Modelling the potential role of media campaigns on the control of Listeriosis.

Human Listeria infection is a food-borne disease caused by the consumption of contaminated food products by the bacterial pathogen, Listeria. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model to analyze the impact of media campaigns on the spread and control of Listeriosis. The model exhibited three equilibria namely; disease-free, Listeria-free and endemic equilibria. The food contamination threshold is determined and the local stability analyses of the model is discussed. Sensitivity analysis is done to determine the model parameters that most affect the severity of the disease. Numerical simulations were carried out to assess the role of media campaigns on the Listeriosis spread. The results show that; an increase in the intensity of the media awareness campaigns, the removal rate of contaminated food products, a decrease in the contact rate of Listeria by humans results in fewer humans getting infected, thus leading to the disease eradication. An increase in the depletion of media awareness campaigns results in more humans being infected with Listeriosis. These findings may significantly impact policy and decision-making in the control of Listeriosis disease.

A new model of dengue fever in terms of fractional derivative.

It is eminent that the epidemiological patterns of dengue are threatening for both the global economy and human health. The experts in the field are always in search to have better mathematician models in order to understand the transmission dynamics of epidemics models and to suggest possible control or the minimization of the infection from the community. In this research, we construct a new fractional-order system for dengue infection with carrier and partially immune classes to visualize the intricate dynamics of dengue. By using the basics of fractional theory, we determine the fundamental results of the proposed fractional-order dengue model. We obtain the basic reproduction number $R_0$ by next generation method and present the results based on it. The stability results are established for the infection-free state of the system. Moreover, sensitivity of $R_0$ is analyzed through partial rank correlation coefficient(PRCC) method to show the importance of different parameters in $R_0$. The influence of different input factors is shown on the output of basic reproduction number $R_0$ numerically. Our result showed that the threshold parameter $R_0$ can be decreased by increasing vaccination and treatment in the system. Finally, we illustrate the solution of the suggested dengue system through a numerical scheme to notice the influence of the fractional-order $\vartheta$ on the system. We observed that the fractional-order dynamics can explain the complex system of dengue infection more precisely and accurately rather than the integer-order dynamics. In addition, we noticed that the index of memory and biting rate of vector can play a significant part in the prevention of the infection.

Royal Jelly (Bee Product) Decreases Inflammatory Response in Wistar Rats Induced with Ultraviolet Radiation.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages human skin by triggering various types of cellular damage, several main factors involved are nuclear-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (nF-kB) and pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF alpha. Royal jelly (RJ) possesses the effect of protecting DNA and tissue against oxidative damage. AIM: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of RJ as a protector of ultraviolet radiation, by assessing endogenous anti-oxidant expression (Nrf2), transcription factors (Nf-kB) and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF alpha). METHODS: This study was an experimental study with post-test control group design. Thirty Wistar rats were induced by exposing 40 Watt UV-B lamps for 2 hours/day in 14 days. The rats were grouped into groups with RJ cream application with doses of 2.5%, 5%, and 10%, negative control with vaseline, and normal control. Examination of Nrf2 and NF-kB levels was carried out by ELISA. Quantitative analysis to obtain the percentage of TNF alpha expression on the tissue was entered into the ImageJ® program. Bivariate analysis was carried out by the T-test. RESULTS: Nrf2 levels elevated following the increase of RJ dose, with the highest level was at RJ 10%. Nf-kB levels decreased following the increase of RJ dose, with the lowest level was at RJ 10%. TNF alpha expression was reduced in groups of RJ in various doses. Increased dose resulted in a more diminished level of TNF alpha. CONCLUSION: Royal jelly cream application protected the skin from UV radiation by increasing cellular antioxidants and suppressing inflammatory cascade.

Gambir Extract (Uncaria Gambir) Decreases Inflammatory Response and Increases Gastric Mucosal Integrity in Wistar Rats - Model Gastritis.

BACKGROUND: Uncaria gambir (local name: gambir) is a plant native to Sumatera, Malaya and Borneo. This plant is potential as local wisdom for therapeutics. In Sumatera, gambir was used as a traditional treatment for fever, diarrhoea, diabetics and wound healing. AIM: To explore the efficacy of gambir extract on TNF alpha level, prostaglandin E2 level, lesson area, body weight, lipid profile and leptin level in Wistar rat-model gastritis. METHODS: This study was an experimental study, with a pre-post-test control group design. The subjects in this study were 30 male rats, 8 weeks old, weight 150-200 gram. Rats were administered with gambir extract at the dose of 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg BW/day for 3 days. Gambir was extracted by maceration methods. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 18. RESULTS: Gambir extract at the dose of 80 mg/kg BW exhibited the highest efficacy in reducing TNF alpha level, lesion area and increasing prostaglandin E2 level compared to gambir extract at doses of 20 mg/kg BW, 400 mg/kg BW, negative control, and positive control. CONCLUSION: Gambir extract was effective in reducing TNF alpha level, lesson area, and increasing prostaglandin E2 level in Wistar rat-model gastritis.