Risk Factors Associated With an Impaired Antibody Response in Kidney Transplant Recipients Following 2 Doses of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Data about vaccine efficacy in solid organ transplant patients are limited. We previously reported our initial observation of a 6.2% immunogenicity rate in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) after administration of 1 dose of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccine. We sought to report our observations of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody in KTRs after 2 doses of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. METHODS: We identified 105 KTRs who received 2 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine per availability and had anti-SARS-CoV-2 labs obtained at least 2 wk following administration of the second dose. Antibody testing was performed using 3 clinically validated qualitative and semiquantitative assays. RESULTS: KTRs had a 36.2% antibody response rate, whereas an age ≥68 years and a longer time from transplant were factors associated with antibody response. CONCLUSIONS: The low antibody response in KTRs may be associated with the immunosuppressive state. More data are needed to evaluate if KTRs may require higher vaccine doses or an additional booster dose to increase their ability to mount an immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Knowledge and Practice Regarding Coronavirus Disease Prevention (COVID-19) Among Internally Displaced Persons in Camps in Central Darfur Region, Sudan

AJOL Abstract: Background: The lacking healthcare system services in conflict areas and the emergence of infection with a pandemic of coronavirus  disease may exacerbate the humanitarian crisis among the camp residents in the central Dafur region of Sudan. Adequate knowledge and practices are vital to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge and practiceregarding COVID-19 among internally displaced persons in Sudan. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected through an online survey using a self-administered questionnaire. Convenience sampling method was used for the internally displaced persons in two camps of Zalingei town, central Darfur region, Sudan. Results: In total, 143 participants responded;75 (52.4%) of them were female, while 68 (47.6%) were male;49 (34.3%) were between the age of 50 and 60 years;78 (54.5%) were formally uneducated;126 (88.1%) did not have a chronic disease;and 56 (39.2%) knew about COVID-19 from their relatives and friends. The overall mean of participants’ knowledge toward COVID-19 was 3.68 (SD ± 0.60(, denoting good with a rate of 73.6% and that of the practice was 2.65 (SD ±1.08), denoting moderate with a rate of 53%. A positive correlation was seen between knowledge and practice (r = 0.700, p < 0.000). Statistically significant differences were observed between the mean score of knowledge and practice with age, education, and information sources (p < 0.0001). While graduates showed a higher knowledge (116.29, p = 0.000), secondary respondents showed a higher practice (115.04, p = 0.000) than others. Conclusion: This study suggests educational intervention and awareness programs for uneducated and older people

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: AN INSIGHT ON THE CHALLENGES FOR HUMAN RESOURCE PRACTITIONERS

Organizations around the globe are currently experiencing significant decline in revenue, bankruptcy and job losses regardless of their size as a result of covid-19 pandemic. By implication, the travel bans, quarantine measures and boarder closures have also contributed immensely to the challenges of businesses. In order to sustain business operations, human resource managers need to embrace novel methods of operation to cope with the new challenges arising from the pandemic. Therefore, calculated and rapid responses in form ofpolicies, combined with strong multidimensional leadership skills are required to control the effects of Covid-19 on human resources practices on employees and the organisation as a whole. The study provides an overview of the challenges of human resource professionals, especially managers face and their roles in filling the lacuna created by the covid-19 pandemic, as well as provided recommendations in order to create a suitable teleworking and sustainable working environment among the workforce and the organization during and after the corona virus pandemic in addition to combating the current challenges created by the pandemic.

Preparation of cellulose-based wipes treated with antimicrobial and antiviral silver nanoparticles as novel effective high-performance coronavirus fighter.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). We succeeded in preparing disinfectant cellulose-based wipes treated with antimicrobial and antiviral silver nanoparticles to be used for prevention of contamination and transmission of several pathogenic viruses and microbes to human in critical areas such as hospitals and healthcare centers especially coronavirus. In this work, the antimicrobial and antiviral activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared with four different techniques were investigated for the utilization as a disinfectant for cellulose-based wipes. These four methods are namely; 1) trisodium citrate with cotton yarn as a reducing agent, 2) preparing AgNP's using aqueous solution of PVA in the presence of glucose, 3) trisodium citrate with cotton fabric as a reducing agent, and 4) photochemical reaction of polyacrylic acid and silver nitrate solution. Polyester/viscose blended spunlace nonwoven fabrics as cellulose based fabrics were treated with the prepared silver nanoparticles to be used as surfaces disinfection wipes. The properties of the nonwoven fabrics were examined including thickness, tensile strength in dry and wet conditions in both machine direction (MD) and cross-machine direction (CMD), bursting strength, air permeability, water permeability and surface wettability. Characterization of the AgNPs was carried out in terms of UV-VIS spectroscopy, TEM, SEM, and Zeta potential analysis. The assessment of AgNPs active solutions for antimicrobial and antiviral activities was evaluated. The results obtained from the analyses of the AgNPs samples prepared with different techniques showed good uniformity and stability of the particles, as well uniform coating of the AgNPs on the fibers. Additionally, there is a significant effect of the AgNPs preparation method on their disinfectant performance that proved its effectiveness against coronavirus (MERS-CoV), S. aureus and B. subtilis as Gram-positive bacteria, E. coli and P. mirabilis as Gram-negative bacteria, A. niger and C. albicans fungi.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in the Middle East and India During the COVID-19 Pandemic (preprint)

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use for severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients has evolved during the course of the pandemic. Early uncertainty regarding the role of ECMO during the current pandemic was based on the suboptimal initial experiences. However, more recent data suggests favorable outcomes in COVID-19 patients receiving ECMO support. We aimed to explore the epidemiology and outcomes of ECMO for COVID-19 related cardiopulmonary failure and evaluate outcomes of new centers versus established ones.Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter international, observational study conducted in (19) ECMO centers in five countries from March 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. We included 307 patients with COVID-19 who received ECMO for refractory hypoxemia and severe respiratory acidosis with or without circulatory failure. Data collection included Patients characteristics, demographic data, ECMO-related specific data, pre-ECMO patient condition, 24 hours post-ECMO initiation data, and outcome. The primary outcome is survival to home discharge. Secondary outcomes include mortality during ECMO, survival to decannulation, and outcomes stratified by center type in which patients were treated.Findings: Three hundred and seven COVID-19 patients received ECMO support during the study period. The median age was 45 years (37-52 IQR), and 81% were men. 178 (58%) patients survived ECMO, of whom 138 (45%) patients were discharged home, and 40 patients (13%) died post-ECMO decannulation while 128 patients (41.7%) died during ECMO. Patient outcomes in the new centers developed in response to the pandemic were similar to those of established centers.Interpretation: During pandemics, ECMO may provide favorable outcomes in highly select patients as resources allow. Outcomes in ECMO centers established during the pandemic were comparable to existing centers.Funding Statement: None.Declaration of Interests: Kiran Shekar acknowledges research support from the Metro North Hospital and Health Service and the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation. Dr. Brodie receives research support from ALung Technologies. He has been on the medical advisory boards for Baxter, Abiomed, Xenios, and Hemovent and is the President-Elect of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). Dr. Combes reported receiving grants and personal fees from Maquet, Xenios, and Baxter and serving as the recent past president of the EuroELSO organization. Other authors have no conflict of interest.Ethics Approval Statement: After the SWAAC ELSO steering committee's authorization, IRB approval was obtained from the coordinating center King Saud Medical City in Riyadh - Saudi Arabia. The country representatives obtained IRB approval for each participating center as well.

The Association of Lymphocyte count, CRP, D-Dimer, and LDH with Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Background: The rapid progression of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its increasing burden on health systems necessitate the  identification of parameters of severe infection to help in monitoring, prognoses and development of treatment algorithms. Objectives: This review aims to investigate the association of lymphocyte count, CRP, LDH, and D-Dimer with the severity of COVID-19. Methods: This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.  The databases of MEDLINE/PubMed, WHO-Virtual Health Library (VHL), and ScienceDirect were used for the systematic search. Random effects model was used to estimate the pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), using OpenMeta Analyst software. Results: A total of 11 studies, with 2437 COVID-19 patients, which fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The analysis  revealed that lymphocyte count was significantly lower in patients with the severe form of COVID-19 (SMD = - 1.025, P value <.001). Also, the analysis of SMD showed that patients with severe COVID-19 have a significantly higher serum levels of CRP (SMD = 3.363, P value <.001), D-Dimer (SMD = 1.073, P value <.001), and LDH (SMD = 3.345, P value <.001). Conclusion: Low lymphocyte count and high levels of CRP, LDH, and D-Dimer are associated with severe COVID-19. These laboratory markers could be used as clinical indicators of worsening illness and poor prognosis of COVID-19