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Opportunities and challenges for the adoption of novel platform technologies to develop veterinary bacterial vaccines
No full textVaccine platform technologies provide standardised vehicles for the delivery of diverse antigens to elicit specific immune responses. The deployment of these platforms for novel vaccine development is influenced by a wide range of factors that must meet end-user needs for uptake, which includes cost, frequency of delivery and dependency on cold-chain storage. These factors can be identified by constructing a vaccine target product profile (TPP) that helps to direct the research effort towards the desired goal. The COVID-19 pandemic has exemplified how viral vectored and nucleic acid-based platforms can be rapidly deployed for population disease control. While successful for viral vaccines, the applicability of these platforms for bacteria is less well defined. Bacteria present different challenges to vaccine design from viruses due to their diversity and complexity. Other platform technologies are under development to address these challenges. The more we understand about vaccine platforms, the more adaptable they become, particularly for deployment across species with benefits for One Health. A Workshop was held at the 13th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium (IVIS) in South Africa in November 2023 to discuss the opportunities and challenges in deploying novel platform technologies for vaccine development against bacteria, particularly those that are affordable to low-middle income countries (LMICs). We report here on the outcomes of the presentations and discussions at the Workshop, highlighting the gaps and potential solutions through collaborative global efforts.</p
Uncertainty analysis of field trials of low-cost Bi-TiO<sup>2</sup>-P25 solar photocatalyst for sustainable water treatment
No full textSolar photocatalysis has the potential to reduce chemical and microbial contaminants in water and make it safer for consumption in an effective and sustainable manner. This has been studied and proven well under laboratory-scale conditions. In our previous work, the developed solar photocatalyst, Bi- (Formula presented.) -P25 has been tested for its efficiency in reducing total coliform from natural waters under solar light. Along with the promising results (up to 99% reduction of total coliform and 99.9% reduction of Escherichia coli in 2 hours), the uncertainties due to environmental factors associated with the process were also observed. The reaction rate was largely impacted by the change in sunlight intensity over the treatment or different initial concentrations of contaminants in natural water. Therefore, it becomes essential to understand how the performance would be impacted in such varied conditions to predict the optimum results. This paper discusses how the treatment time could be impacted by uncertainties affecting either the kinetic rate constant, or the initial concentration of bacteria, or both, as well as external factors such as solar intensity and other randomly varying factors during the treatment. Mathematically exact results are derived and future development trends, and challenges are discussed while providing a prospective outlook for the deployment of solar photocatalysis at pilot scale.</p
The PLATO mission
No full textPLATO (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) is ESA’s M3 mission designed to detect and characterise extrasolar planets and perform asteroseismic monitoring of a large number of stars. PLATO will detect small planets (down to <2REarth) around bright stars (<11 mag), including terrestrial planets in the habitable zone of solar-like stars. With the complement of radial velocity observations from the ground, planets will be characterised for their radius, mass, and age with high accuracy (5%, 10%, 10% for an Earth-Sun combination respectively). PLATO will provide us with a large-scale catalogue of well-characterised small planets up to intermediate orbital periods, relevant for a meaningful comparison to planet formation theories and to better understand planet evolution. It will make possible comparative exoplanetology to place our Solar System planets in a broader context. In parallel, PLATO will study (host) stars using asteroseismology, allowing us to determine the stellar properties with high accuracy, substantially enhancing our knowledge of stellar structure and evolution. The payload instrument consists of 26 cameras with 12cm aperture each. For at least four years, the mission will perform high-precision photometric measurements. Here we review the science objectives, present PLATO‘s target samples and fields, provide an overview of expected core science performance as well as a description of the instrument and the mission profile towards the end of the serial production of the flight cameras. PLATO is scheduled for a launch date end 2026. This overview therefore provides a summary of the mission to the community in preparation of the upcoming operational phases.</p
Use of a point prevalence survey to measure antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in equine veterinary hospitals
No full textBackground: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly recognised in equine medicine. Antimicrobial use (AMU) is a key driver of AMR. Objectives: To pilot a point prevalence survey (PPS), based on the Global-PPS used in human hospitals, to obtain data on antibiotic prescribing and AMR in equine hospitals and to identify targets for improvement in AMU. Study Design: Point prevalence survey. Methods: Eight equine hospitals located in Australia, Belgium, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States were recruited. Data on AMU were collected from all in-patients on antibiotic treatment at 08h00 on four selected study days throughout the study year (2022). Results: In total, 742 patients, 310 (41.8%) surgical and 432 (58.2%) nonsurgical cases, were evaluated and 58.7% (182/310) surgical and 25.9% (112/432) nonsurgical patients were on antibiotics. The most prescribed antibiotics were penicillin, gentamicin and trimethoprim sulfonamides. In 45.2% (215/476) of prescriptions, use was prophylactic. Therapeutic use was based on a biomarker in 48.8% (127/260) of treatments. A sample was submitted for culture in 56.9% (148/260) of therapeutic treatments. A positive culture result was reported from 49.3% (73/148) of samples, with an antibiogram available for 90.4% (66/73) of the positive cultures. An antibiotic use stop/review date was not recorded in 59.5% (283/476) of uses. Main Limitations: This PPS was a pilot study with a relatively small sample size and likely does not reflect AMU in all types of equine hospitals in all geographic locations. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The PPS identified multiple ways in which antibiotic prescribing could be improved. Targets identified for stewardship interventions included empiric use of European Medicines Agency Category A and B antibiotics, the high prevalence of prophylaxis and the lack of use of a stop/review date. The survey could be used as a repeatable tool to assess stewardship interventions in equine hospitals.</p
Plant-based diets and health outcomes in Australia and New Zealand
No full textThere is mounting interest in the dual health and environmental benefits of plant-based diets. Such diets prioritise whole foods of plant origin and moderate (though occasionally exclude) animal-sourced foods. However, the evidence base on plant-based diets and health outcomes in Australasia is limited and diverse, making it unsuitable for systematic review. This review aimed to assess the current state of play, identify research gaps and suggest good practice recommendations. The consulted evidence base included key studies on plant-based diets and cardiometabolic health or mortality outcomes in Australian and New Zealand adults. Most studies were observational, conducted in Australia, published within the last decade, and relied on a single dietary assessment about 10–30 years ago. Plant-based diets were often examined using categories of vegetarianism, intake of plant or animal protein, or dietary indices. Health outcomes included mortality, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, obesity, CVD and metabolic syndrome. While Australia has an emerging and generally favourable evidence base on plant-based diets and health outcomes, New Zealand’s evidence base is still nascent. The lack of similar studies hinders the ability to judge the overall certainty of evidence, which could otherwise inform public health policies and strategies without relying on international studies with unconfirmed applicability. The proportional role of plant- and animal-sourced foods in healthy, sustainable diets in Australasia is an underexplored research area with potentially far-reaching implications, especially concerning nutrient adequacy and the combined health and environmental impacts.</p
The natural benefits of camping outdoors at home during the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFThis paper investigates the role of home camping as a coping mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by heightened stress and restricted mobility. Drawing on existing literature regarding the health benefits of nature exposure and leisure activities, we explore how individuals in the UK adapted their recreation practices by camping in their gardens, driveways, and immediate surroundings. Our research examines the multisensory experiences of home camping and their positive impact on self-perceived health and well-being. We argue that these everyday domestic spaces were transformed into therapeutic micro-geographies, fostering a sense of peace, restoration, and connection with the local environment. The findings contribute to pandemic leisure research by highlighting the significance of accessible outdoor spaces, particularly private gardens, for maintaining well-being during crises. We also address issues of unequal access to these restorative spaces, especially for low-income and minority ethnic households, underscoring the need for inclusive urban design strategies that value and enhance small, near-home green spaces.RésuméCet article explore les bénéfices d’un camping chez soi pendant la pandémie COVID‑19. Par le biais d’un sondage qualitatif en ligne et des recherches sur les réseaux sociaux (Instagram), nous avons trouvé que le fait de dormir à l’extérieur améliore la conscience sensorielle du campeur et augmente donc son appréciation de la nature locale. Ce rapport (re)noué avec la nature aide à réduire le stress et l’anxiété, ce qui mène à des sentiments de positivité et d’espoir. Nos conclusions mettent en avant le potentiel d’une nature accessible à proximité pour soutenir la santé mentale et le bien-être.ResumenEste artículo explora los beneficios de acampar en casa durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Mediante un cuestionario cualitativo en línea y una investigación en redes sociales como Instagram, descubrimos que dormir al aire libre mejoraba la conciencia sensorial de los campistas, aumentando su aprecio por la naturaleza local. Esta (re)conexión con la naturaleza ayudó a reducir el estrés y la ansiedad, generando sentimientos de positividad y esperanza. Nuestros hallazgos destacan el potencial de la naturaleza urbana cercana y accesible para promover la salud mental y el bienestar
A Perspective on the Challenges and Prospects of Realizing the Second Life of Retired EV Batteries
Get PDFAs electric vehicle (EV) adoption continues to surge globally, the question of what to do with retired EV batteries looms large. While these batteries may no longer meet the rigorous demands of automotive use, they often retain a significant portion of their capacity and functionality. This has led to growing interest in exploring second-life applications for retired EV batteries, ranging from stationary energy storage to grid stabilization and beyond. However, numerous challenges must be addressed to unlock the full potential of this emerging sector. This paper delves into the key challenges and prospects associated with the second life of retired EV batteries. It examines technical hurdles, such as battery degradation, safety concerns, and the development of efficient repurposing methods, along with regulatory and economic barriers, including standards for battery reuse, recycling infrastructure, and market dynamics. Additionally, it highlights the potential environmental benefits, including reduced carbon emissions and resource conservation. In conclusion, the second life of retired EV batteries presents both challenges and opportunities. Addressing technical, regulatory, and economic barriers will be essential for realizing the full potential of this growing sector. However, with continued innovation and collaboration across industries, the future looks bright for leveraging retired EV batteries to create a more sustainable energy ecosystem
