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SARS
Terms modified by SARS Selected AbstractsFusion core structure of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV): In search of potent SARS-CoV entry inhibitorsJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2008Ling-Hon Matthew Chu Abstract Severe acute respiratory coronavirus (SARS-CoV) spike (S) glycoprotein fusion core consists of a six-helix bundle with the three C-terminal heptad repeat (HR2) helices packed against a central coiled-coil of the other three N-terminal heptad repeat (HR1) helices. Each of the three peripheral HR2 helices shows prominent contacts with the hydrophobic surface of the central HR1 coiled-coil. The concerted protein,protein interactions among the HR helices are responsible for the fusion event that leads to the release of the SARS-CoV nucleocapsid into the target host-cell. In this investigation, we applied recombinant protein and synthetic peptide-based biophysical assays to characterize the biological activities of the HR helices. In a parallel experiment, we employed a HIV-luc/SARS pseudotyped virus entry inhibition assay to screen for potent inhibitory activities on HR peptides derived from the SARS-CoV S protein HR regions and a series of other small-molecule drugs. Three HR peptides and five small-molecule drugs were identified as potential inhibitors. ADS-J1, which has been used to interfere with the fusogenesis of HIV-1 onto CD4+ cells, demonstrated the highest HIV-luc/SARS pseudotyped virus-entry inhibition activity among the other small-molecule drugs. Molecular modeling analysis suggested that ADS-J1 may bind to the deep pocket of the hydrophobic groove on the surface of the central coiled-coil of SARS-CoV S HR protein and prevent the entrance of the SARS-CoV into the host cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 2335,2347, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Surge Capacity Associated with Restrictions on Nonurgent Hospital Utilization and Expected Admissions during an Influenza Pandemic: Lessons from the Toronto Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome OutbreakACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006Michael J. Schull MD Background Current influenza pandemic models predict a surge in influenza-related hospitalizations in affected jurisdictions. One proposed strategy to increase hospital surge capacity is to restrict elective hospitalizations, yet the degree to which this measure would meet the anticipated is unknown. Objectives To compare the reduction in hospitalizations resulting from widespread nonurgent hospital admission restrictions during the Toronto severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak with the expected increase in admissions resulting from an influenza pandemic in Toronto. Methods The authors compared the expected influenza-related hospitalizations in the first eight weeks of a mild, moderate, or severe pandemic with the actual reduction in the number of hospital admissions in Toronto, Ontario, during the first eight weeks of the SARS-related restrictions. Results Influenza modeling for Toronto predicts that there will be 4,819, 8,032, or 11,245 influenza-related admissions in the first eight weeks of a mild, moderate, or severe pandemic, respectively. In the first eight weeks of SARS-related hospital admission restrictions, there were 3,654 fewer hospitalizations than expected in Toronto, representing a modest 12% decrease in the overall admission rate (a reduction of 1.40 admissions per 1,000 population). Therefore, influenza-related admissions could exceed the reduction in admissions resulting from restricted hospital utilization by 1,165 to 7,591 patient admissions, depending on pandemic severity, which corresponds to an excess of 0.44 to 2.91 influenza-related admissions per 1,000 population per eight weeks, and an increase of 4% to 25% in the overall number of admissions, when compared with nonpandemic conditions. Conclusions Pandemic modeling for Toronto suggests that influenza-related admissions would exceed the reduction in hospitalizations seen during SARS-related nonurgent hospital admission restrictions, even in a mild pandemic. Sufficient surge capacity in a pandemic will likely require the implementation of other measures, including possibly stricter implementation of hospital utilization restrictions. [source] Effectiveness and tolerability of risperidone in Asian patients with first-episode psychosisACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2002S. Verma Objectives, To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of risperidone in Asian patients with first-episode psychosis and to examine correlates of response in a naturalistic study. Method, Patients with first-episode psychosis were evaluated at baseline and weekly for 6 weeks with the Positive and Negative Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS), Simpson,Angus Rating Scale (SARS), Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS), Rating Scale for Side-effects (RSSE), and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). Results, 42 patients with a mean age of 24.85 ± 9.68 years and mean duration of untreated illness of 11.91 ± 22.04 months were recruited. The mean dose of risperidone was 1.82 ± 0.77 mg. The mean reduction in PANSS score was from 67.97 ± 20.02 at baseline to 42.53 ± 14.08 at week 6 (P < 0.005). The incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms was 9.5% and akathisia was 7.1%. 