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Background: During COVID-19 pandemic, the pattern of hospital admissions for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been changing, and increased mortality and morbidity is being noted in these patients. Patient may present with acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis simulating a presentation like STEMI, coronary spasm, myocardial injury not fulfilling the criteria of type 1 & type 2 acute MI and cardiomyopathy. In this study we have tried to determine some important differences among the patients presented with STEMI during The COVID-19 pandemic versus non-COVID-19 era. Method(s): This prospective observational study was carried out in National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute from 8thMarch,2019 to 7th March, 2021. Total 2531 patients were included. The study populations were divided into two groups. Group I: Acute STEMI patients presenting during pre COVID period (n=1385). Group II: Acute STEMI patients presenting during COVID period (n=1146). COVID period was calculated from 8th march, 2020 onward as first case of COVID -19 was detected on that day in Bangladesh. All patients presented with Acute STEMI was included in the study however NSTEMI-ACS, Unstable angina were excluded from the study. Result(s): Male was predominant in both groups. Regarding risk factors Hypertension, Obesity and family H/O of CAD was statistically significant (p<0.05). Acute STEMI patients presented lately during COVID-19 period probably due to lock down& lack of transport facility. Regarding coronary artery disease severity, vessel score was more during COVID period. SV-CAD were more during pre COVID period while DV-CAD & TV-CAD were more during COVID period. Gensini score was also calculated among the study populations, it was 57.21+/-28.42 and 63.16+/- 40.43respectively in group I and group I, which was statistically significant. Regarding treatment options of the patients, primary PCI was less during COVID period, however medical management, elective PCI and Thrombolysis were more during COVID era. Regarding in hospital outcome, acute LVF, cardiogenic shock were more during COVID period which were also statistically significant. [Formula presented] [Formula presented] Conclusion(s): During COVID -19, STEMI patients presented lately in comparison to pre COVID period. Coronary artery Disease were more severe during COVID period as evaluated by Vessel Score & Gensini Score. During COVID -19 period majority of patients got medical management& routine PCI were done more in comparison to primary PCI. In Hospital outcome of STEMI was worse during COVID-19 period in terms of acute LVF & cardiogenic shock. [Formula presented] [Formula presented] [Formula presented]Copyright © 2023
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Background: Almost the whole world is observing a pandemic like never before in the last century, affecting the human lifestyle and economies known as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). A new severe acute respiratory syndrome that has emerged in China in late 2019 and spread in more than 210 countries makes a global health care emergency. Objective(s): Considering the epidemiological features of COVID-19, it is crucial to prevent the spread of such a highly infectious disease through effective control methods such as early detec-tion, isolation, and treatment strategies. Conclusion(s): This review highlights the SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes among communities and control measures, improving the quarantine and isolation of infected individuals. The "gold stan-dard" molecular and other rapid diagnostic tests used to detect SARS-CoV-2 with their benefits and limitations have been reported. Several repurposed drugs, including antivirals trailed for COVID-19 patients, and supportive treatments, such as general, cellular, and immune therapies with the role of vitamins in the safe deployment for COVID-19 patients, have been discussed. Fi-nally, the review also encompasses an overview and update about the recent development of COVID-19 vaccines and ongoing clinical studies, providing further research advances.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.
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The outcomes of tocilizumab (recombinant monoclonal antibody inhibiting IL-6) in SARS-CoV-2 infection have been variable, with REMAP-CAP and RECOVERY being the largest trials to show benefits. In this prospective, observational study we compared tocilizumab plus standard care (dexamethasone) vs standard care alone in patients with severe COVID-19 infection. Eligibility criteria included patients (age >18 years) with radiological evidence of COVID-19 Pneumonia, PO2/FiO2 (PF) ratio of <300 mmHg and an inflammatory phenotype defined by raised CRP, IL-6 and Ferritin. The primary outcome was a composite of mechanical ventilation and death. A total of 36 patients were included in this study, 27 in the treatment group and 9 in the standard care group. The treatment arm received tocilizumab 8mg/kg (maximum 800mg) as a single infusion within the first 24 hours of respiratory deterioration (identified as worsening RR and PF ratio). Results showed significantly lower mortality rate in the tocilizumab group compared to standard care group (3% vs 33% respectively, p=0.013). Patients who received tocilizumab were also less likely to progress to mechanical ventilation, with only 3.7% of the treatment group requiring mechanical ventilation vs 44% in the control group (p=0.002). Our findings support the use of tocilizumab in severe COVID-19 infection when given early in respiratory deterioration. The predominant variant at the time of this study was the Alpha variant, and so further investigation is required into its effectiveness in newer variants. Limitations include small sample size.
