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Hammoudi Halat D, Soltani A, Dalli R, Alsarraj L, Malki A. Understanding and Fostering Mental Health and Well-Being among University Faculty: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4425. [PMID: 37445459 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of mental health concerns in academia, with stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression being reported among faculty members. The demanding work environment, the need to balance personal and professional duties, and the constant pressure of productivity while navigating multiple tasks of teaching, research, mentorship, professional development, and service all impact the mental health and overall well-being of faculty. Higher education institutions have structurally changed as has the research landscape. These changes as well as faculty-specific and student-specific factors coupled to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to profound effects on the mental health of academics. This paper is a narrative review of the pertinent literature describing faculty mental health and well-being. It summarizes the available evidence on factors influencing faculty mental health and shows the prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout among faculty from various academic fields and along the whole academic ladder. Using a suggested framework that collates the efforts of leaders and faculty, the paper concludes by exploring strategies that promote work-life balance among academics and suggesting effective interventions to improve their mental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalal Hammoudi Halat
- Academic Quality Department, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Abderrezzaq Soltani
- Academic Quality Department, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Roua Dalli
- Academic Quality Department, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Lama Alsarraj
- Academic Quality Department, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Malki
- Academic Quality Department, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
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Pharmacy Students' Mental Health and Resilience in COVID-19: An Assessment after One Year of Online Education. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2022; 12:1082-1107. [PMID: 36005226 PMCID: PMC9407568 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe12080077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has impacted mental health and affected education due to the shift to remote learning. The purpose of the current study was to assess the mental health of pharmacy students one year following the onset of the pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed to pharmacy students. The severity of depression, anxiety, and stress was assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and resilience was assessed by the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). COVID-19-related economic, educational, and health stressors, and students’ vaccine attitudes were surveyed. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable analysis were used, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. A total of 561 students participated; 37% had mild-to-moderate depression, 37% had severe-to-extremely-severe anxiety, and 52% demonstrated normal stress levels. Severe depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with smoking and feeling isolated due to COVID-19. Around 40% of students had low resilience, associated with smoking, being in the third or fourth year of pharmacy study, and the consumption of caffeinated beverages. The mean score of satisfaction with online learning was 60.3 ± 21.3%. Only 5% of participants were vaccinated, of which 87% trusted the benefits of vaccines and their role in controlling the pandemic. One year after the onset of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, stress, and low resilience were observed among pharmacy students; the investigation of the long-term mental effects of the pandemic on university students is warranted.
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Matar RH, Mansour R, Nakanishi H, Smayra K, El Haddad J, Vankayalapati DK, Daniel RS, Tosovic D, Than CA, Yamani MH. Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Myocarditis following COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:4521. [PMID: 35956137 PMCID: PMC9369856 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations have recently been implicated in causing myocarditis. Therefore, the primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with myocarditis following mRNA vaccination. The secondary aims were to report common imaging and laboratory findings, as well as treatment regimes, in these patients. A literature search was performed from December 2019 to June 2022. Eligible studies reported patients older than 18 years vaccinated with mRNA, a diagnosis of myocarditis, and subsequent outcomes. Pooled mean or proportion were analyzed using a random-effects model. Seventy-five unique studies (patient n = 188, 89.4% male, mean age 18-67 years) were included. Eighty-six patients had Moderna vaccines while one hundred and two patients had Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. The most common presenting symptoms were chest pain (34.5%), fever (17.1%), myalgia (12.4%), and chills (12.1%). The most common radiologic findings were ST-related changes on an electrocardiogram (58.7%) and hypokinesia on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or echocardiography (50.7%). Laboratory findings included elevated Troponin I levels (81.7%) and elevated C-reactive protein (71.5%). Seven patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. The most common treatment modality was non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (36.6%) followed by colchicine (28.5%). This meta-analysis presents novel evidence to suggest possible myocarditis post mRNA vaccination in certain individuals, especially young male patients. Clinical practice must therefore take appropriate pre-cautionary measures when administrating COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem H. Matar
- Faculty of Medicine, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (R.M.); (H.N.); (K.S.); (J.E.H.); (D.K.V.); (R.S.D.); (C.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Nicosia Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Rania Mansour
- Faculty of Medicine, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (R.M.); (H.N.); (K.S.); (J.E.H.); (D.K.V.); (R.S.D.); (C.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Nicosia Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - Hayato Nakanishi
- Faculty of Medicine, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (R.M.); (H.N.); (K.S.); (J.E.H.); (D.K.V.); (R.S.D.); (C.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Nicosia Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - Karen Smayra
- Faculty of Medicine, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (R.M.); (H.N.); (K.S.); (J.E.H.); (D.K.V.); (R.S.D.); (C.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Nicosia Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - Joe El Haddad
- Faculty of Medicine, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (R.M.); (H.N.); (K.S.); (J.E.H.); (D.K.V.); (R.S.D.); (C.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Nicosia Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - Dilip K. Vankayalapati
- Faculty of Medicine, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (R.M.); (H.N.); (K.S.); (J.E.H.); (D.K.V.); (R.S.D.); (C.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Nicosia Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - Rohan Suresh Daniel
- Faculty of Medicine, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (R.M.); (H.N.); (K.S.); (J.E.H.); (D.K.V.); (R.S.D.); (C.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Nicosia Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - Danijel Tosovic
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia;
| | - Christian A. Than
- Faculty of Medicine, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (R.M.); (H.N.); (K.S.); (J.E.H.); (D.K.V.); (R.S.D.); (C.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Nicosia Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia;
| | - Mohamad H. Yamani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA;
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Ayoub Moubareck C, Hammoudi Halat D. The Collateral Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Status of Carbapenemase-Producing Pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:823626. [PMID: 35372126 PMCID: PMC8968076 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.823626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The serious challenge of antimicrobial resistance continues to threaten public health and lingers in the era of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), declared pandemic by the World Health Organization. While the pandemic has triggered the importance of infection control practices and preventive measures such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, travel reduction and quarantine, the ongoing alarm of antimicrobial resistance seems to accompany the pandemic too. Antimicrobial resistance has been fostered during COVID-19, possibly due to high rate of empirical antibiotic utilization in COVID-19 patients, increased use of biocides, and the disruption of proper healthcare for other conditions. Specifically, carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria have shown to cause secondary bacterial infections in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Clinical and microbiological evidence of such infections is accumulating in different parts of the world. With the resilient nature of carbapenemases, their association with mortality, and the limited treatment options available, concerns regarding this group of antibiotic-hydrolyzing enzymes during the pandemic are expected to upsurge. While the additional burden carbapenemases exert on healthcare is worrisome, it remains hidden or abandoned among the various health consequences of the pandemic. The purpose of this minireview is to shed a light on carbapenemase-associated infections during such unprecedented time of COVID-19. A focused insight shall be made into carbapenemases, their implications for COVID-19 patients, and the features and consequences of co-infection, with a review of available evidence from pertinent literature. The importance of increased surveillance for carbapenemase-producers and optimizing their management in relation to the pandemic, shall be addressed as well.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dalal Hammoudi Halat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Bekaa, Lebanon
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Pan J, Zhan C, Yuan T, Sun Y, Wang W, Chen L. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on infectious disease hospitalizations of neonates at a tertiary academic hospital: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:206. [PMID: 35236317 PMCID: PMC8889870 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07211-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on hospitalizations for neonatal infectious diseases. Methods We analyzed data for neonatal inpatients admitted at a tertiary academic hospital with a principal diagnosis of an infectious disease during January 2015 to December 2020. We compared hospitalizations in 2020 (COVID-19 cohort), corresponding with the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and associated containment measures, and the comparable 2015 to 2019 (pre-COVID-19 cohort). Results 14,468 cases admitted for neonatal infectious diseases were included in our study, with 1201 cases in the COVID-19 cohort and 13,267 cases in the pre-COVID-19 cohort. The leading causes of hospitalizations for neonatal infectious diseases remain being respiratory tract infections (median ratio = 0.461, 95% CI 0.335–0.551), sepsis (median ratio = 0.292, 95% CI 0.263–0.361), gastric intestinal infections (median ratio = 0.095, 95% CI 0.078–0.118) and dermatologic infections (median ratio = 0.058, 95% CI 0.047–0.083). The seasonality of neonatal infectious disease hospitalizations could be obviously observed, with the total number and the overall rate of hospitalizations for neonatal infectious diseases in the first and fourth quarters greater than that of hospitalizations for neonatal infectious diseases in the second and third quarters in each year (1362.67 ± 360.54 vs 1048.67 ± 279.23, P = 0.001; 8176/20020 vs 6292/19369, P < 0.001, respectively). Both the numbers and the proportions of hospitalizations for neonatal infectious diseases in different quarters of the COVID-19 cohort significantly decreased as compared with those forecasted with the data from the pre-COVID-19 cohort: the numbers per quarter (300.25 ± 57.33 vs 546.64 ± 100.43, P-value = 0.006), the first quarter (0.34 vs 0.40, P = 0.002), the second quarter (0.24 vs 0.30, P = 0.001), the third quarter (0.24 vs 0.28, P = 0.024), and the fourth quarter (0.29 vs 0.35, P = 0.003). Conclusions Despite the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the leading causes of hospitalizations for neonatal infectious diseases remain unchanged. The seasonality of neonatal infectious disease hospitalizations could be obviously observed. The numbers as well as the overall rates of hospitalizations for neonatal infectious diseases in the COVID-19 cohort dramatically declined with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its mitigation measures. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07211-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarong Pan
- Department of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310052, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Canyang Zhan
- Department of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310052, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianming Yuan
- Department of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310052, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310052, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiyan Wang
- Department of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310052, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihua Chen
- Department of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310052, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
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Pennington H, Lee J. Lassa virus glycoprotein complex review: insights into its unique fusion machinery. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:BSR20211930. [PMID: 35088070 PMCID: PMC8844875 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20211930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV), an arenavirus endemic to West Africa, causes Lassa fever-a lethal hemorrhagic fever. Entry of LASV into the host cell is mediated by the glycoprotein complex (GPC), which is the only protein located on the viral surface and comprises three subunits: glycoprotein 1 (GP1), glycoprotein 2 (GP2), and a stable signal peptide (SSP). The LASV GPC is a class one viral fusion protein, akin to those found in viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza, Ebola virus (EBOV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). These viruses are enveloped and utilize membrane fusion to deliver their genetic material to the host cell. Like other class one fusion proteins, LASV-mediated membrane fusion occurs through an orchestrated sequence of conformational changes in its GPC. The receptor-binding subunit, GP1, first engages with a host cell receptor then undergoes a unique receptor switch upon delivery to the late endosome. The acidic pH and change in receptor result in the dissociation of GP1, exposing the fusion subunit, GP2, such that fusion can occur. These events ultimately lead to the formation of a fusion pore so that the LASV genetic material is released into the host cell. Interestingly, the mature GPC retains its SSP as a third subunit-a feature that is unique to arenaviruses. Additionally, the fusion domain contains two separate fusion peptides, instead of a standard singular fusion peptide. Here, we give a comprehensive review of the LASV GPC components and their unusual features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hallie N. Pennington
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Computer, Mathematics, and Natural Science, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD 20740, U.S.A
| | - Jinwoo Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Computer, Mathematics, and Natural Science, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD 20740, U.S.A
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