45.2% of patients showed more than or equal 40% reduction in the PANSS score (responders). When responders were compared to nonresponders, the responders had a significantly higher total and positive PANSS score at baseline. Conclusion, Risperidone is an effective and safe antipsychotic in first-episode psychosis. [source] SARS-coronavirus modulation of myocardial ACE2 expression and inflammation in patients with SARSEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 7 2009G. Y. Oudit Abstract Background, Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a monocarboxylase that degrades angiotensin II to angiotensin 1,7, is also the functional receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and is highly expressed in the lungs and heart. Patients with SARS also suffered from cardiac disease including arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Materials and methods, We studied mice infected with the human strain of the SARS-CoV and encephalomyocarditis virus and examined ACE2 mRNA and protein expression. Autopsy heart samples from patients who succumbed to the SARS crisis in Toronto (Canada) were used to investigate the impact of SARS on myocardial structure, inflammation and ACE2 protein expression. Results, Pulmonary infection with the human SARS-CoV in mice led to an ACE2-dependent myocardial infection with a marked decrease in ACE2 expression confirming a critical role of ACE2 in mediating SARS-CoV infection in the heart. The SARS-CoV viral RNA was detected in 35% (7/20) of autopsied human heart samples obtained from patients who succumbed to the SARS crisis during the Toronto SARS outbreak. Macrophage-specific staining showed a marked increase in macrophage infiltration with evidence of myocardial damage in patients who had SARS-CoV in their hearts. The presence of SARS-CoV in the heart was also associated with marked reductions in ACE2 protein expression. Conclusions, Our data show that SARS-CoV can mediate myocardial inflammation and damage associated with down-regulation of myocardial ACE2 system, which may be responsible for the myocardial dysfunction and adverse cardiac outcomes in patients with SARS. [source] Lymphopenia and neutrophilia in SARS are related to the prevailing serum cortisolEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 5 2004N. S. Panesar No abstract is available for this article. [source] SARS in Canada and China: Two Approaches to Emergency Health PolicyGOVERNANCE, Issue 2 2007JAMES LAWSON China and Canada addressed the transnational 2003 SARS outbreak within a common, multilevel network of public-health expertise. The two countries deployed distinct public-health strategies, and faced distinct levels of resistance. This article addresses this comparison. During this epidemic "state of exception," both countries adopted emergency policy instruments and overall policy styles. However, Chinese emergency boundary policing corresponded better to everyday experience than did hospital-based screening in Canada, and China's policing targeted collectivities where Canada emphasized individual case tracking. While Canadian efforts were smaller in scale and faced infrastructural deficiencies, prior campaigns to address endemic health problems formed a basis for compliant popular subject positions. Power/resistance relations and their cultivation during endemic conditions must become the center of analyzing effective approaches to emergency planning. [source] The spectrum of pathological changes in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)HISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2004O Y Cheung Aims:, To analyse the lung pathology of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and correlate the findings with the time sequence of the disease. Methods and results:, Ten patients with a clinical diagnosis of SARS, and virological confirmation of SARS coronavirus infection were identified. Histology in most cases showed diffuse alveolar damage, from early to late phases, and the changes corresponded to the time sequence. Other variable features include multinucleated giant cells, pneumocytes with cytomegaly and variable amounts of inflammatory cells and foamy macrophages. One case showed superimposed bronchopneumonia. No viral inclusions were found. Coronavirus particles were identified in pneumocytes by electron microscopy. Conclusions:, The predominant pathological process of SARS is diffuse alveolar damage and, in patients who die from the disease, there is evidence of organization and fibrosis. There are apparently no histological features specific for this disease, and the aetiological diagnosis depends on virological and ultrastructural studies. [source] A revisit on older adults suicides and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in Hong KongINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 12 2008Y. T. Cheung Abstract Background The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 had an enormous impact on Hong Kong society and the suicide rate was also at its historical high, 18.6 per 100,000. The most significant increase was found among the older adults aged 65 or above. Methods Poisson Regression Models were used to examine