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This study aims to examine the impact of ESG practices on the financial performance of the banking industry of Pakistan during the pre and COVID-19 periods. The data were collected from the annual reports of selected banks for the pre-COVID-19 period (2018) and the COVID-19 period (2020). Results of the t-test show that there is a significant difference in ESG disclosures between the pre and during-COVID-19 periods. The regression analysis shows that the formative ESG factor positively affected the financial performance of the banking industry during the pre-COVID-19 period. While the reflective factors (environmental and social) positively affected the financial performance of the banking industry in the pre-COVID-19 period. During the COVID-19 period, the formative factor of ESG was found to have a significant positive impact on the financial performance of the banking industry. Similarly, in this period, the reflective factors (social and governance) were also found to have a significant positive impact on the financial performance of the banking industry. Interestingly, environmental sustainability negatively impacted the financial performance during the COVID-19 period. It indicates that the banking industry ignored environmental sustainability practices during the COVID −19 period, negatively affecting their financial performance. It suggests that ignoring environmental sustainability practices will deteriorate financial performance following the COVID-19 period. These results have profound policy implications for practitioners and policymakers in the banking industry, which are discussed. © 2023 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.
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Background. Adenovirus (AdV) is a common cause of acute respiratory illness (ARI). Multiple respiratory AdV types have been identified in humans, but it remains unclear which are the most common in U.S. children with ARI. Methods. We conducted a multicenter, prospective viral surveillance study at seven U.S. children's hospitals, the New Vaccine Surveillance Network, during 12/1/ 16-11/30/19, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Children < 18 years of age seen in the emergency department or hospitalized with fever and/or respiratory symptoms were enrolled, and mid-turbinate nasal +/- throat swabs were tested using multiplex respiratory pathogen assays or real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for AdV, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV), influenza, parainfluenza viruses, and endemic coronaviruses. AdV-positive specimens were subsequently typed using single-plex qPCR assays targeting sequences in the hexon gene specific for types 1-7, 11, 14, 16 and 21. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were compared between AdV types. Results. Of 29,381 enrolled children, 2,106 (7.2%) tested positive for AdV. The distribution of types among the 1,330 (63.2%) successfully typed specimens were as follows: 31.7% AdV-2, 28.9% AdV-1, 15.3% AdV-3, 7.9% AdV-5, 5.9% AdV-7, 1.4% AdV-4, 1.2% AdV-6, 0.5% AdV-14, 0.2% AdV-21, 0.1% AdV-11, and 7.0% >=1 AdV type. Most children with AdV-1 or AdV-2 detection were < 5 years of age (Figure 1a). Demographic and clinical characteristics varied by AdV types, including age, race/ethnicity, smoke exposure, daycare/school attendance, and hospitalization (Table 1). Co-detection with other viruses was common among all AdV types, with RV and RSV being the most frequently co-detected (Figure 1b). Fever and cough were the most common symptoms for all AdV types (Figure 2). Children with AdV-7 detected as single pathogen had higher odds of hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio 6.34 [95% CI: 3.10, 12.95], p= 0.027). Conclusion. AdV-2 and AdV-1 were the most frequently detected AdV types among children over the 3-year study period. Notable clinical heterogeneity of the AdV types warrants further surveillance studies to identify AdV types that could be targeted for pediatric vaccine development. (Figure Presented).
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the material delivering on learning should be more innovative. Now, the application of technology in learning process can be a solution, such as Augmented Reality (AR). AR technology was implemented in various way, one of which in education. This study aims to explore the integration of AR in mathematics learning and see the potential of the technology AR used, in terms of what abilities can be improved. The method used in this research is literature review. Data obtained from scientific journals, conference proceedings, and other related sources. The results showed that the mathematical materials used in the use of AR technology are geometry and integer operations. Then there are seven abilities identified to increase in mathematics learning based on augmented reality. So AR can be an alternative learning medium that can be used during this pandemic. © 2022 Author(s).
