ABSTRACT
Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is posing challenge to the public health sector. The present study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards this COVID-19 among Indian population. Methods: The online cross-sectional survey for evaluating KAP towards COVID-19 was conducted (n = 2059) among Indian residents. Choropleth maps analysis was carried out to present the state-wise distribution, and Moran's I tool to assess KAP's overall spatial autocorrelation. Results: Our results demonstrated an average KAP score of 16.9 +or- 2.0 (1.0, 22.0), 9.5 +or- 2.0 (0.0, 12.0) and 4.0 +or- (4.0, 4.0) (0.0, 5.0). The Moran's I tool for KAP's spatial autocorrelations observed as low as -0.04, -0.06, and 0.004. Conclusion: The interventional programs have to be encouraged for disease spread, and improving the public's practice for a better quality of life. Adherence to precautionary measures as per the standard guidelines is essential to prevent the spread of the disease, which might be subjective to the general population's knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Since the declaration of COVID-19 pandemic, several cases of demyelination of both peripheral and central nervous systems have been reported. The association of viral infection and the development of CNS demyelination has long been studied, and this link has recently been reported following SARS-CoV-2 infection as well. Case report: We report a case of a 36-year-old male who developed CNS demyelinating disease, that fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of multiple sclerosis (MS), 2 months after laboratory-confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion(s): To our knowledge, this is the second published case report of MS in association with COVID-19 infection, and the first case from Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, adding to the growing literature of a probable causal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of MS.Copyright © 2021 The Author(s)
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Since the declaration of COVID-19 pandemic, several cases of demyelination of both peripheral and central nervous systems have been reported. The association of viral infection and the development of CNS demyelination has long been studied, and this link has recently been reported following SARS-CoV-2 infection as well. Material(s) and Method(s): We report a case of a 36-year-old male who developed CNS demyelinating disease, that fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of multiple sclerosis (MS), 2 months after laboratory-confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2. Result(s): A 36-year-old male developed CNS demyelination, 2-months following a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, that fulfilled the revised 2017 McDonald diagnostic criteria for MS. He presented with ataxia, and MRI showed multiple demyelinating lesions in the brain, and positive oligoclonal bands in CSF. Conclusion(s): To our knowledge, this is the second case report of MS in association with COVID-19 infection, and the first case from Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This case report adds to the growing body of evidence of a probable causal relationship between SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and the development of MS. SARS-CoV-2 could potentially trigger a demyelinating process, through an acute or delayed immune-mediated CNS inflammatory response.
ABSTRACT
Background: Two vaccine (BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) have been approved to be used in Kuwait since December 2021 Objective: To assess the safety of the vaccination in MS patients and to determine the occurrence of relapses following COVID-19 vaccination in MS patients. Material(s) and Method(s): MS patients were contacted by phone, WhatsApp, or through face-to-face interview and were invited to complete a web-based questionnaire. Demographic, clinical, medications, administration of first and second vaccine doses, symptoms following vaccine, worsening of preexisting MS symptoms and occurrence of relapse were recorded. Result(s): 482 MS patients answered the web-based questionnaire. Between January 2021 and 20 May 2021, 240 (49.8%) MS patients received at least one dose of the approved vaccination. Their mean age was 37.27 +8.95 and most of them 146 (60.8%) were females. 159 received first dose and 81 received the second dose. 126 revived BNT162b2 vaccine and 114 received ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. There was one case of COVID-19 infection encountered after the first dose of BNT162b2 vaccine. Nine cases reported worsening of preexisting MS symptoms after vaccine. One patient reported relapse after first BNT162b2 vaccine dose. The most common adverse events of COVID-19 vaccine were pain at the injection site, fatigue, low grade fever and body ache. 28 Patients on anti CD20 needed to postpone vaccine or reschedule their medications. Conclusion(s): Both BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 are safe for MS patients. There is no increased risk of relapse activity or worsening of preexisting MS symptoms were recorded.
ABSTRACT
Objective(s): To evaluate the incidence, severity, and outcomes of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and to identify demographic and clinical risk factors in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Material(s) and Method(s): A cross-sectional hospital records-based study was conducted on MS patients from clinics in Oman, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) between March 2020 and February 2021. Patients diagnosed with MS using the 2010 McDonald criteria or previously accepted diagnostic criteria and with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in the study. Association between patient demographics, disease characteristics, use of disease-modifying therapies, and outcome of COVID-19 illness was evaluated statistically using an odds ratio estimation. Result(s): A total of 134 MS patients with COVID-19 (overall incidence rate of 3.7%) were analyzed in the study (116 with relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS], 11 with progressive MS;and 7 with clinically isolated MS). The median age of patients was 35.5 years. Of the total cohort, 127 (94.8%) patients were on disease-modifying therapy (DMT). A majority of the patients (126 [94.0%]) had mild COVID 19 illness and 122 (91.0%) made a full recovery while 1 (0.7%) patient died. A total of 8 patients (6.0%) were hospitalized;3 (2.2%) required intensive care, while 2 (1.5%) reported ventilator requirement. The mean EDSS scores reported in the study were low (1.74) with 127 (94.8%) reporting a score between 0 – 4.5. Univariate logistic regression analysis identified a high EDSS score and progressive MS disease as a risk factor for moderate to severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Rituximab use and anti CD20 therapy were also associated with a statistically significant higher risk of developing moderate/severe COVID-19. The presence of comorbidities was associated with a higher risk of non-recovery from the viral infection in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 showed an incidence rate of 3.7% in the studied cohort of MS patients. The disease course and outcomes were mostly favorable with most patients not requiring hospitalization. A higher EDSS score, progressive disease, use of rituximab, and use of antiCD20 therapy were associated with statistically significant increased risk of developing moderate/severe COVID-19, while the presence of comorbidities was associated with a higher risk of non-recovery from COVID-19. Age, sex, smoking history, and duration of MS were not independent risk factors for increased severity or adverse COVID-19 disease outcomes.
