ABSTRACT
The atmospheric aerosols and air pollutants affect the earth's atmosphere, human health and climate system. Human-induced aerosols and air pollutants are the major causes of the deterioration of air quality. The COVID-19 lockdown restricted the movement of people and vehicles, stopped industrial and agricultural activities and may have impacts on the aerosols in the atmosphere. Spatio-temporal map of MODIS Terra AOD_550 nm, OMI Aura UVAI, Ozone, NO2, SO2 and AIRS CO during the lockdown illustrates the significant reduction in their concentration. During the lockdown, the North India shows a record reduction of over 20% in Aerosol Optical Depth and Aerosol Index values. A substantial decrease in AOD and AI was also observed in Eastern and Western parts of India. The average AOD value were reduced from 1.36 (2016–2019) to 1.09 (2020) over India during the lockdown. The satellite-retrieved aerosol variables over India recorded lowest AOD values on 29th March, 2020 (0.2566) and 21st April 2020 (0.2591). Similarly, air pollutants CO, NO2 and SO2 also significantly reduced in India. Despite all variables showing a reduction in concentration, Ozone recorded an increase in value during lockdown primarily over North and North-eastern parts of India. Western India recorded a substantial reduction in SO2 (47%) followed by Central India (31%). As pan India is considered, CO was reduced by 1%, NO2 reduced by 15.29% and SO2 was reduced by 26.82% during the lockdown period. This abrupt reduction in aerosol and air pollutants concentration over India was mainly due to the lockdown of COVID-19. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Korea Spatial Information Society.
ABSTRACT
The government of India has launched a web portal to register and schedule appointments for COVID-19 vaccination. This paper illustrates an android app model through which people can get notified about available slots according to their filters (age-group, dose type, vaccine name, centers). The proposed app checks for available slots for every given time in the background. Users can schedule their appointment and also enable/disable notifications at any time in the app. The project is developed in android studio. The data source is API Setu, and for client side, Java, XML, and SQLite are used. Software Development Life Cycle model and testing methods are used during the development process. ER diagram, message sequence chart, and flow chart have been shown for database, some important functions, and development process, respectively. The project developed is highly efficient, lightweight, and user-friendly. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Anshul Verma, Pradeepika Verma, Kiran Kumar Pattanaik and Lalit Garg;individual chapters, the contributors.
ABSTRACT
The direct effect of pandemic induced lockdown (LD) on environment is widely explored, but its secondary impacts remain largely unexplored. Therefore, we assess the response of surface greenness and photosynthetic activity to the LD-induced improvement of air quality in India. Our analysis reveals a significant improvement in air quality marked by reduced levels of aerosols (AOD, -19.27%) and Particulate Matter (PM 2.5, -23%) during LD (2020)from pre-LD (March-September months for the period 2017-2019). The vegetation exhibits a positive response, reflected by the increase in surface greenness [Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI, +10.4%)] and photosynthetic activity [Solar Induced Fluorescence (SiF, +11%)], during LD from pre-LD that coincides with two major agricultural seasons of India; Zaid (March-May) and Kharif (June-September). In addition, the croplands show a higher response [two-fold in EVI (14.45%) and four-fold in SiF (17.7%)] than that of forests. The prolonged growing period (phenology) and high rate of photosynthesis (intensification) led to the enhanced greening during LD owing to the reduced atmospheric pollution. This study, therefore, provides new insights into the response of vegetation to the improved air quality, which would give ideas to counter the challenges of food security in the context of climate pollution, and combat global warming by more greening.
ABSTRACT
After recovery from COVID-19, a person may become infected again due to reactivation of the virus inside the human body or reinfection with a genetically distinct mutant virus owing to reinfection. The COVID-19 reinfection has been recorded all around the world, albeit it is still uncommon. The reinfection with COVID-19 raises several questions about virus characteristics such as mutation, growth, functioning, and transmissibility, level and durability of immunity, diagnosis, therapy, and efficacy of vaccine(s) on genetically modified viruses and their durability and safety. This chapter focuses on various aspects of COVID-19 reinfection, including its severity, frequency, immunopathogenesis, immune responses, effect on vaccine development, Corona waves and herd immunity, management and prevention strategies. COVID-19 reinfections are often asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, and are milder than first infections, with a few exceptions. The management of reinfection should be the same as the treatment of the first COVID-19 infection. The deep, extensive, rapid and real-time whole-genome sequencing studies, as well as an enhanced vaccination drive, and rigorous adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behavior, would be critical in limiting the severity of transmission and reinfection. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) is important comorbidity associated with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Multiple studies have shown that ATTR-CM was present in 10-15% of all cases with severe AS. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to raise awareness of ATTR-CM in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe AS amongst the healthcare providers and patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all TAVR cases performed at our institution in 2019 (Total cases 87). We screened for the presence of predefined high-risk features for ATTR-CM based on prior literature (Presence of diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiogram, low voltage-mass ratio, low limb lead voltage on EKG, arrhythmia/bundle branch block, or systemic symptoms of amyloidosis). We subsequently contacted the patients to discuss our clinical suspicion of ATTR-CM and offered clinical referral to a cardiac amyloid specialist. Results: Of the total of 87 patients who underwent TAVR in 2019, 12 patients were deceased at chart review. We have identified 50 patients (66.7%) who had high-risk features of ATTR-CM. A total of 17 patients (34% of 50 patients) agreed to be referred to cardiac amyloid specialist. Six patients (12%) were tested with 99m Technetium Pyrophosphate imaging, and all were negative for ATTR-CM. Eleven patients (22%) are still pending testing. Six patients did not wish for referral due to personal reasons. We were not able to reach 15 patients via phone (30%). In addition, we have found additional 12 patients who were deceased (Total mortality count of 24, 27.5%) in two years. Conclusion: Our project has increased awareness within structural cardiologists as we have implemented a prospective screening process within our institution. While we expected to diagnose ATTR-CM in 10% of severe AS who underwent TAVR, we had multiple difficulties contacting them, coordinating referrals due to the COVID-19 pandemic and higher 2-year mortality. We are hypothesizing whether the higher 2-year mortality is secondary to undetected ATTR-CM. We are planning for screening and timely referral for patients who underwent TAVR more recently.
