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Pachankis Y. Jeopardies in human security and politicization of COVID-19. Ethics Med Public Health 2023; 27:100871. [PMID: 36743192 PMCID: PMC9889251 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2023.100871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Y Pachankis
- 28-4 Bldg. 2 Dexinyuan, 1001, Biqing N Rd, 402762 Chongqing, China
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Sansone NMS, Boschiero MN, Ortega MM, Ribeiro IA, Peixoto AO, Mendes RT, Marson FAL. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome by SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Other Etiologic Agents Among Brazilian Indigenous Population: An Observational Study from the First Year of Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19 Pandemic. Lancet Reg Health Am 2022; 8:100177. [PMID: 35018359 PMCID: PMC8739500 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2021.100177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Indigenous peoples are vulnerable to pandemics, including to the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, since it causes high mortality and specially, the loss of elderly Indigenous individuals. Methods The epidemiological data of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) by SARS-CoV-2 infection or other etiologic agents (OEA) among Brazilian Indigenous peoples during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic was obtained from a Brazilian Ministry of Health open-access database to perform an observational study. Considering only Indigenous individuals diagnosed with SARS by COVID-19, the epidemiology data were also evaluated as risk of death. The type of sample collection for virus screening, demographic profile, clinical symptoms, comorbidities, and clinical evolution were evaluated. The primary outcome was considered the death in the Brazilian Indigenous individuals and the secondary outcome, the characteristics of Brazilian Indigenous infected by SARS-CoV-2 or OEA, as the need for intensive care unit admission or the need for mechanical ventilation support. The statistical analysis was done using Logistic Regression Model. Alpha of 0.05. Findings A total of 3,122 cases of Indigenous individuals with SARS in Brazil were reported during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of these, 1,994 were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 730/1,816 (40.2%) of them died. The death rate among individuals with SARS-CoV-2 was three-fold increased when compared to the group of individuals with OEA. Several symptoms (myalgia, loss of smell, and sore throat) and comorbidities (cardiopathy, systemic arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus) were more prevalent in the COVID-19 group when compared to Indigenous individuals with OEA. Similar profile was observed considering the risk of death among the Indigenous individuals with COVID-19 who presented several symptoms (oxygen saturation <95%, dyspnea, and respiratory distress) and comorbidities (renal disorders, cardiopathy, and diabetes mellitus). The multivariate analysis was significant in differentiating between the COVID-19-positive and non-COVID-19 patients [X2(7)=65.187; P-value<0.001]. Among the patients’ features, the following contributed in relation to the diagnosis of COVID-19: age [≥43 years-old [y.o.]; OR=1.984 (95%CI=1.480-2.658)]; loss of smell [OR=2.373 (95%CI=1.461-3.854)]; presence of previous respiratory disorders [OR=0.487; 95%CI=0.287-0.824)]; and fever [OR=1.445 (95%CI=1.082-1.929)]. Also, the multivariate analysis was able to predict the risk of death [X2(9)=293.694; P-value<0.001]. Among the patients’ features, the following contributed in relation to the risk of death: male gender [OR=1.507 (95%CI=1.010-2.250)]; age [≥60 y.o.; OR=3.377 (95%CI=2.292-4.974)]; the need for ventilatory support [invasive mechanical ventilation; OR=24.050 (95%CI=12.584-45.962) and non-invasive mechanical ventilation; OR=2.249 (95%CI=1.378-3.671)]; dyspnea [OR=2.053 (95%CI=1.196-3.522)]; oxygen saturation <95% [OR=1.691 (95%CI=1.050-2.723)]; myalgia [OR=0.423 (95%CI=0.191-0.937)]; and the presence of kidney disorders [OR=3.135 (95%CI=1.144-8.539)]. Interpretation The Brazilian Indigenous peoples are in a vulnerable situation during the COVID-19 pandemic and presented an increased risk of death due to COVID-19. Several factors were associated with enhanced risk of death, as male sex, older age (≥60 y.o.), and need for ventilatory support; also, other factors might help to differentiate SARS by COVID-19 or by OEA, as older age (≥43 y.o.), loss of smell, and fever. Funding Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (Foundation for Research Support of the State of São Paulo; #2021/05810-7).
