Platelet-albumin-bilirubin score and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict intensive care unit admission in patients with end-stage kidney disease infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19: a single-center prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to develop clinical scores to predict the risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in patients with COVID-19 and end stage kidney disease (ESKD). METHODS: This was a prospective study in which 100 patients with ESKD were enrolled and divided into two groups: the ICU group and the non-ICU group. We utilized univariate logistic regression and nonparametric statistics to analyze the clinical characteristics and liver function changes of both groups. By plotting receiver operating characteristic curves, we identified clinical scores that could predict the risk of ICU admission. RESULTS: Out of the 100 patients with Omicron infection, 12 patients were transferred to the ICU due to disease aggravation, with an average of 9.08 days from hospitalization to ICU transfer. Patients transferred to the ICU more commonly experienced shortness of breath, orthopnea, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The peak liver function and changes from baseline in the ICU group were significantly higher, with p values <.05. We found that the baseline platelet-albumin-bilirubin score (PALBI) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were good predictors of ICU admission risk, with area under curve values of 0.713 and 0.770, respectively. These scores were comparable to the classic Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Patients with ESKD and Omicron infection who are transferred to the ICU are more likely to have abnormal liver function. The baseline PALBI and NLR scores can better predict the risk of clinical deterioration and early transfer to the ICU for treatment.

The Effectiveness of International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative-Tailored Interventions on Staff Knowledge and Texture-Modified Diet Compliance in Aged Care Facilities: A Pre-Post Study.

Background: The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) has created global standardized definitions for texture-modified diets (TMDs) and thickened liquids to improve the safety and care for individuals with swallowing difficulties. The IDDSI framework guides health care facilities, such as aged care, to provide food to at-risk patients. Objectives: This study aims to design, deliver, and evaluate a tailored intervention to facilitate IDDSI implementation in aged care. Methods: Five aged care facilities received tailored interventions, which were guided by the Expert Recommendation for Implementing Change process and used the corresponding barriers identified in the previous study: 1) tailored material, delivery, and planning; 2) opinion leaders and professional input; 3) strategies to attract and involve staff; and 4) reflections and evaluations. Meal compliance against IDDSI standards and staff knowledge acquisition were the primary outcomes evaluating the impact of the intervention. Written consent was obtained from facility managers. Staff trainings were delivered by a dietitian, accompanied with electronic and printed materials. An audit was conducted on all items listed on the TMD daily menu (lunch, dinner, and midmeals). TMD IDDSI audits and staff self-administered surveys were conducted before and 6 mo after the intervention. Results: Audits of 68 and 79 TMD meals/items were conducted pre- and postintervention, respectively. Significant improvement in meal compliance was found in all 3 levels of TMDs, including soft and bite-sized (50%; P = 0.0001), minced and moist (44%; P = 0.0024), and puréed (42%; P = 0.0024). The overall IDDSI compliance increased by 46% postintervention (P < 0.0001). Staff achieved higher scores in both dysphagia and IDDSI knowledge sections (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Tailored interventions facilitated IDDSI implementation in aged care evidenced by increased TMD compliance and staff knowledge, which remained at 6 mo postintervention.

Very high-resolution remote sensing-based mapping of urban residential districts to help combat COVID-19.

Urban residential districts (URDs) are a major element in the formation of cities that are essential for urban planning. Regarding the COVID-19 virus, which remains variable in aerosols for several hours, airborne transmission tends to occur in areas of poor ventilation and high occupant density. Thus, ventilation capacity is an important factor influencing airborne transmission in URDs, which should be evaluated as part of efforts to fight COVID-19 and guide healthy city planning and implementation. Here, we develop and test systematic methods to map URDs in a typical city in northern China and quantify their ventilation capacity using very high-resolution remote sensing images. Four fundamental spatial forms of URD are identified in the research area: the point-group form, parallel form, enclosed form, and hybrid form. Our analyses indicate that the integrated ventilation capacities for well-designed URDs are nearly twice those of poorly designed URDs. Large variations in ventilation capacity are also observed within URDs, with up to 13.42 times difference between the buildings. Therefore, very high-resolution remote sensing data are fundamental for extracting building height and generating precise spatial forms, which can improve the micro-scale URD ventilation planning for the prevention of COVID-19.