ABSTRACT
Efficient management of an epidemic requires identification and isolation of infected individuals from healthy population to curb community spread of the pathogen. Therefore, a faster and efficient diagnostic method for population screening is desirable to flatten the curve of daily raise of cases. This will also help medical professional to treat the epidemic efficiently. The COVID 19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus poses a huge challenge to human being and the countries with high-density population are facing unique challenges. For the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) emerging as a gold standard for the identification of infection;however, infrastructure requirement for this assay is at a high-demand and therefore, resources are not abundant. We, therefore, propose a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based sensitive method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The pipeline discussed in the paper will broaden the scope of control and surveillance of COVID 19 in a high-throughput manner without a sophisticated diagnostic infrastructure.
ABSTRACT
Context: COVID-19 outbreak has had a huge impact on health-care facilities, and challenges of health-care providers would compromise their physical and mental well-being during this epidemic. Aims: This study aimed to find out stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression among the health-care workers during COVID-19 outbreak. Settings and Design: This was a 3-month, cross-sectional, observational, single-center study of health-care workers of designated COVID-19 hospital. Subjects and Methods: Study objectives were explained to health-care workers, and written consent was obtained. Participants were approached in their department as per their convenience and requested to fill the pro forma. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 and Insomnia Severity Index were used to detect psychological issues in the form of stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used for analysis of variables in the study. Results: Overall 27.41% and 29.18% of the health-care workers reported stress and anxiety symptoms, respectively, while 18.78% reported clinically significant insomnia and depression. Among them, being female, married, elderly, presence of medical illness, frontline workers, frequently watching COVID news, and excessive fear of COVID emerged as statistically significant variables associated with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Conclusions: Health-care workers experienced many mental health issues while performing duties during COVID-19 outbreak. Such issues are alarming and need to be addressed with appropriate health-care policy.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted physical health, wellbeing, and mental health, which has a disastrous effect on the health system. Among disorders emerging in the aftermath of a disaster, depression is the second most common. Aim: The current study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) at two-time points in individuals who have been hospitalized for the treatment of COVID 19. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was carried out from May 2020 to October 2020 at a tertiary care center among patients discharged after recovery from novel coronavirus (COVID 19). A diagnostic clinical interview was conducted to diagnose MDD, and its severity in patients who had recovered from COVID 19 using 'Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)' at the time of discharge and 1 month after their discharge from the hospital. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used for the analysis, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 440 participants participated in the study. Out of them, 30.90% of participants met the criteria for MDD at the time of discharge and 19.5% at 1 month post-discharge. Participants who stayed for more than 14 days, were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) and those with co-morbid medical illness had a higher prevalence of MDD. Conclusion: High prevalence of MDD was observed at the time of discharge among hospitalized participants. Longer duration of hospital stay and admission in ICU is associated with more unpleasant events, subsequently resulting in higher rates of morbidity, such as depression. © 2021 Archives of Mental Health ;Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
ABSTRACT
Unexpected situation of coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic could increase the incidence of mental health problems such as psychotic disorders and other mental health problems. Psychotic disorders can occur as a result of quarantine social isolation. Herewith, we present a case of 30-year-old male with onset of brief psychotic disorder after quarantine. The patient was treated with risperidone and had rapid improvement. Quarantine leads to stress and social isolation in individuals, which can result in psychosis. There is a need of early detection and intervention services to improve the outcome of psychosis due to quarantine.
ABSTRACT
Aims: Study aimed to find out the prevalence and risk factors of depression among the health care workers during COVID-19 outbreak. Methods and Material: This was a four month, cross-sectional, observational, single center study of heath care workers of a notified COVID-19 hospital. Study objectives were explained to health care workers, and written consent was obtained. Patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), DSM-5 criterion of major depressive disorder and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 were used to diagnose the depression. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and Binary logistic regression were used for analysis of variables Results: Overall 18.78% health workers reported major depressive disorder. Nearly three fourth of the old age participants had moderate to severe depression. 20.69% of married subjects had major depression. Medical health workers reported more depression. One third of the front line workers had major depression. 51% of the participants with medical co-morbidities reported major depression as compared to only 12% in those without any medical co-morbidity.33% of subjects watching COVID-19 news very frequently in a day had major depression Discussion: The prevalence of depression ranges from 9 to 35% in various studies. Among them living in joint family, married, elderly, presence of medical illness, frontline work, frequently watching COVID-19 news, excessive fear of COVID-19, and medical health worker emerged as statistically significant variables associated with major depression Conclusions: The prevalence of depression is high among health care workers while performing duties during COVID-19 outbreak. Early diagnosis and treatment of depression would be crucial during this difficult time. © 2021 Polish Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.