Accurately Detecting Trace-Level Infectious Agents by an Electro-Enhanced Graphene Transistor

For epidemic prevention and control, molecular diagnostic techniques such as field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors is developed for rapid screening of infectious agents, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2, rhinovirus, and others. They obtain results within a few minutes but exhibit diminished sensitivity (<75%) in unprocessed biological samples due to insufficient recognition of low-abundance analytes. Here, an electro-enhanced strategy is developed for the precise detection of trace-level infectious agents by liquid-gate graphene field-effect transistors (LG-GFETs). The applied gate bias preconcentrates analytes electrostatically at the sensing interface, contributing to a 10-fold signal enhancement and a limit of detection down to 5 × 10−16 g mL−1 MPT64 protein in serum. Of 402 participants, sensitivity in tuberculosis, COVID-19 and human rhinovirus assays reached 97.3% (181 of 186), and specificity is 98.6% (213 of 216) with a response time of <60 s. This study solves a long-standing dilemma that response speed and result accuracy of molecular diagnostics undergo trade-offs in unprocessed biological samples, holding unique promise in high-quality and population-wide screening of infectious diseases. © 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.

COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients.

There is minimal information on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in immunocompromised individuals. We have studied 10 patients treated at 12 adult care hospitals. Ten kidney transplant recipients tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by polymerase chain reaction, and 9 were admitted. The median age was 57 (interquartile range [IQR] 47-67), 60% were male, 40% Caucasian, and 30% Black/African American. Median time from transplant to COVID-19 testing was 2822 days (IQR 1272-4592). The most common symptom was fever, followed by cough, myalgia, chills, and fatigue. The most common chest X-ray and computed tomography abnormality was multifocal patchy opacities. Three patients had no abnormal findings. Leukopenia was seen in 20% of patients, and allograft function was stable in 50% of patients. Nine patients were on tacrolimus and a mycophenolic antimetabolite, and 70% were on prednisone. Hospitalized patients had their antimetabolite agent stopped. All hospitalized patients received hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. Three patients died (30%), and 5 (50%) developed acute kidney injury. Kidney transplant recipients infected with COVID-19 should be monitored closely in the setting of lowered immunosuppression. Most individuals required hospitalization and presenting symptoms were similar to those of nontransplant individuals.

Municipal solid waste, an overlooked route of transmission for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2: a review.

Municipal solid waste could potentially transmit human pathogens during the collection, transport, handling, and disposal of waste. Workers and residents living in the vicinity of municipal solid waste collection or disposal sites are particularly susceptible, especially unprotected workers and waste pickers. Recent evidence suggests that municipal solid waste-mediated transmission can spread the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to humans. Such risks, however, have received little attention from public health authorities so far and may present an under-investigated transmission route for SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious agents during pandemics. In this review, we provide a retrospective analysis of the challenges, practices, and policies on municipal solid waste management during the current pandemic, and scrutinize the recent case reports on the municipal solid waste-mediated transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We found abrupt changes in quantity and composition of municipal solid wastes during the COVID-19. We detail pathways of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens carried on municipal solid wastes. We disclose evidence of pathogenic transmission by municipal solid waste to humans and animals. Assessments of current policies, gaps, and voluntary actions taken on municipal solid waste handling and disposal in the current pandemic are presented. We propose risk mitigation strategies and research priorities to alleviate the risk for humans and vectors exposed to municipal solid wastes.

Neutralization against Omicron variant in transplant recipients after three doses of mRNA vaccine.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus Omicron variant has now supplanted wild-type virus as the dominant circulating strain globally. Three doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine are recommended for transplant recipients as their primary vaccine series. However, the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines as they specifically relate to the Omicron variant are not well studied. We analyzed Omicron-specific neutralization in transplant recipients after three-doses of mRNA-1273 vaccine. Neutralization was determined using a SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudotyped lentivirus assay with constructs for Omicron and Delta variants. A total of 60 transplant patients (kidney, kidney-pancreas, lung, heart, liver) were analyzed 1 month and 3 months after completion of three doses of mRNA-1273. At 1 month, 11/60 (18.3%) patients had detectable neutralizing antibody responses to Omicron (log10 ID50 of 2.38 [range 1.34-3.57]). At 3 months, 8/51 (15.7%) were positive (median log10 ID50 [1.68; range 1.12-3.61; approximate fivefold reduction over time]). The proportion of positive patients was lower for Omicron versus wild-type, and Omicron vs. Delta (p < .001). No demographic variables were found to be significantly associated with Omicron response. Many patients with a positive anti-RBD response still had undetectable Omicron-specific neutralizing antibody. In conclusion, three doses of mRNA vaccine results in poor neutralizing responses against the Omicron variant in transplant patients.

