Subjective Wellbeing among University Students and Recent Graduates: Evidence from the United Kingdom.

This study compares students' and recent graduates' perceptions of their subjective wellbeing and offers support mechanisms and resources to enhance wellbeing in higher education. Survey data were collected in September 2021 from 414 UK-based higher education students and recent graduates on their self-perceived subjective wellbeing in March 2020 (before COVID-19 regulations restrictions) and September 2021 (18 months later). Findings showed that subjective wellbeing scores fell for almost three-quarters of university students and recent graduates between March 2020 and September 2021. Interestingly, around one-fifth of participants reported increased subjective wellbeing scores whilst the remaining participants reported no impact. Positive impacts of the pandemic included opportunities for self-improvement with more free time for focusing on health and relationships. Adverse outcomes included feelings of isolation, reduced mental and physical health, difficulties undertaking degree studies and work, travel restrictions, and concerns for labour market competitiveness. The study advances the application of the conservation of resources theory and identifies strategies for higher education institutions to better support and improve their students' and future graduates' subjective wellbeing. Strategies include access to counselling, mindfulness, opportunities for participation in hobbies, interaction with peers, flexible work and study options, and guidance on career and finances.

Procoagulant Microvesicles in COVID-19 Patients: Possible Modulators of Inflammation and Prothrombotic Tendency.

Background: The hypercoagulability and thrombotic tendency in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is multifactorial, driven mainly by inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Elevated levels of procoagulant microvesicles (MVs) and tissue factor-bearing microvesicles (TF-bearing MVs) have been observed in many diseases with thrombotic tendency. The current study aimed to measure the levels of procoagulant MVs and TF-bearing MVs in patients with COVID-19 and healthy controls and to correlate their levels with platelet counts, D-Dimer levels, and other proposed calculated inflammatory markers. Materials and Methods: Forty ICU-admitted patients with COVID-19 and 37 healthy controls were recruited in the study. Levels of procoagulant MVs and TF-bearing MVs in the plasma of the study population were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: COVID-19 patients had significantly elevated levels of procoagulant MVs and TF-bearing MVs as compared with healthy controls (P<0.001). Procoagulant MVs significantly correlated with TF-bearing MVs, D-dimer levels, and platelet count, but not with calculated inflammatory markers (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and platelet/neutrophil ratio). Conclusion: Elevated levels of procoagulant MVs and TF-bearing MVs in patients with COVID-19 are suggested to be (i) early potential markers to predict the severity of COVID-19 (ii) a novel circulatory biomarker to evaluate the procoagulant activity and severity of COVID-19.

MPR and NLR as Prognostic Markers in ICU-Admitted Patients with COVID-19 in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the current study were to evaluate the importance of MPR and NLR as prognostic markers in ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients and to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on hematological and coagulation parameters in patients from Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted between October 2020 and January 2021 at King Fahad Central Hospital, Jazan region. Medical files, which included the results of complete blood count (CBC), calculated mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio (MPR) and neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) parameters, coagulation profile and D-dimer test, of 96 (64 male and 32 female) COVID-19-infected patients admitted to the intensive care unit were reviewed. Associations between the test results and COVID-19 infection outcomes (discharged [DC] or passed away [PA]) were measured. RESULTS: The results of the current study demonstrate overall significant differences in CBC parameters between PA group as compared to DC group (P < 0.05). The PA group had a significantly elevated MPR (10.15±12.16 vs 4.04±1.5; P < 0.01) and NLR (18.29±19.82 vs 7.35±9.68; P < 0.01) as compared to the DC group, suggesting an association between these parameters and mortality. Odds ratios analysis also showed that adjustment for demographic variables and comorbidities did not weaken the observed association. CONCLUSION: Elevated MPR and NLR are associated with poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients and could be useful as therapy management indicators.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Blood Transfusion Services: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: While SARS-CoV-2's main transmission route is through respiratory droplets, research has found that viral RNA could be detected in blood samples, causing concerns over the safety of blood donations and blood products. This paper therefore aims to systematically search for studies that have addressed their country's lack of donations and analyse the risk of blood transfusion-transmission. As such, it will answer the question "should blood services focus more on donation vigilance or worry more about the risks of transmission through blood products?" METHODS: 38 articles were identified through a systematic review adopting the PRISMA and STROBE guidelines. Meta-analysis was conducted using OpenMeta software. RESULTS: The average decrease in blood donations was found to be 38%, with some regions showing up to 67% decrease. To assess the risk of actual blood transfusion-transmission, three datasets were analysed. Firstly, the viral load in COVID-19 patients was studied and found to have less than 1% detection rate (ARD = -0.831, 95% -0.963, -0.699). Secondly, the prevalence of finding viral RNA in a pool of donations was nearly -1.503 (ARD = -1.538, -1.468). Lastly, recipients who were given blood products of positive donors were found to be -0.911 (ARD 95% = -1.247, -0.575). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Blood centres should focus more on launching initiatives and policies that would increase their countries' blood supply as the virus has no direct threat to blood safety.

An Overview on COVID-19 and its Effect on Cardiovascular Diseases.

COVID-19 (Virus named as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-- CoV-2)) is a pandemic disease characterized by respiratory infection caused by a coronavirus. It has spread worldwide after an outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 has infected more than 15 million people globally. The disease severity and mortality increased in patients with heart-related comorbidities. Cardiovascular disease patients are more susceptible and infected with SARS-CoV-2. Early screening and management of these patients prevent or ameliorate adverse outcomes. Several treatments have been used to combat these effects, as previously seen in MERS and SARS. This review will cover the association of cardiovascular diseases with COVID 19. It showed that cardiovascular diseases are common in patients with COVID- 19. Increased attention to highlight the gaps should be paid to the care of this unique group of patients.