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The interplay between subcritical fluctuations and import: understanding COVID-19 epidemiology dynamics | The effective reproduction ratio r(t) parameter of an epidemic, defined as the average number of secondary infected cases per infectious case in a population in the current state, including both susceptible and non-susceptible hosts, controls the transition between a sub-critical threshold regime (r(t) < 1) and a supercritical threshold regime r(t) > 1). While in sub-critical regimes, an index infected case will cause an outbreak that will die out sooner or later, with large fluctuations observed when approaching the epidemic threshold, the supercritical regimes leads to an exponential growths of infection. The super- or sub-critical regime of an outbreak is often not distinguished when close to the epidemic threshold, but its behaviour is of major importance to understand the course of an epidemic and public health management of disease control. In a sub-critical parameter regime undetected infection, here called imported case or import, i.e. a susceptible individual becoming infected from outside the study area e.g., can either spark recurrent isolated outbreaks or keep the ongoing levels of infection, but cannot cause an exponential growths of infection. However, when the community transmission becomes super-critical, any index case or few imported cases will lead the epidemic to an exponential growths of infections, hence being distinguished from the sub-critical dynamics by a critical epidemic threshold in which large fluctuations occur in stochastic versions of the considered processes. As a continuation of the COVID-19 Basque Modeling Task Force (BMTF), we now investigate the role of critical fluctuations and import in basic Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible (SIS) and Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) epidemiological models on disease spreading dynamics. Without loss of generality, these simple models can be treated analytically and, when considering the mean field approximation of more complex underlying stochastic and eventually spatially extended or generalized network processes, results can be applied to more complex models used to describe the COVID-19 epidemics. In this paper, we explore possible features of the course of an epidemic, showing that the sub-critical regime can explain the dynamic behaviour of COVID-19 spreading in the Basque Country, with this theory supported by real data. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Effects of a single bolus of hydroxocobalamin on hemodynamics in vasodilatory shock. | PURPOSE Hydroxocobalamin has been observed to cause transient hypertension in healthy subjects, but rigorous studies examining its efficacy are lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adults in shock who received hydroxocobalamin from 2017 to 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Hourly hemodynamics from 24 h before and after treatment were collected, and the difference and hourly change of mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and norepinephrine-equivalent dose (NED) were examined in mixed-effects models. RESULTS This study included 3992 hemodynamic data points from 35 patients and is the largest case series to date. In the mixed effects model, there was no difference in MAP 24-h after hydroxocobalamin administration (estimated fixed effect [EFE] -0.2 mmHg, p = 0.89). A two-piecewise mixed model found that the hourly change in MAP was not different from zero in either the pre-administration (EFE 0.0 mmHg/h, p = 0.80) or post-administration segments (EFE 0.0 mmHg/h, p = 0.55). Analysis of the SBP, DBP, and NED also found similar insignificant results. CONCLUSIONS Although hydroxocobalamin has been observed to cause hypertension in healthy subjects, our results suggest that in patients with shock, hydroxocobalamin may not be effective in improving hemodynamics at 24 h after administration. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Using control charts to understand community variation in COVID-19 | Decision-makers need signals for action as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic progresses. Our aim was to demonstrate a novel use of statistical process control to provide timely and interpretable displays of COVID-19 data that inform local mitigation and containment strategies. Healthcare and other industries use statistical process control to study variation and disaggregate data for purposes of understanding behavior of processes and systems and intervening on them. We developed control charts at the county and city/neighborhood level within one state (California) to illustrate their potential value for decision-makers. We found that COVID-19 rates vary by region and subregion, with periods of exponential and non-exponential growth and decline. Such disaggregation provides granularity that decision-makers can use to respond to the pandemic. The annotated time series presentation connects events and policies with observed data that may help mobilize and direct the actions of residents and other stakeholders. Policy-makers and communities require access to relevant, accurate data to respond to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Control charts could prove valuable given their potential ease of use and interpretability in real-time decision-making and for communication about the pandemic at a meaningful level for communities. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Emergence and adaptive evolution of Nipah virus | Since its first emergence in 1998 in Malaysia, Nipah virus (NiV) has become a great threat to domestic animals and humans. Sporadic outbreaks associated with human‐to‐human transmission caused hundreds of human fatalities. Here, we collected all available NiV sequences and combined phylogenetics, molecular selection, structural biology and receptor analysis to study the emergence and adaptive evolution of NiV. NiV can be divided into two main lineages including the Bangladesh and Malaysia lineages. We formly confirmed a significant association with geography which is probably the result of long‐term evolution of NiV in local bat population. The two NiV lineages differ in many amino acids; one change in the fusion protein might be involved in its activation via binding to the G protein. We also identified adaptive and positively selected sites in many viral proteins. In the receptor‐binding G protein, we found that sites 384, 386 and especially 498 of G protein might modulate receptor‐binding affinity and thus contribute to the host jump from bats to humans via the adaption to bind the human ephrin‐B2 receptor. We also found that site 1645 in the connector domain of L was positive selected and involved in adaptive evolution; this site might add methyl groups to the cap structure present at the 5′‐end of the RNA and thus modulate its activity. This study provides insight to assist the design of early detection methods for NiV to assess its epidemic potential in humans. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Conversion of Plastic Waste to Carbon-Based Compounds and Application in Energy Storage Devices | [Image: see text] At present, plastic waste accumulation has been observed as one of the most alarming environmental challenges, affecting all forms of life, economy, and natural ecosystems, worldwide. The overproduction of plastic materials is mainly due to human population explosion as well as extraordinary proliferation in the global economy accompanied by global productivity. Under this threat, the development of benign and green alternative solutions instead of traditional disposal methods such as conversion of plastic waste materials into cherished carbonaceous nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon quantum dots (CQDs), graphene, activated carbon, and porous carbon is of utmost importance. This critical review thoroughly summarizes the different types of daily used plastics, their types, properties, ways of accumulation and their effect on the environment and human health, treatment of waste materials, conversion of waste materials into carbon-based compounds through different synthetic schemes, and their utilization in energy storage devices particularly in supercapacitors, as well as future perspectives. The main purpose of this review is to help the targeted audience to design their futuristic study in this desired field by providing information about the work done in the past few years. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Potential sources of moral distress during COVID-19: Perspectives of hospice interdisciplinary teams. | OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 on hospice Interdisciplinary team (IDT) members' self-reported stress and identify possible sources of moral distress. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted using Qualtrics to understand the impact of COVID-19 on quality improvement initiative implementation and hospice IDT members' general and dementia-specific care provision. Directed qualitative content analysis was used to analyze hospice IDT members' responses from five open-ended survey questions that were indicative of stress and possible moral distress. RESULTS The final sample consisted of 101 unique respondents and 175 comments analyzed. Three categories related to sources of moral distress based on hospice IDT member survey responses were identified: (1) impact of telehealth, personal protective equipment (PPE), and visit restrictions on relationships; (2) lack of COVID-19-specific skills; and (3) organizational climate. Sources of moral distress were categorized in 40% of all responses analyzed. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS This study is one of the first to document and confirm evidence of potential stress and moral distress amongst hospice IDT members during COVID-19. It is imperative given the possible negative impact on patient care and clinician well-being, that future research and interventions incorporate mechanisms to support clinicians' emotional and ethical attunement and support organizations to actively engage in practices that address clinician moral distress resulting from restrictive environments, such as the one necessitated by COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Mobile Footprinting: Linking Individual Distinctiveness in Mobility Patterns to Mood, Sleep, and Brain Functional Connectivity | Mapping individual differences in behavior is fundamental to personalized neuroscience. Here, we establish that statistical patterns of smartphone-based mobility features represent unique “footprints” that allow individual identification. Critically, mobility footprints exhibit varying levels of person-specific distinctiveness and are associated with individual differences in affective instability, circadian irregularity, and brain functional connectivity. Together, this work suggests that real-world mobility patterns may provide an individual-specific signature linking brain, behavior, and mood. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Revealing Potential Bioactive Compounds and Mechanisms of Lithospermum erythrorhizon against COVID-19 via Network Pharmacology Study | Lithospermum erythrorhizon (LE) is known in Korean traditional medicine for its potent therapeutic effect and antiviral activity. Currently, coronavirus (COVID-19) disease is a developing global pandemic that can cause pneumonia. A precise study of the infection and molecular pathway of COVID-19 is therefore obviously important. The compounds of LE were identified from the Natural Product Activity and Species Source (NPASS) database and screened by SwissADME. The targets interacted with the compounds and were selected using the Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA) and Swiss Target Prediction (STP) methods. PubChem was used to classify targets linked to COVID-19. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks and signaling pathways–targets–bioactive compounds (STB) networks were constructed by RPackage. Lastly, we performed the molecular docking test (MDT) to verify the binding affinity between significant complexes through AutoDock 1.5.6. The Natural Product Activity and Species Source (NPASS) revealed a total of 82 compounds from LE, which interacted with 1262 targets (SEA and STP), and 249 overlapping targets were identified. The 19 final overlapping targets from the 249 targets and 356 COVID-19 targets were ultimately selected. A bubble chart exhibited that inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway could be a key mechanism of LE on COVID-19. The three key targets (RELA, TNF, and VEGFA) directly related to the MAPK signaling pathway, and methyl 4-prenyloxycinnamate, tormentic acid, and eugenol were related to each target and had the most stable binding affinity. The three bioactive effects on the three key targets might be synergistic effects to alleviate symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Overall, this study shows that LE can play a role in alleviating COVID-19 symptoms, revealing that the three components (bioactive compounds, targets, and mechanism) are the most significant elements of LE against COVID-19. However, the promising mechanism of LE on COVID-19 is only predicted on the basis of mining data;the efficacy of the chemical compounds and the affinity between compounds and the targets in experiment was ignored, which should be further substantiated through clinical trials. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
COVID-19 in perinatal period: questions and consequences | BACKGROUND: The effect of COVID-19 infection on newborn babies is not yet clear. Babies born to pregnant women with suspected or proven COVID-19 or babies who had contact with infected people are considered to be at risk. In this review, intrauterine problems that may be caused by COVID-19 infection, delivery room approach, postnatal follow-up, precautions and controversies regarding breastfeeding and vaccination are discussed. METHODS: The articles published between March 2020 and June 2021 were searched in Pubmed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar databases using the keywords COVID-19 and newborn, perinatal period, vertical transmission, pregnancy, breast milk and vaccines. The updated information and recommendations are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Our knowledge of the perinatal and neonatal effects of COVID-19 infection changes rapidly. Therefore, close follow-up of the mother-infant dyads is important. Larger epidemiological and clinical cohort studies are needed to better understand the possible implications and long-term outcomes of COVID-19 infection and also maternal vaccination in newborn infants. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Human rights and the WHO FCTC Conference of the Parties | 'In the absence of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people in tobacco control worldwide would have been at the Hague, Netherlands, from 9-14 November for the 9th Conference of the Parties (COP9) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), advocating for even stronger policies against the tobacco epidemic The COP has been postponed to 2021, but the pandemic did not stop the global civil society from 'virtually' gathering to talk about the FCTC, where it is and where it is going ' | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A Rapid Bead-Based Assay For Screening Of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralising Antibodies | Quantitative determination of neutralizing antibodies against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is paramount in immunodiagnostics, vaccine efficacy testing, and immune response profiling among the vaccinated population. Cost-effective, rapid, easy-to-perform assays are essential to support the vaccine development process and immunosurveillance studies. Here, we describe a bead-based screening assay for S1-neutralization using recombinant fluorescent proteins of hACE2 and SARS-CoV2-S1, immobilized on solid beads employing nanobodies /metal-affinity tags. Nanobody-mediated capture of SARS-CoV-2 - Spike (S1) on agarose beads served as the trap for soluble recombinant ACE2-GFPSpark, inhibited by neutralizing antibody. The first approach demonstrates single-color fluorescent imaging of ACE2-GFPspark binding to His-tagged S1-Receptor Binding Domain (RBD-His) immobilized beads. The second approach is dual-color imaging of soluble ACE2-GFPSpark to S1-Orange Fluorescent Protein (S1-OFPSpark) beads. Both methods showed a good correlation with the gold standard pseudovirion assay and can be adapted to any fluorescent platforms for screening. Life-time imaging of the ACE2-GFPSpark confirmed the interaction of ACE2 and S1-OFPSpark on beads. The self-renewable source of secreted recombinant proteins from stable cells and its direct use without necessitating purification renders the platform a cost-effective and rapid one than the popular pseudovirion assay and live virus-based assays. Any laboratory with minimum expertise can rapidly perform this bead assay for neutralizing antibody detection using stable engineered cells. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Fracture of a femoral hemodialysis catheter during placement in a man with metastatic cancer. | Central venous catheterization can be challenging in patients that had undergone repeated catheter placements. Ultrasound scan may overlook venous stenosis which is better visualized using venography. The use of venography should be considered to assess for venous stenosis or vascular anomalies in individuals with multiple catheterizations or in close proximity to cancer. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Non-autoimmune diabetes mellitus and the risk of virus infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies | A significant number of studies invoked diabetes as a risk factor for virus infections, but the issue remains controversial. We aimed to examine whether non-autoimmune diabetes mellitus enhances the risk of virus infections compared with the risk in healthy individuals without non-autoimmune diabetes mellitus. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed case-control and cohort studies on the association between non-autoimmune diabetes and viruses. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science with no language restriction, to identify articles published until February 15, 2021. The main outcome assessment was the risk of virus infection in individuals with non-autoimmune diabetes. We used a random-effects model to pool individual studies and assessed heterogeneity (I(2)) using the χ2 test on Cochrane’s Q statistic. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42019134142. Out of 3136 articles identified, we included 68 articles (90 studies, as the number of virus and or diabetes phenotype varied between included articles). The summary OR between non-autoimmune diabetes and virus infections risk were, 10.8(95% CI: 10.3–11.4; 1-study) for SARS-CoV-2; 3.6(95%CI: 2.7–4.9, I(2) = 91.7%; 43-studies) for HCV; 2.7(95% CI: 1.3–5.4, I(2) = 89.9%, 8-studies;) for HHV8; 2.1(95% CI: 1.7–2.5; 1-study) for H1N1 virus; 1.6(95% CI: 1.2–2.13, I(2) = 98.3%, 27-studies) for HBV; 1.5(95% CI: 1.1–2.0; 1-study) for HSV1; 3.5(95% CI: 0.6–18.3 , I(2) = 83.9%, 5-studies) for CMV; 2.9(95% CI: 1–8.7, 1-study) for TTV; 2.6(95% CI: 0.7–9.1, 1-study) for Parvovirus B19; 0.7(95% CI: 0.3–1.5 , 1-study) for coxsackie B virus; and 0.2(95% CI: 0–6.2; 1-study) for HGV. Our findings suggest that, non-autoimmune diabetes is associated with increased susceptibility to viruses especially SARS-CoV-2, HCV, HHV8, H1N1 virus, HBV and HSV1. Thus, these viruses deserve more attention from diabetes health-care providers, researchers, policy makers, and stakeholders for improved detection, overall proper management, and efficient control of viruses in people with non-autoimmune diabetes. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Metabolic Syndrome Associated with Tobacco and Caffeine Products Use Among Refugee Adolescents: Risk of Dyslipidemia | INTRODUCTION: Due to their stressful lives, Palestinian refugees are prone to use cognitive enhancers (CE) and psychostimulant substances (PS). Recognising health problems associated with CE/PS use can indicate how preventive programs should be directed towards adolescents. Unfortunately, research has not thoroughly investigated the health problems related to tobacco and caffeine products, the most socially acceptable CE/PS among Palestinian refugee adolescents. METHODOLOGY: In 2021, schoolchildren from five Palestinian refugee camps (N=271) aged 12-<16 years agreed to give blood samples and to be interviewed to address the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and tobacco smoking, coffee, energy drinks (ED), black tea, and chocolate consumption. MetS was diagnosed based on International Diabetic Federation Criteria. To address the association, we used binary logistic regression models adjusted to age, gender, BMI, and central obesity. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS was [17 (6.3%)]; (7.4%) in males, (5.1%) in females. The prevalence of substance use was as follows: ED [163 (48.9%)], coffee [255 (76.6%)], black tea [295 (89.1%)], cigarette [35 (10.5%)], waterpipe [59 (17.7%)], and chocolate [309 (93.6%)], with male predominance. Cigarette smokers have increased central obesity (p-value=0.024), and decreased HDL-cholesterol (p-value=0.015) than non-smokers. Similar results were observed for waterpipe smokers besides the increased levels of triglycerides (p-value=0.01). ED consumers have increased central obesity (p-value=0.03) and fast blood sugar (p-value=0.003) than non-consumers. Chocolate consumers have decreased central obesity (p-value=0.008) and increased HDL levels (p-value=0.04) than non-consumers. ED consumers were significantly at higher risk of MetS (OR=9.97, p-value=0.019) than non-consumers and chocolate consumers were at lower risk of MetS (OR=0.14, p-value=0.046) than non-consumers. Waterpipe smokers were at a higher risk of having increased plasma triglycerides than non-consumers (OR=3.4, p-value=0.03). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of ED consumption and waterpipe smoking in Palestinian refugee adolescents is problematic. Their use was associated with higher odds of MetS, dyslipidemia, and central obesity, which justifies greater attention. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