Organ transplantation using COVID-19-positive deceased donors.

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced organ transplantation decision making. Opinions regarding the utilization of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) donors are mixed. We hypothesize that COVID-19 infection of deceased solid organ transplant donors does not affect recipient survival. All deceased solid organ transplant donors with COVID-19 testing results from March 15, 2020 to September 30, 2021 were identified in the OPTN database. Donors were matched to recipients and stratified by the COVID-19 test result. Outcomes were assessed between groups. COVID-19 test results were available for 17 694 donors; 150 were positive. A total of 269 organs were transplanted from these donors, including 187 kidneys, 57 livers, 18 hearts, 5 kidney-pancreases, and 2 lungs. The median time from COVID-19 testing to organ recovery was 4 days for positive and 3 days for negative donors. Of these, there were 8 graft failures (3.0%) and 5 deaths (1.9%). Survival of patients receiving grafts from COVID-19-positive donors is equivalent to those receiving grafts from COVID-19-negative donors (30-day patient survival = 99.2% COVID-19 positive; 98.6% COVID-19 negative). Solid organ transplantation using deceased donors with positive COVID-19 results does not negatively affect early patient survival, though little information regarding donor COVID-19 organ involvement is known. While transplantation is feasible, more information regarding COVID-19-positive donor selection is needed.

Impact of Omicron BA.1 infection on BA.4/5 immunity in transplant recipients.

Mutations in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 have allowed Omicron subvariants to escape neutralizing antibodies. The degree to which this occurs in transplant recipients is poorly understood. We measured BA.4/5 cross-neutralizing responses in 75 mostly vaccinated transplant recipients who recovered from BA.1 infection. Sera were collected at 1 and 6 months post-BA.1 infection, and a lentivirus pseudovirus neutralization assay was performed using spike constructs corresponding to BA.1 and BA.4/5. Uninfected immunized transplant recipients and health care worker controls were used for comparison. Following BA.1 infection, the proportion of transplant recipients with neutralizing antibody responses was 88.0% (66/75) against BA.1 and 69.3% (52/75) against BA.4/5 (P = .005). The neutralization level against BA.4/5 was approximately 17-fold lower than that against BA.1 (IQR 10.6- to 45.1-fold lower, P < .0001). BA.4/5 responses declined over time and by ≥0.5 log10 (approximately 3-fold) in almost half of the patients by 6 months. BA.4/5-neutralizing antibody titers in transplant recipients with breakthrough BA.1 infection were similar to those in immunized health care workers but significantly lower than those in uninfected triple-vaccinated transplant recipients. These results provide evidence that transplant recipients are at ongoing risk for BA.4/5 infection despite vaccination and prior Omicron strain infection, and additional mitigation strategies may be required to prevent severe disease in this cohort.

Pediatric solid organ transplant recipients demonstrate robust cell-mediated and humoral responses to three doses of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Pediatric solid organ transplant recipients (pSOTR) often demonstrate suboptimal vaccine responses and are not included in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine efficacy trials. This population has shown variable humoral immunity following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and no studies have assessed cell-mediated responses after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in pSOTR. SARS-CoV-2-specific interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and receptor-binding domain (RBD)-angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) blocking antibody (Ab) were measured in pSOTR aged 5-17 years after 2-3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. In all, 33 subjects were included, with 25 tested after the second dose of mRNA vaccine (V2) and 21 tested after the third dose of mRNA vaccine (V3). Of the 19 subjects who had IgG testing after V3, 100.0% (19/19) had a positive IgG response. Of the 17 subjects who had IGRA testing after V3, 94.1% (16/17) had a positive IGRA response. RBD-ACE2 blocking antibody increased significantly from V2 to V3 (p = .007). Subjects <1 year from transplant demonstrated a significantly larger increase in RBD-ACE2 blocking Ab from V2 to V3 than did those >1 year from transplant (p = .05). SARS-CoV-2 vaccination induces humoral and cell-mediated responses in the majority of pSOTR, with improved quantitative humoral response after three doses.

