ABSTRACT
The developed, developing, and least developed countries have been experiencing differing levels of inequality over the years. The economic and financial crises have also been aggravating the extent of inequality. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 emphasizes reducing inequality that is prevalent within and amongst the countries. The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to reverse the progress made so far in reducing inequality. Hence, the average Gini coefficient is expected to increase by 6% for emerging and developing countries. Therefore, the present study aims to undertake an analysis of the impact of past crises and the current COVID-19 crisis on global inequalities. The world inequality database has been utilized for analyzing the impact. This study will certainly enable the policymakers to implement policies with the help of which the SDG 10 can ultimately be achieved by 2030. © 2022, IGI Global. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: To date, the 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is the greatest public medical issue in the world. World Health Organization (WHO) declared this outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern” on January 31, 2020. Therefore, it bodes well to look for a potential biomarker that could quickly and effectively distinguish serious cases early. Of the total confirmed Covid-19 patients, the severe cases often suffer from underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes that can accelerate the movement of 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Moreover, acute respiratory distress syndrome could lead to death in some severe Covid-19 patients, and various disorders often accompany this. Biochemical findings showed representative features of acute respiratory distress syndrome and association of multiple organs. Aim: To estimate routine biochemical parameters of patients admitted to the Covid-19 ward. Method: Clinical samples from cases of Covid-19 admitted to Adesh Medical College and Hospital, Mohri, Shahbad (M), Haryana, India, during 1st, 2nd, and 3rd waves were collected and analyzed. Result: In this study, we investigated routine biochemical investigations (RBS, LFT, RFT & Serum Electrolyte) of Covid-19 patients and calculated De Ritis ratio. It was found that biochemical parameters and De Ritis ratio were worse affected than the first and second waves. Conclusion: De Ritis ratio may be a good marker for liver abnormalities and prognosis and a hospital stay of the Covid-19 patients.
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With the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the demand for students' and employees' health monitoring and noncontact methods of sanitization has escalated. This paper details the design and implementation of an economic, non-contact sanitization and user data recording system using the Internet of Things (IoT). The design includes a non-invasive temperature measurement technique, user identification using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), data recording over Wi-Fi using ESP8266, and a contactless hand sanitizer dispenser. The prototype is targeted at educational institutes and small-scale commercial entities.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: People with previous CVD hospitalized for COVID-19 have elevated death rate. We reported that patients with diabetes and HF higher protein levels of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). We hypothesized that LDLR is a novel host factor for the SARS-CoV-2-Spike (S2S) protein that may be regulated by the Akt inhibitor Triciribine (TCN), a drug being tested in Phase III studies for breast cancer. We also hypothesized that nano-formulation of Triciribine (NanoTriciribine;NTCN) would enhance its efficacy and allow for intranasal delivery. Methods: Interactions between the recombinant proteins Spike-RBD (receptor binding domain), ACE2, LDLR and its ectodomains (EGFA-EFFB, C2-C5 and C2) were analyzed by binding assays and co-IP in HepG2, HK2, and 293T cells. Viral entry assays were performed with 2 S2S pseudoviruses using 293T cells + hACE2 and TMPRSS2 or Furin protease. The effect of NTCN or the LXR agonist GW-3965 on viral uptake (pseudotyped VSVΔG-GFP∗S2S or chimera VSV-S2SeGFP virus) was assessed. Akt, pAkt, ACE2, and LDLR levels were determined in 293T+hACE2 by flow cytometry. Assays were done in triplicates and 1-way-ANOVA with Tukey's correction was used for statistics. Results: RBD protein binds modestly to the human LDLR (EC50:10μM) and its C2-C5 ectodomain (EC50:13.8μM). Co-IP revealed a novel and strong LDLR-ACE2 interaction in several human cell lines. LDLR overexpression in human cells increased the uptake of VSVΔG-GFP∗S2S (FC=2.32;p<0.001) and chimera virus (FC=.33;p<.0001). NTCN and TCN each reduced pAkt/Akt ratio. 1μM TCN or NTCN reduced LDLR (7.2%;p<.01 &15.6%;p<0.0001) and ACE2 (32%;p<0.05 &44.7%;p<.01) cell surface expression, respectively. 