Normal Island: COVID-19, Border Control, and Viral Nationalism in UK Public Health Discourse.

In this contribution, I present emergent analysis of a preoccupation with managing COVID-19 through border control, among non-Governmental public health actors and commentators. Through a reading of statements, tweets, and interviews from the 'Independent Sage' group - individually and collectively - I show how the language of border control, and of maintaining immunity within the national boundaries of the UK, has been a notable theme in the group's analysis. To theorize this emphasis, I draw comparison with the phenomenon of 'green nationalism', in which the urgency of climate action has been turned to overtly nationalistic ends; I sketch the outlines of what I call 'viral nationalism,' a political ecology that understands the pandemic as an event occurring differentially between nation states, and thus sees pandemic management as, inter alia, a work of involuntary detention at securitized borders. I conclude with some general remarks on the relationship between public health, immunity, and national feeling in the UK.

The influence of dietary Salvia and lavender powders on productive performance, some physiological parameters, and immunity of broiler under stocking density stress

The purpose of this experiment was to increase poultry meat production by increasing the number of chickens reared in the same area and managing it by using medicinal herbs Salvia officinalis L and Lavandula angustifolia L. in the broiler chicken diet. 705 one-day-old chicks were randomly distributed into to7 treatments with three replicates for an area of two m2 floor system in each replicate for each treatment, during 35 days of the study. T0 negative control 75 chicks, 25 chicks for each replicate 12-13 chicks per m2 fed standard diet. T1 positive control (stocking density without supplementation)105 chicks, 35 each replicate chicks 17-18 per m2 fed standard diet. The same stocking density for T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 have been given standard feed with supplemented herbals, salvia 0.7%, 0.9%, lavender0.7%, 0.9%, and mixed 0.7% respectively. Depending on the results, chickens reared in stress stocking density with supplementations led to higher improvement of body weight, meat production, body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio(FCR g feed/g weight), production index PI, carcass weight (g) and dressing percentage, RBCs 106cells/mm3, lymphocyte%, of increasing activity of thyroid hormones T3, T4 (nmol/L) boost antibody titers of ND and IBV when compared with positive control. However, heterophil%, stress indicator H/L ratio, glucose mg/ dL and cholesterol mg/ dL significantly reduced. The results showed that adding sage and lavender plants to broiler feed is effective in improving productivity, immunity, and resistance characteristics in reducing the adverse effects of stress caused by increasing the intensity of broiler rearing in the same area.

Bioactive and Physico-Chemical Assessment of Innovative Poly(lactic acid)-Based Biocomposites Containing Sage, Coconut Oil, and Modified Nanoclay.

The bioactivity of the versatile biodegradable biopolymer poly(lactic acid) (PLA) can be obtained by combining it with natural or synthetic compounds. This paper deals with the preparation of bioactive formulations involving the melt processing of PLA loaded with a medicinal plant (sage) and an edible oil (coconut oil), together with an organomodifed montmorillonite nanoclay, and an assessment of the resulting structural, surface, morphological, mechanical, and biological properties of the biocomposites. By modulating the components, the prepared biocomposites show flexibility, both antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, as well as a high degree of cytocompatibility, being capable to induce the cell adherence and proliferation on their surface. Overall, the obtained results suggest that the developed PLA-based biocomposites could potentially be used as bioactive materials in medical applications.

The mint versus Covid hypothesis.

Recent lines of evidence suggest the intriguing hypothesis that consuming common culinary herbs of the mint family might help prevent or treat Covid. Individual citizens could easily explore the hypothesis using ordinary kitchen materials. I offer a philosophical framework to account for the puzzling lack of public health messaging about this interesting idea.

The Landscape of Expressed Chimeric Transcripts in the Blood of Severe COVID-19 Infected Patients.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infections has quickly developed into a global public health threat. COVID-19 patients show distinct clinical features, and in some cases, during the severe stage of the condition, the disease severity leads to an acute respiratory disorder. In spite of several pieces of research in this area, the molecular mechanisms behind the development of disease severity are still not clearly understood. Recent studies demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 alters the host cell splicing and transcriptional response to overcome the host immune response that provides the virus with favorable conditions to replicate efficiently within the host cells. In several disease conditions, aberrant splicing could lead to the development of novel chimeric transcripts that could promote the functional alternations of the cell. As severe SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported to cause abnormal splicing in the infected cells, we could expect the generation and expression of novel chimeric transcripts. However, no study so far has attempted to check whether novel chimeric transcripts are expressed in severe SARS-CoV-2 infections. In this study, we analyzed several publicly available blood transcriptome datasets of severe COVID-19, mild COVID-19, other severe respiratory viral infected patients, and healthy individuals. We identified 424 severe COVID-19 -specific chimeric transcripts, 42 of which were recurrent. Further, we detected 189 chimeric transcripts common to severe COVID-19 and multiple severe respiratory viral infections. Pathway and gene enrichment analysis of the parental genes of these two subsets of chimeric transcripts reveals that these are potentially involved in immune-related processes, interferon signaling, and inflammatory responses, which signify their potential association with immune dysfunction leading to the development of disease severity. Our study provides the first detailed expression landscape of chimeric transcripts in severe COVID-19 and other severe respiratory viral infections.