Comparative outcomes for over 100 deceased donor kidney transplants from SARS-CoV-2 positive donors: A single-center experience.

Emerging data support the safety of transplantation of extra-pulmonary organs from donors with SARS-CoV-2-detection. Our center offered kidney transplantation (KT) from deceased donors (DD) with SARS-CoV-2 with and without COVID-19 as a cause of death (CoV + COD and CoV+) to consenting candidates. No pre-emptive antiviral therapies were given. We retrospectively compared outcomes to contemporaneous DDKTs with negative SARS-CoV-2 testing (CoVneg). From February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022, there were 220 adult KTs, including 115 (52%) from 35 CoV+ and 33 CoV + COD donors. Compared to CoVneg and CoV+, CoV + COD were more often DCD (100% vs. 40% and 46%, p < .01) with longer cold ischemia times (25.2 h vs. 22.9 h and 22.2 h, p = .02). At median follow-up of 5.7 months, recipients of CoV+, CoV + COD and CoVneg kidneys had similar rates of delayed graft function (10.3%, 21.8% and 21.9%, p = .16), rejection (5.1%, 0% and 8.5%, p = .07), graft failure (1.7%, 0% and 0%, p = .35), mortality (0.9%, 0% and 3.7%; p = .29), and COVID-19 diagnoses (13.6%, 7.1%, and 15.2%, p = .33). Though follow-up was shorter, CoV + COD was associated with lower but acceptable eGFR on multivariable analysis. KT from DDs at various stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection appears safe and successful. Extended follow-up is required to assess the impact of CoV + COD donors on longer term graft function.

Advanced Body Monitoring Face Mask

Face masks provide effective, easy-to-use, yet inexpensive safety in opposition to airborne pathogens and infectious agents, COVID existing masks are entire leaden of nature, and honestly work namely atmosphere filters for the nasal bargain and/or mouth. This assignment affords a modern 'active mask', among as the wearing machine is outfitted including smart sensors longevity in imitation of screen fitness parameters regarding ethnic and in accordance with notice the presence about somebody diseases signs and symptoms into real day yet drink excellent action in imitation of extenuating the threat. The proposed strategy is based on a 3-d printed clever masks dictation as senses the Bio parameters then make wise selections in imitation of limiting their concentrations. In the cutting-edge implementation, an onboard administrator determines then fetches the ppg sign and calculates guts rate, spo2 or the fire, and relative dampness is monitored with the use of a DHT sensor or the associative strip Monitoring is made by using PIR and Ultrasonic sensor or signals within the unusual cases. The sensor data amassed are saved in thingspeak. © 2022 IEEE.

Back to the Future: The Role of Infections in Psychopathology. Focus on OCD.