impact of the SARS epidemic on older adults suicides in Hong Kong. A complete set of the suicide statistics for the period 1993,2004 from the Coroners' Court were made available for the analysis. Chi-square test was used to compare the profile of the older adult suicide cases in the pre-SARS, peri-SARS and post-SARS periods. Results It showed an excess of older adults suicides in April 2003, when compared to the month of April of the other years. A trough, instead of the usual summer peak, was observed in June, suggesting some of the older adults suicides might have been brought forward. On a year basis, the annual older adult's suicide rates in 2003 and 2004 were significantly higher than that in 2002, suggesting the suicide rate did not return to the level before the SARS epidemic. Based on the Coroners' suicide death records, overall severity of illness, level of dependency and worrying of having sickness among the older adult suicides were found to be significantly different in the pre-SARS, peri-SARS and post-SARS periods. Conclusion The SARS epidemic was associated with an increase in older adults' suicide rate in April 2003 and some suicide deaths in June 2003 might have been brought forward. Moreover, an increase in the annual older adults' suicide rate in 2003 was observed and the rate in 2004 did not return to the level of 2002. Loneliness and disconnectedness among the older adults in the community were likely to be associated with the excess older adults' suicides in 2003. Maintaining and enhancing mental well being of the public over the period of epidemic is as important as curbing the spread of the epidemic. Attention and effort should also be made to enhance the community's ability to manage fear and anxiety, especially in vulnerable groups over the period of epidemic to prevent tragic and unnecessary suicide deaths. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Elderly suicide and the 2003 SARS epidemic in Hong KongINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2006Sau Man Sandra Chan Abstract Background Hong Kong was struck by the community outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003. In the same year, the elderly suicide rate in Hong Kong showed a sharp upturn from a previous downward trend. Methods Secondary analyses using Poisson Regression Models on the suicide statistics from the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Government were performed. Results In a Poisson Regression Model on the annual suicide rates in elders aged 65 and over in years 1986,2003, 2002 served as the reference year. Suicide rates in 1986,1997 were significantly higher than the reference year, with an Incident Rate Ratio (IRR) of 1.34 to 1.61. However, rates in 1998,2001 did not differ from the reference year significantly, representing stabilization of suicide rates for 4 years after 1997. The elderly suicide rate increased to 37.46/100,000 in 2003, with an IRR of 1.32 (p,=,0.0019) relative to 2002. Such trend is preserved when female elderly suicide rates in 1993,2003 were analyzed, while suicide rates in elderly men and younger age groups did not follow this pattern. Discussions Mechanistic factors such as breakdown of social network and limited access to health care might account for the findings. These factors could have potentiated biopsychosocial risk factors for suicide at individual levels, particularly in elderly. Female elders, by way of their previous readiness to utilize social and health services instituted in the past decade, are thus more susceptible to the effects of temporary suspension of these services during the SARS epidemic. Conclusions The SARS epidemic was associated with increased risk of completed suicide in female elders, but not in male elders or the population under 65 years of age. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Lack of association between HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 alleles and the development of SARS: a cohort of 95 SARS-recovered individuals in a population of Guangdong, southern ChinaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, Issue 1 2008P. Xiong Summary Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), caused by infection with a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV), was the first major novel infectious disease at the beginning of the 21st century, with China especially affected. SARS was characterized by high infectivity, morbidity and mortality, and the confined pattern of the disease spreading among the countries of South-East and East Asia suggested the existence of susceptible factor(s) in these populations. Studies in the populations of Hong Kong and Taiwan showed an association of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphisms with the development and/or severity of SARS, respectively. The aim of the present study was to define the genotypic patterns of HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 loci in SARS patients and a co-resident population of Guangdong province, southern China, where the first SARS case was reported. The samples comprised 95 cases of recovered SARS patients and 403 unrelated healthy controls. HLA -A, -B and -DRB1 alleles were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. The severity of the disease was assessed according to the history of lung infiltration, usage of