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Iravani M, Bahmaei H, Askari S, Ghanbari S, Nasab MB, Masihi S. Effect of Tele-Medicine on Health Anxiety and Pregnancy-Related Anxiety in Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Epidemic in Iran. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY RESEARCH 2023; 28:405-410. [PMID: 37694204 PMCID: PMC10484383 DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_405_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Background The global spread of the new coronavirus has increased the necessity of innovations to increase the quality of health care. This study was intended to examine the impact of tele-medicine on health anxiety and pregnancy-related anxiety in pregnant women during the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran. Materials and Methods This quasi-experimental study was performed between March and May 2020. Sampling was done using multi-stage random sampling method. A total of 104 pregnant women were in two groups (intervention: n = 52, control: n = 52). Data were collected using a demographic and obstetric information questionnaire, the Health Anxiety Questionnaire, and Van den Bergh's Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire. The intervention group received counseling services for 2 months by researchers through telephone conversations, text messages, and applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram. In addition to routine pregnancy care, they could contact the researchers by phone and receive the necessary advice in case of any questions, ambiguities, or problems. The control group included pregnant women who received only routine pregnancy care. Results After the intervention, health anxiety scores of pregnant women in the control group were significantly higher than those of the experimental group (t98 = 13.54, p < 0.001). Also, the mean (SD) scores of pregnancy-related anxiety in the control group were significantly higher compared with the intervention group (t98 = 3.80, p < 0.001). Conclusions Using tele-medicine, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic can reduce unnecessary referrals of pregnant women to medical centers and their risk of developing the disease, on the one hand, and by reducing women's anxiety, however, it can improve psychological consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Iravani
- Associate Professor of Reproductive Health, Reproductive Health Promotion Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Hadis Bahmaei
- Midwifery Department, Nursing and Midwifery School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Askari
- Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Saeed Ghanbari
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Beheshti Nasab
- Midwifery Department, Nursing and Midwifery School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sara Masihi
- Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fertility Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Salamony A, Shamikh Y, Amer K, Elnagdy T, Elnakib M, Yehia AA, Hassan W, Abdelsalam M. Are Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Antibodies Friends or Foes for Covid-19 Disease? Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2023; 71:15. [PMID: 37341786 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-023-00680-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Many factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis and severity of COVID-19 pandemic. A wide variation in the susceptibility for SARS-CoV-2 infection among different population, gender and age has been observed. Multiple studies investigated the relationship between the antibody's titre of previously vaccinated individuals and the susceptibility of coronavirus infection, to find a rapid effective therapy for this pandemic. This study focused on the association between measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) antibodies titre and the severity of COVID-19 infection. We aimed to investigate the correlation between the antibody's titre of MMR and the SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility and disease severity, in a cohort of COVID-19 Egyptian patients, compared to a control group. MMR antibody titre was measured using enzyme Linked Immune Sorbent Assay; (ELISA) for 136 COVID-19 patients and 44 healthy individuals, as control group. There were high levels of measles and mumps antibodies titer in the deteriorating cases, which could not protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the rubella antibodies might protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection, but once the infection occurs, it may aggravate the risk of case deterioration. MMR antibodies could be used as a guideline for COVID-19 symptom-severity and, in turn, may be considered as an economic prognostic marker used for early protection from multiple autoimmune organ failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza Salamony
- Egypt Centre for Research and Regenerative Medicine, ECRRM, Cairo, 11517, Egypt
- Microbiology and Immunology, Central Public Health Laboratories, CPHL, Ministry of Health, Cairo, 11613, Egypt
| | - Yara Shamikh
- Egypt Centre for Research and Regenerative Medicine, ECRRM, Cairo, 11517, Egypt
- Microbiology and Immunology, Central Public Health Laboratories, CPHL, Ministry of Health, Cairo, 11613, Egypt
| | - Khaled Amer
- Egypt Centre for Research and Regenerative Medicine, ECRRM, Cairo, 11517, Egypt
| | - Tarek Elnagdy
- Egypt Centre for Research and Regenerative Medicine, ECRRM, Cairo, 11517, Egypt
| | - Mostafa Elnakib
- Egypt Centre for Research and Regenerative Medicine, ECRRM, Cairo, 11517, Egypt
| | - Abd Allah Yehia
- Egypt Centre for Research and Regenerative Medicine, ECRRM, Cairo, 11517, Egypt
| | - Wael Hassan
- Egypt Centre for Research and Regenerative Medicine, ECRRM, Cairo, 11517, Egypt
| | - Maha Abdelsalam
- Egypt Centre for Research and Regenerative Medicine, ECRRM, Cairo, 11517, Egypt.
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Immunology Unit, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
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Huang L, Li Q, Shah SZA, Nasb M, Ali I, Chen B, Xie L, Chen H. Efficacy and safety of ultra-short wave diathermy on COVID-19 pneumonia: a pioneering study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1149250. [PMID: 37342496 PMCID: PMC10277738 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1149250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The ultra-short wave diathermy (USWD) is widely used to ameliorate inflammation of bacterial pneumonia, however, for COVID-19 pneumonia, USWD still needs to be verified. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of USWD in COVID-19 pneumonia patients. Methods This was a single-center, evaluator-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Moderate and severe COVID-19 patients were recruited between 18 February and 20 April 2020. Participants were randomly allocated to receive USWD + standard medical treatment (USWD group) or standard medical treatment alone (control group). The negative conversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 and Systemic Inflammatory Response Scale (SIRS) on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 were assessed as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included time to clinical recovery, the 7-point ordinal scale, and adverse events. Results Fifty patients were randomized (USWD, 25; control, 25), which included 22 males (44.0%) and 28 females (56.0%) with a mean (SD) age of 53 ± 10.69. The rates of SARS-CoV-2 negative conversion on day 7 (p = 0.066), day 14 (p = 0.239), day 21 (p = 0.269), and day 28 (p = 0.490) were insignificant. However, systemic inflammation by SIRS was ameliorated with significance on day 7 (p = 0.030), day 14 (p = 0.002), day 21 (p = 0.003), and day 28 (p = 0.011). Time to clinical recovery (USWD 36.84 ± 9.93 vs. control 43.56 ± 12.15, p = 0.037) was significantly shortened with a between-group difference of 6.72 ± 3.14 days. 7-point ordinal scale on days 21 and 28 showed significance (p = 0.002, 0.003), whereas the difference on days 7 and 14 was insignificant (p = 0.524, 0.108). In addition, artificial intelligence-assisted CT analysis showed a greater decrease in the infection volume in the USWD group, without significant between-group differences. No treatment-associated adverse events or worsening of pulmonary fibrosis were observed in either group. Conclusion Among patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 pneumonia, USWD added to standard medical treatment could ameliorate systemic inflammation and shorten the duration of hospitalization without causing any adverse effects.Clinical Trial Registration: chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2000029972.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangjiang Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Training and Research in Rehabilitation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Training and Research in Rehabilitation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sayed Zulfiqar Ali Shah
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mohammad Nasb
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Iftikhar Ali
- Paraplegic Center, Hayatabad, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingfeng Xie
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Training and Research in Rehabilitation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Training and Research in Rehabilitation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Gomes JC, de Freitas Barbosa VA, de Santana MA, de Lima CL, Calado RB, Júnior CRB, de Almeida Albuquerque JE, de Souza RG, de Araújo RJE, Moreno GMM, Soares LAL, Júnior LARM, de Souza RE, dos Santos WP. Rapid protocols to support COVID-19 clinical diagnosis based on hematological parameters. RESEARCH ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2023; 39:509-539. [PMCID: PMC10239225 DOI: 10.1007/s42600-023-00286-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Purpose In December 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic began in the world. To reduce mortality, in addiction to mass vaccination, it is necessary to massify and accelerate clinical diagnosis, as well as creating new ways of monitoring patients that can help in the construction of specific treatments for the disease. Objective In this work, we propose rapid protocols for clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 through the automatic analysis of hematological parameters using evolutionary computing and machine learning. These hematological parameters are obtained from blood tests common in clinical practice. Method We investigated the best classifier architectures. Then, we applied the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) to select the most relevant attributes: serum glucose, troponin, partial thromboplastin time, ferritin, D-dimer, lactic dehydrogenase, and indirect bilirubin. Then, we assessed again the best classifier architectures, but now using the reduced set of features. Finally, we used decision trees to build four rapid protocols for Covid-19 clinical diagnosis by assessing the impact of each selected feature. The proposed system was used to support clinical diagnosis and assessment of disease severity in patients admitted to intensive and semi-intensive care units as a case study in the city of Paudalho, Brazil. Results We developed a web system for Covid-19 diagnosis support. Using a 100-tree random forest, we obtained results for accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity superior to 99%. After feature selection, results were similar. The four empirical clinical protocols returned accuracies, sensitivities and specificities superior to 98%. Conclusion By using a reduced set of hematological parameters common in clinical practice, it was possible to achieve results of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity comparable to those obtained with RT-PCR. It was also possible to automatically generate clinical decision protocols, allowing relatively accurate clinical diagnosis even without the aid of the web decision support system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valter Augusto de Freitas Barbosa
- Academic Unit of Serra Talhada, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Serra Talhada, Brazil
- Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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Sabbatucci M, Vitiello A, Clemente S, Zovi A, Boccellino M, Ferrara F, Cimmino C, Langella R, Ponzo A, Stefanelli P, Rezza G. Omicron variant evolution on vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Inflammopharmacology 2023:10.1007/s10787-023-01253-6. [PMID: 37204696 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01253-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic has caused almost 760 million confirmed cases and 7 million deaths worldwide, as of end-February 2023. Since the beginning of the first COVID-19 case, several virus variants have emerged: Alpha (B1.1.7), Beta (B135.1), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2) and then Omicron (B.1.1.529) and its sublineages. All variants have diversified in transmissibility, virulence, and pathogenicity. All the newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants appear to contain some similar mutations associated with greater "evasiveness" of the virus to immune defences. From early 2022 onward, several Omicron subvariants named BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, and BA.5, with comparable mutation forms, have followed. After the wave of contagions caused by Omicron BA.5, a new Indian variant named Centaurus BA.2.75 and its new subvariant BA.2.75.2, a second-generation evolution of the Omicron variant BA.2, have recently been identified. From early evidence, it appears that this new variant has higher affinity for the cell entry receptor ACE-2, making it potentially able to spread very fast. According to the latest studies, the BA.2.75.2 variant may be able to evade more antibodies in the bloodstream generated by vaccination or previous infection, and it may be more resistant to antiviral and monoclonal antibody drug treatments. In this manuscript, the authors highlight and describe the latest evidences and critical issues have emerged on the new SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Sabbatucci
- Ministry of Health, Directorate-General for Health Prevention, Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5, 00144, Rome, Italy
- Department Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Vitiello
- Ministry of Health, Directorate-General for Health Prevention, Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Clemente
- Ministry of Health, Directorate-General for Health Prevention, Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Zovi
- Ministry of Health, Directorate General of Hygiene, Food Safety and Nutrition, Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Francesco Ferrara
- Pharmaceutical Department, Local Health Unit Napoli 3 Sud, Dell'amicizia Street 22, 80035, Nola, Italy
| | - Carla Cimmino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Langella
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Agency for Health Protection of the Metropolitan Area of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Paola Stefanelli
- Department Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rezza
- Ministry of Health, Directorate-General for Health Prevention, Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5, 00144, Rome, Italy
