On the derivatives of a family of analytic functions

For $\beta< 1$, n = 0, 1, 2, . . ., and $-\pi <\alpha\leq\pi$, we let $M_n(\alpha,\beta)$ denote the family of functions $f(z) = z +\ldots$ that are analytic in the unit disk and satisfy there the condition $Re\{(D^n f)'+\frac{1+e^{i\alpha}}{2(n+1)}z(D^n f)''\}>\beta$, where $D^n f(z)$ is the Hadamard product or convolution of f with $z/(1 − z){n+1}$. We prove the inclusion relations $M_{n+1}(\alpha,\beta) \subset M_n(\alpha,\beta$, and $M_n(\alpha,\beta) < M_n(\pi,\beta), \beta < 1$. Extreme points, as well as integral and convolution characterizations, are found. This leads to coefficient bounds and other extremal properties. The special cases $M_0(\alpha,0)\equiv \mathcal{L}_\alpha$, $M_n(\pi,\beta)\equiv M_n(\beta)$ have previously been studied [16], [1]

On Some Subclasses of Harmonic Functions Defined by Fractional Calculus

The purpose of this paper is to study subclasses of normalized harmonic functions with positive real part using fractional derivative. Sharp estimates for coefficients and distortion theorems are given

Infinite ergodic theory and Non-extensive entropies

We bring into account a series of result in the infinite ergodic theory that we believe that they are relevant to the theory of non-extensive entropie

Endobronchial Tuberculosis Simulating Lung Cancer and Healing without Bronchial Stenosis

Endobroncheal tuberculosis is defined as tuberculous infection of the tracheobronchial tree with microbial and histopathological evidence. The disease is usually mistaken for other lung diseases including lung cancer. Bronchial stenosis is a common complication of this type of tuberculosis despite the use of effective anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. We are presenting a case of endobronchial tuberculosis that simulated lung cancer and healed without residual bronchial stenosis

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in dromedary camels: An outbreak investigation

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe lower respiratory tract infection in people. Previous studies suggested dromedary camels were a reservoir for this virus. We tested for the presence of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels from a farm in Qatar linked to two human cases of the infection in October, 2013. Methods: We took nose swabs, rectal swabs, and blood samples from all camels on the Qatari farm. We tested swabs with RT-PCR, with amplification targeting the E gene (upE), nucleocapsid (N) gene, and open reading frame (ORF) 1a. PCR positive samples were tested by different MERS-CoV specific PCRs and obtained sequences were used for phylogentic analysis together with sequences from the linked human cases and other human cases. We tested serum samples from the camels for IgG immunofluorescence assay, protein microarray, and virus neutralisation assay. Findings: We obtained samples from 14 camels on Oct 17, 2013. We detected MERS-CoV in nose swabs from three camels by three independent RT-PCRs and sequencing. The nucleotide sequence of an ORF1a fragment (940 nucleotides) and a 4·2 kb concatenated fragment were very similar to the MERS-CoV from two human cases on the same farm and a MERS-CoV isolate from Hafr-Al-Batin. Eight additional camel nose swabs were positive on one or more RT-PCRs, but could not be confirmed by sequencing. All camels had MERS-CoV spike-binding antibodies that correlated well with the presence of neutralising antibodies to MERS-CoV. Interpretation: Our study provides virological confirmation of MERS-CoV in camels and suggests a recent outbreak affecting both human beings and camels. We cannot conclude whether the people on the farm were infected by the camels or vice versa, or if a third source was responsible. Funding: European Union projects EMPERIE (contract number 223498), ANTIGONE (contract number 278976), and the VIRGO consortium

Epidemiology of respiratory infections among adults in Qatar (2012-2017).

Limited data is available about the etiology of influenza like illnesses (ILIs) in Qatar. This study aimed at providing preliminary estimates of influenza and other respiratory infections circulating among adults in Qatar. We retrospectively collected data of about 44,000 patients who visited Hamad General Hospital clinics, sentinel sites, and all primary healthcare centers in Qatar between 2012 and 2017. All samples were tested for influenza viruses, whereas about 38,000 samples were tested for influenza and a panel of respiratory viruses using Fast Track Diagnostics (FTD) RT-PCR kit. Among all ILIs cases, 20,278 (46.5%) tested positive for at least one respiratory pathogen. Influenza virus was predominating (22.6%), followed by human rhinoviruses (HRVs) (9.5%), and human coronaviruses (HCoVs) (5%). A detection rate of 2-3% was recorded for mycoplasma pneumonia, adenoviruses, human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV). ILIs cases were reported throughout the year, however, influenza, RSV, and HMPV exhibited strong seasonal peaks in the winter, while HRVs circulated more during fall and spring. Elderly (>50 years) had the lowest rates of influenza A (13.9%) and B (4.2%), while presenting the highest rates of RSV (3.4%) and HMPV (3.3%). While males had higher rates of HRVs (11.9%), enteroviruses (1.1%) and MERS CoV (0.2%), females had higher proportions of influenza (26.3%), HPIVs (3.2%) and RSV (3.6%) infections. This report provides a comprehensive insight about the epidemiology of ILIs among adults in the Qatar, as a representative of Gulf States. These results would help in improvement and optimization of diagnostic procedures, as well as control and prevention of the respiratory infections.This study was supported by funds from Hamad Medical Corporation (grant # 16335/16) and Qatar University (grant # QUCG-BRC-2018/2019-1)

Within-Host Diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 Patients With Variable Disease Severities.