assisted ventilation and occurrence of lymphocytopenia. Although the allelic frequencies of A23, A34, B60, DRB1*12 in the SARS group were slightly higher, and A33, -B58 and -B61 were lower than in the controls, no statistical significance was found when the Pc value was considered. Similarly, no association of HLA alleles with the severity of the disease was detected. Thus, variations in the major histocompatibility complex are unlikely to have contributed significantly to either the susceptibility or the severity of SARS in the population of Guangdong. [source] Haematological parameters in severe acute respiratory syndromeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2005W. J. CHNG Summary Clinical presentation of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is non-specific and isolation of all suspected patients is difficult because of the limited availability of isolation facilities. We studied changes in haematological parameters in SARS patients using median values analysed according to the day of symptom onset. White cell (WCC), absolute neutrophil, absolute lymphocyte (ALC) and platelet counts followed a v-shaped trend with the nadir at day 6 or 7 after symptom onset except for ALC in the ICU group that had not reached the nadir by day 12. None of our patients had a platelet count < 80 × 109/l and WCC < 2 × 109/l in the first 5 days of symptoms and these parameters may allow early stratification of febrile patients into likely and unlikely SARS cases to allow effective utilization of isolation facilities. On multivariate analysis, age is the only independent predictor for ICU admission. [source] An exploratory study of nurses suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 4 2005Esther Mok RN PhD In 2003, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) came to be recognized as a newly emergent form of disease that is highly contagious. The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions of nurses with SARS in Hong Kong, as the perceptions of nurses who have suffered from SARS have not been studied. Ten nurses who had suffered from SARS were interviewed, either face-to-face or by telephone, about their subjective experiences. These interviews provided in-depth, descriptive data, which were analysed using content analysis. Nine broad categories were identified: uncertainty, information control, feelings of anger and guilt, lack of preparation and fear of death, feelings of isolation and loneliness, physical effects, support, change of perspective of life, and change of perspective of nursing. Although the dreaded disease affected the nurses tremendously, both physically and psychologically, it has also had its positive side. As a result of experiencing the illness, the participants came to treasure relationships, health and everyday life more. In caring for patients, they came to see the world more from the perspective of the patients. They found that they need to take the time to reassure patients and families and to seriously listen to all of their concerns. [source] Clustering of Chinese tourists to Singapore: an analysis of their motivations, values and satisfactionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, Issue 4-5 2005Ah Keng Kau Abstract This paper presents the findings of a survey through the use of a structured questionnaire of over 240 visitors from China to Singapore in February 2003. The main objective is to determine if these tourists could be effectively segmented based on their motivations for travel. The analysis of the survey data confirmed that they could be clustered into four main segments. Each of the segments was found to possess unique profiles in terms of demographic background, trip-related characteristics and personal values. The segments were also assessed of their levels of satisfaction with various attributes offered by Singapore as a tourist destination. In addition, their overall satisfaction, likelihood of revisit and likelihood of making positive word-of-mouth recommendation to others were also determined. In all of these, the segments were found to differ significantly from each other. Finally, the implications of these findings were discussed and suggestions made as to how Singapore could effectively develop marketing strategies to attract these tourists, bearing in mind that China was the third largest tourist generating country for Singapore and they collectively contributed over S$300 million to the Singapore economy in 2002. In fact, tourist arrival from China increased further after SARS in 2003, reaching over 880,000 in 2004 and became the second largest tourist group after Indonesia. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Severe acute respiratory syndrome, tourism and the mediaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005Peter Mason Abstract There has been an assumption, based on trends from the last two decades of the twentieth century, that global tourism will continue to grow. A number of events in the early twenty first century, however, have called this into question. Some of these have been natural occurrences, others anthropogenic, such as the terrorist attacks in New York in 2001, which indirectly affected global tourism, and that in Bali in 2002, where tourists were the major target. The outbreak of the disease severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in early 2003 had direct and significant impacts on global tourism. This article provides an overview of the SARS outbreak and its impact on global tourism, and focuses on the role of the media in relation to the disease outbreak. Eighteen months on from the height of the outbreak, SARS appeared to have been checked, but there have a number of subsequent cases and of particular concern, it has been predicted that the disease will return on a large scale, and therefore a future research agenda is also presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Guest Editorial: SARS , future considerations for nursesJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2004Amal Hussein MPH No abstract is available for this article. [source] Novel rapid immunochromatographic test based on an enzyme immunoassay for detecting nucleocapsid antigen in SARS-associated coronavirusJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 4 2005Hiroyuki Kogaki Abstract A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been discovered. The detection of both antigens and antibodies in SARS-CoV from human specimens with suspected SARS plays an important role in preventing infection. We developed a novel rapid immunochromatographic test (RICT) based on the sandwich format enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with an all-in-one device for detecting the native nucleocapsid antigen (N-Ag) of SARS-CoV using monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), which we produced by immunizing recombinant N-Ag to mice. RICT is a qualitative assay for respiratory aspirates and serum specimens. With this assay, a positive result can be judged subjectively by the appearance of a blue line on the device 15 min after the sample is applied. RICT with several pairs of MoAbs showed a high sensitivity for the detection of recombinant N-Ag as well as viral N-Ag of SARS-CoV. rSN122 and rSN21-2 were the best MoAbs for immobilized antibody and enzyme labeling, respectively. With regard to analytical sensitivity, RICT detected N-Ag at 31 pg/mL for recombinant N-Ag, and at 1.99×102 TCID50/mL for SARS-CoV. The specificity of RICT was 100% when 150 human sera and 50 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NSPs) were used. RICT based on an EIA using the rSN122/rSN21-2 pair is a sensitive, specific, and reliable rapid assay for detecting N-Ag in SARS-CoV treated with either heat or Triton X-100. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 19:150,159, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Commentary on Chung BPM, Wong TKS, Suen ESB & Chung JWY (2005) SARS: caring for patients in Hong Kong.JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 11 2006Journal of Clinical Nursing 1 [source] An evaluation of nursing practice models in the context of the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic in Hong Kong: a preliminary studyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 6 2006Engle Angela Chan PhD Aim and objective., Like other health-care workers, Hong Kong nurses had their professional knowledge and skills seriously challenged during the SARS outbreak. Could current nursing practices support the care of SARS or SARS-like patients in the future? If not, alternative practices would be needed. Providing a preliminary understanding, this paper compares the conventional with different nursing delivery models in a simulated SARS ward and focuses on nurses' efficiency, infection control practices and views of the two models. Design and methods., This study was conducted in three phases. First, a baseline understanding of nursing practices was achieved through four workflow observations. In an eight-hour day, four research assistants observed nursing activities in the medical and fever wards. These data were used in the second phase to construct two sets of clinical vignettes, pertaining to SARS patient care in both conventional and alternative practice models. These scripts were discussed with nine nurses of various ranks from the hospital under study for their expert validation and input. In the third phase, nurse participants and patient actors enacted the vignettes in a simulated setting. Video-taped observations and four nurse participant interviews were employed. Observational data were analysed through descriptive statistics and independent t -tests. Textual data were coded and categorized for common meanings. Results., Conventional practice from the findings consisted of cubicle and named nurse nursing. While the former reflected modified team and functional nursing, it did not confine patient care within a cubicle as suggested by its name. The latter depicted a modified primary nursing approach in a team, with delegation of care. Preliminary findings concerning infection control and nurse satisfaction revealed that the alternative model had an advantage over the conventional. Relevance to clinical practice., This study findings lay the foundation for clinical trials, which would evaluate the significance of patient-care quality, cost-effectiveness and better human resource management by restructuring current nursing practices. [source] SARS , a perspective from a school of nursing in Hong KongJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 2 2004David R. Thompson PhD Background., Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new