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Key Words
- %, Percentage
- 95%CI, 95% Confidence Interval
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease (2019)
- Ethnicity
- H1N1, H1N1 Strain of the Flu (Influenzae) virus
- HRCT, High-Resolution Computed Tomography
- ICU, Intensive Care Unit
- Indigenous
- Intensive Care Unit
- MV, Mechanical Ventilation
- NA, Not Applicable
- OEA, Other Etiologic Agents
- OR, Odds Ratio
- Pandemic
- RT-PCR, Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Race
- Respiratory Disease
- SAH, Systemic Arterial Hypertension
- SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- SARS-CoV, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
- SARS-CoV-2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
- SIVEP-Gripe, Information System for Epidemiological Surveillance of Influenza (Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe)
- SUS, Sistema Único de Saúde (Brazilian Public Health System)
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- Virus
- y.o., Years Old
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathália M S Sansone
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil.,Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil
| | - Matheus N Boschiero
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil
| | - Manoela M Ortega
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil.,Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil
| | - Isadora A Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil.,Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil
| | - Andressa O Peixoto
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, Center for Investigation in Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas. Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Roberto T Mendes
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, Center for Investigation in Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas. Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando A L Marson
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil.,Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil
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Nath V, Rohini A, Kumar V. Identification of M pro inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 using structure based computational drug repurposing. Biocatal Agric Biotechnol 2021; 37:102178. [PMID: 34611467 PMCID: PMC8483991 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2021.102178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The recent outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the novel pathogen SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a severe health emergency. In this pandemic, drug repurposing seems to be the most promising alternative to identify effective therapeutic agents for immediate treatment of infected patients. The present study aimed to evaluate all the drugs present in drug bank as potential novel SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, using computational drug repurposing studies. Docking-based virtual screening and binding energy prediction were performed, followed by Absorption Distribution Metabolism Excretion calculation. Hydroxychloroquine and Nelfinavir have been identified as the best potential inhibitor against the SARS-CoV-2, therefore, they were used as reference compounds in computational DR studies. The docking study revealed 13 best compounds based on their highest binding affinity, binding energy, and dock score concerning the other screened compounds. Out of 13, only 4 compounds were further shortlisted based on their binding energy and best ADME properties. The hierarchical virtual screening yielded the best 04 drugs, DB07042 (compound 2), DB13035 (compound 3), DB13604 (compound 5) and DB08253 (compound 6), with commendable binding energies in kcal/mol, i.e. −65.45, −62.01, −52.09 and −51.70 respectively. Further, Molecular dynamics simulation with 04 best-retrieved hits has confirmed stable trajectories in protein in terms of root mean square deviation and root mean square fluctuation. During 30 ns simulation, the interactions were also found similar to the docking-based studies. However, clinical studies are necessary to investigate their therapeutic use against this outbreak.
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Key Words
- ACE, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme
- ADME, Absorption Distribution Metabolism Excretion
- Binding energy
- CDR, Computational Drug Repurposing
- COVID
- CoV, Corona Virus
- Docking
- Drug repurposing
- HTVS, High-throughput virtual screening
- MMGBSA, Molecular mechanics generalized born surface area
- OPLS, Optimized Potentials for Liquid Simulations
- PDB, Protein data bank
- SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- SP, Standard Precision
- Virtual screening
- XP, Extra precision
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Affiliation(s)
- Virendra Nath
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - A Rohini
- College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Technical Sciences, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vipin Kumar
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
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Yokoyama K, Ichiki A. Nano-size dependence in the adsorption by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein over gold colloid. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2021; 615:126275. [PMID: 33564211 PMCID: PMC7860964 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.126275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Gold nano-particles were coated with the spike protein (S protein) of SARS-CoV-2 and exposed to increasingly acidic conditions. Their responses were investigated by monitoring the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band shift. As the external pH was gradually changed from neutral pH to pH ∼2 the peak of the SPR band showed a significant red-shift, with a sigmoidal feature implying the formation of the gold-protein aggregates. The coating of S protein changed the surface property of the gold enough to extract the coverage fraction of protein over nano particles, Θ, which did not exhibit clear nano-size dependence. The geometrical simulation to explain Θ showed the average axial length to be a = 7. 25 nm and b =8.00 nm when the S-protein was hypothesized as a prolate shape with spiking-out orientation. As the pH value externally hopped between pH∼3 and pH∼10, a behavior of reversible protein folding was observed for particles with diameters >30 nm. It was concluded that S protein adsorption conformation was impacted by the size (diameter, d) of a core nano-gold, where head-to-head dimerized S protein was estimated for d ≤ 80 nm and a parallel in opposite directions formation for d = 100 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazushige Yokoyama
- Department of Chemistry, The State University of New York Geneseo College, Geneseo, NY, United States
| | - Akane Ichiki
- Department of Chemistry, The State University of New York Geneseo College, Geneseo, NY, United States
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Muthuraman Y, Lakshminarayanan I. A review of the COVID-19 pandemic and its interaction with environmental media. Environ Chall (Amst) 2021; 3:100040. [PMID: 38620635 PMCID: PMC7866852 DOI: 10.1016/j.envc.2021.100040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Viruses are biologically active parasites that only exist inside a host they are submicroscopic level. The novel coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, is generally caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is comparable to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). As a result of globalization, natural alterations or changes in the SARS-CoV-2 have created significant risks to human health over time. These viruses can live and survive in different ways in the atmosphere unless they reach another host body. At this stage, we will discuss the details of the transmission and detection of this deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus via certain environmental media, such as the atmosphere, water, air, sewage water, soil, temperature, relative humidity, and bioaerosol, to better understand the diffusion, survival, infection potential and diagnosis of COVID-19.
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Key Words
- +ssRNA, single-stranded DNA
- ACE2, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- CoV, coronavirus
- Diagnosis
- Environmental media
- HCoV, Human coronavirus
- MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
- MERS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
- MERS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, RSV, Respiratory syncytial virus
- NSP, Non-Structured Protein
- ORFs, Open Reading Frames
- PPE, Personal Protecting Equipments
- RNA, Ribonucleic acid
- SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- SARS-CoV-2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2
- Structure
- Transmission
- WHO, World Health Organization
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuvaraj Muthuraman
- Agricultural College and Research Institute, Vazhavachanur, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India
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Kim D. Exploratory study on the spatial relationship between emerging infectious diseases and urban characteristics: Cases from Korea. Sustain Cities Soc 2021; 66:102672. [PMID: 33520608 PMCID: PMC7828747 DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2020.102672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In the modern global context of interconnected populations, the recent emergence of infectious diseases involves complex interactions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the spatial correlations between urban characteristics, taking into account the socio-ecological aspects, and the emergence of infectious diseases. Using exploratory spatial data analysis and spatial regression between the infectious disease emergence data and 14 urban characteristics, we analyzed 225 spatial units in South Korea, where there was a re-emergence of measles and a 2015 outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. As results of exploratory spatial data analysis, the emerging infectious diseases had spatial dependence and showed spatial clusters. Spatial regression models showed that urban characteristic factors had different effects according to the type of infectious disease. Common factors were characteristics related to low socioeconomic status in water or food-borne diseases and manageable infectious diseases. Intermittent infections disease epidemics are related to high-quality residential environments and the response capacity of the local government. New infectious diseases are different than other infectious diseases, which are related to the ecological environment. This study suggests spatial policies for preventing infectious diseases considering the spatial relationships between urban characteristics and infectious diseases as well as the management of public health.
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Key Words
- AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
- CJD, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- CRE, Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae
- Disease prevention
- EID, emerging infectious diseases
- Exploratory spatial data analysis
- HFRS, haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
- HH, High-High
- HL, High-Low
- Infectious diseases
- LH, Low-High
- LISA, Local Indicators of Spatial Association
- LL, Low-Low
- MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
- MOHW, Ministry of Health and Welfare
- MRPA, multidrug-resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa
- MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- SFTS, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome
- Social-ecology
- Urbanization
- VRE, vancomycin-resistant enterococci
- VRSA, vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghyun Kim
- Department of Urban Planning and Engineering, Pusan National University, 2, Busandaehak-ro 63beon-gil, Geumjeong-Gu, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
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Lopez-Pais J, Otero DL, Ferreiro TG, Antonio CEC, Muiños PJA, Perez-Poza M, García ÓO, Ramos VJ, Fernández MS, Fernandez MB, Pena XCS, Roman AV, Romero MP, Lago AL, Escudero JÁ, Román AS, Gonzalez-Juanatey JR. Fast track triage for COVID-19 based on a population study: The soda score. Prev Med Rep 2021; 21:101298. [PMID: 33489725 PMCID: PMC7809432 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare systems are under prominent stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A fast and simple triage is mandatory to screen patients who will benefit from early hospitalization, from those that can be managed as outpatients. There is a lack of all-comers scores, and no score has been proposed for western-world population. AIMS To develop a fast-track risk score valid for every COVID-19 patient at diagnosis. METHODS Single-center, retrospective study based on all the inhabitants of a healthcare area. Logistic regression was used to identify simple and wide-available risk factors for adverse events (death, intensive care admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, bleeding > BARC3, acute renal injury, respiratory insufficiency, myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, pulmonary emboli, or stroke). RESULTS Of the total healthcare area population, 447.979 inhabitants, 965 patients (0.22%), were diagnosed with COVID-19. A total of 124 patients (12.85%) experienced adverse events. The novel SODA score (based on sex, peripheral O2 saturation, presence of diabetes, and age) demonstrated good accuracy for adverse events prediction (area under ROC curve 0.858, CI: 0.82-0.98). A cut-off value of ≤2 points identifies patients with low risk (positive predictive value [PPV] for absence of events: 98.9%) and a cut-off of ≥5 points, high-risk patients (PPV 58.8% for adverse events). CONCLUSIONS This quick and easy score allows fast-track triage at the moment of diagnosis for COVID-19 using four simple variables: age, sex, SpO2, and diabetes. SODA score could improve preventive measures taken at diagnosis in high-risk patients and also relieve resources by identifying very low-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Lopez-Pais
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Spain
| | - Diego López Otero
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Spain
| | - Teba Gonzalez Ferreiro
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carla Eugenia Cacho Antonio
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Pablo José Antúnez Muiños
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marta Perez-Poza
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Óscar Otero García
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Victor Jimenez Ramos
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuela Sestayo Fernández
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Bastos Fernandez
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria IDICHUS, Spain
| | - Xoan Carlos Sanmartin Pena
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria IDICHUS, Spain
| | - Alfonso Varela Roman
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria IDICHUS, Spain
| | - Manuel Portela Romero
- Primary Healthcare, Centro de Salud Concepción Arenal, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ana López Lago
- Intensive Care Unit, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Julián Álvarez Escudero
- Anaesthesia Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Alberto San Román
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jose Ramón Gonzalez-Juanatey
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Spain
| | - On behalf of CARDIOVID investigators
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria IDICHUS, Spain
- Primary Healthcare, Centro de Salud Concepción Arenal, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Intensive Care Unit, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Anaesthesia Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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Saha J, Bhattacharjee S, Pal Sarkar M, Saha BK, Basak HK, Adhikary S, Roy V, Mandal P, Chatterjee A, Pal A. A comparative genomics-based study of positive strand RNA viruses emphasizing on SARS-CoV-2 utilizing dinucleotide signature, codon usage and codon context analyses. Gene Rep 2021; 23:101055. [PMID: 33615042 PMCID: PMC7887452 DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The novel corona virus disease or COVID-19 caused by a positive strand RNA virus (PRV) called SARS-CoV-2 is plaguing the entire planet as we conduct this study. In this study a multifaceted analysis was carried out employing dinucleotide signature, codon usage and codon context to compare and unravel the genomic as well as genic characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 isolates and how they compare to other PRVs which represents some of the most pathogenic human viruses. The main emphasis of this study was to comprehend the codon biology of the SARS-CoV-2 in the backdrop of the other PRVs like Poliovirus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Hepatitis C virus, Norovirus, Rubella virus, Semliki Forest virus, Zika virus, Dengue virus, Human rhinoviruses and the Betacoronaviruses since codon usage pattern along with the nucleotide composition prevalent within the viral genome helps to understand the biology and evolution of viruses. Our results suggest discrete genomic dinucleotide signature within the PRVs. Some of the genes from the different SARS-CoV-2 isolates were also found to demonstrate heterogeneity in terms of their dinucleotide signature. The SARS-CoV-2 isolates also demonstrated a codon context trend characteristically dissimilar to the other PRVs. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the developing global knowledge base in countering COVID-19.
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Key Words
- CAI, Codon Adaptation Index
- CNS, Central Nervous System
- COVID-19
- CRS, Congenital Rubella Syndrome
- CUB, Codon Usage Bias
- Codon context
- Codon usage bias
- Coronaviruses
- Fop, Frequency of optimal codons
- GC1, Guanine and Cytosine content on the first position of the codon
- GC2, Guanine and Cytosine content on the second position of the codon
- GC3, Guanine and Cytosine content on the third position of the codon
- HCV, Hepatitis C Virus
- MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
- MFE, Minimum Free Energy
- Nc, Effective Number of Codons
- PCA, Principal Component Analysis
- PRV, Positive strand RNA Virus
- Positive strand RNA virus
- RCDI, Relative Codon De-Optimization Index
- RSCU, Relative Synonymous Codon Usage
- SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- SARS-CoV-2
- SARS-CoV-2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
- SCUO, Synonymous Codon Usage Order
- SiD, Similarity Index
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayanti Saha
- Microbiology & Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj PIN-733 134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Sukanya Bhattacharjee
- Microbiology & Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj PIN-733 134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Monalisha Pal Sarkar
- Mycology & Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj PIN-733 134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Barnan Kumar Saha
- Microbiology & Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj PIN-733 134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Hriday Kumar Basak
- Department of Chemistry, Raiganj University, Raiganj PIN-733 134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Samarpita Adhikary
- Microbiology & Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj PIN-733 134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Vivek Roy
- Microbiology & Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj PIN-733 134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Parimal Mandal
- Mycology & Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj PIN-733 134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Abhik Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, Raiganj University, Raiganj PIN-733 134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Ayon Pal
- Microbiology & Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj PIN-733 134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
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Alexandris N, Lagoumintzis G, Chasapis CT, Leonidas DD, Papadopoulos GE, Tzartos SJ, Tsatsakis A, Eliopoulos E, Poulas K, Farsalinos K. Nicotinic cholinergic system and COVID-19: In silico evaluation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists as potential therapeutic interventions. Toxicol Rep 2020; 8:73-83. [PMID: 33425684 PMCID: PMC7776751 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection was announced as a pandemic in March 2020. Since then, several scientists have focused on the low prevalence of smokers among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. These findings led to our hypothesis that the Nicotinic Cholinergic System (NCS) plays a crucial role in the manifestation of COVID-19 and its severe symptoms. Molecular modeling revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein might bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) through a cryptic epitope homologous to snake toxins, substrates well documented and known for their affinity to the nAChRs. This binding model could provide logical explanations for the acute inflammatory disorder in patients with COVID-19, which may be linked to severe dysregulation of NCS. In this study, we present a series of complexes with cholinergic agonists that can potentially prevent SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein from binding to nAChRs, avoiding dysregulation of the NCS and moderating the symptoms and clinical manifestations of COVID-19. If our hypothesis is verified by in vitro and in vivo studies, repurposing agents currently approved for smoking cessation and neurological conditions could provide the scientific community with a therapeutic option in severe COVID-19.
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Key Words
- ACh, Acetylcholine
- AChBP, Acetylcholine-binding protein
- ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome
- BLAST, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool
- CHARMM, Chemistry at Harvard Macromolecular Mechanics
- CNS, Central Nervous System
- COVID-19
- Cholinergic agonists
- CoV, coronavirus
- DCD, single precision binary FORTRAN
- ECD, extracellular domain
- HADDOCK, High Ambiguity Driven protein-protein DOCKing
- HMGB1, High-mobility group protein 1
- IL, Interleukin
- Jak2, Janus kinases 2
- LBD, Ligand Binding Domain
- MD, Molecular Dynamics
- MDS, Molecular Dynamics Simulations
- MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
- NAMD, Nanoscale Molecular Dynamics
- NCBI, National Center for Biotechnology Information
- NCS, Nicotinic Cholinergic System
- NF-kB, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells
- NPT, constant number, pressure, energy
- NVT, constant number, volume, energy
- Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
- PDB, Protein Data Bank
- PME, Particle Mesh Ewald
- PRODIGY, PROtein binDIng enerGY prediction
- PyMOL, Python Molecule
- RBD, Receptor Binding Domain
- RMSD, Root-mean-square deviation
- SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- SARS-CoV-2
- SARS-CoV-2 S1, SARS - 2 Spike Subunit 1 protein
- STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
- STD NMR, Saturation Transfer Difference Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
- Spike glycoprotein
- TNF, Tumor Necrosis Factor
- VMD, Visual Molecular Dynamics
- lig, ligand
- nAChRs, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Alexandris
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26500, Rio-Patras, Greece
| | - George Lagoumintzis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26500, Rio-Patras, Greece
- Institute of Research and Innovation - IRIS, Patras Science Park SA, 26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Christos T. Chasapis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26500, Rio-Patras, Greece
| | - Demetres D. Leonidas
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Georgios E. Papadopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | | | | | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Poulas
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26500, Rio-Patras, Greece
- Institute of Research and Innovation - IRIS, Patras Science Park SA, 26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Farsalinos
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26500, Rio-Patras, Greece
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Takla M, Jeevaratnam K. Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and COVID-19: Systematic review and narrative synthesis of efficacy and safety. Saudi Pharm J 2020; 28:1760-1776. [PMID: 33204210 PMCID: PMC7662033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has required clinicians to urgently identify new treatment options or the re-purposing of existing drugs. Of particular interest are chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). The aims of this systematic review are to systematically identify and collate 24 studies describing the use of CQ and HCQ in human clinical trials and to provide a detailed synthesis of evidence of its efficacy and safety. Of clinical trials, 100% showed no significant difference in the probability of viral transmission or clearance in prophylaxis or therapy, respectively, compared to the control group. Among observational studies employing an endpoint specific to efficacy, 58% concurred with the finding of no significant difference in the attainment of outcomes. Three-fifths of clinical trials and half of observational studies examining an indicator unique to drug safety discovered a higher probability of adverse events in those treated patients suspected of, and diagnosed with, COVID-19. Of the total papers focusing on cardiac side-effects, 44% found a greater incidence of QTc prolongation and/or arrhythmias, 44% found no evidence of a significant difference, and 11% mixed results. The strongest available evidence points towards the inefficacy of CQ and HCQ in prophylaxis or in the treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients.
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Key Words
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease 2019
- CQ, chloroquine
- Chloroquine
- CoV, coronavirus
- Efficacy
- FDA, Food and Drug Administration
- HCQ, hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- ICU, intensive care unit
- MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
- PICOT, Population, intervention, comparison, outcome, time
- PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
- QTcF, The corrected QT interval by Fredericia
- SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- Safety
- VT, ventricular tachyarrythmia
- WHO, World Health Organisation
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Takla
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Kamalan Jeevaratnam
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7AL, United Kingdom
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11
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Janssen ML, van Manen MJ, Cretier SE, Braunstahl GJ. Pneumothorax in patients with prior or current COVID-19 pneumonia. Respir Med Case Rep 2020; 31:101187. [PMID: 32837901 PMCID: PMC7425767 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As the number of COVID-19 cases emerge, new complications associated with the disease are recognized. We present three cases of spontaneous pneumothorax in patients with COVID-19. They show that a pneumothorax can occur during different phases of disease, in patients without a pulmonary disease history and is not necessarily associated to positive pressure ventilation or severity of COVID-19. Although the exact causative mechanisms remain unknown, this observation might imply that extensive alveolar destruction due to COVID-19 may lead to bulla formation resulting in subsequent pneumothorax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthijs L. Janssen
- Department of Pulmonology, Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam J.G. van Manen
- Department of Pulmonology, Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sander E. Cretier
- Department of Radiology, Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gert-Jan Braunstahl
- Department of Pulmonology, Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Hakeem AR, Padmanaban H, Karthikeyan S, Murugesan S, Menon J, Shanmugam N, Jothimani D, Reddy MS, Rela M. Awareness and Concerns Among Adult Liver Transplant Recipients in the Current Pandemic Caused by Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Strategies to Safeguard a High-risk Population. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2020; 10:540-547. [PMID: 32837094 PMCID: PMC7286836 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus is spreading rapidly, and there are obvious concerns for the immunocompromised patient population including transplant recipients. Creating awareness and understanding patient concerns will play an important role in protecting this vulnerable group in developing timely and appropriate healthcare interventions. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 23rd March 2020 and 1st April 2020 among 154 liver transplant recipients, transplanted between October 2018 and February 2020. An 18-point questionnaire explored their knowledge of COVID-19, awareness of recipient's high-risk status, interventions to minimize cross-infections, and concerns of this patient group regarding the pandemic. RESULTS There were 112 (73%) respondents, with median age of 53 years (81% males). There was no difference in demographics between those who responded (n = 112) and those who did not respond to the survey (n = 42). Most of the recipients were aware of the main symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever (92%), breathlessness (86%), and dry cough (87%), but less than half were aware of diarrhea (39%) as a symptom. Awareness about spread from asymptomatic individuals was limited (26%). Majority (95%) understood their high-risk status, but worryingly, 23% of the respondents felt that there was no risk in visiting the hospital for routine clinic visit and blood tests. Concerns were raised by the recipients mostly regarding the uncertainties of COVID-19 infection and its treatment options, the quality of information on social messaging platforms, and lack of access to routine tests/immunosuppression levels because of lockdown/social distancing. CONCLUSIONS Our liver transplant recipients have a reasonable awareness regarding COVID-19. Problems in accessing the healthcare system during prolonged periods of lockdown was a major concern. It is important for each transplant unit to educate, support, and remain accessible to this vulnerable patient cohort as the pandemic continues to progress worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul R. Hakeem
- Address for correspondence. Abdul Rahman Hakeem, Consultant HPB and Liver Transplant Surgery.
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Sikakulya FK, Mulisya O, Munyambalu DK, Bunduki GK. Ebola in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: One Health approach to infectious disease control. One Health 2020; 9:100117. [PMID: 31993475 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2019.100117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing its tenth outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD), in North-Kivu and Ituri provinces. This is the second most deadly EVD outbreak in history, after the one that occurred in West Africa in 2014. The DRC Ministry of Health (MoH), supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a range of regional and international partners, are implementing EVD response plans in these affected areas such as screening of suspect cases at points of entry, case detection, contact tracing, laboratory testing, case management and infection prevention and control, safe and dignified burials, ring vaccination (this involves vaccination of infected individuals, direct contacts of infected individuals and contacts of their contacts), and therapeutics, community mobilization and free access to healthcare services. Despite these efforts, there has been a sharp rise in the number of confirmed cases within the identified affected areas, and due to a number of challenges unique to DRC, there has been an expansion in the geographical extent of transmission. The significance of the proximity of these regions to wildlife and the Virunga National Park is questionable in the EVD transmission dynamics. The close interaction between human, animal, and environmental factors, in combination with high population movement due to regular rebel attacks in these regions, suggest the need for the integration of the One Health approach in the holistic response plans for control and prevention of EVD. This paper seeks to highlight the implications and importance of a One Health–based approach into the infectious diseases control program implementation in DRC.
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Bandyopadhyay Neogi S, Roy DK, Sachdeva AK, Sharma R, Gupta R, Ganguli A. Evidence of prenatal toxicity of herbal based indigenous formulations for sex selection in rat models. J Tradit Complement Med 2019; 11:9-15. [PMID: 32292714 PMCID: PMC7102661 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Indigenous preparations(IPs) for a male child is reported from some parts of India. The present study aims to explore the effects of IPs for sex selection or sex selection drugs (SSDs) on pregnancy outcomes in rat models. SSDs contain Bryonia laciniosa, Quercus infectoria and Putranjiva roxburghii along with other ingredients. Methods An experimental design with successfully mated female rats were randomized into control and treatment groups. Phase 1 had 2 interventional arms while phase 2 had 3 interventional arms (12 rats/arm) besides control arm. In phase-1, pregnant females were dosed two SSDs(1000 mg/kg) on gestation days 1–5 whereas, in phase-2, on gestation days 6–19 to correlate the effect of the SSDs (500/1000/1500 mg/kg) consumption during different stages of pregnancy. Pregnant females were observed for clinical signs following treatment. The rats were sacrificed one day before expected day of delivery for evaluation. Pregnancy rate, gestation index, number of corpora lutea, and litter size were assessed. Foetuses were examined for sex, skeletal and soft tissue alterations. Discussion and conclusion In phase 1, no appreciable findings were there with SSD exposure. In phase 2, intrauterine growth and survival of foetuses were affected when SSDs were administered during organogenesis period. Decreased number of live foetuses and increased incidence of early and late resorption, reduced fetal growth with significant alteration in skeleton and viscera were found in treatment groups in a dose-dependent manner. This correlates well with findings from observational studies in pregnant women. However, such treatment at any dose did not effect sex differentiation. Indigenous preparations for sex selection consumed during organogenesis period of pregnancy lead to fetal resorptions. Such preparations are likely to cause skeletal and visceral malformations in babies. These have no impact on sex ratio.
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Key Words
- ANOVA, Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA)
- ARRIVE, Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments
- Animal models
- CPCSEA, Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals
- GD, Gestation Day
- GLP, Good Laboratory Practice
- HED, Human Equivalent Dose
- HPLC, High Performance Liquid Chromatography
- Herbal
- IPs, Indigenous Preparations
- Indigenous preparations
- MRSA, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
- OECD, Organisation For Economic Co-operation and Development
- Prenatal
- SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- SSD, Sex Selection Drugs
- Sex selection
- Toxicity
- VC, Vehicle Control
- WEC, Whole Embryo Culture
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutapa Bandyopadhyay Neogi
- Indian Institute of Public Health Delhi, Public Health Foundation of India, Plot number 47, Sector 44, Gurgaon, 122002, India
| | - Dilip Kumar Roy
- Venus Medicine Research Center, Hill Top Industrial Estate, Jharmajri EPIP, Phase-1, (Extn.), Bhatoli Kalan, Baddi, (HP)-173205, India
| | - Anand Kamal Sachdeva
- Venus Medicine Research Center, Hill Top Industrial Estate, Jharmajri EPIP, Phase-1, (Extn.), Bhatoli Kalan, Baddi, (HP)-173205, India
| | - Rashmi Sharma
- Scientist E, Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division, Department of Science and Technology, Delhi, India
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Kwok KO, Tang A, Wei VW, Park WH, Yeoh EK, Riley S. Epidemic Models of Contact Tracing: Systematic Review of Transmission Studies of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 17:186-194. [PMID: 30809323 PMCID: PMC6376160 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and reemergence of coronavirus epidemics sparked renewed concerns from global epidemiology researchers and public health administrators. Mathematical models that represented how contact tracing and follow-up may control Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) transmissions were developed for evaluating different infection control interventions, estimating likely number of infections as well as facilitating understanding of their likely epidemiology. We reviewed mathematical models for contact tracing and follow-up control measures of SARS and MERS transmission. Model characteristics, epidemiological parameters and intervention parameters used in the mathematical models from seven studies were summarized. A major concern identified in future epidemics is whether public health administrators can collect all the required data for building epidemiological models in a short period of time during the early phase of an outbreak. Also, currently available models do not explicitly model constrained resources. We urge for closed-loop communication between public health administrators and modelling researchers to come up with guidelines to delineate the collection of the required data in the midst of an outbreak and the inclusion of additional logistical details in future similar models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin On Kwok
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- Correspondence to: Kwok Kin On, Room 416, 4/F, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Arthur Tang
- Department of Software, Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
- Correspondence to: Arthur Tang, Natural Science Campus, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16419, South Korea
| | - Vivian W.I. Wei
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Woo Hyun Park
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
| | - Eng Kiong Yeoh
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Steven Riley
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
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Tzeng IS, Chien KL, Tu YK, Chen JY, Ng CY, Chien CY, Chen JC, Chaou CH, Yiang GT. Segmented regression analysis of emergency departments patient visits from Septicemia in Taiwan. Health Policy Technol 2018; 7:149-155. [PMID: 32289003 PMCID: PMC7104157 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background The protocol for early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) is effective for improving both the costs and outcomes of septicemia treatment, including a significant reduction in case fatality. However, this complicated protocol may have a downside. Furthermore, the Joint Taiwan Critical Care Medicine Committee has launched a nationwide educational program after the publication of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) to improve the overall survival rate from septicemia in the emergency care system of Taiwan. Objectives To assess the impact of the EGDT protocol and SSC education programs on island-wide septicemia-related emergency department (ED) visits. Methods Segmented regression techniques were utilized to assess the differences in annual rates and changes in septicemia-related ED visits between 1998 and 2012. We considered annual incidence of two medical comorbidities as potential confounders: metastatic malignant neoplasms and malignant neoplasms of the lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues. Results The EGDT protocol was associated with decreased septicemia-related ED visits in 2002 (level change; p < 0.001), while the SSC education program led to a slight increase in septicemia-related ED visits in 2007 (slope change; p < 0.001). For the EGDT protocol, the number of patient visits decreased by 32.9% after the protocol was implemented in 2002 compared with the expected number without the intervention. For the SSC education program, the number of patient visits increased by 20.2% (compared with the predicted number) in 2007 after the education program was implemented. Conclusions The EGDT protocol and SSC education program were associated with significant immediate changes and lagged intervention effects on island-wide septicemia-related ED visits.
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Key Words
- CVC, Central Venous Catheterization
- CVP, Central Venous Pressure
- ED, Emergency Department
- EGDT, Early Goal-Directed Therapy
- EMS, Emergency Medicine Service
- Emergency care
- GRHAC, Grading Responsible Hospitals for Acute Care
- ICD-9-CM, International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification
- ICU, Intensive Care Units
- MAP, Mean Arterial Pressure
- MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
- MOHW, Ministry of Health and Welfare
- MOI, Ministry of the Interior
- NHI, National Health Insurance
- Policy intervention
- Program evaluation
- SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- SSC, Surviving Sepsis Campaign
- ScvO2, Central Venous Oxygen Saturation
- Segmented regression analysis
- Septicemia
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Shiang Tzeng
- Department of Research, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Statistics, National Taipei University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Risk Management and Insurance, Feng Chia University Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Liong Chien
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Kang Tu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jau-Yuan Chen
- Department of Family Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chau Yee Ng
- Department of Dermatology, Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Linkou and Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yu Chien
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ton-Yen General Hospital, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
| | - Jih-Chang Chen
- Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsien Chaou
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taiwan
| | - Giou-Teng Yiang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei, Taiwan
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Al-Hazmi A, Gosadi I, Somily A, Alsubaie S, Bin Saeed A. Knowledge, attitude and practice of secondary schools and university students toward Middle East Respiratory Syndrome epidemic in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. Saudi J Biol Sci 2016; 25:572-577. [PMID: 29686521 PMCID: PMC5910645 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 01/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was aiming to investigate the knowledge, practice and attitudes of secondary school and university students toward MERS-CoV infection. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Study participants were recruited from several constituent colleges of King Saud University and secondary schools in Riyadh. Data were collected using self-administered, closed-ended questionnaires. Frequencies and proportions were computed for descriptive purposes. Chi square test was utilized to depict statistical difference between groups. Among the 1109 students who answered the questionnaires, 53.1% were male, and 46.9% were female. Level of knowledge about clinical presentation of MERS is generally similar among university and school students. The most frequently reported source of transmission is entering crowded spaces and being exposed to coughing and sneezing. Additionally, hand washing was the most commonly reported method of protection against the infection. The localized spread of MERS in Saudi Arabia and the number of fatalities associated with it might have increased public interest in understanding how to maintain proper precautionary measures both on a community and on an individual level. More emphasis should be placed on educating the student participants about preventive measures such as using tissues when sneezing and coughing and proper tissue disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Al-Hazmi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Gosadi
- Prince Sattam Chair for Epidemiology and Public Health Research, Community Medicine Unit, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Somily
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Alsubaie
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Bin Saeed
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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