Role of the "High Institute of Public Health" during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case from Egypt.

Background: The High Institute of Public Health (HIPH), as a post-graduate academic institute, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in several aspects. This paper describes the effect of COVID-19 on the three main domains of HIPH: research, education, and community services. Documenting the activities and practices of the HIPH during the pandemic reflects the degree of resilience and preparedness against possible future global emergencies. Despite its importance for policymakers, such data is lacking from similar institutes in the Middle East, including Egypt. Methods: An extensive search in four popular scientific databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Scival) was conducted to extract publications by authors affiliated with the HIPH using relevant keywords. Records were reviewed to collect data on the educational process as well as data on community services (convoys, campaigns, seminars, and workshops held by HIPH staff). All the mentioned activities were described, analyzed and compared before and during the pandemic to study the impact of the pandemic on the HIPH, as an example of a postgraduate institute. Results: The total numbers of COVID-19-related publications in Scopus by authors affiliated with the HIPH were 115 publications, the majority of which were research articles in the 'Medicine' and 'Immunology and Microbiology' domains. Most of them focused on assessing the relationship between the pandemic and quality of life, and prevention and treatment of COVID-19 (22.2% each). Publications on COVID-19 by HIPH researchers during the pandemic constituted 33.1% (115 publications) of the total publications by Alexandria University. Among the top ten authors on COVID-19 at Alexandria University, four were HIPH affiliated. The year 2022 witnessed the most frequent publications on COVID-19 by HIPH (51/115 publications, 44.3% of all COVID-19 publications by the HIPH on Scopus). All program courses were taught online during the year 2019-2020 (343 courses). HIPH provided several community services during the pandemic, which included 16 convoys in the poorer areas of Alexandria that served more than 1250 beneficiaries. Their goals were raising health awareness on COVID-19 vaccination, health education, and environmental assessment. Implications for Policy & Practice: This paper is the first of its kind by members of the High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University. It provides baseline data for future similar work and is a documentation of the compilation of efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic that gives baseline data for public health assessment and planning by policy makers.

Technology transfer for COVID-19 vaccine in the Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. / Transferência de tecnologia para vacina contra COVID-19 no Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz.

Innovation is an essential element for development and growth, but it consists of a long process of knowledge accumulation, so technology transfer is used to accelerate this process. This study mapped the particularities of the technology transfer process for the COVID-19 vaccine between AstraZeneca and the Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, and identified enablers, obstacles, and gaps. Our analysis investigated the process from selection of the most suitable partner to incorporation of the new technology based on a comprehensive literature review on this topic, combined with a case study. The results showed that, although many actions still have to be performed to maximize technology capacity gains, the lessons learned from the technology transfer process will be used in future and ongoing agreements.

A inovação é um elemento fundamental para o desenvolvimento e crescimento, mas constituída por um processo demorado de acúmulo de conhecimento. Uma das formas de acelerar tal processo é por meio da transferência de tecnologia. Este artigo mapeou as particularidades da transferência de tecnologia para a vacina contra COVID-19, celebrado entre a AstraZeneca e o Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, bem como reconheceu os seus facilitadores, seus entraves e suas lacunas. Para tanto, foi realizada uma análise desde a etapa da seleção do parceiro mais adequado até a incorporação da nova tecnologia. A metodologia utilizada se baseou em uma ampla revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema, aliada ao estudo de caso. Os resultados apontaram que, apesar de muitas ações ainda precisarem ser realizadas para que os ganhos de capacidade tecnológica sejam potencializados, as lições aprendidas com o processo de transferência de tecnologia servirão de aprendizado e serão utilizadas nos acordos futuros e em andamento.

La innovación es un elemento fundamental para el desarrollo y el crecimiento, pero consiste en un proceso de acumulación de conocimiento que requiere mucho tiempo. Una de las formas de acelerar este proceso es mediante la transferencia de tecnología. Este artículo mapeó las particularidades del proceso de transferencia de tecnología para la vacuna contra la COVID-19, celebrado entre AstraZeneca y el Instituto de Tecnología en Inmunobiológicos (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundación Oswaldo Cruz, además de reconocer los facilitadores, obstáculos y brechas. Para ello se realizó un análisis, desde la etapa de selección del socio más adecuado hasta la incorporación de la nueva tecnología. La metodología utilizada se basó en una amplia revisión bibliográfica sobre el tema, combinada con el estudio de caso. Los resultados mostraron que, si bien aún es necesario llevar a cabo muchas acciones para maximizar las ganancias de capacidad tecnológica, las lecciones aprendidas del proceso de transferencia de tecnología servirán como lecciones y se utilizarán en acuerdos futuros y en curso.

