How has the COVID-19 disease affected patients with kidney stones?

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the presence of kidney stones and COVID-19. Materials and methods: Patients, who were treated for COVID-19 as outpatients as well as inpatients in the ward and/or ICU of two different secondary and tertiary care centers between July 15, 2020, and December 31, 2020, and aged ≥18 years were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two subgroups based on the presence of kidney stones, and then the patients with kidney stone were categorized into three groups: those who were treated in an outpatient setting (Group 1), those who were treated in the ward (Group 2), and those who were treated in the intensive care unit (Group 3). Results: The total of 1,335 COVID-19 patients included in the study. Kidney stone was present in 31 (6.9%) of 450 outpatients, 41 (8.9%) of 460 inpatients treated in the ward, and 60 (14.1%) of 425 inpatients treated in the intensive care unit. In Group 1, the duration of COVID-19 treatment was significantly longer in patients with kidney stone than patients without kidney stone (8.1±1.7 vs. 6.8±2.2 days, p=0.01). In Group 2 and in Group 3, the mean hospitalization duration was significantly longer in patients with kidney stone than in those without kidney stone (9.1±3.7 vs. 6.2±2.1 days, p=0.007;19.1±8.1 vs. 11.3±6.2 days, p=0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The duration of COVID-19 treatment was longer and the COVID-19 infection was more severe in those with kidney stones. © 2022, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.

Adoption of digital learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic: merging technology readiness index and UTAUT model

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the intentions and use behavior of digital learning environments in business education under the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital learning environments (DLEs) are ready to use bundles of heterogeneous educational technologies used by schools to deliver online courses that contrast to traditional packaged learning management systems. Through the merger of Technology Readiness Index and Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology, a nuanced perspective on the adoption of DLEs under the COVID-19 pandemic is achieved. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey study gathered sample data from Mexico, Malaysia and Spain to assess the effect of broad perceptions on technology and specific technologies embedded in DLEs. Data were analyzed using structural equation models and multigroup analysis. Findings: Student optimism and innovativeness play a critical role in assessing specific features of DLEs. Discomfort and insecurity as barriers to adoption play a minor role. Performance expectancy has a strong effect on behavioral intention to use DLEs, but the effect of effort expectancy is nonsignificant. Multigroup analysis shows significant differences in technology perceptions between samples from Malaysia versus Mexico and Spain. Practical implications: DLEs help students complete their academic tasks in online and hybrid settings. Instructors can take advantage of students' positive perceptions of technology to set up DLE use in classrooms. They need to focus on the facilitating conditions of specific technologies and on learning outcomes that remain more important than learning how to use specific technologies. Originality/value: Technology adoption studies usually rely on only one model, and this is one of the few studies that merge Technology Readiness Index and Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology models. The results of this study support a comprehensive view of individual perceptions of technology and specific attributes of DLEs and their effects on behavioral intentions in relation to DLEs. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm follow-up: when the phone rings. Changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and patient satisfaction. Experience in 30 health centers in Spain.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has favored the expansion of telemedicine. Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-MPN) might be good candidates for virtual follow-up. In this study, we aimed to analyze the follow-up of patients with Ph-MPN in Spain during COVID-19, its effectiveness, and acceptance among patients. We present a multicenter retrospective study from 30 centers. Five hundred forty-one patients were included with a median age of 67 years (yr). With a median follow-up of 19 months, 4410 appointments were recorded. The median of visits per patient was 7 and median periodicity was 2.7 months; significantly more visits and a higher frequency of them were registered in myelofibrosis (MF) patients. 60.1% of visits were in-person, 39.5% were by telephone, and 0.3% were videocall visits, with a predominance of telephone visits for essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) patients over MF, as well as for younger patients (< 50 yr). The proportion of phone visits significantly decreased after the first semester of the pandemic. Pharmacological modifications were performed only in 25.7% of the visits, and, considering overall management, ET patients needed fewer global treatment changes. Telephone contact effectiveness reached 90% and only 5.4% required a complementary in-person appointment. Although 56.2% of the cohort preferred in-person visits, 90.5% of our patients claimed to be satisfied with follow-up during the pandemic, with an 83% of positive comments. In view of our results, telemedicine has proven effective and efficient, and might continue to play a complementary role in Ph-MPN patients' follow-up.