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Pourmasumi S, Kounis NG, Naderi M, Hosseinisadat R, Khoradmehr A, Fagheirelahee N, Kouni SN, de Gregorio C, Dousdampanis P, Mplani V, Michalaki MA, Plotas P, Assimakopoulos S, Gogos C, Aidonidis G, Roditis P, Matsas N, Velissaris D, Calogiuri G, Hung MY, Koniari I. Effects of COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination on the Female Reproductive System: A Narrative Review. Balkan Med J 2023; 40:153-164. [PMID: 37114907 PMCID: PMC10175880 DOI: 10.4274/balkanmedj.galenos.2023.2023-3-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies and research papers have been published to elucidate and understand the mechanism of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its long-term effects on the human body. COVID-19 affects a number of organs, including the female reproductive system. However, less attention has been given to the effects of COVID-19 on the female reproductive system due to their low morbidity. The results of studies investigating the relationship between COVID-19 infection and ovarian function in women of reproductive age have shown the harmless involvement of COVID-19 infection. Several studies have reported the involvement of COVID-19 infection in oocyte quality, ovarian function, and dysfunctions in the uterine endometrium and the menstrual cycle. The findings of these studies indicate that COVID-19 infection negatively affects the follicular microenvironment and dysregulate ovarian function. Although the COVID-19 pandemic and female reproductive health have been studied in humans and animals, very few studies have examined how COVID-19 affects the female reproductive system. The objective of this review is to summarize the current literature and categorize the effects of COVID-19 on the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, and hormonal profiles. The effects on oocyte maturation, oxidative stress, which causes chromosomal instability and apoptosis in ovaries, in vitro fertilization cycle, high-quality embryos, premature ovarian insufficiency, ovarian vein thrombosis, hypercoagulable state, women’s menstrual cycle, the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis, and sex hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and the anti-Müllerian hormone, are discussed in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Pourmasumi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Ali-Ibn Abi-Talib Hospital, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Nicholas G. Kounis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Monavar Naderi
- Knowledge and Information Science, Vice Chancellor for Science and Technology, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Robabe Hosseinisadat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Arezoo Khoradmehr
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Niloofar Fagheirelahee
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | | | - Cesare de Gregorio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Medical School, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Virginia Mplani
- Intensive Care Unit, Patras University Hospital, Patras, Greece
| | - Marina A. Michalaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Fculty of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Stelios Assimakopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Christos Gogos
- COVID-19 Unit, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Pavlos Roditis
- Department of Cardiology, Mamatsio Kozanis General Hospital, Kozani, Greece
| | | | | | - Gianfranco Calogiuri
- Pneumonology Department, Civil Hospital “Ninetto Melli”, Pietro Vernoti, Brindisi, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Section of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Ming-Yow Hung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ioanna Koniari
- Departmentof Cardiology, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
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Torabizadeh C, Iloonkashkooli R, Haghshenas H, Fararouei M. Prevalence of Cardiovascular Complications in Coronavirus Disease 2019 adult Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2023; 48:243-267. [PMID: 37791325 PMCID: PMC10542931 DOI: 10.30476/ijms.2022.93701.2504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Background It has been found that the new coronavirus can affect various parts of the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular complications caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are often serious and can increase the mortality rate among infected patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 adult patients. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies published in English were conducted between December 2019 and February 2021. A complete search was performed in PubMed (PubMed Central and MEDLINE), Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Ovid, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and WILEY, as well as BioRXiv, MedRXiv, and gray literature. A random effect model was used to examine the prevalence of cardiovascular complications among COVID-19 patients. The I2 test was used to measure heterogeneity across the included studies. Results A total of 74 studies involving 34,379 COVID-19 patients were included for meta-analysis. The mean age of the participants was 61.30±14.75 years. The overall pooled prevalence of cardiovascular complications was 23.45%. The most prevalent complications were acute myocardial injury (AMI) (19.38%, 95% CI=13.62-26.81, test for heterogeneity I2=97.5%, P<0.001), arrhythmia (11.16%, 95% CI=8.23-14.96, test for heterogeneity I2=91.5%, P<0.001), heart failure (HF) (7.56%, 95% CI=4.50-12.45, test for heterogeneity I2=96.3%, P<0.001), and cardiomyopathy (2.78%, 95% CI=0.34-9.68). The highest pooled prevalence of cardiac enzymes was lactate dehydrogenase (61.45%), troponin (23.10%), and creatine kinase-myocardial band or creatine kinase (14.52%). Conclusion The high prevalence of serious cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients (AMI, arrhythmia, and HF) necessitates increased awareness by healthcare administrators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camellia Torabizadeh
- Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Hajar Haghshenas
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Fararouei
- HIV/AIDs Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Shafaghat T, Rahimi Zarchi MK, Mousavi SM, Askari R, Ranjbar M, Ebadi F. Iranian Health System Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Prev Med 2023; 14:52. [PMID: 37351063 PMCID: PMC10284202 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_359_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has created several challenges for countries all over the world. Different countries have taken different measures to fight this pandemic and reduce its challenges depending on their cultural, economic, and social structures. This study aims to understand and explain the Iranian health system's response to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic from the managers' and authorities' perspective. Method This study is a basic applied research performed under a qualitative approach. In the survey, 30 experts including the managers of health centers and deputies and heads of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and Medical Universities were selected by purposive snowball sampling and participated in semi-structured interviews from March to May 2020. The researchers explained the actions of the Iranian health system in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 by content analysis. Results As a result, 14 subthemes were found and classified into four major themes, including the informative and regulative actions (two subthemes), administrative and supportive actions (six subthemes), preventive and curative actions (three subthemes), and resource-related actions (three subthemes). Conclusions Due to its strong health structures, such as urban and rural health networks, various general and specialized hospitals, experienced doctors, and committed health staff, Iran has taken practical actions in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the findings of this study and its relevant measures can help combat this pandemic in countries with similar social and cultural structures or counter future similar crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Shafaghat
- Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kazem Rahimi Zarchi
- Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Seyed Masood Mousavi
- Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Roohollah Askari
- Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ranjbar
- Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Faezeh Ebadi
- School of Management and Medical Informatics, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Pal T, Anand U, Sikdar Mitra S, Biswas P, Tripathi V, Proćków J, Dey A, Pérez de la Lastra JM. Harnessing and bioprospecting botanical-based herbal medicines against potential drug targets for COVID-19: a review coupled molecular docking studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-23. [PMID: 37105230 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2187634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Since the end of February 2020, the world has come to a standstill due to the virus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Since then, the global scientific community has explored various remedies and treatments against this virus, including natural products that have always been a choice because of their many benefits. Various known phytochemicals are well documented for their antiviral properties. Research is being carried out to discover new natural plant products or existing ones as a treatment measure for this disease. The three important targets in this regard are-papain like protease (PLpro), spike protein, and 3 chymotrypsin like proteases (3CLpro). Various docking studies are also being elucidated to identify the phytochemicals that modulate crucial proteins of the virus. The paper is simultaneously a comprehensive review that covers recent advances in the domain of the effect of various botanically derived natural products as an alternative treatment approach against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Furthermore, the docking analyses revealed that rutin (inhibitor of the major protease of SARS-CoV-2), gallocatechin (e.g., interacting with 03 hydrogen bonds with a spike-like protein), lycorine (showing the best binding affinity with amino acids GLN498, THR500 and GLY446 of the spike-like protein), and quercetrin (inhabiting at its residues ASP216, PHE219, and ILE259) are promising inhibitors of SARS‑CoV‑2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarun Pal
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | | | - Shreya Sikdar Mitra
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Protha Biswas
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Vijay Tripathi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Jacob Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jarosław Proćków
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - José M Pérez de la Lastra
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, IPNA-CSIC, Tenerife, Spain
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Uccheddu D, Rizzi EL. Intergenerational Ties and COVID-19 Contagion: A Study on European Adults Aged 50 Years and Older Using SHARE Data. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:749-763. [PMID: 36541727 PMCID: PMC10439483 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Intergenerational coresidence and interdependence among family members are salient forms of family support. However, they can also likely increase social and physical contact and thus potential coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission, especially among older adults. This study makes an original contribution to the literature by investigating which individual and household characteristics are associated with the risk of COVID-19 contagion among community-dwelling adults aged 50 years or older living in 27 European countries. We accounted for multiple indicators of intergenerational relationships and conducted a gendered analysis. METHODS The data came from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), including 2 waves of the SHARE Corona Survey. Using linear probability models, the risk of experiencing COVID-19 outcomes was predicted by different family structures and intergenerational relationship indicators. RESULTS While intergenerational coresidence was not associated with the risk of COVID-19, a higher frequency of face-to-face contact with adult children was associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 among mothers. This result stresses the importance of social support from adult children during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we also showed that grandparents who took care of grandchildren were at a higher risk of COVID-19. Additionally, childless individuals had a lower risk of COVID-19 during the second wave of the pandemic. DISCUSSION This study highlights the importance of intergenerational relationships in pandemic studies and underscores the need to examine how intergenerational ties might be a source of social support. Implications for policy interventions are discussed in the final section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Uccheddu
- University of Louvain (UCLouvain), Center for Demographic Research (DEMO), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Ester Lucia Rizzi
- University of Louvain (UCLouvain), Center for Demographic Research (DEMO), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Kandeel M, Morsy MA, Abd El-Lateef HM, Marzok M, El-Beltagi HS, Al Khodair KM, Albokhadaim I, Venugopala KN. Safety and Immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1, MVA-MERS-S, and GLS-5300 DNA MERS-CoV Vaccines. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 118:109998. [PMID: 37004348 PMCID: PMC10050282 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Background The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a pathogen associated with an acute respiratory infection that has a high mortality rate in humans. It was first identified in June of 2012 in the Arabian Peninsula. The success of the COVID-19 vaccines has shown that it is possible to take advantage of medical and scientific advances to produce safe and effective vaccines for coronaviruses. This study aimed to examine the safety and immunogenicity of MERS-CoV vaccines. Methods The research method Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used as the guideline for this study. RevMan 5.4 software was used to perform a meta-analysis of the included studies. The safety was assessed by recording adverse events following vaccination, and the immunogenicity was assessed by using seroconversion. Results The study included five randomized controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria after screening. The studies had 173 participants and were performed in four countries. The vaccines examined were the ChAdOx1 MERS vaccine, MVA-MERS-S vaccine, and GLS-5300 DNA MERS-CoV vaccine. The meta-analysis showed no significant differences in local adverse effects (all local adverse effects and pain) or systemic adverse effects (all systemic adverse effects, fatigue, and headache) among participants in groups receiving a high-dose vaccine or a low-dose vaccine. There were, however, higher levels of seroconversion in high-dose groups than in low-dose groups (OR 0.16 [CI 0.06, 0.42, p = 0.0002]). Conclusion The findings showed that high doses of current MERS-CoV vaccine candidates conferred better immunogenicity than low doses and that there were no differences in the safety of the vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Kandeel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, 31982 Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, 33516 Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed A Morsy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, El-Minia 61511, Egypt
| | - Hany M Abd El-Lateef
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Marzok
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Hossam S El-Beltagi
- Agricultural Biotechnology Department, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Khalid M Al Khodair
- Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Albokhadaim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, 31982 Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Katharigatta N Venugopala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
