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There is a tremendous demand on the critical care resources due to the extensive spread of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the large number of patients requiring critical care. The efficacy of a device directly influences how long a patient lives since patients are often receiving critical care. Smart infusion pump is a medical device that can drip fluids into the patient's body. This device is considered as one of the most safety-critical medical devices due to the way it functions and the risks it presents. The main objective of this work is to develop an affordable infusion pump usin g embedded technology. The main tactic is to develop equipment that can identify air bubbles in infusion pump tubing since even a little one might obstruct blood flow and result in mortality. This method may provide consumers an accurate result, making it the greatest method for identifying bubbles and saving lives.
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Purpose: A new human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), triggering pneumonia, is termed as Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19). There is an alarming situation now as this new virus is spreading around the world. At present, there are no specific treatments for COVID-19. Nigella sativa is known as Prophetic Medicine as its use has been mentioned in Prophetic Hadith, as a natural remedy for all the diseases except death. Seeds and oils of N. sativa have a long history of folklore usage in various systems of medicine such as Unani and Tibb, Ayurveda and Siddha in the treatment of different diseases and ailments. The aim of this research is to provide a potential inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Method(s): The Molecular docking tool was used to optimize the binding affinities of chemical constituents of N. sativa with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Result(s): Many constituents from N. Sativa have shown better binding affinity than reported drugs with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro i.e., the alpha-hederin, Stigmasterol glucoside, Nigellidine-4-O-sulfite, Nigellidine, Sterol-3-beta-D-glucoside, Dithymoquinone, beta-sitosterol have binding affinities (kcal/mol) of-9,-8.1,-8,-7.7,-7.7,-7.4,-7.4, and-6.9 and number of hydrogen bonds formed are 06, 04, 03, 03, 03, 00, and 01, respectively. Conclusion(s): There is rationale and pre-clinical evidence of the effectiveness of N. Sativa that it may be helpful for the treatment of COVID-19 and can serve as a potential natural candidate. However, more studies should be conducted to collect high-quality data and scientific evidence of N. Sativa to use it against COVID-19 clinically.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.
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Background: To curb the threat of COVID-19, vaccines of different forms and shape have been developed and assessed for their efficacy in the last one and a half year. Amongst those Inactivated viral vaccines developed in China, Sinopharm and Sinovac are the most frequently employed vaccines in Pakistan. It has been established that natural infection and certain forms of SARS-CoV- 2 vaccine alters the clinical picture of blood. Aim(s): In this study we have compared the levels of three inflammatory biomarkers namely PAI-1, D-Dimer and HAI-IgG in the sera collected from SARS-CoV- 2 Vaccinated and unvaccinated Subjects. Method(s): Briefly, 80 individuals, each as a cohort of SARS-CoV- 2 vaccinated and unvaccinated were recruited with written consent after ethical approval for the study. From each subject 2 ml blood was drawn and plasma was separated to assess inflammatory biomarkers like PAI-1, D-Dimer and HIA IgG by ELISA. Additionally, platelets count were also monitored using automated counter. Result(s): Our data show difference in the level of PAI-1, D-Dimer and HIA-IgG between SARS-CoV- 2 Vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects. However, the difference was found statistically in significant. Nevertheless, segregating the data based on the nature of vaccination, age and gender of the subjects shows interesting pattern that could be insightful in relation to the clinical outcome of the vaccine efficacy. Conclusion(s): The findings in this regard could well be of clinical value, especially when the data is stratified with reference to different variables. Therefore, large scale studies are warranted with same, and few additional biomarkers would be of more resolving in relation to the host response against SARS-CoV- 2 vaccination.
