This editorial comments on the article by Desai et al,which investigates the impact of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)on in-hospital mortality among patients with recurrent stroke using data from the 2020 National ...This editorial comments on the article by Desai et al,which investigates the impact of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)on in-hospital mortality among patients with recurrent stroke using data from the 2020 National Inpatient Sample.The findings reveal significantly higher mortality rates in COVID-19-positive patients compared to non-COVID-19 patients,particularly among middle-aged individuals,males,and ethnic minorities.This editorial explores the underlying mechanisms contributing to these outcomes and discusses the clinical implications for targeted management strategies in high-risk groups.The results emphasize the need for comprehensive approaches to mitigate the heightened risks faced by recurrent stroke patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.展开更多
Background: A plant based approach was undertaken to ascertain the efficacy of the Technology/Innovation of a new medical Technology based on similar activity to the circulatory system of plants. Basic Technology form...Background: A plant based approach was undertaken to ascertain the efficacy of the Technology/Innovation of a new medical Technology based on similar activity to the circulatory system of plants. Basic Technology formulations were introduced into plant structures to evaluate the responses for cell division and plant growth which ultimately lead to the final product. This Technology/Innovation transforms and enhances common botanical/herb products such that they can be used to treat COVID-19 infection and Serious or Life-threatening conditions or diseases. They can restore the diseased cell’s abnormal metabolism to homeostasis and return it to normal function by slowing or reversing the cell’s malfunctioning metabolism, or in other words, slowing or reversing the disease process. Methods: A systematic treatment for COVID-19 infection and Serious or Life-threatening illness in patients is based on theories of traditional Chinese medicine. The Technology/Innovation is developed as dietary supplement products for treatment of Serious or Life-threatening conditions or diseases. Results: The results consist of over one hundred Serious or Life-threatening patient medical records. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed/evaluated/accepted the Technology/Innovation patient medical record results, which included fifty-four COVID-19 patients with Prioritized Review Expedited No.: 2020-2867 CR2020-2596 information on September 16, 2020 and twenty-seven cancer patients Cancer Survival Rate Results in (Table 1) with FDA Establishment Identification No.: 3012327979 information on March 25, 2019 as FDA-Regulated medical products and meet the requirement under FDA Significant Scientific Agreement standards.展开更多
Aims: The present study aims to compare the assessment of work ability based on the use of the Work Ability Index (WAI) with another questionnaire base only on the use of WAI’s first item, termed as the “Work Abilit...Aims: The present study aims to compare the assessment of work ability based on the use of the Work Ability Index (WAI) with another questionnaire base only on the use of WAI’s first item, termed as the “Work Ability Score” (WAS). Study design: A cohort of 384 Spanish workers included in a Post COVID-19 condition or persistent COVID-19 multicenter research was utilized. Place and Duration of Study: This cohort was enlisted in four hospitals (Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid;Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Andalucía;Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid and Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, Castilla y León), since 2021 until 2022. Methodology: 384 Spanish workers (176 men and 208 women;aged 20 to 70 years) with Post COVID-19 condition or persistent COVID-19 were included. Descriptive analysis of primary scores was conducted. Given the non-normal distribution of data, the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed. Spearman and Kendall correlations were employed to assess the relationship between WAI and WAS, also used weighted Kappa to estimate the degree agreement between WAI and WAS. Logistic regression models were utilized to study determinants influencing WAI and WAS, categorized as poor or moderate. Results: WAI had an average score of 32.98 (SD = 10.28), whereas WAS had an average of 5.95 (SD = 2.77). Significant differences were observed in both WAI and WAS across the same variables. Strong and statistically significant correlations were evident between WAI and WAS (rs = 0.83, p < 0.001). All the variables used in the logistic regression model (gender, the sector employment, and previous chronic diseases) were statistically significant in both questionnaires. Conclusion: WAS questionnaire could be used as a tool for reliable assessment of work ability among Spanish workers with Post COVID-19 condition or Persistent CO-VID-19.展开更多
Objective:To study cardiovascular sequelae of post-COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe computed tomography(CT)severity score.Methods:A prospective,non-randomized,observational study was conducted on 100 post-COV...Objective:To study cardiovascular sequelae of post-COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe computed tomography(CT)severity score.Methods:A prospective,non-randomized,observational study was conducted on 100 post-COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe CT severity scores from January 2021 to December 2021.Fifty-nine were male[mean age(54.1±12.2)years]and 41 were female[mean age(46.9±15.1)years].Patients with previous cardiovascular disease,previous chronic lung disease,and pre-existing primary or secondary pulmonary hypertension were excluded.Patients were examined,and serial electrocardiogram and 2D echocardiography were performed to detect any cardiovascular abnormality.Results:Post-COVID-19 patients had persistent symptoms,the most common being fatigue(59%).Most of these symptoms were relieved on follow-up.A rise in systolic,diastolic blood pressure,and pulse rate was observed.The electrocardiographic evaluation revealed ST-T segment changes,sinus tachycardia,ventricular hypertrophy,and arrhythmias among a considerable number of patients.On echocardiography,left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was most common(43%).Pulmonary hypertension,as evidenced by elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure,was seen in 15%of patients.Conclusions:The present findings reveal an increased incidence of cardiovascular complications after recovery from COVID-19 infection in those without pre-existing cardiovascular or chronic lung disease.展开更多
