Improving the timeliness of health expenditure tracking in OECD and low-and middle-income countries

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that access to timely health spending data is crucial for informed policy-making. This Health Working Paper summarises and compares the methodologies applied in around half of OECD countries to estimate public and private health spending for the most recent year (i.e. t-1) as well as the approaches taken by the OECD Secretariat to fill existing data gaps for the remaining OECD countries. For the first time, the paper also explores the feasibility of nowcasting health spending for the current year (i.e. t) and examines data sources that could be potentially useful in such an exercise. While this review should help OECD countries that do not yet have experience in estimating health spending for year t-1 to improve the timeliness in their data reporting, a special focus in this paper lies on testing the applicability of the methods in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), using the WHO Western Pacific Region (WPRO) as an example. Generally, different data sources exist in many countries that would allow for a more timely estimation for health spending aggregates.

Evaluation of antiviral effects and toxicity of herbal medicine Vipdervir capsules

Background: Antiviral vaccine is not effective, synthetic antiviral drugs are highly toxic, leading to increased interest in herbal medicines as promising antiviral drugs. Recently, Vipdervir has been developed from medicinal herbs with the aim to support and treat diseases caused by viruses such as H5N1 and SARSCoV- 2. In the present study, we assessed Vipdervir's antiviral activity against H5N1 and SARS-CoV-2. In addition, we also evaluated the acute toxicity and repeated dose toxicity of Vipdervir in mice and rabbits, respectively. Methods: H5N1 inhibitory effect of Vipdervir was assessed using hemagglutination inhibition assay. Vipdervir's SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory effect was evaluated by Plaque Reduction Neutralization assay. Acute and repeated dose oral toxicities of Vipdervir were determined according to OECD 423 and OECD 407 guidelines, respectively. Results: Data show that Vipdervir is effective against both H5N1 and SARSCoV- 2. At concentrations of 3 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL Vipdervir completely inhibits H5N1. At a concentration of 50 g/mL Vipdervir showed an inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2. Acute toxicity data revealed that the LD50 of Vipdervir is greater than 35200 mg/kg, b.wt. in mice. Repeated toxicity data indicated that Vipdervir did not induce significant differences in body weight gain, hematology and clinical biochemistry in compared to the control group. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level of Vipdervir is greater than 613.8 mg/kg b.wt./day in rabbits. No delayed toxicity effects of Vipdervir were observed. Conclusion: Vipdervir capsules were found to be antiviral effective and relatively safe in the tested doses and experimental conditions.

SARS-CoV-2 in animals used for fur farming: GLEWS+ risk assessment (20 January 2021)

SARS-CoV-2 was first identified in humans in December 2019 and has since affected almost 68 million people causing over 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Animal-to-human and animal-to-animal transmission has been documented within farmed minks in several countries. SARS-CoV-2 has been identified in a farmed mink population in a number of countries. Some of the affected farms reported also workers SARS-CoV-2 infection and it is hypothesized that the mink farms were infected through human-mink transmission proving SARS-CoV-2 capability of reverse zoonosis. This Tripartite Risk Assessment, as a joint effort under the GLEWS+ initiative, completed with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), evaluates the risk of introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 within fur farming systems as well as whether farmed fur animals could play a significant role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to humans via spillover. Additionally, using a One Health approach, the Tripartite evaluated the risk of the escaped minks leading to the establishment of a viral reservoir in susceptible wildlife populations. This work provides guidance to Members on this newly emerging threat.

Pathology of animal models of COVID-19

This paper describes the pathogenesis and immunology of Macaca mulatta, Macaca fascicularis, ferrets, Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), mice, cats, mink, pigs and rabbits used as models for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Serum IgM and IgG antibody response six months post-COVID-19 vaccination

Objective: To determine the serum IgM and IgG antibody levels post-COVID-19 vaccination, and provide scientific evidence for COVID-19 antibody response after vaccination.

Research-Relevant Conditions and Pathology of Laboratory Mice, Rats, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Naked Mole Rats, and Rabbits.

Animals are valuable resources in biomedical research in investigations of biological processes, disease pathogenesis, therapeutic interventions, safety, toxicity, and carcinogenicity. Interpretation of data from animals requires knowledge not only of the processes or diseases (pathophysiology) under study but also recognition of spontaneous conditions and background lesions (pathology) that can influence or confound the study results. Species, strain/stock, sex, age, anatomy, physiology, spontaneous diseases (noninfectious and infectious), and neoplasia impact experimental results and interpretation as well as animal welfare. This review and the references selected aim to provide a pathology resource for researchers, pathologists, and veterinary personnel who strive to achieve research rigor and validity and must understand the spectrum of "normal" and expected conditions to accurately identify research-relevant experimental phenotypes as well as unusual illness, pathology, or other conditions that can compromise studies involving laboratory mice, rats, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, naked mole rats, and rabbits.