Some medicinal plants against coronavirus types, ingredients and applications

This article provides information on the chemical components and antiviral characteristics of some medicinal plants against various Coronavirus strains. Some of these plants include sage (Salvia officinalis), Cistus incanus, Rumex acetosa and Plantago sp., among others.

Identification of herbal teas and their compounds eliciting antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted medical and socioeconomic havoc, and despite the current availability of vaccines and broad implementation of vaccination programs, more easily accessible and cost-effective acute treatment options preventing morbidity and mortality are urgently needed. Herbal teas have historically and recurrently been applied as self-medication for prophylaxis, therapy, and symptom alleviation in diverse diseases, including those caused by respiratory viruses, and have provided sources of natural products as basis for the development of therapeutic agents. To identify affordable, ubiquitously available, and effective treatments, we tested herbs consumed worldwide as herbal teas regarding their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: Aqueous infusions prepared by boiling leaves of the Lamiaceae perilla and sage elicit potent and sustained antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 when applied after infection as well as prior to infection of cells. The herbal infusions exerted in vitro antiviral effects comparable to interferon-ß and remdesivir but outperformed convalescent sera and interferon-α2 upon short-term treatment early after infection. Based on protein fractionation analyses, we identified caffeic acid, perilla aldehyde, and perillyl alcohol as antiviral compounds. Global mass spectrometry (MS) analyses performed comparatively in two different cell culture infection models revealed changes of the proteome upon treatment with herbal infusions and provided insights into the mode of action. As inferred by the MS data, induction of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX-1) was confirmed as effector mechanism by the antiviral activity of the HMOX-1-inducing compounds sulforaphane and fraxetin. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, herbal teas based on perilla and sage exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 including variants of concern such as Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, and we identified HMOX-1 as potential therapeutic target. Given that perilla and sage have been suggested as treatment options for various diseases, our dataset may constitute a valuable resource also for future research beyond virology.

COVID-19 vaccine policy development in a sample of 44 countries - Key findings from a December 2021 survey of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs).

National Immunization Technical Advisory Committees (NITAGs) are tasked with the responsibility of guiding ministries of health and national immunization programmes in their policy development processes. Many NITAGs rely on evidence reviewed by the World Health Organization's (WHO) Strategic Group of Experts(SAGE) on immunization and aim to adapt WHO's recommendations to their respective contexts. This relationship took on exceptional importance since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which NITAGs have expressed a notable struggle to craft appropriate policies on population prioritization and vaccine utilization in the face of supply constraints and complex programmatic and delivery logistics. This online survey was conducted to assess the usefulness of the SAGE guidance documents for COVID-19 vaccine policies and to examine the persisting needs and challenges facing NITAGs. Results confirmed that SAGE recommendations concerning COVID-19 vaccines are easy to access, understand, and adapt. They have been found to be comprehensive and timely under the data and time constrained circumstances confronting SAGE. The Global NITAG Network (GNN) appears to be the most popular vehicle for addressing questions among high income countries, in contrast to lower income countries who favour WHO Country or Regional Offices. NITAGs place much value on interaction with other NITAGs, which requires facilitation and could benefit from increased opportunities, especially within regions. It is further noted that some NITAGs have had to tackle issues during the pandemic not typically considered by SAGE, such as supply chain logistics and vaccine demand. Learning from the COVID-19 experience offers opportunities to strengthen NITAGs and the pandemic recovery effort through the development of more concrete procedures and consideration of more varied types of data, including implementation effectiveness and uptake data. There is also an opportunity for an increasing involvement of Country Office WHO personnel to support NITAGs, while ensuring information and evidence needs of countries are adequately reflected in SAGE deliberations.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Plant Extracts from Salvia deserta Schang. and Salvia sclarea L.