SARS-CoV-2 and Burkholderia cenocepacia infection in a patient with Cystic Fibrosis: An unfavourable conjunction? | The effects of the concomitant infection by COVID-19 and Burkholderia cepacia (Bc) in CF are not known. We describe the case of a 34 years woman with CF, colonized by Bc and found SARS-CoV2 positive. In the first hospital week she suffered acute respiratory failure and chest imaging showed interstitial involvement and multiple thickenings. She was treated with antibiotics, dexamethasone, remdesivir and heparin, with gradual improvement and discharge at day 20th. The reciprocal role of SARS-CoV-2 and Bc, their potential interactions and the contribution of the individual therapies to the favourable outcome are unclear. It is debatable whether it was SARS-CoV2 that triggered a Bc pulmonary exacerbation or if the chronic Bc infection facilitated the development of a COVID-19 more aggressive than usually seen in CF. If the latter hypothesis were confirmed by similar cases, Bc colonization should be regarded as a risk factor for severe COVID-19 expression in CF. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Acute stress of the healthcare workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic evolution: a cross-sectional study in Spain | OBJECTIVES: To determine the volume of health professionals who suffered distress due to their care of patients with COVID-19 and to analyse the direction in which the response capacity of the professionals to face future waves of COVID-19 is evolving. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary care and hospitals in Spain. PARTICIPANTS: A non-randomised sample of 685 professionals (physicians, nurses and other health staff). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency and intensity of stress responses measured by the Acute Stress of Health Professionals Caring COVID-19 Scale (EASE). Variation of stress responses according to the number of deaths per day per territory and the evolutionary stage of the COVID-19 outbreak measured by the Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: The average score on the EASE Scale was 11.1 (SD 6.7) out of 30. Among the participants, 44.2% presented a good emotional adjustment, 27.4% a tolerable level of distress, 23.9% medium–high emotional load and 4.5% extreme acute stress. The stress responses were more intense in the most affected territories (12.1 vs 9.3, p=0.003) and during the disillusionment phase (12.7 vs 8.5 impact, 10.2 heroic and 9.8 honeymoon, p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic has affected the mental health of a significant proportion of health professionals which may reduce their resilience in the face of future waves of COVID-19. The institutional approaches to support the psychological needs of health professionals are essential to ensure optimal care considering these results. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Comparison of HRCT chest and RT-PCR in diagnosis of COVID-19 | Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracies of HRCT chest and RT-PCR results in diagnosis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a tertiary care hospital in Lahore Study Design: Descriptive study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiology and Central Research Lab, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, from April to July, 2020 Methodology: Patients aged 18 to 83 years, who had clinically suspected symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough/sore throat or shortness of breath) presenting in outpatient or emergency department, were included These patients had their HRCT chest conducted from Radiology Department and RT-PCR performed at Central Research Lab These data were retrieved from electronic system of PACS Results were categorised into positive and negative findings for COVID-19 Diagnostic accuracies of HRCT chest and first RT-PCR along with 95% confidence interval were calculated Results: A total of 94 patients, 55 (58 5%) males and 39 (41 5%) were females Out of them, 83% patients had positive HRCT chest findings of COVID-19, 17% had negative HRCT chest findings;while 40 4% had positive and 59 6% had negative first PCR Among the repeat second PCR, 19 6% had negative, 1 8% had positive PCR results;while 78 6% patients didn’t undergo repeat PCR The sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV and accuracy of HRCT chest was 92%, 23%, 81%, 45%, and 51%;while of first RT-PCR was 45%, 81%, 23%, 92% and 51%, respectively Conclusion: The sensitivity of HRCT chest is higher (92%) as compared to first RT-PCR (45%) © 2021 College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan All rights reserved | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Coumarin carbonic anhydrase inhibitors from natural sources | Coumarins constitute a relatively new class of inhibitors of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), possessing a unique inhibition mechanism, acting as “prodrug inhibitors.” They undergo the hydrolysis of the lactone ring mediated by the esterase activity of CA. The formed 2-hydroxy-cinnamic acids thereafter bind within a very particular part of the enzyme active site, at its entrance, where a high variability of amino acid residues among the different mammalian CA isoforms is present, and where other inhibitors classes were not seen bound earlier. This explains why coumarins are among the most isoform-selective CA inhibitors known to date among the many chemotypes endowed with such biological activity. As coumarins are widespread secondary metabolites in some bacteria, plants, fungi, and ascidians, many such compounds from various natural sources have been investigated for their CA inhibitory properties and for possible biomedical applications, mainly as anticancer agents targeting hypoxic tumours. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Personalized E-Learning Based on Ant Colony Optimization | With the advancement in technology, the approach to learning has also been modified. “Standardization” and “One-size-fits-all” has become an outdated concept. To adjust to the changing learning approaches, e-learning came into being, but this was not as per the knowledge and intelligence of users. This created a hurdle in the achievement of better learning and acquisition of skills. This calls for the provision of personalization in e-learning. Successful implementation of personalized e-learning in the present education system will lead to better and faster learning by adapting as per the preferences and knowledge of students. The core idea behind this research is to make an application using Android, which provides a personalized and adaptable route of e-learning using Ant Colony Optimization and recommendations from similar peers. This research will cater to the needs of many students, and it will help in decreasing the time taken to complete any subject or course. It will also help in attaining better and efficient learning as the learning route is determined as per the user. Also, the collection of records of every user will help in improving efficiency and accuracy in the determination of the learning path. The developed app aiming for adaptative e-learning can act as a promising solution during the Covid-19 scenario. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Changes and compromises in health choices during COVID-19 lockdown in kathmandu valley: A descriptive cross-sectional study | Introduction: Nepal government enforced a lockdown as a social distancing measure to curb the COVID-19 pandemic The lockdown has led to compromises in day to day choices like food, exercise, sleep, self-care routines and utilization of healthcare facilities - directly and indirectly influencing aspects of health Identification of compromised health choices can assist in better planning of inevitable future crises Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study based on an online self-administered questionnaire, done using CHERRIES criteria, conducted from March 30, 2020, to July 31, 2020 conducted in Kathmandu valley via convenience sampling Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ethical Review Board of Nepal Health Research Council (Registration number: 2119;300/2020 P) Descriptive statistics was used for analysis Results: Our study had 340 (51%) female and 325 (48 7%) male participants A total of 112 (67 9%) reported decreased consumption of tobacco and 178 (53 6%) reported decreased consumption of alcohol during the lockdown period Participants who reported that they would have visited a hospital if they had a flu-like illness increased from 151 (22 6%) pre-pandemic to 391 (58 6%) post-pandemic Increase in news consumption was reported by 528 (79 2%) Out of 43 (6 4%) participants with a chronic condition, 30 (69 8%) reported having missed follow up due to the lockdown Conclusions: The health of an individual is determined by various choices s/he makes on a day to day basis Many of those choices are in turn influenced by the availability and accessibility of commodities Lessons learned from the affected lives due to COVID-19 can be used in proper planning of inevitable future crises | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Using SNSs for early detection of disease outbreak in developing countries: evidence from COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria | Developing countries, particularly Nigeria, continually find it challenging to proactively and actively carry out early-stage surveillance for disease outbreaks due to the lack of quality workforce, a dearth of public health data, and the absence of automated surveillance systems in the country. This study presents the potential and ability of Twitter in tracking early detection of COVID-19, monitoring the dissemination of information, and exploration of public awareness and attitudes among Nigerians. Tweets mentioning COVID-19 and related keywords were collected in 11 batches via the NCapture™ plugin available on Google Chrome from February 20 - May 6, 2020. The analysis includes a time series analysis to track the distribution of data and content analysis to analyze the knowledge and attitudes of Nigerians. A total of 67,989 tweets (1,484 unique and 66,505 retweets) citing COVID-19 and related keywords were returned. The Tweets started to emerge earlier to the first confirmed case in Nigeria while maintaining a dangling-upward movement up to the 11th week under study. Matters arising from the tweets include a dearth of information on COVID-19 and optimism among others. The results provide insight into the intersection of SNSs and public health surveillance. Results show how helpful Twitter is to educate education in public health. Health organizations and the government may benefit from paying attention to both amusing and emotional contents from the Twitter community to formulate a viable policy for treatment and control. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome and shock after COVID-19 in an adult | INTRODUCTION: We describe a case of a critically ill adult patient with a history of COVID-19 who presents with new cardiomyopathy, fever, and rash He was successfully treated with IVIg and corticosteroids with immediate and dramatic improvement in cardiac function and fever We propose the post-COVID-19 inflammatory syndrome affects adults though it has been widely reported in children METHODS: A 42-year-old male with no known past medical history presented to our hospital with three days of fevers, a diffuse rash, bilateral conjunctivitis, diarrhea, and worsening encephalopathy On arrival, he was febrile to 105F and hypotensive to 88/61 mmHg despite fluid resuscitation The patient had no medical history He was admitted to the medical intensive care unit and treated with norepinephrine for shock and treated with broad spectrum antibiotics Transthoracic echocardiography showed severely reduced LV systolic function EKG showed sinus tachycardia at 142BPM without ST-segment abnormality Labs showed thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, hyponatremia, and elevated C-reactive protein He was admitted to our intensive care unit for presumed septic shock requiring norepinephrine PCR testing for COVID-19 was negative but on day three, the patient reported a history of COVID-19 one month ago His COVID-19 antibody test was positive On day four he received 1mg/kg of IVIg, 1mg/kg of intravenous methylprednisolone BID, and 81mg of aspirin daily This treatment course was based on our children's hospital's protocol for treating children with MIS-C After 24 hours of treatment, the patient was afebrile and his LV dysfunction and encephalopathy had totally resolved RESULTS: Several syndromes have been ascribed to COVID-19, including pneumonia, myocardial injury, thrombosis, and renal failure A separate entity has been described after COVID-19 in children, MIS-C This syndrome, considered a post-infectious inflammatory state, shares many similarities with Kawasaki Disease and there are several reports of treatment with IVIg and steroids Our patient was successfully treated using the protocol developed at our children's hospital for MIS-C A multisystem inflammatory syndrome that mimics KD can occur after COVID-19 in adults This presumed vasculitis can cause myocardial dysfunction and shock | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Impact of covid-19 pandemic on eating habits of the turkish population | Aim: This study was planned in order to reveal how the quarantine process applied in Turkey due to the pandemic has affected the eating habits of our society. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional comparative survey study. The study was carried out using the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition and sociodemographic data in the cities located in the west of Turkey: Eskisehir, Ankara, and Afyonkarahisar. The survey was applied twice to measure pre-quarantine and post-quarantine information, and completed by reaching 306 people via social media. Results: The majority of the participants in the study were women. The educational and socio-economic levels of the participants were found to be high. The body mass index of the majority of the participants in the study was in the normal or healthy weight status before quarantine, while it shifted to the over-weight status after quarantine. The total score of the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition and the knowledge level scores about nutrition were found to be higher than before quarantine. Discussions: Although the knowledge level of the individuals participating in the study about nutrition increased, it was found that this was not implemented much in practice. Due to the quarantine, individuals began to gain weight. During the quarantine process, ready-to-eat food consumption has decreased significantly. We can say that even though the consumption of ready-to-eat food increased a little after quarantine, it did not return to the previous levels. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
SARS-CoV-2 Infection with Different Radiological Insights | Severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel viral infection characterized by several symptoms range from mild to severe clinical conditions that could lead to death. We report two different radiological findings on computed tomography (CT) in two patients affected by SARS-CoV-2: a lung acute embolism (APE) in the first case and a radiological picture of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the second case. This is an important issue to be identified in order to provide more specific therapy earlier, including both antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs associated with anti anticoagulant therapy. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Principles and Challenges in anti-COVID-19 Vaccine Development | The number of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients keeps rising in most of the European countries despite the pandemic precaution measures. The current antiviral and anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches are only supportive, have limited efficacy, and the prevention in reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus is the best hope for public health. It is presumed that an effective vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection could mobilize the innate and adaptive immune responses and provide a protection against severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. As the race for the effective and safe vaccine has begun, different strategies were introduced. To date, viral vector-based vaccines, genetic vaccines, attenuated vaccines, and protein-based vaccines are the major vaccine types tested in the clinical trials. Over 80 clinical trials have been initiated; however, only 18 vaccines have reached the clinical phase II/III or III, and 4 vaccine candidates are under consideration or have been approved for the use so far. In addition, the protective effect of the off-target vaccines, such as Bacillus Calmette-Guérin and measles vaccine, is being explored in randomized prospective clinical trials with SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. In this review, we discuss the most promising anti-COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials and different vaccination strategies in order to provide more clarity into the ongoing clinical trials. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Examination of University Students' Attitudes towards E-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic Process and the Relationship of Digital Citizenship | The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on people's social interaction and has brought changes on education, environment and economy. COVID-19, which affects every aspect of life, has produced results that require re-evaluating the perspective on education. Distance learning, digital learning, e-learning has reshaped education in many ways. There can be a chance of the pandemic in the digital age to turn into an advantage for the education sector. In this period, it can be said that those who have high interest in technology move more easily in distance education and e-learning processes. In this context, expressing the best skills in the digital age, it was thought that the concept of digital citizenship would have positive effects on e-learning. This study is a relational survey and tested by establishing a relationship between digital citizenship and e-learning. The study was conducted among higher education students. It has been observed that there is a positive relationship between digital citizenship behaviors and e-learning attitudes. In addition, it has been observed that the negative anxiety of students due to the pandemic is reflected in their e-learning processes. However, overall results show that digital citizenship behavior digital learning process could be a positive response to COVID-19 closure period. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Time scale of glycation in collagen of bovine pericardium-derived bio-tissues. | Glycosyl-ation is the process of combining one or more glucose molecules (or other monosaccharides) with molecules of a different nature (which are therefore glycosyl-ated). In biochemistry, glycosyl-ation is catalyzed by several specific enzymes, and assumes considerable importance since it occurs mainly at the expense of proteins and phospho-lipids which are thus transformed into glycoproteins and glycolipids. Conversely, in diabetes and aging, glycation of proteins is a phenomenon of non-enzymatic nature and thus not easily controlled. Glycation of collagen distorts its structure, renders the extracellular matrix stiff and brittle and at the same time lowers the degradation susceptibility thereby preventing renewal. Based on models detailed in this paper and with parameters determined from experimental data, we describe the glycation of type 1 collagen in bovine pericardium derived bio-tissues, upon incubation in glucose and ribose. With arginine and lysine/hy-droxy-lysine amino acids as the primary sites of glycation and assuming that the topological polar surface area of the sugar molecules determines the glycation rates, we modelled the glycation as a function of time and determined the glycation rate and thus the progression of glycation as well as the resulting volume increase. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Comparing Training Techniques in Personal Protective Equipment Use. | INTRODUCTION Physicians' management of hazardous material (HAZMAT) incidents requires personal protective equipment (PPE) utilization to ensure the safety of victims, facilities, and providers; therefore, providing effective and accessible training in its use is crucial. While an emphasis has been placed on the importance of PPE, there is debate about the most effective training methods. Circumstances may not allow for a traditional in-person demonstration; an accessible video training may provide a useful alternative. HYPOTHESIS Video training of Emergency Medicine (EM) residents in the donning and doffing of Level C PPE is more effective than in-person training. NULL HYPOTHESIS Video training of EM residents in the donning and doffing of Level C PPE is equally effective compared with in-person training. METHODS A randomized, controlled pilot trial was performed with 20 EM residents as part of their annual Emergency Preparedness training. Residents were divided into four groups, with Group 1 and Group 2 viewing a demonstration video developed by the Emergency Preparedness Team (EPT) and Group 3 and Group 4 receiving the standard in-person demonstration training by an EPT member. The groups then separately performed a donning and doffing simulation while blinded evaluators assessed critical tasks utilizing a prepared evaluation tool. At the drill's conclusion, all participants also completed a self-evaluation survey about their subjective interpretations of their respective trainings. RESULTS Both video and in-person training modalities showed significant overall improvement in participants' confidence in doffing and donning PPE equipment (P <.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found in the number of failed critical tasks in donning or doffing between the training modalities (P >.05). Based on these results, the null hypothesis cannot be rejected. However, these results were limited by the small sample size and the study was not sufficiently powered to show a difference between training modalities. CONCLUSION In this pilot study, video and in-person training were equally effective in training for donning and doffing Level C PPE, with similar error rates in both modalities. Further research into this subject with an appropriately powered study is warranted to determine whether this equivalence persists using a larger sample size. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients with Recurrent PCR Positivity After Hospital Discharge | Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with recurrent SARS-CoV-2 positivity after hospital discharge. Methods: : This retrospective study included COVID-19 patients who were readmitted for recurrence of positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the risk factors associated to the duration of recurrent RNA positivity. Results: : Among the 287 discharged COVID-19 patients, 33 (11.5%) patients with recurrent PCR positivity were included. Among these patients, 21 (63.7%) patients were female, their mean age was 48.7 (±19.7) years old. 22 (66.7%) patients were asymptomatic. The following clinical features were presented in other patients: cough, fatigue, sore throat, fever and expectoration. The chest CT findings revealed that 8 (24.2%) patients were characterized by deterioration compared to the previous results. The median duration of recurrent RNA positivity was 9.0 days (IQR, 6.0, 15.0). We found that increased serum SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibody titer, elevated serum creatinine level, and female gender were the risk factors for the prolonged duration of recurrent RNA positivity. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 turned positive in a minority of discharged patients with COVID-19. Most patients experienced mild clinical course. Increased IgG antibody titer, creatinine and female gender were correlated to the prolonged RNA clearance time. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Measurement of health-related quality of life in pediatric organ transplantation recipients: a systematic review of the PedsQL transplant module. | OBJECTIVE To collect and assess the extant empirical literature assessing disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in pediatric transplant recipients using the PedsQL 3.0 Transplant Module (PedsQL-TM) assessment. STUDY DESIGN A systematic search and review procedure was conducted of research reporting use and results of the PedsQL-TM with samples of pediatric heart, liver, kidney, and lung transplantation. Searches were conducted in nine scholarly databases and two additional sources to identify unpublished research. Multiple reviewers screened studies meeting inclusion criteria in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS A final sample of nine studies reported findings for the PedsQL-TM with pediatric organ transplant recipients. Most studies relied on either kidney or liver transplant recipients from single pediatric transplant centers. Factor validity of the PedsQL-TM and inter-rater reliability (IRR) between patients and parents have not been adequately determined. Internal consistency reliability was found as acceptable or excellent across multiple studies. PedsQL-TM scores were found to vary with other HRQOL issues, yet few studies examined their association with medication adherence or posttransplant health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS With the goal of enhancing and sustaining HRQOL in pediatric organ transplant recipients, the need for a psychometrically valid and reliable measure of transplant-specific HRQOL is apparent. Research on the PedsQL-TM supports the promise of this measure although future efforts should be taken to examine measurement issues such as factor validity and IRR. Assessing transplant-specific HRQOL in these patients is paramount for their care and appropriate decision-making by patients, families, and the transplant team. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Associated Worsening of Diabetic Ketoacidosis Presentation in Youth | The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a substantial impact on healthcare systems across the world. Initiatives such as social distancing and limitations of non-essential services, including conversion of in-person well-child visits to telehealth visits, were put in place to reduce the transmission of the virus[1, 2]. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
[Covid-19, myocarditis and return to play: it's time to be conservative.]/ Covid-19, miocarditi e ripresa dell'attività sportiva: quando è il momento di essere conservativi | Observational studies of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in people with recent covid-19, including young asymptomatic athletes, have documented variable amounts of myocardial findings deemed suggestive of myocarditis. Despite a critical appraisal of the current literature points toward an insufficient evidence base about the existence of a peculiar association between covid-19 and myocarditis, the concern for unrecognized myocarditis and its potential consequences has led several sports medicine organizations to recommend a variety of cardiac tests to enable return to play in athletes with previous covid-19. We argue that some of these recommendations may lead to unnecessary tests or treatments, especially for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive people and for those with previous mild disease, and that sports participation may even be discouraged. As a response to current uncertainty, we advocate both for randomized studies that analyse the outcomes of different diagnostic strategies and for a prolonged follow-up of these people. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Prospective study on the treatment of lower-extremity chronic venous and mixed ulcers using tissue-engineered skin substitute made by the self-assembly approach. | BACKGROUND Despite present optimal standard treatment of lower-extremity ulceration, a high incidence of recurrence and treatment failure is observed. The objective of this project was to evaluate the effect of a self-assembled skin substitute (SASS) made by tissue engineering as a temporary cutaneous dressing in the treatment of hard-to-heal chronic ulcers. PATIENTS AND METHODS The prospective uncontrolled case study includes patients suffering from venous or mixed ulcers lasting more than 6 months and unresponsive to compression therapy, with an Ankle Brachial Index greater than 0.5. Compression therapy was combined with the weekly application of SASS, produced from the patient's own skin cells, until healing. A weekly follow-up recorded wound size, skin aspect, pain, drainage, and percentage of wound healing. Photographs were also taken to assess ulcer evolution. RESULTS Fourteen ulcers present on 5 patients were treated. A mean of 6.7 SASS depositions by ulcer was required for healing. Two ulcers developed a minor wound infection, which was treated with oral antibiotics; another 2 ulcers recurred, and 1 healed with a second course of treatment, whereas 1 ulcer had a small recurrence treated with local wound care. CONCLUSION The authors' study suggests that the SASS used as a biological dressing is a promising treatment for hard-to-heal chronic venous and mixed ulcers that are unresponsive to compression therapy. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Palliative Opioids May Be a Bridge to Care for Rural Long-Term Care Facility Residents with Severe COVID-19 Symptoms | PURPOSE: Long term care facility (LTCF) residents are at high risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms, but those in rural and resource-limited areas, such as West Virginia (WV) and the larger Appalachian region, may experience delays in obtaining higher levels of medical care due to isolated geography and limited transportation. The study examined the outcomes between residents from 1 LCTF in WV who were moved to a hospital as compared to those remaining in the facility. METHODS: This cohort study compares mortality outcomes among severely symptomatic residents desiring hospitalization and those electing to stay at the facility receiving palliative opioids with supplemental oxygen. FINDINGS: Forty residents tested positive for COVID-19 with 11 developing severe respiratory symptoms. Eight residents elected to receive care at the LTCF while 3 desired hospitalization. Mortality was assessed at 4 time points and was not statistically different between those who were hospitalized versus those who received palliative opioids at the LTCF. Although not significant, the difference in mortality between those hospitalized (66.7%) and those receiving opioids at the LTCF (12.5%) in the acute phase trended toward significance (P = .072). Overall mortality at the 6-month time point among all residents who developed severe respiratory symptoms at this LTCF was 54.5%. CONCLUSIONS: LTCF residents choosing different levels of therapeutic intervention for severe COVID-19 symptoms had no mortality difference. Palliative opioids may be an effective treatment for LTCF residents with severe COVID-19 and also a bridge to care in rural areas with limited resources until more advanced treatments can be accessed. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The Assessments of Music Therapy for Dementia Based on the Cochrane Review | BACKGROUND: Research on music therapy for dementia has taken a variety of measures and has been slow to consolidate evidence. Examining the outcomes that are currently being investigated and the measures that have been used can be useful for future research on music therapy for dementia. OBJECTIVES: This study used cited original papers from a review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews to determine if there are items that should be measured or scales that should be used in conducting research on music therapy for dementia. The rating scales used and the outcomes examined were extracted. METHOD: We used Dodd's criteria to identify (1) the outcome domains examined in music therapy for dementia, (2) the measures used, and (3) the measures capable of detecting significant intervention effects. RESULT: A search for reviews was conducted, and 7 systematic reviews (78 articles) were identified. Among them, 30 articles met the inclusion criteria. The 30 articles examined 18 of the 38 items in Dodd's outcome categories, while 20 items were not examined, and 78 different survey methods were used. The items most frequently surveyed in the studies were psychiatric outcomes, cognitive functioning, and global quality of life general outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We found that many studies investigated cognitive function, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and quality of life; compared to BPSD, various types of rating scales were used for cognitive function. By standardizing the rating scales, we can contribute to the accumulation of evidence for music therapy for dementia. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Evolving Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Infectious Diseases Testing. | BACKGROUND Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are poised to transform infectious disease testing. Uniquely, infectious disease testing is technologically diverse spaces in laboratory medicine, where multiple platforms and approaches may be required to support clinical decision-making. Despite advances in laboratory informatics, the vast array of infectious disease data is constrained by human analytical limitations. Machine learning can exploit multiple data streams, including but not limited to laboratory information and overcome human limitations to provide physicians with predictive and actionable results. As a quickly evolving area of computer science, laboratory professionals should become aware of AI/ML applications for infectious disease testing as more platforms are become commercially available. CONTENT In this review we: (a) define both AI/ML, (b) provide an overview of common ML approaches used in laboratory medicine, (c) describe the current AI/ML landscape as it relates infectious disease testing, and (d) discuss the future evolution AI/ML for infectious disease testing in both laboratory and point-of-care applications. SUMMARY The review provides an important educational overview of AI/ML technique in the context of infectious disease testing. This includes supervised ML approaches, which are frequently used in laboratory medicine applications including infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, sepsis, hepatitis, malaria, meningitis, Lyme disease, and tuberculosis. We also apply the concept of "data fusion" describing the future of laboratory testing where multiple data streams are integrated by AI/ML to provide actionable clinical knowledge. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Molecular Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in FFPE Samples and Histopathologic Findings in Fatal SARS-CoV-2 Cases | OBJECTIVES: To report methods and findings of 2 autopsies with molecular evaluation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive individuals. METHODS: Postmortem examination was completed following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidelines. Numerous formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue types from each case were surveyed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). SARS-CoV-2 viral genome was sequenced by next-generation sequencing (NGS) from FFPE lung tissue blocks. RESULTS: Postmortem examinations revealed diffuse alveolar damage, while no viral-associated hepatic, cardiac, or renal damage was observed. Viral RNA was detected in lungs, bronchi, lymph nodes, and spleen in both cases using qRT-PCR method. RNA sequencing using NGS in case 1 revealed mutations most consistent with Western European Clade A2a with ORF1a L3606F mutation. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 testing and viral sequencing can be performed from FFPE tissue. Detection and sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in combination with morphological findings from postmortem tissue examination can aid in gaining a better understanding of the virus’s pathophysiologic effects on human health. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Racial differences and an increased systemic inflammatory response are seen in patients with COVID-19 and ischemic stroke | OBJECTIVE: To describe the difference in clinical presentation, including race, of ischemic stroke between patients with and without novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the association of inflammatory response with stroke severity. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study of patients (n=60) admitted with ischemic stroke between late March and early May 2020. All patients were tested for COVID-19 during admission. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data was collected through electronic medical record review. Descriptive statistics was performed to observe the differences between stroke patients with and without COVID-19. RESULTS: 60 hospitalized patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in the analysis. Nine were positive for COVID-19. African-Americans comprised of 55.6% of those that had COVID-19 and stroke and 37.7% of those with only stroke. Stroke patients with COVID-19 had a significantly higher NIHSS [18.4 (8.8)] and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) [7.3 (4.2) vs 3.8 (2.8); P=0.0137] than those without. Those with COVID-19 also had a significantly higher mortality rate (44.4% vs. 7.6%; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We observed a cohort of patients, including a large proportion of African-Americans, who developed ischemic stroke with or without COVID-19. An exaggerated inflammatory response, as indicated by NLR, likely plays a role in stroke severity among COVID-19 patients that concurrently develop ischemic stroke. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Perception and Feelings of Antenatal Women during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey | Introduction: To assess the level of anxiety and knowledge regarding COVID-19 amongst antenatal women Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in the antenatal clinics of KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, from 31 March to 25 April 2020 to assess pregnant women's knowledge of COVID-19, their perceptions of its impact upon pregnancy and psychological impact using the validated Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DHSS-21) Results: Of the 324 women who participated in the study, the mean age was 31 8 years (range, 20-45) The majority (53 7%) were multiparous with mean gestational age of 23 4 weeks (SD 10) The commonest sources of information were Internet-based social media platforms A significant proportion were unaware, or associated COVID-19 infection during pregnancy with fetal distress (82 1%), intrauterine death (71 3%), fetal anomalies (69 8%), miscarriages (64 8%), preterm labour (67 9%) and rupture of membranes (61 4%) A total of 116 (35 8%) women screened positive for anxiety, 59 (18 2%) for depression, and 36 (11 1%) for stress There was a significant association between household size and stress scores [B=0 0454 (95% CI, 0 0035-0 0873)] Women who associated COVID-19 infection with fetal anomalies and intrauterine fetal death had significantly higher anxiety scores [B=-0 395 (95% CI, -0 660 to -0 130) and B = -0 291 (95% CI, -0 562 to -0 021) respectively] Conclusion: Our study highlights that a lack of timely and reliable information on the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and its outcomes results in increased levels of depression, anxiety and stress The healthcare provider must address these issues urgently by providing evidence-based information using Internet-based resources and psychological support | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Winning the war against ICU-acquired weakness: new innovations in nutrition and exercise physiology. | Over the last 10 years we have significantly reduced hospital mortality from sepsis and critical illness. However, the evidence reveals that over the same period we have tripled the number of patients being sent to rehabilitation settings. Further, given that as many as half of the deaths in the first year following ICU admission occur post ICU discharge, it is unclear how many of these patients ever returned home. For those who do survive, the latest data indicate that 50-70% of ICU "survivors" will suffer cognitive impairment and 60-80% of "survivors" will suffer functional impairment or ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW). These observations demand that we as intensive care providers ask the following questions: "Are we creating survivors ... or are we creating victims?" and "Do we accomplish 'Pyrrhic Victories' in the ICU?" Interventions to address ICU-AW must have a renewed focus on optimal nutrition, anabolic/anticatabolic strategies, and in the future employ the personalized muscle and exercise evaluation techniques utilized by elite athletes to optimize performance. Specifically, strategies must include optimal protein delivery (1.2-2.0 g/kg/day), as an athlete would routinely employ. However, as is clear in elite sports performance, optimal nutrition is fundamental but alone is often not enough. We know burn patients can remain catabolic for 2 years post burn; thus, anticatabolic agents (i.e., beta-blockers) and anabolic agents (i.e., oxandrolone) will probably also be essential. In the near future, evaluation techniques such as assessing lean body mass at the bedside using ultrasound to determine nutritional status and ultrasound-measured muscle glycogen as a marker of muscle injury and recovery could be utilized to help find the transition from the acute phase of critical illness to the recovery phase. Finally, exercise physiology testing that evaluates muscle substrate utilization during exercise can be used to diagnose muscle mitochondrial dysfunction and to guide a personalized ideal heart rate, assisting in recovery of muscle mitochondrial function and functional endurance post ICU. In the end, future ICU-AW research must focus on using a combination of modern performance-enhancing nutrition, anticatabolic/anabolic interventions, and muscle/exercise testing so we can begin to create more "survivors" and fewer victims post ICU care. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
[Current issues in the rehabilitation of stroke patients against the background of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Resolution of the Council of Experts] | The pandemic of the new coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 has forced to reconsider the methods of rehabilitation of patients with emergency conditions, including neurology The Council of Experts of Neurologists and Rehabilitation Therapists gathered to develop unified approaches to manage stroke patients based on a discussion of practical experience and, taking into account the scientific information on COVID-19 that was available by the time of the meeting Stroke is a serious disabling condition that requires maximum rehabilitation efforts at all stages of medical care In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic, the process of medical rehabilitation and the routing of patients with stroke is undergoing major changes Combining COVID-19 and stroke requires new approaches to rehabilitation and patient management During the meeting, a resolution was developed in which the experts formulated the tactics of medical rehabilitation of patients with stroke and COVID-19 at the first and second stages The arguments of the importance and practicability of carrying out measures of medical rehabilitation at the third stage is given and the need to continue consultations on the indicated topic is revealed | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Media Exposure and Anxiety during COVID-19: The Mediation Effect of Media Vicarious Traumatization | The rapid spread and high death rates of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in massive panic and anxiety all over the world. People rely heavily on media for information-seeking during the period of social isolation. This study aimed to explore the relationship between media exposure and anxiety, and highlighted the underlying mechanisms mediated by the media vicarious traumatization effect. A total of 1118 Chinese citizens participated in the online survey, who were from 30 provinces in mainland China. Results showed that all four types of media (official media, commercial media, social media, and overseas media) cause vicarious traumatization to their audiences to different degrees. It was also found that the impact of media exposure on anxiety was mediated by media vicarious traumatization: there were full mediation effects for commercial media exposure and overseas media exposure, while there were indirect-only mediation effects for official media exposure and social media exposure. Audiences staying in cities with a relatively severe pandemic were more susceptible to the vicarious traumatization caused by commercial media compared to those staying in Hubei. This study expanded the concept and application of vicarious traumatization to the mediated context, and the findings provided insightful advice to media practitioners in the face of major crisis. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A review of non-surgical management of hand osteoarthritis | Introduction: Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a common musculoskeletal condition leading to pain and loss of function. Current treatment aims to target the symptoms of hand OA involving a combination of nonsurgical and surgical interventions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a renewed interest in conservative management. The purpose of this article is to review non-surgical therapies in hand OA, their mechanism of action and efficacy. Method: An online search of PubMed for articles between 1st January 2004- 1st February 2020 was performed according to specific terms and agreed inclusion criteria. Results: The search produced 289 results of which 28 met the inclusion criteria comprising 13 RCTs, 8 systematic reviews, 5 clinical trials and 2 international guidelines. Conclusions: Topical NSAIDs remain first-line pharmacological agents in the management of hand OA. Increasingly, oral NSAIDs have been recommended however their use must be balanced against their potential adverse effects. Supplementation with chondroitin sulfate may help to delay the structural damage in hand OA, which may reduce the need for oral NSAIDs. Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids are effective treatments and provide longer symptomatic relief, additionally hyaluronic acid may improve function over a longer period of time. Targeted hand exercises are widely recommended however may only provide short-term improvements and vary according to the different subtypes of hand OA. In summary, there are multiple conservative management options for hand OA which should be considered prior to operative intervention given the current restrictions on surgical practice. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Imaging Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic Highlights Socioeconomic Health Disparities | OBJECTIVE The devastating impact from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlights long-standing socioeconomic health disparities in the United States. The purpose of this study was to evaluate socioeconomic factors related to imaging utilization during the pandemic. METHODS Retrospective review of consecutive imaging examinations was performed from January 1, 2019, to May 31, 2020, across all service locations (inpatient, emergency, outpatient). Patient level data were provided for socioeconomic factors (age, gender, race, insurance status, residential zip code). Residential zip code was used to assign median income level. The weekly total imaging volumes in 2020 and 2019 were plotted from January 1 to May 31 stratified by socioeconomic factors to demonstrate the trends during the pre-COVID-19 (January 1 to February 28) and post-COVID-19 (March 1 to May 31) periods. Independent-samples t tests were used to statistically compare the 2020 and 2019 socioeconomic groups. RESULTS Compared with 2019, the 2020 total imaging volume in the post-COVID-19 period revealed statistically significant increased imaging utilization in patients who are aged 60 to 79 years (P = .0025), are male (P < .0001), are non-White (Black, Asian, other, unknown) (P < .05), are covered by Medicaid or uninsured (P < .05), and have income below $80,000 (P < .05). However, there was a significant decrease in imaging utilization among patients who are younger (<18 years old) (P < .0001), are female (P < .0001), are White (P = .0003), are commercially insured (P < .0001), and have income ≥$80,000 (P < .05). DISCUSSION During the pandemic, there was a significant change in imaging utilization varying by socioeconomic factors, consistent with the known health disparities observed in the prevalence of COVID-19. These findings could have significant implications in directing utilization of resources during the pandemic and subsequent recovery. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Overdispersion in COVID-19 increases the effectiveness of limiting nonrepetitive contacts for transmission control | Increasing evidence indicates that superspreading plays a dominant role in COVID-19 transmission. Recent estimates suggest that the dispersion parameter k for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is on the order of 0.1, which corresponds to about 10% of cases being the source of 80% of infections. To investigate how overdispersion might affect the outcome of various mitigation strategies, we developed an agent-based model with a social network that allows transmission through contact in three sectors: "close" (a small, unchanging group of mutual contacts as might be found in a household), "regular" (a larger, unchanging group as might be found in a workplace or school), and "random" (drawn from the entire model population and not repeated regularly). We assigned individual infectivity from a gamma distribution with dispersion parameter k We found that when k was low (i.e., greater heterogeneity, more superspreading events), reducing random sector contacts had a far greater impact on the epidemic trajectory than did reducing regular contacts; when k was high (i.e., less heterogeneity, no superspreading events), that difference disappeared. These results suggest that overdispersion of COVID-19 transmission gives the virus an Achilles' heel: Reducing contacts between people who do not regularly meet would substantially reduce the pandemic, while reducing repeated contacts in defined social groups would be less effective. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Psittacosis | Psittacosis, also known as ornithosis, is an acute infectious disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci (Cps) and commonly prevails in poultry and other species of bird. Humans infected by Chlamydia psittaci may suffer from unapparent subclinical infection, with symptoms ranging from mild flulike illness to severe SARS. As a typical animal-based infectious disease, psittacosis rarely has pulmonary signs but a long illness course, despite its clinical manifestation characterized by severe pulmonary lesions. Repeated onsets of psittacosis may lead to chronic diseases. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Risk Response Development in Construction Projects Delay: Multiple Case Studies from UAE | Risk response is a core element of project risk management, and is perhaps the area that needs the most improvement. Common causes of construction delay risks have been identified worldwide, and various traditional measures used for delay risk control have been critically reviewed. However, many delays in construction projects have been occurring in recent years throughout the world because of unexpected events such as financial crises and the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, six case studies from five companies were chosen for this work, and were supplemented with face-to-face interviews, documentation, and direct observations. This strategy allowed the research evidence to be triangulated, and thus garnered more confidence in testing a particular concept or theory. Hence, a maturity model for risk response development has been outlined and validated to achieve construction success in preconstruction and during execution. Based on the validation, it is anticipated that by developing the risk response model, the process itself will become more objective, particularly in delay risk control. © 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Third Trimester Is Not an Independent Risk Factor for Immature Immune Function in Preterm Infants | Background: Immature immunologic function is the primary reason that premature infants are prone to infection after birth. The outbreak of coronavirus infected disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to an increase in the incidence of preterm birth, representing a new survival risk for preterm infants.Objectives: From February 2020 to May 2020, 57 premature infants of gestational age (GA) less than 37 weeks (28 +3 -36 +5wks ) born to 48 mothers were hospitalized in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan China. Among them, 14 premature infants were delivered by 13 mothers infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) in the third trimester.Methods: Due to the epidemic of COVID-19 in Wuhan and the policy of lockdown, all pregnant women underwent examination for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid, serum antibody and lung computer tomography (CT) before delivery. After birth, new-borns’ peripheral blood was collected, and immune cells counts and cytokine concentrations were assessed. Subjects’ clinical data were recorded and analysed.Results: Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and CD4 cells of preterm infants increased with GA. CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD16-56 cell counts were positively correlated with ALC. Concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α were in the normal reference range and were not correlated with GA and birth weight (BW). Median IL-6 level in preterm infants was 14.71 pg/ml (IQR 6.47-46.14 pg/ml), which was 5.07-fold higher than the reference intervals, 3.9 pg/ml (IQR, 1.79-14.28 pg/ml), and the ratio of IL-6/IL-10 was 3.77. IL-10 was positively correlated with IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6. Immune cell counts, cytokine levels and clinical prognosis of premature infants born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 were not different from those without maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection.Conclusions: Immune function in preterm infants was characterized by increased CD4 cells with GA and a positive correlation between high levels of IL-6 and IL-10. Maternal infection with SARS-CoV-2 is not an independent perinatal risk factor for premature infants with immature immune function.Trial Registration: The present study was registered as a clinical study in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-ORC-16008872).Funding Statement: This work was supported by a grant from the Chinese National Natural Science Fund 81170005 and 81670007.Declaration of Interests: No conflict of interest.Ethics Approval Statement: The Institutional Review Board of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University approved this study (approval no. 2015019). All guardians signed informed consents. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Climate change will drive novel cross-species viral transmission | At least 10,000 species of mammal virus are estimated to have the potential to spread in human populations, but the vast majority are currently circulating in wildlife, largely undescribed and undetected by disease outbreak surveillance1,2,3. In addition, changing climate and land use are already driving geographic range shifts in wildlife, producing novel species assemblages and opportunities for viral sharing between previously isolated species4,5. In some cases, this will inevitably facilitate spillover into humans6,7—a possible mechanistic link between global environmental change and emerging zoonotic disease8. Here, we map potential hotspots of viral sharing, using a phylogeographic model of the mammal-virus network, and projections of geographic range shifts for 3,870 mammal species under climate change and land use scenarios for the year 2070. Range-shifting mammal species are predicted to aggregate at high elevations, in biodiversity hotspots, and in areas of high human population density in Asia and Africa, driving the cross-species transmission of novel viruses at least 4,000 times. Counter to expectations, holding warming under 2°C within the century does not reduce new viral sharing, due to greater range expansions—highlighting the need to invest in surveillance even in a low-warming future. Most projected viral sharing is driven by diverse hyperreservoirs (rodents and bats) and large-bodied predators (carnivores). Because of their unique dispersal capacity, bats account for the majority of novel viral sharing, and are likely to share viruses along evolutionary pathways that could facilitate future emergence in humans. Our findings highlight the urgent need to pair viral surveillance and discovery efforts with biodiversity surveys tracking range shifts, especially in tropical countries that harbor the most emerging zoonoses. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Initial findings in chest X-rays as predictors of worsening lung infection in patients with COVID-19: correlation in 265 patients./ Hallazgos iniciales en la radiografía de tórax como predictores de empeoramiento en la infección pulmonar por SARS-CoV-2. Correlación en 265 pacientes | BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to analyze the relationship between the initial chest X-ray findings in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 and eventual clinical worsening and to compare three systems of quantifying these findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the clinical and radiological evolution of 265 adult patients with COVID-19 attended at our center between March 2020 and April 2020. We recorded data related to patients' comorbidities, hospital stay, and clinical worsening (admission to the ICU, intubation, and death). We used three scoring systems taking into consideration 6 or 8 lung fields (designated 6A, 6B, and 8) to quantify lung involvement in each patient's initial abnormal chest X-ray and to classify its severity as mild, moderate, or severe, and we compared these three systems. We also recorded the presence of alveolar opacities and linear opacities (fundamentally linear atelectasis) in the first chest X-ray with pathologic findings. RESULTS: In the χ2 analysis, moderate or severe involvement in the three classification systems correlated with hospital admission (p=0.009 in 6A, p=0.001 in 6B, and p=0.001 in 8) and with death (p=0.02 in 6A, p=0.01 in 6B, and p=0.006 in 8). In the regression analysis, the most significant associations were 6B with alveolar involvement (OR 2.3; 95%CI 1.1.