-
BMC Infectious Diseases Oct 2016Coccidioidomycosis, a potentially fatal fungal infection, is considered an emergent mycotic disease because of the increased incidence of fungal infections registered... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Coccidioidomycosis, a potentially fatal fungal infection, is considered an emergent mycotic disease because of the increased incidence of fungal infections registered over recent years. Infection occurs through the inhalation of arthroconidia from two main species of Coccidioides: Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii, which are both endemic to arid and semi-arid regions of North America. Coccidioides species not only infect humans but can also infect other mammals (land, aquatic, wild or domestic), reptiles and birds.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain information regarding the habitat of Coccidioides spp. and the animals infected by this fungus and to identify the role that infected animals play as reservoirs and disseminators of this fungus in nature.
MATERIALS
A literature review was conducted to identify the habitat of Coccidioides spp. and the infected non-human animal species targeted by this fungus.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
This review allows us to suggest that Coccidioides spp. may be classified as halotolerant organisms; nevertheless, to perpetuate their life cycle, these organisms depend on different animal species (reservoirs) that serve as a link with the environment, by acting as disseminators of the fungi in nature.
Topics: Animals; Coccidioides; Coccidioidomycosis; Disease Reservoirs; Disease Vectors; Ecosystem; Humans; North America
PubMed: 27724885
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1902-7 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2017, the causative agent of pandemic cholera, is abundant in marine and freshwater environments. Copepods and chironomids are natural reservoirs of this species. However,... (Review)
Review
, the causative agent of pandemic cholera, is abundant in marine and freshwater environments. Copepods and chironomids are natural reservoirs of this species. However, the ways is globally disseminated are as yet unknown. Here we review the scientific literature that provides evidence for the possibility that some fish species may be reservoirs and vectors of . So far, has been isolated from 30 fish species (22 freshwater; 9 marine). O1 was reported in a few cases. In most cases was isolated from fish intestines, but it has also been detected in gills, skin, kidney, liver and brain tissue. In most cases the fish were healthy but in some, they were diseased. Nevertheless, Koch postulates were not applied to prove that and not another agent was the cause of the disease in the fish. Evidence from the literature correlates raw fish consumption or fish handling to a few cholera cases or cholera epidemics. Thus, we can conclude that inhabits some marine and freshwater fish species. It is possible that fish may protect the bacteria in unfavorable habitats while the bacteria may assist the fish to digest its food. Also, fish may disseminate the bacteria in the aquatic environment and may transfer it to waterbirds that consume them. Thus, fish are reservoirs of and may play a role in its global dissemination.
PubMed: 28293221
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00282 -
JMIR Serious Games Mar 2023The COVID-19 pandemic introduced an urgent need for effective strategies to disseminate crucial knowledge and improve people's subjective well-being. Complementing more...
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced an urgent need for effective strategies to disseminate crucial knowledge and improve people's subjective well-being. Complementing more conventional approaches to knowledge dissemination, game-based interventions were developed to create awareness and educate people about the pandemic, hoping to change their attitudes and behavior.
OBJECTIVE
This study provided an overview and analysis of digital and analog game-based interventions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. As major pandemics and other large-scale disruptive events are expected to increase in frequency in the coming decades, this analysis aimed to inform the design, uptake, and effects of similar future interventions.
METHODS
From November 2021 to April 2022, Scopus, Google, and YouTube were searched for articles and videos describing COVID-19-themed game-based interventions. Information regarding authorship, year of development or launch, country of origin, license, deployment, genre or type, target audience, player interaction, in-game goal, and intended transfer effects was extracted. Information regarding intervention effectiveness was retrieved where possible.
RESULTS
A diverse assortment of 23 analog and 43 digital serious games was identified, approximately one-third of them (25/66, 38%) through scientific articles. Most of these games were developed by research institutions in 2020 (13/66, 20%) and originated in Europe and North America (38/66, 58%). A limited number (20/66, 30%) were tested on relatively small samples, using a diversity of research methods to assess the potential changes in participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors as well as their gameplay experience. Although most of the evaluated games (11/20, 55%) effectively engaged and motivated the players, increased awareness, and improved their understanding of COVID-19-related issues, the games' success in influencing people's behavior was often unclear or limited.
CONCLUSIONS
To increase the impact of similar future interventions aimed at disseminating knowledge and influencing people's attitudes and behaviors during a large-scale crisis, some considerations are suggested. On the basis of the study results and informed by existing game theories, recommendations are made in relation to game development, deployment, and distribution; game users, design, and use; game design terminology; and effectiveness testing for serious games.
