Biography:

C. Kremer holds master degrees in Psychology (Maastricht University, 2015) and Statistics (Hasselt University, 2017), and is currently working on her PhD at Hasselt University. Her main research interests are in infectious disease modeling, more specifically HIV and viral hepatitis

Abstract:

HIV-1 remains a major global health problem, and in countries with mature generalized epidemics such as Uganda there are groups of individuals that are more disproportionately affected. Among these groups in Uganda are fishing communities, which also have extensive sexual networks bridging into the general population. This modelling study investigates the impact of combined HIV prevention interventions on HIV dynamics in these high-risk fishing communities. A deterministic compartmental model was calibrated to the observed HIV prevalence among these fishing communities obtained from a 2016 census, using an active learning approach. The model was then used to examine the impact of different combinations of prevention interventions on HIV prevalence. The conisidered interventions were voluntary medical male circumcision, condom use, counseling and testing, antiretroviral therapy, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Compared to a baseline scenario without interventions, a relative reduction in HIV prevalence over 15 years of at least 50% should be feasible using a combined package with reasonable coverage of the specific intervention components. Uncertainty analyses showed that PrEP uptake among HIV-negative women was the most important component of this intervention package. These study findings are believed to provide additional insight on the use of targeted intervention combinations in the fight against the HIV epidemic. Future work could incorporate sexual partnerships formed with individuals outside the fishing communities to investigate the interplay between reducing prevalence in either inland or lakeside areas.

Biography:

Parvaiz Ahmad Naik received his M.Sc degree in Mathematics from the University of Kashmir, Kashmir, India in 2008 and Ph.D degree from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, India in 2015 with major mathematical modeling. In 2016, he joined the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Srinagar, Kashmir as Assistant Professor and served there from 2016-2017. From 2018, he is working as postdoctoral research fellow with Prof. Jian Zu at the school of Mathematics and Statistics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, P. R. China. He has published more than 15 research papers in the journals of international repute like World Scientific, Elsevier, Springer, American Scientific, Taylor & Francis etc. He has received two young scientist awards (gold medals) for his outstanding research work in the field of mathematical biology. His area of interest includes: differential equations, calcium dynamics, mathematical biology and disease dynamics

Abstract:

In this paper, we investigate and analyze a nonlinear fractional order SIR epidemic model with Crowley-Martin type functional response and Holling type-II treatment rate. The existence and stability of the equilibrium points are investigated. The sufficient conditions for the persistence of the disease are provided. First, we obtained a threshold value , which determines the stability of equilibria, then model equilibria are determined and their stability analysis are considered by using fractional Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion and fractional La-Salle invariant principle. The fractional derivative is taken in Caputo sense and the numerical solution of the model is obtained by L1 scheme method which involves the memory trace that can capture and integrate all past activity. Meanwhile, by using Lyapunov functional approach, the global dynamics of the endemic equilibrium point is discussed. Further, some numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.

Biography:

Abstract:

Introduction

Rabies is a viral disease that affects mammals and remains a public health threat in Uganda. The aim of study was to explore knowledge, Attitude, Practice of rabies and molecular epidemiology of rabies virus in Uganda.

Methodology

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) survey about rabies, data was collected purposively based on animal biting history from veterinary departments, Medical units and selected households. Eighty-four (84) households in Ntoroko and Moyo districts. Fisher’s Exact test or the Chi-square X² test were used to analyse data. Thirty-five (35) brain tissues from dogs, cattle, goats, foxes and jackals, in Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kabongo, Jinja, Moyo, Ntoroko and Namayingo were tested. Fluorescent antibody test was used to detect rabies virus, RNA was extracted using Qiagen kit, and one-step RT-PCR was performed PCR products were sequenced by automated Sanger sequencing method.

Results

Twenty-seven (27) tested positive for rabies antigen using Fluorescent antibody test, and PCR. Dog biting episodes in humans were 75.00% (Moyo), Ntoroko 62.5%. In Moyo district, 18.18% of the persons bitten by dogs washed wounds and 17.50% in Ntoroko prior to medical treatment. Identified sequences (500nt) were closely with 97% to isolates from Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Nigeria, Central African Republic and Sudan. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that both Ntoroko and Moyo districts had mixed lineages of “Africa 1A” and “Africa 1B” Rabies virus clades. Jinja, Kabongo, Kabarole, Namayingo and Kabale isolates belong to lineage Africa 1B” Rabies virus clade.

