FORENSIC PERSPECTIVE OF THE COVID PANDEMIC IMPACT ON THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

Objectives. The present research is a longitudinal study with the aim of highlighting the effect of the pandemic on the frequency of aggressions from a forensic perspective. The hypothesis started from the premise that the aggressions showed an increasing trend during the pandemic, indicating a significant difference between the number of aggressions in the previous period and the number of aggressions in the pandemic and post-pandemic period. Population. The sample of the study consisted of 420 people who were identified by forensic findings at the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Cluj Napoca, as victims of aggression between 2019-2022. The results showed significant differences in the number of aggressions during the pandemic period resulting in an upward trend. Conclusions. The pandemic period had a significant impact on aggressive behaviors, with a tendency of an increased number of aggressions.

CHALLENGES REGARDING THE INTERACTION BETWEEN PSYCHOTROPICS AND COVID-19 CO-MEDICATION

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is at the moment the main topic of interest regarding medical science and research. Responsible for the disease is a novel coronavirus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) accountable for over 118 million cases and a total of 2.61 million deaths worldwide (July 2020). Drug treatment for infected COVID-19 patients represents a difficult task, since there is no currently licensed specific antiviral for SARS-CoVs, the clinical approach of these patients remains the symptomatic one and also providing supportive care if needed. The clinical approach becomes more of a challenge especially if one has a co-existing psychiatric illness under psychotropic treatment. This concern is raised due to potential drug-to-drug interactions (DDIs) between antiviral agents and psychotropics, not only by common metabolic pathways regarding P450 cytocromial enzymes but also by pharmacological synergism regarding common adverse effects. Thus, we searched to identify studies published in PubMed medical database to support clinical practice in these situations and found that mostly all main psychotropics are implied in DDIs with the antivirals used to treat COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the clinical approach in treating COVID-19 patients with antiviral agents remains a challenge especially for those who have a comorbid psychiatric illness and are under treatment with psychotropics.

Has the frequency of violent behaviour increased during COVID-19 pandemic?

IntroductionCovid-19 pandemic represents o very stressfull period for many individuals. Intimate partner violence is typically experienced by women but can also be experienced by men. During quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the risk for domestic violence increased.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare domestic violence durind two different periods - 14.03.2019-30.09.2019 and the same period of the year 2020.MethodsWe analyzed the data base of the Legal Institut from Cluj-napoca and we selected the cases with domestic violence.ResultsThe violent behaviour incresed durind 2020. Due to the feelings of frustration and agitation, agression arises with possible trasgenerational transmission of trauma and violence.ConclusionsTaking into consideration that Covid19 pandemic is a very stressfull period for all individuals, a need of programms aimed to prevent acts of domestic violence and to achieve accurate assessment of multiple domains of abuse (psychological, physical, sexual) provided by psychologists, psychiatrists, social and legal services emerged.

Coping mechanisms and resilience in psychiatric trainees during COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe Covid-19 pandemic has a profound impact on all domains of day to day life, forcing individuals to make substancial change in the way of living. Such change is known to cause an important psychological distress, and in some persons evidencing silent disorders among apparently functional individuals. Good coping mechanisms and resilience can be the key to overpass this difficult period.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate the coping mechanisms and resilience that Romanian psychiatric trainees used during Covid19 pandemic.MethodsWe developed an online questionnaire. We included questions about different socio-demographical variables and about coping mechanisms (using COPE scale), resilience (using Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale) and quality of life (using QoL Scale).ResultsThe preliminary data show that staying busy, seeking social support and having a positive minset are emotion-focused coping strategies present in individuals who overpass easier this period.ConclusionsThe Covid-19 pandemic is creating significant distress and impairment in functioning, but individuals who have good psychological mechanisms and who are more adaptable are less vulnerable during Covid-19 pandemic. Future research should build upon these findings to better understand coping mechanisms during crises and also social policies should be developed to acknowledge the variable needs in adults.

Decrease of oncological patients' hospital visits during Covid-19 pandemic;the experience of a tertiary Romanian centre

Purpose: The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has changed the provision of medical services worldwide. We assessed the impact of the pandemic on the oncological patients' visits to a tertiary cancer centre. Methods: We analysed registrations from the administrative data system of in- and outpatients in all of the departments of the Cluj-Napoca Oncology Institute, during March-October 2020, and compared to the same 7-month period of the previous year. Results: The decrease during March-October 2020 was 40.2% for new referrals overall (with the most significant drop in April, of 80%), 52.5% for medical oncology inpatients, 39% for paediatric oncology department inpatients, 69% for radiotherapy inpatients, 34.9% for surgical interventions and 31% decrease of issued pathology reports. The decrease was less important for outpatients: only 10% for medical oncology outpatient department, 33% for radiotherapy and 27% for breast cancer unit outpatients. Imaging investigations were only slightly influenced by the pandemic (reduction of 5% for MRI scans, 19% for mammograms,whereas performed CT scans were even more after the outbreak of COVID-19). Conclusions: Our results show a decrease in the number of patients during the period after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, more for inpatients and less significant for outpatient departments, probably because of the internal circuits reorganization but also because of health care measures taken nationally and locally to limit the spread of the pandemic.

IoT Based Intelligent Building Applications in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has affected our day to day life and the global economy and is far from being over. COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly around the world, more with the relaxation of restriction measures imposed by most countries. Limiting the further community spread of the epidemic has become a crucial issue, as employees return to office buildings. Technology, and especially intelligent building technology, can help to this purpose. Smart devices will have an important role to play in determining how the new normal workplace will function from now on. In this paper, we propose a solution for avoiding touching various objects and surfaces in offices, based on IoT. The system is called qToggle and provides a framework for efficiently and effectively interconnecting smart devices, equipping them with intelligence that helps automating many of the everyday activities in offices. Most qToggle devices are based on ESP8266/ESP8285 chips, Raspberry Pi boards and smart sensors. A mobile application allows users to control a series of appliances and sensors.