3 research outputs found
Analysis of the hyperthermia efficiency and MRI quality trade off in PMMA-based bone cements loaded with magnetic nanoparticles
No full textSummary form only given. In this work, T 1 -weighted images (MP-RAGE sequence) of cylindrical PMMA mixed with MNP (PMMA-MNP) samples have been carried out in agar gel phantoms with a Siemens 3T MR scanner. Two types of MNP were tested (iron oxide powder and ferrofluid suspension) with different concentrations. For every MRI session, 21 slices were selected centralized around the half length of the sample. The artifact caused by the magnetic nanoparticles was measured in each slice by fitting an ellipse to the disturbed area and subtracting the radius of the sample from the average of the major and minor ellipse radii. As a tool for the fitting, the images were masked with a threshold of 30% of their maximal value. Since each phantom was measured twice, this procedure led to a total of 42 values, indicating the spread of the artifact, for each MNP concentration. Boxplots of the measured artifact as function of MNP concentrations were depicted. Ferrofluid samples give rise to lower MRI artifacts compared to samples prepared with the iron oxide powder and having the same MNP concentration. Moreover, the values vary less between the slices for ferrofluid samples as can be seen by smaller interquartile ranges. Results demonstrate that both concentration and type of MNP affect the MRI behavior of PMMA-MNP samples. In this study, we provide a balance of the needed MNP concentration to have an efficient magnetic hyperthermia treatment with minimum artifact for the required quality of MRI in case of PMMA-based bone cements loaded with MNP
Assessing One Health capacities for transboundary zoonotic diseases at the Libya-Tunisia border
No full text<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>The dynamic nature of zoonotic emergence, spillover and spread necessitates multisectoral coordination beyond national borders to encompass cross-boundary and regional cooperation. Designated points of entry (POEs), specifically ground crossings, serve as critical locales for establishing and maintaining robust prevention, detection, notification, coordination, and response mechanisms to transboundary emerging and re-emerging disease threats. In order to better assess One Health capacities for transboundary zoonotic diseases (TZD) prevention, detection and response we adapted an existing tool, One Health Systems Assessment for Priority Zoonoses (OHSAPZ), for a cross-border, POE setting in North Africa.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>The One Health Transboundary Assessment for Priority Zoonoses (OHTAPZ) tool was used to support prioritization of transboundary zoonoses and analyze operational capacities between national and subnational-level human and animal health stakeholders from Libya and Tunisia. Country partners jointly identified and prioritized five TZDs of concern. Case study scenarios for each priority pathogen were used to elicit current disease operations, as well as multisectoral and bilateral engagement networks. Finally, a gap analysis was performed to determine bilateral strengths and weaknesses to TZDs.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The five priority TZDs jointly confirmed to undergo One Health assessment were avian influenza (low and high pathogenic strains); brucellosis; Rift Valley fever; Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever; and rabies. Using the qualitative information collected, a transboundary systems map schematic was developed outlining the movement of human patients, animals, diagnostic samples, and routes of communication and coordination both within and between countries for zoonotic diseases.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>Analysis of current operations (prevention, detection, surveillance, laboratory capacity, quarantine/isolation, and response) and the resulting transboundary systems map schematic helped identify existing capacity strengths for certain priority pathogens, as well as challenges to timely information-sharing and coordination. We developed targeted recommendations to address these limitations for joint action planning between Libya and Tunisia.</jats:p></jats:sec>
Rabies in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa: Building
No full textThe Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and North Africa Rabies Control Network (MERACON), is built upon the achievements of the Middle East and Eastern Europe Rabies Expert Bureau (MEEREB).MERACON aims to foster collaboration among Member States (MS) and develop shared regional objectives, building momentum towards dog-mediated rabies control and elimination. Here we assess the epidemiology of rabies and preparedness in twelve participating MS, using case and rabies capacity data for 2017, and compare our findings with previous published reports and a predictive burden model.Across MS, the number of reported cases of dog rabies per 100,000 dog population and the number of reported human deaths per 100,000 population as a result of dog-mediated rabies appeared weakly associated. Compared to 2014 there has been a decrease in the number of reported human cases in five of the twelve MS, three MS reported an increase, two MS continued to report zero cases, and the remaining two MS were not listed in the 2014 study and therefore no comparison could be drawn. Vaccination coverage in dogs has increased since 2014 in half (4/8) of the MS where data are available. Most importantly, it is evident that there is a need for improved data collection, sharing and reporting at both the national and international levels.With the formation of the MERACON network, MS will be able to align with international best practices, while also fostering international support with other MS and international organisations
