Urban community perceptions of Covid-19 Vaccine in Melaka Melaka District, Malaysia

The growing spread of Covid-19 has caused the public to panic and anxiety over the Covid-19 pandemic disease that is beginning to spread by 2020. The government's initiative in curbing Covid-19 symptoms is to recommend Covid-19 vaccines such as Pfizer, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, and others in preventing the benefit of the whole community. The consumption of the Covid-19 vaccine has raised many doubts and negative perceptions. Therefore, the consumption of the Covid-19 vaccine has become a major issue for today's society where some do not want to receive the vaccine or are known as anti-vaccine. The purpose of this study was to analyze the perception, and acceptance of the urban community of Central Malacca in the Duyong area on the Covid-19 vaccine. Studies use quantitative methods for data collection. This study used random sampling to obtain more respondents. The questionnaire was conducted to 100 respondents analyzed and used SPSS software. The survey will focus on respondents aged 18 to 60 to see more perceptual differences by age factors. The results of the study for the collusion test showed that almost all relationships between sociodemographic factors and perceptual factors had negative collusion. The relationship between age and public perception is r =-.12 P <.01. Meanwhile, the vaccine acceptance relationship with the gender factor (r=0.48 P<0.5) also showed negative collusion. The perception that exists is only a blank notion because the majority receive the vaccine well. The adoption of the Covid-19 vaccine is also for the safety and well-being of living together to curb this pandemic outbreak for community sustainability. Therefore, this research can contribute to one of the Sustainable Development Goals-2030 Agenda in order to provide benefits and some enlightenment on the Covid-19 vaccine to the community.

Association of serum zinc level and clinical outcome in Egyptian COVID-19 patients.

Background: Zinc is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant micronutrient found in food. Due to its well-established role in immunity, it is currently being used in some clinical trials against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to assess the association between the mean serum zinc level in COVID-19 Egyptian patients and its relationship with disease severity. This cross-sectional study was conducted on sixty patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. These patients were divided into two groups according to clinical outcome, group 1 which included 30 intensive care unit (ICU) patients and group 2 which included 30 patients who were admitted to the ward. Mean serum levels of zinc were compared between the two groups. Results: There was a statistically significant difference noted among study groups regarding the serum zinc level (p < 0.039), where lower mean serum zinc levels were noted in ICU patients compared to ward patients (70.6 ± 5.7 vs 73.8 ± 6.1). Conclusion: Low serum zinc level is associated with the severe outcome of COVID-19 infection.

Overview Of Immune Response to the COVID-19 Vaccination Among Hemodialysis Patients

Globally, over 100 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported. The virus that causes COVID-19 is designated SARS-CoV-2;previously, it was referred to as 2019-nCoV. At the end of 2019, cases have been reported in all continents. The main aim of the COVID-19 vaccine is to establish immunity to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Immune system dysfunction is one of the serious complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD). On the other hand, the immune system has a central role in the initiation and progression of this disease by promoting and persistence of systemic inflammation. Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19 due to the older age and high frequency of comorbidity, such as diabetes and hypertension, in this population. This study aimed to review the immune response following vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccines in patients on maintenance HD and the factors associated with it.

Assessment of Immune Response to the COVID-19 Vaccination in Egyptian Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis

Background: COVID-19 is a global health crisis caused by SARS-CoV-2 and associated with higher morbidity and mortality in patients on maintenance Haemodialysis (HD). Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but especially those with End-stage renal disease (ESRD), treated with maintenance HD tend to have a reduced immune response to infection or vaccination. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the immune response following vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccines in patients with maintenance HD and the factors associated with it. Patients and methods: This prospective observational comparative study included 44 patients with ESRD on maintenance HD had been done in the Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology Departments, Zagazig University Hospital. Another 20 vaccinated non-renal patients were considered controls. SARS-COV2 IgG was estimated using an ELISA assay. Results: There is a lower significant value of SARS COVID igG in renal dialysis patients compared to the control group regarding sex, smoking habit, and obesity. Also, there is a lower significant value of SARS COVID IgG in renal dialysis patients compared to the control group regarding the history of COVID19 infection before vaccination and occurrence of post-vaccine adverse effects. There is a higher significant SARS COVID igG value for males and smokers in the control group. Conclusion: Hemodialysis patients demonstrate a hyporesponsiveness to vaccination against COVID-19. Although most patients on maintenance hemodialysis developed a substantial humoral response following the COVID vaccine, it was significantly lower than controls. © 2022, Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine. All rights reserved.