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Akhlaq S, Ara SA, Ahmad B, Fazil M, Akram U, Haque M, Khan AA. Interventions of Unani medicine for maintenance of health with special reference to air quality: an evidence-based review. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 38:85-96. [PMID: 34883008 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This article aims to discuss the impact of air quality on human health, measures to achieve the goal of good indoor air quality and proposed benefits of interventions of Unani Medicine with an evidence-based approach. CONTENT The significance of air quality on the health of the community cannot be denied. Recent evidences from WHO illustrated data on severe air pollutants and their impacts on human health ranges from minor upper respiratory irritation to chronic respiratory ailments including lung carcinoma and heart disease associated with premature mortality and reduced life expectancy. In Unani Medicine, air has been included in the list of factors, which are six in number and play the central role in prevention of diseases and maintenance of health. Air is considered as the medium of most of the extrinsic factors such as chemical and biological pollutants affecting health and their exposure results in short and long-term health issues. The literature of Unani Medicine proposes many simple and effective measures, which help to improve indoor and outdoor air quality. The goal of outdoor clean air is achieved through implementation of measures to tackle the source of pollution, while indoor clean air is attained through various means e.g., fumigation with herbal drugs. Hence, an extensive literature survey on Unani reserve was conducted to collect information about the concept of air discussed under the heading of six essential factors and its implication in prevention of diseases and maintenance of health. Further, research databases such as Pub Med, Google Scholar, and Science-Direct were broadly searched for evidence on the efficacy of herbals mentioned in Unani literature for the indoor air purification and subsequent air quality improvement. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK Recent studies showed good air quality leads to decrease in mortality, particularly of respiratory and cardiovascular deaths whereas poor air quality results in a variety of diseases. Unani scholars prescribed several regimens such as Bukhoor (Fumigation), Sa'oot (Nasal instillation) and use of Abeer (Perfumes) and Nadd (Incense) for the improvement of air quality. Likewise various herbal fumigants and sprays containing drugs like mī'a sā'ila (Liquidambar orientalis Mill.), mastagi (Pistacia lentiscus L.), mushk (Moschus moschiferus L.), loban (Styrax benzoides W. G. Craib), ābnoos (Diospyros ebenum J. Koenig ex Retz), zā'fran (Crocus sativus L.) and sirka (vinegar) etc. has been well explained and used exclusively for air purification and improvement of AQI. Therefore, in the present scenario of altered air quality, we forward certain measures described in Unani system of medicine for health promotion and protection. Scientific evidence on several drugs reveal the presence of a number of pharmacologically active substances, which may provide a new approach into the purification of air.
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Mciteka LP. A Synthesis Review of Vitamins Involved in the Fight against Covid‐19. CHEMBIOENG REVIEWS 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/cben.202200032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lulama P. Mciteka
- University of the Western Cape Department of Chemistry Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535 Cape Town South Africa
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The effect of increasing health disaster risk and public spending on economy conditions: a DSGE perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH GOVERNANCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1108/ijhg-04-2022-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
PurposeThe main motivation of the present study is to understand the severity of the effect of health shock on Iran's oil economy and analyze the role of government under these conditions.Design/methodology/approachDynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models can show the precise interactions between market decision-makers in the context of general equilibrium. Since the duration of the virus outbreak and its effect on the economy is not known, it is more appropriate to use these models.FindingsThe results of the survey of hands-on policies scenarios compared to the state of hands-off policy indicate that the effect of government expending shocks on the economy under pandemic disease conditions has much less feedback on macroeconomic variables.Originality/valueAs a proposed policy, it is recommended that the government play a stabilizing role under pandemic disease conditions.Key messages There is no study regarding health shock and its economic effects in Iran using DSGE models. Also, in foreign studies, the health shock in an oil economy has not been modeled.The general idea in the present study is how the prevalence of a pandemic infectious disease affects the dynamics of macroeconomic variables.In three different scenarios, according to the persistence of health disaster risk and the deterioration rate of health capital due to this shock, the model is simulated.In modeling pandemic diseases, quarantine hours are considered as part of the total time of individuals.According to the research findings, it is recommended that the government, as a policy-maker, play a stabilizing role under pandemic crises conditions.
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Gatto A, Drago C, Ruggeri M. On the Frontline-A bibliometric Study on Sustainability, Development, Coronaviruses, and COVID-19. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:42983-42999. [PMID: 35249187 PMCID: PMC8898194 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-18396-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed the world's population in a state of unprecedented public health and global health vulnerability. Risks to public and global health have escalated due to COVID-19 contamination. This has raised the statistics of inequity and environmental concerns. A possible outlook entails reducing the pandemic consequences by prioritizing development, biodiversity, and adaptability, offering buffer solutions. It contains vital methods for studying, comprehending, and unraveling events-examining early responses to COVID-19, sustainability, and development, relating them with overall Coronaviruses reaction. This study maps out environmental, socioeconomic, and medical/technological issues using as statistical techniques multiple correspondence analysis and validated cluster analysis. The findings encourage rapid, long-term development policy involvement to address the pandemic. The resulting crises have highlighted the necessity for the revival of health justice policies anchored in distinctive public health ethical patterns in response to them. As a general rule, resilience and preparedness will be targeted at developing and vulnerable nations and are prone to include access to vaccines, public health care, and health investment. Our findings show the relevance of innovating on sustainable development routes and yardsticks. Sustainable global health requires crucial measures in prevention, preparation, and response. Long-term policy recommendations are needed to address pandemics and their interrelated crises and foster sustained growth and socioecological protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gatto
- Wenzhou-Kean University, CBPM, Wenzhou, 325060 Zhejiang Province China
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, ME4 4TB UK
- Centre for Studies on Europe, Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Carlo Drago
- University of Rome N. Cusano, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Ruggeri
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 29900161 Roma, RM Italy
- St. Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant Alessandro, 8, 00131 Roma, RM Italy
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Spennemann DHR, Whitsed R. The impact of COVID-19 on the Australian outdoor recreation industry from the perspective of practitioners. JOURNAL OF OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM 2023; 41:100445. [PMID: 38620701 PMCID: PMC8450281 DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2021.100445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted, and continues to impact, the viability of many industries worldwide. In Australia, the outdoor recreation industry, already severely affected by the summer 2019-2020 bushfires, was further affected by COVID-19 restrictions including internal border closures, stay at home orders, social distancing requirements and travel restrictions. We surveyed outdoor recreation industry representatives in Australia to assess the impact of COVID-19 on professionals in the industry, views on career choices, and perspectives on the future of the industry in a post-COVID world. We found that COVID-19 affected outdoor recreation businesses in multiple ways, with a pessimistic outlook for the industry until travel restrictions and social distancing requirements are eased and economic confidence returns. This is unlikely to happen until vaccinations are rolled out nationally and herd immunity has been achieved. Even after this, however, the industry is likely to continue to suffer through loss of qualified staff and the flow-on effects of the imposed pause in guided outdoor recreation and tourism activities. We identify an urgent need for the industry to adapt and futureproof itself against future disruptors, including the very real possibility of future novel virus epidemics or pandemics. Management implications •the disruptive effect of COVID-19 on the industry, is not an aberration as another zoonotic coronavirus will manifest itself in the foreseeable future•living with the stochastic occurrence of coronavirus epidemics, some of which may develop into pandemics, is the new reality, and outdoor recreation providers will have to adapt to it.•the industry needs to develop activities that can be performed safely yet comply with increased hygiene and social distancing standards.•COVID-19 showed the risks of losing qualified and experienced staff and client confidence. Outdoor recreation providers need to develop strategies to minimise such losses in future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk H R Spennemann
- School of Environmental Sciences and Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University; PO Box 789, Albury, NSW, 2640, Australia
| | - Rachel Whitsed
- School of Environmental Sciences and Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University; PO Box 789, Albury, NSW, 2640, Australia
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Avdonin PP, Rybakova EY, Trufanov SK, Avdonin PV. SARS-CoV-2 Receptors and Their Involvement in Cell Infection. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW), SUPPLEMENT SERIES A: MEMBRANE AND CELL BIOLOGY 2023; 17:1-11. [PMID: 37008884 PMCID: PMC10050803 DOI: 10.1134/s1990747822060034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
The new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has many times surpassed the epidemics caused by SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. The reason for this was the presence of sites in the protein sequence of SARS-CoV-2 that provide interaction with a broader range of receptor proteins on the host cell surface. In this review, we consider both already known receptors common to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 and new receptors specific to SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. P. Avdonin
- N.K. Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - E. Yu. Rybakova
- N.K. Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - S. K. Trufanov
- N.K. Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - P. V. Avdonin
- N.K. Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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Khademi Z, Imani E. Frontline Nurses' Experiences of Patient Care in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study. J Caring Sci 2023; 12:42-49. [PMID: 37124405 PMCID: PMC10131169 DOI: 10.34172/jcs.2023.30327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is now a major public health crisis in the world. Nurses as key members of professional are exposed the most challenges caused by COVID19. Knowledgeable nurses' experiences can provide appropriate solutions to increase the quality of care and improve the health of the society. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses' caring for patients with COVID-19. Methods: 12 nurses participated in this phenomenological study. We performed purposeful sampling and in-depth face-to-face and semi-structured individual interviews for collecting data. Qualitative data, was analyzed by the 6-step Van Manen hermeneutic phenomenology. Results: After data analysis, the mean (SD) age of study participants was 32.25 (5.62) years and their mean work experience was 9.75 (5.39) years. From the analysis of data obtained from interviews with nurses working in COVID-19 wards, 1050 primary codes, 17 subthemes and 5 themes were extracted. Main themes include: sincere service, patient oppression, emotional instability, suspension and relaxation. Conclusion: Analysis of data in this study suggested that the nurses who care patients in COVID-19 pandemic, faced many professional and psychological challenges. Healthcare managers should plan for psychological support services for the nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Khademi
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Elham Imani
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
- *Corresponding Author: Elham Imani,
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Vallier JM, Simon C, Bronstein A, Dumont M, Jobic A, Paleiron N, Mely L. Randomized controlled trial of home-based vs. hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation in post COVID-19 patients. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2023; 59:103-110. [PMID: 36700245 PMCID: PMC10035444 DOI: 10.23736/s1973-9087.22.07702-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between 30% and 60% of people who have been infected with COVID-19 still had symptoms 3 months after the start of the disease. Prescribing a pulmonary rehabilitation program in rehabilitation facilities for post COVID-19 patients could help alleviate the symptoms. However, rehabilitation facilities known to provide good quality care to COVID-19 patients and all other patients, could become saturated by the rise in cases. Home-based rehabilitation is a potential solution that could be sustainable in the long term to avoid this saturation and/or a very long waiting list for patients. AIM The aim of this study was to investigate whether home-based rehabilitation would have similar effects compared to inpatient rehabilitation on physical and respiratory variables in post COVID-19 patients. DESIGN This is a randomized controlled trial. SETTING Pulmonary rehabilitation facility. POPULATION Seventeen post COVID-19 patients were randomized into two groups: inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (IPR) or home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (HPR). METHODS The comparison of the two rehabilitation methods relied on questionnaires, physical tests and the evaluation of several respiratory parameters. A 2-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was performed to assess the effects of time (pre- vs. post-rehabilitation), group (IPR vs. HPR) and their interaction for all parameters. RESULTS The main result of this study is that distance covered in the 6MWT (6MWD) shows significant improvements, between pre- and postrehabilitation program in both groups (+95 m in IPR group vs.+72 m in HPR group, P<0.001) with no significant interaction between time and group (P=0.420). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that home-based pulmonary rehabilitation would be as efficient as IPR to decrease physical sequelae in post COVID-19 patients. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT It is possible to suggest both methods (home-based rehabilitation or inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation) according to the specificities of each patient and depending on hospital saturation. The choice of one or the other method should not be made to the detriment of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Marc Vallier
- Laboratoire Impact de l'Activité Physique sur la Santé IAPS, University of Toulon, Toulon, France -
| | - Charles Simon
- Service des Maladies Respiratoires, Renée Sabran Hôpital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Giens, France
| | - Antoine Bronstein
- Service de Pneumologie, HIA Sainte-Anne, Service des Santé des Armées, Toulon, France