[PCR for COVID in the transplant protocol]

Background: Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, identifying the COVID-19 pathophysiology not only has been addressed to applying diagnostic tests or preventing through vaccines, but also to the timely detection, especially of patients in risk groups such as those in transplants areas (renal, hematology, etcetera). In the case of these patients, using RT-PCR tests avoids putting them at risk by subjecting them to states of immunosuppression that could aggravate their situation if they were faced with an onset of a COVID-19 infection.

The Relationship of CRP/Albumin ratio level and prognosis in pregnant COVID-19 patients.

Background: The C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio (CAR) is one of the new tools to assess the severity of inflammation. It is used to determine clinical severity and prognosis in many diseases. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio (CAR) and prognosis in pregnant patients with more severe COVID-19 infection. Retrospective study. Patients and Methods: The study was conducted in a retrospective manner by scanning the files of pregnant patients who had a positive polymerase chain reaction test result and were hospitalized in Adiyaman Training and Research Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit and patients who were not admitted. CRP/albumin ratio (CAR) levels were compared between these two groups. The cut-off value was determined in the prediction of intensive-care admission and poor prognosis. Results: 117 patient files were reviewed. 13 patients were followed up with intensive care, whereas 104 patients completed their treatment in the service. The CAR levels of the patients admitted to intensive care were significantly higher (P < 0.01). In the estimation of intensive-care admission, the CAR level was determined to be 0.970 in the area under the curve with 100% sensitivity and 86.5% specificity in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The cut-off CAR level was calculated as 1.8. Conclusion: CAR is a valuable biomarker for predicting prognosis, as well as follow-ups of pregnant COVID-19 patients.

Violacein and its antifungal activity: comments and potentialities.

Violacein is an important natural antimicrobial pigment that is mainly produced by Chromobacterium violaceum and Janthinobacterium lividum. It presents a significant range of effects against phytopathogenic and human fungi, besides being featured as having low toxicity, and by its important ecological role in protecting amphibian species and applications in dyed medical fabric. The hypothesis about violacein's action mechanisms against mucormycosis (Rhizopus arrhizus) and candidiasis (Candida auris) is herein discussed based on data available in the scientific literature.

Adoption of digital learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic: merging technology readiness index and UTAUT model

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the intentions and use behavior of digital learning environments in business education under the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital learning environments (DLEs) are ready to use bundles of heterogeneous educational technologies used by schools to deliver online courses that contrast to traditional packaged learning management systems. Through the merger of Technology Readiness Index and Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology, a nuanced perspective on the adoption of DLEs under the COVID-19 pandemic is achieved. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey study gathered sample data from Mexico, Malaysia and Spain to assess the effect of broad perceptions on technology and specific technologies embedded in DLEs. Data were analyzed using structural equation models and multigroup analysis. Findings Student optimism and innovativeness play a critical role in assessing specific features of DLEs. Discomfort and insecurity as barriers to adoption play a minor role. Performance expectancy has a strong effect on behavioral intention to use DLEs, but the effect of effort expectancy is nonsignificant. Multigroup analysis shows significant differences in technology perceptions between samples from Malaysia versus Mexico and Spain. Practical implications DLEs help students complete their academic tasks in online and hybrid settings. Instructors can take advantage of students' positive perceptions of technology to set up DLE use in classrooms. They need to focus on the facilitating conditions of specific technologies and on learning outcomes that remain more important than learning how to use specific technologies. Originality/value Technology adoption studies usually rely on only one model, and this is one of the few studies that merge Technology Readiness Index and Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology models. The results of this study support a comprehensive view of individual perceptions of technology and specific attributes of DLEs and their effects on behavioral intentions in relation to DLEs.

