ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 has emerged as a global pandemic causing millions of critical cases and deaths. Early identification of at-risk patients is crucial for planning triage and treatment strategies. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the pooled prognostic significance of procalcitonin in predicting mortality and severity in patients with COVID-19 using a robust methodology and clear clinical implications.We used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses and Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions guidelines. We included thirty-two prospective and retrospective cohort studies involving 13,154 patients. The diagnostic odds ratio of procalcitonin for predicting mortality were estimated to be 11 (95% CI: 7 to 17) with sensitivity, specificity, and summary area under the curve of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.70 to 0.91), 0.69 (95% CI: 0.58 to 0.79), and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.79 to 0.86) respectively. While for identifying severe cases of COVID-19, the odds ratio was 8.0 (95% CI 5.0 to 12.0) with sensitivity, specificity, and summary area under the curve of0.73 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.78), 0.74 (0.66 to 0.81), and 0.78 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.82) respectively.Procalcitonin has good discriminatory power for predicting mortality and disease severity in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, procalcitonin measurement may help identify potentially severe cases and thus decrease mortality by offering early aggressive treatment.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease caused by SARS-COV-2 that primarily attacks the respiratory system of the host. This disease was first reported in early December 2019, and the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic disease-causing global public health emergency by mid-January 2020. The human-to-human transmission occurs by droplets, infected hands, or surfaces with an in-cubation time of 2-14 days. It displays signs and symptoms, and if the disease progresses, it leads to death. To avoid symptomatic symptoms or increase infection severity, early diagnosis, quarantine, and supportive care can help to cure the patient infected with COVID-19. Several attempts have been projected for the development of vaccines against COVID-19. As of July 2, 2021, 600 vaccine candidates worldwide were evaluated against SARS-CoV-2, of which 300 have reached the preclinical stage of their development. Presently, Moderna (mRNA-1273), Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute (LV-SMENP-DC), Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute (Pathogen specific APC), CanSino Biologicals (Ad5-nCoV), Inovio Pharmaceuti-cals (INO-4800) have plunged into the phase I/II clinical trials (Source: ClinicalTrials.gov web-site;WHO). Scientists are increasingly seeking a key hide behind pathogenic pathways, epide-miological features, and future drug goals, which will lead to the development of successful strategies for prevention and treatment. Based on the current published data, we summarize the structure, life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 and the various product categories available as anti-COVID-19 agents (antiviral), with special emphasis on Chinese herbal medicines, which were licensed as anti-COVID agents by the Chinese Government. Such knowledge can be used as guidelines for COVID-19 clinical therapy. © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease caused by SARS-COV-2 that primarily attacks the respiratory system of the host. This disease was first reported in early December 2019, and the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic disease-causing global public health emergency by mid-January 2020. The human-to-human transmission occurs by droplets, infected hands, or surfaces with an in-cubation time of 2-14 days. It displays signs and symptoms, and if the disease progresses, it leads to death. To avoid symptomatic symptoms or increase infection severity, early diagnosis, quarantine, and supportive care can help to cure the patient infected with COVID-19. Several attempts have been projected for the development of vaccines against COVID-19. As of July 2, 2021, 600 vaccine candidates worldwide were evaluated against SARS-CoV-2, of which 300 have reached the preclinical stage of their development. Presently, Moderna (mRNA-1273), Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute (LV-SMENP-DC), Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute (Pathogen specific APC), CanSino Biologicals (Ad5-nCoV), Inovio Pharmaceuti-cals (INO-4800) have plunged into the phase I/II clinical trials (Source: ClinicalTrials.gov web-site;WHO). Scientists are increasingly seeking a key hide behind pathogenic pathways, epide-miological features, and future drug goals, which will lead to the development of successful strategies for prevention and treatment. Based on the current published data, we summarize the structure, life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 and the various product categories available as anti-COVID-19 agents (antiviral), with special emphasis on Chinese herbal medicines, which were licensed as anti-COVID agents by the Chinese Government. Such knowledge can be used as guidelines for COVID-19 clinical therapy. Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
MXene-based nanomaterial is a revolution 2D material achieving outstanding scientific attention owing to its universal characteristics for different applications (such as electronic appliances, power production, sensors, drug transfer, and biomedical). Although, the cytotoxic consequences of MXene have a considerable circumstance. Thus, rigorous investigation of the biocompatibility of MXene is a crucial prerequisite, formerly the preface to the human biological approach. Literature reveals functional outcomes wherever MXenes are used in vitro and in vivo cancer representatives. It affects drug transfer methods, sensoring electrodes, and assisting mechanisms for photothermal treatment and hyperthermy techniques. In this review, the synthesis process (such as top-down and bottom-up approaches) and properties (such as mechanical, electrical, optical, oxidative/thermal stability, and magnetic) of MXene-based nanomaterials (NMs) are discussed. In addition, the different applications (such as tissue engineering, cancer theranostic, and other biomedical [such as drug delivery biosensors and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates for biomedical applications], antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties against SARS-CoV-2) of MXene-based NMs are discussed in detail. Finally, the conclusion, existing challenges, and future outlooks are highlighted for more scope in this field.
