ABSTRACT
In the last decade, e-commerce has been growing consistently. Fostered by the covid pandemic, online retail has grown exponentially, particularly in industries including food, clothing, groceries, and many others. This growth in online retailing activities has raised critical logistic challenges, especially in the last leg of the distribution, commonly referred to as the Last Mile. For instance, traditional truck-based home delivery has reached its limit within metropolitan areas and can no longer be an effective delivery method. Driven by technological progress, several other logistic solutions have been deployed as innovative alternatives to deliver parcels. This includes delivery by drones, smart parcel stations, robots, and crowdsourcing, among others. In this setting, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive review and analysis of the latest trends in last-mile delivery solutions from both industry and academic perspectives (see Figure 1 for overview). We use a content analysis literature review to analyse over 80 relevant publications, derive the necessary features of the latest innovation in the last mile delivery, and point out their different maturity levels and the related theoretical and operational challenges. (Figure presented.). © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 poses a major health threat to healthy individuals and those with comorbidities. SARS-CoV-2 virus causes liver damage and worsens pre-existing chronic liver disease that yields higher mortality rates. However, it remains unknown whether those with chronic liver disease are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and how these risks were further affected by the patient's demographics. Aim(s): this study aimed to determine the incidence of mortality and degree of severity of covid-19 infection among the studied cohort. Subject and methods: This case-control study was conducted on 124 patients: (Group A): COVID-19 patients with previous history of treated HCV and (Group B): COVID-19 patients with previous history of untreated HCV. Result(s): There was high significant difference between both groups as regard mortality rate. Also, active HCV infection was associated with more severe disease and higher mortality in patients co-infected with SARS-CoV-2, HCV viral load being an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality and liver impairment. The severity of liver impairment was associated with poor clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Conclusion(s): These results suggested that close monitoring and careful treatment for active- HCV patients with COVID-19 are needed to avoid health deterioration and fatal outcome. Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) exhibit laboratory evidence of hypercoagulability and are at risk of experiencing thrombotic complications. We developed and implemented a standardized multidisciplinary treatment approach which encompassed a thromboprophylaxis protocol and a computerized clinical decision support system including a provider order set to guide and unify practice. In high-risk patients defined as critically ill and/or having additional risk factors for thromboembolism, prophylactic-dose enoxaparin (target anti-Factor Xa of 0.1-0.3 U/mL) was added. Objectives: To evaluate impact of implementation of a standardized thromboprophylaxis protocol in hospitalized patients with MIS-C. Design/Method: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were admitted to our center between March 2020 and December 2021 with confirmed MIS-C based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case definition. Relevant data were extracted from prospectively maintained institutional databases and the electronic medical records and were summarized using descriptive statistics. Key outcome measures included frequency of objectively confirmed venous and/or arterial TE during hospitalization and within 30 days after discharge and frequency of major bleeding and/or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB) defined according to the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria. Results: A total of 136 patients (59 females, median age 8 years) with confirmed MIS-C were included in this study. Forty-five patients (33%) were ≥12 years of age. Of 136 patients, 124 patients (91%) required intensive care unit (ICU) stay and 64 patients (47%) required a central venous catheter for a median duration of 5 days [Interquartile range (IQR) 4-7]. The median total hospital and ICU length of stays were 11 days [IQR 6-14] and 3 days [IQR 2-6], respectively. Prophylactic-dose enoxaparin was initiated in 119 patients (88%) who were deemed high-risk per our protocol at a median of 1 day after admission [IQR 0-3] achieving target levels at a median of 1 day [IQR 1-2]. The median first anti-Factor Xa level was 0.13 u/mL [IQR 0.05-0.19]. Only 1 patient (0.7%) developed symptomatic non-catheter related superficial vein thrombosis requiring therapeutic anticoagulation. There were no other TEs encountered in our cohort. Bleeding events occurred in 5 patients (4.2%). All bleeding events were considered CRNMB (gastrointestinal bleeding in 4 patients and epistaxis in 1 patient). There were no mortalities. Conclusion: Implementation of an institutional standardized thromboprophylaxis protocol in patients with MIS-C was feasible and led to timely initiation of prophylactic anticoagulation and low rates of TEs and bleeding complications.
ABSTRACT
Background: Background: Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome of Children (MIS-C) has recently emerged internationally as a serious inflammatory complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection with significant morbidity for the pediatric population. Methods: This observational retrospective cohort study includes 33 children meeting CDC criteria for MIS-C treated between March 15 and June 17, 2020 at Children's National Hospital in Washington DC. Clinical and demographic data were extracted from medical records and are summarized. Results: Of 33 hospitalized MIS-C patients, 42% were critically ill, and 58% were non-critically ill. The median age was 8.9 years (0.7-18.7 years). More males (58 %) than females (43 %) were represented in the MIS-C cohort. The majority (75%) of children had no underlying medical condition. Criteria for incomplete or complete Kawasaki Disease (KD) were present in 39% of patients, while an additional 9% had some features of KD. However the remaining 52% of MIS-C patients presented with other sub-phenotypes including prominent severe abdominal pain and/or nonspecific multiorgan dysfunction. 30% presented with shock requiring volume and/or inotropic support. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were present in 61% of patients. Virus was detectable by PCR in 36% of patients. At the time of initial evaluation, 39% (13/33) of children had identified cardiac abnormalities including myocardial dysfunction (5/33;15%), coronary ectasia (4/33;12%), coronary aneurysm (3/33;9%), or pericardial effusion 5/33;15%) either alone or in combination. Cytokine profiling identified elevation of several cytokines in this cohort, including IL-6. Treatment has included intravenous immunoglobulin, aspirin, anakinra and other immunomodulatory therapies, with overall rapid response to therapy. No deaths have occurred. Conclusion: The emergence of MIS-C late in the surge of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in the Washington DC metropolitan region has added to the already significant burden of hospitalized and critically ill children in our region. A significant percentage of these children present with cardiac dysfunction and abnormalities, whether or not with KD features at presentation. Detailed characterization of immune responses and long term outcome of these patients is a priority.