infectious disease with significant morbidity and mortality that has had a major impact on health and health care services worldwide. Hong Kong has had a significant number of cases and deaths. Nurses, at the vanguard of the clinical health care team, have been particularly affected by it. The outbreak prompted the health authorities to implement a series of public health measures and hospital policies, including a guideline for the diagnosis and management of patients with SARS. Aims and objectives., This paper aims at providing an overview of what is known about SARS and the impact it has had in Hong Kong and to highlight from the perspective of a school of nursing the major clinical, educational and public health implications. Conclusions., The lack of understanding and uncertainty about the disease led to significant variation in the provision of information, contributing to the confusion and anxiety in the community. Therefore, there is a need to revise the nursing curriculum, to provide continuing education to all health care professionals, particularly with regard to infection control measures, and to revisit the range of public health policies to ensure the health of the community is protected by these policies. There also has been a reaffirmation of the importance of health promotion that highlights the importance of the partnership between nurses, health policy makers and public health personnel. It is evident that the organization and delivery of clinical practice, teaching and health promotion have to be flexible and responsive to a changing health scenario. Relevance to clinical practice., Nurses must play a crucial role in the prevention, detection and containment of SARS. They will need to implement and ensure strict adherence to infection control measures and, in some circumstances, isolation and quarantine may be warranted. Attention to the psychological state of patients and family members should not be overlooked. Paramount is education of patients, families and members of the public at large. [source] The SARS Crisis: Was Anybody Responsible?JOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2006Stephanie Buus As scholars in fields such as media studies, crisis studies and public policy studies have argued, there exists a fundamental link between crises and the media. Once an event has been interpreted as a crisis, questions of accountability inevitably appear on the media agenda, and the struggle to attribute blame and responsibility to a specific entity or entities,the blame game,thus becomes an inexorable part of the crisis process. Focusing on three liberal Western newspapers with an international, primarily Western elite readership and a reputation for in-depth analysis of global events, The Economist, the Financial Times and the International Herald Tribune, this article employs Iyengar's and Valkenburg's notions of responsibility frames to examine whether initial coverage of the 2003 SARS crisis in these accounts held any particular entity accountable for the crisis, looks at three key themes used to communicate to the reader a particular way of thinking about responsibility for SARS and examines some of the consequences of the kind of responsibility frame constructed around the SARS crisis in these accounts. As our findings show, there is an entity that the early news accounts studied consistently held responsible for the 2003 SARS crisis, the Chinese system, and the corresponding responsibility frame at operation in these accounts is thematic rather than episodic in nature, since it consistently places the SARS crisis within a broader context (a product of "China" itself and/or of societal-governmental forces in China) rather than in relation to a specific episode or as the result of the particular actions of individuals. The SARS crisis narrative therefore presented in these accounts tells the story of an anachronistic Chinese system faced with a contemporary health threat that, by its very nature, it is incapable of assessing accurately or managing responsibly. By way of conclusion, we argue that, while the use of such a thematic frame to explain China's role in the 2003 SARS crisis may be accurate in certain respects, this frame falls short in other respects and proves particularly inadequate to the challenge of capturing the economic complexities of China's role during the crisis. [source] How to handle the threat of catastropheJOURNAL OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 6 2003Carol Sánchez One major task CEOs face is to minimize risk and vulnerability to catastrophic events. Since 9/11, we know that simply having insurance,and conventional emergency planning,is not enough. And in addition to global terrorism, other catastrophes threaten,including cyber crime and new diseases like SARS. Traditional risk management strategies dealt with two types of danger: known and unknown risk. But now we also have a third kind: unknowable risk! So how should we handle catastrophic threats today? © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Pandemic influenza and the hospitalist: Apocalypse when?JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2006James C. Pile MD Abstract Beginning with a cluster of human cases in Hong Kong in 1997, avian influenza (H5N1) has spread progressively through, and beyond, Asia in