Persistently positive PCR after COVID-19. How to diagnose reinfections? [Spanish]

Persistence of a long-term positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in patients with severe coronavirus-associated respiratory syndrome may interfere with the diagnosis of reinfections, causing false positives of the disease, with the potential implications to determine the need for isolation and, consequently, for Public Health. In these field notes we present the experience of a patient with positive PCR of eight months of evolution to which an erroneous diagnosis of COVID-19 reinfection was made due to a gastrointestinal disease, resulting in a Campylobacter jejuni infection.

PCR persistentemente positiva tras la COVID-19. inverted question mark Como diagnosticar las reinfecciones?

Persistence of a long-term positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in patients with severe coronavirus-associated respiratory syndrome may interfere with the diagnosis of reinfections, causing false positives of the disease, with the potential implications to determine the need for isolation and, consequently, for Public Health. In these field notes we present the experience of a patient with positive PCR of eight months of evolution to which an erroneous diagnosis of COVID-19 reinfection was made due to a gastrointestinal disease, resulting in a Campylobacter jejuni infection.

Analýza pacientů se závažnou zlomeninou s a bez infekce COVID-19

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY As in orthopedic trauma patients, a hyperinflammatory response due to cytokine release occurs in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 infection. In these patients, untimely surgical intervention can create more destructive situations in the postoperative period. Our aim in this study was to investigate the effect of COVID-19, trauma and surgical intervention on acute phase reactants' levels in patients with and without COVID-19 infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection and major fractures requiring surgical treatment were evaluated retrospectively (Group 1). Twenty-four COVID-19 negative patients with similar trauma were included in the study as a control group (Group 2). These two groups were compared in terms of demographic data, time to surgery, total hospitalization time, and preoperative and postoperative acute phase reactants' [C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, ferritin, fibrinogen and white blood cell (WBC)] values. RESULTS Time to surgery was 8.3 ± 0.7 days and the total hospital stay was 15.2 ± 0.8 days, in Group 1. These values were determined as 3.3 ± 0.4 and 6.5 ± 0.6 days, respectively for the patients in Group 2 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). When the acute phase reactant values studied during admission were examined, a significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of CRP, D-dimer, ferritin and WBC (p = 0009, p = 0.002, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In the preoperative period, a significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of CRP and ferritin (p = 0.011, p < 0.001, respectively). A significant difference was found only in terms of ferritin from the laboratory values studied in the postoperative period (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION To our knowledge, the present study is the first study which compares and investigates the effects of COVID-19 infection, major fracture and surgical intervention on acute phase reactants' values. Surgical treatment is generally recommended as soon as possible in daily orthopedic practice. However, in patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 infection, it remains unclear how long surgical intervention will be delayed after admission and clinical stabilization of patients with a fracture that requires surgical fixation. In a meta-analysis, patients with COVID-19 infection accompanying hip fracture had a mortality rate of 32.6% in the early postoperative period, and the mortality risk of these patients was found to be 5.66 times higher compared to patients without COVID-19 infection. In our study, one patient (4.2%) with COVID-19 infection who underwent partial hip arthroplasty due to femoral neck fracture. CONCLUSIONS The follow-up and treatment of patients with COVID-19 infection with accompanying a major fracture requiring orthopedic surgery is a complex situation. We recommend that acute phase reactants such as CRP, D-dimer, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and ferritin should be closely monitored in these patients during the period from admission to surgery, and surgical intervention should be performed while these values are in remission or decline. Key words: COVID-19, fracture, trauma, acute phase reactants, surgical timing.

[Pcr persistentemente positiva tras la COVID-19. ¿Cómo diagnósticar las reinfecciones?]

Persistence of a long-term positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in patients with severe coronavirus-associated respiratory syndrome may interfere with the diagnosis of reinfections, causing false positives of the disease, with the potential implications to determine the need for isolation and, consequently, for Public Health. In these field notes we present the experience of a patient with positive PCR of eight months of evolution to which an erroneous diagnosis of COVID-19 reinfection was made due to a gastrointestinal disease, resulting in a Campylobacter jejuni infection.