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Background: The advance pathology of SARS-CoV- 2 infection entails engagement of blood related ailment including thrombosis as secondary clinical manifestation. SARS-CoV- 2- Human protein-protein interactome has been explored. Dysregulation of the several proteins and mutations in the genes have been linked with the incidence and progression of thrombosis. Aim(s): Aim of the investigation is to develop and functionally analyze a combine molecular network of SARS-CoV- 2- Human and Thrombosis to delineate candidate molecule that could later be used for the prognosis and therapeutic intervention. Method(s): Briefly, two separate system networks were developed, one for over 500 humans protein that have shown to interact with the viral genome and 26 different proteins encoded by SARS-CoV- 2 genome. The second network is based on the genes tagged for being aberrated genetically and/or in terms of expression in thrombosis. Both networks were combined as a singular entity after removing the redundant repetition and orphans' nodes and edges by selective enrichment. The network then be dissected in different modules primarily based on the promiscuity of the nodes. Complete network and each module were assessed for in betweenness and shortest path length of edges. Result(s): The data shown over 700 genes could be coalesced as a single network providing a molecular interplay that may underpin SARS-CoV- 2 associated thrombosis. Over 16 modules were observed in the network with important candidate genes of thrombosis have been identified as hub due to the inter modular abridging potential. Identification of hub genes was further substantiated with the pathlength distance, lack of orphan edges and partner protein promiscuity. Biological functions and KEGG analysis of the holistic network and modular compartment further strengthen the predicted candidate gene status as central to the disease biology. Conclusion(s): Candidate genes identified in the study could later be used as markers for prognosis of the pathology of COVID-19 for thrombosis and/or developing therapeutic intervention.
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Background: Pandemics harm mental health by inducing stressors such as frustration, boredom, financial loss, self-isolation, fear of infection, and stigmatization. Students are vulnerable and at risk of ill effects of these stressors. Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the mental health status and associated social risk factors among dental students in Malaysia during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This was an online cross-sectional study done using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 questionnaire. The study was carried among the undergraduate dental students in Malaysia, during the period of compulsory self-quarantine. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) and their median scores were computed and analyzed with sociodemographic factors using Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, odds ratio, and Chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of DAS was 33.5%, 28.7%, and 7.3%, respectively, with no gender differences. Depression increased with increasing age (P = 0.043) and year of study (P = 0.015). The prevalence of depression was the highest in the students of Indian ethnicity (44%;P = 0. 018). Students from public universities reported a higher prevalence of anxiety (34%;P = 0.019) and stress scores (P = 0.013). A family's financial crisis increased the risk of DAS (P < 0.05). Being quarantined with family increased the odds of anxiety by 2.8 times (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Students were found to be vulnerable to the negative psychological impact of self-quarantine as measured by their mental health status. The study also identified demographic and social risk factors contributing toward this vulnerability. © Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth 2022.
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Background: Regional variations in the impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have been reported. We aimed to examine differences in the community response, emergency medical services (EMS) interventions, and outcomes of OHCA, in Singapore (population 5.7 million) and Atlanta (population 4.16 million), before and during the pandemic. Methods: Using prospectively collected Singapore Pan-Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study (PAROS) and Atlanta Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) data, we compared EMS-treated adult OHCAs (≥18 years) during the pandemic period (17weeks from the date of first confirmed COVID-19 case) and pre-pandemic period (corresponding weeks in 2019). The primary outcome was pre-hospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We reported adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for OHCA characteristics, pre-hospital interventions, and outcomes using binary logistic regression. Results: Of the 3987 EMS-treated OHCAs (overall median age 69 years, 60.1% males) in Singapore and Atlanta, 2084 occurred during the pandemic and 1903 during the pre-pandemic period. Compared with Atlanta, OHCA cases in Singapore were older (median age 72 vs 66 years), received more bystander interventions (65.1% vs 41.4% received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and 28.4% vs 10.1% had automated external defibrillator application), yet observed less pre-hospital ROSC (11.3% vs 27.1%). When compared with the pre-pandemic period, the likelihood of residential OHCAs doubled in both cities during the pandemic;in Singapore, OHCAs were more likely to be witnessed (aOR 1.95, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.59-2.39) yet less likely to receive CPR (aOR 0.81, 95% CI, 0.65-0.99) during the pandemic. OHCAs occurring during the pandemic, compared with pre-pandemic, were less likely to be transported in Singapore and Atlanta (aOR 0.50, 95% CI, 0.42%-0.85%, and 0.36, 95% CI, 0.26-0.50, respectively), without significant differences in overall pre-hospital ROSC. Conclusion: Changes in OHCA characteristics and pre-hospital interventions during the pandemic were likely collateral consequences, with regional variations partly reflecting differences in systems of care and other sociocultural factors. These highlight opportunities for public education and the need for further study into lower transport rates during the pandemic.
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The current study attempts to identify and measure the role of technology induction during the COVID-19 pandemic as either recreation or curse in students' learning. By integrating the technology acceptance model (TAM) and innovation diffusion theory (IDT) the study tries to measure the student's online learning experience as recreation or curse. Data was collected from 387 students through purposive sampling. The findings of the study confirm that introduction of technology in online learning plays a recreational and significant role in student's online learning. However, computer self-efficacy and relative advantage were found to be a curse in online learning during the pandemic. The overall findings of the study imply that the shift of student's learning from traditional to online learning has been through introduction of new technology and innovations, although the diffusion of innovation and technology among Pakistani students has been challenging because of a comparatively lower computer literacy level. The usefulness and ease of online learning have been the strongest predictive and recreational aspects in students' online learning. Institutes and higher education commissions should further invest in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of these factors to improve the overall learning outcome of students through recreational technological induction in education.
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A.I. (ML) is a part of computerized reasoning and software engineering that spotlights the utilization of information and calculations to duplicate the way that people learn, bit by bit working on its precision. A.I. is a significant part of the creating field of data science. Utilizing simple strategies, computations are ready to make plans or figures, revealing critical encounters inside data mining projects. These pieces of information drive dynamic inside applications and organizations, ideally influencing critical advancement estimations. As enormous information continues to expand and create the market revenue for data analysts will augment, anticipating that they should help the I.D. of the most applied-link business questions and subsequently the data to react to them. By utilizing a machine learning (ML) calculation, the proposed work will recognize COVID-19 and disease patients in danger of creating cardiovascular breakdown. Proof has shown that COVID-19 and Cancer can contrarily affect the heart framework, leaving patients in peril for chances like cardiovascular assault, upheld surprising heartbeats, coronary disappointments, and death [2]. As a result of the expanded danger for these inconveniences, there is a critical need to distinguish COVID-19 patients at danger for heart problems, yet these prescient capacities don’t presently exist. The proposed work will give early signs and guarantee that assets are given to the patients at early need. Right away, we wanted to gather information from COVID-19 and disease patients. Likewise, we wanted cardiovascular explicit research facility tests, constantly acquired crucial signs, and imaging information like C.T. filters, Pet Scan, ECG (echocardiography). © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
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Background: Pneumonia induced by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein causes invasion of the virus into the host cell by attaching with human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (hACE-2), which leads to further infection. Objective: The novel N-(2-aminophenyl)-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline-6-sulfonamide derivatives were designed and synthesized to inhibit the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein by applying molecular docking tools. Methods: The synthesized products were characterized by Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) and1 H Nu-clear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Results: All the derivatives were found to have a very good binding affinity between-9 to-10.1 kcal/mol, better than the drugs which are under investigation for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in-fection. Compound F1 formed 4 hydrogen bonds whereas, F4 and F10 formed two hydrogen bonds each with RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. All the derivatives were subjected to antimicro-bial, antifungal, and antimalarial susceptibility. Conclusion: From the above-obtained results, we have concluded that novel N-(2-aminophenyl)-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline-6-sulfonamide derivatives have excellent potential to inhibit the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, which is now an attentive target in designing SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. This scaffold can hold an effective interest in the development of inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 in the future if drug repurposing fails to serve the purpose. ©2021 Bentham Science Publishers.
