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Introduction. Knowledge of the seroprevalence and duration of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was needed in the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and is still necessary for policy makers and healthcare professionals. This information allows us to better understand the risk of reinfection in previously infected individuals. Methods. We investigated the prevalence and duration of detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in sequentially collected samples from 379 healthcare professionals. Results. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence at inclusion was 5.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.3-8.0%) and 25% of seropositive participants reverted during follow-up. At the end of follow-up, the calculated probability of having detectable antibodies among former seropositive participants was 72.2% (95% CI: 54.2-96.2%). Conclusion. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detectable in a subset of infected individuals for a minimum of 39 weeks.
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Background: Hospitals worldwide implemented visitor restrictions policies due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Aim: To investigate the impact of visitor restrictions experienced by non-Covid-19 orthopaedic patients, their relatives, and health professionals from a person-centred practice (PCP) perspective. Methods: Seventy-eight patients/relatives completed a self-reported survey. Template Analysis was conducted on twenty-five telephone interviews and one focus group interview. Findings: Despite accepting the restrictions for the country's good, we found a profound need for visits among the relatives. However, one-fifth of the patients were content, and one-third got more rest than earlier admissions. We uncovered a current readiness to develop an organisational PCP culture focused on the good of the patient. All stakeholders were attentive to the importance of the relatives' role, and the need for the involvement of relatives as team players became evident. Conclusion: The study emphasised the need for PCP strategies to involve relatives when visitor restrictions are necessary.
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In the past two years, the "New Normal” such as blended university, COVID-19 Campus, hybrid everything, remote proctoring, and online networking has increasingly become the norm for Higher Education Institutions, and they will need to adapt accordingly. The importance of reflective learning and teaching is given special significance in numerous empirical findings on professionalization. Therefore, concepts and instruments are needed to make development, qualification, and competencies accessible on the way to becoming a "reflective practitioner” [1]. The article presents the implementation and the use of E-Portfolio as a reflective tool in the existing structure based on a seminar developed and conducted at the University of Passau. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
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After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the disruption in Higher Education, especially in Engineering Education 4.0, has taken place. The world is more interconnected than it has ever been. How do we prepare students for it? What makes learning with virtual collaboration efficient? In our paper we took a closer look at online teaching and learning in the period from October 2021 to June 2022, emphasizing the teacher's and students' experiences. Two exemplary courses designed with agile and design thinking methods illustrate the approach: the University of Passau and the University Politehnica of Bucharest. After the implementation of the Education 4.0 model with agile methods for future thinking, at the University of Passau, over 80% of students collaborated actively during the hybrid seminar. This paper opens the way to innovation with agile methods for virtual collaboration in Engineering Education 4.0. © 2022 IEEE.
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Introduction. Knowledge of the seroprevalence and duration of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was needed in the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and is still necessary for policy makers and healthcare professionals. This information allows us to better understand the risk of reinfection in previously infected individuals. Methods. We investigated the prevalence and duration of detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in sequentially collected samples from 379 healthcare professionals. Results. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence at inclusion was 5.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.3-8.0%) and 25% of seropositive participants reverted during follow-up. At the end of follow-up, the calculated probability of having detectable antibodies among former seropositive participants was 72.2% (95% CI: 54.2-96.2%). Conclusion. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detectable in a subset of infected individuals for a minimum of 39 weeks.
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This article reviews the current studies published on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in semen and the potential effect of COVID-19 on male fertility. The aim was to provide insight into different possible mechanisms of involvement of the male reproductive system by SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate the studies investigating the presence of virus in semen. It is concluded that the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through semen is low and that COVID-19 may negatively affect semen parameters, but that the impairment is probably shorttermed. © 2021. Ugeskr Læger. All Rights Reserved.
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This is a case report of a young healthcare worker with a mild case of COVID-19 during the first wave in 2020 with no initial triggering of antibody response. The second episode of symptomatic infection of the patient with symptoms of moderate COVID-19, occurred eight months later in the beginning of the second surge in Denmark. It is the first reported case of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in Denmark, and it illustrates the possibility of reinfection with a more severe course of COVID-19 after an initial natural infection also among young immunocompetent individuals. © 2022,Ugeskrift for Laeger.All Rights Reserved
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This is a case report of a young healthcare worker with a mild case of COVID-19 during the first wave in 2020 with no initial triggering of antibody response. The second episode of symptomatic infection of the patient with symptoms of moderate COVID-19, occurred eight months later in the beginning of the second surge in Denmark. It is the first reported case of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in Denmark, and it illustrates the possibility of reinfection with a more severe course of COVID-19 after an initial natural infection also among young immunocompetent individuals.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Humans , Injection Site Reaction/etiology , Injections, Subcutaneous , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Variation in practice regarding the use of High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) existed among hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that patients who received HFNC prior to requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) would have improved mortality when compared to patients treated with conventional oxygen therapy (COT). METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of patients admitted to a tertiary care center between March and May 2020. We included consecutive adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 related ARDS who required MV. We excluded patients treated with NIV. Demographic data were collected and outcomes were censored at day 28. HFNC was initiated at the treating provider's discretion as well as availability of equipment and negative pressure rooms. Patients receiving HFNC therapy received oxygen at 20-60L/min with FiO2 to keep oxygen saturation >92%. COT was delivered with a non-rebreather mask or reservoir nasal cannula at 10-15L/min. Decision to proceed with MV was at clinician discretion. We used Student's t-test, Wilcoxon Rank-Sum, Fisher's Exact, and Chi-Square for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 92 patients were included. 58% were male and the mean age was 68±12 years. Thirty (33%) patients were treated with HFNC prior to MV. Patients in the COT group had more CAD and CHF when compared to patients in the HFNC group (13 vs 1, p=0.03 and 8 vs. 0, p=0.05). HFNC was provided for a median of 21 (IQR 9-36) hours vs. COT for 4 (IQR 1-11) hours prior to MV (p=<.0001) There was no difference in the initial PaO2/FiO2 ratio (152±62 HFNC vs. 153±67 COT, p-0.95). The mean SOFA score was significantly lower in the HFNC group compared to the COT group (6.6 vs. 7.7, p=0.05). The mortality rate was 30% in the HFNC group versus 52% in the COT group (p=0.05), with a trend toward lower mortality with HFNC (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.12-1.15, p=0.09) after controlling for other predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a trend toward mortality benefit in COVID-19 patients with ARDS who were treated with HFNC compared with COT prior to intubation.