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The present study assessed the disruptions in the dairy food supply chain and associated stakeholders due to COVID-19 in Karnataka, India. A cross-sectional survey using a multistage random sampling procedure was conducted and data was collected from the dairy food supply chain associated stakeholders in Karnataka, India. The results revealed that milk providers to the co-operatives increased by 4.67 % and the quantity of milk collection increased by 25.15 % during the lockdown. On the service front, 41.3% of the dairy co-operative societies faced animal feed shortage. The average per day milk consumption increased by 42.7 % during lockdown mainly driven by the return of family members from cities to villages. However, the gross income realized through milk sales by the dairy farmers decreased during the lockdown period mainly due to reduced milk prices offered by the co-operatives. The gross income realized through the sale of milk products by the vendors declined by 5.11% due to a fall in demand for various milk products. Despite many problems faced by the co-operative sector during the lockdown, it acted as a buffer and protected the dairy food supply chain from the free market and capitalist breakdown in Karnataka.
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In the past few years, multiple drugs have been produced from traditional raw materials and recent pandemic disease COVID-19 once again research on this matter is being conducted to determine potential therapeutic purposes of different Ayurvedic Indian medicines and herbs. One such medicinal herb is Curcuma longa. Curcumin is strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiangiogenic, anti-carcinogenic, as shown by multiple in vitro and in vivo studies. The action of the growth factor receptors is inhibited by curcumin. The anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin is obtained on the cytokines, proteolytic enzymes, eicosanoids, and lipid mediators. The superoxide radicals, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide, are sifted by curcumin, while lipid peroxidation is inhibited. Such properties of the compound thus form the foundation for its various therapeutic and pharmacological effects could also hold antiviral properties including COVID-19. The aim of this research is to summarize the updated pharmacological activities of curcumin.
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This article examines two primary data sets to identify the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on different sectors and vulnerable populations in Bangladesh. It attempts to identify how the trends in sectors such as agriculture, ready-made garments (RMGs), education, employment among youth, and women’s participation have changed due to the pandemic compared to pre-Covid-19 levels. The results show that the agriculture and RMG sectors demonstrated resilience due to sustained government policies. In contrast, the other sectors, such as education, youth employment, and women’s participation in the labour market, have been negatively affected, leaving a long-term consequence for the country’s development. The article concludes with suggestions for inclusive and targeted policies, and community-based approaches to pre-empt new challenges to make development progress in Bangladesh. © 2022 The Authors. IDS Bulletin , Institute of Development Studies. and Crown 2022.
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The social and ecomomic impact of COVID-19 has been deep, wide-ranging, and multi-dimensional. While anecdotal evidence of distress among the poor, particularly those with informal occupations, has been widespread, effective policy response has required real-time, researched data disaggregated for urban and rural populations and for various categories of the poor. The Power and Partcipation Research Centre and BRAC Institute for Governance and Development's four-round panel survey during 2020-21 provides unique insights into how COVID-19 impacted specific categories of the poor and vulnerable in Bangladesh, their coping strategies, and the extent to which policy support materialzed. While the poor as a whole demonstrated their agency in the face of the crisis, their resilience has been as much about deepening vulnerability as about recovery, representing an unfair burden of distress resilience. Informal workers, women, and the urban poor have been disproportionately impacted.
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The study assessed the impact of COVID-19 associated lockdowns on animal health services, coping practices, and financial loss to livestock farmers in Karnataka. A cross-sectional survey among 170 livestock farmers and 24 field veterinarians working in the study jurisdiction were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and repeated ANOVA were employed to asses the impact of COVID-19 lockdown. The results revealed a significant difference in the number of cases attended at different periods of lockdowns and among the veterinarians, with a decline in the number of cases attended across the species of pets (54.9%) followed by goats (35.3%), sheep (29.1%), cattle (25.5%) and buffalo (21.6%) during the lockdown. The mode of veterinarian contact through phone calls (80%) and WhatsApp (46.7%) increased significantly and veterinarian visits decreased by 27.3% and farmers' visits to veterinary hospitals decreased by 61.9% during lockdown. The livestock farmers' welfare schemes were ed by lockdown and the vaccine administration against diseases like PPR, ET, and HS per veterinarian declined in sheep and goats. However, targeted vaccination against FMD in cattle was found achieved. The COVID-19 and associated lockdown affected the livestock farmers in multiple dimensions. Hence, to cope with lockdown-like situations, it is recommended to engage trained personnel, practitioners, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) associated with animal health care services to provide uninterrupted health care services to livestock farmers.