PubMed: 36634265
DOI: 10.2196/41766 -
Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi = Japanese... 2003Preventive measures against tinea pedis were discussed based on our mycological studies using foot-press method and house dust cultures. 1) Untreated patients with tinea... (Review)
Review
Preventive measures against tinea pedis were discussed based on our mycological studies using foot-press method and house dust cultures. 1) Untreated patients with tinea pedis frequently disseminate pathogenic fungi into the environment, but dissemination could be easily controlled by simple application of antifungal agents. 2) A high proportion of dermatophytes disseminated in house dust perished naturally within a month under dry conditions, while under moist conditions they survived several months or more. Therefore, humid areas such as the floor and carpet of a bathroom should be cleaned or washed regularly. 3) Adhesion of dermatophytes onto healthy feet usually happens in public spaces where people enter without shoes. Wearing socks cannot prevent dermatophyte adhesion. Cleaning the feet by wiping with a towel or washing with soap seemed to be an effective prophylactic measure after stepping into such spaces.
Topics: Dermatomycoses; Humans
PubMed: 14615791
DOI: 10.3314/jjmm.44.265 -
Implementation Science : IS Oct 2020Research has the potential to influence US social policy; however, existing research in this area lacks a coherent message. The Model for Dissemination of Research... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Research has the potential to influence US social policy; however, existing research in this area lacks a coherent message. The Model for Dissemination of Research provides a framework through which to synthesize lessons learned from research to date on the process of translating research to US policymakers.
METHODS
The peer-reviewed and grey literature was systematically reviewed to understand common strategies for disseminating social policy research to policymakers in the United States. We searched Academic Search Premier, PolicyFile, SocINDEX, Social Work Abstracts, and Web of Science from January 1980 through December 2019. Articles were independently reviewed and thematically analyzed by two investigators and organized using the Model for Dissemination of Research.
RESULTS
The search resulted in 5225 titles and abstracts for inclusion consideration. 303 full-text articles were reviewed with 27 meeting inclusion criteria. Common sources of research dissemination included government, academic researchers, the peer reviewed literature, and independent organizations. The most frequently disseminated research topics were health-related, and legislators and executive branch administrators were the most common target audience. Print materials and personal communication were the most common channels for disseminating research to policymakers. There was variation in dissemination channels by level of government (e.g., a more formal legislative process at the federal level compared with other levesl). Findings from this work suggest that dissemination is most effective when it starts early, galvanizes support, uses champions and brokers, considers contextual factors, is timely, relevant, and accessible, and knows the players and process.
CONCLUSIONS
Effective dissemination of research to US policymakers exists; yet, rigorous quantitative evaluation is rare. A number of cross-cutting strategies appear to enhance the translation of research evidence into policy.
REGISTRATION
Not registered.
Topics: Communication; Humans; Policy; Research Personnel; United States
PubMed: 33059748
DOI: 10.1186/s13012-020-01046-3 -
BMJ Open Oct 2022Health agencies and community organisations play a crucial role in disseminating information to the public about COVID-19 risks and events, providing instructions on how...
INTRODUCTION
Health agencies and community organisations play a crucial role in disseminating information to the public about COVID-19 risks and events, providing instructions on how to change behaviour to mitigate those risks, motivating compliance with health directives and addressing false information. Social media platforms are a critical tool in risk communication, providing a medium for rapid transmission of messages as well as providing the opportunity for engagement and immediate feedback. Access to health information, services and support are especially important for marginalised and underserved ('equity-deserving') populations who are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. This scoping review aims to review the breadth and depth of the academic and grey literature on equity-informed social media risk communication tools to provide guidance on promising practices and principles for reaching equity-deserving populations through social media.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework guided the identification of the research question; identification and selection of relevant studies from electronic databases and hand-searches of discipline-specific journals; extraction and charting of the data; and collating and reporting of findings. The results of the screening process will be reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis-Scoping Review guidelines.
FINDINGS
We will identify reported facilitators and barriers to the development of risk communications that target equity-deserving communities. We will also identify recommendations for equity-informed risk communication for COVID-19.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
This study does not require ethics approval. We intend to disseminate the results through publication in an open-access peer-reviewed journal, conference presentations, lay summaries (eg, checklists) for health organisations and messages to be shared through social media.