The ongoing pandemic of SARS-COV-2 has already infected more than eight million people worldwide. The majority of COVID-19 patients either are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Yet, about 15% of the cases experience severe complications and require intensive care. Factors determining disease severity are not yet fully characterized. Here, we investigated the within-host virus diversity in COVID-19 patients with different clinical manifestations. We compared SARS-COV-2 genetic diversity in 19 mild and 27 severe cases. Viral RNA was extracted from nasopharyngeal samples and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. This was followed by deep-sequencing analyses of SARS-CoV-2 genomes at both consensus and sub-consensus sequence levels. Consensus sequences of all viruses were very similar, showing more than 99.8% sequence identity regardless of the disease severity. However, the sub-consensus analysis revealed significant differences in within-host diversity between mild and severe cases. Patients with severe symptoms exhibited a significantly (-value 0.001) higher number of variants in coding and non-coding regions compared to mild cases. Analysis also revealed higher prevalence of some variants among severe cases. Most importantly, severe cases exhibited significantly higher within-host diversity (mean = 13) compared to mild cases (mean = 6). Further, higher within-host diversity was observed in patients above the age of 60 compared to the younger age group. These observations provided evidence that within-host diversity might play a role in the development of severe disease outcomes in COVID-19 patients; however, further investigations are required to elucidate this association.This work was supported by Qatar University under internal grant (QUCG-BRC-20/21-1) and Qatar National Research Fund grant under grant (RRC-2-039)

Performance evaluation of five ELISA kits for detecting anti-SARS-COV-2 IgG antibodies

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the performances of five commercial ELISA assays (EDI, AnshLabs, Dia.Pro, NovaTec, and Lionex) for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. / Methods: Seventy negative control samples (collected before the COVID-19 pandemic) and samples from 101 RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients (collected at different time points from symptom onset: ≤7, 8–14 and >14 days) were used to compare the sensitivity, specificity, agreement, and positive and negative predictive values of each assay with RT-PCR. A concordance assessment between the five assays was also conducted. Cross-reactivity with other HCoV, non-HCoV respiratory viruses, non-respiratory viruses, and nuclear antigens was investigated. / Results: Lionex showed the highest specificity (98.6%; 95% CI 92.3–99.8), followed by EDI and Dia.Pro (97.1%; 95% CI 90.2–99.2), NovaTec (85.7%; 95% CI 75.7–92.1), then AnshLabs (75.7%; 95% CI 64.5–84.2). All ELISA kits cross-reacted with one anti-MERS IgG-positive sample, except Lionex. The sensitivity was low during the early stages of the disease but improved over time. After 14 days from symptom onset, Lionex and NovaTec showed the highest sensitivity at 87.9% (95% CI 72.7–95.2) and 86.4% (95% CI 78.5–91.7), respectively. The agreement with RT-PCR results based on Cohen's kappa was as follows: Lionex (0.89) > NovaTec (0.70) > Dia.Pro (0.69) > AnshLabs (0.63) > EDI (0.55). / Conclusion: The Lionex and NovaLisa IgG ELISA kits, demonstrated the best overall performance

Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA primary-series vaccination in Qatar: an integrated epidemiological and economic analysis

Qatar implemented a mass primary-series vaccination campaign to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this program both before and after onset of the omicron wave. An economic evaluation was conducted from the public healthcare system perspective between January 5, 2021, and September 18, 2023. Cost-effectiveness was determined using an epidemiological retrospective cohort study and health economic modeling that compared the cohort of individuals who received two vaccine doses with the unvaccinated cohort with respect to incidence of infection, incidence of severe COVID-19 forms, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and medical costs. During the pre-omicron phase, primary-series vaccination incurred an additional cost of $104,422,358, led to a gain of 724.7 QALYs, and savings of$54,790,858 in direct medical costs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was $68,485 per QALY gained. The number needed to vaccinate was 35.4 individuals (95$3,180 (95% CI: $2,189-$4,484) and per severe COVID-19 outcome averted was $64,468 (95$42,146-$88,354). Vaccination of individuals ≥50 years of age, those more clinically vulnerable to severe COVID-19, and those with multiple coexisting conditions was substantially more cost-effective. Cost-effectiveness of primary-series vaccination was substantially reduced during the omicron phase, but vaccination remained cost-effective. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the findings. Primary-series vaccination was cost-effective with an ICER below the 1 GDP per capita threshold during the pre-omicron phase and within the 1–3 GDP per capita thresholds during the omicron phase. Targeted vaccination strategies for those most vulnerable to COVID-19 were the most cost-effective and remained essential, even in situations of moderate vaccine effectiveness or reduced infection severity