Objective: Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the relationship between infections and psychopathology, given the increasing data on the neurotropism and neurological/psychiatric morbidity of the SARS-COV2 virus, responsible for the current worldwide pandemic. Although the majority of observations were those obtained in mood and schizophrenic disorders, a few data are also available on the presence of bacterial or viral infections in patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therefore, given the limited information, the present paper aimed at reviewing the most updated evidence of infections in neuropsychiatric disorders and their possible mechanisms of actions, with a narrow focus on microbes in OCD. Method: This paper is a narrative review. The databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were accessed to research and collect English language papers published between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 2021. The data on PANDAS/PANS and those observed during severe brain infections were excluded. Results: Several pathogens have been associated with an increased risk to develop a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anorexia nervosa, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some evidence supported a possible role of infections also in the pathophysiology of OCD. Infections from Herpes simplex virus 1, Borna disease virus, Group A-Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus, Borrelia spp., and Toxoplasma gondii were actually found in patients with OCD. Although different mechanisms have been hypothesized, all would converge to trigger functional/structural alterations of specific circuits or immune processes, with cascade dysfunctions of several other systems. Conclusions: Based on the current evidence, a possible contribution of different types of microbes has been proposed for different neuropsychiatric disorders including OCD. However, the currently available literature is meager and heterogeneous in terms of sample characteristics and methods used. Therefore, further studies are needed to better understand the impact of infectious agents in neuropsychiatric disorders. Our opinion is that deeper insights in this field might contribute to a better definition of biological underpinnings of specific clinical pictures, as well as to promote psychiatric precision medicine, with treatments based on altered pathological pathways of single patients. This might be particularly relevant in OCD, a disorder with a high proportion of patients who are resistant or do not respond to conventional therapeutic strategies.

mTOR inhibitors, mycophenolates, and other immunosuppression regimens on antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in solid organ transplant recipients.

A recent study concluded that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine responses were improved among transplant patients taking mTOR inhibitors (mTORi). This could have profound implications for vaccine strategies in transplant patients; however, limitations in the study design raise concerns about the conclusions. To address this issue more robustly, in a large cohort with appropriate adjustment for confounders, we conducted various regression- and machine learning-based analyses to compare antibody responses by immunosuppressive agents in a national cohort (n = 1037). MMF was associated with significantly lower odds of positive antibody response (aOR = 0.09 0.130.18 ). Consistent with the recent mTORi study, the odds tended to be higher with mTORi (aOR = 1.00 1.452.13 ); however, importantly, this seemingly protective tendency disappeared (aOR = 0.47 0.731.12 ) after adjusting for MMF. We repeated this comparison by combinations of immunosuppression agents. Compared to MMF + tacrolimus, MMF-free regimens were associated with higher odds of positive antibody response (aOR = 2.39 4.267.92 for mTORi+tacrolimus; 2.34 5.5415.32 for mTORi-only; and 6.78 10.2515.93 for tacrolimus-only), whereas MMF-including regimens were not, regardless of mTORi use (aOR = 0.81 1.542.98 for MMF + mTORi; and 0.81 1.512.87 for MMF-only). We repeated these analyses in an independent cohort (n = 512) and found similar results. Our study demonstrates that the recently reported findings were confounded by MMF, and that mTORi is not independently associated with improved vaccine responses.

Successful liver transplantation in patients with active SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has substantially impacted solid organ transplantation, including temporary inactivation of waitlist candidates with COVID-19 infection. We report two cases of liver transplantation (LT) in individuals with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. The first patient is a 68-year-old female with decompensated cirrhosis complicated by worsening frailty and sarcopenia. The second patient is a 22-year-old female with acute liver failure likely secondary to drug/toxin exposure. Both patients were treated with COVID-19-directed therapies and neither patient developed symptomatic disease. These cases demonstrate that LT can be safely performed in select patients with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection at the time of transplant.

Incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections in liver and kidney transplant recipients in the post-vaccination era: Real-life data from Denmark.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with a high risk of adverse outcomes in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients in the pre-vaccination era. In this retrospective cohort study, we examined the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in kidney and liver transplant recipients in Denmark in the post-vaccination era, from December 27, 2020, to December 27, 2021. We included 1428 SOT recipients with 143 cases of first-positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. The cumulative incidence of first-positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test 1 year after initiation of vaccination was 10.4% (95% CI: 8.8-12.0), and the incidence was higher in kidney than in liver transplant recipients (11.6% [95% CI: 9.4-13.8] vs. 7.4% [95% CI: 5.1-9.8], p = .009). After the first-positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, the hospitalization rate was 31.5% (95% CI: 23.9-39.1), and 30-day all-cause mortality was 3.7% (95% CI: 0.5-6.8). Hospitalization was lower in vaccinated than in unvaccinated SOT recipients (26.4% [95% CI: 18.1-34.6] vs. 48.5% [95% CI: 31.4-65.5], p = .011), as was mortality (1.8% [95% CI: 0.0-4.3] vs. 9.1% [95% CI: 0.0-18.9], p = .047). In conclusion, SOT recipients remain at high risk of adverse outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infections, with a lower risk observed in vaccinated than in unvaccinated SOT recipients.

Outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with and without solid organ transplantation-A Danish nationwide cohort study.

The risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, hospitalization and death, and the effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) is still debated. We performed a nationwide, population-based, matched cohort study, including all Danish SOTRs (n = 5184) and a matched cohort from the general population (n = 41 472). Cox regression analyses were used to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs). SOTRs had a slightly increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and were vaccinated earlier than the general population. The overall risk of hospital contact with COVID-19, severe COVID-19, need for assisted respiration, and hospitalization followed by death was substantially higher in SOTRs (IRR: 32.8 95%CI [29.0-37.0], 9.2 [6.7-12.7], 12.5 [7.6-20.8], 12.4 [7.9-12.7]). The risk of hospitalization and death after SARS-CoV-2 infection decreased substantially in SOTRs after the emergence of the Omicron variant (IRR: 0.45 [0.37-0.56], 0.17 [0.09-0.30]). Three vaccinations reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection only marginally compared to two vaccinations, but SOTRs with three vaccinations had a lower risk of death (IRR: 022 [0.16-0.35]). We conclude that SOTRs have a risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection comparable to the general population, but substantially increased the risk of hospitalization and death following SARS-CoV-2 infection. A third vaccination only reduces the risk of SARS-CoV2 infection marginally, but SOTRs vaccinated 3 times have reduced mortality.

Utilization and outcomes of deceased donor SARS-CoV-2-positive organs for solid organ transplantation in the United States.

Coronavirus disease-19 has had a marked impact on the transplant population and processes of care for transplant centers and organ allocation. Several single-center studies have reported successful utilization of deceased donors with positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) tests. Our aims were to characterize testing, organ utilization, and transplant outcomes with donor SARS-CoV-2 status in the United States. We used Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data from March 12, 2020 to August 31, 2021 including a custom file with SARS-CoV-2 testing data. There were 35 347 donor specimen SARS-CoV-2 tests, 77.5% upper respiratory samples, 94.6% polymerase chain reaction tests, and 1.2% SARS-CoV-2-positive tests. Donor age, gender, history of hypertension, and diabetes were similar by SARS-CoV-2 status, while positive SARS-CoV-2 donors were more likely African-American, Hispanic, and donors after cardiac death (p-values <.01). Recipient demographic characteristics were similar by donor SARS CoV-2 status. Adjusted donor kidney discard (odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66-2.61) was higher for SARS-CoV-2-positive donors while donor liver (odds ratio = 0.44, 95% CI 0.33-0.60) and heart recovery (odds ratio = 0.44, 95% CI 0.31-0.63) were significantly reduced. Overall post-transplant graft survival for kidney, liver, and heart recipients was comparable by donor SARS-CoV-2 status. Cumulatively, there has been significantly lower utilization of SARS-CoV-2 donors with no evidence of reduced recipient graft survival with variations in practice over time.

Breakthrough COVID-19 cases despite prophylaxis with 150 mg of tixagevimab and 150 mg of cilgavimab in kidney transplant recipients.

The cilgavimab-tixagevimab combination retains a partial in vitro neutralizing activity against the current SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (omicron BA.1, BA.1.1, and BA.2). Here, we examined whether preexposure prophylaxis with cilgavimab-tixagevimab can effectively protect kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) against the omicron variant. Of the 416 KTRs who received intramuscular prophylactic injections of 150 mg tixagevimab and 150 mg cilgavimab, 39 (9.4%) developed COVID-19. With the exception of one case, all patients were symptomatic. Hospitalization and admission to an intensive care unit were required for 14 (35.9%) and three patients (7.7%), respectively. Two KTRs died of COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome. SARS-CoV-2 sequencing was carried out in 15 cases (BA.1, n = 5; BA.1.1, n = 9; BA.2, n = 1). Viral neutralizing activity of the serum against the BA.1 variant was negative in the 12 tested patients, suggesting that this prophylactic strategy does not provide sufficient protection against this variant of concern. In summary, preexposure prophylaxis with cilgavimab-tixagevimab at the dose of 150 mg of each antibody does not adequately protect KTRs against omicron. Further clarification of the optimal dosing can assist in our understanding of how best to harness its protective potential.