Topics: Humans; Communication; COVID-19; Social Media; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 36307165
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061851 -
The Journal of Mental Health Policy and... Dec 2023In the US, much of the research into new intervention and delivery models for behavioral health care is funded by research institutes and foundations, typically through... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In the US, much of the research into new intervention and delivery models for behavioral health care is funded by research institutes and foundations, typically through grants to develop and test the new interventions. The original grant funding is typically time-limited. This implies that eventually communities, clinicians, and others must find resources to replace the grant funding -otherwise the innovation will not be adopted. Diffusion is challenged by the continued dominance in the US of fee-for-service reimbursement, especially for behavioral health care.
AIMS
To understand the financial challenges to disseminating innovative behavioral health delivery models posed by fee-for-service reimbursement, and to explore alternative payment models that promise to accelerate adoption by better addressing need for flexibility and sustainability.
METHODS
We review US experience with three specific novel delivery models that emerged in recent years. The models are: collaborative care model for depression (CoCM), outpatient based opioid treatment (OBOT), and the certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) model. These examples were selected as illustrating some common themes and some different issues affecting diffusion. For each model, we discuss its core components; evidence on its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness; how its dissemination was funded; how providers are paid; and what has been the uptake so far.
RESULTS
The collaborative care model has existed for longest, but has been slow to disseminate, due in part to a lack of billing codes for key components until recently. The OBOT model faced that problem, and also (until recently) a regulatory requirement requiring physicians to obtain federal waivers in order to prescribe buprenorphine. Similarly, the CCBHC model includes previously nonbillable services, but it appears to be diffusing more successfully than some other innovations, due in part to the approach taken by funders.
DISCUSSION
A common challenge for all three models has been their inclusion of services that were not (initially) reimbursable in a fee-for-service system. However, even establishing new procedure codes may not be enough to give providers the flexibility needed to implement these models, unless payers also implement alternative payment models.
IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVISION AND USE
For providers who receive time-limited grant funding to implement these novel delivery models, one key lesson is the need to start early on planning how services will be sustained after the grant ends.
IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICY
For research funders (e.g., federal agencies), it is clearly important to speed up the process of obtaining coverage for each novel delivery model, including the development of new billable service codes, and to plan for this as early as possible. Funders also need to collaborate with providers early in the grant period on sustainability planning for the post-grant environment. For payers, a key lesson is the need to fold novel models into stable existing funding streams such as Medicaid and commercial insurance coverage, rather than leaving them at the mercy of revolving time-limited grants, and to provide pathways for contracting for innovations under new payment models.
IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
For researchers, a key recommendation would be to pay greater attention to the payment environment when designing new delivery models and interventions.
Topics: United States; Humans; Fee-for-Service Plans; Medicaid; Ambulatory Care Facilities
PubMed: 38113385
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Jul 2021The COVID-19 outbreak has tremendously impacted the world. The number of confirmed cases has continued to increase, causing damage to society and the economy worldwide....
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 outbreak has tremendously impacted the world. The number of confirmed cases has continued to increase, causing damage to society and the economy worldwide. The public pays close attention to information on the pandemic and learns about the disease through various media outlets. The dissemination of comprehensive and accurate COVID-19 information that the public needs helps to educate people so they can take preventive measures.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to examine the dissemination of COVID-19 information by analyzing the information released by the official WeChat account of the People's Daily during the pandemic. The most-read COVID-19 information in China was summarized, and the factors that influence information dissemination were studied to understand the characteristics that affect its dissemination. Moreover, this was conducted in order to identify how to effectively disseminate COVID-19 information and to provide suggestions on how to manage public opinion and information governance during a pandemic.
METHODS
This was a retrospective study based on a WeChat official account. We collected all COVID-19-related information, starting with the first report about COVID-19 from the People's Daily and ending with the last piece of information about lifting the first-level emergency response in 34 Chinese provinces. A descriptive analysis was then conducted on this information, as well as on Qingbo Big Data's dissemination index. Multiple linear regression was utilized to study the factors that affected information dissemination based on various characteristics and the dissemination index.
RESULTS
From January 19 to May 2, 2020, the People's Daily released 1984 pieces of information; 1621 were related to COVID-19, which mainly included headline news items, items with emotional content, and issues related to the pandemic's development. By analyzing the dissemination index, seven information dissemination peaks were discerned. Among the three dimensions of COVID-19 information-media salience, content, and format-eight factors affected the spread of COVID-19 information.
CONCLUSIONS
Different types of pandemic-related information have varying dissemination power. To effectively disseminate information and prevent the spread of COVID-19, we should identify the factors that affect this dissemination. We should then disseminate the types of information the public is most concerned about, use information to educate people to improve their health literacy, and improve public opinion and information governance.