-4.7; p=0.025;) and 8 with alveolar involvement (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.01.-4.25; p=0.046). No differences were observed in the ability of the three systems to predict clinical worsening by classifications of involvement in chest X-rays as moderate or severe. CONCLUSION: Moderate/severe extension in the three chest X-ray scoring systems evaluating the extent of involvement over 6 or 8 lung fields and the finding of alveolar opacities in the first abnormal X-ray correlated with mortality and the rate of hospitalization in the patients studied. No significant difference was found in the predictive ability of the three classification systems proposed. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Optimally Controlling an Epidemic | We propose a flexible model of infectious dynamics with a single endogenous state variable and economic choices. We characterize equilibrium, optimal outcomes, static and dynamic externalities, and prove the following: (i) A lockdown generically is followed by policies to stimulate activity. (ii) Re-infection risk lowers the activity level chosen by the government early on and, for small static externalities, implies too cautious equilibrium steady-state activity. (iii) When a cure arrives deterministically, optimal policy is dis-continuous, featuring a light/strict lockdown when the arrival date exceeds/falls short of a specific value. Calibrated to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the baseline model and a battery of robustness checks and extensions imply (iv) lockdowns for 3-4 months, with activity reductions by 25-40 percent, and (v) substantial welfare gains from optimal policy unless the government lacks instruments to stimulate activity after a lockdown. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Education in the pandemic economy: attitudes towards distance learning as a drive of university students' decision making | Purpose Over the past year, the widespread pandemic has changed people's lifestyles around the world. Educational services providers had to adapt to this new reality. Therefore, distance learning has been widely used by universities all over the world, even though some institutions were not prepared for this sudden change to their service provision. As such distance learning methods, while they are not new in the academic community, were massively introduced and redesigned to help students' attend lectures and acquire new knowledge. The introduction of new technologies has further helped students' and teaching staff speed up the process and improve methods of teaching and learning, including access to educational material, virtual classes and live meetings. The aim of this paper is to tap on the new form of higher education provision in the pandemic economy;more specifically, the authors aim to assess the impact of this change on university students' and investigate the effect of attitudes towards distance learning as a drive of university students' decision-making. Design/methodology/approach Distance learning has been widely used by Greek universities, even though some institutions were not prepared for this sudden change to their teaching methods. To assess the impact of this change on university students, research was conducted on 1,550 students' at Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, and a two-step cluster analysis was conducted to reveal three equally sized clusters, namely, technology mature, technology conservatives and sceptics of e-learning. Findings The results reveal that although students' found distance learning implementation the satisfactory, most of them are sceptical about the future of distance learning methods. Their main objections focus on the way distance learning is practiced. They also shared their objections regarding the future of e-learning and online exams. Originality/value This study is based on the extant pros and cons of distance learning and provides new knowledge on students' attitudes towards distance learning. This where the manuscript offers value, as to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study in the post COVID-19 era that offers new empirical data relating to attitudes towards online services provision in the higher education sector. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Electronic Patient Symptom Management Program to Support Patients Receiving Cancer Treatment at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Objectives Remote patient monitoring became critical for patients receiving cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to test feasibility of an electronic patient symptom management program implemented during a pandemic. We collected and analyzed the real-world data to inform practice quality improvement and understand the patient experience. Methods Eligible patients had breast, lung, or ovarian cancers, multiple myeloma, or acute myeloid leukemia and 12 weeks of planned chemotherapy. Patients were notified that a symptom survey with common symptoms derived from the National Cancer Institute’s Patient-Reported Outcomes Version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events was available to complete using a smart phone, tablet, or computer. Patients recorded their symptoms and results were sent to the provider. Patients received care guidelines for mild/moderate severity symptoms and a phone call from the provider for severe reports. Results A total of 282 patients generated > 119 088 data points. Patients completed 2860 of 3248 assigned surveys (88%), and 152 of 282 patients (54%) had symptom reports that generated an immediate notification to the provider. Longitudinal data were analyzed to determine whether previous reports predicted a notification alert and whether symptoms resolved after the alert was addressed. Conclusions An electronic patient symptom management program was implemented in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment of 282 patients and a high survey completion (88%) demonstrated feasibility/acceptance. Patients reported symptoms at severe levels of 54% of the time and received self-management instructions and provider phone calls that resolved or decreased the severity of the symptom. A standard approach and validated instrument provide opportunities for improving and benchmarking outcomes. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Coping strategies of individuals in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic | The United Kingdom (UK) was among the hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is, therefore, imperative to understand the coping strategies of individuals in the UK during the pandemic to develop appropriate programs and policies for them. A heterogeneous sample of 50 UK residents (15 males & 35 females) with an age range of 18–55 years were recruited using a snowball technique from Facebook between April and May 2020. Participants responded to 4 open-ended questions (that were generated through consultation with literature and 2 health practitioners) that sought to explore their coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze data using a data-driven method. Eleven themes were found: “socializing with loved ones (e.g., through video calls)”, “engaging in exercise”, “being occupied with jobs”, “being occupied with studies”, “avoiding negative news on COVID-19”, “consumption of alcohol”, “healthy eating”, “engaging in meditation activities”, “gaming activities”, “hope”, and “self-care and self-appreciation”, in that order. Positive and maladaptive coping strategies were employed by some individuals in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. This, therefore, echoes the need for appropriate psychosocial support programs that strengthen positive coping strategies and mitigate maladaptive coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychological Condition and Disease Severity in Patients with Behcet's Disease | Objective: Behcet's disease (BD) is an episodic and chronic multisystemic disease Many comorbid psychiatric disorders are frequently encountered in BD In addition, it is reported that individuals with chronic diseases during the epidemic period are at risk for COVID-19 infection Therefore, these situations may cause anxiety levels to increase and coping strategies to decrease overall psychological conditions in patients with BD However, individuals with both psychiatric complaints and comorbid inflammatory and chronic diseases such as BD are more prone to this stressful situation than healthy individuals In the current study, we aimed to determine whether patients with Behcet's Disease (BD) are psychologically more sensitive than healthy individuals and whether disease severity increase with the COVID-19 pandemic Methods: One hundred and fifty-six patients with BD and 156 healthy volunteers were included in the study All participants received Perceived COVID-19 Threat Form (PCTF), Suicide-Ideation Scale (SIS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), The Ability to Cope with Trauma (PACT), well-being index (PGWB) scales Results: When the responses of the patient with BD and control groups to the psychiatric evaluation scales were examined;the mean scores of PCTF (p <0 001), SIS (p<0 001), HADS-depression (p<0 001) and HADS-anxiety (p<0 001) in patients with BD were significantly higher than the control group Mean scores of PGWB (p<0 001) and PACT (p= 0 042) in the patient group were found to be lower In the relationship analysis, BSAS scores were associated with PCTF scores (r=0 20, p=0 013), and PGWB scores were associated with PACT scores (r=0 53, p=0 001) Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic affects the mental health of both male and female patients with BD significantly In patients with BD, while disease severity was associated with the perceived COVID threat, psychological well-being was associated with existing psychiatric complaints and patients' ability to cope with trauma The findings of our study support that patients with BD may need more psychological support than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Assessing adolescent diet and physical activity behaviour, knowledge and awareness in low- and middle-income countries: a systematised review of quantitative epidemiological tools. | PURPOSE Quantitative epidemiological tools are routinely used to assess adolescent diet and physical activity (PA) constructs (behaviour, knowledge, and awareness) as risk factors for non-communicable diseases. This study sought to synthesize evidence on the quantitative epidemiological tools that have been used to assess adolescent diet and PA constructs in low to middle-income countries (LMIC). METHODS A systematised review was conducted using 3 databases (EbscoHost, Scopus and Web of Science). RESULTS We identified 292 LMIC studies assessing adolescent diet and PA. Identified studies predominantly explored behavioural (90%) constructs with a paucity of studies investigating knowledge and awareness. The majority of studies used subjective (94%) and self-administered (78%) tools. Only 39% of LMIC studies used tools validated for their contexts. CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the need for more contextual tools for assessing adolescent diet and PA in LMICs. Diet and PA measurement tools used in future research will need to incorporate measures of knowledge and awareness for a more comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of diet and PA in adolescents. Furthermore, there is a need for more evidence on the reliability and validity of these tools for use, in both cross sectional and longitudinal studies, in LMIC contexts. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Intermolecular π–π Stacking Interactions Made Visible | [Image: see text] Mixing the liquids hexafluorobenzene (1) and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (mesitylene, 2) results in a crystalline solid with a melting point of 34 °C. The solid consists of alternating π–π stacked pillars of both aromatics. This simple experiment can be used to visually demonstrate the existence and the effect of noncovalent intermolecular π–π stacking interactions. Both benzene derivatives are relatively benign and widely available, and the experiment can be performed within minutes for less than $15 when done on a 22 mL scale (total volume). The demonstration is very robust, as 1:2 mixtures in volume ratios between 2/3 and 3/2 all give a visually similar result (molar ratios of 1.8–0.8). Substituting 2 with the liquid aromatics o-xylene, p-xylene, and aniline also resulted in the formation of a crystalline solid, while using many other liquid aromatics did not. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Pattern Recognition of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States: Implications for Disease Mitigation | The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presents a severe threat to human health worldwide. The United States (US) has the highest number of reported COVID-19 cases, and over 16 million people were infected up to the 12 December 2020. To better understand and mitigate the spread of the disease, it is necessary to recognize the pattern of the outbreak. In this study, we explored the patterns of COVID-19 cases in the US from 1 March to 12 December 2020. The county-level cases and rates of the disease were mapped using a geographic information system (GIS). The overall trend of the disease in the US, as well as in each of its 50 individual states, were analyzed by the seasonal-trend decomposition. The disease curve in each state was further examined using K-means clustering and principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that three clusters were observed in the early phase (1 March–31 May). New York has a unique pattern of the disease curve and was assigned one cluster alone. Two clusters were observed in the middle phase (1 June–30 September). California, Texas and Florida were assigned in the same cluster, which has the pattern different from the remaining states. In the late phase (1 October–12 December), California has a unique pattern of the disease curve and was assigned a cluster alone. In the whole period, three clusters were observed. California, Texas and Florida still have similar patterns and were assigned in the same cluster. The trend analysis consolidated the patterns identified from the cluster analysis. The results from this study provide insight in making disease control and mitigation strategies. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Attendee Survey and Practical Appraisal of a Telegram®-Based Dermatology Congress During the COVID-19 Confinement./ Congreso virtual de dermatología realizado a través de Telegram® durante el confinamiento de la COVID-19: organización y evaluación | INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak introduced dramatic changes in all our lives, daily practice, and medical conferences. In search of a tool to spread dermatologic knowledge during confinement, an online medical meeting was held on April 25th to 26th, 2020. In this study, we aimed to assess the characteristics, opinion and satisfaction of the attendees to a free-of-charge online congress. Secondarily, we intended to explain how this meeting was prepared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Online survey administered to the attendees to an online congress organised via the Telegram® Messenger App. Its organisation and planning, which needed no financial support and was done by volunteer organisers, moderators and speakers, is described step by step. RESULTS: The satisfaction of both speakers and attendees was very high. All participants considered that this format had a great present and future, and most of them rated it as superior to regular face-to-face meetings. Female gender and predominantly private practice favoured this opinion. DISCUSSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of most scientific gatherings. This has been seen by some authors as an excellent opportunity, encouraging medical societies and organisations to lead the change to virtual meetings. Although confinement did not allow real contact, our online meeting showed it was possible to ensure interaction and participation between attendees, moderators and speakers. Dermatologists enjoyed some dermatologic science, even despite the extraordinary circumstances disrupting their daily clinical practice. Most of them felt they were participating in something new and compelling that many felt superior to traditional meetings. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Minimal Climate Impacts From Short‐Lived Climate Forcers Following Emission Reductions Related to the COVID‐19 Pandemic | We present an assessment of the impacts on atmospheric composition and radiative forcing of short‐lived pollutants following a worldwide decrease in anthropogenic activity and emissions comparable to what has occurred in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, using the global composition‐climate model United Kingdom Chemistry and Aerosols Model (UKCA). Emission changes reduce tropospheric hydroxyl radical and ozone burdens, increasing methane lifetime. Reduced SO(2) emissions and oxidizing capacity lead to a decrease in sulfate aerosol and increase in aerosol size, with accompanying reductions to cloud droplet concentration. However, large reductions in black carbon emissions increase aerosol albedo. Overall, the changes in ozone and aerosol direct effects (neglecting aerosol‐cloud interactions which were statistically insignificant but whose response warrants future investigation) yield a radiative forcing of −33 to −78 mWm(−2). Upon cessation of emission reductions, the short‐lived climate forcers rapidly return to pre‐COVID levels; meaning, these changes are unlikely to have lasting impacts on climate assuming emissions return to pre‐intervention levels. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Heart Failure | PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to summarize the application of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of patients with heart failure (HF). RECENT FINDINGS: CMR is an important non-invasive imaging modality in the assessment of ventricular volumes and function and in the analysis of myocardial tissue characteristics. The information derived from CMR provides a comprehensive evaluation of HF. Its unique ability of tissue characterization not only helps to reveal the underlying etiologies of HF but also offers incremental prognostic information. CMR is a useful non-invasive tool for the diagnosis and assessment of prognosis in patients suffering from heart failure. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Grazing Management Effects on Sediment, Phosphorus, and Pathogen Loading of Streams in Cool‐Season Grass Pastures | Erosion and runoff from pastures may lead to degradation of surface water. A 2‐yr grazing study was conducted to quantify the effects of grazing management on sediment, phosphorus (P), and pathogen loading of streams in cool‐season grass pastures. Six adjoining 12.1‐ha pastures bisected by a stream in central Iowa were divided into three treatments: continuous stocking with unrestricted stream access (CSU), continuous stocking with restricted stream access (CSR), and rotational stocking (RS). Rainfall simulations on stream banks resulted in greater (P < 0.10) proportions of applied precipitation and amounts of sediment and P transported in runoff from bare sites than from vegetated sites across grazing treatments. Similar differences were observed comparing vegetated sites in CSU and RS pastures with vegetated sites in CSR pastures. Bovine enterovirus was shed by an average of 24.3% of cows during the study period and was collected in the runoff of 8.3 and 16.7% of runoff simulations on bare sites in CSU pastures in June and October of 2008, respectively, and from 8.3% of runoff simulations on vegetated sites in CSU pastures in April 2009. Fecal pathogens (bovine coronavirus [BCV], bovine rotavirus group A, and Escherichia coli O157:H7) shed or detected in runoff were almost nonexistent; only BCV was detected in feces of one cow in August of 2008. Erosion of cut‐banks was the greatest contributor of sediment and P loading to the stream; contributions from surface runoff and grazing animals were considerably less and were minimized by grazing management practices that reduced congregation of cattle by pasture streams. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