Background: Mental health has been impaired and at risk due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The consequences due to confinement impacted every scenario, which directly influenced the daily routine of nurse student...Background: Mental health has been impaired and at risk due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The consequences due to confinement impacted every scenario, which directly influenced the daily routine of nurse students;in each setting students faced stressors that trigger fear, anxiety and others, since being in confinement learning of topics moved to the home, laboratory practices in hospitals were cancelled leaving the room that is uncertain up to their return to in-person activities. It is important to highlight the need for innovation and strengthening of theoretical-pedagogic aspects centered at the student’s context as a human being with their own needs and problems, who will interact with others in the continuous process of health-illness. Objective: the aim was to identify the stressors in the nurse students’ formation in the new normality post-COVID-19. Methods: Qualitative and phenomenological research with 27 participants aged 20 - 25 years, nurse students of a public university. The information collection was through four focal groups of 6-7 members each, data analysis was done according to Miles & Huberman after signed informed consent of each participant, and authorized by the chairperson of the Nurse’ career. Results: Category 1, Cumulative stressors with sub-categories 1.1 Uncertainty, 1.2 Isolation, 1.3 Invisibility, 1.4 Mockery, 1.5 Exclusion. Category 2, Expectancy states with sub-categories 2.1 Low self-esteem, 2.2 Insecurity, 2.3 Anxiety, 2.4 Depression, 2.5 Temporary leave, 2.6 Search for authenticity. Category 3, Internalization processes with sub-categories 3.1 Social rejection, 3.2 Self-censorship, 3.3 Discrediting, 3.4 Disempowerment. Category 4, Academic aspects affected with sub-categories 4.1 Deficient studying habits, 4.2 Deficient assimilations of knowledge, 4.3 Archived knowledge in the computer, 4.4 Absence of practice in previous semesters. Conclusion: Once identified the stressors in nurse students in the new normality post-COVID-19, it will allow the creation of settings that help in getting confidence for students, i.e., a safe surrounding promotes the development of abilities and competencies during formation, as well as recommendations of teachers in the classroom and laboratories that contribute to filling space that students perceive as empty, and to intensifying the companionship in clinical settings where students perceive most aggressiveness.展开更多
Since its emergence in 2019,it has become apparent that coronavirus 2019(COVID-19)infection can result in multi systemic involvement.In addition to pulmonary symptoms,hepatobiliary involvement has been widely reported...Since its emergence in 2019,it has become apparent that coronavirus 2019(COVID-19)infection can result in multi systemic involvement.In addition to pulmonary symptoms,hepatobiliary involvement has been widely reported.Extent of hepatic involvement ranges from minor elevation in liver function tests(LFTs)to significant hepatocellular or cholestatic injury.In majority of cases,resolution of hepatic injury or improvement in LFTs is noted as patients recover from COVID-19 infection.However,severe biliary tract injury progressing to liver failure has been reported in patients requiring prolonged intensive care unit stay or mechanical ventilation.Due to the timing of its presentation,this form of progressive cholestatic injury has been referred to as COVID-19 cholangiopathy or post-COVID-19 cholangiopathy,and can result in devastating consequences for patients.COVID-19 cholangiopathy is recognized by dramatic elevation in serum alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin and radiologic evidence of bile duct injury.Cholangiopathy in COVID-19 occurs weeks to months after the initial infection and during the recovery phase.Imaging findings and pathology often resemble bile duct injury associated with primary or secondary sclerosing cholangitis.Etiology of COVID-19 cholangiopathy is unclear.Several mechanisms have been proposed,including direct cholangiocyte injury,vascular compromise,and cytokine release syndromes.This review summarizes existing data on COVID-19 cholangiopathy,including reported cases in the literature,proposed pathophysiology,diagnostic testing,and long-term implications.展开更多
The transmission of infectious diseases is influenced by several meteorological factors. In this study, the influence of several such factors in the transmission of COVID-19 (from 26 March 2020 to 29 July 2021) in the...The transmission of infectious diseases is influenced by several meteorological factors. In this study, the influence of several such factors in the transmission of COVID-19 (from 26 March 2020 to 29 July 2021) in the arid weather of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was investigated using the Spearman and Kendall rank tests. The factors considered were the average, maximum, and minimum values of air temperatures, air pressure, wind speed, relative humidity, absolute humidity, dew point temperatures, and the average values of the global solar radiation and ultraviolet radiation at bands A and B. The data on meteorological factors were obtained from the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) weather station, whereas the data on the daily COVID-19 cases were obtained from the official webpage of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH). The results revealed that air temperature (average, minimum, and maximum) average and maximum wind speed, maximum dew point temperature, global solar radiation, and ultraviolet radiation at A and B bands are positively associated with the daily number of COVID-19 cases reported in Riyadh. However, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure (averages, minimum, and maximum) is anti-correlated with the number of daily COVID-19 cases, while absolute humidity exerts no influence. These results are in total agreement with some of the previously established studies and are either contradicted partly or totally with others conducted at several locations around the world. The results could help not only epidemiologists understand the behavior of COVID-19 against meteorological variables but also national and international organizations and healthcare policymakers devise control strategies to combat the virus.展开更多