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Objective: The study aimed to synthesize and characterize pyrimidine-linked benzimidazole hybrids, define their antimicrobial and antifungal activities in vitro, and determine their ability to inhibit the main protease and spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: The ability of the synthesized compounds to inhibit the main protease and spike glycoprotein inhibitory of SARS-CoV-2 was investigated by assessing their mode of binding to the allosteric site of the enzyme using molecular docking. The structures of pyrimidine-linked benzimidazole derivatives synthesized with microwave assistance were confirmed by spectral analysis. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were determined by broth dilution. Results: Gram-negative bateria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were more sensitive than gram-positive bateria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) to the derivatives. Candida albicans was sensitive to the derivatives at a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 250 μg/mL. The novel derivatives had better binding affinity (kcal/mol) than nelfinavir, lopinavir, ivermectin, remdesivir, and favipiravir, which are under investigation as treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Compounds 2c, 2e, and 2g formed four hydrogen bonds with the active cavity of the main protease. Many derivatives had good binding affinity for the RBD of the of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein with the formation of up to four hydrogen bonds. Conclusion: We synthesized novel pyrimidine-linked benzi-midazole derivatives that were potent antimicrobial agents with ability to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Understanding the pharmacophore features of the main protease and spike glycoprotein offers much scope for the development of more potent agents. We plan to optimize the properties of the derivatives using models in vivo and in vitro so that they will serve as more effective therapeutic options against bacterial and SARS-CoV-2 infections. © 2021 Digital Chinese Medicine
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Introduction: Currently, there is a shortage of porcine heparin due to several factors such as limited availability of porcine mucosa, supply chain issues, and increased usage due to COVID-19. This has warranted the development of heparin from alternate sources such as bovine and ovine mucosa which is abundantly available for this purpose. On a mass basis, commercially available porcine heparins exhibit a similar potency (200 units/mg) to their ovine counterpart (190 units/mg) and a higher potency in contrast to their bovine counterpart (130-150 units/mg). Therefore, at gravimetric levels, the porcine heparins exhibit stronger biochemical and pharmacological effects in various laboratory assays in comparison to bovine heparin and similar effects in comparison to ovine heparins. Since heparin is standardized in biologic units and cross referenced against USP or EP Standard, it is hypothesized that potency equated porcine, ovine, and bovine heparin will exhibit similar biologic activities in laboratory assays carried out in the in vitro setting. The purpose of this study is to compare the biologic properties of the porcine, ovine, and bovine heparin at USP potency equated levels in standardized laboratory assays. Materials and Methods: Active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) of porcine mucosal heparin (200 units/mg) of U.S. origin was commercially obtained from Medefil Inc. (Glendale Heights, IL). Ovine heparin was obtained from Ronnsi Pharmaceutical (Jiangsu, China). Bovine heparin (140 units/mg) was obtained from Kin Master Pharmaceuticals (Posso Fundo, Brazil). All heparins were diluted at a concentration of 100 units/mL in saline. The anticoagulant effect of all heparins were evaluated using the whole blood clotting assays such as the ACT and thromboelastographic methods. Heparins were diluted in citrated human plasma yielding a final concentration range of 0-1 unit/mL. Clot based assays such as aPTT, TT, and prothrombinase induced clotting time (PiCT) were measured. Thrombin generation inhibition assay was carried out using a kinetic assay (CAT system, Diagnositca Stago, Paris, France). Protamine and heparinase neutralization profiles of these agents were also investigated in the plasma-based systems. These assays were then repeated at gravimetric dosages at final concentrations of 0-10 ug/mL. The results collected from these trials were then mathematically converted to units and compared to the results collected from the potency adjusted trials. All results were tabulated and compared, and applicable statistical methods were applied. Results: The USP potency adjusted heparin exhibited comparable anticoagulant effects in both the ACT and TEG assays. At equigravimetric levels porcine and ovine heparins produced comparable anticoagulant effects and bovine heparin produced weaker anticoagulant effect in both assays. In the citrated plasma supplementation studies, all