| | - Maxence Dumont
- Laboratoire Impact de l'Activité Physique sur la Santé IAPS, University of Toulon, Toulon, France
| | - Asmaa Jobic
- Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal of Toulon-La Seyne sur Mer (CHITS), Toulon, France
| | - Nicolas Paleiron
- Service de Pneumologie, HIA Sainte-Anne, Service des Santé des Armées, Toulon, France
| | - Laurent Mely
- Service des Maladies Respiratoires, Renée Sabran Hôpital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Giens, France
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Alzahrani KJ, Sharif N, Khan A, Banjer HJ, Parvez AK, Dey SK. Impact of meteorological factors and population density on COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2023; 30:103545. [PMID: 36575671 PMCID: PMC9783186 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.103545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission and increase in cases and fatalities of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are significantly influenced by the parameters of weather, human activities and population factors. However, study gap on the seasonality of COVID-19 and impact of environmental factors on the pandemic in Saudi Arabia is present. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of environment on the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed from January 2020 to July 2021. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to determine the effect of environmental variables on longitudinal outcomes. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs ) was used to analyze the impact of different parameters on the outcome of the pandemic. Multiple sequence alignment was performed by using ClustalW. Vaccination and fatalities (r s = -0.85) had the highest association followed by vaccination with cases (r s = -0.81) and population density with the fatalities (rs = 0.71). The growth rate had the highest correlation with sun hours (r s = -0.63). Isolates from variant of concern alpha and beta were detected. Most of the reference sequences in Saudi Arabia were closely related with B.1.427/429 variant. Clade GH (54%) was the most prevalent followed by O (27%), GR (9%), G (6%), and S (4%), respectively. Male to female patient ratio was 1.4:1. About 95% fatality and hospitalization were reported in patients aged >60 years. This study will create a comprehensive insight of the interaction of environmental factors and the pandemic and add knowledge on seasonality of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid J. Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nadim Sharif
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Afsana Khan
- Department of Statistics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Hamsa Jameel Banjer
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anowar Khasru Parvez
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Shuvra Kanti Dey
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh,Corresponding author
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Gomes JC, de Santana MA, Masood AI, de Lima CL, dos Santos WP. COVID-19's influence on cardiac function: a machine learning perspective on ECG analysis. Med Biol Eng Comput 2023; 61:1057-1081. [PMID: 36662377 PMCID: PMC9854415 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-023-02773-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In December 2019, the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the world gave rise to probably the biggest public health problem in the world: the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially seen only as a disease of the respiratory system, COVID-19 is actually a blood disease with effects on the respiratory tract. Considering its influence on hematological parameters, how does COVID-19 affect cardiac function? Is it possible to support the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 from the automatic analysis of electrocardiography? In this work, we sought to investigate how COVID-19 affects cardiac function using a machine learning approach to analyze electrocardiography (ECG) signals. We used a public database of ECG signals expressed as photographs of printed signals, obtained in the context of emergency care. This database has signals associated with abnormal heartbeat, myocardial infarction, history of myocardial infarction, COVID-19, and healthy heartbeat. We propose a system to support the diagnosis of COVID-19 based on hybrid deep architectures composed of pre-trained convolutional neural networks for feature extraction and Random Forests for classification. We investigated the LeNet, ResNet, and VGG16 networks. The best results were obtained with the VGG16 and Random Forest network with 100 trees, with attribute selection using particle swarm optimization. The instance size has been reduced from 4096 to 773 attributes. In the validation step, we obtained an accuracy of 94%, kappa index of 0.91, and sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve of 100%. This work showed that the influence of COVID-19 on cardiac function is quite considerable: COVID-19 did not present confusion with any heart disease, nor with signs of healthy individuals. It is also possible to build a solution to support the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 in the context of emergency care from a non-invasive and technologically scalable solution, based on hybrid deep learning architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aras Ismael Masood
- Information Technology Department, Technical College of Informatics, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
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Cox J, Christensen B, Burton N, Dunn KH, Finnegan M, Ruess A, Estill C. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace: Key findings from a rapid review of the literature. AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR AEROSOL RESEARCH 2023; 57:233-254. [PMID: 37213938 PMCID: PMC10193509 DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2023.2166394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the primary route of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was not well understood. Research gathered from other respiratory infectious diseases, including other coronaviruses, was the basis for the initial perceptions for transmission of SARS-CoV-2. To better understand transmission of SARS-CoV-2, a rapid literature review was conducted from literature generated March 19, 2020, through September 23, 2021. 18,616 unique results were identified from literature databases and screened. Of these, 279 key articles were reviewed and abstracted covering critical topics such as environmental/workplace monitoring, sampling and analytical method evaluation, and the ability of the virus to remain intact and infectious during sampling. This paper describes the results of the rapid literature review, which evaluated pathways that contribute to transmission as well as the strengths and limitations of current sampling approaches. This review also evaluates how different factors, including environmental conditions and surface characteristics, could impact the transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2. A continual rapid review in the midst of a pandemic proved particularly useful for quickly understanding the transmission parameters of the virus and enabled us to comprehensively assess literature, respond to workplace questions, and evaluate our understanding as the science evolved. Air and surface sampling with the accompanying analytical methods were not generally effective in recovering SARS-CoV-2 viable virus or RNA in many likely contaminated environments. In light of these findings, the development of validated sampling and analysis methods is critical for determining worker exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and to assess the impact of mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie Cox
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brian Christensen
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nancy Burton
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kevin H. Dunn
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Ana Ruess
- Gryphon Scientific, Takoma Park, MD, USA
| | - Cherie Estill
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Dahmash EZ, Madi T, Shatat A, Oroud Y, Hassan SK, Nassar O, Iyire A. Assessment of Hospital Readiness to Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic in Jordan-A Cross Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1798. [PMID: 36767169 PMCID: PMC9913915 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals faced tremendous pressure to cope with the emergency preparedness situations needed to cater for the influx of patients while maintaining their essential services. This study aimed to assess the level of readiness of hospitals in Jordan to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic using the WHO hospital readiness checklist. A cross-sectional survey using the modified and validated checklist was conducted in Jordan between 15 May and 15 June 2021. The checklist entailed ten key response functions with a total of 60 activities. Data from 22 hospitals were collected through a structured survey process by two surveyors for each hospital. The overall readiness score of hospitals was 1.77 ± 0.20, with a lower overall score in the northern region (1.65 ± 0.24) than the middle (1.86 ± 0.07) or southern (1.84 ± 0.14) regions. The diagnosis response function scored highest (1.95); but despite efforts, contingency plan development was not met by most hospitals, with a total score ≤ 1.45. Provision of psychological support and occupational health support to ensure the wellbeing of staff scored below average. Outcomes from this survey exposed gaps while offering a framework for upcoming endeavors to improve hospital readiness for any potential pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Zmaily Dahmash
- Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, London KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Thaira Madi
- Department of Accreditation, Healthcare Accreditation Council, Amman 11181, Jordan
| | - Ahmad Shatat
- Department of Accreditation, Healthcare Accreditation Council, Amman 11181, Jordan
| | - Yazan Oroud
- Department of Accounting, Faculty of Business, Isra University, Amman 11622, Jordan
| | - Samar Khaled Hassan
- Department of Accreditation, Healthcare Accreditation Council, Amman 11181, Jordan
| | - Omaima Nassar
- Department of Accreditation, Healthcare Accreditation Council, Amman 11181, Jordan
| | - Affiong Iyire
- Aston Pharmacy School, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
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Senefeld JW, Franchini M, Mengoli C, Cruciani M, Zani M, Gorman EK, Focosi D, Casadevall A, Joyner MJ. COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma for the Treatment of Immunocompromised Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2250647. [PMID: 36633846 PMCID: PMC9857047 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.50647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Patients who are immunocompromised have increased risk for morbidity and mortality associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) because they less frequently mount antibody responses to vaccines. Although neutralizing anti-spike monoclonal-antibody treatment has been widely used to treat COVID-19, evolutions of SARS-CoV-2 have been associated with monoclonal antibody-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants and greater virulence and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2. Thus, the therapeutic use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma has increased on the presumption that such plasma contains potentially therapeutic antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 that can be passively transferred to the plasma recipient. Objective To assess the growing number of reports of clinical experiences of patients with COVID-19 who are immunocompromised and treated with specific neutralizing antibodies via COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusion. Data Sources On August 12, 2022, a systematic search was performed for clinical studies of COVID-19 convalescent plasma use in patients who are immunocompromised. Study Selection Randomized clinical trials, matched cohort studies, and case report or series on COVID-19 convalescent plasma use in patients who are immunocompromised were included. The electronic search yielded 462 unique records, of which 199 were considered for full-text screening. Data Extraction and Synthesis The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data were extracted by 3 independent reviewers in duplicate and pooled. Main Outcomes and Meaures The prespecified end point was all-cause mortality after COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusion; exploratory subgroup analyses were performed based on putative factors associated with the potential mortality benefit of convalescent plasma. Results This systematic review and meta-analysis included 3 randomized clinical trials enrolling 1487 participants and 5 controlled studies. Additionally, 125 case series or reports enrolling 265 participants and 13 uncontrolled large case series enrolling 358 participants were included. Separate meta-analyses, using models both stratified and pooled by study type (ie, randomized clinical trials and matched cohort studies), demonstrated that transfusion of COVID-19 convalescent plasma was associated with a decrease in mortality compared with the control cohort for the amalgam of both randomized clinical trials and matched cohort studies (risk ratio [RR], 0.63 [95% CI, 0.50-0.79]). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that transfusion of COVID-19 convalescent plasma is associated with mortality benefit for patients who are immunocompromised and have COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon W. Senefeld
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Carlo Mengoli
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Mario Cruciani
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Matteo Zani
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Ellen K. Gorman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael J. Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Pereira GC. An Automated Strategy to Handle Antigenic Variability in Immunisation Protocols, Part I: Nanopore Sequencing of Infectious Agent Variants. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2575:305-321. [PMID: 36301483 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2716-7_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Infectious agents often challenge therapeutics, from antibiotics resistance to antigenic variability affecting inoculation measures. Over the last decades, genome sequencing arose as an important ally to address such challenges. In bacterial infection, whole-genome-sequencing (WGS) supports tracking pathogenic alterations affecting the human microbiome. In viral infection, the analysis of the relevant sequence of nucleotides helps with determining historical variants of a virus and elucidates details about infection clusters and their distribution. Additionally, genome sequencing is now an important step in inoculation protocols, isolating target genes to design more robust immunisation assays. Ultimately, genetic engineering has empowered repurposing at scale, allowing long-lasting repeating clinical trials to be automated within a much shorter time-frame, by adjusting existing protocols. This is particularly important during sanitary emergencies as the ones caused by the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, the Zika virus rapid spread in both South and North America in 2015, followed by Asia in 2016, and the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2, which has infected more than 187 million people and caused more than 4 million deaths, worldwide, as per July 2021 statistics. In this scenery, this chapter presents a novel fully automated strategy to handle antigenic variability in immunisation protocols. The methodology comprises of two major steps (1) nanopore sequencing of infectious agent variants - the focus is on the SARS-CoV-2 and its variants; followed by (2) mRNA vector design for immunotherapy. This chapter presents the nanopore sequencing step and Chapter 17 introduces a protocol for mRNA vector design.