Background: Earlier back at the beginning of COVID-19, the acute phase of infection was variable from one patient to another causing different symptoms. However, many patients are still suffering from Post COVID-19 Sy...Background: Earlier back at the beginning of COVID-19, the acute phase of infection was variable from one patient to another causing different symptoms. However, many patients are still suffering from Post COVID-19 Syndrome. Hence, this study aimed to assess the persistence of symptoms in patients who recovered from COVID-19 in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 413 confirmed PCR test-positive covid-19 patients enrolled in this study from the Ministry of Health Electronic Surveillance System (HESN). The Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS) checklist was used to record patients’ symptoms, functioning, and disability. Data were analyzed by the SPSS program. Functional and patient-reported outcome measures were correlated with certain items from C19-YRS, the severity of symptoms. Its distribution-based methods were used for responsiveness over time. The scaling and targeting assumptions were satisfied, and internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.843). Results: After 4 weeks of infection, 50% of patients reported persistent symptoms such as laryngeal complications, 43.8% Swallowing changes, 31.3% fatigue, 18.8% pain, 18.8% loss of appetite, 12.5% breathlessness, and 6.3% depression, Moreover, 18.8% of patients experienced reduced mobility. At the beginning of the COVID-19 infection, fever was the most common complaint 332 (80.4%), followed by 267 (64.6%) fatigue, and loss of smell 230 (55.7%). The severity of the breathlessness symptoms was exaggerated during the patients’ walking or climbing stairs. Patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit (n = 5) were significantly elderly (P Conclusion: The study examined the severity of post covid syndrome by patients’ responsiveness to the scale items in C19-YRS. The majority of COVID-19 symptoms were still present but significantly reduced after 4 weeks of infection. Follow-up and long-term management of physical and psychological symptoms of hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients are very important.展开更多
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global threat to public health and economy. The potential burden of this pandemic in developing world, particularly the African countries, is much concerning. With the ...Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global threat to public health and economy. The potential burden of this pandemic in developing world, particularly the African countries, is much concerning. With the aim of providing supporting evidence for decision making, this paper studies the dynamics of COVID-19 transmission through time in selected African countries. Time-dependent reproduction number (<i><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">R<sub></sub></span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i><sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">t</span></sub></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><sub></sub></span></i></span></span></i><span><span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) is one of the tools employed to quantify temporal dynamics of the disease. Pattern of the estimated reproduction numbers showed that transmissibility of the disease has been fluctuating through time in most of the countries included in this study. In few countries such as South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), these estimates dropped quickly and stayed stable, but greater than 1, for months. Regardless of their variability through time, the estimated reproduc</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">tion numbers remain greater than or nearly </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">e</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">qual to 1 in all countries.</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Another Statistical model used in this study, namely Autoregressive Conditional Poisson (ACP) model, showed that expected (mean) number of new cases is sig</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nificantly dependent on short range change in new cases in all countries. In</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> countries where there is no persistent trend in new cases, current mean number of new cases (on day </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i>t</i></span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) depend on both previous observation and previous mean (day </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i>t</i> </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 1</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">). In countries where there is continued trend in new cases, current mean is more affected by number of new cases on preceding day.</span></span></span>展开更多
Background: Children are generally at low risk of infection and data on COVID-19 in children are scarce. This study was undertaken to document data from a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh on the incidence, present...Background: Children are generally at low risk of infection and data on COVID-19 in children are scarce. This study was undertaken to document data from a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh on the incidence, presentation and immediate outcome of COVID-19 in children. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in the fever clinic and the department of Pediatrics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) over a period of one year from July 2020 to June 2021. All the RT–PCR positive pediatric cases (1 month to 18 years) were enrolled. Data were collected by a structured, predesigned and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software 2010. Frequency, percentage and chi-square tests were done for statistical analysis. Result: Among 8203 suspected pediatric COVID-19 cases, 850 (10.36%) was RT PCR positive. The highest number of RT-PCR positive COVID-19 cases was found in April 2021. More than 63% of cases were in the age group of 10 to 18 years. Male: female ratio was 0.97:1. Fever was the most common (75.9%) presenting feature followed by breathing difficulty and chest pain in 9.6% and 7% of <span style="font-family: ">patients respectively. Mild infection group was predominant (56.7%). Among the symptomatic cases, 16.7% were hospitalized. Oxygen inhalation and bronchodilators were needed in 75% of hospitalized patients. All the severe and critical cases were managed in the inpatient department and in pediatric PICU when indicated. Most of the patients (99.4%) improved with or without any complication. Four critically ill patients (0.75%) developed multi-organ dysfunction and expired in PICU. Conclusion: <span style="font-family: ">The majority of COVID-19 cases belonged to the older age group. More than 75% cases were symptomatic. History of contact was present in 78% cases. More than 99% children recovered with or without sequelae and 0.8% children with pre-existing co-morbidities expired.展开更多