Medicines, their safety, effectiveness and quality are indispensable factors of national security, important on a global scale. The COVID-19 pandemic has once again emphasized the importance of improving the immune response of the body in the face of severe viral infections. Plants from the Salvia L. genus have long been used in traditional medicine for treatment of inflammatory processes, parasitic diseases, bacterial and viral infections. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of plant extracts LS-1, LS-2 from Salvia deserta Schang. and LS-3, LS-4 from Salvia sclarea L. plants growing in southern Kazakhstan by conventional and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, respectively. The cytotoxic effects of the named sage extracts on neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFn) were evaluated using the MTT assay. Immunomodulatory effects of the studied extracts were compared by examining their influence on pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and phagocytic activity of murine immune cells. Depending on the physiological state of the innate immune cells, sage extracts LS-2 and LS-3 had either a stimulating effect on inactivated macrophages or suppressed cytokine-producing activity in LPS-activated macrophages. The greatest increase in TNF-α secretion was found after treatment of spleen T lymphocytes with sage extract LS-2, obtained by ultrasonic-assisted extraction.

Exploring enablers and barriers toward COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among Arabs: A qualitative study.

Background: With the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and rapid vaccine development, research interest in vaccine hesitancy (VH) has increased. Research usually focuses on quantitative estimates which largely neglected the qualitative underpinnings of this phenomenon. This study aimed to explore the beliefs and views towards COVID-19 vaccination among Arabs in different countries. Furthermore, we explored the effect of confidence in the healthcare system, misinformation, and scientific approaches adopted to mitigate COVID-19 on how individuals are following the recommended preventative actions including vaccination. Methods: This study was based on the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE)-VH Model: A qualitative design that utilized in-depth, online interviews. The study was conducted in seven Arab countries (Egypt, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Libya, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Jordan) from June 2020 to December 2021. Transcripts were analyzed using NVivo 12 Software. Results: A total of 100 participants, 44 males and 56 females, of different age groups (37.1 ± 11.56 years) were interviewed. Findings revealed six themes as enablers and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Many participants indicated trusting the vaccines, the healthcare systems, and the vaccination policies were the main driver to get the vaccine. Participants showed concerns towards potential long-term vaccine effects. A consistent inclination towards collective responsibility, which is the willingness to protect others by own vaccination, was also reported. Conclusion: Enablers and barriers of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in the Arab region, from sociocultural and political perspectives, are critical to guide policymakers in designing target-oriented interventions that can improve vaccine acceptance.

The Role of Needle Fear in Pediatric Flu Vaccine Hesitancy: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bologna Metropolitan Area.

(1) Background: vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza and reduce its complications. The main aim of the study is to assess a possible increase of parents'/caregivers' pediatric flu vaccination adherence due to a nasal administration as an alternative to injection in Bologna. (2) Methods: 169 parents/guardians of children who were joining the COVID-19 pediatric vaccination session in Bologna were interviewed. The results were summarized using descriptive statistics. A multiple logistic regression model was used to assess the determinants of the change in flu vaccine uptake if offered without injection administration. All analyses were conducted using STATA and R-Studio software. (3) Results: Only 29.0% of parents were informed about pediatric flu vaccination by pediatricians, and 32.5% heard about pediatric flu vaccination. Almost 72.2% of parents declared that they would not have their children vaccinated against influenza. Thus, 40.2% of them changed their opinion after being informed about the existence of a non-injective vaccine. Needle fear in children turned out to be a determinant of this opinion change (OR = 3.79; 95% CI = 1.63-9.43; p = 0.003). (4) Conclusions: the study has confirmed that needle fear is a determinant of vaccine hesitancy and that a different method of administration may increase parents'/guardians' adherence.

Relevance of research of the pharmacological properties of salvia (Salvia officinalis) (literature review)

Salvia officinalis (sage) attracts attention as it is widely cultivated on the territory of Ukraine. It is known that it has long been used in traditional medicine, as it contains large amounts of borneol, camphor, caryophyllene, cineole, ale, humulene, chilling, pinene and thujone. The purpose of this review is to collect and analyze information on the relevance of using the medicinal properties of raw Salvia officinalis (sage), since it reveals oncoprotective, antimutagenic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal action, normalizes metabolic processes, and has successfully proven itself in the composition of cosmeceuticals. Taking into account the current COVID-19 pandemic situation in the world, as well as the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral properties of Salvia officinalis (sage), its positive effect on the normalization of the level of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase), as well as a significant effect on reducing pulmonary fibrosis, dosage forms based on Salvia officinalis, can be used for prevention, comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation after a COVID-19 infection. The analysis of the pharmaceutical market showed that in Ukraine, medicines based on Salvia officinalis are used in the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract, as well as in climacteric syndrome and psychoemotional stress, in the complex therapy of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system. The collected and systematized information indicates that medicinal plant Salvia officinalis (sage) can be used in a more diverse way. Therefore, we consider it expedient to further study the pharmacological properties of Salvia officinalis and develop a technology for the manufacture of new dosage forms for internal use based on it.

