ABSTRACT
Low values of the ratio of plasmatic soluble blocking factor FMS-like tyrosine Kinase 1 and placental growth factor (sFlt-1/PlGF) are required for an adequate placental angiogenesis and function. It has been shown that patients affected by gestational diabetes (GD) and patients with pneumonia from SARS-CoV-2 are characterized by an increased sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sFlt-1-PlGF ratio in pregnancies complicated by COVID-19 and GD. We compared the plasmatic sFlt-1/PlGF ratio among the following groups of pregnant women: COVID-19, GD patients; COVID-19, non-GD patients; non-COVID-19, GD patients; and non-COVID-19, non-GD controls. We enrolled 62 women in the present study, who were divided as follows: 14 COVID-19, GD patients; 12 COVID-19, non-GD patients; 11 non-COVID-19, GD patients; and 25 non-COVID-19, non-GD controls. The COVID-19, GD patients presented a higher pre-pregnancy BMI, a higher prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy as a co-morbidity, and an increased need for medication for their diabetes. Neonatal data were similar between the groups. The controls showed a significantly lower sFlt-1/PlGF ratio compared to pregnancies complicated by GD and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was higher in patients affected by both GD and SARS-CoV-2 infection; these subjects were characterized by a greater incidence of obesity and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
ABSTRACT
The most frequent form of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a severe progressive neurological pathology in which the main cognitive functions of an individual are compromised. Recent studies have found that loneliness and living in isolation are likely to cause an acceleration in the cognitive decline associated with AD. Therefore, understanding social behaviours of AD patients is crucial to promote sociability, thus delaying cognitive decline, preserving independence, and providing a good quality of life. In this work, we analyze the localization data of AD patients living in assisted care homes to gather insights about the social dynamics among them. We use localization data collected by a system based on iBeacon technology comprising two components: a network of antennas scattered throughout the facility and a Bluetooth bracelet worn by the patients. We redefine the Relational Index to capture wandering and casual encounters, these being common phenomena among AD patients, and use the notions of Relational and Popularity Indexes to model, visualize and understand the social behaviour of AD patients. We leverage the data analyses to build predictive tools and applications to enhance social activities scheduling and sociability monitoring and promotion, with the ultimate aim of providing patients with a better quality of life. Predictions and visualizations act as a support for caregivers in activity planning to maximize treatment effects and, hence, slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. We present the Community Behaviour Prediction Table (CBPT), a tool to visualize the estimated values of sociability among patients and popularity of places within a facility. Finally, we show the potential of the system by analyzing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown time-frame between February and June 2020 in a specific facility. Through the use of the indexes, we evaluate the effects of the pandemic on the behaviour of the residents, observing no particular impact on sociability even though social distancing was put in place.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Patient Identification Systems , Social Behavior , Alzheimer Disease/diagnosis , COVID-19 , Communicable Disease Control , Humans , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: In this study we describe the management of women with gestational diabetes (GD) and an ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can further complicate pregnancies, and if the protocol we usually use for GD pregnancies is also applicable to patients who have contracted a SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: This is a retrospective study analyzing all pregnant women with GD and concomitant COVID-19 admitted to our institution for antenatal care between March 1 and April 30, 2020. RESULTS: Among pregnant women with GD and a concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection, the mean age was 32.9 (SD 5.6) years. Two patients (33%) were of white racial origin and four (67%) were of non-white racial origin. All patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the third trimester of pregnancy. Two women were asymptomatic and four were symptomatic. Only two (33.3%) women received treatment with insulin. None of the patients required intensive care or mechanical ventilation. No complications were found among the neonates. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 was not found to worsen the prognosis of patients with GD or of their offspring. Glycemic monitoring, diet therapy, and insulin, when needed, are sufficient for good metabolic control and favorable maternal and fetal outcomes.