poultry and other birds; and has resulted in sporadic cases of human disease associated with high mortality. The potential for H5N1 influenza to cause a pandemic of human disease continues to be the subject of intense scrutiny by both the media and the scientific community. While the likelihood of such a prospect is uncertain, the inevitability of future pandemics of influenza is clear. Planning for the eventuality of a virulent influenza pandemic at the local, national and global level is critical to limiting the mortality and morbidity of such an occurrence. Hospitalists have a key role to play in institutional efforts to prepare for a influenza pandemic, and should be aware of lessons that my be applied from both the response to Hurricane Katrina, as well as the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2006;1:118,123. © 2006 Society of Hospital Medicine [source] Zoonotic viral diseases and the frontier of early diagnosis, control and preventionJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2006J. L. HEENEY Abstract. Public awareness of the human health risks of zoonotic infections has grown in recent years. Currently, concern of H5N1 flu transmission from migratory bird populations has increased with foci of fatal human cases. This comes on the heels of other major zoonotic viral epidemics in the last decade. These include other acute emerging or re-emerging viral diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West-Nile virus, Ebola virus, monkeypox, as well as the more inapparent insidious slow viral and prion diseases. Virus infections with zoonotic potential can become serious killers once they are able to establish the necessary adaptations for efficient human-to-human transmission under circumstances sufficient to reach epidemic proportions. The monitoring and early diagnosis of these potential risks are overlapping frontiers of human and veterinary medicine. Here, current viral zoonotics and evolving threats are reviewed. [source] Posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 1 2005Kitty K. Wu This study examines the psychological impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 195 adult patients in Hong Kong. The Impact of Event Scale,Revised and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were administered to patients 1 month after their discharge. Of the participants 10% to 18% reported symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Symptom severity was associated with high perceived life threat and low emotional support. Women and participants who had low education level were more likely to have symptoms of avoidance. Participants who personally knew someone who had SARS were more likely to be affected by depressive symptoms. [source] Confronting the New Challenge in Travel Medicine: SARSJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2003Annelies Wilder-Smith No abstract is available for this article. [source] Experience of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Singapore: Importation of Cases, and Defense Strategies at the AirportJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2003Annelies Wilder-Smith Background The importation of SARS was responsible for the outbreaks in Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Canada at a time when this new disease had not been identified. We report the incidence and impact of cases of SARS imported to Singapore between 25 February and 31 May 2003, and describe national measures to prevent further importation. Methods Information on imported cases of SARS and measures taken at entry points to Singapore was retrieved from the Ministry of Health and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. Results Of the 6 imported cases, which all occurred before screening measures were implemented at the airport, only the first resulted in extensive secondary transmission. Of 442,973 air passengers screened after measures were implemented, 136 were sent to a designated hospital for further SARS screening; none was diagnosed as having SARS. Conclusions The SARS outbreak in Singapore can be traced to the first imported case. The absence of transmission from the other imported cases was probably a result of relatively prompt identification and isolation of cases, together with a low potential for transmission. New imported SARS cases therefore need not lead to major outbreaks if systems are in place to identify and isolate them early. Screening at entry points is costly, has a low yield and is not sufficient in itself, but may be justified in light of the major economic, social and international impact which even a single imported SARS case may have. [source] Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus entry into host cells: Opportunities for therapeutic intervention,MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS, Issue 4 2006Kap-Sun Yeung Abstract A novel human coronavirus (CoV) has been identified as the etiological agent that caused the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003. The spike (S) protein of this virus is a type I surface glycoprotein that mediates binding of the virus to the host receptor and the subsequent fusion between the viral and host membranes. Because of its critical role in viral entry, the S protein is an important target for the development of anti-SARS CoV therapeutics and