BACKGROUND Pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)is a disease of the arterioles resulting in an increased resistance in pulmonary circulation with associated high pressures in the pulmonary arteries,causing irreversible...BACKGROUND Pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)is a disease of the arterioles resulting in an increased resistance in pulmonary circulation with associated high pressures in the pulmonary arteries,causing irreversible remodeling of the pulmonary arterial walls.Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has been associated with development of new onset PAH in the literature leading to symptoms of dyspnea,cough and fatigue that persist in spite of resolution of acute COVID-19 infection.However,the majority of these cases of COVID related PAH were diagnosed using echocardiographic data or via right heart catheterization in mechanically ventilated patients.CASE SUMMARY Our case is the first reported case of COVID related PAH diagnosed by right heart catheterization in a non-mechanically ventilated patient.Right heart catheterization has been the gold standard for diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension.Our patient had right heart catheterization four months after her initial COVID-19 infection due to persistent dyspnea.CONCLUSION This revealed new onset PAH that developed following her infection with COVID-19,an emerging sequela of the infection.展开更多
BACKGROUND Several studies have demonstrated that the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has affected daily living and the healthcare system.No previous study has described the consequences of COVID-19 on emergency dep...BACKGROUND Several studies have demonstrated that the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has affected daily living and the healthcare system.No previous study has described the consequences of COVID-19 on emergency department(ED)visits and hospital admission among kidney transplant(KT)recipients.AIM To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ED visits and hospital admissions within 1 year in patients who underwent KT in Thailand.METHODS We conducted a retrospective study at a university hospital in Thailand.We reviewed the hospital records of KT patients who visited the ED during the outbreak of COVID-19(from January 2020 to December 2021).We used the previous 2 years as the control period in the analysis.We obtained baseline demographics and ED visit characteristics for each KT patient.The outcomes of interest were ED visits and ED visits leading to hospital admission within the 1^(st)year following a KT.The rate of ED visits and ED visits leading to hospital admissions between the two periods were compared using the stratified Cox proportional hazards model.RESULTS A total of 263 patients were included in this study:112 during the COVID-19 period and 151 during the control period.There were 34 and 41 ED visits after KT in the COVID-19 and control periods,respectively.The rate of first ED visit at 1 year was not significantly different in the COVID-19 period,compared with the control period[hazard ratio(HR)=1.02,95%confidence interval(CI):0.54-1.92;P=0.96].The hospital admission rate was similar between periods(HR=0.92,95%CI:0.50-1.69;P=0.78).CONCLUSION ED visits and hospital admissions within the 1st year in KT recipients were not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.Despite these findings,we believe that communication between post-KT patients and healthcare providers is essential to highlight the importance of prompt ED visits for acute health conditions,particularly in post-KT patients.展开更多
Stringent quarantine measures during the Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)lockdown period(January 23,2020 to March 15,2020)have resulted in a distinct decrease in anthropogenic source emissions in North China Plain c...Stringent quarantine measures during the Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)lockdown period(January 23,2020 to March 15,2020)have resulted in a distinct decrease in anthropogenic source emissions in North China Plain compared to the paralleled period of 2019.Particularly,22.7%decrease in NO_(2)and 3.0%increase of O_(3)was observed in Tianjin,nonlinear relationship between O_(3)generation and NO_(2)implied that synergetic control of NOx and VOCs is needed.Deteriorating meteorological condition during the COVID-19 lockdown obscured the actual PM2.5 reduction.Fireworks transport in 2020 Spring Festival(SF)triggered regional haze pollution.PM2.5 during the COVID-19 lockdown only reduced by 5.6%in Tianjin.Here we used the dispersion coefficient to normalize the measured PM2.5(DN-PM2.5),aiming to eliminate the adverse meteorological impact and roughly estimate the actual PM2.5 reduction,which reduced by 17.7%during the COVID-19 lockdown.In terms of PM2.5 chemical composition,significant NO_(3)−increase was observed during the COVID-19 lockdown.However,as a tracer of atmospheric oxidation capacity,odd oxygen(Ox=NO_(2)+O_(3))was observed to reduce during the COVID-19 lockdown,whereas relative humidity(RH),specific humidity and aerosol liquid water content(ALWC)were observed with noticeable enhancement.Nitrogen oxidation rate(NOR)was observed to increase at higher specific humidity and ALWC,especially in the haze episode occurred during 2020SF,high air humidity and obvious nitrate generation was observed.Anomalously enhanced air humidity may response for the nitrate increase during the COVID-19 lockdown period.展开更多
Infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV2)virus,responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,induces symptoms including increased inflammatory response,severe ...Infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV2)virus,responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,induces symptoms including increased inflammatory response,severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS),cognitive dysfunction like brain fog,and cardiovascular defects.Long-term effects of SARS-CoV2 COVID-19 syndrome referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome on age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease remain understudied.Using the targeted misexpression of individual SARS-CoV2 proteins in the retinal neurons of the Drosophila melanogaster eye,we found that misexpression of nonstructural protein 3(Nsp3),a papain-like protease,ablates the eye and generates dark necrotic spots.Targeted misexpression of Nsp3 in the eye triggers reactive oxygen species production and leads to apoptosis as shown by cell death reporters,terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)dUTP Nick-end labeling(TUNEL)assay,and dihydroethidium staining.Furthermore,Nsp3 misexpression activates both apoptosis and autophagy mechanism(s)to regulate tissue homeostasis.Transient expression of SARS-CoV2 Nsp3 in murine neuroblastoma,Neuro-2a cells,significantly reduced the metabolic activity of these cells and triggers cell death.Misexpression of SARS-CoV2 Nsp3 in an Alzheimer's disease transgenic fly eye model(glass multiple repeats[GMR]>amyloidβ42)further enhances the neurodegenerative rough eye phenotype due to increased cell death.These findings suggest that SARS-CoV2 utilizes Nsp3 protein to potentiate cell death response in a neurodegenerative disease background that has high pre-existing levels of neuroinflammation and cell death.展开更多
