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Epidemiological evidence has linked an array of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors with an increased risk of developing psychosis However, research in samples from low- and middle-income countries is still scarce. This study used a Mexican sample to explore (i) sociodemographic and psychosocial differences between individuals who screened positive for Clinical High-Risk for psychosis (CHRpositive group) and those who did not (Non-CHR group), and (ii) sociodemographic and psychosocial factors associated with screening positive for CHR. The sample consisted of 822 individuals from the general population. Findings showed that participants in the CHRpositive group were younger, had a lower educational level, and reported more mental health problems than the Non-CHR group. The CHR-positive group had a greater prevalence of medium/high risk associated with cannabis use, a higher prevalence of adverse experiences as well as higher levels of childhood maltreatment, poorer family functioning, and more COVID-related distress than the Non-CHR group. Findings of multivariate analysis showed that the variables associated with screening positive for CHR were: having an unhealthy family functioning, a higher risk associated with cannabis use, a lower level of education, having experienced a major natural disaster, violent or unexpected death of a relative or friend, higher levels of childhood maltreatment, and higher COVID-related distress. An older age was a protective factor for screening positive for CHR. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of examining potential psychosocial contributors to psychosis vulnerability across different sociocultural contexts to delineate risk and protective processes relevant to specific populations and better target preventive intervention efforts.
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The COVID-19 pandemic is a global outbreak of coronavirus, an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). One in five adults who have had COVID-19 in the past was still experiencing any one of the symptoms of long COVID like headache, brain fog, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Up to 30% of individuals with mild to severe infection show diverse neurological symptoms, including dementias. Hence, it is very much important to characterize the neurotropism and neurovirulence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This helps us understand the mechanisms involved in initiating inflammation in the brain, further leading to the development of earlyonset Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRDs). In our brain gene expression analysis, we found that severe COVID-19 patients showed increased expression of innate immune response genes and genes that are implicated in AD pathogenesis. To study the infection-induced ADRDs, we used a mouse-adapted strain of the SARS-CoV-2 (MA10) virus to infect mice of different age groups (3, 6, and 20 Months). In this study, we found that aged mice showed evidence of viral neurotropism, prolonged viral infection, increased expression of tau aggregator FKBP51, interferoninducible gene Ifi204, and complement genes like C4 and C5AR1. Brain histopathology also showed the AD signature including tau-phosphorylation, tau-oligomerization, and alpha-synuclein expression in aged MA10-infected mice. The results from gene expression profiling of SARS-CoV-2 infected and AD brains and studies with MA10 aged mice show that COVID-19 infection increases the risk of AD in the aged population. Furthermore, this study helps us to understand the crucial molecular markers that are regulated during COVID infection that could act as major players in developing ADRDs. Future studies will be involved in understanding the molecular mechanisms of ADRD in response to COVID infection and developing novel therapies targeting AD.
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Aim/Introduction: During the COVID 19 pandemic, mass vaccination campaign has played an important role, with a special importance in oncological and immunosuppressed patients, who form a large part of our [18F]FDG-PET/CT studies. Unexpected findings in the form of reactive lymphadenopathy were commonly detected in [18F]FDG-PET/CT studies. It is essential to recognize them and adapt their interpretation to the current epidemiological context. Material(s) and Method(s): Retrospective study of consecutive [18F] FDG-PET/CT studies performed at our center in 219 patients with oncological pathology from June 15 to September 20, 2021. A structured interview was conducted on all the patients who came to undergo [18F]FDG-PET/CT, in which they were asked about the type, date and arm of administration of the vaccine. The frequency of appearance of reactive lymphadenopathy, its relationship with the type of vaccine, sex, age and the importance of a detailed clinical interview prior to the isotope injection and/ or study interpretation were analyzed. Patients that presented ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathies following vaccination and presented increased metabolic activity regardless of node size were considered positive, size and SUVmax were assessed. Result(s): From De 219 patients reviewed, 32% presented positive [18F]FDG-PET/CT axillary lymph nodes ipsilateral to the arm where the vaccine was inoculated. There was a relationship (p=0.01) between the mean size of the lymph nodes (11+/-9mm) and its mean metabolic activity (3.7+/-2.6 SUVmax). The appearance of lymphadenopathy was more frequent in women (40.5% vs 21% p<0.001), in younger patients (mean age 53+/-14 years vs 68.5+/-13 years p<0.001), in patients who had received the Moderna vaccine (58.5% p<0.001) and in which the time elapsed between vaccination and the performance of [18F]FDG-PET/CT was shorter. Conclusion(s): The appearance of post SARS-CoV2-vaccination reactive lymphadenopathies has been a frequent finding in [18F]FDG-PET/CT despite the main oncological indication of the study. Knowing the circumstances of these findings in oncological patients is important when interpreting them, so the use of a structured directed clinical interview has been very useful to help the physician understand and differentiate these findings.