COVID-19 safety in maternity care: lessons for the whole NHS | John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discusses some recent reports in maternity care, which can be seen to also to have general application across all clinical specialities. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Polymeric paint coated common-touch surfaces that can kill bacteria, fungi and influenza virus | In the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic, the role of surfaces in transmitting pathogens is clearer than ever. Herein, we report an organo-soluble, quaternary antimicrobial paint (QAP) based on polyethyleneimine (PEI) which was coated on a wide range of surfaces such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), nylon, rubber, aluminum. The coating completely killed drug-resistant bacteria. It showed rapid bactericidal properties with complete killing in 45 min of exposure and lowered bacterial adherence, asserting self-sterilizing nature. The coating exhibited complete killing of stationary phase cells of bacteria. The coating killed drug-resistant C. albicans strains. Importantly, QAP coating showed complete killing of influenza virus (H1N1). [Image: see text] | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Cost‐Effective Antibiotic Prescribing | Antibiotics are often misused, resulting in a high frequency of adverse effects, emergence of drug‐resistant organisms, and excessive costs. The high cost of antibiotics is currently receiving the greatest attention. Considerable cost savings can be achieved by appropriate prescribing of antibiotics for patients receiving these drugs prophylactically as well as for those with established infections. This article cites specific examples of how cost‐effective antibiotic prescribing practices can realize substantial cost savings without any diminished quality in patient care. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Computer-assisted resilience training to prepare healthcare workers for pandemic influenza: a randomized trial of the optimal dose of training | BACKGROUND: Working in a hospital during an extraordinary infectious disease outbreak can cause significant stress and contribute to healthcare workers choosing to reduce patient contact. Psychological training of healthcare workers prior to an influenza pandemic may reduce stress-related absenteeism, however, established training methods that change behavior and attitudes are too resource-intensive for widespread use. This study tests the feasibility and effectiveness of a less expensive alternative - an interactive, computer-assisted training course designed to build resilience to the stresses of working during a pandemic. METHODS: A "dose-finding" study compared pre-post changes in three different durations of training. We measured variables that are likely to mediate stress-responses in a pandemic before and after training: confidence in support and training, pandemic-related self-efficacy, coping style and interpersonal problems. RESULTS: 158 hospital workers took the course and were randomly assigned to the short (7 sessions, median cumulative duration 111 minutes), medium (12 sessions, 158 minutes) or long (17 sessions, 223 minutes) version. Using an intention-to-treat analysis, the course was associated with significant improvements in confidence in support and training, pandemic self-efficacy and interpersonal problems. Participants who under-utilized coping via problem-solving or seeking support or over-utilized escape-avoidance experienced improved coping. Comparison of doses showed improved interpersonal problems in the medium and long course but not in the short course. There was a trend towards higher drop-out rates with longer duration of training. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-assisted resilience training in healthcare workers appears to be of significant benefit and merits further study under pandemic conditions. Comparing three "doses" of the course suggested that the medium course was optimal. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Evolving Impact of COVID-19 on Transplant Center Practices and Policies in the United States | In our first survey of transplant centers in March 2020, >75% of kidney and liver programs were either suspended or operating under restrictions. To safely resume transplantation, we must understand the evolving impact of COVID-19 on transplant recipients and center-level practices. We therefore conducted a six-week follow-up survey May 7-15, 2020, and linked responses to the COVID-19 incidence map, with a response rate of 84%. Suspension of live donor transplantation decreased from 72% in March to 30% in May for kidneys and from 68% to 52% for livers. Restrictions/suspension of deceased donor transplantation decreased from 84% to 58% for kidneys and from 73% to 42% for livers. Resuming transplantation at normal capacity was envisioned by 83% of programs by August 2020. Exclusively using local recovery teams for deceased donor procurement was reported by 28%. Respondents reported caring for a total of 1166 COVID-19-positive transplant recipients; 25% were critically ill. Telemedicine challenges were reported by 81%. There was a lack of consensus regarding management of potential living donors or candidates with SARS-CoV-2. Our findings demonstrate persistent heterogeneity in center-level response to COVID-19 even as transplant activity resumes, making ongoing national data collection and real-time analysis critical to inform best practices. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Work-Home System Analysis and Musculoskeletal Discomfort of Workers in Covid-19 Pandemic Context | The study aimed to analyse work-home system factors and their connection with workers’ comfort, musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and perceived quality of work. Methods: A virtual survey was given to 196 administrative workers of a bank in Lima Peru. The survey consisted of four sections: consent form, sociodemographic data, risk factors of the work system and questions about comfort and MSD. Descriptive data was presented in percentages and associations were established with the chi-square statistic test. The significance level was 0.05. Results: The rate of musculoskeletal discomfort reached 96%, the most frequent body regions being the neck (91%), upper back (89%) and lower back region (89%). Regarding the work-home system, 49% of the study subjects worked in the bedroom and/or the living room, 32% had a desk, 18% used an adjustable chair, 37% worked at a dining table and 34% indicated that domestic activities overlapped with their work activities. The workers’ greatest perceived benefit was spending time with their families (59%). MSD was associated mainly with organisational factors (p <0.01). Comfort was associated with the backrest and type of seat, along with factors related to the environment and work tasks (p <0.05). Conclusion: Work-home systems are not prepared for performing office work. They raise MSD rates and reduce the quality of work, as perceived by workers. Spending time with family acted as a protective and negative factor. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A Rare Cause of Drug-Induced Pancytopenia: Trimethoprim–Sulfamethoxazole-Induced Pancytopenia | Pancytopenia is a decrease across cellular hematological lines. Many different etiologies can cause this clinical picture including viral and bacterial infections, chemicals, malignancy, and medications. Particular attention should be paid to the onset, timing, and severity as they can indicate the underlying cause. In cases of iatrogenic-induced pancytopenia, the offending agent should be stopped immediately and the patient should be monitored for recovery of cell lines. While not well reported in the literature, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is a cause of pancytopenia. We present a case of drug-induced pancytopenia secondary to TMP-SMX that resolved quickly with cessation of use. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
What We Are Learning from COVID-19 for Respiratory Protection: Contemporary and Emerging Issues | Infectious respiratory diseases such as the current COVID-19 have caused public health crises and interfered with social activity. Given the complexity of these novel infectious diseases, their dynamic nature, along with rapid changes in social and occupational environments, technology, and means of interpersonal interaction, respiratory protective devices (RPDs) play a crucial role in controlling infection, particularly for viruses like SARS-CoV-2 that have a high transmission rate, strong viability, multiple infection routes and mechanisms, and emerging new variants that could reduce the efficacy of existing vaccines. Evidence of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmissions further highlights the importance of a universal adoption of RPDs. RPDs have substantially improved over the past 100 years due to advances in technology, materials, and medical knowledge. However, several issues still need to be addressed such as engineering performance, comfort, testing standards, compliance monitoring, and regulations, especially considering the recent emergence of pathogens with novel transmission characteristics. In this review, we summarize existing knowledge and understanding on respiratory infectious diseases and their protection, discuss the emerging issues that influence the resulting protective and comfort performance of the RPDs, and provide insights in the identified knowledge gaps and future directions with diverse perspectives. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A Cross-Sectional Study: What Contributes to Nursing Students’ Clinical Reasoning Competence? | Clinical reasoning is a vital competence for nursing students, as it is required for solving problems arising in complex clinical situations. Identifying the factors that influence nursing students’ clinical reasoning competence in the social context can help their implicit educational needs. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors associated with developing clinical reasoning competency among undergraduate nursing students. In total, 206 senior nursing students were included in this study. Self-reported measures were used to obtain data on participants’ clinical reasoning competence, problem-solving abilities, academic self-efficacy, and level of clinical practicum stress. Relationships among continuous variables were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors related to clinical reasoning competence. Our findings show that participants with better problem-solving abilities and academic self-efficacy perceived themselves as having higher levels of clinical reasoning competence. Nursing students with lower clinical practicum stress reported higher clinical reasoning competence. Significant factors identified were younger age and subcategories of problem-solving ability such as problem clarification, alternative solution development, planning/implementation, and self-regulated efficacy. Our findings highlight essential factors necessary for developing a nursing curriculum that contributes to professional nurses’ clinical reasoning competence. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Institutional betrayal in nursing: A concept analysis. | BACKGROUND Ethical relationships are important among many participants in healthcare, including the ethical relationship between nurse and employer. One aspect of organizational behavior that can impact ethical culture and moral well-being is institutional betrayal. RESEARCH AIM The purpose of this concept analysis is to develop a conceptual understanding of institutional betrayal in nursing by defining the concept and differentiating it from other forms of betrayal. DESIGN This analysis uses the method developed by Walker and Avant. RESEARCH CONTEXT Studies were reviewed using health literature databases with no date restrictions. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Analysis was conducted using established guidelines for ethical research. FINDINGS Although institutional betrayal is a concept applied in the literature, there was a paucity of studies exploring the concept within nursing. Examples of the concept in the literature include violation of trust between organization (i.e. employer) and nurse, such as provision of inadequate workplace protections, ineffective or hostile management, and gaslighting of those who experience negative events. Examples of institutional betrayal have become more visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. DISCUSSION A conceptual definition of institutional betrayal is a deep violation of trust or confidence or violation of moral standards committed by an institution toward a nurse. This definition incorporates experiences and issues suggested by the literature. Outcomes are likely negative, including impacts on nurse psychological and workplace well-being. This concept likely fits within a framework of ethical workplaces and has conceptual relationships with moral distress and moral resilience. Further studies can help qualitatively explore and empirically measure this concept. CONCLUSION In the pursuit of improving the ethical culture of healthcare workplaces, this concept can provide meaningful insight into organizational behavior and its consequences. Naming and describing the concept can promote conceptual clarity and equip researchers, nurses, and leaders to identify and mitigate the issue. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The Role of Palliative Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perceptions and Experiences Among Critical Care Clinicians, Hospital Leaders, and Spiritual Care Providers (S538) | Outcomes 1. Describe ways that palliative care supported patients, families, and care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, as identified by participants in this study 2. Identify roles that palliative care could play when it comes to responding to future public health emergencies, as described by participants in this study Original Research Background Palliative care offers a unique skill set in response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with expertise in advance care planning, symptom management, family communication, end-of-life care, and bereavement. However, few studies have explored palliative care's role during the pandemic and changes in perceptions and utilization of the specialty among health and spiritual care providers and hospital leaders. Research Objectives To explore the evolving utilization, perceptions, and understanding of palliative care among critical care clinicians, hospital leaders, and spiritual care providers during the pandemic. Methods We conducted a qualitative study employing in-depth interviews at a tertiary academic medical center in Boston, Massachusetts. Between August and October 2020, we interviewed 25 participants from three key informant groups: critical care physicians, hospital leaders, and spiritual care providers. Results Respondents recognized that palliative care's role increased in importance during the pandemic. Palliative care served as a bridge between providers, patients, and families, supported provider well-being, and contributed to hospital efficiency. The pandemic reinforced participants’ positive perceptions of palliative care, increased their understanding of the scope of the specialty's practice, and inspired physicians to engage more with palliative care. Respondents indicated the need for more palliative care providers and advocated for their role in bereavement support and future pandemic response. Conclusion Findings highlight rapidly evolving and increased utilization and understanding of palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for Research, Policy, or Practice Results suggest a need for greater investment in palliative care programs and for palliative care involvement in public health emergency preparedness and response. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A pilot study of near-field airborne particle concentrations in young children undergoing high flow nasal cannula therapy. | BACKGROUND High flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) may increase aerosol generation, putting healthcare workers at risk, including from SARS-CoV-2. AIM This study examined whether use of HFNC increases near-field aerosols and if there is a relationship with flow rate. METHODS Subjects aged four weeks to 24 months were recruited. Each child received HFNC therapy at different flow rates. Three stations with particle counters were deployed to measure particle concentrations and dispersion in the room: station one within 0.5 m, station two at 2 m, and station three on the other side of the room. We measured carbon dioxide (CO2) and relative humidity. Far-field measurements were used to adjust the near-field measurements. FINDINGS We enrolled ten children ranging from 6-23 months (median 9 months). Elevated CO2 indicated the near-field measurements were in the breathing plane. Near-field breathing plane concentrations of aerosols with diameter 0.3 - 10 μm are elevated by the presence of the patient with no HFNC flow, relative to the room far-field, by 0.45 #/cm3. While we observed variability between subjects in their emission and dispersion of particles, we did not find an association between HFNC use, at any flowrate, and near-field particle counts. CONCLUSION This method of particle sampling is feasible in hospital settings; correcting the near-patient aerosol and CO2 levels for the room far-field may provide proxies of exposure risk to pathogens generated. In this pilot, near-patient levels of particles with a diameter between 0.3-10 μm and CO2 were not affected by the use of HFNC. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Platelet Function in Viral Immunity and SARS-CoV-2 Infection. | Platelets, as nonnucleated blood components, are classically recognized for their pivotal role in hemostasis. In recent years, however, accumulating evidence points to a nonhemostatic role for platelets, as active participants in the inflammatory and immune responses to microbial organisms in infectious diseases. This stems from the ability of activated platelets to secrete a plethora of immunomodulatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as directly interplaying with viral receptors. While much attention has been given to the role of the cytokine storm in the severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), less is known about the contribution of platelets to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here, we give a brief overview on the platelet contribution to antiviral immunity and response during SARS-CoV-2 infection. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Practice and Attitude Towards COVID-19 Prevention and Divine Belief Among Residents in Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Survey | Purpose: Coronavirus disease-2019 is an emerging disease that threatens the world With the absence of successful treatment precipitated by the lack of health infrastructures in developing countries including Ethiopia, efforts to enhance the attitudes and practice of people are critical for managing the pandemic Hence, this study aimed to assess the practice, attitude towards COVID-19, and divine belief among residents in Ethiopia Patients and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study combining qualitative design was conducted in August 2020 The qualitative design was employed to explore the respondents' divine belief towards the COVID-19 pandemic Chi-square analysis was computed to identify factors associated with practice against COVID-19 prevention measures The calculated chi-square greater than the tabulated value at a degree of freedom ((row total-1) * (column total)) and P-value <0 05 were considered statistically significant Results: In this study, a total of 508 respondents participated The mean age of the participants was 38 4 +/- 11 2 (SD) years The overall practice of prevention measures and attitude towards COVID-19 was 53 3% (95% CI: 49 0-57 6%) and 49 6% (95% CI: 45 3-53 9%), respectively Age, residency, educational status, monthly income of the household, having a child, and attitude towards COVID-19 were statistically significant predictors of COVID-19 prevention measures (P< 0 05) Conclusion: As the global threat of COVID-19 continues, it is critical to improving the respondents' practice and attitude towards the precautionary measures, especially some religious followers | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Intervención De Emergencia En Formato Online Basado En Act En Un Caso De Trastorno Adaptativo | This article aims to present the clinical approach of a patient of the Psychological Service of the Faculty of Psychology of the UNED who was treated during the COVID- 19 Health Emergency situation. After evaluating the case by means of an unstructured interview and self-reports, a brief, protocolized intervention was carried out through an online modality. The therapeutic approach was the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which included different strategies aimed at allowing F. to discriminate his problematic behavior pattern, accept aversive private events and take actions with personal meaning. Results showed an increase in adaptive behaviors in the areas that F. considered valuable, and a decrease in anxiety and depressive symptoms. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