Infectious disease management in animal shelters

This second edition contains 24 new and updated chapters on aetiology, epidemiology, prevalence, pathogenesis, clinical signs, treatment, prevention and control of infectious diseases in cats, dogs and exotic small companion mammals in animal shelters. These include an introduction to infectious disease management in animal shelters, wellness, data surveillance, diagnostic testing, necropsy techniques, outbreak management, pharmacology, sanitation, canine and feline vaccinations and immunology, canine infectious respiratory disease, canine distemper virus, canine influenza, feline infectious respiratory disease, canine parvovirus and other canine enteropathogens, feline panleukopenia, feline coronavirus and feline infectious peritonitis, internal parasites, heartworm disease, external parasites, dermatophytoses, zoonoses, rabies, feline leukaemia and feline immunodeficiency viruses and conditions in exotic companion mammals (ferrets, rabbits, guineapigs and rodents). It is intended for shelter veterinarians, managers and workers.

Quarterly report of investigations of suspected exotic diseases: July to September 2021

Exotic pest and disease investigations are managed and reported by the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI's) Diagnostic and Surveillance Directorate. This article presents a summary of investigations of suspect exotic and emerging pests and diseases in New Zealand during the period from July to September 2021.

Toxicity and Local Tolerance of a Novel Spike Protein RBD Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2, Produced Using the C1 Thermothelomyces Heterothallica Protein Expression Platform.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and there is a growing demand for safe and effective vaccines. The thermophilic Thermothelomyces heterothallica filamentous fungal host, C1-cell, can be utilized as an expression platform for the rapid production of large quantities of antigens for developing vaccines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local tolerance and the systemic toxicity of a C1-cell expressed receptor-binding domain (C1-RBD) vaccine, following repeated weekly intramuscular injections (total of 4 administrations), in New Zealand White rabbits. The animals were sacrificed either 3 days or 3 weeks following the last dose. No signs of toxicity were observed, including no injection site reactions. ELISA studies revealed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in the sera of C1-RBD-treated animals starting from day 13 post injection, that were further elevated. Histopathology evaluation and immunohistochemical staining revealed follicular hyperplasia, consisting of B-cell type, in the spleen and inguinal lymph nodes of the treated animals that were sustained throughout the recovery phase. No local or systemic toxicity was observed. In conclusion, the SARS-CoV-2 C1-RBD vaccine candidate demonstrated an excellent safety profile and a lasting immunogenic response against receptor-binding domain, thus supporting its further development for use in humans.

Conference on humane innovations in education Ibrahim Arnautovic, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 12-13 November 2021

This issue contains 14 articles on students' self-study and self-assessment during the veterinary anatomy course at the University of Zagreb, Croatia;cost-effectiveness of 3d printing of anatomical models;solving the formalin issue in the veterinary anatomy teaching;alternative methods for vasopuncturing in veterinary medicine using an artificial rabbit ear;humane innovations in veterinary anatomy education in India;glycaemia as a reliable indicator for diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats;humane innovations and the advantages of replacing animal experiments and dissection;anatomical learning materials for the digital age;usage of dummies for training purposes in laboratory animal science;enhancing veterinary education and training through the use of the Elnady Technique (et) specimens;virtual reality (vr) in veterinary anatomy teaching;smart 3D meat inspection;educational animal use and alternatives;students' perspectives and attitude about the shift to emergency remote learning of veterinary anatomy during the COVID-19 pandemic;a new way of education-virtual reality;sonography as educational tool for recognition of anatomical structures in bovine ovaries;the sketchfab platform as a tool in veterinary anatomy education and students' assessment of the use of different neuroanatomical specimens in veterinary anatomy practical classes.

Evolutionary analysis of mammalian ACE2 and the key residues involved in binding to the Spike protein revealed potential SARS-CoV-2 hosts

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2) spilled over to humans via wild mammals, entering the host cell using angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as receptor through Spike (S) protein binding. While SARS-CoV-2 became fully adapted to humans and globally spread, some mammal species were infected back. The present study evaluated the potential risk of mammals becoming hosts for SARS-CoV-2 through bioinformatics prediction based on ACE2 receptors.

Comparative bioavailability study following a single dose intravenous and buccal administration of remdesivir in rabbits.

As remdesivir, the first FDA-approved drug for SARS-CoV-2 infection, can be used only for hospitalized patients due to intravenous administration, there is an urgent need of effective oral antiviral formulations to be used at early stage of infection in an outpatient setting. The present paper reports on the comparative pharmacokinetics of the electrospun nanofiber remdesivir/sulfobutyl ether beta-cyclodextrin formulation after intravenous and buccal administration. It was postulated that oral transmucosal administration avoids remdesivir from metabolic transformation and intact remdesivir can be detected in plasma, but only the active metabolite GS-441524 could be experimentally detected at a significantly lower plasma level, than that provided by the intravenous route. In buccally treated animals, the metabolite GS-441524 appeared only at 1 h after treatment, while in intravenously treated animals, GS-441524 was possible to quantify even at the first time-point of blood collection. Further optimization of formulation is required to improve pharmacokinetics of remdesivir-sulfobutyl ether beta-cyclodextrin formulation upon buccal administration.

