ABSTRACT
Objective: Pneumonia is an important disease that causes sepsis in newborns and constitutes the majority of deaths due to infections, especially in developing countries. Pulse oximeters that are widely used in clinics, can determine heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, additionally perfusion index (PI). In this study, the role of PI in determining the severity and prognosis of the disease in newborns with late-onset pneumonia (LOP);the relationship between PI and respiratory support need and Silverman Anderson Retraction Score (SAS) were aimed to determine. Material(s) and Method(s): In this prospective study, 30 term newborns diagnosed with late-onset pneumonia (LOP) were at the time of hospitalization,at the 24th hours of their treatment, and discharge;in the control group, PI measurements were made from the right upper extremity every 10 seconds for 3 minutes at the discharge of 30 term healthy newborns between December 2017 and June 2018. By comparing the data, it was aimed to determine the relationship of PI with the severity of the disease, prognosis, need for respiratory support and Silverman Anderson Retraction Score (SAS). Result(s): Their mean birth weights was 2000 - 4600 g the mean was 3570 g in the study, 2800 - 4100 g the mean was 3610 g in the control group and there was no significant difference (p>0.05);Gestational ages were 365/7 - 413/7, mean 392/7 in the study group, 373/7 - 405/7 in the control group, mean 396/7 weeks, and the statistical difference between the groups was not significant (p>0.05). The ratio of female/male was similar in the groups. Their median age was 9.5 days (3-27) in the control, 21 days (5-28) in the study group, and higher in the study group (p<0.05). The median capillary refill time was 1.7 seconds in the control, 1.6 seconds in the study group, and similar between the groups. The mean PI was 2.3+/-0.9 in the control group. In the study group, it was 3.6+/-1.2 on hospitalization, 3.2+/-1.2 on the first day, 3.4+/-0.7 at discharge. In the study group, PI values on hospitalization and first day were higher (p<0.05). There were reticular infiltration 50% bilateral, 30% right paracardiac, 10% left paracardiac, 3.3% right lower lobe. Alpha hemolytic streptococci in 1 (3.3%), Acinetobacter iwoffii in 1 (3.3%), Respiratory syncytial virus 6 (20%), Coronavirus 4 (13.3%), Rhinovirus 2 (6.7%) and Influenza A 1 (3.3%) patient were determined. We applied free flow oxygen 17 (56.7%), oxygen by hood 5 (16.7%), heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula 1 (3.3%), nasal continuous airway pressure 4 (13.3%), nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation 4 (13.3%) cases. PI was higher in the patients needing positive pressure on admission (p<0.05). A positive correlation was found between SAS and PI on admission in the study group (p=0.008). The number of patients whose PI decreased during hospitalization increased over time. Conclusion(s): In the neonates with LOP, the severity of the disease, the need for respiratory support and prognosis cannot be predicted by PI. There was no relation between SAS and PI. It was concluded that more accurate results can be achieved by measuring PI using more patients, more sensitive probes and technically more advanced monitors. New studies should be conducted to determine the role of PI in demonstrating well-being and early detection of life-threatening conditions in the healthy newborns. Copyright © 2022 Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Objective: In late 2019, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been pandemic worldwide, starting in Wuhan, China. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the factors associated with 28-day outcomes in patients admitted to the intensive care unit with the diagnosis of COVID-19. Method: This study has a retrospective cohort design. COVID-19 patients identified according to World Health Organization guidelines are included. Patient data were recorded to a centralized system utilizing ImdSoft-Meta vision/QlinICU Clinical Decision Support Software. Individual datasets about required parameters were obtained from Structured Query Language (SQL) queries. The main laboratory parameters were examined. SOFA, APACHE II, and Charlson Comorbidity Score (CCS) were calculated. In evaluating laboratory parameters and disease risk scores, which are thought to affect 28-day mortality, logistic analysis were performed using the Backward LR model.
ABSTRACT
The real-Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis using nasal swab samples is the gold standard approach for COVID-19 diagnosis. However, due to the high false-negative rate at lower viral loads and complex test procedure, PCR is not suitable for fast mass screening. Therefore, the need for a highly sensitive and rapid detection system based on easily collected fluids such as saliva during the pandemic has emerged. In this study, we present a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) metasurface optimized with genetic algorithm (GA) to detect SARS-CoV-2 directly using unprocessed saliva samples. During the GA optimization, the electromagnetic field profiles were used to calculate the field enhancement of each structure and the fitness values to determine the performance of the generated substrates. The obtained design was fabricated using electron beam lithography, and the simulation results were compared with the test results using methylene blue fluorescence dye. After the performance of the system was validated, the SERS substrate was tested with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus for virus detection, viral load analysis, cross-reactivity, and variant detection using machine learning models. After the inactivated virus tests are completed, with 36 PCR positive and 33 negative clinical samples, we were able to detect the SARS-CoV-2 positive samples from Raman spectra with 95.2% sensitivity and specificity. © COPYRIGHT SPIE. Downloading of the is permitted for personal use only.
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This paper provides the details of a poster that will be presented in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Grantees Poster Session at the 2021 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. The poster will report the status of an NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S-STEM) project. The objectives of this project are 1) enhancing students' learning by providing access to extra and co-curricular experiences, 2) creating a positive student experience through mentorship, and 3) ensuring successful student placement in the STEM workforce, graduate, or professional school. The students who are supported by this project receive financial and educational assistance through various evidence-based modules integrated with their undergraduate education starting with the summer prior to matriculation. The students supported by this grant were recruited through one of the two project cohorts. The paper describes features such as demographics, high school GPA, and ACT/SAT scores of the participating students. The paper provides information about the completed and ongoing tasks of the project to date. The completed tasks include the development and evaluation of a summer bridge program and a freshman engineering success course. The ongoing tasks consist of the design and implementation of a service learning project course, and the design and implementation of an industry mentorship program. The paper also describes the modifications made to project tasks and resources to minimize the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the scholars. Moreover, the paper reports detailed assessment and evaluation data about the completed project tasks, and the academic success metrics of the scholars. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2021
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many Colleges and Universities across the globe to deliver education online. This online switch was abrupt and challenging for both students and instructors. Here we summarize the challenges faced in the United States at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Engineering during online teaching in Spring 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide recommendations for the online delivery of classes. To understand the challenges faced, surveys were administered to UIC engineering students (N = 580) and instructors (N = 93). Two student focus groups were also convened (N = 56, N = 40). After the shift to online education, UIC students wanted to be on campus but not if that posed a risk to their or their family's health. Students also perceived lower quality of education after the shift. UIC College of Engineering instructors felt mostly prepared to transition online but were concerned about student learning assessment methods. Most instructors felt their classes went well and, if their classes were online in Fall 2020, planned to teach them with at least some amount of asynchronous delivery. Whenever possible, we recommend a blended approach to online teaching, offering the flexibility of asynchronous content with the engagement of a synchronous class. Other specific recommendations for lab classes, fostering a sense of student community, and student learning assessment are provided to address concerns and challenges as indicated by those surveyed. Given the unknown future epidemiological changes and willingness or the ability of students and instructors to return to campus, it is prudent to prepare for online learning in a COVID-19 world. We provide definitions, examples, considerations, and suggestions to assist in the online delivery of classes to guide and assist in this preparation.