Understanding The Economic Research Challenges And Impacts Of Technological Application On The Increasing Business Profits In Indonesia

This article understands the challenges and expectations of evidence from economic studies and the impact of technology applications on increasing business profits in Indonesia. Completing the conversation about studying supporting data from much literature on economics and technology, we have reviewed domestic and foreign sources. By searching electronically, this study focuses on publications published from 2010 to 2021 from some scientific journals such as Elsevier, Google books, Taylor and Francis, Sage Publications, some domestic journals, and website information. We conducted searches aided by global searches such as "economics, challenges, impact, technology applications, and increased business profits. "While this literature review, we started from understanding the problem of the study, then analyzing the data findings starting with indepth data evaluation, data coding activities, comprehensive data interpretation, and concluding to answer questions with high validity under a phenomenological approach. This approach is an attempt by researchers to explore and browse as much data as possible, which we believe can answer the problem of this study. What is important is that these data are relevant in answering the core problem of this study. After considering the data that we have reviewed and comprehensive discussion, we can conclude that understanding the challenges of economic studies and the application of technology applications in increasing business profits in Indonesia has encountered several obstacles, including difficulties in aligning the thoughts and concepts of academic findings, the thoughts of researchers with thinking of policymakers in Indonesia. These three variables often experience problems, especially in applying economic research findings. Thus, these findings will add insight and help future economic and development studies.

American Chemical Society (ACS) – 262nd National Meeting and Exposition

Atlanta, Georgia, was the grand setting of the Fall 2021 American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting & Exposition, subheaded ‘Resilience of Chemistry.’ The meeting was both an in-person and virtual meeting at Georgia World Congress Center, and consisted of poster presentations, oral sessions, symposia, press releases and media briefings from s chosen from thousands of scientific presentations on topics that include food and nutrition, medicine, health, energy, the environment, medicinal chemistry, biological chemistry, and other fields where chemistry plays a central role. Presentations were either in person or virtual, or both, allowing for an almost return to normal meeting attendance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with live interaction possible in a room or online.

Research of an Influence of a Traffic Flow Movement Intensity Change on the Possibility of Nonstop Passage of the Traffic Lights Objects

There were examined the problems of passage of the regulated parts of a road. There were investigated the changes of a traffic movement intensity in Lutsk (Ukraine) during the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. The graphic dependences of the drivers' actions estimation while passing the traffic lights objects on a chosen movement route at the beginning of quarantine measures, during the least movement intensity and at the increasing of movement intensity, were obtained. A method of increasing of a possibility of the traffic lights objects nonstop passage was offered. © 2022 Pavlo Mazyliuk et al., published by Sciendo.

A cross-sectional survey of herbal remedy taking to prevent COVID-19 in Turkey. (COVID-19 dedicated issue.)

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to unprecedented challenges for human life. During this pandemic, Turkish people have used various herbal remedies for both the prevention of Covid-19 and the alleviate of its symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate the herbal remedies used to prevent Covid-19 in Turkey and to determine whether the usage of herbal remedies was associated with sociodemographic properties. A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was conducted between November and December 2020. A total of 871 individuals (15 years of age or older) who lived in various provinces of Turkey participated in this study. Analysis was made in SPSS version 26.0 software using the descriptive statistics and appropriate tests of statistical significance for the comparisons. About 54.4% (n=474) of the participants reported that they have used herbal remedies during the pandemic period. We identified a total of 45 plant species, the most frequently cited were ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), linden (Tilia spp.), elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.), sage (Salvia spp.), and rosehip (Rosa canina L.), respectively. It has been found that the usage of herbal remedies was associated with several demographic variables. A considerable proportion of the participants reported the use of herbal remedies in order to prevent disease. This paper demonstrated the potential herbal remedies that can be used against Covid-19. Further research should be carried out to evaluate the efficacy of these medicinal plants and should control the flow of misleading information.

