Tropical medicine

The Global Virus Network Bolsters Multinational Mpox Response Through Critical Meeting of Key Global Partners

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 29, 2024
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TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To mitigate the mpox outbreak, the Global Virus Network (GVN) is leading a panel of experts to develop guidelines and streamline testing standards, including strengthening infrastructure to sequencing and early detection. On August 22, 2024, the GVN, headquartered at the University of South Florida, USA, convened a critical mpox discussion online with leaders from the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), major industry partners, renowned virologists, and public health experts at the forefront of the mpox outbreak response.

Key Points: 
  • Lorenzo Subissi, PhD, WHO’s Mpox Task Force lead, advised the group that the current mpox epidemic was escalated to a grade 3 emergency, requiring a major to maximal WHO response.
  • He reported that 38% of children infected are under age 10 and noted sustained human-to-human transmission of clade 1b in Africa.
  • Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact, including sexual relations, and causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, muscle aches, and pus-filled lesions.
  • To effectively combat this virus, we must strengthen our surveillance, diagnostic, and response capabilities across Africa.

The Global Virus Network (GVN) Escalates MPOX Emergency Response Across Africa and Beyond

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 2, 2024
Infection, Death, USF, Public health, Health, Security agency, Tropical medicine, Antibody, Global Virus Network, Vaccine, LAMP, Therapy, Communication, World Health Organization, Virus, MPOX, UKHSA, East Carolina University, Doctor of Philosophy, GVN, DRS, POC, Immunology, Disease, University of South Florida, University, DRC, Safety, INRB, Democratic republic, Virology, Epidemiology, Research, Public, Yale University, WHO

The GVN's MPOX Action Committee, formed in 2022, is led by world experts spanning basic research, epidemiology, clinical research, and vaccines.

Key Points: 
  • The GVN's MPOX Action Committee, formed in 2022, is led by world experts spanning basic research, epidemiology, clinical research, and vaccines.
  • Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, GVN President and President Emeritus of Yale University, USA, said, "MPOX is a reemerging disease whose magnitude is rising at an alarming rate among general populations in Africa.
  • We are proud to be part of a network that is helping to set priorities and making a real difference in the fight against MPOX.
  • GVN is uniquely prepared to quickly engage our members and provide expertise and on-the-ground support to mitigate the growing MPOX threat.

AAIC 2024: Linus Health to Unveil Groundbreaking Research at Leading Alzheimer's Conference

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
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BOSTON, July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Linus Health, a digital health company focused on enabling early detection of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's and other dementias, will be presenting more than a dozen sessions and posters at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) taking place July 28-Aug. 1 in Philadelphia, and virtually.

Key Points: 
  • "Clinicians and researchers are on the cusp of breakthroughs in the detection and treatment of dementia," said Linus Health CEO and Co-Founder David Bates, PhD.
  • "Conferences like AAIC are prime opportunities to share research and insights fueling those advancements, including Linus Health's groundbreaking research into dementia screening and the importance of early intervention for mild cognitive impairment."
  • "The Electronic Person-Specific Outcome Measure (ePSOM) in the US population: What Matters to Individuals the Most About Their Brain Health," by Stina Saunders, PhD, Personalized Medicine Lead, Linus Health.
  • Those attending AAIC are invited to visit the Linus Health team at booth #830 during the show.

UK teenagers get two-thirds of their calories from ultra-processed foods – new study

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 18, 2024
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(Ultra-processed foods include products such as sweetened yoghurts, margarine, cereal bars, chicken nuggets and energy drinks.)

Key Points: 
  • (Ultra-processed foods include products such as sweetened yoghurts, margarine, cereal bars, chicken nuggets and energy drinks.)
  • We found that two-thirds of adolescents’ calories came from UPFs – the highest proportion for any age group.
  • We also found that more disadvantaged groups consume more of these foods.
  • We calculated both the percentage of total energy intake and the amount of UPFs consumed in grams.
  • Those in the north of England got 67% of their calories from UPFs, compared with 64% in the south, including London.

Post-pandemic data still needed

East Bay’s LifeLong Medical Care Appoints Transformative Healthcare Leader Who Began Career as Nurse New CEO

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
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In a letter to LifeLong staff announcing the news, Board Chair John L. Jenkins said, “Cecilia combines strategic and operational expertise with empathy and passion.

Key Points: 
  • In a letter to LifeLong staff announcing the news, Board Chair John L. Jenkins said, “Cecilia combines strategic and operational expertise with empathy and passion.
  • She has a record of boldly reimagining the ways in which health systems operate to make better health even more accessible.
  • Since 2018 she served as Operations Executive for Sutter Health Bay Area Medical Foundation/Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
  • Her early career experiences as a registered nurse were in the emergency room, operating room and trauma intensive care unit.

How a century-old drug could revolutionise cobra bite treatment

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
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Of those, up to 138,000 die and another 400,000 end up with permanent scarring and disability.

Key Points: 
  • Of those, up to 138,000 die and another 400,000 end up with permanent scarring and disability.
  • We have discovered that cheap, readily available blood-thinning medications can be repurposed as antidotes for these venoms.

Snakebites are a serious problem

  • Generally, they target the heart, nervous system or tissue at the exposure site (such as the skin and muscle).
  • In the regions where cobras live, serious snakebites can have devastating effects such as amputation, leading to life-changing injuries and a loss of livelihood.
  • The World Health Organization has declared snakebite a “Category A” neglected tropical disease and hopes to reduce the burden of snakebites by half by 2030.

