A model-based strategy for the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in the Philippines.

COVID-19 has affected millions of people worldwide, causing illness and death, and disrupting daily life while imposing a significant social and economic burden. Vaccination is an important control measure that significantly reduces mortality if properly and efficiently distributed. In this work, an age-structured model of COVID-19 transmission, incorporating an unreported infectious compartment, is developed. Three age groups are considered: young (0-19 years), adult (20-64 years), and elderly (65+ years). The transmission rate and reporting rate are determined for each group by utilizing the number of COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region in the Philippines. Optimal control theory is employed to identify the best vaccine allocation to different age groups. Further, three different vaccination periods are considered to reflect phases of vaccination priority groups: the first, second, and third account for the inoculation of the elderly, adult and elderly, and all three age groups, respectively. This study could guide in making informed decisions in mitigating a population-structured disease transmission under limited resources.

Artificial light at night alters diurnal and nocturnal behavior and physiology in green anole lizards.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) disrupts biological rhythms across widely diverse organisms. To determine how energy is allocated by animals in different light environments, we investigated the impacts of ALAN on behavior and physiology of diurnal green anole lizards (Anolis carolinensis). Two groups of 24 adult lizards (half males, half females) were maintained in a controlled lab setting for six weeks. One group was exposed to a simulated natural summer light-dark cycle; the other was exposed to ALAN that simulated urban, nocturnal light exposure. After an acclimation period, we conducted four behavioral trials. One trial examined behavioral time allocation over two 24 h periods, and three others were conducted during mid-day and mid-night: open field tests, to examine exploratory behavior; foraging trials, to examine prey consumption; and social interaction trials, to examine same-sex interactions. We then measured each lizard's snout-vent length and mass of its body, abdominal fat pads, liver, and, for males, testes. Lizards exposed to ALAN were more likely to be awake at night, using nocturnal light to explore, forage, and display to conspecifics. However, during the day, ALAN lizards were less likely to be awake, slower to move, and females displayed less frequently. ALAN lizards had heavier fat pads and testes, but ALAN did not impact body mass, liver mass, or snout-vent length. In sum, ALAN appears to cause a broad shift towards increased nocturnal activity and may alter metabolic and reproductive processes. Future work should examine the fitness consequences of these behavioral and physiological changes.

A Model-Based Strategy on COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out in the Philippines

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Millions of people have fallen sick, and some have died due to this affliction that has spread across the globe. The current pandemic has disrupted normal day-to-day human life, causing a profound social and economic burden. Vaccination is an important control measure that could significantly reduce the incidence of cases and mortality if properly and efficiently distributed. In this work, an age-structured model of COVID-19 transmission, incorporating an unreported infectious compartment, is developed. Three age groups are considered, namely: young (0-19 years), adult (20-64 years), and elderly (65+ years). The transmission and reporting rates are determined for each group by utilizing the number of COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region in the Philippines. Optimal control theory is employed to identify the best vaccine allocation to different age groups. Further, three different vaccination periods are considered to reflect phases of vaccination priority groups: the first, second, and third account for the inoculation of the elderly, adult and elderly, and all three age groups, respectively. This study could guide in making informed decisions in mitigating a population-structured disease transmission under limited resources.

James Meyrick Croker: A Model for Professional Behavior.

The rationale that underpins volunteering has long fascinated behavioral scientists. James Meyrick Croker's personal life, professional career and community engagement conform to the classic twentieth century model for professional behavior. Accordingly, the authors use historical methods of investigation to evaluate the influences on and the legacies from a remarkable contribution to the professions and the community. The narrative demonstrates elements of altruism, collaboration, conviction, compassion, drive, entrepreneurialism, familial and grammar school influence, leadership, pragmatism and vision. Croker's professional and community service was multi-organizational. Concurrent demands on his time warranted discipline, energy and expertise. For the behavioral scientist, achievement, affiliation, nature and nurture appear relevant to the outcome. Available archives provide no evidence of ego-driven motivation. Leadership style was transformational not transactional. Major legacies to the national and state Australian Dental Associations are ADAQ Christensen House (1972-1980), the eventual financial stability for the Australian Dental Association Queensland Branch, formal dental assistant training, policies of the Australian and Queensland Councils of Professions, a notable Goddard Oration and the successful 24th Australian Dental Congress.

Effect of physical fitness and endurance exercise on indirect biomarkers of recombinant erythropoietin misuse.

Erythropoietin (EPO) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) in serum have been proposed as indirect biomarkers for the detection of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) misuse in sport. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of different levels of physical fitness, sport, different training workload during the sport season, and endurance exercise in the concentrations of these serum biomarkers for their application into mathematical models to indirectly detect rhEPO misuse. Serum EPO and sTfR concentrations were measured in 96 elite athletes of various sports along the sport season, in 21 recreational athletes at baseline (non exercising) conditions and in 129 other recreational athletes before and after long-distance races (10 and 21 km). In elite athletes, hemoglobin concentrations and percentage of reticulocytes were also measured, and indirect detection models applied. In recreational athletes, for EPO and sTfR, significant differences were only observed after the 21-km race. In baseline conditions, no differences were observed between recreational and elite athletes for EPO and sTfR. In elite athletes, individual EPO and sTfR concentrations slightly changed over the sport season, with coefficients of variation (CV) of 26.1 % and 9.0 %, respectively. Hemoglobin and reticulocytes were influenced by sport, but their individual variation over the sport season was not physiologically relevant (CV of 3.7 % and 21.3 %, respectively). When applying mathematical models for detection of rhEPO administration, only one elite athlete obtained an individual model score above the established thresholds. Physical fitness, sport and different training workload during the sport season had no substantial effect on serum EPO and sTfR concentrations, except in recreational athletes after a 21-km race. Variations observed in mathematical models to detect EPO administration were mainly due to fluctuation in hemoglobin concentrations, commonly observed in elite athletes.