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Saha A, Ahmed S. The Link Between Heat Shock Proteins, Renin-Angiotensin System, and the Coagulation Cascade in the Pathogenesis of the Coronavirus-19 Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1409:161-171. [PMID: 35882774 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2022_735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is integral for its successful treatment. METHODS Available literature on the relationship between COVID-19, heat shock proteins (HSP), and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system were searched and used to hypothesize how HSP can be targeted in COVID-19. RESULTS During SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry, the ACE-2 receptor is downregulated. This leads to the augmentation of angiotensin-2/AT1 receptor axis along with attenuation of the ACE-2/angiotensin1-7/Mas axis. Heat shock proteins are key stabilizing molecules in various pathways.In the heart and vessels, HSP-90 and HSP-60 can facilitate angiotensin-2-mediated myocardial injury and endothelial cell activation. HSP-60-TLR4/CD14 complex formation stabilizes IκB-kinase (IKK) potentiating NF-κB activation. HSPs in lungs and kidneys have antioxidant, vasodilatory, and anti-inflammatory actions and may be protective against the effects of RAAS. Stress-induced HSP-70 has a role in complement-mediated microvascular injury such as has been demonstrated in COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 can induce autophagy via Beclin-1 and ER (endoplasmic reticular) stress via BIP. These two can be potential targets in the HSP environment. CONCLUSION Various HSP molecules can modulate the effects of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system and thus may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aritra Saha
- Department of General Medicine, Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Sakir Ahmed
- Department of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India.
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Wali AA. Relationship between the government implemented protective measures for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the pandemic and the understanding of religious evidence in Muslim community: A cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia. J Family Community Med 2023; 30:23-29. [PMID: 36843870 PMCID: PMC9954432 DOI: 10.4103/jfcm.jfcm_125_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has swept across the Middle East has ignited religious tensions. Although the implementation of effective preventive measures is the best way to control the spread of COVID-19, in such countries as Saudi Arabia, these restrictions have sometimes been viewed as violations of religious practice. The present study explores the reasons for ignoring the authorities' recommendations, and the inability of the authorities to create a sense of inclusion in the protective measures they introduce against the COVID-19 outbreak. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in Saudi Arabia and data were collected from 922 participants. The questionnaire contained 17 questions on personal characteristics, compliance with governmental protective measures, and participants' understanding of religious evidence. The SPSS was used for data analysis. Categorical data was presented as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between people's compliance to the protective measures and their understanding of religious evidence. RESULTS The age of the study participants ranged between 17 to 68 years with a mean age of 43.9 (±12.69) years. About half of the participants reported always complying to Mosque precautions (49.9%) and keeping distance (53.7%). However, only 34.3% participants always maintained social distancing while visiting relatives; about 25.2% often kept a social distance. We found that an adequate understanding of religious principles was significantly associated with accepted overall commitment, and inadequate understanding was significantly associated with lack of commitment. An adequate understanding of religious principles was significantly associated with a positive attitude toward future commitment and inadequate understanding was significantly associated with a negative attitude. CONCLUSION We recommend that the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia solicits the support of religious scholars to give a proper explanation of the religious evidence and eliminate misconceptions to promote compliance with the protective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alzubair A. Wali
- Head of Orthopedic Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
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78
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M. Mahfouz ME, AlQahtani BG. Perception of Saudi Population about COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Prev Med 2023; 14:6. [PMID: 36942036 PMCID: PMC10023845 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_649_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The evolving COVID-19 outbreak requires a high level of population awareness and other measures to protect public health. Objectives In this study, we aimed to identify knowledge, awareness, and fears of the Saudi population regarding COVID-19 during this pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional survey study was conducted from April to May 2020 in different Saudi areas. Data were collected via online survey software (Google Forms), and the data collection tool was developed and validated by the study authors to fulfill the study objectives. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used for comparison between groups. The statistical significance was considered when the P value ≤0.05. Results Study participants included 2982 people with 66.8% females. The average percentage of the awareness levels of the current study population was 68%. The vast majority (95.1%) did not know how the virus spread while 94.7% of the participants know the distance that a person should maintain from another person. Significantly higher percentages (70%) knew about and were aware of the prevention methods, including social distancing and hand hygiene, and 73.5% knew that elderly people with chronic diseases are the highest risk group to become infected. The highest significant fear of COVID-19 was from lack of treatment, which was reported by 77.5% of the participants with a P value of <0.05. Conclusions Our study shows that the population has acceptable knowledge about COVID-19. Education and work-based awareness programs about COVID-19 are needed, especially for prevention and treatment aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Eid M. Mahfouz
- Associate Professor of Surgery, and consultant Surgeon. Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Bashaier G. AlQahtani
- MBBS, Neurology Resident, Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Address for correspondence: Dr. Bashaier G. AlQahtani, Neurology Resident, Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. E-mail:
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Yarifard K, Abravesh A, Sokhanvar M, Mehrtak M, Mousazadeh Y. Work-family conflict, burnout, and related factors among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Northwest of Iran. Work 2023; 76:47-59. [PMID: 36872826 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nurses, as the largest working group in the hospital, experience many problems, conflicts, and stressors in the workplace and family especially after the widespread distribution of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). OBJECTIVE The perceived conflict and burnout among nurses, as well as the correlation between these two variables and the associated factors, were the main subjects of this study. METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 256 nurses from three COVID-19 referral hospitals in northwest Iran. Participants completed demographic, work-family conflict (WFC), and burnout questionnaires. The nonparametric tests including Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation coefficient were applied to statistical analysis. RESULTS The overall score of conflict was 55.3 (12.7). The time dimension received the highest score 11.4 (2.9). In terms of intensity 27.6 (8.7) and frequency 27.6(8.8), nurses had the most burnout in the lack of personal accomplishment dimension. All aspects of WFC, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization characteristics of burnout had statistically significant positive correlations (p < 0.01). The ward, hospital and employment status variables were associated with WFC (p < 0.05). The association between taking the crisis management course and the severity of depersonalization, and the frequency of lack of personal accomplishment was confirmed (p < 0.01). Additionally, the frequency and severity of emotional exhaustion were associated with employment status and work experiences (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The findings showed that nurses had WFC and burnout rates that were above average. Regarding the negative effects of these two phenomena on health, and also nurse's clinical practices, rearranging work conditions and providing better organizational support seem necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Yarifard
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akbar Abravesh
- Department of Statistics and Computer Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Mobin Sokhanvar
- Department of Public Health, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehrtak
- School of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Yalda Mousazadeh
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
- Department of Public Health, Khalkhal University of Medical Sciences, Khalkhal, Iran
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Srinivasagam M, Shanmugam R. A retrospective study on prevalence and profile of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction positive severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 samples tested in a tertiary care hospital, South India. APOLLO MEDICINE 2023. [DOI: 10.4103/am.am_131_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
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Al Dweik R, Rahman MA, Ahamed FM, Ramada H, Al Sheble Y, ElTaher S, Cross W, Elsori D. COVID-19: Psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies among community members across the United Arab Emirates. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282479. [PMID: 36989272 PMCID: PMC10057807 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the psychosocial well-being of the United Arab Emirates [UAE] population like other communities internationally. OBJECTIVES We aimed to identify the factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping amongst community members across the UAE. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional online survey across the UAE during November 2020. Adults aged ≥18 years, living in the UAE who were able to respond to an online questionnaire in English or Arabic were considered eligible to participate in the study. We used standard validated tools to measure psychological distress, fear and coping. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K10] was used to assess psychological distress, Fear of COVID-19 Scale [FCV-19S] was used to assess the level of fear, and Brief Resilient Coping Scale [BRCS] was used to assess the coping strategies. RESULTS A total of 417 individuals participated in this study with a mean age of 29 [± 10.7] years. More than half of the participants experienced high to very high levels of psychological distress [55%] and a quarter experienced high levels of fear of COVID-19 [23.3%] with almost a third of them [36.2%] having low resilient coping. About 37.4% of the participants had work-related mental health impacts and 32.4% were perceived to have moderate to a great deal of distress due to a change of employment status during the pandemic. One in ten participants [9.4%] reported increased smoking. Increased smoking [AOR 8.66, 95% CIs 1.08-69.1,], increased alcohol drinking [AOR 2.39, 95% CIs 1.05-5.47] and higher levels of fear of COVID-19 [AOR 2.93, 95% CIs 1.83-4.67] were associated with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress. Being female [AOR 1.82, p = 0.030], having a pre-existing mental health condition [AOR 9.88, 95% p = 0.027], engaging in high-risk behaviors such as increased smoking [AOR 21.14, p = 0.003], increased alcohol drinking [AOR 1.48, p = 0.359] in the previous four weeks, and higher levels of fear of COVID-19 [AOR 4.18, p <0.001] were associated with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress. Also, being a smoker [AOR, 0.840, p = 0.011], and having a high level of fear [AOR 0.372, p = 0.001] were found to be associated with low resilient coping. CONCLUSION Community members in the UAE are at a higher risk of psychosocial distress and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, healthcare providers and policymakers would need to be more alert to provide specific mental health support strategies for their wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Al Dweik
- College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muhammad Aziz Rahman
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | | | - Heba Ramada
- College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yousef Al Sheble
- School of Dentistry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Sondos ElTaher
- Epidemiology Department, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Wendy Cross
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, Australia
| | - Deena Elsori
- Faculty of Resilience, Rabdan Academy, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Kundapur R, Aggarwal S, Gaitonde R, Rashmi A, George LS, Pandey A, Bavaskar Y. Challenges faced by frontline health managers during the implementation of COVID-19 related policies in India: A qualitative analysis. Indian J Med Res 2023; 158:21-27. [PMID: 37602582 PMCID: PMC10550068 DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_206_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & objectives The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the healthcare systems across the world. Many directives, guidelines and policies for pandemic control were laid down centrally for its implementation; however, its translation at the periphery needs to be analyzed for future planning and implementation of public health activities. Hence, the objectives of this study were to identify the challenges faced by frontline health managers in selected States in India during the pandemic with regard to implementation of the COVID-19-related policies at the district level and also to assess the challenges faced by the them in adapting the centrally laid down COVID-19 guidelines as per the local needs of the district. Methods A qualitative study using the grounded theory approach was conducted among frontline district-level managers from eight different States belonging to the north, south, east and west zones of India. The districts across the country were selected based on their vulnerability index, and in-depth interviews were conducted among the frontline managers to assess the challenges faced by them in carrying out COVID-19 related activities. Recorded data were transcribed verbatim, manually coded and thematically analyzed. Results Challenges faced in implementing quarantine rules were numerous, and it was also compounded by stigma attached with the disease. The need for adapting the guidelines as per local considerations, inclusion of components of financial management at local level, management of tribal and vulnerable populations and migrants in COVID context were strongly suggested. The need to increase human resource in general and specifically data managers and operators was quoted as definite requirement. Interpretation & conclusions The COVID-19 guidelines provided by the Centre were found to be useful at district levels. However, there was a need to make some operational and administrative modifications in order to implement these guidelines locally and to ensure their acceptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Kundapur
