ABSTRACT
The global pandemic of disease COVID-19 caused by the pathogenic SARS-Cov-2 virus brought more interest in the public health community for known silver with its potential antimicrobial properties to fight infection. One of the ways to stop virus to protect community transmission is the application of nanotechnology of silver nanoparticles on the exposed surfaces of daily used materials in public, e.g., transportation, community spaces, hospitals, and everywhere where the potential infection load is increased. Published technology to coat AgNPs on surfaces differs in the preparation of nanocomposites and substrates, which results in different mechanical and antimicrobial properties. In our study, we focused on the properties of AgNPs prepared by HiTUS and PVD technology with a challenge to test the antimicrobial effect towards the model of gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), fungi (Trichoderma harzianum) and related enteroviruses (Poliovirus and Coxsackie). All tested materials showed 59% or more growth inhibition of E. coli. Growth of T. harzianum was inhibited by 16% in the presence of AgTiB2 50W, and other materials caused 37% to 68% inhibition. Enteroviruses infection was completely inhibited after 1 hour of AgNPs treatment. Only Coxsackie A7 retained infection capability after 30 minutes of treatment with AgNPs. Moreover, the ICP-OES-measured amounts of silver released in cultivation media are lower than most published studies of silver nanoparticles with a comparable antimicrobial effect. Keeping silver concentration at the lowest possible limit is one of the most critical factors for producing environmentally safe antimicrobial materials for everyday use.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The Peruvian Social Security during the COVID-19 pandemic implemented a psychosocial remote care program for older adults in order to improve their quality of life and prevent the development of mental problems. The study: Analysis of secondary data from records generated by teams from the Senior Centers at the national level between May and October 2020, with the aim to describe the experience of implementing Psychosocial telemonitoring and teleorientation for elderly patients during COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: A total of 154 280 follow-ups and 36 492 remote care services were provided to older adults. The main interventions provided were emotional support (75.5%) and social counseling (53.8%). The most recorded moods were calmness and worry. Feelings of worry, stress, sadness, and fear are higher in the reports with COVID-19 compared to those without COVID-19. Conclusion: Psychosocial telemonitoring and teleorientation for older adults can be used as another way to provide comprehensive care in elderly population. © 2022 by the Author(s).
ABSTRACT
This review presents evidence available up to June 2020 dealing with the effects from obesity as a possible factor increasing mortality in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. Quality for most of the studies was good according to the Newcastle Ottawa scale (7/9 or higher). Studies reported follow-up periods between February 6th up to May 17th, 2020. In patients with COVID-19, obesity was a risk factor for mortality. Obese persons should be treated as a high-risk population, and preventive measures against transmission of the aforementioned infection must be intensified, and specialized assistance must be given to confirmed COVID-19 cases.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To describe prenatal and post-natal clinical features of neonates born from mothers with COVID-19 including 14-day follow-up post discharge. Methods: Case series of neonates attended at Hospital Guillermo Almenara born from mothers infected with COVID-19 during the lockdown implemented by the Peruvian government. Neonates were divided in two groups based on positivity of the nasopharyngeal PCR test. Results: 201 pregnant women with COVID-19 diagnosed by rapid tests who delivered 206 neonates were identified;4 of these neonates had positive nasopharyngeal PCR tests. Pregnants infected with COVID-19 were younger than non-infected, but no differences were observed in route of delivery, sex of the newborn and body weight at birth. Two hundred and five neonates were discharged one week after birth ;181 neonates with negative nasopharyngeal negative PCR tests and 4 neonates with a positive PCR test were followed for 14 days, none presented symptoms and received mixed lactation. Conclusions: Neonates born from mother infected with COVID-19 had minimal risk of getting the infection and their pre and post-natal development will not be affected despite of having a positive PCR test.
ABSTRACT
Objectives. To explore factors that influence the acceptance or reluctance to COVID-19 vaccination using qualitative methods. Materials and methods. Descriptive qualitative study conducted between April and June 2021. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore the perceptions of participants from different regions of Peru regarding COVID-19 vaccination. The Health Belief Model was used as theoretical framework and its dimensions are: susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and cues to action. Results. We interviewed 30 people, mostly were women. For the participants, the efficacy of vaccines is related to the country of origin of the vaccines;in addition, they consider that it is important to know the long-term effects on health after vaccination. The information received by governmental and health authorities can be a decisive factor for vaccination. People with the intention of not being vaccinated feel that vaccination promotion strategies violate their human rights. Conclusions. There is a group of people undecided or unsure about receiving COVID-19 vaccines who need to be encouraged according to their concerns and needs. Governmental and health authorities should work together to improve the confidence of the population and provide messages to clarify doubts about the efficacy and adverse reactions of vaccines. Copyright © 2022, Instituto Nacional de Salud. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Objetive: To evaluate the quality of life of older adults who belong to the Seniors Centers (CAM) of the Social Security during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: Data were collected through telephone calls to older adults aged 60 years and over in the CAM. Quality of life was assessed with the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire, which considers the dimensions of mobility, self-care, activities of daily living, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression and an analog scale from 0 to 100. The presence of depression, anxiety, comorbidities and functional status were also measured. A bivariate analysis with nonparametric tests was performed to assess the association between covariates and the quality of life analog scale. In addition, a simple regression analysis was performed using generalized linear models of the Poisson family to evaluate variables associated with the presence of problems in the quality of life dimensions. Results: A total of 99 older adults participated, mostly women (84.9%) and with an average age of 73.1 years, 83.3% had a higher education level and 86.7% lived with their spouse. Older adults with obesity, lung disease, inability to manage their own money, feeling fatigued, and hearing problems reported a lower than average score (<78.9) on the analogous quality of life scale. Osteoarticular diseases and feeling fatigued increase the likelihood of having problems with mobility, performing daily activities, and pain/discomfort. Conclusions: Older adults quality of life is influenced by multiple factors that must be addressed to improve their physical and mental well-being. © 2021 Medical Body of the Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo National Hospital.