A real time robust facial recognition model for masked face images using Machine learning model

Almost everybody is wearing a coronavirus mask to prevent the spread of COVID19 effectively. Conventional facial recognition technologies are often virtually ineffective, like Community access monitoring, facial access control, front attendance, and facial security inspections at railway stations. Consequently, recognition of the current masked face recognition technology must be improved as a matter of urgency. The most advanced approaches to facial recognition are based on a deep knowledge based on multiple facial samples. However, the public is currently unable to view any masked facial recognition datasets. In this study, 3 types of masked face recognition data sets are offered, including Masked Face Data Sets (MFDDs) (SMFRD). RMFRD is considered as the largest masked face dataset in the world. These data sets are available to industry and academia to develop various applications on masked sides. The model developed, which masked multi-granularity, achieves 99% precision, and goes further than the industry's reporting results. © 2021 IEEE.

A MULTICENTER CASE SERIES OF COVID-19 INDUCED ACUTE PANCREATITIS AT 4 ACADEMIC CENTERS IN NEW YORK CITY

Background: SARS-Cov-2 infection (COVID-19) and associated gastrointestinal manifestations have been well documented during the pandemic. To date, several centers have reported isolated cases of COVID-19 and its effect on the pancreas. Here, we present a case series of 13 patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) due to COVID-19, which represents one of the larger case series to date. Methods: A retrospective review was performed from 3/1/2020 through 4/1/2020 at 4 NYC academic medical centers. Patients with a diagnosis of AP and COVID-19 were included. AP was diagnosed based on AGA criteria. COVID-19 infection was confirmed via nasopharyngeal viral PCR testing. All patients with a prior history of AP were excluded. Patients with apparent/suspected etiologies of AP (including gallstones, alcohol, hypertriglyceridemia, post ERCP, medication, and other viral etiologies) were excluded. 13 patients met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Outcomes studied included mortality, ICU admission, length of stay, BISAP scores on admission and at 48 hours. Results: 7 of the 13 patients in this cohort were African American, 8 of 13 were men, and the median age was 51 years of age. The youngest patient was 18 years old and the oldest patient was 71 years old. Of the 13 patients, 5 patients died during their hospital course. Of those 5 who passed, 4 were African American, and all 5 were > 50 years of age. 6 of the 13 required ICU level of care. The mean length of stay for all patients was 23 days. On admission, 4 patients had BISAP scores > 3, at 48 hours 3 patients had BISAP scores > 3. Discussion: We report the characteristics of 13 patients with confirmed SARS-Cov-2 infection and AP without other common etiologies. We suspect that SARS-Cov-2 was a direct cause of AP in these patients. 5 patients died (38.5%) due to multiorgan failure from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Patients with COVID-19 and AP had a higher mortality rate than the overall mortality reported with COVID-19 during the same period. The mortality of patients in our series far exceeds the reported mortality in mild or moderate AP (less than 1%)1,2. Currently molecular theories suggest that viral attachment to ACE-2 receptors on pancreatic acinar cells leads to apoptosis, inhibition of nitric oxide production, and programmed cell death that ultimately leads to AP. Conclusion: This case series indicates a possible association between COVID-19 and AP and the increased mortality in this subset of patients. Further research is needed concerning the molecular mechanisms and clinical management of this entity. Larger studies are needed to confirm the worse outcomes with AP associated with COVID-19. Ref: 1. Russo MW et al. Digestive and liver diseases statistics, 2004. Gastroenterology. 2004;126:1448–53. 2. Triester SL et al. Prognostic factors in acute pancreatitis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2002;34:167–76.