The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the research portfolio and approval turnaround time at the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented impact on many sectors globally including research. We assessed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the research portfolio, and on the approval turnaround time for research protocols submitted to the Scientific and Ethics Review Unit (SERU), at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). METHODS: We compared research protocols submitted between October 01, 2019 and March 31, 2020 (Period 1), to those submitted between April 1 and September 30, 2020 (Period 2). A document review tool was used to extract data from the 198 research protocols reviewed and approved over the two periods. RESULTS: In the two periods under review, the single largest percentage of protocols (89/198, 45.4%) involved infectious and parasitic diseases, and the single largest percentage of study designs was cross-sectional (75/198, 38%). Before the pandemic, the median time taken to review KEMRI-linked protocols was 87 days and for non-KEMRI linked protocols it was 121 days. During the pandemic, approval turnaround time dropped for both KEMRI and non-KEMRI protocols to 66 days and 92 days, respectively, due to the streamlined processes at the KEMRI SERU. CONCLUSION: The research portfolio was minimally affected by the pandemic. The adoption of email submission, and faster-than-usual processing and review protocols during the pandemic reduced the approval turnaround time.

The Journey of the Asian Forensic Sciences Network (AFSN) through Fifteen Years.

The Asian Forensic Sciences Network was formed in 2008 by a small group of six forensic institutes from six countries in Asia, with the vision to create a common platform for scientists in the region to come together to advance forensic science, raise quality standards, and foster collaboration. Since its inception, the network has experienced remarkable growth, now comprising 70 member institutes from 18 countries across Asia. An Annual Meeting & Symposium, hosted by a member institute each year, serves as a cornerstone event for the network. In addition, the network runs nine technical workgroups covering areas in Crime Scene Investigation, Digital Forensics, DNA, Fingerprint, Forensic Medicine, Illicit Drugs, Questioned Document, Toxicology, and Trace Evidence, alongside a dedicated Quality Assurance and Standards Committee. These workgroups and committee work in tandem with the AFSN Board to formulate strategies aligned with the network's core objectives. This paper chronicles AFSN's journey over the past fifteen years, highlighting the pivotal role of the Board and the Workgroups, as well as the dedicated passion and unwavering commitment of the members in shaping the network through numerous activities.

Practices and outcomes of responsive caregiving on child neurodevelopment and mental health across diverse global populations: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Responsive caregiving (RC) leads to positive outcomes in children, including secure attachment with caregivers, emotional regulation, positive social interactions and cognitive development. Through our scoping review, we aim to summarise the practices and outcomes of RC in diverse caregiver and child populations from 0 to 8 years. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will use the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. We shall present our findings as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for scoping review. Only peer-reviewed, English-language articles from 1982 to 2022 will be included from PubMed, Web of Science, APA PsychInfo, APA PsycArticles, SocINDEX and Google Scholar databases. Reference lists of included articles will also be screened. The search strategy will be developed for each database, and search results will be imported into Rayyan. Screening will be done in two phases: (1) titles and abstracts will be screened by two authors and conflicts will be resolved by mutual discussion between both or by consulting with a senior author; and (2) full-texts of shortlisted studies from the first phase will then be screened using the same inclusion/exclusion criteria. A data extraction form will be developed to collate relevant information from the final list of included articles. This form will be pilot tested on the first 10 papers and iteratively refined prior to data extraction from the remaining articles. Results will be presented in figures, tables and a narrative summary. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethics approval needed as the review shall only use already published data. We shall publish the review in an open-access, peer-reviewed journal and disseminate through newsletters, social media pages, and presentations to relevant audiences.

[Ophthalmic agents during pregnancy]. / Ophthalmika in der Schwangerschaft.

The use of ophthalmic agents during pregnancy and breastfeeding always represents an off-label use. Therefore, the use of drugs must be particularly carefully assessed with respect to the risk-benefit assessment. In this overview the literature databank of the PubMed library, pharmaceutical lists (Red List, Swiss pharmaceutical compendium), guidelines of the specialist societies the German Society of Ophthalmology (DOG), the Swiss Society of Ophthalmology (SOG), the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and internet portals (embryotox, reprotox) were inspected and recommendations for the use of ophthalmic agents during pregnancy and breastfeeding were derived. More attention should be dedicated to this topic in the specialist societies.

[Research and health care at the Fernandes Figueira Institute: an interview with José Augusto de Britto]. / Pesquisa e cuidado à saúde no Instituto Fernandes Figueira: depoimento de José Augusto de Britto.

This material is the result of an interview with José Augusto Alves de Britto, a physician who served as director of the Fernandes Figueira Institute from 2001 to 2008. It covers different aspects of the history of the institution, such as research development, health care, and transformations in the daily routine there. It is part of a project to document and investigate the history of the Fernandes Figueira Institute, which celebrates its one hundredth anniversary in 2024.

O depoimento resulta de entrevista realizada com José Augusto Alves de Britto, médico pediatra que ocupou o cargo de diretor do Instituto Fernandes Figueira entre 2001 e 2008. O relato do depoente aborda diferentes aspectos da história do instituto, como o desenvolvimento da pesquisa e do cuidado à saúde e transformações no cotidiano institucional. O depoimento faz parte de um projeto que documenta e investiga a história do Instituto Fernandes Figueira, que completa seu centenário em 2024.