Intensive application of chlorine-based disinfectants driven by the COVID-19 pandemic was suspected to be detrimental to receiving water ecosystems,but with little field evidence.We characterized the occurrences of ty...Intensive application of chlorine-based disinfectants driven by the COVID-19 pandemic was suspected to be detrimental to receiving water ecosystems,but with little field evidence.We characterized the occurrences of typical disinfectants and microeukaryotic communities in surface waters associated with three wastewater treatment plants(WWTP)-river systems one year after the lockdown in Wuhan,China.Trihalomethanes(THMs)declined from summer 2020(0.01–1.82μg/L)to summer 2021(0.01–0.95μg/L),whereas quaternary ammonium salts(QAs)increased from summer 2020(0.53–6.35 ng/L)to summer 2021(8.49–191 ng/L).Biodiversity monitoring with environmental DNA(eDNA)revealed significant temporal variation in microeukaryotic community composition.The monitored disinfectants were correlated with some eukaryotic communities as demonstrated by redundancy analysis.For example,QAs were positively related to Cryptophyta relative abundance,but negatively related to Rotifera relative abundance.A microeukaryote-based multimetric index indicated ecological impairment near the Han River WWTP outlet in 2020.Our findings indicate the influence of heavily used disinfectants on river microeukaryotic communities,and the usefulness of assessing mid-term ecological risks from disinfectants in the post COVID-19 era.展开更多
文摘This editorial comments on the article by Desai et al,which investigates the impact of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)on in-hospital mortality among patients with recurrent stroke using data from the 2020 National Inpatient Sample.The findings reveal significantly higher mortality rates in COVID-19-positive patients compared to non-COVID-19 patients,particularly among middle-aged individuals,males,and ethnic minorities.This editorial explores the underlying mechanisms contributing to these outcomes and discusses the clinical implications for targeted management strategies in high-risk groups.The results emphasize the need for comprehensive approaches to mitigate the heightened risks faced by recurrent stroke patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
文摘Background: A plant based approach was undertaken to ascertain the efficacy of the Technology/Innovation of a new medical Technology based on similar activity to the circulatory system of plants. Basic Technology formulations were introduced into plant structures to evaluate the responses for cell division and plant growth which ultimately lead to the final product. This Technology/Innovation transforms and enhances common botanical/herb products such that they can be used to treat COVID-19 infection and Serious or Life-threatening conditions or diseases. They can restore the diseased cell’s abnormal metabolism to homeostasis and return it to normal function by slowing or reversing the cell’s malfunctioning metabolism, or in other words, slowing or reversing the disease process. Methods: A systematic treatment for COVID-19 infection and Serious or Life-threatening illness in patients is based on theories of traditional Chinese medicine. The Technology/Innovation is developed as dietary supplement products for treatment of Serious or Life-threatening conditions or diseases. Results: The results consist of over one hundred Serious or Life-threatening patient medical records. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed/evaluated/accepted the Technology/Innovation patient medical record results, which included fifty-four COVID-19 patients with Prioritized Review Expedited No.: 2020-2867 CR2020-2596 information on September 16, 2020 and twenty-seven cancer patients Cancer Survival Rate Results in (Table 1) with FDA Establishment Identification No.: 3012327979 information on March 25, 2019 as FDA-Regulated medical products and meet the requirement under FDA Significant Scientific Agreement standards.
文摘Aims: The present study aims to compare the assessment of work ability based on the use of the Work Ability Index (WAI) with another questionnaire base only on the use of WAI’s first item, termed as the “Work Ability Score” (WAS). Study design: A cohort of 384 Spanish workers included in a Post COVID-19 condition or persistent COVID-19 multicenter research was utilized. Place and Duration of Study: This cohort was enlisted in four hospitals (Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid;Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Andalucía;Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid and Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, Castilla y León), since 2021 until 2022. Methodology: 384 Spanish workers (176 men and 208 women;aged 20 to 70 years) with Post COVID-19 condition or persistent COVID-19 were included. Descriptive analysis of primary scores was conducted. Given the non-normal distribution of data, the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed. Spearman and Kendall correlations were employed to assess the relationship between WAI and WAS, also used weighted Kappa to estimate the degree agreement between WAI and WAS. Logistic regression models were utilized to study determinants influencing WAI and WAS, categorized as poor or moderate. Results: WAI had an average score of 32.98 (SD = 10.28), whereas WAS had an average of 5.95 (SD = 2.77). Significant differences were observed in both WAI and WAS across the same variables. Strong and statistically significant correlations were evident between WAI and WAS (rs = 0.83, p < 0.001). All the variables used in the logistic regression model (gender, the sector employment, and previous chronic diseases) were statistically significant in both questionnaires. Conclusion: WAS questionnaire could be used as a tool for reliable assessment of work ability among Spanish workers with Post COVID-19 condition or Persistent CO-VID-19.
文摘Objective:To study cardiovascular sequelae of post-COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe computed tomography(CT)severity score.Methods:A prospective,non-randomized,observational study was conducted on 100 post-COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe CT severity scores from January 2021 to December 2021.Fifty-nine were male[mean age(54.1±12.2)years]and 41 were female[mean age(46.9±15.1)years].Patients with previous cardiovascular disease,previous chronic lung disease,and pre-existing primary or secondary pulmonary hypertension were excluded.Patients were examined,and serial electrocardiogram and 2D echocardiography were performed to detect any cardiovascular abnormality.Results:Post-COVID-19 patients had persistent symptoms,the most common being fatigue(59%).Most of these symptoms were relieved on follow-up.A rise in systolic,diastolic blood pressure,and pulse rate was observed.The electrocardiographic evaluation revealed ST-T segment changes,sinus tachycardia,ventricular hypertrophy,and arrhythmias among a considerable number of patients.On echocardiography,left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was most common(43%).Pulmonary hypertension,as evidenced by elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure,was seen in 15%of patients.Conclusions:The present findings reveal an increased incidence of cardiovascular complications after recovery from COVID-19 infection in those without pre-existing cardiovascular or chronic lung disease.