Effectiveness of first, second, and third COVID-19 vaccine doses in solid organ transplant recipients: A population-based cohort study from Canada.

Limited data exists on the effectiveness of a third COVID-19 vaccine dose in solid organ transplant recipients. We conducted a population-based cohort study using linked healthcare databases from Ontario, Canada to answer this question. We included solid organ transplant recipients (n = 12,842) as of December 14, 2020, with follow-up until November 28, 2021. We used an extended Cox proportional hazards model with vaccination status, including BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and ChAdOx1 vaccines, modeled as a time-dependent exposure. Individuals started in the unvaccinated category (reference) and could contribute person-time to first, second, and third doses. Over a median follow-up of 349 days, 12.7% (n = 1632) remained unvaccinated, 54.1% (n = 6953) received 3 doses, and 488 (3.8%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (of which 260 [53.3%] had a clinically important outcome [i.e., hospitalization or death]). Adjusted vaccine effectiveness against infection was 31% (95% CI: 2, 51%), 46% (95% CI: 21, 63%), and 72% (95% CI: 43, 86%) for one, two, and three doses. Vaccine effectiveness against clinically important outcomes was 38% (95% CI: 4, 61%), 54% (95% CI: 23, 73%), and 67% (95% CI: 11, 87%). Vaccine effectiveness in solid organ transplant recipients is lower than the general population, however, vaccine effectiveness improved following a third dose.

Infectious agents and Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Individuals affected by the disease gradually lose their capacity for abstract thinking, understanding, communication and memory. As populations age, declining cognitive abilities will represent an increasing global health concern. While AD was first described over a century ago, its pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. It is believed that cognitive decline in AD is caused by a progressive loss of neurons and synapses that lead to reduced neural plasticity. AD is a multifactorial disease affected by genetic and environmental factors. The molecular hallmarks of AD include formation of extracellular ß amyloid (Aß) aggregates, neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, excessive oxidative damage, an imbalance of biothiols, dysregulated methylation, and a disproportionate inflammatory response. Recent reports have shown that viruses (e.g., Herpes simplex type 1, 2, 6A/B; human cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C virus, influenza virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2), bacteria (e.g., Treponema pallidum, Borrelia burgdorferi, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcmitans, Eikenella corrodens, Treponema denticola, and Helicobacter pylori), as well as eukaryotic unicellular parasites (e.g., Toxoplasma gondii) may factor into cognitive decline within the context of AD. Microorganisms may trigger pathological changes in the brain that resemble and/or induce accumulation of Aß peptides and promote tau hyperphosphorylation. Further, the mere presence of infectious agents is suspected to induce both local and systemic inflammatory responses promoting cellular damage and neuronal loss. Here we review the influence of infectious agents on the development of AD to inspire new research in dementia based on these pathogens.

Post COVID-19 Intelligent Public Healthcare Management

Epidemic outbreaks are collective effects of ongoing globalization, urbanisation, population mobility, climate change, demographic change and evolution of newer strains of infectious agents that result in high morbidity, mortality and huge financial loss, such as COVID-19. Thus, the early prediction of the emergence of a disease can play a pivotal role to prevent a disease to become epidemic. The Edge AI based solution has been proposed for healthcare prediction using machine learning (ML). In this paper, our focus is to propose ML based advanced model for public healthcare to reduce and control epidemic outbreaks. Collective knowledge from interconnected disciplines, shared data repository, and diverse roles have been embedded into the proposed framework. An evaluation based on actual COVID-19 related data demonstrates that ML can be used for COVID risk prediction for public health data as well as to take preventive steps to combat epidemics in early-stage. © 2021 IEEE.