64th Annual Meeting of the Pathology Section of the German Veterinary Medical Association

These proceedings contain 25 papers from the 64th Annual Meeting of the Pathology Section of the German Veterinary Medical Association. Topics include tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in mammary carcinomas in domestic rabbits;what decides good or bad? - global gene expression analysis of the adenoma of the hepatoid perianal glands and adenocarcinoma the canine apocrine anal sac glands;the canine cutaneous histiocytoma - boring or perspective in immuno-oncology?;impact of antibiotic pretreatment on ventilator-induced lung injury: contradiction between histology and transcriptome analysis?;characterization of murine satellite glial cells of the dorsal root ganglia - a unique cell population with potential regenerative capacities;impact of antibiotic pretreatment on ventilator-induced lung injury: contradiction between histology and transcriptome analysis?;primary diffuse leptomeningeals oligodendrogliomatosis in a cat;pathomorphological studies of fibroadnexal dysplasia in dogs;pyogranulomatous inflammation in multiple Organs of a dog with evidence of Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum;ovary tumors in cats - overview of the examination material from 2009-2020 and case report of a recurrent dysgerminoma;atherosclerosis in the dog;spinal neuroenteric cyst in one Saint Bernard;MENX - an endogenous model for pseudohypoxic pheochromocytomas;molecular Level Evolution II: similarities of CLCA2 in sauropsids and mammals;in vivo detection of double-stranded Ribonucleic acid (RNA) as an early detection marker unclear viral infections using the example of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) in experimental infected hamsters;the role of different mast cell subtypes in the context of intestinal carcinogenesis - a species-comparative approach;an underestimated treasure in paraffin - establishment of a global transcriptome analysis canine tumors from FFPE material based on QuantSeq 3' technology;well researched? - an approximation of the role of CLCA1 in joints through usage molecular databases;integration of digitized historical and cytopathology into an open source DICOM database and viewer system;3R 3D: skin model for the study of viral infections;CARD9 signaling promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and cytokine balance in a mouse model of virus-induced encephalitis;neuropathological changes after intranasal infection with Rift Valley fever virus - a murine model for human encephalitis;a T-cell a day keeps Theiler away - the influence non-reactive T-cells on the course of a Theiler virus infection in mice with C57BL/6 background;digitization in pathology - new opportunities and their obstacles;and specific features of satellite glial cells of dog and pig.

First Evidence of Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Domestic Rabbits.

We tested 144 pet rabbits sampled in France between November 2020 and June 2021 for antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by microsphere immunoassay. We reported the first evidence of a natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in rabbits with a low observed seroprevalence between 0.7% and 1.4%.

Animal Models in Human Adenovirus Research.

Human adenovirus (HAdV) infections cause a wide variety of clinical symptoms, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract disease to lethal outcomes, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. To date, neither widely available vaccines nor approved antiadenoviral compounds are available to efficiently deal with HAdV infections. Thus, there is a need to thoroughly understand HAdV-induced disease, and for the development and preclinical evaluation of HAdV therapeutics and/or vaccines, and consequently for suitable standardizable in vitro systems and animal models. Current animal models to study HAdV pathogenesis, persistence, and tumorigenesis include rodents such as Syrian hamsters, mice, and cotton rats, as well as rabbits. In addition, a few recent studies on other species, such as pigs and tree shrews, reported promising data. These models mimic (aspects of) HAdV-induced pathological changes in humans and, although they are relevant, an ideal HAdV animal model has yet to be developed. This review summarizes the available animal models of HAdV infection with comprehensive descriptions of virus-induced pathogenesis in different animal species. We also elaborate on rodent HAdV animal models and how they contributed to insights into adenovirus-induced cell transformation and cancer.

Tightening or breaking an immanent frame? Polish catholicism and the Coronavirus epidemic

In this article I analyse the changing internal dynamics of Catholicism in the pandemic context. In the first part, I present the dynamics of institutional actions triggered by the feeling of being threatened by Covid-19. Then I characterise the dynamism of Polish Catholicism, highlighting (1) its features such as: massiveness, political agency, interpenetration of the parish and the local community in the countryside, the role of small pastoral groups;(2) the directions of change such as: the erosion of community rituals, institutional saturation, breaking the continuity of religious socialisation, the decline in institutional trust, and (3) factors of religious socialisation such as family and media. The analysis of the available empirical data leads me to the conclusion that the epidemic imposed a specific form on Polish Catholicism, which limited the scope of interactions and collective practices and strengthens the process of weakening religious collective practices and ties with the parish, which has been observed for at least two decades. At the same time, the epidemic strengthens the process of differentiation and the Sadoon link between family ties and religiosity, which is central to Polish Catholicism.