文摘Background: Mental health has been impaired and at risk due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The consequences due to confinement impacted every scenario, which directly influenced the daily routine of nurse students;in each setting students faced stressors that trigger fear, anxiety and others, since being in confinement learning of topics moved to the home, laboratory practices in hospitals were cancelled leaving the room that is uncertain up to their return to in-person activities. It is important to highlight the need for innovation and strengthening of theoretical-pedagogic aspects centered at the student’s context as a human being with their own needs and problems, who will interact with others in the continuous process of health-illness. Objective: the aim was to identify the stressors in the nurse students’ formation in the new normality post-COVID-19. Methods: Qualitative and phenomenological research with 27 participants aged 20 - 25 years, nurse students of a public university. The information collection was through four focal groups of 6-7 members each, data analysis was done according to Miles & Huberman after signed informed consent of each participant, and authorized by the chairperson of the Nurse’ career. Results: Category 1, Cumulative stressors with sub-categories 1.1 Uncertainty, 1.2 Isolation, 1.3 Invisibility, 1.4 Mockery, 1.5 Exclusion. Category 2, Expectancy states with sub-categories 2.1 Low self-esteem, 2.2 Insecurity, 2.3 Anxiety, 2.4 Depression, 2.5 Temporary leave, 2.6 Search for authenticity. Category 3, Internalization processes with sub-categories 3.1 Social rejection, 3.2 Self-censorship, 3.3 Discrediting, 3.4 Disempowerment. Category 4, Academic aspects affected with sub-categories 4.1 Deficient studying habits, 4.2 Deficient assimilations of knowledge, 4.3 Archived knowledge in the computer, 4.4 Absence of practice in previous semesters. Conclusion: Once identified the stressors in nurse students in the new normality post-COVID-19, it will allow the creation of settings that help in getting confidence for students, i.e., a safe surrounding promotes the development of abilities and competencies during formation, as well as recommendations of teachers in the classroom and laboratories that contribute to filling space that students perceive as empty, and to intensifying the companionship in clinical settings where students perceive most aggressiveness.
文摘Since its emergence in 2019,it has become apparent that coronavirus 2019(COVID-19)infection can result in multi systemic involvement.In addition to pulmonary symptoms,hepatobiliary involvement has been widely reported.Extent of hepatic involvement ranges from minor elevation in liver function tests(LFTs)to significant hepatocellular or cholestatic injury.In majority of cases,resolution of hepatic injury or improvement in LFTs is noted as patients recover from COVID-19 infection.However,severe biliary tract injury progressing to liver failure has been reported in patients requiring prolonged intensive care unit stay or mechanical ventilation.Due to the timing of its presentation,this form of progressive cholestatic injury has been referred to as COVID-19 cholangiopathy or post-COVID-19 cholangiopathy,and can result in devastating consequences for patients.COVID-19 cholangiopathy is recognized by dramatic elevation in serum alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin and radiologic evidence of bile duct injury.Cholangiopathy in COVID-19 occurs weeks to months after the initial infection and during the recovery phase.Imaging findings and pathology often resemble bile duct injury associated with primary or secondary sclerosing cholangitis.Etiology of COVID-19 cholangiopathy is unclear.Several mechanisms have been proposed,including direct cholangiocyte injury,vascular compromise,and cytokine release syndromes.This review summarizes existing data on COVID-19 cholangiopathy,including reported cases in the literature,proposed pathophysiology,diagnostic testing,and long-term implications.
文摘The transmission of infectious diseases is influenced by several meteorological factors. In this study, the influence of several such factors in the transmission of COVID-19 (from 26 March 2020 to 29 July 2021) in the arid weather of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was investigated using the Spearman and Kendall rank tests. The factors considered were the average, maximum, and minimum values of air temperatures, air pressure, wind speed, relative humidity, absolute humidity, dew point temperatures, and the average values of the global solar radiation and ultraviolet radiation at bands A and B. The data on meteorological factors were obtained from the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) weather station, whereas the data on the daily COVID-19 cases were obtained from the official webpage of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH). The results revealed that air temperature (average, minimum, and maximum) average and maximum wind speed, maximum dew point temperature, global solar radiation, and ultraviolet radiation at A and B bands are positively associated with the daily number of COVID-19 cases reported in Riyadh. However, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure (averages, minimum, and maximum) is anti-correlated with the number of daily COVID-19 cases, while absolute humidity exerts no influence. These results are in total agreement with some of the previously established studies and are either contradicted partly or totally with others conducted at several locations around the world. The results could help not only epidemiologists understand the behavior of COVID-19 against meteorological variables but also national and international organizations and healthcare policymakers devise control strategies to combat the virus.
文摘Background: Earlier back at the beginning of COVID-19, the acute phase of infection was variable from one patient to another causing different symptoms. However, many patients are still suffering from Post COVID-19 Syndrome. Hence, this study aimed to assess the persistence of symptoms in patients who recovered from COVID-19 in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 413 confirmed PCR test-positive covid-19 patients enrolled in this study from the Ministry of Health Electronic Surveillance System (HESN). The Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS) checklist was used to record patients’ symptoms, functioning, and disability. Data were analyzed by the SPSS program. Functional and patient-reported outcome measures were correlated with certain items from C19-YRS, the severity of symptoms. Its distribution-based methods were used for responsiveness over time. The scaling and targeting assumptions were satisfied, and internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.843). Results: After 4 weeks of infection, 50% of patients reported persistent symptoms such as laryngeal complications, 43.8% Swallowing changes, 31.3% fatigue, 18.8% pain, 18.8% loss of appetite, 12.5% breathlessness, and 6.3% depression, Moreover, 18.8% of patients experienced reduced mobility. At the beginning of the COVID-19 infection, fever was the most common complaint 332 (80.4%), followed by 267 (64.6%) fatigue, and loss of smell 230 (55.7%). The severity of the breathlessness symptoms was exaggerated during the patients’ walking or climbing stairs. Patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit (n = 5) were significantly elderly (P Conclusion: The study examined the severity of post covid syndrome by patients’ responsiveness to the scale items in C19-YRS. The majority of COVID-19 symptoms were still present but significantly reduced after 4 weeks of infection. Follow-up and long-term management of physical and psychological symptoms of hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients are very important.
文摘Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global threat to public health and economy. The potential burden of this pandemic in developing world, particularly the African countries, is much concerning. With the aim of providing supporting evidence for decision making, this paper studies the dynamics of COVID-19 transmission through time in selected African countries. Time-dependent reproduction number (<i><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">R<sub></sub></span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i><sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">t</span></sub></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><sub></sub></span></i></span></span></i><span><span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) is one of the tools employed to quantify temporal dynamics of the disease. Pattern of the estimated reproduction numbers showed that transmissibility of the disease has been fluctuating through time in most of the countries included in this study. In few countries such as South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), these estimates dropped quickly and stayed stable, but greater than 1, for months. Regardless of their variability through time, the estimated reproduc</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">tion numbers remain greater than or nearly </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">e</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">qual to 1 in all countries.</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Another Statistical model used in this study, namely Autoregressive Conditional Poisson (ACP) model, showed that expected (mean) number of new cases is sig</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nificantly dependent on short range change in new cases in all countries. In</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> countries where there is no persistent trend in new cases, current mean number of new cases (on day </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i>t</i></span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) depend on both previous observation and previous mean (day </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><i>t</i> </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 1</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">). In countries where there is continued trend in new cases, current mean is more affected by number of new cases on preceding day.</span></span></span>
文摘Background: Children are generally at low risk of infection and data on COVID-19 in children are scarce. This study was undertaken to document data from a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh on the incidence, presentation and immediate outcome of COVID-19 in children. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in the fever clinic and the department of Pediatrics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) over a period of one year from July 2020 to June 2021. All the RT–PCR positive pediatric cases (1 month to 18 years) were enrolled. Data were collected by a structured, predesigned and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software 2010. Frequency, percentage and chi-square tests were done for statistical analysis. Result: Among 8203 suspected pediatric COVID-19 cases, 850 (10.36%) was RT PCR positive. The highest number of RT-PCR positive COVID-19 cases was found in April 2021. More than 63% of cases were in the age group of 10 to 18 years. Male: female ratio was 0.97:1. Fever was the most common (75.9%) presenting feature followed by breathing difficulty and chest pain in 9.6% and 7% of <span style="font-family: ">patients respectively. Mild infection group was predominant (56.7%). Among the symptomatic cases, 16.7% were hospitalized. Oxygen inhalation and bronchodilators were needed in 75% of hospitalized patients. All the severe and critical cases were managed in the inpatient department and in pediatric PICU when indicated. Most of the patients (99.4%) improved with or without any complication. Four critically ill patients (0.75%) developed multi-organ dysfunction and expired in PICU. Conclusion: <span style="font-family: ">The majority of COVID-19 cases belonged to the older age group. More than 75% cases were symptomatic. History of contact was present in 78% cases. More than 99% children recovered with or without sequelae and 0.8% children with pre-existing co-morbidities expired.
文摘BACKGROUND Pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)is a disease of the arterioles resulting in an increased resistance in pulmonary circulation with associated high pressures in the pulmonary arteries,causing irreversible remodeling of the pulmonary arterial walls.Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has been associated with development of new onset PAH in the literature leading to symptoms of dyspnea,cough and fatigue that persist in spite of resolution of acute COVID-19 infection.However,the majority of these cases of COVID related PAH were diagnosed using echocardiographic data or via right heart catheterization in mechanically ventilated patients.CASE SUMMARY Our case is the first reported case of COVID related PAH diagnosed by right heart catheterization in a non-mechanically ventilated patient.Right heart catheterization has been the gold standard for diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension.Our patient had right heart catheterization four months after her initial COVID-19 infection due to persistent dyspnea.CONCLUSION This revealed new onset PAH that developed following her infection with COVID-19,an emerging sequela of the infection.