Effect of physical fitness and endurance exercise on indirect biomarkers of recombinant growth hormone misuse: insulin-like growth factor I and procollagen type III peptide.

Serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and procollagen type III peptide (P-III-P) have been proposed as indirect biomarkers of rhGH misuse in sports. The purpose of the present study was to investigate concentrations of these biomarkers in athletes at different levels of physical fitness and endurance exercise. Serum total IGF-I and P-III-P were measured in 96 elite athletes of various sports along the training season; in 21 recreational athletes at baseline non-exercising conditions and in another 129 recreational athletes before and after long-distance races (10 and 21 km). No differences were evidenced for IGF-I concentrations, but statistically higher values of serum P-III-P were found in elite athletes compared to recreational ones. Among elite athletes, the specific sport did not affect serum IGF-I. However, P-III-P was statistically higher in the sport performed by the youngest athletes (rhythmic gymnastics), even after correction of the logarithm of the concentration by the reciprocal of age. Over the training season, the within-athlete variabilities of IGF-I and P-III-P in elite athletes were low (22.8 % and 21.7 %, respectively). Recreational athletes taking part in a 21 km competition race showed a significant increase in serum values of IGF-I and P-III-P immediately after the event. Exercise workload and age had a significant effect on serum concentration of P-III-P, while age alone affected IGF-I serum concentrations. Therefore, athlete's reference concentration ranges for doping detection should include subjects from as many different ages and sports as possible.

[Death caused by designer drugs]. / Muerte por drogas de diseño.

OBJECTIVE: To draw pediatrician's attention to the risks of the use of designer drugs among adolescents and to review the problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report the case of a 15-year-old girl admitted for seizures, who rapidly developed acute liver failure and died. Clinical and pathological details are reviewed. COMMENT: The use of designer drugs has increased considerably amongst Spanish adolescents and has been related to deaths in young adults with a variety of symptoms. Differential diagnosis should be made with the adverse effects of recreational drugs when clinical symptoms are confusing and in any unexplained deaths. Information on the effects of designer drugs should be disseminated among the population.

Muerte por drogas de diseño / Death due to designer drugs

Llamar la atención de los pediatras sobre los riesgos del consumo de drogas de diseño entre los adolescentes y revisar el problema. Se presenta el caso clínico de una adolescente de 15 años que ingresa con un cuadro convulsivo y desarrolla una insuficiencia hepática aguda con evolución fatal. Se revisan los detalles clínicos y anatomopatológicos. El consumo de drogas de diseño se ha extendido considerablemente entre la población joven en nuestro país. El consumo de drogas de diseño se ha relacionado con casos de muerte entre jóvenes adultos con manifestaciones diversas. Se debe establecer el diagnóstico diferencial con los efectos secundarios de las drogas recreativas en las situaciones en que la clínica no sea clara y ante cualquier muerte inexplicada. Se debe extender la información sobre las drogas de diseño y sus efectos (AU)

Ultrasonography of rotator cuff tears.

This is a prospective study of ultrasonography of the rotator cuff mechanism as an alternative to arthrography for screening rotator cuff tears. Seventy-two patients (40 men and 32 women) with possible rotator cuff tears were referred for shoulder arthrography. Before arthrography, bilateral shoulder sonography was performed by a technician under the direction of a radiologist. Arthrograms and sonograms were read separately, and a decision as to the absence or presence of a rotator cuff tear was made without knowledge of the results of the other examination. The results showed 90% sensitivity and 91% specificity, with a positive accuracy of 87%, and a negative accuracy of 93%. Ultrasonography of the rotator cuff is a noninvasive, painless, and cost-effective screening method for patients with a suspected rotator cuff tear.

Occult central acetabular fracture resulting in fracture-dislocation. A case report.

A 71-year-old white female experienced a nondisplaced right central acetabular fracture in a motor vehicle accident. Despite anteroposterior (AP) roentgenograms of the pelvis, Judet views, and plain tomograms, no fracture was detected. These negative findings did not entirely explain the continued presence of pain. The patient was treated with physical therapy and encouraged to bear weight on the leg as tolerated. The fracture then progressed to a central fracture dislocation readily apparent on AP views of the pelvis. This case illustrates the need for further diagnostic studies (bone scanning, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging) when, despite negative objective findings, a high degree of suspicion persists.

Reliability and validity of lower third molar space-assessment techniques.

Present techniques for predicting eruption or impaction of lower third molars are based on measurements of the space between the second molar and the ramus. This study was designed to investigate the reliability and validity of radiographic techniques often used for assessing this space. Rotational tomograms (O.P.G.s) yielded the best estimates of the Space Width Ratio (found by dividing the space available by the mesiodistal width of the lower third molar) as measured directly on dried skulls. Estimates for lateral cephalograms were unreliable. The use of Xi point to lower second molar for assessing the space for lower third molars is not supported.