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Geddawy A, Alajmi M, Alaskar AM, Alwadani ST, Alanezi AF, Alhomaidhi AA, Al-Ghamdi S. Undergraduate health sciences students' response regarding COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: an observational study. Postgrad Med 2023; 135:234-243. [PMID: 34933641 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2021.2017184] [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: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents a major health problem, and its influences may persist with emerging viral variants. The current work was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and learning satisfaction of health sciences students (HSS) regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 20 February 2021 to 20 March 2021. Participants were undergraduate HSS at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire has been generated and distributed via online form. The questionnaire used was based on previous studies and included demographic information and knowledge, attitudes, perception, and learning satisfaction related to the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS Out of the 400 questionnaires distributed to eligible students, the current study included a total of 330 HSS (82.5% response rate) from colleges of medicine (25.5%), dentistry (11.8%), pharmacy (33.6%), and Applied Medical Sciences (29.1%) of participants. The mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and learning satisfaction attained by students were 5.63 ± 0.65 out of 6, 4.22 ± 1.01 out of 5, and 11.28 ± 2.9 out of 19, respectively. Results show an association between the knowledge score of students and their age-group and specialty-college. Students with chronic diseases reported lower attitude scores and rate of COVID-19 vaccine-willingness. Younger HSS had a higher learning satisfaction score than the older participants. CONCLUSION Overall, participants show high knowledge level and positive attitude toward COVID-19 but fair learning satisfaction during the pandemic. Further studies are needed to improve the learning satisfaction and attitude of HSS in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Geddawy
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University 61511, Minia, Egypt
| | - Mansour Alajmi
- Department of Family and Community MedicineCollege of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz M Alaskar
- Undergraduate Medical Student, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salman T Alwadani
- Undergraduate Medical Student, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz F Alanezi
- Undergraduate Medical Student, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Sameer Al-Ghamdi
- Department of Family and Community MedicineCollege of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
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Hong X, He J, Li P, Chen J, Zou B, Li Z, Jia Y, Liu Y, Yang L, Li J. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in gallbladder and aggravating cholecystitis to septic shock: a case report. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1631. [PMID: 34926675 PMCID: PMC8640915 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-4778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has threatened human health worldwide and could lead to multiple organs injury. However, the impact on the virus infecting the biliary system, especially the gallbladder, has remained unclear and no pathological evidence has been reported yet. A case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a gallbladder with cholecystitis, which progressed rapidly to sepsis and required an emergency operation was investigated and reported. Clinical specimens of the COVID-19 patient including serum, oropharyngeal swabs, sputum, bile, abdominal drainage fluid, urine, stool, and gallbladder tissue were collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Fresh normal gallbladder tissue and gangrenous gallbladder tissue were also collected for further research including hematoxylin and eosin (HE), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescent (IF) staining, and compared with the gallbladder from the COVID-19 patient. The bile, as well as the serum, oropharyngeal swabs, sputum, abdominal drainage fluid, urine, and rectal swabs were consecutively negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The viral host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was highly expressed in gallbladder epithelial cells, and viral nucleocapsid protein (NP) was visualized in the cytoplasm of gallbladder epithelial cells. Immune cells including CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD38, CD68, and MPO were positive in gangrenous gallbladder tissues without SARS-CoV-2 infection, and were relatively downregulated in SARS-CoV-2 infective gallbladder tissue. This study provided evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the gallbladder and verified that the gallbladder was one of the target organs that SARS-CoV-2 could attack and damage using ACE2 as a cell receptor. Due to the immune dysregulation involved, more vigilant management and early assessment is needed for COVID-19 patients with the comorbidity of cholecystitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Hong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jianzhong He
- Department of Pathology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Peiping Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jiafan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Baojia Zou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhanyu Li
- Department of Pathology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yingbin Jia
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Ye Liu
- Department of Pathology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Lukun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
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Cirocchi R, Nascimbeni R, Burini G, Boselli C, Barberini F, Davies J, Di Saverio S, Cassini D, Amato B, Binda GA, Bassotti G. The Management of Acute Colonic Diverticulitis in the COVID-19 Era: A Scoping Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2021; 57:medicina57101127. [PMID: 34684164 PMCID: PMC8538273 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57101127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems worldwide made major changes to their organization, delaying diagnosis and treatment across a broad spectrum of pathologies. Concerning surgery, there was an evident reduction in all elective and emergency activities, particularly for benign pathologies such as acute diverticulitis, for which we have identified a reduction in emergency room presentation with mild forms and an increase with more severe forms. The aim of our review was to discover new data on emergency presentation for patients with acute diverticulitis during the Covid-19 pandemic and their current management, and to define a better methodology for surgical decision-making. Method: We conducted a scoping review on 25 trials, analyzing five points: reduced hospital access for patients with diverticulitis, the preferred treatment for non-complicated diverticulitis, the role of CT scanning in primary evaluation and percutaneous drainage as a treatment, and changes in surgical decision-making and preferred treatment strategies for complicated diverticulitis. Results: We found a decrease in emergency access for patients with diverticular disease, with an increased incidence of complicated diverticulitis. The preferred treatment was conservative for non-complicated forms and in patients with COVID-related pneumonia, percutaneous drainage for abscess, or with surgery delayed or reserved for diffuse peritonitis or sepsis. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic we observed an increased number of complicated forms of diverticulitis, while the total number decreased, possibly due to delay in hospital or ambulatory presentation because of the fear of contracting COVID-19. We observed a greater tendency to treat these more severe forms by conservative means or drainage. When surgery was necessary, there was a preference for an open approach or a delayed operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cirocchi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (R.C.); (C.B.); (F.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Riccardo Nascimbeni
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Gloria Burini
- General & Emergency Surgical Clinic, University of Ancona, Hospital “Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona”, 60126 Ancona, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-34-6570-0300
| | - Carlo Boselli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (R.C.); (C.B.); (F.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Francesco Barberini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (R.C.); (C.B.); (F.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Justin Davies
- Colorectal Unit, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (J.D.); (S.D.S.)