1μM NTCN or GW-3965 reduced S2S viral entry by 64.2% (p<.0001) and 40.7% (p<.01), respectively, confirming a role for LDLR in S2S infection. In hACE2tg mice, chimera VSV-S2S caused significant lung infection as measured by qPCR, GFP expression in proximal and distal lung airway epithelial cells, and electron microscopy. Intranasal delivery of NTCN was well tolerated. Conclusions: LDLR enhanced S2S viral entry supporting the elevated COVID-19 susceptibility seen in patients with heart disease. NTCN is a promising candidate for prophylactic treatment against COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Breast cancer is a public health challenge globally as well as in India. Improving outcome and cure requires appropriate biomarker testing to assign risk and plan treatment. Because it is documented that significant ethnic and geographical variations in biological and genetic features exist worldwide, such biomarkers need to be validated and approved by authorities in the region where these are intended to be used. The use of western guidelines, appropriate for the Caucasian population, can lead to inappropriate overtreatment or undertreatment in Asia and India. A virtual meeting of domain experts discussed the published literature, real-world practical experience, and results of opinion poll involving 185 oncologists treating breast cancer across 58 cities of India. They arrived at a practical consensus recommendation statement to guide community oncologists in the management of hormone positive (HR-positive) Her2-negative early breast cancer (EBC). India has a majority (about 50%) of breast cancer patients who are diagnosed in the premenopausal stage (less than 50 years of age). The only currently available predictive test for HR-positive Her2-negative EBC that has been validated in Indian patients is CanAssist Breast. If this test gives a score indicative of low risk (< 15.5), adjuvant chemotherapy will not increase the chance of metastasis-free survival and should not be given. This is applicable even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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COVID pandemic has impacted cancer care delivery and cancer surgical services globally. There is an urgent need to study the extent of the impact of COVID on cancer surgery and individual institutional response and strategies adopted to counter the adverse impact. A review of administrative and clinical policy changes adopted at the tertiary cancer center to combat COVID pandemic and resume cancer surgical services were performed. A retrospective comparative analysis of cancer out-patient census during COVID pandemic affected year and the preceding normal year along with cancer surgery data audit for the same periods was performed to assess the impact of the pandemic on cancer surgery. In addition, COVID infection rates among cancer surgery patients and healthcare workers were evaluated. There was approximately a 50% reduction in cancer outpatient registrations during COVID pandemic affected year. A trend of increasing footfalls was noted with decreasing COVID intensity and opening of lockdowns. There was a 33% reduction in major elective surgery and a 41% reduction in emergency surgery performed during the COVID period. As far as cancer surgeries are concerned, there was a 12-50% reduction in volumes involving different subsites. Overall COVID positivity rates among cancer surgery patients was low (8.17%), and approximately 30% of healthcare workers involved in cancer surgery were tested positive for COVID during the study period. Results of the current study indicate a significant impact of COVID pandemic on cancer surgical services. There was a significant impact on outpatient visits and cancer surgery volumes. However, a multidisciplinary-coordinated team approach, effective administrative and policy implementation, adoption of revised surgical safety and anesthesia protocols, COVID screening, and testing protocols facilitated resumption of cancer surgical services without adverse impact on surgical outcomes.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak has placed unprecedented challenges globally dismantling healthcare systems and forcing rapid transformations of healthcare services. In patients with cancer, these changes are having profound effects on vital aspects of their care. It has been advised that hospitals discontinue elective surgery and work on triage of nonemergent surgical procedures during the pandemic. The purpose of this article is to highlight the recommendations and adapted workflow from the private and public tertiary level hospitals in India advising on the best practices and views on better patient management, redesigning of SOPs for OR, surgeon, and staff safety and resumption of cancer care especially from surgical perspective. Different concerns are addressed that are necessary to optimize the quality of care provided to COVID-19 patients and to reduce the risk of viral transmission to other patients or healthcare workers.