Assessment of a rapid pan-antibody dot test for detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

Background: With the drastic spread of COVID-19 and mass mortality of people globally, detection of the progression of this disease has stood out to be a necessity. Hence, we set out to identify the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in Bangladesh using the in-house rapid pan-immunoglobulin dot-blot test kit and evaluate the performance of this kit. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we tested serum collected between mid-May and mid-June 2020 for COVID-19 antibodies by using the in-house rapid pan-immunoglobulin dot-blot test kit in RT-PCR confirmed patients with symptoms for 1-7 days (Group Ia;n =100) and 8-14 days (Group Ib;n = 100);symptomatic RT-PCR negative patients (Group II;n = 100) and convalescent patients (Group III;n = 109) while comparing with pre-pandemic sera samples collected prior two years to December-2019 (Group IV;n = 100). Results: Our kit detected that almost 70% of the convalescent patients produced antibodies against COVID-19 compared to other groups. However, the group with individuals at the end phase of COVID-19 exhibited the second-highest percentage of seroprevalence (41%). We also observed that though Group II was RT-PCR negative, 20% of them showed COVID-19 antibodies. Conclusion: With a specificity of 96% in our kit, we can say that our kit will be a potential device for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and to understand herd immunity in Bangladesh.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome masquerading as emphysematous gastritis

INTRODUCTION: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is increasingly encountered as cannabis use is on the rise. Several gastrointestinal syndromes have been associated with CHS. We present a rare case of CHS presenting with intramural gas in the stomach. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 40 year old man with chronic daily marijuana use presented with acute epigastric pain and emesis. Prior episodes resolved after warm baths, yet this time, symptoms persisted. He denied any other medications, surgeries, or trauma. He was afebrile with stable vitals, and no constitutional symptoms. Exam revealed mild epigastric tenderness. Otherwise, he was well-appearing in no distress. However, he had leukocytosis of 17 k/uL and lactate of 9.1 mmol/L. Lipase, troponin and EKG were normal. There was no evidence of infection on chest X-ray, urinalysis, blood cultures, and COVID test. CT scan showed scattered pockets of air in the gastric wall, no perforation or free air (Image 1). Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) was started. Upper endoscopy showed mild esophagitis, non-bleeding Mallory-Weiss tear, prolapse gastropathy, and a small focus of bulging mucosa in the body (Image 2). With supportive care and close monitoring with concern for emphysematous gastritis, the patient remained stable with resolution of emesis and pain, while off antibiotics. He was discharged on a PPI and anti-emetics as needed. He was counseled extensively to avoid cannabis use. DISCUSSION: Gastric emphysema has been associated with both iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic injury such as complications from endoscopy, enteral tube placement, and mucosal injury from retching and vomiting with subsequent tracking of air into the gastric wall. Gastric emphysema typically carries a benign course that parallels the underlying etiology and tends to resolve with conservative management. Emphysematous gastritis caused by gas-forming bacteria, on the other hand, is associated with worse prognosis and often requires intensive care and surgical intervention. The distinction between the two entities is critical. In our case, the intractable and forceful vomiting led to the appearance of gas within the gastric wall, along with hyperlactatemia. When intramural gas in the stomach is detected, attention to a history of cannabis use is critical to manage this typically benign finding with supportive measures rather than unnecessary surgical intervention. Counseling the patient on cessation of cannabis use is key to preventing CHS and its complications including gastric emphysema.

Challenge of neurosurgical practices during COVID-19 pandemic. (Special Issue: Pandemic COVID19.)

The COVID 19 pandemic has changed the world forever. As healthcare facilities were struggling to care for the infected patients, neurosurgeons had to postpone routine surgeries and continue with emergency procedures. They had to take unprecedented measures of protection. The safety and protective measures observed in the hospital for about five months were recorded. These measures were on effect all these time. COVID 19 is very contagious. The preventive and disinfection measures changed our way of consultation in OPD, admission in the wards and surgical and post-operative measures. This changed the practice in our institution. In this paper we look at how the pandemic had changed our practice of neurosurgery.