FLANNEL: Focal Loss Based Neural Network Ensemble for COVID-19 Detection | OBJECTIVE: To test the possibility of differentiating chest x-ray images of COVID-19 against other pneumonia and healthy patients using deep neural networks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We construct the X-ray imaging data from two publicly available sources, which include 5508 chest x-ray images across 2874 patients with four classes: normal, bacterial pneumonia, non-COVID-19 viral pneumonia, and COVID-19. To identify COVID-19, we propose a Focal Loss Based Neural Ensemble Network (FLANNEL), a flexible module to ensemble several convolutional neural network (CNN) models and fuse with a focal loss for accurate COVID-19 detection on class imbalance data. RESULTS: FLANNEL consistently outperforms baseline models on COVID-19 identification task in all metrics. Compared with the best baseline, FLANNEL shows a higher macro-F1 score with 6% relative increase on Covid-19 identification task where it achieves 0.7833± 0.07 in Precision, 0.8609± 0.03 in Recall, and 0.8168± 0.03 F1 score. DISCUSSION: Ensemble learning that combines multiple independent basis classifiers can increase the robustness and accuracy. We propose Neural Weighing Module to learn importance weight for each base model and combine them via weighted ensemble to get the final classification results. In order to handle the class imbalance challenge, we adapt Focal loss to our multiple classification task as the loss function. CONCLUSION: FLANNEL effectively combines state-of-the-art CNN classification models and tackle class imbalance with Focal loss to achieve better performance on Covid-19 detection from X-rays. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Assessing ICD-11 gaming disorder in adolescent gamers by parental ratings: Development and validation of the Gaming Disorder Scale for Parents (GADIS-P) | BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The addiction to digital games is associated with substantial impairments in daily functioning and adolescents are particularly at risk. Screening instruments for the new ICD-11 diagnosis Gaming Disorder (GD) are rare and only include self-ratings thus far. Since adolescents' insight might be limited due to young age or symptom denial, external ratings are essential. We therefore aimed to develop and validate the Gaming Disorder Scale for Parents (GADIS-P) in a representative sample of parents and young gamers. METHODS: GADIS-P was developed as an adaptation of a recently published self-rating scale. It was validated in 800 parents and their frequently gaming children between 10 and 17 years with standardized questionnaires in an online survey. Item structure was investigated by confirmatory factorial analysis. Gaming time, pathological gaming according to DSM-5, emotional dysregulation, and academic performance were used to derive criterion validity. Accordance with self-ratings was determined. ROC-Analyses were computed to determine cut-off values. RESULTS: A presumed two-factorial structure of GADIS-P could be confirmed describing cognitive-behavioral symptoms and negative consequences. The instrument showed good to excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.89–0.92, McDonald's ω = 0.92–0.95) and criterion validity with moderate to strong correlations regarding gaming behavior (r/ϱ = 0.35–0.76), excellent discriminatory power, and moderate accordance with the adolescents' self-ratings (kappa = 0.47–0.58). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: As the first successfully validated tool for the assessment of ICD-11 GD in adolescents by parental judgment, GADIS-P can make an important contribution to reliable GD screening in clinical and research settings. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
An Atypical Presentation of Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State Induced by SARS CoV 2 | Hyperglycemic emergencies such as Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) or Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) are commonly precipitated by infectious processes. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel infectious process prompting hyperglycemic crisis. SARS-CoV-2 at the level of the lungs affects ACE2 functioning which in turns decrease the B cells proliferation at the pancreas and hinders insulin secretion. Advanced age and comorbidities such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus are considered to be a risk factors for severe illness and mortality between patients with SARS-CoV-2. We present the case of a 39-year-old woman with medical history of uterine fibroma, who presented with complains of general malaise, polyuria and polydipsia of one week evolution, associated with sore throat, subjective fever, dry cough, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Physical examination remarkable for dry oral mucosa, decreased skin turgor, and prolonged capillary refills. Vital signs significant for hypertension, tachycardia, and tachypnea. Laboratory work up remarkable for glucose of 1321 mg/dL, HCO3- of 16 mEq/L, serum osmolality of 333 mOsm/kg, serum ketones positive and HbA1C of 15%. ABG’s showed pH of 7.33, PCO2 of 29.8 and a PAO2 of 158.5 mmHg for a high anion gap metabolic acidosis (AG of 15.3 mEq/L), non-anion gap metabolic acidosis with respiratory alkalosis. Chest X-ray revealed bilateral perihilar, peribronchial cuffing. SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing was positive. Clinical and laboratory workup met criteria for diagnosis of HHS and Diabetes Mellitus de Novo most likely secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patient was treated with aggressive IV hydration and insulin infusion with resolution of hyperglycemia, ketonemia and symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 infection can precipitate acute metabolic complications in patients with diabetes or unknown diagnosis of diabetes. The effect of the virus could be direct effect on β-cell function. To our knowledge, there are only a few cases reported of HHS precipitated by SARS-CoV-2 infection therefore medical awareness is important for early diagnosis of possible triggering factors such as COVID-19 and early management of patients presenting with new onset hyperglycemic emergencies. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Capturing attitudinal characteristics of decision-makers in group decision making: application to select policy recommendations to enhance supply chain resilience under COVID-19 outbreak | The impact of COVID-19 on the global outbreak of supply chain is enormous It is crucial for governments to take policy recommendations to enhance the supply chain resilience to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 For such a major issue, it is a common occurrence that a large number of decision-makers (DMs) are invited to participate in the decision-making process so as to ensure the comprehensiveness and reliability of decision results Since the attitudinal characteristics of DMs are important factors affecting decision results, this study focuses on capturing the attitudinal characteristics of DMs in the large-scale group decision making process The capturing process combines the ordinal k-means clustering algorithm, gained and lost dominance score method and personalized quantifiers To enable DMs to express their cognitions in depth, we use the probabilistic linguistic term set to express the evaluation information of DMs A case study on selecting the optimal policy recommendation for improving the integration capability of supply chain is given to illustrate the applicability of the proposed process The superiority of the proposed algorithm is highlighted through sensitive analysis and comparative analysis © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Enoxaparin is associated with lower rates of mortality than unfractionated Heparin in hospitalized COVID-19 patients | BACKGROUND: Coagulopathies are a major class among COVID-19 associated complications. Although anticoagulants such as unfractionated Heparin and Enoxaparin are both being used for therapeutic mitigation of COVID associated coagulopathy (CAC), differences in their clinical outcomes remain to be investigated. METHODS: We analyzed records of 1,113 patients in the Mayo Clinic Electronic Health Record (EHR) database who were admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 between April 4, 2020 and August 31, 2020, including 19 different Mayo Clinic sites in Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Among this patient population, we compared cohorts of patients who received different types of anticoagulants, including 441 patients who received unfractionated Heparin and 166 patients who received Enoxaparin. Clinical outcomes at 28 days were compared, and propensity score matching was used to control for potential confounding variables including: demographics, comorbidities, ICU status, chronic kidney disease stage, and oxygenation status. Patients with a history of acute kidney injury and patients who received multiple types of anticoagulants were excluded from the study. FINDINGS: We find that COVID-19 patients administered unfractionated Heparin but not Enoxaparin have higher rates of 28-day mortality (risk ratio: 4.3; 95% Confidence Interval [C.I.].: [1.8, 10.2]; p-value: 8.5e−4, Benjamini Hochberg [BH] adjusted p-value: 2.1e−3), after controlling for potential confounding factors. INTERPRETATION: This study emphasizes the need for mechanistically investigating differential modulation of the COVID-associated coagulation cascades by Enoxaparin versus unfractionated Heparin. FUNDING: This work was supported by Nference, inc. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Interleukin-6: Molecule in the Intersection of Cancer, Ageing and COVID-19 | Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine with multifaceted effects playing a remarkable role in the initiation of the immune response. The increased level of this cytokine in the elderly seems to be associated with the chronic inflammatory setting of the microenvironment in aged individuals. IL-6 also represents one of the main signals in communication between cancer cells and their non-malignant neighbours within the tumour niche. IL-6 also participates in the development of a premetastatic niche and in the adjustment of the metabolism in terminal-stage patients suffering from a malignant disease. IL-6 is a fundamental factor of the cytokine storm in patients with severe COVID-19, where it is responsible for the fatal outcome of the disease. A better understanding of the role of IL-6 under physiological as well as pathological conditions and the preparation of new strategies for the therapeutic control of the IL-6 axis may help to manage the problems associated with the elderly, cancer, and serious viral infections. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
IR SED and Dust Masses of Sub-solar Metallicity Galaxies at z~2.3 | We present results from ALMA 1.2mm continuum observations of a sample of 27 star-forming galaxies at z=2.1-2.5 from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey. These galaxies have gas-phase metallicity and star-formation rate measurements from Hb, [OIII], Ha, and [NII]. Using stacks of Spitzer, Herschel, and ALMA photometry (rest-frame ~ 8-400$\mu$m), we examine the IR SED of high-redshift subsolar metallicity (~0.5 $Z_{\odot}$) LIRGs. We find that the data agree well with an average SED template of higher luminosity local low-metallicity dwarf galaxies (reduced $\chi^2$ of 1.8). When compared with the commonly used templates for solar-metallicity local galaxies or high-redshift LIRGs and ULIRGs, even in the most favorable case (with reduced $\chi^2$ of 2.8), the templates are rejected at>98% confidence level. The broader and hotter IR SED of both the local dwarfs and high-redshift subsolar metallicity galaxies may result from different grain properties, a clumpy dust geometry, or a harder/more intense ionizing radiation field that heats the dust to higher temperatures. The obscured SFR indicated by the FIR emission of the subsolar metallicity galaxies is only ~ 60% of the total SFR, which is considerably lower than that of the local LIRGs with ~ 96-97% obscured fractions. Due to the evolving IR SED shape, the local LIRG templates fit to mid-IR data can overestimate the Rayleigh-Jeans tail measurements at z~2 by a factor of 2-20, and these templates underestimate IR luminosities if fit to the observed ALMA fluxes by>0.4dex. At a given stellar mass or metallicity, dust masses at z~2.3 are an order of magnitude higher than those at z~0. Given the predicted molecular gas mass fractions, the observed z~2.3 dust-to-stellar mass ratios suggest lower dust-to-molecular gas masses than in local galaxies at the same metallicity. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Alcohol consumption and associated risk factors in Burkina Faso: results of a population-based cross-sectional survey | OBJECTIVES: Lifestyle modifiable risk factors are a leading preventable cause of non-communicable diseases, with alcohol consumption among the most important. Studies characterising the prevalence of alcohol consumption in low-income countries are lacking. This study describes the prevalence of different levels of alcohol consumption in Burkina Faso and its associated factors. DESIGN: Data from the 2013 Burkina Faso WHO STEPwise Approach to Surveillance survey were analysed. The prevalence of alcohol consumption over the last 30 days was recoded into categories according to WHO recommendations: low, mid or abusive alcohol consumption. Multinomial logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with the different levels of alcohol consumption. SETTING: Population-based cross-sectional survey in Burkina Faso. PARTICIPANTS: 4692 participants of both sexes aged 25–64 years were included in the study. RESULTS: In the whole sample, 3559 participants (75.8% (72.5%–78.7%)) were not consuming any alcohol, 614 (12.9% (10.9%–15.3%)) had low alcohol consumption, 399 (8.5% (7.1%–10.1%)) had mid alcohol consumption and 120 (2.7% (2.0%–3.7%)) had abusive consumption. Age was associated with alcohol intake with a gradient effect and older people having a higher level of consumption (adjusted OR (AOR): 2.36, 95% CI (1.59 to 3.51) for low consumption, 2.50 (1.54 to 4.07) for mid consumption and 2.37 (1.01 to 5.92) for abusive consumption in comparison with no consumption). Tobacco consumption was also significantly associated with alcohol intake with a gradient effect, those with higher tobacco consumption being at higher risk of abusive alcohol intake (AOR: 6.08 (2.75 to 13.4) for moderate consumption and 6.58 (1.96 to 22.11) for abusive consumption). CONCLUSION: Our data showed an important burden of alcohol consumption in Burkina Faso, which varied with age and tobacco use. To effectively reduce alcohol consumption in Burkina Faso, comprehensive control and prevention campaigns should consider these associated factors. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Smart Graphite-Cement Composites with Low Percolation Threshold | The objective of this work was to obtain cement composites with low percolation thresholds, which would reduce the cost of graphite and maintain good mechanical properties. For this purpose, exfoliated graphite was used as a conductive additive, which was obtained by exfoliating the expanded graphite via ultrasonic irradiation in a water bath with surfactant. To obtain evenly distributed graphite particles, the exfoliated graphite was incorporated with the remaining surfactant into the matrix. This study is limited to investigating the influence of exfoliated graphite on the electrical and mechanical properties of cement mortars. The electrical conductivity of the composites was investigated to determine the percolation threshold. The flexural and compressive strength was tested to assess the mechanical properties. In terms of the practical applications of these composites, the piezoresistive, temperature-resistivity, and thermoelectric properties were studied. The results showed that the incorporation of exfoliated graphite with surfactant is an effective way to obtain a composite with a percolation threshold as low as 0.96% (total volume of the composite). In addition, the mechanical properties of the composites are satisfactory for practical application. These composites also have good properties in terms of practical applications. As a result, the exfoliated graphite used can significantly facilitate the practical use of smart composites. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Statistical analysis of (222)Rn concentration in Zamzam and other water sources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | In the present study, six water samples were collected from different locations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and another sample from the Zamzam site in Makkah city. The concentration of the radioactive isotope (222)Rn was measured using the electronic radon detector (RAD7). The comparative analysis study on these samples showed that the average concentration value in all samples was 0.504Bq/L. The data analysis showed that the concentration of (222)Rn was ranged from 0.43 ± 0.06 Bq/L to 0.57 ± 0.060 Bq/L for all samples. These levels are below the contamination threshold (11.1 Bq/L) recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Interestingly, Radon radioactivity levels were lower than those harmful to human health. The principal component analysis (PCA) using (SPSS version 15) was used to reduce the four variables influencing the (222)Rn activity concentration to two variables: temperature (correlation coefficient, R(2): 0.984) and the relative humidity (RH%) (R(2):-0.987). The increase in temperature reduces the solubility of (222)Rn gas activity water and facilitates its detection, whereas increased the RH% increases its solubility and decreases the detection level of (222)Rn activity concentration. The interaction between temperature and RH% does not affect the concentration of (222)Rn. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The TOPAZ study: a home-based trial of zoledronic acid to prevent fractures in neurodegenerative parkinsonism | The Trial of Parkinson’s And Zoledronic acid (TOPAZ, https://clinicaltrials gov/ct2/show/NCT03924414) is a unique collaboration between experts in movement disorders and osteoporosis to test the efficacy of zoledronic acid, an FDA-approved parenteral treatment for osteoporosis, for fracture prevention in people with neurodegenerative parkinsonism Aiming to enroll 3,500 participants age 65 years or older, TOPAZ is one of the largest randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials ever attempted in parkinsonism The feasibility of TOPAZ is enhanced by its design as a U S - wide home-based trial without geographical limits Participants receive information from multiple sources, including specialty practices, support groups and websites Conducting TOPAZ in participants’ homes takes advantage of online consent technology, the capacity to confirm diagnosis using telemedicine and the availability of research nursing to provide screening and parenteral therapy in homes Home-based clinical research may provide an efficient, convenient, less expensive method that opens participation in clinical trials to almost anyone with parkinsonism | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Dampak pengumuman COVID-19 terhadap harga dan volume saham pada industri farmasi di Indonesia | The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the announcement of COVID-19 in Indonesia on stock prices and the volume of shares traded by the pharmaceutical industry listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2020. Research on the pharmaceutical industry with a sample of 10 companies. The research period is 360 days or 180 days before and after the announcement of COVID-19. The event study methodology analyzes the market reaction to an event namely the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic and data analysis techniques using the Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test. The results of the study explain that there are insignificant differences in share prices and significant differences in the volume of shares traded which means that the announcement of COVID-19 has information content as indicated by an increase in the volume of shares traded. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Mechanisms by Which Traditional Chinese Medicines Influence the Intestinal Flora and Intestinal Barrier | The effect of a drug on the intestinal flora and the intestinal barrier is an important evaluation index for drug safety and efficacy. Chemical synthetic drugs are widely used due to their advantages of fast efficacy and low doses, but they are prone to cause drug resistance and inhibit proton pumps, which may harm intestinal health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been applied clinically for thousands of years, and how TCMs regulate intestinal health to achieve their effects of disease treatment has become a hot research topic that needs to be resolved. This paper reviews the recent research on the effects of TCMs on intestinal microorganisms and the intestinal mucosal barrier after entering the intestine, discusses the interaction mechanisms between TCMs and intestinal flora, and details the repair effect of TCMs on the intestinal mucosal barrier to provide a reference for the development, utilization, and modernization of TCM. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Intervention threshold for epidemic control in susceptible-infected-recovered metapopulation models | Metapopulation epidemic models describe epidemic dynamics in networks of spatially distant patches connected via pathways for migration of individuals. In the present study, we deal with a susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) metapopulation model where the epidemic process in each patch is represented by an SIR model and the mobility of individuals is assumed to be a homogeneous diffusion. We consider two types of patches including high-risk and low-risk ones under the assumption that a local patch is changed from a high-risk one to a low-risk one by an intervention. We theoretically analyze the intervention threshold which indicates the critical fraction of low-risk patches for preventing a global epidemic outbreak. We show that an intervention targeted to high-degree patches is more effective for epidemic control than a random intervention. The theoretical results are validated by Monte Carlo simulations for synthetic and realistic scale-free patch networks. The theoretical results also reveal that the intervention threshold depends on the human mobility network and the mobility rate. Our approach is useful for exploring better local interventions aimed at containment of epidemics. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Early stage COVID-19 disease dynamics in Germany: models and parameter identification | Since the end of 2019 an outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, is reported from China and later other parts of the world. Since January 21, World Health Organization (WHO) reports daily data on confirmed cases and deaths from both China and other countries (www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports). The Johns Hopkins University (github.com/CSSEGISandData/COVID-19/blob/master/csse_COVID_19_data/csse_COVID_19_time_series/time_series_COVID19_confirmed_global.csv) collects those data from various sources worldwide on a daily basis. For Germany, the Robert-Koch-Institute (RKI) also issues daily reports on the current number of infections and infection related fatal cases (www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Situationsberichte/Gesamt.html). However, due to delays in the data collection, the data from RKI always lags behind those reported by Johns Hopkins. In this work we present an extended SEIRD-model to describe the disease dynamics in Germany. The parameter values are identified by matching the model output to the officially reported cases. An additional parameter to capture the influence of unidentified cases is also included in the model. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
[Clinical application effect of modified nasopharyngeal swab sampling for 2019 novel coronavirus nucleic acid detection] | Objective: To study the clinical application effect of modified nasopharyngeal swab sampling for 2019 novel coronavirus nucleic acid detection. Methods: This study covered the period from January 14 to March 1, 2020.The supine position method and the protective face screen were used to collect nasopharyngeal swabs from February 24 onwards, before which, the nasopharyngeal swabs were collected by sitting position method. All the patients who were diagnosed with suspected/confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus infection were admitted from February 19 with the nasopharyngeal swabs collected outside the hospital before admission. (1) Thirty-four swabbing operators meeting the inclusion criteria of the study were recruited in this retrospective cohort study. They were grouped according to the collection method of nasopharyngeal swabs. Sixteen operators of Wuhan Taikang Tongji Hospital who applied the supine position method and the protective face screen were included in supine position method+ protective face screen group (15 males and 1 female, aged 34-49 years); 18 operators (12 from the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (the Third Military Medical University), 1 from Wuhan Jiangxia Mobile Cabin Hospital, 5 from the East District of People's Hospital of Wuhan University) who applied the traditional sitting position method were included in sitting position method group (2 males and 16 females, aged 25-49 years). In supine position method+ protective face screen group, when collecting sample, the patient lay flat and wore a special protective face screen for nasopharyngeal swab sampling, with neck slightly extending and face turning to the opposite side of the operator about 10°. The self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the cooperation, the incidence of nausea, coughing, sneezing, and struggling of patients evaluated by the operators, the operation time for a single swab sample, the fear of operation and the perceived exposure risk of operators in the two groups. (2) Sixty-five patients (22 males and 43 females, aged 25-91 years) admitted to Wuhan Taikang Tongji Hospital who successively received the sitting position method and supine position method+ protective face screen for nasopharyngeal swabs sampling and with complete nucleic acid detection results were included. The positive rates of nucleic acid detection by the two sampling methods of nasopharyngeal swabs of the patients were statistically analyzed. (3) Forty-one patients who could express their feelings accurately were selected out of those 65 patients (12 males and 29 females, aged 27-83 years). The comfort of patients in the process of sampling by the two methods was investigated. (4) Thirty-four patients (10 males and 24 females, aged 25-83 years) with two or more consecutive negative results of nucleic acid detection of nasopharyngeal swabs by sitting position method were selected from the above 65 patients. The positive rate of nucleic acid detection of nasopharyngeal swab of patients by supine position method+ protective face screen, i. e. negative to positive rate was statistically analyzed. Data were statistically analyzed with t test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and chi-square test. Results: (1) Compared with those of sitting position method group, the cooperation score of patients evaluated by the operators in supine position method+ protective face screen group was significantly higher (Z=-4.928, P<0.01), the incidence of nausea, choking cough, sneezing, and struggling of patients evaluated by the operators, and the fear of operation score and the perceived exposure risk score of operators in supine position method+ protective face screen group were significantly lower (Z=-5.071, -5.046, -4.095, -4.397, -4.174, -5.049, P<0.01), and the operation time for a single swab sample in supine position method+ protective face screen group was significantly longer (t=223.17, P<0.01). (2) The positive rate of nucleic acid detection of nasopharyngeal swabs by supine position method+ protective face screen was 60.00% (39/65), which was obviously higher than 41.54% (27/65) by sitting position method (χ(2)=4.432, P<0.05). (3) The comfort score of the 41 patients during nasopharyngeal swabs sampling by supine position method+ protective face screen was significantly higher than that by sitting position method (Z=-5.319, P<0.01). (4) Of the 34 patients with two or more consecutive negative results of nucleic acid detection of nasopharyngeal swabs by sitting position method, the rate of negative to positive of nucleic acid detection was 26.47% (9/34) after sampling by supine position method+ protective face screen. Conclusions: Compared with the traditional sitting position method, detection of 2019 novel coronavirus nucleic acids of nasopharyngeal swabs collected by supine method combined with protective face screen is worth promoting, because of its better comfort of patients, low exposure risk for operators, in addition to reducing in the false negative result to some extent, which may help reduce false recurrence of discharged patients. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Comparison of demographic and donation profiles and transfusion-transmissible disease markers and risk rates in previously transfused and nontransfused blood donors. | BACKGROUND Increasing concern about transfusion transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has resulted in indefinite deferral of transfused donors in France and the UK. Little is known, however, about the impact of indefinite deferral of transfused donors on blood safety and availability in the US. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Data were collected on allogeneic donations at five US blood centers during 1991 through 2000. Donation characteristics, prevalence, and incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) were compared between transfused and nontransfused donors. Unreported deferrable risk (UDR) and reasons to donate were evaluated with data from a mail survey. RESULTS Transfusion history was reported by 4.2 percent of donors. Prevalence and incidence of HIV and HBV were comparable between transfused and nontransfused donors. Although HCV incidence was similar in both groups, HCV prevalence was nearly three times higher in transfused than in nontransfused first-time donors. UDR and reasons to donate were similar in the two groups, except transfused donors were less likely to donate for screening test results (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.8). CONCLUSION Transfused and nontransfused donors had similar viral incidence and comparable UDR, suggesting that indefinite deferral of transfused donors would unlikely improve blood safety. Until more is known about the prevalence and transfusion transmissibility of emerging agents, indefinite deferral of previously transfused donors in the US does not appear warranted. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Cost-effectiveness of filgrastimsndz as primary prophylaxis (PP) versus secondary prophylaxis (SP) to prevent chemotherapyinduced febrile neutropenia (FN) in breast cancer patients at intermediate risk | Background: According to clinical practice guidelines, the threshold for routine myeloid growth factor (MGF) PP is a high risk (>20%) of developing FN However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent recommendation expands this threshold for using MGF PP to include patients at intermediate risk (10-20%) of developing FN, with the goal of reducing emergency room and hospital visits Patients with breast cancer receiving potentially curative chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel or paclitaxel (every 21 days) are at an intermediate risk (10-20%) of developing FN This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of PP vs SP using a biosimilar MGF, filgrastim-sndz, in earlystage breast cancer patients at intermediate risk of FN Methods: A Markov model with a lifetime horizon was constructed to evaluate the total costs and clinical outcomes when using filgrastim-sndz as PP vs SP in 56 year old early-stage breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant docetaxel (following doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles Patients had ≥1 FN risk factor (i e , recent surgery) without the receipt of anti-HER2 therapy, representing a 16% baseline FN risk Average Sales Price (ASP) calculated from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 2020 ASP Drug Pricing File was used as the filgrastim-sndz cost Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated for cost per FN event avoided, life-year saved (LYS), and quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained from a United States payer perspective Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were conducted Results: Filgrastim-sndz as PP vs SP provided an additional 0 102 FN events avoided, 0 065 LYS, and 0 056 QALYs at an incremental cost of $2,106 The ICERs were $20,656, $32,624 and $37,333 for cost per FN event avoided, cost per LYS, and cost per QALY gained, respectively In the PSA, the likelihood of cost-effectiveness at a willingnessto-pay (WTP) threshold of $50,000 per QALY gained was 71 3% Conclusions: For early-stage breast cancer patients at intermediate risk of FN receiving adjuvant docetaxel with 1 or more risk factors, PP with filgrastim-sndz compared to SP is cost-effective based on a WTP threshold of $50,000/QALY | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Clinical tools for cardiorespiratory assessment and rehabilitation: A primary care perspective | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions of people worldwide. It mainly affects the respiratory system, seen as pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Cardiovascular manifestations have been observed in some patients. Hence, cardiorespiratory assessment is an important component of diagnosis, management and follow-up of this disease. Primary care is the first point of contact with the healthcare system for most patients. Therefore, methods for assessment and rehabilitation should be feasible in a primary care setting. This commentary aims to provide a primary care perspective on existing clinical tools for cardiorespiratory assessment and rehabilitation. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Direct RNA Sequencing Reveals SARS-CoV-2 m6A Sites and Possible Differential DRACH Motif Methylation among Variants | The causative agent of COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, has a 29,903 bases positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome. RNAs exhibit about 150 modified bases that are essential for proper function. Among internal modified bases, the N(6)-methyladenosine, or m6A, is the most frequent, and is implicated in SARS-CoV-2 immune response evasion. Although the SARS-CoV-2 genome is RNA, almost all genomes sequenced thus far are, in fact, reverse transcribed complementary DNAs. This process reduces the true complexity of these viral genomes because the incorporation of dNTPs hides RNA base modifications. Here, we present an initial exploration of Nanopore direct RNA sequencing to assess the m6A residues in the SARS-CoV-2 sequences of ORF3a, E, M, ORF6, ORF7a, ORF7b, ORF8, N, ORF10 and the 3′-untranslated region. We identified fifteen m6A methylated positions, of which, six are in ORF N. Additionally, because m6A is associated with the DRACH motif, we compared its distribution in major SARS-CoV-2 variants. Although DRACH is highly conserved among variants, we show that variants Beta and Eta have a fourth position C > U change in DRACH at 28,884b that could affect methylation. This is the first report of direct RNA sequencing of a Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 sample coupled with the identification of modified bases. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Understanding the Pathophysiological Changes Via Untargated Metabolomics in COVID-19 Patients. | Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the new strain of the coronavirus. There is limited data on pathogenesis and the cellular responses of COVID-19. In this study, it is aimed to determine the variation of metabolites between healthy control and COVID-19 via the untargeted metabolomics method. Serum samples were obtained from 44 COVID-19 patients and 41 healthy controls. Untargeted metabolomics analyses were performed by LC/Q-TOF/MS method. Data acquisition, classification, and identification were achieved by the METLIN database and XCMS. Significant differences were determined between patients and healthy controls in terms of purine, glutamine, leukotriene D4 (LTD4) and glutathione metabolisms. Down regulations were determined in R-S lactoglutathione and glutamine. Up-regulations were detected in hypoxanthine, inosine, and LTD4. Identified metabolites indicate roles for purine, glutamine, LTD4, and glutathione metabolisms in the pathogenesis of the COVID-19. The use of selective leukotriene D4 receptor antagonists, targeting purinergic signaling as a therapeutic approach and glutamine supplementation may decrease the severity and mortality of COVID-19. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Considerations When Using Telemedicine As the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse | Accessibility to health care is crucial to management of chronic and acute conditions. Although the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic significantly impacts the issue of access to health care, with the introduction of Waiver 1135, telehealth has become a positive strategy in increasing safe access to health care. This report addresses considerations to take into account when advanced practice registered nurses use telehealth to facilitate access to care. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with COVID-19 Infection: Risk Factors, Prevention, and Management | Venous thromboembolic complications have emerged as serious sequelae in COVID-19 infections. This article summarizes the most current information regarding pathophysiology, risk factors and hematologic markers, incidence and timing of events, atypical venous thromboembolic complications, prophylaxis recommendations, and therapeutic recommendations. Data will likely to continue to rapidly evolve as more knowledge is gained regarding venous events in COVID-19 patients. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |