Comparing racial health disparities in pandemics a decade apart: H1N1 and COVID-19

Background and aims

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported disproportionate health disparities with respect to disease for Blacks/African Americans (AAs) compared to Whites in the USA. In this paper, we identify and compare the factors involved in creating these disparities among these populations during the 2009 H1N1 and current COVID-19 pandemics.

Methods

We included studies describing health disparities towards Blacks/AAs in the USA during the H1N1 and COVID-19 pandemics. Only observational empirical studies with free full-text availability in English from PubMed, PubMed Central and Google Scholar were included.

Results

A total of 31 papers were included: 19 pertaining to the H1N1 pandemic and 12 to the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative analysis for health disparities resulted in 43 different factors, which were subdivided into nine overarching themes.

Discussion

The similarities that exist between the two pandemics indicate that there are many neglected issues in American healthcare that need to be addressed. The listed factors have led to disparities in screening and treating for disease resulting in disparities in infection rates, severity of illness and mortality. This calls for a change in healthcare dynamics to improve access to healthcare, remove any form of possible discrimination, and regain the lost trust with the Black/AA communities, repairing historical damage.

Conclusions

Effective utilisation of social media and faith-based centres to educate patients, implementation of new policies improving access to healthcare, and culture-sensitive education for healthcare providers are suggested to decrease health disparities and improve health outcomes across the USA.

Comparing racial health disparities in pandemics a decade apart: H1N1 and COVID-19

Background and aims

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported disproportionate health disparities with respect to disease for Blacks/African Americans (AAs) compared to Whites in the USA. In this paper, we identify and compare the factors involved in creating these disparities among these populations during the 2009 H1N1 and current COVID-19 pandemics.

Methods

We included studies describing health disparities towards Blacks/AAs in the USA during the H1N1 and COVID-19 pandemics. Only observational empirical studies with free full-text availability in English from PubMed, PubMed Central and Google Scholar were included.

Results

A total of 31 papers were included: 19 pertaining to the H1N1 pandemic and 12 to the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative analysis for health disparities resulted in 43 different factors, which were subdivided into nine overarching themes.

Discussion

The similarities that exist between the two pandemics indicate that there are many neglected issues in American healthcare that need to be addressed. The listed factors have led to disparities in screening and treating for disease resulting in disparities in infection rates, severity of illness and mortality. This calls for a change in healthcare dynamics to improve access to healthcare, remove any form of possible discrimination, and regain the lost trust with the Black/AA communities, repairing historical damage.

Conclusions

Effective utilisation of social media and faith-based centres to educate patients, implementation of new policies improving access to healthcare, and culture-sensitive education for healthcare providers are suggested to decrease health disparities and improve health outcomes across the USA.

The roles played by IL-10, IL-23 and IL-17A in term delivery

BACKGROUND

The immune system significantly participates in the development of the successful delivery process. The roles played by cytokine molecules in the induction of term delivery are yet to be clarified. The aim of this project was to explore the serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-17A, and IL-23 in the mothers with term and prolonged pregnancy and their infants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 60 samples were collected from either mothers with term and prolonged pregnancy or their infants, collectively 240 samples. Serum levels of IL-10, IL-17A and IL-23 were explored using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.

RESULTS

IL-10 serum levels significantly decreased in the neonates with prolonged pregnancy when compared to their mothers. Serum levels of IL-23 were increased either in term or prolonged pregnancy neonates when compared to their corresponded mothers. Serum levels of IL-10 and IL-23 significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in the female in comparison to male in the prolonged pregnancy neonates. IL-10 also significantly decreased in the term mothers who had higher gravidity.

CONCLUSION

Although, IL-17A does not play a key role in the delivery mechanism, IL-10 and IL-23 may be considered as potential factors in the modulation of term delivery.

Efficacy of Zinc Sulfate as an Add-on Therapy to Risperidone Versus Risperidone Alone in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Zinc can modulate fast-excitatory transmission, facilitate the release of amino butyric acid and potentiate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. There are also emerging evidences discussing the implication of these neurotransmitters in pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Zn sulfate as an add-on therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia in a 6-week, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible participants were 30 inpatients with schizophrenia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups; one group of patients received risperidone 6 mg/day plus capsules of Zn sulfate (each containing 50 mg elemental Zn) three times a day and another group received risperidone 6 mg/day plus placebo. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was applied to assess the psychotic symptoms and aggression risk at baseline, week 2, 4, and 6 of the study.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that both protocols significantly decreased the scores on all subscales of the PANSS and supplemental aggression risk subscale as well as PANSS total score over the study. However, this improvement was significantly higher in Zn sulfate receiving group compared to the placebo group. No major clinical side-effects were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

It may be concluded that Zn is an effective adjuvant agent in the management of patients with schizophrenia.

Comparison of experimental and bioelectrical impedance analysis methods in calculation of dry weight in peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

To optimize dialysis prescription and fluid balance of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, it is important to assess their dry weight accurately. The experimental evaluation is the method which is widely used in PD centers which needs continuous and controlled reduction of the postdialysis weight down to the point where patient does not show any signs of hypotension and volume overload. This study intends to indicate that the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method can be used as an alternative method to evaluate the dry weight.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The demographic data of 101 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients of Alzahra and Noor hospitals of Isfahan University (50 males and 51 females) who had been referred for periodical examinations from April 2009 to April 2010 were extracted from their files. The normal body volume was selected as the inclusion criteria and identified by an examiner group (a nephrologist, a general practitioner and a PD nurse). The patients' dry weights were calculated based on both methods. The bioelectrical impedance analysis method was done by the Maltron Bioscan ver916 and data were analyzed by SPSS program ver18.

RESULTS

There were 49.5% males and 50.5% females with the mean age of 54.6±17 years. The mean dry weight in the experimental method was 63.4±13.3 kg in comparison to the other (61.5± 13.7 kg). There was a significant difference between the results (P value <0.001) depended on the gender t-test, but there was a 98% correlation between the results by two methods. No correlation observed between the patient's age, body mass index, blood pressure, previous hemodialysis history, PD duration time, and underlying disease.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that there is significant difference between the two methods. However, there was 98% direct correlation between them. It is concluded that bioelectrical impedance analysis could be a better alternative for accurate evaluation of dry weight in PD patients because it is a fast and cheap method and does not depend on examiner's capability. Further studies based on the results of this method are recommended to consider this method as the gold standard.

Immunosuppressive proteins isolated from spiral and coccoid cytoplasmic solutions of Helicobacter pylori

The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative proteins that probably have a role in Helicobacter pylori evade of immune response and cause chronic infection disease and also to see if coccoid form had a role in its chronicity. H. pylori strain VacA s2/m2 positive and CagA negative, from a gastric biopsy of a patient with peptic ulcer disease, was isolated and cultured in brucella agar. Both spiral and coccoid forms were harvested and ruptured by sonication. The cytoplasmic solutions of both forms were collected and their fractions obtained by gel chromatography and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The fractions were analyzed by MTT assay for their antiproliferative activity. We isolated two proteins with a significant dose dependent antiproliferative activity that analyzed with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, one of them that was urease positive showed two bands with 61 and 27 kDa, which is resumed to urease of H. pylori, another consist of 57 and 63 kDa. Helicobacterpylori secret some proteins like urease that inhibit immune cells proliferation response against its antigens.

High performance multilayered nano-crystalline silicon/silicon-oxide light-emitting diodes on glass substrates

A low-temperature hydrogenation-assisted sequential deposition and crystallization technique is reported for the preparation of nano-scale silicon quantum dots suitable for light-emitting applications. Radio-frequency plasma-enhanced deposition was used to realize multiple layers of nano-crystalline silicon while reactive ion etching was employed to create nano-scale features. The physical characteristics of the films prepared using different plasma conditions were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, room temperature photoluminescence and infrared spectroscopy. The formation of multilayered structures improved the photon-emission properties as observed by photoluminescence and a thin layer of silicon oxy-nitride was then used for electrical isolation between adjacent silicon layers. The preparation of light-emitting diodes directly on glass substrates has been demonstrated and the electroluminescence spectrum has been measured.

Flora, life forms and chorotypes of plants of Salok protected area (North Khorassan Province Iran)

Salok protected Area is located in the 37 degrees 15' to 37 degrees 08' of the North latitude and 57 degrees 16' to 57 degrees 06' of East longitude, in West North Esfarayen in North khorassan province. In this research 52 families, 174 genera and 213 species were identified. The largest plant family is Asteraceae (34 species), Poaceae (18 species), Brassicaceae (17 species) and Fabaceae (17 species), respectively. Chief life forms are Hemicryptopytes (49.29%), Therophytes 23.47% and cryptophytes (12.67%). The most of plants chorotype with 62.91% is influenced by Irano-Touranina elements. Among 213 identified species of this region and 15 species endemic of Iran contain 0.87% of total endemic species of Iran's flora.

Mutation of Streptomyces griseoflavus in order to obtain high yield desferrioxamine producing fused cells

Streptomyces griseoflavus PTCC 1130 was mutated by UV irradiation. Two mutants were obtained (C7031 and S7011). These two mutants were able to produce desferioxamine. Desferrioxamine was extracted from the culture broth of the two mutated strains and the thin layer chromatogram of the products showed the R(F) values of 0.461, 0.463 and 0.456 for S7011, C7031 and the standard, respectively. The protoplasts of mutated Streptomyces griseoflavus were isolated and fused together. Total numbers of 58 fusions were obtained and only 17 fusions showed significant resistance to sodium azide and crystal violet. In terms of production of desferrioxamine only fusion PF9 and PF10 increased 68.3 and 81.8% desferrioxamine production as compared to parent strain (PTCC 1130), respectively.

Kidney transplantation candidates and cardiovascular risk factors

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and risk factors among chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on the transplantation waiting list.

METHODS

Fifty CRF patients on chronic hemodialysis who underwent evaluation for transplantation were compared with 60 hypertensive patients matched for age. We used Framingham scoring to calculate the absolute risk; relative risk was calculated based on the low-risk Framingham cohort.

RESULTS

According to traditional risk factors, a significant difference was observed in systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol (greater in the hypertensive group), and in the prevalence of the male gender, smoking, and diabetes, which were greater in the CRF group. The latter had a greater degree of left ventricular hypertrophy, lower diastolic blood pressure, and a lower prevalence of familial history of cardiovascular disease and obesity. Patients with CRF had a greater relative risk compared with the Framingham control population, but it did not differ from that observed in the group of hypertensive individuals.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease and traditional risk factors is high among renal transplantation candidates. The Framingham equations do not adequately quantify the real cardiovascular risk; other risk factors specific for that population probably contribute to their greater cardiovascular risk.

Comparison of zinc oxide and eugenol, and Vitapex for root canal treatment of necrotic primary teeth

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to evaluate iodoform base materials for root canal treatment of necrotic primary teeth, and to compare them with traditionally used zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE).

SAMPLE AND METHODS

Zinc oxide and eugenol and Vitapex (a premixed calcium hydroxide and iodoform paste) were compared for root canal treatment in 52 necrotic primary teeth in two groups of children with a mean age of 5 years and 8.4 months. All the patients were followed-up clinically and radiographically 3 months and 10-16 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

The overall success rates of Vitapex and ZOE were 100% and 78.5%, respectively. Using Fisher's Exact Test, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both ZOE and Vitapex gave encouraging results. Vitapex, however, can be used more safely whenever there is a doubt about the patient's return for follow-up.

Spatially Resolved Spin-Injection Probability for Gallium Arsenide

We report a large spin-polarized current injection from a ferromagnetic metal into a nonferromagnetic semiconductor, at a temperature of 100 Kelvin. The modification of the spin-injection process by a nanoscale step edge was observed. On flat gallium arsenide [GaAs(110)] terraces, the injection efficiency was 92%, whereas in a 10-nanometer-wide region around a [111]-oriented step the injection efficiency is reduced by a factor of 6. Alternatively, the spin-relaxation lifetime was reduced by a factor of 12. This reduction is associated with the metallic nature of the step edge. This study advances the realization of using both the charge and spin of the electron in future semiconductor devices.

A semiautomated turbidimetric method for determination of plasma fibrinogen

A semiautomated turbidimetric technic for determination of the concentration of fibrinogen in plasma was compared with chemical analysis of the fibrin formed by addition of thrombin to plasma. The overall coefficient of correlation between the two methods was 0.98, although the turbidimetric technic was somewhat more accurate in hypofibrinogenemic plasma, and the chemical method, in normal plasma.