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The application of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) in air purifiers (AP) to remove viruses, bacteria, and toxic gases in the air is intensively being studied, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. The testing method of PCO materials for AP purposes has been standardized through ISO 22197-4 (2013). However, the standard required a set of complex, high precision, and costly equipment. The present study demonstrates a simpler and low-cost test setup without compromising any accuracy in the overall result. The proposed test consists of a test chamber and mixing chamber, and sets of equipment installed in it. A 3D printer fabricated a PCO reactor, and TiO2 was coated on the surface. Formaldehyde (HCHO) is used as a sample pollutant to be observed, injected into the test chamber. Before the measurement of the concentration of HCHO, the intensity of UV A LED was measured. Then, the amount of formaldehyde concentration was monitored online by indoor air quality measurement equipment. The result shows that the intensity of UV light was enough to generate a photocatalytic oxidation reaction. After 20 minutes of reaction, the HCHO concentration inside the chamber was decreased around 21.76%.
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COVID-19 is an infectious pandemic disease which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Up to date, scientists are trying to identify a new specific antiviral drug to overcome this disease. Different methods are under study and evaluation in the entire world to control the virus, including blood plasma, blood purification, and antimicrobial and antiviral agents;however, there are no approved drugs yet. This review is focused on the conducted clinical trials worldwide, including the Iraq- Kurdistan region, China, USA, and Europe, to find relevant data on the agents with potential efficacy to treat the COVID-19 infection. The utmost commonly assessed therapies for this disease were chloroquine phosphate, hydroxyl-chloroquine, azithromycin, lopinavir/ritonavir, favipiravir, remdesivir, and alternatively, blood plasma, ivermectin in combination with doxycycline, and dexamethazone. This review suggests that blood plasma transfusion, the combination of hydroxyl-chloroquine with azithromycin, and remdesivir were the most abundant and efficient therapies. Thus, more light could be shed on these particular drugs on the road of drug investigation against COVID-19 pneumonia. © 2022 University of Baghdad-College of Science. All rights reserved.
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Curcumin (Figure 1) with two ferulic acid moieties bonded with carbon of a methane molecule to create an abridgement between the carboxyl groups, with a molecular weight of 368.37 g/mol and melting point of 183° C. Curcumin consists of 3 core functional groups consisting of O-methoxy-phenolic group and a, ßunsaturated system of ß-diketone moiety which is including of 7-carbon linker. Many researches (table1) have been approved that curcumin can scavenge hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide that formed by macrophages, thus antioxidant activity of curcumin is believed to happen through increase the degradation of haemoglobin and by inhibiting the lipid peroxidation process46. [...]curcumin also constrains the nitric oxide synthase action of macrophages as well. Therapeutically, it could be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, by studied the damage effect of high glucose intake in retinal pigment epithelial cell, it found that, curcumin protect these cells through the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and HO-153 Curcumin can also bind with metal ion to form metal complex that shows significant benefit in term of antioxidant when comparing with curcumin alone 54.
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Background. Sharp declines in influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulation across the U.S. have been described during the pandemic in temporal association with community mitigation for control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We aimed to determine relative frequencies of rhinovirus/ enterovirus (RV/EV) and other respiratory viruses in children presenting to emergency departments or hospitalized with acute respiratory illness (ARI) prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. We conducted a multi-center active prospective ARI surveillance study in children as part of the New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN) from December 2016 through January 2021. Molecular testing for RV/EV, RSV, influenza, and other respiratory viruses [i.e., human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus (Types 1-4), and adenovirus] were performed on specimens collected from children enrolled children. Cumulative percent positivity of each virus type during March 2020-January 2021 was compared from March-January in the prior seasons (2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020) using Pearson's chi-squared. Data are provisional. Results. Among 69,403 eligible children, 37,676 (54%) were enrolled and tested for respiratory viruses. The number of both eligible and enrolled children declined in early 2020 (Figure 1), but 4,691 children (52% of eligible) were enrolled and tested during March 2020-January 2021. From March 2020-January 2021, the overall percentage of enrolled children with respiratory testing who had detectable RV/EV was similar compared to the same time period in 2017-2018 and 2019-2020 (Figure 1, Table 1). In contrast, the percent positivity of RSV, influenza, and other respiratory viruses combined declined compared to prior years, (p< 0.001, Figure 1, Table 1). Figure 1. Percentage of Viral Detection Among Enrolled Children Who Received Respiratory Testing, New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN), United States, December 2016 - January 2021 Table 1. Percent of Respiratory Viruses Circulating in March 2020- January 2021, compared to March-January in Prior Years, New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN), United States, March 2017 - January 2021 Conclusion. During 2020, RV/EV continued to circulate among children receiving care for ARI despite abrupt declines in other respiratory viruses within this population. These findings warrant further studies to understand virologic, behavioral, biological, and/or environmental factors associated with this continued RV/EV circulation.