How cobra venom kills cells

  • We took venom from the African spitting cobra, which is known to cause tissue damage, and performed what is called a whole genome CRISPR screen.
  • Then we exposed all the cells to the cobra venom, and looked at which ones survived and which ones died.
  • Cells that survived must have been missing whatever it is that the venom needs to hurt us, so we could quickly identify what these features were.
  • We found various cobra venoms need particular enzymes to kill human cells.

How heparin decoys reduce tissue damage

  • Remarkably, this worked and the venoms no longer caused cell death, even when the heparin was added to cells after the venom.
  • We also showed that injecting a smaller synthetic version of heparin called tinzaparin could reduce tissue damage in mice with an artificial “snakebite”.
  • We found that heparin inhibits “cytotoxic three-finger toxins”, which are a major cause of tissue injury.

Cheaper, more accessible snakebite treatment

Extreme heat is a killer for outdoor sporting events – let’s plan properly to keep everyone safe

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Knowledge, Emergency service, Paris Olympics, Innovation, Policy, National Health, Emergency medicine, Athlete, Medical research, Air conditioning, National Rugby League, Tropical medicine, Sport, Sports medicine, International Society, State government, Education, Health Promotion International, Temperature, Research fellow, Disaster, Risk, Drinking water, Paralympic Games, Element, Heat stroke, Diagnosis, Queensland Fire, Weather, Death, Heat, Caffeine, Summer Olympic Games, Olympic Games, Dehydration, Research, Australasian, Volunteering, Entertainment

The consequences of extreme heat exposure range from dehydration to heatstroke and even death.

Key Points: 
  • The consequences of extreme heat exposure range from dehydration to heatstroke and even death.
  • National Rugby League player Keith Titmuss died in 2020 due to “exertional heat stroke” following an excessive pre-season training session.
  • In the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympics and other major sporting events in Queensland, the state government wants to prepare for extreme heat.

What we did and what we found

  • Our systematic approach honed in on 40 peer-reviewed articles about heat at major sporting events.
  • These were events held in large venues that attracted local, domestic and international spectators.
  • Our findings can inform evidence-based strategies to protect the health of those attending and competing in such events now and into the future.

It’s not just about athletes

  • While athletes may have prepared to compete in hot conditions, using technology such as cooling vests or cold-water immersion, spectators are less likely to deliberately prepare their bodies for extreme temperatures.
  • Ideally, venue management will have provided access to drinking water, shady spaces and cooling (misters, fans or air conditioning).

Top tips for spectators


Here are some practical tips you can use to reduce heat-related risks when extreme heat strikes: think about where your seat is located and whether there will be any shade, or whether you will be directly exposed to the elements find out whether you can come and go, or attend the event later in the day – where possible, avoid events timed for the hottest part of the day wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes and a hat see if you can bring your own water bottle into the event and refill it, and make sure you are well hydrated before, during and after the event avoid caffeine and alcohol as these drinks can make your more dehydrated check what event organisers have planned for extreme weather such as heatwaves.

A warning to event organisers

Feinstein Academy of Scholars Symposium and Elmezzi Graduate School Commencement draws top scientific minds: Peter J. Hotez, Robert S. Langer, others

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 24, 2024
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Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

Key Points: 
  • Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.
  • In 2023, he received the Anthony Cerami Award in Translational Medicine and in 2021 was awarded an Elmezzi Graduate School Honorary Degree.
  • The Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine is supported in part by a generous endowment from The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Foundation.
  • To find out more about the Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine and its programs, click here .

Dr. Peter Hotez Named To TIME's Inaugural TIME100 Health List of the 100 Most Influential People in Global Health this Year

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 2, 2024
American Academy, National academy, Science, Hospital, Tropical medicine, Book, Health, IDSA, Vaccine, TIME, National school, Baylor College of Medicine, Nobel Peace Prize, Texas Children's Hospital, Tropical disease, Corbevax, COVID-19, Baylor University, Global health

The full list and related tributes appear in the May 13, 2024 issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, May 3, and now at time.com/time100health .

Key Points: 
  • The full list and related tributes appear in the May 13, 2024 issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, May 3, and now at time.com/time100health .
  • "I'm grateful for the TIME100 Health 2024 recognition, particularly for our low-cost vaccines for neglected diseases and global health, as well as my efforts to counter rising antivaccine and antiscience activism," said Dr. Hotez.
  • The list recognizes the impact, innovation, and achievement of the world's most influential individuals in health.
  • Dr. Hotez is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the author of several books.

Soligenix Extends Patent Protection for its Filovirus Vaccine Platform to the United Kingdom and South Africa

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Ricin, Vaccination, University, Small business, Pandemic, Freeze-drying, NIH, Tropical medicine, Public health, Doctor of Philosophy, Associate professor, Vaccine, Particle size, Senior, University of Hawaiʻi, Patent, Element, Antigen, Temperature, Immunity, COVID-19, Infection

The Company has previously announced multiple issued patents within the same patent family in the United States (U.S.).

Key Points: 
  • The Company has previously announced multiple issued patents within the same patent family in the United States (U.S.).
  • "Elements of this vaccine platform have been utilized in our ricin toxin, filovirus and COVID-19 vaccine candidates, indicating its broad applicability.
  • We continue to focus on vaccine development against Sudan ebolavirus and Marburg marburgvirus where there are currently no available vaccines."
  • The thermostabilized filovirus vaccine program has been supported by a National Institute of Health (NIH) grant R01-AI132323 (awarded to the University of Hawaii) and a Small Business Innovation Research grant (#1R44AI157593-01; awarded to Soligenix).