Impact of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on the Inflammatory Response and Viral Clearance in COVID-19 Patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on the inflammatory response and viral clearance in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: We included 229 patients with confirmed COVID-19 in a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Propensity score matching at a ratio of 1:3 was introduced to eliminate potential confounders. Patients were assigned to the ACEI/ARB group (n = 38) or control group (n = 114) according to whether they were current users of medication. Results: Compared to the control group, patients in the ACEI/ARB group had lower levels of plasma IL-1ß [(6.20 ± 0.38) vs. (9.30 ± 0.31) pg/ml, P = 0.020], IL-6 [(31.86 ± 4.07) vs. (48.47 ± 3.11) pg/ml, P = 0.041], IL-8 [(34.66 ± 1.90) vs. (47.93 ± 1.21) pg/ml, P = 0.027], and TNF-α [(6.11 ± 0.88) vs. (12.73 ± 0.26) pg/ml, P < 0.01]. Current users of ACEIs/ARBs seemed to have a higher rate of vasoconstrictive agents (20 vs. 6%, P < 0.01) than the control group. Decreased lymphocyte counts [(0.76 ± 0.31) vs. (1.01 ± 0.45)*109/L, P = 0.027] and elevated plasma levels of IL-10 [(9.91 ± 0.42) vs. (5.26 ± 0.21) pg/ml, P = 0.012] were also important discoveries in the ACEI/ARB group. Patients in the ACEI/ARB group had a prolonged duration of viral shedding [(24 ± 5) vs. (18 ± 5) days, P = 0.034] and increased length of hospitalization [(24 ± 11) vs. (15 ± 7) days, P < 0.01]. These trends were similar in patients with hypertension. Conclusions: Our findings did not provide evidence for a significant association between ACEI/ARB treatment and COVID-19 mortality. ACEIs/ARBs might decrease proinflammatory cytokines, but antiviral treatment should be enforced, and hemodynamics should be monitored closely. Since the limited influence on the ACEI/ARB treatment, they should not be withdrawn if there was no formal contraindication.

High-Flow Nasal Oxygen in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: A Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: An ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 is spreading globally. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is the most common complication of coronavirus disease 2019. However, the clinical effectiveness of early high-flow nasal oxygen treatment in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure has not been explored. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of high-flow nasal oxygen treatment and to identify the variables predicting high-flow nasal oxygen treatment failure in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. DESIGN: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Three tertiary hospitals in Wuhan, China. PATIENTS: Forty-three confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 adult patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure treated with high-flow nasal oxygen. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean age of the enrolled patients was 63.0 ± 9.7 years; female patients accounted for 41.9%. High-flow nasal oxygen failure (defined as upgrading respiratory support to positive pressure ventilation or death) was observed in 20 patients (46.5%), of which 13 (30.2%) required endotracheal intubation. Patients with high-flow nasal oxygen success had a higher median oxygen saturation (96.0% vs 93.0%; p < 0.001) at admission than those with high-flow nasal oxygen failure. High-flow nasal oxygen failure was more likely in patients who were older (p = 0.030) and male (p = 0.037), had a significant increase in respiratory rate and a significant decrease in the ratio of oxygen saturation/FIO2 to respiratory rate index within 3 days of high-flow nasal oxygen treatment. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis model, male and lower oxygen saturation at admission remained independent predictors of high-flow nasal oxygen failure. The hospital mortality rate of the cohort was 32.5%; however, the hospital mortality rate in patients with high-flow nasal oxygen failure was 65%. CONCLUSIONS: High-flow nasal oxygen may be effective for treating coronavirus disease 2019 patients with mild to moderate acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. However, high-flow nasal oxygen failure was associated with a poor prognosis. Male and lower oxygenation at admission were the two strong predictors of high-flow nasal oxygen failure.

Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with the Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory viral infections are frequency accompanied by multiple organ dysfunction, including acute kidney injury (AKI). In December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and rapidly spread worldwide. While diffuse alveolar damage and acute respiratory failure are the main features of COVID-19, other organs may be involved, and the incidence of AKI is not well described. We assessed the incidence and clinical characteristics of AKI in patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and its effects on clinical outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, observational study of patients with COVID-19 admitted to two general hospitals in Wuhan from 5 January 2020 to 21 March 2020. Demographic data and information on organ dysfunction were collected daily. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO clinical practice guidelines. Early and late AKI were defined as AKI occurring within 72 h after admission or after 72 h, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 116 patients, AKI developed in 21 (18.1%) patients. Among them, early and late AKI were found in 13 (11.2%) and 8 (6.9%) patients, respectively. Compared with patients without AKI, patients with AKI had more severe organ dysfunction, as indicated by a higher level of disease severity status, higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score on admission, an increased prevalence of shock, and a higher level of respiratory support. Patients with AKI had a higher SOFA score on admission (4.5 ± 2.1 vs. 2.8 ± 1.4, OR 1.498, 95% CI 1.047-2.143 ) and greater hospital mortality (57.1% vs. 12.6%, OR 3.998, 95% CI 1.088-14.613) than patients without AKI in both the univariate and multivariate analyses. Patients with late AKI, but not those with early AKI, had a significantly prolonged length of stay (19.6 vs. 9.6 days, p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that admission SOFA score was an independent risk factor for AKI in COVID-19 patients, and patients with AKI had higher in-hospital mortality. Moreover, AKI development after 72 h of admission was related to prolonged hospitalization time.

Co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A Virus in Patient with Pneumonia, China.

We report co-infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza A virus in a patient with pneumonia in China. The case highlights possible co-detection of known respiratory viruses. We noted low sensitivity of upper respiratory specimens for SARS-CoV-2, which could further complicate recognition of the full extent of disease.