- Department of Community & Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bibinagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Sumit Aggarwal
- Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakhal Gaitonde
- Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Anusha Rashmi
- Department of Community Medicine, K S Hegde Medical Academy, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Leyanna Susan George
- Division of Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Arvind Pandey
- Division of National Chair (Medical Statistics), Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Yogita Bavaskar
- Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Jalgoan, Maharashtra, India
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Shiomi M, Kubota A, Kimoto M, Iio T, Shimohara K. Stay away from me: Coughing increases social distance even in a virtual environment. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279717. [PMID: 36576927 PMCID: PMC9797075 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated whether the coughing behaviors of virtual agents encourage infection avoidance behavior, i.e., distancing behaviors. We hypothesized that the changes in people's lifestyles in physical environments due to COVID-19 probably influence their behaviors, even in virtual environments where no infection risk is present. We focused on different types of virtual agents because non-human agents, such as robot-like agents, cannot spread a virus by coughing. We prepared four kinds of virtual agents (human-like/robot-like and male/female) and coughing behaviors for them and experimentally measured the personal distance maintained by participants toward them. Our experiment results showed that participants chose a greater distance from coughing agents, regardless of the types, and negatively evaluated them. They also chose a greater distance from male agents than from female agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Shiomi
- Department of Agent Interaction Design Laboratory, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Atsumu Kubota
- Department of Agent Interaction Design Laboratory, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Kyoto, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiko Kimoto
- Department of Agent Interaction Design Laboratory, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takamasa Iio
- Department of Agent Interaction Design Laboratory, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Kyoto, Japan
- Faculty of Culture and Information Science, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsunori Shimohara
- Department of Agent Interaction Design Laboratory, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Kyoto, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
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Nabi F, Ahmad O, Khan YA, Nabi A, Md Amiruddin H, Abul Qais F, Masroor A, Hisamuddin M, Uversky VN, Khan RH. Computational studies on phylogeny and drug designing using molecular simulations for COVID-19. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:10753-10762. [PMID: 34278954 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1947895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Since the first appearance of a novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) caused by a novel human coronavirus, and especially after the infection started its rapid spread over the world causing the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemics, a very substantial part of the scientific community is engaged in the intensive research dedicated to finding of the potential therapeutics to cure this disease. As repurposing of existing drugs represents the only instant solution for those infected with the virus, we have been working on utilization of the structure-based virtual screening method to find some potential medications. In this study, we screened a library of 646 FDA approved drugs against the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein and the main protease of this virus. Scoring functions revealed that some of the anticancer drugs (such as Pazopanib, Irinotecan, and Imatinib), antipsychotic drug (Risperidone), and antiviral drug (Raltegravir) have a potential to interact with both targets with high efficiency. Further we performed molecular dynamics simulations to understand the evolution in protein upon interaction with drug. Also, we have performed a phylogenetic analysis of 43 different coronavirus strains infecting 12 different mammalian species.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Nabi
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Owais Ahmad
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Yawar Ali Khan
- Department of Bioengeenering, Intergral University, Lucknow, India
| | - Anas Nabi
- Department of Computer Science, Vivekanand College of Technology and Management, Aligarh, India
| | - Hashmi Md Amiruddin
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Faizan Abul Qais
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, India
| | - Aiman Masroor
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Malik Hisamuddin
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Protein Research Group, Institute for Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia.,Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Rizwan Hasan Khan
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
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Bhandari S, Agarwal S, Bhargava S, Samdhani S, Singh SN, Sharma BB, Malhotra B, Bagarhatta M, Sharma S, Vyas A, Sharma V, Grover M. Post Covid-19 Sinonasal Candidiasis: A Crisis Within the Pandemic. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2022:1-6. [PMID: 36540727 PMCID: PMC9756711 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-022-03318-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to find out the association of sinonasal candidiasis and Covid-19 infection. A prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care centre from April to September 2021, involving all patients with invasive candidiasis of the paranasal sinuses having a history of Covid-19 infection. A total of 18 patients of covid associated sinonasal candidiasis among the 475 cases of fungal rhinosinusitis were studied. All patients had involvement of nose and sinuses and 2 patients had orbital involvement with no loss of vision, while 3 had intracranial extensions and 1 had pulmonary involvement. Mandible was involved in 1 patient alone, while the maxilla and palate were involved in 5 patients. 15 patients were hypertensive, 12 diabetics and 1 had aplastic anaemia. Cultures showed that 8 patients had C. parapsilosis, 5 had C. albicans, 3 had C. tropicalis and 2 had mixed fungal infections. All patients underwent surgical debridement and antifungal administration. They were followed up for a minimum of 3 months. There was only one mortality (with aplastic anaemia), rest 17 were disease free at the time of writing this article. This is perhaps the first case series of post covid sinonasal candidiasis in the world. Invasive sinonasal candidiasis is a newer sequela of COVID-19 infection. Uncontrolled diabetes and over-zealous use of steroids at the time of Covid-19 are few of the known risk factors. Early surgical intervention and anti-fungal treatment should be sought for management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Bhandari
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of Medicine, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Saloni Agarwal
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of ENT, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Shruti Bhargava
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of Pathology, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Sunil Samdhani
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of ENT, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Shashank Nath Singh
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of ENT, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Bharat Bhushan Sharma
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of Medicine, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Bharti Malhotra
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of Microbiology, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Meenu Bagarhatta
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of Radiodiagnosis, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Shrikant Sharma
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of Medicine, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Aruna Vyas
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of Microbiology, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Vishnu Sharma
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of Medicine, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Mohnish Grover
- grid.416077.30000 0004 1767 3615Department of ENT, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
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86
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Fadaei A. Study of solid waste (municipal and medical) management during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review study. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2022; 37:559-566. [PMID: 34529904 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global emergency crisis and created waste management challenges worldwide. Such a critical point has changed solid waste (municipal and medical) management prospects and posed fact challenges to the health decision-makers and policy-makers to make decisions to ensure sustainable management of the environment. One of the most negative prospects of COVID-19 pandemic is the increased waste generation, especially plastic waste in developing and developed countries. This study systematically reviews the potential influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical and municipal waste, and discusses the corresponding measures and policies of solid waste management in several countries. The results show that the highest and lowest quality of final disposal is observed in Finland with 75% recycling and in India with 90% open dumping, respectively. In many countries, the medical waste showed an increase by 350-500%.The pandemic has brought particular problems to the disposal capacity of municipal waste and medical waste across the world. We think that this point of view study provides valuable data for scientists, policy makers, health decision-makers, consultants, medical staff, medical supplies, those working in public health sector, and field engineers responsible for solid waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolmajid Fadaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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87
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Taylor MK, Kinder K, George J, Bazemore A, Mannie C, Phillips R, Strydom S, Goodyear-Smith F. Multinational primary health care experiences from the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative analysis. SSM. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN HEALTH 2022; 2:100041. [PMID: 35043104 PMCID: PMC8755427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To learn from primary health care experts' experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic across countries. METHODS We applied qualitative thematic analysis to open-text responses from a multinational rapid response survey of primary health care experts assessing response to the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS Respondents' comments focused on three main areas of primary health care response directly influenced by the pandemic: 1) impact on the primary care workforce, including task-shifting responsibilities outside clinician specialty and changes in scope of work, financial strains on practices, and the daily uncertainties and stress of a constantly evolving situation; 2) impact on patient care delivery, both essential care for COVID-19 cases and the non-essential care that was neglected or postponed; 3) and the shift to using new technologies. CONCLUSIONS Primary health care experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe were similar in their levels of workforce stress, rapid technologic adaptation, and need to pivot delivery strategies, often at the expense of routine care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina K. Taylor
- American Board of Family Medicine, 1648 McGrathiana Parkway Suite 550, Lexington, KY, 40511, USA,Corresponding author. American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Karen Kinder
- Technische Universität Berlin, Fachgebiet Management im Gesundheitswesen, Straße des 17, Juni 135, H80, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joe George
- Center for Professionalism & Value in Health Care, 1016 16th St NW, Suite 700, Washington DC, 20036, USA
| | - Andrew Bazemore
- American Board of Family Medicine, 1648 McGrathiana Parkway Suite 550, Lexington, KY, 40511, USA,Center for Professionalism & Value in Health Care, 1016 16th St NW, Suite 700, Washington DC, 20036, USA
| | - Cristina Mannie
- Mast Analytics, 4th Floor, Sunclare Building, 21 Dreyer Street, Claremont, 7708, South Africa,Department of General Practice & Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Room 3018, Building B507 Grafton Campus, 22-30 Park Ave, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Robert Phillips
- Center for Professionalism & Value in Health Care, 1016 16th St NW, Suite 700, Washington DC, 20036, USA
| | - Stefan Strydom
- Mast Analytics, 4th Floor, Sunclare Building, 21 Dreyer Street, Claremont, 7708, South Africa,Department of General Practice & Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Room 3018, Building B507 Grafton Campus, 22-30 Park Ave, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Felicity Goodyear-Smith
- Department of General Practice & Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Room 3018, Building B507 Grafton Campus, 22-30 Park Ave, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
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Coronavirus-associated mucormycosis: different from sinonasal mucormycosis. J Laryngol Otol 2022; 136:1296-1303. [DOI: 10.1017/s002221512200161x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo study unusual presentations of coronavirus-associated mucormycosis that are rarely seen in sinonasal mucormycosis cases.MethodThe data of 400 rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis patients admitted to Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur, from May 2021 to June 2021, were retrospectively collected. The diagnosis of mucormycosis was made by histological examination of biopsy samples.ResultsOut of 400 patients, 62 had symptoms other than common symptoms of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis. Thirty-four patients had facial palsy, 19 complained of gum ulcers, 6 developed a cheek abscess, 2 complained of maggots in the nose along with common rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis symptoms, and 1 had a cerebellar infarct.ConclusionMucormycosis is a disease with various presentations, and coronavirus-associated mucormycosis has added unusual presentations to the existing list of manifestations of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis. In this coronavirus disease era, mucormycosis should always be considered as a diagnosis in patients with these unusual presentations.