Alcohol as poison:A narrative review of social science scholarship relevant to methanol poisoning in low- and middle-income countries
Get PDFAims: Methanol poisoning is a tragic and avoidable health emergency that threatens life and often leads to irreversible disability. It primarily occurs when people unwittingly consume beverages contaminated with the chemical compound under the guise of alcoholic spirits. Although reliable data on its burden are unavailable, methanol poisoning is thought to be increasing globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Current scholarship related to methanol poisoning draws almost exclusively from clinical and epidemiological research traditions. In this article, and in the absence of anthropological scholarship examining methanol poisoning specifically, we provide a narrative review of anthropological and social science literature that bears on this growing phenomenon. Methods: We bring key areas of anthropological thought and inquiry that coalesce around the social phenomenon of methanol poisoning in conversation with the clinical and epidemiological scholarship. Results: We begin with a biographical account of methanol, an unlikely character which has become omnipresent in the material world. We then turn to a social scientific examination of alcohol consumption, to which methanol poisoning is tethered. We pay special attention to alcohol consumption in Muslim-majority settings, where alcohol is often proscribed, but methanol-related incidents are common. Subsequently, we examine the scholarship related to health systems and technologies, which come to bear on diagnostic and treatment encounters for those who have consumed toxic alcohol. Conclusion: We argue that anthropological perspectives are urgently needed to contribute to a fuller understanding of methanol poisoning and to design socially sensitive clinical and public health responses to address this avertable scourge
A minimalist model lipid system mimicking the biophysical properties of Escherichia coli’s inner membrane
Get PDFBiological membranes are essential for the development and survival of organisms. They can be highly complex, usually comprising a variety of lipids, proteins, and other biomolecules organised around a lipid bilayer structure. This complexity makes studying specific features of biological membranes difficult, with many research studies relying on simplified models such as artificial vesicles or supported lipid bilayers. Here, we search for a minimal, lipid-only model system of the Escherichia coli inner membrane. We aim to retain the main lipidomic components in their native ratio while mimicking the membrane's thermal and mechanical properties. Based on previous studies, we identify 18 potential model systems reflecting key aspects of the known lipidomic composition and progressively narrow down our selection based on the systems’ phase transition temperature and mechanical properties. We identify 3 ternary model systems able to form stable bilayers that can be made of the commercially available synthetic lipids 16:0-18:1 phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE), 16:0-18:1 phosphatidylglycerol (POPG), and 16:0-18:1 Cardiolipin (CL). We anticipate our results to be of interest for future studies making use of E. coli models, for example, investigating membrane proteins’ function or macromolecule-membrane interactions
Social determinants of recovery from ongoing symptoms following COVID-19 in two UK longitudinal studies:a prospective cohort study
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: Social gradients in COVID-19 exposure and severity have been observed internationally. Whether combinations of pre-existing social factors, particularly those that confer cumulative advantage and disadvantage, affect recovery from ongoing symptoms following COVID-19 and long COVID is less well understood.METHODS: We analysed data on self-perceived recovery following self-reported COVID-19 illness in two UK community-based cohorts, COVID Symptom Study Biobank (CSSB) (N=2548) and TwinsUK (N=1334). Causal effects of sociodemographic variables reflecting status prior to the COVID-19 pandemic on recovery were estimated with multivariable Poisson regression models, weighted for inverse probability of questionnaire participation and COVID-19 infection and adjusted for potential confounders. Associations between recovery and social strata comprising combinations of sex, education level and local area deprivation were estimated using the intersectional multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA) approach. Further analyses estimated associations with variables reflecting experiences during the pandemic.RESULTS: Gradients in recovery from COVID-19 along the lines of social advantage were observed in intersectional MAIHDA models, with predicted probability of recovery lowest in female strata with lowest education and highest deprivation levels (CSSB: 55.1% (95% CI 44.0% to 65.1%); TwinsUK: 73.9% (95% CI 61.1% to 83.0%)) and highest in male strata with highest education and lowest deprivation levels (CSSB: 79.1% (95% CI 71.8% to 85.1%); TwinsUK: 89.7% (95% CI 82.5% to 94.1%)). Associations were not explained by differences in prepandemic health. Adverse employment, financial, healthcare access and personal experiences during the pandemic were also negatively associated with recovery.CONCLUSIONS: Inequalities in likelihood of recovery from COVID-19 were observed, with ongoing symptoms several months after coronavirus infection more likely for individuals with greater social disadvantage prior to the pandemic.</p
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