| | - Salomone Di Saverio
- Colorectal Unit, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (J.D.); (S.D.S.)
| | - Diletta Cassini
- General and Laparoscopic Surgery, ASST Nord Milano, Sesto San Giovanni, 20099 Milano, Italy;
| | - Bruno Amato
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | | | - Gabrio Bassotti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (R.C.); (C.B.); (F.B.); (G.B.)
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Bojkova D, Costa R, Reus P, Bechtel M, Jaboreck MC, Olmer R, Martin U, Ciesek S, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. Targeting the Pentose Phosphate Pathway for SARS-CoV-2 Therapy. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11100699. [PMID: 34677415 PMCID: PMC8540749 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11100699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, for which effective pharmacological therapies are needed. SARS-CoV-2 induces a shift of the host cell metabolism towards glycolysis, and the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG), which interferes with SARS-CoV-2 infection, is under development for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The glycolytic pathway generates intermediates that supply the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). In this study, the analysis of proteomics data indicated increased transketolase (TKT) levels in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, suggesting that a role is played by the non-oxidative PPP. In agreement, the TKT inhibitor benfooxythiamine (BOT) inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication and increased the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of 2DG. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with changes in the regulation of the PPP. The TKT inhibitor BOT inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication and increased the activity of the glycolysis inhibitor 2DG. Notably, metabolic drugs like BOT and 2DG may also interfere with COVID-19-associated immunopathology by modifying the metabolism of immune cells in addition to inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication. Hence, they may improve COVID-19 therapy outcomes by exerting antiviral and immunomodulatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (P.R.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Rui Costa
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Philipp Reus
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (P.R.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (P.R.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Mark-Christian Jaboreck
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.-C.J.); (R.O.); (U.M.)
- Member of the German Lung Research Center (DZL), Feulgenstrasse 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ruth Olmer
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.-C.J.); (R.O.); (U.M.)
- Member of the German Lung Research Center (DZL), Feulgenstrasse 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Martin
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.-C.J.); (R.O.); (U.M.)
- Member of the German Lung Research Center (DZL), Feulgenstrasse 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (P.R.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External Partner Site, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Michaelis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (J.C.J.)
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (P.R.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (J.C.J.)
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A Potential Role of the CD47/SIRPalpha Axis in COVID-19 Pathogenesis. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:1212-1225. [PMID: 34698067 PMCID: PMC8929144 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43030086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Most SARS-CoV-2 infections are mild or even asymptomatic. However, a small fraction of infected individuals develops severe, life-threatening disease, which is caused by an uncontrolled immune response resulting in hyperinflammation. However, the factors predisposing individuals to severe disease remain poorly understood. Here, we show that levels of CD47, which is known to mediate immune escape in cancer and virus-infected cells, are elevated in SARS-CoV-2-infected Caco-2 cells, Calu-3 cells, and air-liquid interface cultures of primary human bronchial epithelial cells. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 infection increases SIRPalpha levels, the binding partner of CD47, on primary human monocytes. Systematic literature searches further indicated that known risk factors such as older age and diabetes are associated with increased CD47 levels. High CD47 levels contribute to vascular disease, vasoconstriction, and hypertension, conditions that may predispose SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals to COVID-19-related complications such as pulmonary hypertension, lung fibrosis, myocardial injury, stroke, and acute kidney injury. Hence, age-related and virus-induced CD47 expression is a candidate mechanism potentially contributing to severe COVID-19, as well as a therapeutic target, which may be addressed by antibodies and small molecules. Further research will be needed to investigate the potential involvement of CD47 and SIRPalpha in COVID-19 pathology. Our data should encourage other research groups to consider the potential relevance of the CD47/ SIRPalpha axis in their COVID-19 research.
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