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Background. In December 2020, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were made available to healthcare workers and soon thereafter offered to the general public according to age and risk of severe illness. Despite widespread access, vaccination rates vary by region, with Tennessee ranking lower than the national average. Therefore, we aimed to survey adults in greater Nashville, TN regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccine perceptions. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study of an ongoing longitudinal cohort of individuals with confirmed and/or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection and their household contacts with enrollment onset in March 2020. For this analysis, individuals were included if they were ≥ 18 years and available for a one-year follow-up visit. At the one-year visit individuals completed a survey about vaccine preferences, beliefs and risks. Demographic and social characteristics were collected at enrollment. Individuals were considered vaccinated if they had received at least one dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine under FDA emergency use authorization. Vaccine perceptions were compared by SARS-CoV-2-infection and vaccination status using Pearson's chi-squared, alpha=5%. Results. Between April-May 2021, 115 individuals completed the one-year follow-up. Table 1 includes sociodemographic characteristics of adults, of which the majority were vaccinated and were unemployed or in non-essential occupations. Most individuals agreed the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine can prevent infection and hospitalization (Figure 1A & B). Unvaccinated participants more often agreed that those who contracted SARS-CoV-2 should not receive the vaccine (30%), whereas vaccinated persons less often agreed (11%, p< 0.001) (Figure 1A). Additionally, 44% of unvaccinated individuals were neutral or disagreed that benefits of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination outweighed the illness risk, compared to 10% in the vaccinated group, p=0.001 (Figure 1A). Minimal differences of vaccine perceptions were observed between SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative adults (Figure 1B). Conclusion. Although some unvaccinated individuals seemingly perceived the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine offered some protection, research should continue to evaluate the implications of vaccine hesitancy on the COVID-19 pandemic response as we prepare for the upcoming respiratory season.
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COVID-19 first struck in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and became a global pandemic. This led to a global catastrophic impact on society, economy and politics, forcing the world to close borders and total lockdown as serious precautions against the infectious plague. Many studies were implemented, prospective and retrospectively, to control the vicious spread. The rising number of COVID-19 cases was alarming and forecasting or predicting the future number of cases became crucial. Thus, forecast modelling where the future number of cases would be predicted based on past and present time-series data, became the most-sort-after method. The country of Malaysia was not spared. Hence, this study aims to determine the best forecasting model in predicting the 30 days of COVID-19 number of cases fluctuations starting from the 1st implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia on 18th March 2020 until the end of November of the same year. This study compared performances of the univariate modelling techniques and Box-Jenkins methodology to estimate and validate forecasting models, which is then used to forecast future number of COVID-19 cases, from the best model selected. From four univariate models: Average Percent Change (APC), Single Exponential Smoothing (SES), Double Exponential Smoothing (DES), and Holt's method models;and four ARIMA models using Box-Jenkins Methodology: ARIMA(0, 1, 3), ARIMA(1, 1, 2), ARIMA(0, 1, 2) and ARIMA(2,1,1), Holt's method model is the best model with the least error (RMSE= 243.59 and MAPE= 27.7787), followed by SES model (RMSE=243.648 and MAPE= 27.7795). The 30-day forecast from the best model revealed that the pandemic trend would substantially increase. As Holt's method is best suited for linear trends, thus made it susceptible to the random influence and the smoothing constants (alpha and beta) are best for fast response towards the number of COVID-19 cases that change accidentally. © 2021 IEEE.
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In the past few years, multiple drugs have been produced from traditional raw materials and recent pandemic disease COVID-19 once again research on this matter is being conducted to determine potential therapeutic purposes of different Ayurvedic Indian medicines and herbs. One such medicinal herb is Curcuma longa. Curcumin is strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiangiogenic, anti-carcinogenic, as shown by multiple in vitro and in vivo studies. The action of the growth factor receptors is inhibited by curcumin. The anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin is obtained on the cytokines, proteolytic enzymes, eicosanoids, and lipid mediators. The superoxide radicals, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide, are sifted by curcumin, while lipid peroxidation is inhibited. Such properties of the compound thus form the foundation for its various therapeutic and pharmacological effects could also hold antiviral properties including COVID-19. The aim of this research is to summarize the updated pharmacological activities of curcumin. © RJPT All right reserved.