ABSTRACT
Characterization as well as prediction of the secondary and tertiary structure of hypothetical proteins from their amino acid sequences uploaded in databases by in silico approach are the critical issues in computational biology. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which is responsible for pneumonia alike diseases, possesses a wide range of proteins of which many are still uncharacterized. The current study was conducted to reveal the physicochemical characteristics and structures of an uncharacterized protein Q6S8D9_SARS of SARS-CoV. Following the common flowchart of characterizing a hypothetical protein, several sophisticated computerized tools e.g., ExPASy Protparam, CD Search, SOPMA, PSIPRED, HHpred, etc. were employed to discover the functions and structures of Q6S8D9_SARS. After delineating the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein, some quality evaluating tools e.g., PROCHECK, ProSA-web etc. were performed to assess the structures and later the active site was identified also by CASTp v.3.0. The protein contains more negatively charged residues than positively charged residues and a high aliphatic index value which make the protein more stable. The 2D and 3D structures modeled by several bioinformatics tools ensured that the proteins had domain in it which indicated it was functional protein having the ability to trouble host antiviral inflammatory cytokine and interferon production pathways. Moreover, active site was found in the protein where ligand could bind. The study was aimed to unveil the features and structures of an uncharacterized protein of SARS-CoV which can be a therapeutic target for development of vaccines against the virus. Further research are needed to accomplish the task.
ABSTRACT
The death t toll of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been considerable. Several risk factors have been linked to mortality due to COVID-19 in hospitals. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of patients who either died from COVID-19 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in Bangladesh. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the hospital records of patients who died or recovered and tested positive for COVID-19 from May 3 to August 31, 2020. All patients who died during the study period were included in the analysis. A comparison group of patients who survived COVID-19 at the same hospital during the same period was systematically sampled. All available information was retrieved from the records, including demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables. Of the 3115 patients with confirmed COVID-19 during the study period, 282 died.The mean age of patients who died was higher than that of those who survived (56.7 vs 52.6 years). Approximately three-fourths of deceased patients were male. History of smoking (risk ratio 2.3;95% confidence interval: 1.6-3.4), comorbidities (risk ratio: 1.5;95% confidence interal:1.1-2.1), chronic kidney disease (risk ratio: 3.2;95% confidence interval: 1.7-6.25), and ischemic heart disease (risk ratio:1.8;95% confidence interval: 1.1-2.9) were higher among the deceased than among those who survived. Mean C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels [mean (interquartile range), 34 (21-56) vs. 24 (12-48);and D-dimer [1.43 (1-2.4) vs. 0.8 (0.44-1.55)] were higher among those who died than among those who recovered. Older age, male sex, rural residence, history of smoking, and chronic kidney disease were found to be important predictors of mortality. Early hospitalization should be considered for patients with COVID-19 who are older, male, and have chronic kidney disease. Rapid referral to tertiary care facilities is necessary for high-risk patients in rural settings.Copyright © 2023 Hoque MM.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Large number of health care workers (HCW) were infected and died due to COVID-19 infection. It is needed to know the actual seroprevalence of COVID in HCWs to assess the risk and to take protective measures. This study was aimed to measure IgG antibodies against nucleocapsid protein (N) of COVID as a serological marker for detection of viral status in risk prone HCW of Bangladesh and possible association with reno-cardio-metabolic risk factors Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted from May 2021 to January 2022 among physicians and non-physician health care workers (HCW) in three non- COVID designated tertiary hospitals in Bangladesh. Participants' demographic data, medical history and information on past COVID-19 infection and vaccination status were collected. Serial blood samples were collected at 1.5 month in all (n=633) later at 3, 6 and 9 months in vaccinated group. A qualitative measurement of IgG antibody against nucleocapsid protein (N) of SARS-CoV-2 was done by was done by CMIA developed by Abbott (FDA-EUA approved). Result(s): The mean age was 35+/-10years where70% were female. Physician 32%, Nurse 45% and others was 23%. Diabetics were 9.5%, hypertensive 9% and asthma in 5.1%. The two doses of vaccine against COVID-19was completed in 56%. History of past COVID-19 infection was found among 20% participants at recruitment, out of which 13% was diagnosed by rt-PCR. History of past COVID-19 infection was found among 18% participants based on 1gG against N protein. But the subjects in two groups were different. Combination of RTPCR and N protein igG showed 35% seropositive for covid. Comparisons between covid infection positive vs. negative showed only age was different (37+/-11 vs. 34+/-9, years p<0.001) but other risk factors like BMI, SBP, DBP, S Albumin, glucose, hemoglobin were not different (P=NS) between the two groups. Further comparisons for eGFR cut-offs showed higher infection in lower eGFR (infection present vs. absent for >90ml/min group was 17% & 83% and in 60-90 ml/min group 32% &. 