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Scientists have shown that a group of viruses that are known to cause severe diarrheal illnesses, including the one infamous for massive outbreaks on cruise ships, may develop in mice’s salivary glands and spread through their saliva. The results demonstrate that these widespread viruses, which can be fatal and affect billions of people annually around the world, have a novel pathway of transmission.

The fact that these so-called enteric viruses are shared by saliva means that other methods of transmission, such as coughing, talking, sneezing, sharing food and utensils, and even kissing, may also be effective. Studies on humans are still required to corroborate the new findings. The results, which are published in the journal Nature, might result in more effective strategies to prevent, identify, and cure illnesses brought on by these viruses.

The study was led by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of NIH.

Researchers have known for some time that enteric viruses, such as noroviruses and rotaviruses, can spread by eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with fecal matter containing these viruses. Enteric viruses were thought to bypass the salivary gland and target the intestines, exiting later through feces. Although some scientists have suspected there may be another route of transmission, this theory remained largely untested until now.

Now researchers will need to confirm that salivary transmission of enteric viruses is possible in humans.

The research, which was published in the journal Nature, may help doctors better predict, identify, and treat illnesses brought on by these viruses, potentially saving lives. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a division of NIH, was in charge of the investigation.

It has long been understood by researchers that enteric viruses, such as noroviruses and rotaviruses, may spread through consumption of contaminated food or beverages. It was believed that enteric viruses attack the intestines instead of the salivary gland and then leave the body through faeces. Even while some researchers hypothesised there could be another method of transmission, this hypothesis has mostly gone untested up to this point.

Now, scientists must establish if enteric viruses may spread through saliva in people. The researchers claimed that if they determine that it is, they may also find that this method of transmission is much more widespread than the traditional method. A discovery like that, they suggested, would help explain why the large number of enteric virus infections each year reported globally do not sufficiently take into account faecal contamination as the exclusive route of transmission.

“This is completely new territory because these viruses were thought to only grow in the intestines,” said senior author Nihal Altan-Bonnet, Ph.D., chief of the Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Dynamics at the NHLBI. “Salivary transmission of enteric viruses is another layer of transmission we didn’t know about. It is an entirely new way of thinking about how these viruses can transmit, how they can be diagnosed, and, most importantly, how their spread might be mitigated.”

Altan-Bonnet, who has long studied enteric viruses, claimed that the discovery was entirely accidental. Infant mice are the ideal animal models for studying these infections because of their immature digestive and immune systems, which make them susceptible to infections. Her team had been performing experiments with enteric viruses in these mice.

The likelihood of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease in the future may be predicted using a mix of genetics and brain MRIs, according to research being done in this area.

In a recently released study, scientists from SFU’s Functional and Anatomical Imaging & Shape Analysis Lab (FAISAL) identified specific traits of brain MRIs and genetics that affect the prediction of Dementia of Alzheimer’s Type, or DAT, for patients at different stages of the disease, and then developed a biomarker that can aid in predicting future conversion to DAT.

“Our findings reveal that while genetic features have lower predictive power than MRI features, combining both modalities can improve the performance in predicting the future conversion to DAT,” says study lead author Ghazal Mirabnahrazam, a research assistant currently completing a master’s degree in engineering science at SFU.

Dementia scores based on genetic data were shown to better predict future DAT progression in currently normal patients who will develop DAT at a later time, while MRI data, which reflects anatomical changes in the brain, was shown to better predict future DAT in those with mild cognitive impairment.

“In a clinical setting, clinicians can use our model to predict a quantitative score indicating the similarity between a subject’s observed patterns based on MRI and genetic data at the time of clinical visit and DAT patterns,” says senior author Mirza Faisal Beg, a professor in SFU’s School of Engineering Science.

“This is extremely useful, specifically at the MCI (mild cognitively impaired) stage in identifying those who will progress to DAT in the future. Being able to accurately estimate the chance of future conversion to DAT using only baseline information is extremely valuable because it provides practitioners with deep insight and enough time to plan appropriate care for each patient based on their probability of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

“Furthermore, it can provide potentially critical information for drug trials and the development of preventative measures,” adds Beg. “This information can aid in the selection of the appropriate cohort of patients for clinical trials, which can lead to a more promising outcome.”

Menopausal women may have greater amounts of a brain biomarker called white matter hyperintensities than premenopausal women or males of the same age, according to a recent research.

The research’s findings were disseminated in the journal Neurology. White matter hyperintensities are microscopic lesions that may be seen on brain scans and are more prevalent as people age or when their blood pressure is uncontrolledly high. Some studies have connected certain brain biomarkers to a higher risk of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline.

“White matter hyperintensities increase as the brain ages, and while having them does not mean that a person will develop dementia or have a stroke, larger amounts may increase a person’s risk,” said study author Monique M. B. Breteler, MD, PhD, of the German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), in Bonn, Germany, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

“Our study examined what role menopause may have on amounts of these brain biomarkers. Our results imply that white matter hyperintensities evolve differently for men and women, where menopause or factors that determine when menopause starts, such as variations in the ageing process, are defining factors.”