ABSTRACT
SARS-COV-2 (Coronavirus) viral growth kinetics within-host become a key fact to understand the COVID-19 disease progression and disease severity since the year 2020. Quantitative analysis of the viral dynamics has not yet been able to provide sufficient information on the disease severity in the host. The SARS-CoV-2 dynamics are therefore important to study in the context of immune surveillance by developing a mathematical model. This paper aims to develop such a mathematical model to analyse the interaction between the immune system and SARS-CoV-2 within the host. The model is developed to explore the viral load dynamics within the host by considering the role of natural killer cells and T-cell. Through analytical simplifications, the model is found well-posed and asymptotically stable at disease-free equilibrium. The numerical results demonstrate that the influx of external natural killer (NK) cells alone or integrating with anti-viral therapy plays a vital role in suppressing the SARS-CoV-2 growth within-host. Also, within the host, the virus can not grow if the virus replication rate is below a threshold limit. The developed model will contribute to understanding the disease dynamics and help to establish various potential treatment strategies against COVID-19. © 2022 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press.
ABSTRACT
Nowadays, many advanced countries are taking the advantage of the modern robotic technology to develop and deploy robots in hospitals, airports and healthcare centers to assist the nation combat the deadly virus, known as COVID-19. This Research paper focuses on an artificial intelligence based robotic device that is developed. The robot is equipped with germs and virus killing Ultraviolet (UV) light system along with conventional spraying system for cleaning off any possibly infected area. The robot titled as "Assistive Robot for Covid-19 (ARC-19)"functions on two modes of operations, Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous. Traditionally, the cleaning job is done by cleaning workers, and the healthcare staff have direct contact with the COVID-19 patient. Instead, the developed contactless ARC-19 system can easily disinfect any possibly infected high-touch surface, and reduce the direct-contact between the patient and healthcare staff. After testing the robot, it turns out that the robot was able to kill 98% of the bacteria and other harmful viruses including COVID-19. This could lead to cost-effective, fast, and practical method to reduce the risk on being infected by COVID-19. © 2020 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
The role of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) in spreading SARSCoV-2 is a complex topic and has not been studied thoroughly. There are some existing strategies and technologies for health and high performance buildings;however, applications to other types of buildings come at large energy penalty: cost;design, regulations and standards changes, and varied public perception. In the present work, different factors and strategies are reviewed and discussed and suggested mitigations and solutions are provided including the required air flowrates with the presence of infectors with and without mask and disinfection techniques including ultraviolet (UV) light. Experimental and numerical research in open literature suggests that the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is sufficiently likely. However, in situ detailed experimental studies are still needed to understand the different scenarios of the virus spread. Displacement ventilation, underfloor air distribution, chilled beams, radiant ceiling panels, and laminar flow systems have varied effectiveness. High-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filters and UV light can clean viruses but at high energy cost. Suggested solutions to reduce the infection probability include recommended levels of ventilation and a combination of virus sampling technologies including cyclones, liquid impinger, filters, electrostatic precipitators, and water-based condensation. © 2020 by ASME.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has heightened human suffering, undermined the economy, turned the lives of billions of people around the globe upside down, and significantly affected the health, economic, environmental and social domains. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the ecological domain, the energy sector, society and the economy and investigate the global preventive measures taken to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. This analysis unpacks the key responses to COVID-19, the efficacy of current initiatives, and summarises the lessons learnt as an update on the information available to authorities, business and industry. This review found that a 72-hour delay in the collection and disposal of waste from infected households and quarantine facilities is crucial to controlling the spread of the virus. Broad sector by sector plans for socio-economic growth as well as a robust entrepreneurship-friendly economy is needed for the business to be sustainable at the peak of the pandemic. The socio-economic crisis has reshaped investment in energy and affected the energy sector significantly with most investment activity facing disruption due to mobility restrictions. Delays in energy projects are expected to create uncertainty in the years ahead. This report will benefit governments, leaders, energy firms and customers in addressing a pandemic-like situation in the future.