ABSTRACT
The new technological developments in the oil and gas industry have always pushed the operators to work into new frontiers such as heavy oil, HTHP, deep waters, and unconventional reservoirs. The oversupply accounted by shale extraction has led to shifts in markets and reduced oil prices, followed by slow demand growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in acceptance of alternate energy resources, mandating the companies to adopt digital solutions to facilitate cost reduction and improving the operational efficiency in terms of increased production and reduced time. Digital oil field (DOF) is capable of transforming the future of the oil industry by creating opportunities to connect diverse operations, breaking silos, and achieving real value for the investments. The faster availability of cheaper data infrastructure is bringing Artificial Intelligence-driven technology and the latest data automation to the DOF. This chapter focuses on the DOF, its components, along the challenges encountered in widely accepting the technology. The chapter also addresses the emerging technologies which are being merged with DOF for better decision-making and optimization. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Anirbid Sircar, Gautami Tripathi, Namrata Bist, Kashish Ara Shakil and Mithileysh Sathiyanarayanan;individual chapters, the contributors.
ABSTRACT
Background: Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a monoclonal antibody against the interleuikin- 6 receptor which is potentially beneficial in COVID-19 induced cytokine release syndrome (CRS). However, there are limited studies showing anti-inflammatory effect and clinical benefit of TCZ in COVID-19 patients. This retrospective study examines treatment responses of criteria based TCZ therapy for SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection for ICU vs. non-ICU patients. Methods: We established institutional criteria to identify patients at risk of CRS from COVID-19. Patients were included if they received at least 1 dose of TCZ and were admitted for at least 72 hours. Primary endpoint was to assess clinical improvement (CI) at the end of admission. CI was defined by extubation, downgrade from ICU, discharged or improvement in Clinical Ordinal Scale by 2. Secondary endpoint of the study was to assess inpatient mortality (IM) and risk factors associated with IM. Subgroup analysis included impact of early (< 96 hours) vs late (≥ 96 hours) TCZ therapy on IM. Results: Between March 25 to May 6, 2020, 170 patients met criteria and received TCZ. There were 83 non-ICU patients and 87 in the ICU. Forty five patients needed invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). ICU patients tended to be obese, receive 2 doses of TCZ and have longer length of stay. Overall CI was seen in 71% of patients. CI was higher in non-ICU vs ICU patients (85.5% vs 57.5%, P=0.002). Overall IM was 18.8%;however, IM was lower in non-ICU vs ICU patients (8.4% vs 28.7%, P=0.0014). IM was higher in patients on IMV vs. non-IMV (30% vs 15.4%, P=0.03). Risk factors of ICU admission, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and AKI were associated with higher risk of IM. Many IM patients were made comfort care. No differences were observed in early vs late TCZ therapy on inpatient mortality, but there was a trend toward lower mortality with early TCZ. COS Review of Tocilizumab Patients Conclusion: TCZ is an effective treatment option in patients with SARS-CoV-2 patients at risk of CRS. Patients receiving TCZ in non-ICU setting had a better response to treatment compared to ICU patients. Obesity and AKI were associated with higher risk of mortality, but there was no statistical difference in early vs late therapy. Further studies with control group and larger sample size are warranted.