68 %). Prevalence of COVID 19 infection based on presence of N antibody (cutoff value >1.5) among vaccinated HCWs at 1.5, 6 and 9 month was 13.6%, 8.8% and 7.7% respectively. The mean titer of IgG (against N protein) >1.5 among vaccinated HCWs at 1.5 month was 3.1+/-1.5 and reduced to 0.87+/-0.96 at month 6 (p<0.001). Conclusion(s): The prevalence of COVID-19 infection in HCWs during the second wave was 35% based on test for RTPR or IgG against N protein positivity. In vaccinated persons, based on antibody against N protein, re-infection rate was around 8% up to 9 months post vaccine. Although no difference was seen for covid infection for cardio-metabolic risk factors, there seems to have some relation of higher infectivity with decreased GFR level. No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023
ABSTRACT
Purpose The purpose of the paper is to challenge and address the limitations of the traditional system of knowledge production that is embedded in disaster and climate change research studies, and research studies in general. It argues that knowledge production in research processes conforms to colonialist thinking or west-inspired approaches. Such a system often results in the omission of crucial information due to a lack of participation, inclusion and diversity in knowledge production. Design/methodology/approach The paper proposes practices and recommendations to decolonise knowledge production in disaster and climate change research studies, and research studies in general. It provides a brief literature review on the concepts of decolonisation of knowledge and epistemological freedom, and its origins;assesses the need for knowledge decolonisation, emphasising on the integration of local knowledge from grassroots women-led initiatives in instances where disasters and crises are being investigated in vulnerable communities, especially in the Global South;and finally the paper proposes to decolonise knowledge production through activating co-learning and co-production. The practices have been developed from the work of relevant authors in the field and case studies. Findings Through a brief literature review on previous discourses on the topic of knowledge decolonisation and analysis of recent case studies on disaster and crisis management and community resilience, the paper finds that there exists a lack of pluralism and inclusion in epistemology which limits the pursuit to obtain the whole truth in the production of knowledge in research studies. Originality/value This paper adds to the discussion of decolonisation of knowledge in the field of disaster and climate change research studies, and research processes in general. It provides in-depth analyses of recent case studies of emerging community resilience and local practices that were crucial in the face of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
ABSTRACT
Recently, a remarkable scientific interest in the inhalation therapy for respiratory disease was spiked attributed to the growing prevalence of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) is the best option by providing fast and efficient symptomatic relief within the lung. However, the rapid development of new inhalation devices could be critical in this competitive environment, and optimizing the inhalation devices could be costly and time-consuming. Therefore, the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) approach was used to shorten the development time. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) in ANSYS version 19.2 was introduced to discover the optimal design for the actuator nozzle to increase the performance of pMDI. Three (3) parameters (orifice diameter, length, and actuator angle) were optimized, and the best design was selected according to the analysis of particle tracking. The analysis of spray plume was also conducted and compared to analyze the spray plume characteristic produced by three designs. The result showed that RSM generated three (3) models for the new design of the actuator nozzle (Design A, Design B, and Design C). Among three (3) designs, actuator nozzle design C showed the highest injection particle number (232457) and the only one that produced maximum particles velocity magnitude in the acceptable ranges (35.67m/s). All three designs showed a similar pattern as maximum particle velocity magnitude decreased along the axial length until they match the air velocity (0.03-0.04 m/s). Furthermore, the spray plume length, angle, and width were observed to increase linearly with the decreasing maximum particle velocity magnitude. Thus, this study suggested that design C might have the potential as a new actuator nozzle to develop future pMDI to relieve the respiratory condition. © 2021, Penerbit Akademia Baru. All rights reserved.