Telesimulation, an innovative learning modality for midwifery students

In order to maintain a high level of teaching quality despite the constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Interprofessional Simulation Center in Geneva, Switzerland, has redesigned its teaching activities. Telesimulations have been implemented for third-year bachelor midwifery students. A satisfaction and usefulness study showed that this new format fully suits the learners and guarantees learning as effective as face-to-face simulation. © 2022 Afin de maintenir un haut niveau de qualité des enseignements malgré les contraintes liées à la pandémie de Covid-19, le Centre interprofessionnel de simulation de Genève, en Suisse, a repensé ses activités pédagogiques. Des télésimulations ont été mises en place pour les étudiantes de troisième année de bachelor sage-femme. Une étude de satisfaction et d'utilité a montré que ce nouveau format convient pleinement aux apprenantes et garantit des apprentissages aussi efficaces que la simulation en présence. © 2022

Vaccine hesitancy among communities in ten countries in Asia, Africa, and South America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccine hesitancy is considered one of the greatest threats to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programs. Lack of trust in vaccine benefits, along with concerns about side effects of the newly developed COVID-19 vaccine, might significantly contribute to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study was to determine the level of vaccine hesitancy among communities in particular their belief in vaccination benefits and perceived risks of new vaccines. An online cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 countries in Asia, Africa, and South America from February to May 2021. Seven items from the WHO SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Scale were used to measure a construct of belief in vaccination benefit, and one item measured perceived riskiness of new vaccines. A logistic regression was used to determine which sociodemographic factors were associated with both vaccine hesitancy constructs. A total of 1,832 respondents were included in the final analysis of which 36.2% (range 5.6-52.2%) and 77.6% (range 38.3-91.2%) of them were classified as vaccine hesitant in terms of beliefs in vaccination benefits and concerns about new vaccines, respectively. Respondents from Pakistan had the highest vaccine hesitancy while those from Chile had the lowest. Being females, Muslim, having a non-healthcare-related job and not receiving a flu vaccination during the past 12 months were associated with poor beliefs of vaccination benefits. Those who were living in rural areas, Muslim, and those who did not received a flu vaccination during the past 12 months had relatively higher beliefs that new vaccines are riskier. High prevalence of vaccine hesitancy in some countries during the COVID-19 pandemic might hamper COVID-19 vaccination programs worldwide. Programs should be developed to promote vaccination in those sociodemographic groups with relatively high vaccine hesitancy.

COVID-19 optimal vaccination policies: A modeling study on efficacy, natural and vaccine-induced immunity responses.

About a year into the pandemic, COVID-19 accumulates more than two million deaths worldwide. Despite non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distance, mask-wearing, and restrictive lockdown, the daily confirmed cases remain growing. Vaccine developments from Pfizer, Moderna, and Gamaleya Institute reach more than 90% efficacy and sustain the vaccination campaigns in multiple countries. However, natural and vaccine-induced immunity responses remain poorly understood. There are great expectations, but the new SARS-CoV-2 variants demand to inquire if the vaccines will be highly protective or induce permanent immunity. Further, in the first quarter of 2021, vaccine supply is scarce. Consequently, some countries that are applying the Pfizer vaccine will delay its second required dose. Likewise, logistic supply, economic and political implications impose a set of grand challenges to develop vaccination policies. Therefore, health decision-makers require tools to evaluate hypothetical scenarios and evaluate admissible responses. Following some of the WHO-SAGE recommendations, we formulate an optimal control problem with mixed constraints to describe vaccination schedules. Our solution identifies vaccination policies that minimize the burden of COVID-19 quantified by the number of disability-adjusted years of life lost. These optimal policies ensure the vaccination coverage of a prescribed population fraction in a given time horizon and preserve hospitalization occupancy below a risk level. We explore "via simulation" plausible scenarios regarding efficacy, coverage, vaccine-induced, and natural immunity. Our simulations suggest that response regarding vaccine-induced immunity and reinfection periods would play a dominant role in mitigating COVID-19.

[Point-of-care testing: place of France in the world National survey in healthcare establisments in 2019]. / Examens de biologie médicale délocalisée : place de la France dans le monde Enquête nationale en 2019 dans les établissements de santé.

The point-of-care tests (POCT) are subject to accreditation. A national inventory survey provides a synthesis of knowledge. The survey distributed 31 questions in 2019. 147 responses were received (75% biologists, 49% CHU, 42% CHG). Only 20.41% are accredited ISO22870, the majority for <50% of the medical departments; 70% say they are going there at the end of 2019 or in 2020. The maps are unknown for 32% (EBMD) and 82% (TROD). Visibility is poor with: medical establishment committee (40%), IT department (31%). Connection is necessary for 87-95% depending on the criterion (QC, authorizations, etc.) and 66% of answers highlight that less than 50% of connexion is effective. The major advantage is the delay of the result (62.5%), then the relationship with the health teams (33.3%). The disadvantages: difficulty of the quality approach (45%), cost of tests (34.3%). Human resource requirements are identified for technicians (82%) and biologists (76%). The multiplicity of sites, devices and operators means that it is difficult to set up and maintain. Biology outside the laboratories, under biological responsibility, must meet a rigorous imperative quality approach.