Conclusion

Africa 1A and Africa 1B clades circulating in dogs co-exist in Moyo and Ntoroko districts. A single clade 1B was detected in Jinja, Namayingo, Kabongo, Kabale and Kabarole. The risk of rabies is high in Moyo and Ntoroko that borders the Republic of RSS and DRC due to reported dog bites from stray dogs and cross boarder movements of people with dogs into Uganda

Biography:

Rahul has completed his PhD from Amravati University. He is the Head of the department of Ishwar Deshmukh Institute of Pharmacy and Post Doc of a premier HIV research institute NARI. He has published more than 35 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute journals.

Abstract:

Sex releases oxytocin, a hormone that has believed to improve bonding and altruism, a new study has reported. Have you ever thought, why people shout out the Lord's name during lovemaking? New studies explain it has sex hormone makes feel closer to the divine, especially in men, reports the pune city survey. Researchers looked at the role of oxytocin a hormone released during sex, which promotes social bonding, trust and even altruism and occurs naturally in the body. The researchers at Pune University found that men dosed with the hormone were more likely to say that spirituality was important in their lives and their lives had meaning and purpose. According to researcher spirituality and meditation have each been linked to health and wellbeing in previous research. Interested in understanding biological factors that may enhance those spiritual experiences. Oxytocin appears to be part of the way bodies support spiritual beliefs

Biography:

Rahul has completed his PhD from Amravati University. He is the Head of the department of Ishwar Deshmukh Institute of Pharmacy and Post Doc of a premier HIV research institute NARI. He has published more than 35 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute journals.

Abstract:

A fewer drops out diagnosis affects a person's sexual functioning, according to a research. The study, led by the University of Pune, found that more than half of young fewer drops out patients reported problems with sexual function, with the probability of reporting sexual dysfunction increasing over time. The study discovered that two years after their initial fewer drops out diagnosis, nearly 53 percent of young adults 18 to 39 years old still reported some degree of affected sexual function. We wanted to increase our understanding of what it has like to adjust to fewer drops out as a young adult but also the complexity of it over time," said lead author affiliated at the Pune University. Fewer drops out can put a patient's life on hold, especially among young adults who are just starting their careers or families." The study also found that for women, being in a relationship increased the probability of reporting sexual problems over time; for men, the probability of reporting sexual problems increased regardless of their relationship status. We concluded that sexual functioning is experienced differently among males and females. For a young woman, especially, a fewer drops out diagnosis can disrupt her body image, the intimacy with the partner and the ability to engage in sex.

Biography:

We are a group of 2^nd year medical students from Imperial College London with an interest in infectious disease, particularly in treatment and prevention

Abstract:

The recent outbreak of the novel SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in a worldwide pandemic and left healthcare systems scrambling to cope with the sheer magnitude of the disease outbreak.  Taxonomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 showed it to be a successor of SARS-CoV which caused the 2003 SARS pandemic.  SARS-CoV-2 viral entry into host cells is similar to related coronaviruses SARS-CoV and HCoV-NL63, with all three viruses utilising Spike (S) glycoprotein to interact with ACE2 receptor.  SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV S glycoprotein also shares 77-80% primary amino acid sequence identity.  Several therapeutics have been developed and shown to be effective against SARS-CoV and HCOV-NL63 viral entry.  As such, we investigated the therapeutics targeting SARS-CoV and HCOV-NL63 coronavirus S glycoproteins for possible usage against SARS-CoV-2.Our research has identified several therapeutics used in the treatment of SARS-CoV and HCOV-NL63 which have shown efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.  These treatments can be broadly categorised by their methods of action, namely by targeting S glycoprotein production, targeting S glycoprotein priming proteases, inhibiting RBD-ACE2 interactions, S glycoprotein S2-subunit targeting therapies, cross-reactive antibodies, as well as repurposing clinically approved drugs

Biography:

Shyamapada Mandal is currently working as a Professor in the Department of Zoology, University of Gour Banga, India. Dr. Mandal focuses his research on molecular epidemiology of bacterial drug resistance, infectious diseases (bacterial, viral: coronaviruses including COVID-19), combined chemotherapy, and probiotics, public health and food science, genomics and bioinformatics. He has published more than 100 articles in different national and international journals, along with 7 book chapters. Seven national academic and research awards have been conferred to him. Prof. Mandal is reviewer of more than 30 scientific papers in the field of Biomedicine, and is editorial board member of 6 biomedical science journals, and Editor-in-Chief of one journal. He guided 47 post graduate students for their individual projects, in thefield of Microbiology; currently, 3 MPhil and 3 PhD students have been awarded the degree, and 5 PhD students are working under the guidance of him, in the field of Biomedical Sciences. 

Abstract:

This research explores the plasmid mediated antibiotic resistance of riverwater and sewage wastewater bacteria in Malda (West Bengal state), India. Potential pathogenic bacteria were isolated from Mahananda riverwater, for which multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) phenotypes ranged from 4-drug resistance (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis) to 9-drug resistance (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), municipality sewage wastewater: 7-drug resistance (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris) to 11-drug resistance (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and the University sewage wastewater: 7-drug resistance (Enterococcus faecalis) to 12-drug resistance (Escherichia coli). The environmentally isolated bacteria had a single plasmid (≈54 kb) conferring multiple antibiotic resistances as well as tolerance to heavy metals (Hg⁺², Cd⁺², Cr⁺⁶ and Cu⁺²). For the Mahananda riverwater bacteria, MAR indices ranged from 0.11 to 0.47, while the wastewater bacteria from the University sewage system, displayed MAR indices 0.39 – 0.63, and the MAR indices for bacteria from municipal sewage system ranged 0.44 – 0.58. The SDS-PAGE analysis of heavy metal-stress (Cd: 25-µg/ml) protein among sewage wastewater bacteria reveals the expression of protein bands of two different sizes: 59.25 KDa and 10.56 KDa. The aquatic bacteria, herein, constituted the potential human pathogens, including ‘ESKAPE’ (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) pathogens, which represent a severe threat of emerging inoperable MDR (multidrug resistant) infections to humans. The current study thus demonstrates the urgent need of public awareness on the issues of misuse and/or overuse of antibiotics, in order to tackle the emergence of MDR bacteria, locally as well as globally.

Biography:

Manisha Mandal is Working in MGM Medical College

Abstract:

The models on disease transmission are useful in planning decisions on pandemic, resource allocation and implementation of non-pharmaceutical intervention. The SEIR differs from SIR model with an additional exposure period due to the incubation period of COVID-19 during which individuals are not yet infectious. I have applied Bayesian approach with Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) sampling on SEIR and SIR epidemiological models using python code PymC3 to study the dynamics of COVID-19 pandemic in India, assess the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical measures from March to October 2020, and generate predictions on daily new and cumulative infected cases. The accuracy of prediction was computed by symmetric mean absolute prediction error (SMAPE) and mean squared relative prediction error (MSRPE); comparison between the relative performance of SEIR and SIR models were made using relative mean squared prediction error (MSPE). Pearson correlation coefficient was determined to investigate the agreement between projected and observed data. For model fit and comparison using MCMC, the Bayesian leave one out (LOO) estimate of the expected log pointwise predictive density (ELPD LOO) was also calculated. The lower LOO score and standard error of ELPD LOO less than one represented model compatibility. Both SIR and SEIR models are applicable to Indian COVID-19 data, and because of the log normal distribution of the incubation period in SEIR model, the transmission and recovery rates are higher compared to the SIR model.

Biography:

The mission of MLG is to design educational activities for HCPs that increase competence, change behavior, and optimize patient care. The focus of our education is to create innovative and interactive educational programs designed with scientific rigor, fair balance, and evidence-based content. MLG emphasizes collaboration with academic and community-based hospitals, government agencies, medical associations, managed-care organizations, and other important stakeholders in the healthcare industry in order to provide pertinent educational activities that fill the educational gap for our relevant target audiences. MLG programming in a multitude of areas including oncology, neurology, psychiatry, infectious disease, immunology, cardiovascular, respiratory, ophthalmology, & transplant. 

Abstract:

In 2020, Med Learning Group (MLG) launched an interactive, multi-faceted educational initiative focusing on COVID-19. The innovative education & tools developed for FRONTLINE are publicly available for the entire healthcare community to use. Learners range from a variety of specialties, including infectious disease specialists, pulmonary medicine specialists, emergency room practitioners, advanced practitioners, nurses, & other healthcare professionals to help support them in their effort to optimize care of patients with COVID-19. This initiative seeks to reach over 25,000 learners with innovative educational programs & tools to enhance the learning experience, facilitate continuous learning & support the translation of education into practice, & encourage HCP-patient dialogue:

• COVID Community of Care Website/Application
• COVID Frontline Update Podcast Series
• Virtual/Live ECHO Series with 3D animations of pathophysiology
• Enduring ECHO Module with Case Discussions
• Quality Improvement Personalized Posters

​By September 2020, we will have the results from pre/posttests, intra-activity Q&A, evaluations, & 60- to 90-day follow-on assessments. We will evaluate learners’ changes in knowledge & competence, & reported practice changes. MLG will have feedback collected via surveys & interviews on the various point-of-care tools. Advanced tools like virtual live learning platforms, mobile websites/apps, 3D animations & podcasts will prove to be an asset to the continuing education of HCPs treating patients with COVID-19. The outcomes are expected to demonstrate the extent to which HCPs have enhanced their ability to identify clinical predictors of disease severity of COVID-19 & apply current treatment guidelines, clinical trial data, & patient-specific factors to the management of patients with COVID-19.