ABSTRACT
The artificial lung has provided life-saving support for pulmonary disease patients and recently afforded patients with severe cases of COVID-19 better prognostic outcomes. While it addresses a critical medical need, reducing the risk of clotting inside the device remains challenging. Herein, a two-step surface coating process of the lung circuit using Zwitterionic polysulfobetaine methacrylate is evaluated for its nonspecific protein antifouling activity. It is hypothesized that similarly applied coatings on materials integrated (IT) or nonintegrated (NIT) into the circuit will yield similar antifouling activity. The effects of human plasma preconditioned with nitric oxide-loaded liposome on platelet (plt) fouling are also evaluated. Fibrinogen antifouling activities in coated fibers are similar in the IT and NIT groups. It however decreases in coated polycarbonate (PC) in the IT group. Also, plt antifouling activity in coated fibers is similar in the IT and NIT groups and is lower in coated PC and Tygon in the IT group compared to the NIT group. Coating process optimization in the IT lung circuit may help address difference in the coating appearance of outer and inner fiber bundle fibers, and the NO-liposome significantly reduces (86%) plt fouling on fibers indicating its potential use for blood anticoagulation.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Liposomes , Humans , Liposomes/metabolism , COVID-19/metabolism , Blood Platelets/metabolism , Lung , AdsorptionABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 pandemic exposed health care providers such as physiotherapists to physical injuries. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders refer to musculoskeletal injuries caused by the occupation. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists during COVID-19 in western region of Saudi Arabia. Method: Researchers performed a cross-sectional web-based survey (questionnaire) targeting physiotherapists in western Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire composed of 3 parts: personal, occupational and physical. One hundred and ten physical therapists who replied were working at 18 public and health hospitals of the western region of Saudi Aribia, providing direct care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Result: A total of 110 physiotherapists [(60%) females and (40%) males] participated in this study. The overall prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders as follows: neck, shoulder, wrist/hand region (42.1%), lower back (28.9%), and neck, upper back (15.8%). The most common types of injuries were muscle strain (42.1%), pain and spasm (28.9%), and vertebral disc problem and ligament sprain (21.1%). Conclusion: The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physiotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic in western region of Saudi Arabia was high in the neck, shoulder, and wrist/hand regions.
ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 pandemic exposed health care providers such as physiotherapists to psychological disorders as depression and anxiety. Purpose: the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of psychological impact among physical therapists during COVID-19 in western Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: Researchers performed a cross sectional survey-based study targeting physiotherapists in western KSA during the COVID-19 pandemic by using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire composed of three parts personal, occupational, and psychological. One hundred and ten Physical therapists replied who were working at 18 public and health hospitals of the Western region of KSA providing direct care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data analysis: Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and percentage were utilized in presenting the subjects characteristics and collected data. Chi-square statistics was utilized to examine psychological injury with subject characteristics. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05 for all tests through the statistical package (SPSS) version 25. Result: One hundred and ten physiotherapists [(60%) females and (40%) males] participated in this study. The results showed that male physiotherapists (63.69%) had higher frequency of psychological disorders in comparison with female physiotherapists (40.9%). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had a bad effect on psychological aspect of physiotherapists in western KSA.