[The history of teaching at the Fernandes Figueira Institute: an interview with Susana Wuillaume]. / A história do ensino no Instituto Fernandes Figueira: entrevista com Susana Wuillaume.

This interview was conducted with Susana Maciel Wuillaume, a pediatrician with broad experience in education and in the management of the Fernandes Figueira Institute. Various topics in the institution's history and Wuillaume's individual trajectory were covered, such as the organization of the graduate course and the medical residency programs and the structure of the institution itself. This interview is part of a project to document and investigate the history of the Fernandes Figueira Institute, which celebrates its one hundredth anniversary in 2024.

Entrevista realizada com Susana Maciel Wuillaume, médica pediatra com larga experiência na docência e na gestão do Instituto Fernandes Figueira. São abordados diferentes temas da história institucional e da trajetória individual da entrevistada, como a organização da pós-graduação e dos programas de residências médica e a estruturação do próprio instituto. A entrevista faz parte de um projeto que documenta e investiga a história do Instituto Fernandes Figueira, que completa seu centenário em 2024.

[On the 120th anniversary of A. A. Otelin - scientist, morphologist, pedagogue and organizer].

The article presents scientific biography of A. A. Otelin - outstanding morphologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, representative of scientific school of Academician V. P. Vorobyov. The contribution of A. A. Otelin into becoming of morphological chairs in medical institutes of Kharkov, Lvov, Vinnitsa, Kishinev, Kursk and Kemerovo and in formation of scientific morphological schools in the regions of the RSFSR and the Republics of the USSR is demonstrated. The particular attention is paid to results of scientific studies of A. A. Otelin in the 1970s carried out jointly with scientists of the Institute of Brain of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences and the I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the USSR Academy of Sciences concerning investigation of morphology of sensitive receptors - Vater-Pacini corpuscules.

[The Russian priority of development of intravenous anesthesia (Report I).]

The article analyses research activities of the discoverers of "Russian narcosis" from the Military Medical Academy of St. Petersburg: the head of the Department of Pharmacology N. P. Kravkov, the head of the Department of Hospital Surgery S. P. Fedorov and his resident A. P. Eremich. They for the first time in the world developed ideas of comprehensive experimental substantiation and then safe clinical administration of preparation "hedonal" to achieve stage of safe general anesthesia and implementation of long-term and traumatic operations. The scientific works of Russian discoverers indicated fundamentally new direction in formation of anesthesiology in the Russian Empire and in the world. A. P. Eremich at stage of preparatory tests, working out technique of intravenous infusion, determination of range of safe therapeutic doses and creation of special installation facilitating work with hedonal during operations of Professor S. P. Fedorov, can be recognized as the first Russian anesthesiologist and also as the first National resuscitator.

In Commemoration of Dr. Mostafa Pourtaghva Shahrestani, a Pioneer in Infectious Disease Research.

It is important to honor the contributions of scientific leaders who have dedicated their lives to advancing knowledge and serving their country. One way is to document their experiences and personalities in a documentary format, which can serve as a historical record and an inspiration for future generations. Dr. Mostafa Pourtaghva Shahrestani, a renowned physician and specialist in infectious diseases and tropical medicine, has made significant contributions to public health in Iran. He has played a crucial role in controlling infectious diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis, rabies, plague, and cholera. Throughout his career, he has held various executive positions, including the head of Pasteur Hospital and the director of the Pasteur Institute of Iran. Dr. Pourtaghva's life is a testament to his unwavering dedication to public health services, as evidenced by his continuous effort, love, and interest in honest work. His inspiring story can serve as a model for those who seek to follow in his footsteps.

Undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension in rural African adults: a scoping review protocol of primary health care interventions.

INTRODUCTION: Non-communicable diseases cause 74% of global deaths, with cardiovascular diseases as the major contributor. Hypertension, a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is highly prevalent in Africa. Diagnosis, treatment and control rates are notably limited in rural areas. This limitation results in increased risks of premature mortality and complications such as stroke due to socioeconomic, cultural and geographical challenges. Progress in African countries enhancing hypertension services through primary health care interventions exists. However, a comprehensive review of all primary health care interventions addressing undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension in rural African settings is lacking. This scoping review aims to categorise primary health care interventions targeting undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension in rural African adults. Intervention components will be mapped to the four stages outlined in the hypertension care cascade to develop a pilot intervention logic model for rural African adults with hypertension. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: The scoping review protocol will adhere to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Studies considered for inclusion will include any intervention delivered by any healthcare provider in a rural African primary care setting targeting any stage of hypertension care. Eight databases will be searched without date restrictions, supplemented by grey literature and reference list searches. A two-stage screening process (title/abstract and full text) will determine evidence source eligibility. All eligible sources of evidence will be extracted, charted and evaluated using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist. A pilot logic model categorising and mapping interventions to the four stages of the hypertension care cascade will be visually presented and analysed using narrative synthesis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No primary data will be collected; therefore, ethics approval is not required. Findings will be disseminated to local health authorities in Ghana and other African Regions and through national and international conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals.