ABSTRACT
Background. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of hospitalizations in older adults and typically circulates during the fall and winter in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic and implementation of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) including masking, improved handwashing, and social distancing likely impacted RSV circulation. To explore the pandemic's impact on RSV seasonality and hospitalizations in adults aged >=18 years, we analyzed laboratory-confirmed RSV-associated hospitalizations through the RSV Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RSV-NET) across four seasons. Methods. RSV-NET is a population-based surveillance system that collects data on RSV-associated hospitalizations across 75 counties in 12 states. An RSV-NET case is a resident of a defined catchment area who tests positive for RSV through a clinician-ordered test within 14 days prior to or during hospitalization. Surveillance was conducted October-April for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 pre-pandemic seasons and October 2020-September 2021 (2020-21 season). Available data October 2021-February 2022 (ongoing 2021-22 season) are presented. Results. 2,536, 3,195, 618, and 1,758 laboratory-confirmed hospitalizations were identified in adults >=18 years in 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22, respectively;case counts were 4.1 and 5.2 times higher in 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively, than in 2020-2021. Hospitalizations peaked in January for pre-pandemic and 2021-22 seasons and in September for 2020-21 (Figure). For all years combined, 16.2%, 23.4%, 33.3%, and 27.1% of all RSV-associated hospitalizations were among those aged 18-49, 50-64, 65-79 and >=80 years, respectively. Laboratory-confirmed RSV-associated hospitalizations in adults >=18 years, October 2018 - February 2022 Conclusion. Laboratory-confirmed RSV-associated hospitalizations in adults were lower during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons compared with pre-pandemic seasons, with a marked change in seasonal patterns in 2020-21, likely because of NPIs implemented during the pandemic. Continued monitoring of RSV-associated hospitalizations will be critical to understand ongoing changes in RSV circulation that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated NPIs. (Figure Presented).
ABSTRACT
In this international year of basic sciences for sustainable development and the edition of the special issue of challenges for sustainable development in the journal TJES. It is of interest to review how the sustainable development index has evolved according to the global fulfillment of the development goals (SDGs) in the world (2000-2022). It was found that since the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and subsequently the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were proposed, the greatest increase in the index was reported in periods prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the continents, the European continent is positioned with the highest SDGs index values, mainly the countries of Finland, Sweden, and Denmark (≥85 points). The continent with the lowest index is Africa (38-70). The values of the index in the years 2019-2022, present the highest positive correlation when comparing its value between the countries of each continent, i.e. COVID-19 period affected the progress of sustainable development. The current state of the indicator reflects that there are still countries in each continent where mechanisms must be generated to evolve in the fulfillment of the objectives set out in the 2030 agenda and thus increase the global index of sustainable development for the post-COVID-19 era. © 2022, ATLAS. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID19 pandemic has affected persons dietary habits and life style, with effects on body weight. We have assessed the effect of the pandemic on the liver health by quantifying the changes in liver enzymes, hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease. Methods: This is a multi-center US study that included 3 tertiary clinical centers. Patients with chronic liver disease (51 NAFLD, 8 with resolved hepatitis C, 3 chronic hepatitis B, 5 primary biliary cholangitis and 36 combination of chronic liver disease), without evidence of an acute process (e.g. alcoholic hepatitis, alcohol abuse or new decompensation of cirrhosis), were enrolled. Patients were assessed between January and March 2020 and January and March 2021. Assessment included laboratory tests and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) on vibration transient elastography (VCTE). Results: 103 patients were assessed twice during the two periods. Baseline mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 37 ± 36 (SD) U/L;aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 30 ± 18 U/L;total bilirubin 0.6 ± 0.31 mg/dL;albumin, 4.2 ± 0.72 g/dL;CAP score 293 ± 70 dB/m;and LSM on VCTE 8.1 ±6.2 kPa. Weight gain occurred in 54% of the population, whereas 39% lost weight, and 7% had no weight change. LSM increased by >20% in 30% of subjects;decreased by 20% in 27%;and remained within the 20% range in 43%. LSM increase by 20% was associated with significant weight gain and ALT increase (+2.3 ± 6.5 kg, and +17 ± 49.U/L (p<0.05)), in comparison to subjects who had their LSM changes within 20% range (+1.1 (3.7) kg, and -5.3 ±22.0 U/L) or had >20% decrease in LSM (-0.3 ±5.8 kg, and -6.0 ±21 U/L). CAP score median change was -2.9 ±85 dB/m in those who had LSM increase by >20%, whereas the score changed by 0.0 ± 44 dB/m in those who had LSM changes within 20% or 1.0 ± 58 dB/m in those >20% decrease. Conclusion: During the COVID 19 pandemic in this U.S. population, more than half of subjects with chronic liver disease gained weight, but others had no change or decreased weight. Adverse liver changes (LSM>20% and increased ALT) occurred in one-third of the population.