ABSTRACT
We employ a multidisciplinary approach, integrating genomics and epidemiology, to uncover recent dengue virus transmission dynamics in the Dominican Republic. Our results highlight a previously unknown north-south transmission pathway within the country, with the co-circulation of multiple virus lineages. Additionally, we examine the historical climate data, revealing long-term trends towards higher theoretical potential for dengue transmission due to rising temperatures. These findings provide information for targeted interventions and resource allocation, informing as well towards preparedness strategies for public health agencies in mitigating climate and geo-related dengue risks.
ABSTRACT
Incidence of COVID-19 has been associated with sociodemographic factors. We investigated variations in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence at sub-national levels in the Dominican Republic and assessed potential factors influencing variation in regional-level seroprevalence. Data were collected in a three-stage cross-sectional national serosurvey from June to October 2021. Seroprevalence of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (anti-S) was estimated and adjusted for selection probability, age, and sex. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of covariates on seropositivity for anti-S and correlates of 80% protection (PT80) against symptomatic infection for the ancestral and Delta strains. A total of 6683 participants from 134 clusters in all 10 regions were enrolled. Anti-S, PT80 for the ancestral and Delta strains odds ratio varied across regions, Enriquillo presented significant higher odds for all outcomes compared with Yuma. Compared to being unvaccinated, receiving ≥2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine was associated with a significantly higher odds of anti-S positivity (OR 85.94, [10.95-674.33]) and PT80 for the ancestral (OR 4.78, [2.15-10.62]) and Delta strains (OR 3.08, [1.57-9.65]) nationally and also for each region. Our results can help inform regional-level public health response, such as strategies to increase vaccination coverage in areas with low population immunity against currently circulating strains.
ABSTRACT
To assess changes in SARS-CoV-2 spike binding antibody prevalence in the Dominican Republic and implications for immunologic protection against variants of concern, we prospectively enrolled 2,300 patients with undifferentiated febrile illnesses in a study during March 2021-August 2022. We tested serum samples for spike antibodies and tested nasopharyngeal samples for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection using a reverse transcription PCR nucleic acid amplification test. Geometric mean spike antibody titers increased from 6.6 (95% CI 5.1-8.7) binding antibody units (BAU)/mL during March-June 2021 to 1,332 (95% CI 1,055-1,682) BAU/mL during May-August 2022. Multivariable binomial odds ratios for acute infection were 0.55 (95% CI 0.40-0.74), 0.38 (95% CI 0.27-0.55), and 0.27 (95% CI 0.18-0.40) for the second, third, and fourth versus the first anti-spike quartile; findings were similar by viral strain. Combining serologic and virologic screening might enable monitoring of discrete population immunologic markers and their implications for emergent variant transmission.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , Dominican Republic/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Antibodies, Viral , Fever , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics , Antibodies, NeutralizingABSTRACT
With the commitment to reducing environmental impact, bio-based and biodegradable aerogels may be one approach when looking for greener solutions with similar attributes to current foam-like materials. This study aimed to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardant behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aerogels by adding sodium alginate (SA) and tannic acid (TA). Aerogels were obtained by freeze-drying and post-ion crosslinking through calcium chloride (CaCl2) and boric acid (H3BO3) solutions. The incorporation of TA and SA enhanced the PVA aerogel's mechanical properties, as shown by their high compressive specific moduli, reaching up to a six-fold increase after crosslinking and drying. The PVA/TA/SA aerogels presented a thermal conductivity of 0.043 to 0.046 W/m·K, while crosslinked ones showed higher values (0.049 to 0.060 W/m·K). Under TGA pyrolytic conditions, char layer formation reduced the thermal degradation rate of samples. After crosslinking, a seven-fold decrease in the thermal degradation rate was observed, confirming the high thermal stability of the formed foams. Regarding flammability, aerogels were tested through cone calorimetry. PVA/TA/SA aerogels showed a significant drop in the main parameters, such as the heat release rate (HRR) and the fire growth (FIGRA). The ion crosslinking resulted in a further reduction, confirming the improvement in the fire resistance of the modified compositions.
ABSTRACT
El granuloma piógeno es una lesión reactiva en respuesta a diferentes factores locales, su etiología es por traumatismo, caries dental, desequilibrio hormonal, higiene oral deficiente, etc. que produce una proliferación inflamatoria del tejido conectivo, localizada frecuentemente en cavidad oral (encías, lengua, paladar duro, labios y piso de boca) y piel. Clínicamente se presenta como una lesión hiperplásica vascularizada con base pediculada o sésil de tamaño variable y crecimiento lento. Histológicamente presenta proliferación de tejido endotelial a una red vascular con signos de inflamación crónica y tejido de granulación. El presente caso clínico tiene como objetivo identificar las características clínicas, imagenológicas e histopatológicas de Granuloma Piógeno con aspecto tumoral en la cavidad oral en un paciente adulto de la Clínica Dental Docente Cayetano Heredia en el año 2017. Las características clínicas e histopatológicas de granuloma permiten un diagnóstico concreto, dado que su diagnóstico diferencial es similar. Como opciones de tratamiento además de exéresis, tenemos el pulsed-dye laser, inyección intralesional de etanol o corticoides, escleroterapia con tetradecil sulfato de sodio y criocirugía. Las hiperplasias reactivas pueden presentar aspecto tumoral que se descarta con el estudio anatomopatológico. El abordaje y tratamiento requiere un diagnóstico clínico e histopatológico adecuado.
Pyogenic granuloma is a reactive lesion in response to different local factors, including traumatism, caries dental, hormonal imbalance or poor oral hygiene, which produces an inflammatory proliferation of connective tissue. Pyogenic granuloma is frequently located in oral cavity (gums, tongue, hard palate, lips, and floor of mouth) and skin. Clinically, it presents as a vascularized hyperplastic lesion with a slow-growing pedicled or sessile base of variable size and slow growth. Histologically, shows proliferation of endothelial tissue to a vascular network with signs of chronic inflammation and granulation tissue. This case report aims to identify the clinical, imaging and histopathological characteristics of Pyogenic Granuloma with tumor appearance in the oral cavity in an adult patient of the Clínica Dental Docente Cayetano Heredia in 2017. Clinical and histopathological characteristics of granuloma allow a specific diagnosis, given that their differential diagnoses are similar. The treatment options for pyogenic granuloma include excision, laser pulsed-dye, intralesional injection of ethanol or corticosteroids, sclerotherapy with sodium tetradecyl sulfate, and cryosurgery. Reactive hyperplasia may present a tumor appearance that is ruled out by anatomopathological study. Choosing the correct approach and treatment requires a proper clinical and histopathological diagnosis.