3,410 individuals with an average age of 54 participated in the research. Of those, 58% were female, and 59% of the females were postmenopausal. Additionally, 50% of patients with high blood pressure had it uncontrolled, making about 35% of the total.

A brain MRI was performed on each individual.

Researchers analysed the scans and determined each participant’s average number of white matter hyperintensities. These brain biomarkers had an average total volume of 0.5 millilitres (ml). For males and women, respectively, the average total brain volume was 1,180 ml and 1,053 ml. In the region of the brain where white matter hyperintensities can be observed, the average total white matter volume was 490 ml for males and 430 ml for women.

Researchers discovered that postmenopausal women had higher levels of these brain biomarkers when compared to males of similar ages after controlling for age and vascular risk factors such high blood pressure and diabetes. Men exhibited an average total white matter hyperintensities volume of 0.72 ml in adults over 45, compared to 0.94 ml for postmenopausal women. Researchers also discovered that women saw a quicker rate of rise in brain biomarkers with age than men did.

Similar-aged premenopausal men and women did not vary in the average number of white matter hyperintensities.

Additionally, researchers discovered that premenopausal women of a similar age exhibited less white matter hyperintensities than postmenopausal women did. Postmenopausal women showed an average total volume of white matter hyperintensities of 0.51 ml compared to 0.33 ml for premenopausal women in a cohort of individuals aged 45 to 59.

Hormone treatment did not differ between postmenopausal and premenopausal women. According to Breteler, this study shows that hormone replacement treatment may not have a brain-protective impact after menopause.

Women with uncontrolled high blood pressure reported greater levels of this brain biomarker than males did, regardless of menopausal state.

“It has been known that high blood pressure, which affects the small blood vessels in the brain, can lead to an increase in white matter hyperintensities,” said Breteler.

“The results of our study not only show more research is needed to investigate how menopause may be related to the vascular health of the brain. They also demonstrate the necessity to account for different health trajectories for men and women, and menopausal status. Our research underscores the importance of sex-specific medicine and more attentive therapy for older women, especially those with vascular risk factors.”

Although monkeypox is not now considered a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General stated on Wednesday that the emergency nature of the occurrence required strong response activities.

Taking to Twitter, DG Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote, “While the Emergency Committee didn’t advise that the #monkeypox outbreak represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, they acknowledged the emergency nature of the event requiring intense response efforts.” “They advised that I should reconvene them quickly based on the evolving situation, which I will do,” he added.

The DG stated that youngsters and pregnant women are at a heightened risk of contracting the infection while voicing concerns over the virus’s continued dissemination.

“I am concerned about sustained transmission because it would suggest that the virus is establishing itself and it could move into high-risk groups including children, the immunocompromised and pregnant women,” WHO tweeted quoting DG Ghebreyesus.

He added that since 2017, Nigeria has been dealing with an outbreak of monkeypox. The nation has recorded more instances this year, which might indicate that the number meets or surpasses earlier peaks.

More than 50 nations have already confirmed cases of monkeypox, and the trend is expected to continue.

According to the DG, the nations should follow the recommendations made by the WHO to support public health organisations.

“Right now the action WHO would like to see: countries should increase surveillance by boost testing, countries should take a best practice approach to managing the response. WHO has published clinical guidance to assist public health agencies & on the frontlines,” WHO tweet read.

Speaking on the R&D front, he said, “WHO has been convening scientists via the R&D blueprint for epidemics to speed up research and development into tests, treatments and vaccines for monkeypox and develop a protocol for therapeutic development and rollout.”

Speaking on COVID-19, he said that even relatively “moderate” cases can cause disruption and harm, advising the public to fortify their immune systems to diminish the disease’s intensity and reduce the likelihood of developing a long-term or post-COVID condition.

In terms of research and development, he emphasised the necessity to create second-generation vaccinations that might stop the virus from spreading.

“Building on existing vaccines that limit severity and prevent death, developing second-generation vaccines that stop – or at least lower infection – would be a major step forward,” he said.

“On the R&D front, it is critical that there’s funding for second-generation vaccines as well as tests and treatments. While honing vaccines to the evolving virus variants makes sense, I am concerned that the pace of mutation means the world is continuing to play catch up,” he added.

He said that the ideal solution to the disease is the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine that covers all variants so far and potentially future ones.added

“WHO continues to convene scientists & researchers; there has been a lot of research into this virus & understanding immunology overall. With WHO’s Solidarity Trials we can also offer global trials of vaccines to establish the safety and efficacy of quickly and effectively,” he added.

The company is ready to roll out India’s first mRNA vaccine in 72 hours after the government’s permission, said Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd Chief Executive Officer and Whole-time Director Dr Sanjay Singh. “We are ready with the vaccine, hopefully as soon as the NTAGI gives us the permission and the government gives us the way out we are able to roll out within 72 hours,” Dr Sanjay Singh told ANI.

The mRNA vaccine produced by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd will be sold out under the brand name GEMCOVAC-19.

The company has the capacity to produce 200-300 million doses depending upon the need, Dr Singh said, “At present, we can go to 200-300 million doses, we can produce depending upon the need, but this can be scaled up because this is the advantage of this technology. You don’t need huge manufacturing plants.”

On the pricing of the vaccine, Dr Singh said that the pricing of the vaccine hasn’t been yet decided, but the “company is in conversation with the government but it has to be competitive pricing.”

The indigenous innovative mRNA vaccine can be kept under 2 to 8 degrees Celsius while most other vaccines have to be stored at sub-zero temperatures.

“Due to logistic issues, mRNA vaccines haven’t reached the neediest one. We will try to do this, we are going towards different regions Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. So, that we can’t only have vaccine supply but also have the joint manufacturing facilities in different regions,” explained Dr Singh when asked about future plans and export of vaccine.

“This vaccine is based on the second wave of the Delta variant,at present phase 3 is going on and we got very good safety and efficacy results. Out of 3000 people, less than 1 per cent of people got infected, but they were not symptomatic. This is the basic data we have against Omicron, it’s since last December and it’s changing,” he replied on being asked whether the vaccine is Omicron specific.

Witnessing the surge in COVID-19 cases and fear being circulated of a new variant, whether, this vaccine can be tweaked if a new variant comes, Dr Singh explained and said that,”mRNA vaccine can be tweaked within 50-60 days which is very fast. So once the new variant comes and if we found that variant is difficult, then we will certainly do it in a few days of time,”

On booster dose he said, “we have given our protocol to the DCGI, if it gets approved as a single dose, we have seen in our trials that single dose is useful on those who are seropositive and they have antibodies against the COVID-19.”

The COVID-19 pandemic, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is changing but is not yet gone, and more cases are being reported in 110 countries.

“This pandemic is changing but it’s not over. Our ability to track the #COVID19 virus is under threat as reporting and genomic sequences are declining meaning it is becoming harder to track Omicron and analyse future emerging variants,” Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. He further added, “COVID19, driven by BA.4 and BA.5 in many places, cases are on the rise in 110 countries, causing overall global cases to increase by 20 per cent and deaths have risen in 3 of the 6 WHO regions even as the global figure remains relatively stable.”

During a media conference on COVID-19 and other topics relating to global health, Ghebreyesus stated that the WHO has urged all nations to immunise at least 70% of their populace.

He said that over 12 billion immunizations had been distributed worldwide in the last 18 months.

“On the flip side, hundreds of millions of people, including tens of millions of health workers and older people in lower-income countries remain unvaccinated, which means they are more vulnerable to future waves of the virus,” the WHO chief said.

“With only 58 countries hitting the 70 per cent target, some have said it’s not possible for low-income countries to make it,” he said.

Ghebreyesus used Rwanda as an example, where second dose immunisation rates are currently at or above 65% and continuing to rise. The head of the WHO emphasised the need of maintaining immunisation rates among the populations who are most at risk.

Although monkeypox is now not a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, DG Ghebreyesus had stated that the emergency nature of the occurrence required strong response measures.

Taking to Twitter, DG Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote, “While the Emergency Committee didn’t advise that the #monkeypox outbreak represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, they acknowledged the emergency nature of the event requiring intense response efforts.”

“They advised that I should reconvene them quickly based on the evolving situation, which I will do,” he added.

“They advised that I should reconvene them quickly based on the evolving situation, which I will do,” he added.
While expressing concerns over the sustained transmission of the virus the DG said that the children and pregnant women are at a high risk of catching the infection.

“I am concerned about sustained transmission because it would suggest that the virus is establishing itself and it could move into high-risk groups including children, the immunocompromised and pregnant women,” WHO tweeted quoting DG Ghebreyesus.

He added that since 2017, Nigeria has been dealing with an outbreak of monkeypox. The nation has recorded more instances this year, which might indicate that the number meets or surpasses earlier peaks.

More than 50 nations have already confirmed cases of monkeypox, and the trend is expected to continue.

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday, India recorded 18,819 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, a rise of 4,313 infections from the day before.

On Wednesday, 14,506 new COVID cases had been reported across the nation. With this, the nation’s total of 1,04,555 active cases has surpassed the 100,000 threshold. There were 99,602 active cases as of Wednesday

.The daily positivity rate in the country also spiked from 3.35 per cent on Wednesday to 4.16 today.

According to the Ministry, 13,827 COVID patients recovered in the last 24 hours taking the total number of recoveries in the country since the onset of the pandemic to 4,28,22,493.

The recovery rate currently is 98.55 per cent.

39 patients succumbed to the virus during this period. The death toll in the country rose to 5,25,116.

Out of the 86.23 crore COVID tests conducted in the country so far, 4,52,430 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. The weekly case positivity rate is 3.72 per cent.

Under the nationwide vaccination drive, 14,17,217 COVID vaccines were administered in the last 24 hours. A total of 1,97,61,91,554 vaccines have been jabbed so far.

As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them with COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.