prophylactics. This article reviews the structure and function of the SARS CoV S protein in the context of its role in virus entry. Topics that are discussed include: the interaction between the S1 domain of the SARS spike protein and the cellular receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and the structural features of the ectodomain of ACE2; the antigenic determinants presented by the S protein and the nature of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that are elicited in vivo; the structure of the 4,3-hydrophobic heptad repeats HR1 and HR2 of the S2 domain and their interaction to form a six-helical bundle during the final stages of fusion. Opportunities for the design and development of anti-SARS agents based on the inhibition of receptor binding, the therapeutic uses of S-directed monoclonal antibodies and inhibitors of HR1,HR2 complex formation are presented. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 26, No. 4, 414,433, 2006 [source] Neutralizing antibody against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus spike is highly effective for the protection of mice in the murine SARS modelMICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Koji Ishii ABSTRACT We evaluated the efficacy of three SARS vaccine candidates in a murine SARS model utilizing low-virulence Pp and SARS-CoV coinfection. Vaccinated mice were protected from severe respiratory disease in parallel with a low virus titer in the lungs and a high neutralizing antibody titer in the plasma. Importantly, the administration of spike protein-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibody protected mice from the disease, indicating that the neutralization is sufficient for protection. Moreover, a high level of IL-6 and MCP-1 production, but not other 18 cytokines tested, on days 2 and 3 after SARS-CoV infection was closely linked to the virus replication and disease severity, suggesting the importance of these cytokines in the lung pathogenicity of SARS-CoV infection. [source] Endothelin-A-receptor antagonist LU 302146 inhibits electrostimulation-induced bladder contractions in vivoNEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 5 2006J.R. Scheepe Abstract Objectives Endothelin (ET) is a strong constrictor of smooth muscle structures. The relevance of Endothelin-A receptors in the bladder was demonstrated in several in vitro studies. The aim of this functional study was to evaluate the acute effect of the selective ET-A-antagonist LU 302146 (LU) on neurostimulation-induced bladder contractions in vivo. Methods Eight male mini pigs were anesthesized. The bladder was exposed and a double lumen catheter was inserted to perform intravesical pressure (pves) measurements. Laminectomy was performed for sacral anterior root stimulation (SARS) of S2. Four animals received the selective ET-A-antagonist LU, three atropine and one animal was treated with vehicle. Pves was recorded before and after drug administration as well as before and during neurostimulation. At the end of each LU trial, a supplementary application of 4 mg atropine was administered followed by a final SARS. Results In all experiments reproducible pves values were elicited during electrostimulation before administration of the test substance. The selective ET-A-antagonist reduced stimulation-induced bladder contraction by a mean of 57%. Additional administration of atropine inhibited the detrusor contraction almost completely during SARS. The vehicle had no effect on bladder contraction. Conclusions In the presented animal model, ET-1 inhibition with the selective ET receptor-A-antagonist LU 302146 decreases stimulation-induced bladder contraction in vivo. The results suggest that the selective ET-A antagonist LU acts on the atropine-resistant component of efferent detrusor activation since additional administration of atropine almost completely abolish detrusor contraction. This observation in addition to the involvement of ET-1 in bladder smooth muscle proliferation, raises the possibility that ET-receptor antagonists might be beneficial in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction or in patients with functional or anatomical BOO. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] SARS, a shipwreck, a NATO attack, and September 11, 2001: Global information flows and Chinese responses to tragic news eventsAMERICAN ETHNOLOGIST, Issue 3 2007VANESSA L. FONG In this article, I examine how Chinese citizens in China and abroad used discourses of Chinese backwardness to make sense of tragic news events while simultaneously trying to avoid becoming identified with that backwardness. I focus on various interpretations of NATO's bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in 1999; the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; the sinking of a Chinese ferry in 1999; and the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic to explore how Chinese citizens negotiated between their own ambivalent loyalties and the contradictory official, unofficial, local, national, and international narratives in which these events were embedded. These negotiations suggest that global information flows are creating a transnational panopticon that increasingly enables neoliberal governmentality to operate on transnational levels. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||