ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the potential contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor settled dust and surfaces of Amir Al-Muminin hospital in Maragheh, Iran. Samples were taken from surfaces and settled dust using a passive approach and particulate matter (PM) using an active approach from different hospital wards. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 15% of settled dust samples (N = 4/26) and 10% of surface samples (3/30). SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in 13.8% and 9.1% of the dust samples collected at a distance of fewer than 1 m and more than 3 m from the patient bed, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 was found in 11% of surface samples from low-touch surfaces and 8% from high touch surfaces. The relationship between PM2.5, PM10, humidity, temperature, and positive samples of SARS-CoV-2 was investigated. A positive correlation was observed between relative humidity, PM2.5, and positive SARS-CoV-2 samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested positive correlation between positive SARS-CoV-2 samples, relative humidity, and PM2.5. Risk assessment results indicated that the annual mean infection risk of SARS-CoV-2 for hospital staff with illness and death was 2.6 × 10-2 and 7.7 × 10-4 per person per year. Current findings will help reduce the permanence of viral particles in the COVID 19 tragedy and future similar pandemics e.g., novel influenza viruses.
ABSTRACT
Context: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were found to have the higher intestinal expression of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme2 (ACE2) that could consequently increase susceptibility to COVID-19 infection.Objective: This study reports the outcomes of COVID-19 infection in a large cohort of IBD patients. We compare levels of serum ACE and IFN-α between COVID19 patients with and without IBD. We performed a cross-sectional retrospective multicenter study.Methods: We enrolled patients with IBD screened for SARS-COV-2 in six medical centres in Iran from June to November 2020. The blood samples were drawn to measure COVID-19 IgM and IgG, and serum levels of sACE2, sACE1, and interferon-α, regardless of suspicious symptoms have done the molecular test.Results: A total of 534 IBD patients were included in the study. Of these, 109 (20.0%) cases had detectable IgG and IgM against SARS-CoV-2. sACE2 levels were higher in IBD patients than controls, whereas ACE1and IFN-α levels were similar among groups.
ABSTRACT
Evidence on a comprehensive greenspace exposure assessment on primary school children is scarce yet. Therefore, we aimed to assess a comprehensive greenspace exposure on primary school children and their behavioral function. We assessed different aspects of exposure to greenspace as well as behavioral function in 704 primary school children in Sabzevar, Iran, during the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., 22 September 2020 to 10 March 2021). The greenspace indicators were including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in 100, 300 and 500m buffers around children's homes based on Landsat 8 images with 30 × 30 m resolution, residential proximity to green space based on the Euclidean distance of the geocoded residential address to (i) the nearest green space of any area and (ii) the nearest green space with an area of at least 5000m2 (i.e., major green space) based on land use map of the study area, time spent in public and private green spaces, number of plant pots at home and visual access to greenspace based on a prepared questionnaire. The behavioral development of primary school children was assessed using a Persian online validated version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) filled by parents.