文摘BACKGROUND Several studies have demonstrated that the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has affected daily living and the healthcare system.No previous study has described the consequences of COVID-19 on emergency department(ED)visits and hospital admission among kidney transplant(KT)recipients.AIM To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ED visits and hospital admissions within 1 year in patients who underwent KT in Thailand.METHODS We conducted a retrospective study at a university hospital in Thailand.We reviewed the hospital records of KT patients who visited the ED during the outbreak of COVID-19(from January 2020 to December 2021).We used the previous 2 years as the control period in the analysis.We obtained baseline demographics and ED visit characteristics for each KT patient.The outcomes of interest were ED visits and ED visits leading to hospital admission within the 1^(st)year following a KT.The rate of ED visits and ED visits leading to hospital admissions between the two periods were compared using the stratified Cox proportional hazards model.RESULTS A total of 263 patients were included in this study:112 during the COVID-19 period and 151 during the control period.There were 34 and 41 ED visits after KT in the COVID-19 and control periods,respectively.The rate of first ED visit at 1 year was not significantly different in the COVID-19 period,compared with the control period[hazard ratio(HR)=1.02,95%confidence interval(CI):0.54-1.92;P=0.96].The hospital admission rate was similar between periods(HR=0.92,95%CI:0.50-1.69;P=0.78).CONCLUSION ED visits and hospital admissions within the 1st year in KT recipients were not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.Despite these findings,we believe that communication between post-KT patients and healthcare providers is essential to highlight the importance of prompt ED visits for acute health conditions,particularly in post-KT patients.
基金supported by the Tianjin Natural Science Foundation(No.18JCYBJC23100)the Tianjin Science and Technology Foundation(No.18ZXSZSF00160)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41771242)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2019M660984).
文摘Stringent quarantine measures during the Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)lockdown period(January 23,2020 to March 15,2020)have resulted in a distinct decrease in anthropogenic source emissions in North China Plain compared to the paralleled period of 2019.Particularly,22.7%decrease in NO_(2)and 3.0%increase of O_(3)was observed in Tianjin,nonlinear relationship between O_(3)generation and NO_(2)implied that synergetic control of NOx and VOCs is needed.Deteriorating meteorological condition during the COVID-19 lockdown obscured the actual PM2.5 reduction.Fireworks transport in 2020 Spring Festival(SF)triggered regional haze pollution.PM2.5 during the COVID-19 lockdown only reduced by 5.6%in Tianjin.Here we used the dispersion coefficient to normalize the measured PM2.5(DN-PM2.5),aiming to eliminate the adverse meteorological impact and roughly estimate the actual PM2.5 reduction,which reduced by 17.7%during the COVID-19 lockdown.In terms of PM2.5 chemical composition,significant NO_(3)−increase was observed during the COVID-19 lockdown.However,as a tracer of atmospheric oxidation capacity,odd oxygen(Ox=NO_(2)+O_(3))was observed to reduce during the COVID-19 lockdown,whereas relative humidity(RH),specific humidity and aerosol liquid water content(ALWC)were observed with noticeable enhancement.Nitrogen oxidation rate(NOR)was observed to increase at higher specific humidity and ALWC,especially in the haze episode occurred during 2020SF,high air humidity and obvious nitrate generation was observed.Anomalously enhanced air humidity may response for the nitrate increase during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
基金supported by 1RO1EY032959-01 from NIHSchuellein Chair Endowment FundSTEM Catalyst Grant from the University of Dayton(all to AS)。
文摘Infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV2)virus,responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,induces symptoms including increased inflammatory response,severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS),cognitive dysfunction like brain fog,and cardiovascular defects.Long-term effects of SARS-CoV2 COVID-19 syndrome referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome on age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease remain understudied.Using the targeted misexpression of individual SARS-CoV2 proteins in the retinal neurons of the Drosophila melanogaster eye,we found that misexpression of nonstructural protein 3(Nsp3),a papain-like protease,ablates the eye and generates dark necrotic spots.Targeted misexpression of Nsp3 in the eye triggers reactive oxygen species production and leads to apoptosis as shown by cell death reporters,terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)dUTP Nick-end labeling(TUNEL)assay,and dihydroethidium staining.Furthermore,Nsp3 misexpression activates both apoptosis and autophagy mechanism(s)to regulate tissue homeostasis.Transient expression of SARS-CoV2 Nsp3 in murine neuroblastoma,Neuro-2a cells,significantly reduced the metabolic activity of these cells and triggers cell death.Misexpression of SARS-CoV2 Nsp3 in an Alzheimer's disease transgenic fly eye model(glass multiple repeats[GMR]>amyloidβ42)further enhances the neurodegenerative rough eye phenotype due to increased cell death.These findings suggest that SARS-CoV2 utilizes Nsp3 protein to potentiate cell death response in a neurodegenerative disease background that has high pre-existing levels of neuroinflammation and cell death.
文摘Intensive application of chlorine-based disinfectants driven by the COVID-19 pandemic was suspected to be detrimental to receiving water ecosystems,but with little field evidence.We characterized the occurrences of typical disinfectants and microeukaryotic communities in surface waters associated with three wastewater treatment plants(WWTP)-river systems one year after the lockdown in Wuhan,China.Trihalomethanes(THMs)declined from summer 2020(0.01–1.82μg/L)to summer 2021(0.01–0.95μg/L),whereas quaternary ammonium salts(QAs)increased from summer 2020(0.53–6.35 ng/L)to summer 2021(8.49–191 ng/L).Biodiversity monitoring with environmental DNA(eDNA)revealed significant temporal variation in microeukaryotic community composition.The monitored disinfectants were correlated with some eukaryotic communities as demonstrated by redundancy analysis.For example,QAs were positively related to Cryptophyta relative abundance,but negatively related to Rotifera relative abundance.A microeukaryote-based multimetric index indicated ecological impairment near the Han River WWTP outlet in 2020.Our findings indicate the influence of heavily used disinfectants on river microeukaryotic communities,and the usefulness of assessing mid-term ecological risks from disinfectants in the post COVID-19 era.