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89
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Kyranou M, Cheta C, Pampoulou E. Communicating with mechanically ventilated patients who are awake. A qualitative study on the experience of critical care nurses in Cyprus during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278195. [PMID: 36454794 PMCID: PMC9714938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modern protocols for light sedation in combination with the increased number of COVID-19 infected patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have increased the number of patients who are mechanically ventilated and awake. Nurses require specific skills to care for this vulnerable group of patients. At the same time, nurses report feeling inadequate and frustrated when they attempt to establish communication with mechanically ventilated, conscious patients. STUDY OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to explore the strategies nurses use when taking care of conscious, intubated patients in the intensive care unit and the barriers they encounter in their effort to communicate. METHODS For this study, a qualitative design was employed. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 14 intensive care nurses working at ICUs in four different hospitals of Cyprus. The data were analyzed by applying thematic analysis. RESULTS We identified several strategies of unaided (movements-lips, hands, legs-facial expressions, gestures, touching) and aided forms of communication (pen and paper, boards, tablets, mobiles) used by nurses to communicate with patients. However, barriers to communication were reported by the participating nurses mainly pertaining to patients and nurses' characteristics as well as the ICU environment. The health protocols imposed by the pandemic added more obstacles to the communication between nurses and patients mostly related to the use of protective health equipment. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study point to the difficulties nurses in Cyprus face when trying to communicate with conscious patients during mechanical ventilation. It appears that the lack of nurses' training and of appropriate equipment to facilitate augmentative and alternative communication leave the complex communication needs of critically ill patients unaddressed. However, further research including patients' opinions, after they recover, would bring more clarity on this topic. Our study adds evidence to the communication crisis created by the protective health protocols imposed by the pandemic. As such, it highlights the need to educate nurses in augmentative and alternative ways of communication to address communication with mechanically ventilated, conscious patients during their ICU stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kyranou
- Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
- * E-mail:
| | - Chariklia Cheta
- American Medical Center/American Heart Institute, Strovolos, Cyprus
| | - Eliada Pampoulou
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
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90
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Elekhnawy E, Negm WA, El-Sherbeni SA, Zayed A. Assessment of drugs administered in the Middle East as part of the COVID-19 management protocols. Inflammopharmacology 2022; 30:1935-1954. [PMID: 36018432 PMCID: PMC9411846 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-022-01050-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The pandemic spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) has been reported first at the end of 2019. It continues disturbing various human aspects with multiple pandemic waves showing more fatal novel variants. Now Egypt faces the sixth wave of the pandemic with controlled governmental measures. COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease-causing mild to moderate illness that can be progressed into life-threatening complications based on patients- and variant type-related factors. The symptoms vary from dry cough, fever to difficulty in breathing that required urgent hospitalization. Most countries have authorized their national protocols for managing manifested symptoms and thus lowering the rate of patients' hospitalization and boosting the healthcare systems. These protocols are still in use even with the development and approval of several vaccines. These protocols were instructed to aid home isolation, bed rest, dietary supplements, and additionally the administration of antipyretic, steroids, and antiviral drugs. The current review aimed to highlight the administered protocols in the Middle East, namely in Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia demonstrating how these protocols have shown potential effectiveness in treating patients and saving many soles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Engy Elekhnawy
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Elguish Street (Medical Campus), Tanta, 31527 Egypt
| | - Walaa A. Negm
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Elguish Street (Medical Campus), Tanta, 31527 Egypt
| | - Suzy A. El-Sherbeni
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Elguish Street (Medical Campus), Tanta, 31527 Egypt
| | - Ahmed Zayed
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Elguish Street (Medical Campus), Tanta, 31527 Egypt
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 49, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
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91
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Initial risk perception and feeling of preparedness of primary care physicians regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, France and Spain in February 2020. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2022; 23:18. [PMID: 35172751 PMCID: PMC8784169 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-021-01588-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background The knowledge of risk perceptions in primary care could help health authorities to manage epidemics. Methods A European multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in France, Belgium and Spain to describe the perceptions, the level of anxiety and the feeling of preparedness of primary healthcare physicians towards the COVID-19 infection at the beginning of the pandemic. The factors associated with the feeling of preparedness were studied using multivariate logistic regressions. Results A total of 511 physicians participated to the study (response rate: 35.2%). Among them, only 16.3% (n=82) were highly anxious about the pandemic, 50.6% (n=254) had the feeling to have a high level of information, 80.5% (n=409) found the measures taken by the health authorities suitable to limit the spread of COVID-19, and 45.2% (n=229) felt prepared to face the epidemic. Factors associated with feeling prepared were: being a Spanish practitioner (adjusted OR=4.34; 95%CI [2.47; 7.80]), being a man (aOR=2.57, 95%CI [1.69; 3.96]), finding the measures taken by authorities appropriate (aOR=1.72, 95%CI [1.01; 3.00]) and being highly informed (aOR=4.82, 95%CI [2.62; 9.19]). Conclusions Regarding the dramatic evolution of the pandemic in Europe in the weeks following the study, it appears that information available at this time and transmitted to the physicians could have given a wrong assessment of the spread and the severity of the disease. It seems essential to better integrate the primary care physicians into the information, training and protection channels. A comparison between countries could help to select the most effective measures in terms of information and communication. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-021-01588-5.
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Inchingolo AD, Gargiulo CI, Malcangi G, Ciocia AM, Patano A, Azzollini D, Piras F, Barile G, Settanni V, Mancini A, Garofoli G, Palmieri G, Di Pede C, Rapone B, Inchingolo AM, Jones M, Corriero A, Brienza N, Parisi A, Bianco A, Capozzi L, Del Sambro L, Simone D, Bordea IR, Tartaglia GM, Scarano A, Lorusso F, Macchia L, Migliore G, Pham VH, Dipalma G, Inchingolo F. Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 during the Pandemic by Multiplex RT-rPCR hCoV Test: Future Perspectives. Pathogens 2022; 11:1378. [PMID: 36422629 PMCID: PMC9694306 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly become a significant threat to public health. However, among the Coronaviridae family members, there are other viruses that can also cause infections in humans. Among these, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) have posed significant threats to human health in the past. Other human pathogenic coronaviruses have been identified, and they are known to cause respiratory diseases with manifestations ranging from mild to severe. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a multiplex RT-rPCR specific to seven human pathogenic coronaviruses in mainly detecting SARS-CoV-2 directly from nasopharyngeal swabs obtained from suspected COVID-19 infected patients, while simultaneously detecting different human pathogenic coronaviruses in case these were also present. We tested 1195 clinical samples suspected of COVID-19 infection. The assay identified that 69% of the samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (1195), which was confirmed using another SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR kit available in our laboratory. None of these clinical samples were positive for SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV or HCoV. This means that during the endemic phase of COVID-19, infection with other human pathogenic coronaviruses, even the common cold coronavirus (HCoV), is very uncommon. Our study also confirmed that the multiplex RT-rPCR is a sensitive assay for detecting SARS-CoV-2 regardless of differences among the variants. This multiplex RT-rPCR is also time- and cost-saving and very easy to apply in the diagnostic laboratory due to its simple procedure and its stability in storage after preparation. These features make the assay a valuable approach in screening procedures for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other human pathogenic coronaviruses that could affect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Danilo Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ciro Isacco Gargiulo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Malcangi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Ciocia
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Assunta Patano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Azzollini
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Fabio Piras
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Barile
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Settanni
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Mancini
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Garofoli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia Palmieri
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Di Pede
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Biagio Rapone
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Michele Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Megan Jones
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Alberto Corriero
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Intensive Care Unit Section, Aldo Moro University, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Brienza
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine—Intensive Care Unit Section, Aldo Moro University, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Parisi
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Puglia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Angelica Bianco
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Puglia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Loredana Capozzi
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Puglia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Laura Del Sambro
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Puglia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Domenico Simone
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Puglia and Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Ioana Roxana Bordea
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gianluca Martino Tartaglia
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Scarano
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Felice Lorusso
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Luigi Macchia
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (D.E.T.O.), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Migliore
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Van Hung Pham
- Department of Microbiology, Phan Chau Trinh University, Danang City 550000, Vietnam
- International Institute of Gene and Immunology, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Gianna Dipalma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Section of Dental Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
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The Future of Point-of-Care Nucleic Acid Amplification Diagnostics after COVID-19: Time to Walk the Walk. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214110. [PMID: 36430586 PMCID: PMC9693045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 610 million cases have been diagnosed and it has caused over 6.5 million deaths worldwide. The crisis has forced the scientific community to develop tools for disease control and management at a pace never seen before. The control of the pandemic heavily relies in the use of fast and accurate diagnostics, that allow testing at a large scale. The gold standard diagnosis of viral infections is the RT-qPCR. Although it provides consistent and reliable results, it is hampered by its limited throughput and technical requirements. Here, we discuss the main approaches to rapid and point-of-care diagnostics based on RT-qPCR and isothermal amplification diagnostics. We describe the main COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests approved for self-testing at home or for point-of-care testing and compare the available options. We define the influence of specimen selection and processing, the clinical validation, result readout improvement strategies, the combination with CRISPR-based detection and the diagnostic challenge posed by SARS-CoV-2 variants for different isothermal amplification techniques, with a particular focus on LAMP and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA). Finally, we try to shed light on the effect the improvement in molecular diagnostics during the COVID-19 pandemic could have in the future of other infectious diseases.
