ABSTRACT
As we cautiously emerge from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves facing a "new" world challenged with difficult problems on a global scale, including energy and water security, clean environment, climate change and global warming, and even access to and equity in health care. Fortunately, as ECS members our collective skill sets and expertise in many of these areas not only uniquely position us to make impactful contributions, but also task us with the responsibility to address the grand challenges of our century toward chartering a sustainable future for the next generations.
ABSTRACT
Background: Given the emerging importance of the role of the gut microbiota-brain-axis in mediating prenatal stress-induced neurodevelopmental outcomes, a prospective cohort study was conducted. The COVID-19 Pandemic occurred halfway through study recruitment (n=35). The study aims to a) evaluate perceived stress across gestation, b) determine whether maternal microbiome composition changes with stress, and c) discern the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal stress, psychometric scores, and alterations in the microbiome. Methods: This longitudinal study design includes five time points across pregnancy and the post-partum period, at which biological samples were collected and psychometrics administered. Samples include maternal rectal and vaginal swabs. Psychometrics include measures of perceived stress, anxiety, depression, sleep, diet, and childhood adversity. Study participants identify as 62.9% White and 31.4% Black or African American. Finally, PacBio full-length 16S rRNA sequencing using SMRT Cell technology is used to identify the maternal rectal and vaginal microbial communities. Results: Participants delivering during the pandemic reporting greater perceived stress (p≤0.05). Of note, there were no significant differences in anxiety or depressive symptoms across gestation in the pre-pandemic participants as compared to participants during the pandemic. During the second trimester, increased depression associated with increased rectal alpha diversity, and increased perceived stress was associated with increased levels of Prevotella, Sneathia, and Gardnerella in the rectal samples. In contrast, participants with increased depressive symptoms during the third trimester had reduced vaginal alpha diversity measures at delivery. Conclusions: Findings suggests maternal perceived stress and depressive symptoms are associated with alterations in maternal microbiota Keywords: Gut Microbiome, Prenatal Maternal Stress, Gut-Brain Axis
ABSTRACT
Objective: During the ongoing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the overall number of patients presented to dermatology outpatient clinics has decreased. This study aims to examine the number of elderly patients presented to dermatology outpatient clinics during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the periodic variation in the number of patients, and the most common reasons for their presentation. Material and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 448 presentations of 381 patients aged 60 years between March 11 and May 31, 2020. These cases were evaluated considering the age, gender, presentation diagnoses, presence of chronic diseases, the urgency of complaints, duration of symptoms, and whether they had contracted COVID-19.