic de la fièvre de Lassa est également passé des tests sérologiques de base à des méthodes plus sophistiquées telles que la réaction quantitative en chaîne par polymérase en temps réel (qRTPCR) et le séquençage, qui sont particulièrement utiles pour identifier les souches épidémiques. Plusieurs vaccins, y compris le virus recombinant de la stomatite vésiculeuse (rVSV), les particules pseudo-virales (VLP) et les vaccins à base d'ADN, se sont révélés prometteurs dans des modèles animaux et certains ont progressé vers des essais cliniques de phase 2. La prévention et le contrôle de la fièvre de Lassa sont essentiels pour préserver la santé et le bien-être des communautés touchées. Des mesures efficaces telles que le contrôle des rongeurs, l'amélioration de l'assainissement et la détection et l'isolement précoces des personnes infectées sont essentielles pour réduire la transmission. Des recherches continues sur les facteurs génétiques et écologiques qui déterminent l'évolution du virus de Lassa sont nécessaires pour réduire les impacts de la fièvre de Lassa.

Recent advances in regulatory effects of microRNA in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy / 中华实验眼科杂志

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous,single-stranded,noncoding RNAs with 18 to 24 nucleotides in length.miRNAs play important regulatory roles by targeting mRNAs for cleavage or translational repression.Thus,they negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level.miRNA can degrade target mRNA or inhibit the translational level of their target mRNAs,which in turn affects cell differentiation,proliferation and apoptosis,and thus plays an important role in the regulation in the occurrence of diseases and the development of the organism.Recent studies have shown that miRNA also plays an important regulatory role in the development of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).This article reviewed the regulatory effect of miRNA in the development of TAO,providing a new insight in the pathogenesis and treatment of TAO.

Microbial Degradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons: Realities, Challenges and Prospects

One of the emerging environmental challenges today is hydrocarbon pollution arising from activities of petrochemical industries, natural sources of crude oil pollution and other anthropogenic activities. These petroleum products contain harmful, carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds which could have severe consequences on biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. Physicochemical and biological methods are employed for the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated systems; however, the negative impacts of the physicochemical approach are presently directing greater attention to the exploitation of the biological alternatives. This article reviews basic concepts of petroleum hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms, factors that influence the biodegradation of contaminants and innovative technologies for the effective removal of these pollutants. This article also discusses the applications of relative advances in molecular biological techniques, such as the isolation of plasmid DNA of microbial communities and the use of genetically engineered microorganisms to increase the rates of biodegradation of hydrocarbon pollutants in the environment.

Virtual Articulartors : Reality In Virtuality – A Review

The field of dentistry, in particular prosthodontics has seen tremendous and much sophisticated advances. The advent of intra-oral scanners, CAD/CAM and reverse engineering technologies have even further improved the quality and precision of treatment procedures. Virtual articulators are one such tools that enables dentist to overcome the limitations and drawbacks of a traditional mechanical articulator. By input of real patient data it allows the analyses of static and dynamic occlusion. The purpose of this article is to highlight the procedure and benefits of using a virtual articulator over the traditional one

Gene therapy for pancreatic cancer / 国际外科学杂志

Pancreatic cancer was one of common malignant tumors of the digestive tract, early diagnosis of which was difficult and surgical resection rate was low. The prognosis was poor, and its incidence increased year by year. Conventional treatment of pancreatic cancer includes surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but 90％ of the patients had lost the surgical opportunity when they see a doctor, and not sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Relative to these traditional treatments, gene therapy is an innovative approach for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and had attracted wide attention in recent years. Many gene therapy drugs for pancreatic cancer had now entered Ⅰ / Ⅱ clinical trials. The gene therapy techniques for pancreatic cancer included antisense gene therapy, suicide gene therapy, immune gene therapy, and oncolytic virus therapy. In this article, we reviewed recent advances in gene therapy for pancreatic cancer.

Infantile hemangioma: An update.

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are neoplastic proliferations of endothelial cells, characterized by a period of growth after birth, and eventual spontaneous involution. The course can be uneventful, culminating in spontaneous resolution; or it may be marked by complications such as bleeding; ulceration; infection; visual, feeding and breathing compromise; cosmetic and life-threatening complications such as congestive heart failure. Recognition of associated syndromes and impending complications of hemangiomas is of utmost importance. Great advances have taken place in the nomenclature, pathogenesis, immunohistochemistry, diagnostic workup and management of hemangiomas in the recent years. This article reviews current advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnostic tools, medical and surgical modalities of treatment for infantile hemangiomas.

Recent advances in the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

The management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is undergoing continual change and refinement, fuelled by recent advances in this field. Although many studies have documented the benefits of these recent advances but definite recommendations are lacking. Also, injudicious use of some of these strategies may be counterproductive, underscoring the importance of evidence based treatment strategy. This article discusses the utility of the recent advances in the management of CDH.

Recent Advances in Neuroscientific Approach to Research in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry / 신경정신의학

Today, one in ten children and adolescents suffers from mental illness severe enough to result in significant functional impairment. Children and adolescents with mental disorders are at much greater risk for dropping out of school and suffering longterm impairments. There are growing interests to explore the neurobiological etiology of child and adolescent psychiatric disorder. Here we will provide recent advances in neuroscientific approach to the research in child and adolescent psychiatry; 1) Animal Model Study in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric disorder, 2) Latest Updates on Molecular Genetics and Pharmacogenomic Study in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Field 3) An update on Neuroimaging Study in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric disorder, and 4) The Present and the Future on Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Field.

Tuberculosis of the Future.

Beginning and during the 20th century there were several milestones in TB control, including the development of vaccine and chemotherapy. But, as we enter the 21th century, TB continue be a global public health problem and if there is no improvement in TB control, the number of new TB cases is projected to rise to 11 million by 2020. Problems faced include inability to deliver / assure chemotherapy, deficient case finding, inadequate vaccine, rising level of drug resistance, failure to employ preventive chemotherapy and migration, HIV epidemics and nosocomial transmission. As far as recent advances in TB diagnostics, there is a need to find a tool for identification of latent infection, detection of diseases in migrant and other high risk populations, replace or facilitate AFB microscopy, improve the diagnosis of AFB smear-negative cases, and simple tools for determining drugs susceptibility. New diagnostic technologies includes nucleic acid probes, amplification tests, high performances liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas / liquid chromatography (GLC), and automated system for radiometric and non radiometric detection and molecular fingerprinting approach. In the coming years new drugs are needed, especially to shorten the duration of TB treatment or otherwise simplify its completion, improve the treatment of latent TB infection and to be eliminate. MDR-TB. There are some problems in pursue tuberculosis research because of the high investment required to bring a product to market and lack of likely commercial returns. Some new drugs and molecules with promising antimycobacterial activity include Fluoroquinolone, Oxazolidinones, Nitroimidazole, Thiolactomycine, Nitroimidazopyran and Isocitrate lyase inhibitor. To deliver good case finding and treatment, effective TB control program should be implemented in the country, as well as globally. The integration of TB control program with tobacco control program and chronic respiratory diseases control program could be one of the alternative.