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Baghbanzadeh M, Smith M, Pilz J, Rahman MS, Karamehic-Muratovic A, Garg A, Annan E, Nguyen USDT, Schedler N, Nandy R, Islam R, Haque U. Country-Level Governance Indicators as Predictors of COVID-19 Morbidity, Mortality, and Vaccination Coverage: An Exploratory Global Analysis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:1066-1073. [PMID: 36318889 PMCID: PMC9709024 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect all countries across the globe, this study seeks to investigate the relationship between nations' governance, COVID-19 national data, and nation-level COVID-19 vaccination coverage. National-level governance indicators (corruption index, voice and accountability, political stability, and absence of violence/terrorism), officially reported COVID-19 national data (cases, death, and tests per one million population), and COVID-19 vaccination coverage was considered for this study to predict COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Results indicate a strong relationship between nations' governance and officially reported COVID-19 data. Countries were grouped into three clusters using only the governance data: politically stable countries, average countries or "less corrupt countries," and corrupt countries or "more corrupt countries." The clusters were then tested for significant differences in reporting various aspects of the COVID-19 data. According to multinomial regression, countries in the cluster of politically stable nations reported significantly more deaths, tests per one million, total cases per one million, and higher vaccination coverage compared with nations both in the clusters of corrupt countries and average countries. The countries in the cluster of average nations reported more tests per one million and higher vaccination coverage than countries in the cluster of corrupt nations. Countries included in the corrupt cluster reported a lower death rate and morbidity, particularly compared with the politically stable nations cluster, a trend that can be attributed to poor governance and inaccurate COVID-19 data reporting. The epidemic evaluation indices of the COVID-19 cases demonstrate that the pandemic is still evolving on a global level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madison Smith
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Juergen Pilz
- Alpen-Adria University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - M. Sohel Rahman
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, ECE Building, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Ashvita Garg
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Esther Annan
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Uyen-Sa D T Nguyen
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Nathan Schedler
- Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Rajesh Nandy
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Rafiul Islam
- Independent Development Practitioner, Adabor, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ubydul Haque
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
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95
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Sulistyorini L, Li CY, Lutpiatina L, Utama RD, Nurlailah. Gendered Impact of Age, Toilet Facilities, and Cooking Fuels on the Occurrence of Acute Respiratory Infections in Toddlers in Indonesia and the Philippines. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14582. [PMID: 36361461 PMCID: PMC9656953 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of the study was to analyze the risk factors of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in children under five in Indonesia and the Philippines and to implement a primary review of the characteristics of toddlers and their households in both countries. METHODS Data were obtained from the 2017 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of Indonesia and the Philippines. The characteristics of children, mothers, and households were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to examine the significant correlations between variables. RESULTS The percentage of children under five with ARI symptoms in 2017 was 1.51% in the Philippines and 4.22% in Indonesia. In Indonesia, males aged under one year had significantly lower occurrences of ARI symptoms (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.36-0.82). In the Philippines, dirty cooking fuels had a significant effect on increasing the likelihood of ARI in female toddlers (OR 4.01, 95% CI 1.02-15.83). In the Philippines, the unavailability of toilet facilities had a significant effect on increasing the likelihood of ARI in male toddlers (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.15-6.16). CONCLUSION The comparison of risk factors between male and female toddlers revealed different results in some variables, as follows: children aged under one year, dirty cooking fuels, and unavailable toilet facilities. The role of parents is fundamental in taking care of female toddlers, since they are more exposed to ARI at the age of under one year and are more prone to indoor air pollution from solid cooking fuels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilis Sulistyorini
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Jalan Mulyosari, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Chung-Yi Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Jalan Mulyosari, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Leka Lutpiatina
- Medical Laboratory Technology Poltekkes Kemenkes Banjarmasin, Mistar Cokrokusumo Street 4a, Banjarbaru 70714, Indonesia
| | - Ricko Dharmadi Utama
- Medical Laboratory Technology Poltekkes Kemenkes Banjarmasin, Mistar Cokrokusumo Street 4a, Banjarbaru 70714, Indonesia
| | - Nurlailah
- Medical Laboratory Technology Poltekkes Kemenkes Banjarmasin, Mistar Cokrokusumo Street 4a, Banjarbaru 70714, Indonesia
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96
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Self-promotion and online shaming during COVID-19: A toxic combination. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT DATA INSIGHTS 2022; 2. [PMCID: PMC9444892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jjimei.2022.100117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
A public shaming frenzy has spread through social media (SM) following the instigation of lockdown policies as a way to counter the spread of COVID-19. On SM, individuals shun the idea of self-promotion and shame others who do not follow the COVID-19 guidelines. When it comes to the crime of not taking a pandemic seriously, perhaps the ultimate penalty is online shaming. The study proposes the black swan theory from the human-computer interaction lens and examines the toxic combination of online shaming and self-promotion in SM to discern whether pointing the finger of blame is a productive way of changing rule-breaking behaviour. A quantitative methodology is applied to survey data, acquired from 375 respondents. The findings reveal that the adverse effect of online shaming results in self-destructive behaviour. Change in behaviour of individuals shamed online is higher for females over males and is higher for adults over middle-aged and older-aged.
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97
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Barbara M, Elzayat S, Lotfy A, Sabino L, Bandiera G, Elsherif HS, Youssef M, Fouad A, Nasr K, Volpini L, Elfarargy HH. Invasive fungal rhinosinusitis associated with COVID-19: Course changes and prognosis predictors. ACTA OTORRINOLARINGOLOGICA ESPANOLA 2022:S2173-5735(22)00124-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.otoeng.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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98
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Nabati F, kamyabiamineh A, Kosari R, Ghasemi F, Seyedebrahimi S, Mohammadi S, Moradi M. Virtual screening based on the structure of more than 105 compounds against four key proteins of SARS-CoV-2: MPro, SRBD, RdRp, and PLpro. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022; 35:101134. [PMID: 36406927 PMCID: PMC9652154 DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2022.101134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background SARS-CoV-2 initially originated in Wuhan (China) around December 2019, and spread all over the world. Currently, WHO (Word Health Organization) has licensed several vaccines for this viral infection. However, not everyone can be vaccinated. People with underlying health conditions that weaken their immune systems or those with severe allergies to some vaccine components, may not be able to be vaccinated. Moreover, no vaccination is 100% safe, and the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 mutations may reduce the efficacy of immunizations. Therefore, it is urgent to develop effective drugs to protect people against this virus. Material and method We performed structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) of a library that was built from ChemDiv and PubChem databases against four SARS-CoV-2 target proteins: S-protein (spike), main protease (MPro), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and PLpro. A virtual screening study was performed using PyRx and AutoDock tools. Results Our results suggest that twenty-five top-ranked drugs with the highest energy binding as the potential inhibitors against four SARS-CoV-2 targets, relative to the reference molecules. Based on the energy binding, we suggest that these compounds could be used to produce effective anti-viral drugs against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion The discovery of novel compounds for COVID-19 using computer-aided drug discovery tools requires knowledge of the structure of coronavirus and various target proteins of the virus. These compounds should be further assessed in experimental assays and clinical trials to validate their actual activity against the disease. These findings may contribute to the drug design studies against COVID-19.
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99
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Elkhatib WF, Abdelkareem SS, Khalaf WS, Shahin MI, Elfadil D, Alhazmi A, El-Batal AI, El-Sayyad GS. Narrative review on century of respiratory pandemics from Spanish flu to COVID-19 and impact of nanotechnology on COVID-19 diagnosis and immune system boosting. Virol J 2022; 19:167. [PMID: 36280866 PMCID: PMC9589879 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01902-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The rise of the highly lethal severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 (SARS-2) as corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) reminded us of the history of other pandemics that happened in the last century (Spanish flu) and stayed in the current century, which include Severe-Acute-Respiratory-Syndrome (SARS), Middle-East-Respiratory-Syndrome (MERS), Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19). We review in this report the newest findings and data on the origin of pandemic respiratory viral diseases, reservoirs, and transmission modes. We analyzed viral adaption needed for host switch and determinants of pathogenicity, causative factors of pandemic viruses, and symptoms and clinical manifestations. After that, we concluded the host factors associated with pandemics morbidity and mortality (immune responses and immunopathology, ages, and effect of pandemics on pregnancy). Additionally, we focused on the burdens of COVID-19, non-pharmaceutical interventions (quarantine, mass gatherings, facemasks, and hygiene), and medical interventions (antiviral therapies and vaccines). Finally, we investigated the nanotechnology between COVID-19 analysis and immune system boosting (Nanoparticles (NPs), antimicrobial NPs as antivirals and immune cytokines). This review presents insights about using nanomaterials to treat COVID-19, improve the bioavailability of the abused drugs, diminish their toxicity, and improve their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid F Elkhatib
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, African Union Organization St., Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Galala University, New Galala City, Suez, Egypt.
| | - Shereen S Abdelkareem
- Department of Alumni, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Industries, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Entertainment Area, Badr City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wafaa S Khalaf
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11751, Egypt
| | - Mona I Shahin
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Tymaa, Tabuk University, Tymaa, 71491, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Dounia Elfadil
- Biology and Chemistry Department, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Alaa Alhazmi
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
- SMIRES for Consultation in Specialized Medical Laboratories, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed I El-Batal
- Drug Microbiology Laboratory, Drug Radiation Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Gharieb S El-Sayyad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Galala University, New Galala City, Suez, Egypt.
- Drug Microbiology Laboratory, Drug Radiation Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt.
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100
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Kazmi SMA, Lewis CA, Hasan SS, Iftikhar R, Fayyaz MU, Anjum FA. Mental and physical health correlates of the psychological impact of the first wave of COVID-19 among general population of Pakistan. Front Psychol 2022; 13:942108. [PMID: 36337509 PMCID: PMC9629987 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.942108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary aim was to assess the role of mental and physical health of COVID-19 and its psychological impact in the general population of Pakistan during the first wave of COVID-19. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant predictive association among socio-demographic variables, psychological impact and mental health status resulting from COVID-19, and poor self-reported physical health would be significantly associated with adverse psychological impact and poor mental health status because of COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey research design was used in which 1,361 respondents were sampled online during lockdown imposed in the country. The Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) was used to assess participants’ mental health status. 18% of the respondents reported moderate to severe event-specific distress, 22.6% reported moderate to severely extreme depression, 29% reported moderate to extreme anxiety, and 12.1% reported moderate to extreme stress. Female gender, having graduate-level education, currently studying, and self-reported physical symptoms (persistent fever, chills, headache, cough, breathing difficulty, dizziness, and sore throat) were significantly associated with higher levels of psychological impact exhibited through higher scores on the IES-R and poorer mental health status exhibited through higher scores on the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Subscales).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher Alan Lewis
- School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Syeda Salma Hasan
- Department of Psychology, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Rabia Iftikhar
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Umar Fayyaz
- Department of Psychology, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- *Correspondence: Muhammad Umar Fayyaz,
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