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Background: The COVID-19 disease has represented one of the most important threats to health. The most severe form is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The inflammatory response can cause hematologic changes.
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Fear of discrimination and stigma has often led many LGBTQIA+ individuals to seek out health information and services online and rely on digital sources. Has the LGBTQIA+ community's heavy reliance on digital use prior to the COVID-19 pandemic lessened the impact on their experience in seeking health information and services compared to the general population? Were the already existing health disparities and inaccessibility issues exacerbated? An online survey study was conducted with 155 people who self-identified as LGBTQIA+. The goals were to investigate the technologies used by LGBTQIA+ individuals to manage their health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on how they used technology to find health information, seek health services, and interact with their providers. The challenges and barriers that LGBTQIA+ respondents experienced when accessing health information and services during the pandemicwere also identified, along with howthese challenges may be alleviated through new or improved technological and non-technological solutions. Our findings indicate an increased reliance on Internet-based health information seeking, mail order prescriptions, virtual appointments, and telehealth. Most participants were satisfiedwith the changes in format including the virtual platform used for interacting with healthcare providers. However, a substantial decrease or delay in healthcare and pharmaceutical access have been identified. We also found an increased, recurrent access to mental healthcare for coping with the pandemic. COVID-19 impacted almost every aspect of the LGBTQIA+ community's health.
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Fear of discrimination and stigma has often led many LGBTQIA+ individuals to seek out health information and services online and rely on digital sources. Has the LGBTQIA+ community’s heavy reliance on digital use prior to the COVID-19 pandemic lessened the impact on their experience in seeking health information and services compared to the general population? Were the already existing health disparities and inaccessibility issues exacerbated? An online survey study was conducted with 155 people who self-identified as LGBTQIA+. The goals were to investigate the technologies used by LGBTQIA+ individuals to manage their health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on how they used technology to find health information, seek health services, and interact with their providers. The challenges and barriers that LGBTQIA+ respondents experienced when accessing health information and services during the pandemic were also identified, along with how these challenges may be alleviated through new or improved technological and non-technological solutions. Our findings indicate an increased reliance on Internet-based health information seeking, mail order prescriptions, virtual appointments, and telehealth. Most participants were satisfied with the changes in format including the virtual platform used for interacting with healthcare providers. However, a substantial decrease or delay in healthcare and pharmaceutical access have been identified. We also found an increased, recurrent access to mental healthcare for coping with the pandemic. COVID-19 impacted almost every aspect of the LGBTQIA+ community’s health. © 2022, ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering.
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Background. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has demonstrated the need for streamlined workflows in high-throughput testing. In extraction-based testing, limited extraction reagents and required proprietary instrumentation may pose a bottleneck for labs. As a solution, ChromaCode developed a Direct Extraction protocol for the HDPCR™ SARS-CoV-2 Assay, distributed in accordance with the guidance on Policy for Coronavirus Disease-2019 Tests During the Public Health Emergency, Section IV.C., which allows for the processing of specimens without an extraction system. In lieu of an extraction system, the Direct Extraction protocol uses a thermal cycler to lyse and inactivate specimens which are directly added to the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Methods. The Limit of Detection (LoD), Clinical Performance, and effect of Interfering Substances was determined for the Direct Extraction protocol. The LoD was established on 6 PCR platforms with dilutions of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus spiked into residual, negative nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) matrix. Clinical performance was assessed with 48 positive and 50 negative frozen retrospective samples using the Direct Extraction protocol compared to an external Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) comparator assays (cobas® Liat® SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B assay and the Hologic Panther Fusion® SARS-CoV-2 Assay respectively) on three PCR platforms. The Direct Extraction protocol was evaluated for performance in the presence of 13 potentially interfering substances that can be present in a respiratory specimen. Results. The LoD of the Direct Extraction protocol ranges from 1000 - 3000 genomic equivalents (GE)/mL. The clinical performance of the assay was 95.8% positive agreement (95% CI of 84.6% - 99.3%) and 100% negative agreement (95% CI of 90.9% - 100% or 91.1% - 100%) across all three PCR platforms tested. The viral target was detected at 3X LoD for all interferents tested. Conclusion. The Direct Extraction protocol of ChromaCode's SARS-CoV-2 Assay is a sensitive test that eliminates the need for sample extraction and performs very well against traditional extraction-based workflows. The inclusion of this protocol can reduce costs, reliance on extraction systems, and time associated with extraction-based protocols.
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Introduction: The exhaustive registry of COVID-19 cases in patients with IBD is a unique opportunity to learn how to deal with this infection, especially in reference to the management of immunosuppressive treatment, isolation measures or if the disease is more severe in IBD patients due to immunosuppression. Aims & Methods: Aims: The aims of this study were to know the incidence and characteristics of COVID-19 in the ENEIDA cohort during the first wave of the pandemic;the outcomes among those under immunosuppressants/ biologics for IBD;the risk factors for contracting the infection and poor outcomes;and the impact of the infection after three-month followup. Methods: Prospective observational cohort study of all IBD patients with COVID-19 included in the ENEIDA registry (with 60.512 patients in that period) between March and July 2020, with at least 3 months of follow-up. Any patient with a confirmed (by PCR or SARS-CoV-2 serology) or probable (suggestive clinical picture) infection was considered as a case. Results: A total of 482 patients with COVID-19 from 63 centres were included: 247 Crohn's disease, 221 ulcerative colitis and 14 unclassified colitis;median age 52 years (IQR: 42-61), 48% women and 44% 1 comorbidity. Diagnosis was made by PCR: 62% and serology: 35%. The most frequent symptoms: fever (69%), followed by cough (63%) and asthenia (38%). During lockdown 78% followed strict isolation. 35% required hospital admission (ICU: 2.7%) and 12% fulfilled criteria for SIRS upon admission. 18 patients died from COVID-19 (mortality:3.7%). 12% stop IBD medication during COVID-19. At 3 months, taken into account all included cases, 76% were in remission of IBD. Age 50 years (OR 2.09;95% CI:1.27-3.4;p=0.004), 1 comorbidities (OR 2.28;95% CI:1.4-3.6;p=0.001), and systemic steroids <3 months before infection (OR 1.3;95%CI:1-1.6;p= 0.003), were risk factors for hospitalisation due to COVID-19. A Charlson score 2 (OR 5.4;95%CI:1.5-20.1;p=0.01) was associated with ICU admission. Age 60 years (OR 7.1;95%CI:1.8-27.4;p=0.004) and having 2 comorbidities (OR 3.9;95% CI:1.3-11.6;p=0.01) were risk factors for COVID- 19 related death. Conclusion: IBD does not seem to worsen the prognosis of COVID-19, even when immunosuppressants and biological drugs are used. Age and comorbidity are the most important prognostic factors for more severe COVID-19 in IBD patients.
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Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in the world, employing one in ten people worldwide and providing work for hundreds of millions more (UNWTO, 2020). And in Spain its importance is vital. It is the second receiving country for tourists (UNWTO, 2019). With the arrival of Covid-19, the global tourism industry is suffering unimaginable consequences a few weeks before its appearance. The arrival of this pandemic has meant that tourism, in all its aspects, has disappeared in this country, to the point that vi tal and bustling cities thanks to tourism are currently deserted. The objective of this article is to make known the opinions of managers and professionals of hotels and restaurants throughout Spain on this anomalous situation that, according to forecasts, will completely alter tour ism as it has been developing until now.
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Background and Aims: Hyperlipidemia by itself without the concurrence of other major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, for it aggregates more inflammation to the process and thus leading higher probable cytokine storm. In rare cases of COVID 19 patients without these factors the outcome is better but the literature is scarce on the topic. The aim of this work is to look at the prevalence of outcomes in these patients with only hyperlipidemia and in cases in which only one risk factor is associated. Methods: From January to December 2020, 758 COVID 19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit at a hospital in Sao Paulo and 315 had indication of hemodyalisis. COVID 19 patients were classified as to Dyslipidemia, Hypertension and Diabetes and sequentially reclassified as Hyperlipidemia (DLP) alone, DLP plus Hypertension and DLP plus Diabetes. Results: As of October the outcome of these patients were discharged was in May 2020 and December, respectively, for DLP of 2 and 20%;DLP plus Diabetes of 15 and 7%;DLP and Hypertension of 15 and 7% was 3.7% and in December the second wave brought it up to 8.3%. Association with Hypertension was in 230 cases. Diabetes coincided with lipid abnormalities in 169 cases. Outcome was better when only one factor coincided with only one more risk factor. Conclusions: COVID 19 patients in ICU have better outcomes when submitted to Hemodialysis if the number of patients with only Diabetes or Hypertension be present risk factors associated to lipid disorders are less.
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Studying the satisfaction of students with respect to the educational experience lived at the time of COVID-19 will facilitate making decisions to optimize the educational service. The quality assessment criteria in virtual university education in an institution (1UADLA) were described. The methodology was exploratory-descriptive, the sample made up of 159 subjects, a questionnaire was applied in Google Form, analyzed with descriptive statistics and a discussion forum on the educational platform, interpreted with Content Analysis. The questionnaire showed student satisfaction when evaluating the dimensions Instructional Design, Teacher's Role, Technology and Organization. The data obtained from the forum revealed little satisfaction due to connectivity problems, absence of competencies for virtual education, multiplicity of distractors, lower quality of learning.
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Background and importance During the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, many pathologies have not been diagnosed and/or treated in hospitals because most of the material and human resources have been allocated to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 as well as to preventing the spread of the virus. In the case of oncological and haematological patients, the first analyses show that a significant number of Spanish patients have had delays in starting their treatments and interruptions, according to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM). Aim and objectives The objective was to analyse the evolution of the care activity provided to oncohaematological patients with hospital dispensation of oral chemotherapy in the pharmacy service of a Spanish hospital during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Material and methods A retrospective descriptive study was carried out. It included all patients who attended the oncohaematological dispensation area of the pharmacy service between March and June 2020. Results were compared with the same period in the previous year (2019). Results The total number of dispensations during the 4 months of the study was 2182 patients in 2019 and 2155 in 2020, so the total reduction in the number of patients was not significant (1.24% lower). However, during April and May, coinciding with the critical point of the quarantine period, the largest differences occurred: 11.6% and 18.4%, respectively, with a total of 545/482 and 615/503 patients. During April and May, initiation of treatments decreased by 33.33% and 39.47% compared with the same months in the previous year, and treatment continuations showed a reduction of 9.7% and 16.9%. These results confirm the data published by the SEOM regarding the delay in the initiation and discontinuation in certain patients. Delays in initial care and diagnosis are especially worrisome because of the consequences they can have on the evolution and prognosis of patients. Conclusion and relevance The results showed a reduction of almost 40% in the initiation of treatments during the main months of quarantine in Spain. The delay in starting treatment highlights the risk. Telematic visits and the possibility of electronic drug prescription have partially controlled this attention deficit.
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Background and Aims: Markers of inflamation and thrombosis have been well documented in patients with COVID19.Our aim is to study the muscle markers as Troponin and Creatine Kinase in COVID19 patients and find out the connections among them and possibly with other of their parameters. Methods: A total of 345 seriously affected COVID19 patients were admitted to a tertiary hospital from February to July 2020.Their mean age was 63,4years,being 61percent male and on hemodyalisis.Their clicnical,anthropometric, laboratory values and therapies were the basis for the construction of a data bank with 16700 informations.Statistical analysis was perdormed on the R system,due to the large size of data and for the sake of correlations being done among all the measurements. Results: Having CK as reference variable,in descending order,the associations were with CKMB,CRP,Creatinine,D Dimer,LDH,Diabetes,BMI,Fibrinogen and Hypertension.When the marked variable was Troponin, associations were CKMB,LDH,DDimer,CK,Diabetes,Fibrinogen,Creatinine,Dyslipidemia,CRP,BMI,Race,Hypertension and Statin use. Conclusions: Associations of muscle markers as Troponin and CK were found with all inflammation and thrombosis markers aswell as factors such as Race,Diabetes,Hypertension,Dyslipidemia,BMI and Statins are interrelated in COVID19 infection.The large spectrum of concomitant alterations caused by the same disease demonstrates that these factors are not altered independently but by one and the same infectious agent.