Analysis of Patients with Major Fractures with and without COVID-19 Infection

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY As in orthopedic trauma patients, a hyperinflammatory response due to cytokine release occurs in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 infection. In these patients, untimely surgical intervention can create more destructive situations in the postoperative period. Our aim in this study was to investigate the effect of COVID-19, trauma and surgical intervention on acute phase reactants' levels in patients with and without COVID-19 infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection and major fractures requiring surgical treatment were evaluated retrospectively (Group 1). Twenty-four COVID-19 negative patients with similar trauma were included in the study as a control group (Group 2). These two groups were compared in terms of demographic data, time to surgery, total hospitalization time, and preoperative and postoperative acute phase reactants' [C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, ferritin, fibrinogen and white blood cell (WBC)] values. RESULTS Time to surgery was 8.3 +/- 0.7 days and the total hospital stay was 15.2 +/- 0.8 days, in Group 1. These values were determined as 3.3 +/- 0.4 and 6.5 +/- 0.6 days, respectively for the patients in Group 2 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). When the acute phase reactant values studied during admission were examined, a significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of CRP, D-dimer, ferritin and WBC (p = 0009, p = 0.002, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In the preoperative period, a significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of CRP and ferritin (p = 0.011, p < 0.001, respectively). A significant difference was found only in terms of ferritin from the laboratory values studied in the postoperative period (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION To our knowledge, the present study is the first study which compares and investigates the effects of COVID-19 infection, major fracture and surgical intervention on acute phase reactants' values. Surgical treatment is generally recommended as soon as possible in daily orthopedic practice. However, in patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 infection, it remains unclear how long surgical intervention will be delayed after admission and clinical stabilization of patients with a fracture that requires surgical fixation. In a meta-analysis, patients with COVID-19 infection accompanying hip fracture had a mortality rate of 32.6% in the early postoperative period, and the mortality risk of these patients was found to be 5.66 times higher compared to patients without COVID-19 infection. In our study, one patient (4.2%) with COVID-19 infection who underwent partial hip arthroplasty due to femoral neck fracture. CONCLUSIONS The follow-up and treatment of patients with COVID-19 infection with accompanying a major fracture requiring orthopedic surgery is a complex situation. We recommend that acute phase reactants such as CRP, D-dimer, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and ferritin should be closely monitored in these patients during the period from admission to surgery, and surgical intervention should be performed while these values are in remission or decline.

[COVID-19 pandemic: Impact on the rate of viral conjunctivitis]. / Pandemia COVID-19: impacto sobre la tasa de conjuntivitis virales.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic led Spain to order a state of alert with the cessation of non-essential activities on 14 March 2020, and to implement public health interventions (such as home confinement) and other health recommendations to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (hand washing and the obligation to wear face-masks). These factors could have influenced the rate of viral conjunctivitis. METHOD: In this retrospective, noninterventional, descriptive study, the incidence of viral conjunctivitis in an emergency department of a national hospital is compared over two distinct time periods: pre-COVID (13 March-30 September 2019, one year before the start of the pandemic) and COVID (13 March-30 September 2020). RESULTS: In the first period there were 436 cases of conjunctivitis, of which 168 (38.5%) were confirmed cases of viral conjunctivitis 168 (38.5%), while in the second period there were 121 recorded cases, of which the most frequent were allergic and traumatic (23 cases; 19% each group), bacterial (15 cases; 12.3%) and viral (15 cases; 12.3%). The diagnosis of viral conjunctivitis is the one that suffered the most significant relative reduction (48.5%), while other types of conjunctivitis hardly changed their relative frequency between these two periods of time. CONCLUSIONS: Viral conjunctivitis is the most frequent infectious disease of the eye and has a transmission rate similar to that of coronavirus, so the measures implemented could positively affect its incidence.