drugs produced similar anticoagulant effects at potency adjusted dosages. In the chromogenic anti-Xa and anti-IIa assays, the behaviors of the agents were also comparable. In the thrombin generation assays, in terms of peak thrombin generation, area under the curve, and lag time, the porcine, ovine, and bovine heparins showed comparable effects. The protamine neutralization profiles of the porcine, ovine, and bovine heparin exhibited variable assay dependent results. Potency adjusted bovine heparin required higher amount of protamine for the complete neutralization of the biologic effects in comparison to the porcine heparin. At gravimetric concentrations, bovine heparins exhibited lower potencies than both the porcine and ovine heparins, which produced similar results. Summary and Conclusion: These results show that at potency adjusted concentrations, the porcine, ovine, and bovine heparin exhibit comparable biochemical and anticoagulant responses in the plasma-based systems. Therefore, the hypothesis that potency equated porcine, ovine, and bovine heparins exhibit comparable biochemical and anticoagulant activities is validated. Thus, the proposed ap roach to standardize heparins against a common standard in a biologic assay such as the USP method is valid. Furthermore, these results warrant regulatory considerations to fast track the review process for the re-introduction of bovine heparin and approval of bovine heparin as a biosimilar anticoagulant to porcine heparin. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
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Emergence of novel coronavirus-2019 has become an international health concern. The objective of this review is to focus on 2019-nCoV emergence, prophylaxis and to predict the treatment approaches. The first case of 2019-nCoV was noted in Wuhan, China. The WHO has announced this epidemic as pandemic. The 2019-nCoV has +ve ssRNA (29903bp), lipid-bilayer envelope spiked with glycoprotein and bears genome sequences similar to bat coronavirus RaTG13. Antiviral agents like Interferon, Darunavir, Ribavirin, Lopinavir, Remdesivir, Chloroquine and Camostat mesylate may be considered for clinical trials. Chinese herbals may be effective against 2019-nCoV. These include Saikosaponins (triterpene glycosides), Amentoflavone, Scutellarein, Myricetin, extracts of Isatis indigotica, and Houttuynia cordata. Another treatment approach is to administer plasma from COVID-19 recovered patients. RNA vaccines, recombinant vector based vaccine and ACE-2 receptor like molecules may be employed for immunization against COVID-19. Moreover, immunity can be boosted against 2019-nCoV by regular exercise. We have checked Thymoquinone as ligand for various targets of 2019-nCoV (receptor binding domain of spike, RNA polymerase, protease, Nsp9 RNA binding protein, nucleocapsid phosphoprotein, endoribonuclease) by protein-ligand docking server SwissDoc. Thymoquinone can bind effectively to the targets of 2019-nCoV. Hence, it may be an effective candidate for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Background: Current evidence suggests an important role of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathway in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-related cytokine release storm in severely ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Inhibition of the IL-6 pathway with tocilizumab has been employed successfully in some of these patients but the data is mostly consistent of case reports and series.
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Emergence of novel coronavirus-2019 has become an international health concern. The objective of this review is to focus on 2019-nCoV emergence, prophylaxis and to predict the treatment approaches. The first case of 2019-nCoV was noted in Wuhan, China. The WHO has announced this epidemic as pandemic. The 2019-nCoV has +ve ssRNA (29903bp), lipid-bilayer envelope spiked with glycoprotein and bears genome sequences similar to bat coronavirus RaTG13. Antiviral agents like Interferon, Darunavir, Ribavirin, Lopinavir, Remdesivir, Chloroquine and Camostat mesylate may be considered for clinical trials. Chinese herbals may be effective against 2019-nCoV. These include Saikosaponins (triterpene glycosides), Amentoflavone, Scutellarein, Myricetin, extracts of Isatis indigotica, and Houttuynia cordata. Another treatment approach is to administer plasma from COVID-19 recovered patients. RNA vaccines, recombinant vector based vaccine and ACE-2 receptor like molecules may be employed for immunization against COVID-19. Moreover, immunity can be boosted against 2019-nCoV by regular exercise. We have checked Thymoquinone as ligand for various targets of 2019-nCoV (receptor binding domain of spike, RNA polymerase, protease, Nsp9 RNA binding protein, nucleocapsid phosphoprotein, endoribonuclease) by protein-ligand docking server SwissDoc. Thymoquinone can bind effectively to the targets of 2019-nCoV. Hence, it may be an effective candidate for the treatment of COVID-19. © 2020 Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. All rights reserved.