Topics: COVID-19; China; Humans; Information Dissemination; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Social Media
PubMed: 34129515
DOI: 10.2196/28563 -
MBio Jun 2023Pf is a filamentous bacteriophage integrated in the chromosome of most clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Under stress conditions, mutations occurring in the...
Pf is a filamentous bacteriophage integrated in the chromosome of most clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Under stress conditions, mutations occurring in the Pf genome result in the emergence of superinfective variants of Pf (SI-Pf) that are capable of circumventing phage immunity; therefore, SI-Pf can even infect Pf-lysogenized P. aeruginosa. Here, we identified specific mutations located between the repressor and the excisionase genes of Pf4 phage in the P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain that resulted in the emergence of SI-Pf. Based on these findings, we genetically engineered an SI-Pf (eSI-Pf) and tested it as a phage therapy tool for the treatment of life-threatening burn wound infections caused by PAO1. In validation experiments, eSI-Pf was able to infect PAO1 grown in a lawn as well as biofilms formed on polystyrene. eSI-Pf also infected PAO1 present in burned skin wounds on mice but was not capable of maintaining a sustained reduction in bacterial burden beyond 24 h. Despite not lowering bacterial burden in burned skin tissue, eSI-Pf treatment completely abolished the capability of P. aeruginosa to disseminate from the burn site to internal organs. Over the course of 10 days, this resulted in bacterial clearance and survival of all treated mice. We subsequently determined that eSI-Pf induced a small-colony variant of P. aeruginosa that was unable to disseminate systemically. This attenuated phenotype was due to profound changes in virulence determinant production and altered physiology. Our results suggest that eSI-Pf has potential as a phage therapy against highly recalcitrant antimicrobial-resistant P. aeruginosa infections of burn wounds. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of burn-related infections. It is also the most likely bacterial infection to advance to sepsis and result in burn-linked death. Frequently, P. aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients display a multidrug-resistant phenotype necessitating the development of new therapeutic strategies and prophylactic treatments. In this context, phage therapy using lytic phages has demonstrated exciting potential in the control P. aeruginosa infection. However, lytic phages can present a set of drawbacks during phage therapy, including the induction of bacterial resistance and limited bacteria-phage interactions . Here, we propose an alternative approach to interfere with P. aeruginosa pathogenesis in a burn infection model, i.e., by using an engineered superinfective filamentous phage. Our study demonstrates that treatment with the engineered Pf phage can prevent sepsis and death in a burn mouse model.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Bacteriophages; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections; Pseudomonas Phages; Sepsis; Burns
PubMed: 37039641
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00472-23 -
Journal of the American Geriatrics... Nov 2022Geriatrics research generally cumulates in academic journal publications, with variable diffusion to patients and communities. PlanYourLifespan.org is a free,...
BACKGROUND
Geriatrics research generally cumulates in academic journal publications, with variable diffusion to patients and communities. PlanYourLifespan.org is a free, evidence-based tool that assists older adults, and their loved ones, to better understand and plan for their long-term support needs. There is a need to effectively disseminate geriatrics research, such as PlanYourLifespan.org, to communities that may directly benefit from this research.
OBJECTIVE
To leverage community-based stakeholder leaders, utilizing a train-the-trainer program, to disseminate PlanYourLifespan.org and evaluate the extent of the dissemination.
METHODS
Using a train-the-trainer strategy, community stakeholder leaders from the original study paired up with newly recruited community stakeholder leaders. New community stakeholder leaders were trained on dissemination, using a "how-to-disseminate" web-based toolkit-developed as part of this project. Newly trained community stakeholder leaders subsequently trained additional community stakeholder leaders who conducted and tracked dissemination activities in their communities. Google Analytics tracked newly created PlanYourLifespan.org accounts, login sessions, and daily website visitors.
RESULTS
Five newly trained community stakeholder leaders disseminated PlanYourLifespan.org over a three-month period. Cumulatively, on the day of the dissemination activity, there were 11,361 PlanYourLifespan.org log-ins (average: 378.7 log-ins/activity day), 89,068 log-ins (average: 2969 log-ins/activity week) one-week after the activity, and 319,154 log-ins (average: 10,638 log-ins/activity month) one month after the dissemination activity. Approximately 9.4 new PlanYourLifespan.org accounts were created one-week post dissemination activity and over 1100 new accounts in the one-month period thereafter.
CONCLUSIONS
Wide dissemination of PlanYourLifespan.org occurred by leveraging a train-the-trainer approach with community stakeholder leaders. Researchers should consider collaborating early on with community stakeholders to meaningfully disseminate results.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Long-Term Care
PubMed: 35860971
DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17957