New Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Post Covid Patients - an Observational Study

Background and Aims: The novel coronavirus,binds to angiotensin- converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, which are expressed in key metabolic organs and tissues, including pancreatic beta cells, adipose tissue, small intestine and kidneys. COVID-19 is attributed to the cytokine storm, followed by pancreatic cell damage.Thus, it is plausible that SARS-CoV-2 may cause pleiotropic alterations of glucose metabolism that could complicate the pathophysiology of pre-existing diabetes or lead to new onset Diabetes Mellitus.Thus, the study aims to analyze the development of new onset diabetes in post covid patients Methods: Serum glucose level of 500 patients, between the age of 18 to 50 who were previously normoglycemic and recovered from COVID-19 was measured and incidence of new onset diabetes mellitus was obtained. Result(s): Out of 500previously normoglycemic COVID-19 patients selected for the study, 97 patients (19.4%) developed new onset diabetes mellitus after recovering from COVID-19 disease. Conclusion(s): The results of this study show that a significant amount of people developed new onset type 2 diabetes mellitus after having recovered from COVID-19. Blood glucose control is important not only for prediabetics affected with COVID but also for those affected with no previous status of diabetes mellitus. The results of this paper could be useful in screening and diagnosis of new onset diabetes mellitus at an early stage can be beneficial to avoid further worsening of the patient's health.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination Coverage, Intentions, Attitudes, and Barriers by Race/Ethnicity, Language of Interview, and Nativity-National Immunization Survey Adult COVID Module, 22 April 2021-29 January 2022.

The National Immunization Survey Adult COVID Module used a random-digit-dialed phone survey during 22 April 2021-29 January 2022 to quantify coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, intent, attitudes, and barriers by detailed race/ethnicity, interview language, and nativity. Foreign-born respondents overall and within racial/ethnic categories had higher vaccination coverage (80.9%), higher intent to be vaccinated (4.2%), and lower hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination (6.0%) than US-born respondents (72.6%, 2.9%, and 15.8%, respectively). Vaccination coverage was significantly lower for certain subcategories of national origin or heritage (eg, Jamaican [68.6%], Haitian [60.7%], Somali [49.0%] in weighted estimates). Respondents interviewed in Spanish had lower vaccination coverage than interviewees in English but higher intent to be vaccinated and lower reluctance. Collection and analysis of nativity, detailed race/ethnicity and language information allow identification of disparities among racial/ethnic subgroups. Vaccination programs could use such information to implement culturally and linguistically appropriate focused interventions among communities with lower vaccination coverage.

Covid Patient Health Monitoring Using IoT During Quarantine

The term “COVID” is breaking the hearts of the entire human community. The Corona virus is more infectious and is exceptionally irresistible, it is vital to isolate the patients and yet the specialists need to screen Corona virus patients as well. With the expanding increase in the number of Corona cases, the doctors find it difficult to keep track on the medical issue of isolated patients. To address this issue, we designed a distant IOT based screen framework, that considers observing of numerous Corona virus patients over the web. The system uses temperature sensor, respiratory sensor and pulse oximeter to measure the health parameters of the patients. If any oddity is detected in patient’s health, the patient presses the emergency help button which we installed in our system. This will alert the doctor and the care taker over IOT remotely. Our system thus provides a safe health monitoring design, in order to prevent the disease spreading through Corona virus and monitoring the individual health of each patient. © 2021 The authors and IOS Press.

Smart Multifunctional Vital Testing Kit for Patients

The coronavirus or Covid 19 is a highly infectious disease which took a huge toll of human lives between the years 2019 and 2021. The global spread of the virus has overwhelmed health systems, and caused widespread social and economic disruption. Strategies in the control of an outbreak are screening, containment and mitigation. The process of collecting and recording vital signs can be a time- consuming process without the right tools. The main motive of the invention disclosed here is the integrated portable healthcare solution that will help in quickly carrying out Covid screening vital test measurements such as temperature, pulse and blood pressure which will not only be used during epidemic/pandemic but also during other emergencies/patient triages and also to keep a track of all affected Covid patient's screening results by the healthcare professionals. Monitoring of vital signs is necessary for the efficient and effective patient management. Vital signs are regularly measured at specific intervals in patients in the Emergency department or remotely. This project mainly focuses on the integration of three sensors (i.e.) MAX30100 sensor, MLX sensor and digital BP sensor and producing the values in the same kit. This smart device is used to monitor the person's temperature, blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate and by comparing all the four threshold values, the final result is displayed as normal or abnormal values simultaneously in the mobile app and the LCD display. The system can be used remotely as well in the healthcare setting where patients are in the waiting queue. Based on the results, intimation messages are sent to the concerned patient or healthcare professional who's mobile is linked with the device and in abnormal conditions, the alert message is sent to quarantine themselves from the general public. This continuous monitoring helps in the initial screening for Covid-19 at the early stage, where the results can be checked and timely advices can be given by the family members, doctors and the medical professionals. © 2022 IEEE.

Lessons Learned From a Qualitative COVID-19 Investigation Among Essential Workers With Limited English Proficiency in Southwest Kansas.

In this commentary, we briefly describe our methodology in conducting a remote qualitative investigation with essential workers from southwest Kansas, and then describe some key considerations, challenges, and lessons learned in recruiting and conducting interviews remotely. From August 4, 2020 through August 26, 2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staff conducted five phone interviews with culturally and linguistically diverse employees in southwest Kansas to understand COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices and communication preferences. Our experience details the potential challenges of the federal government in recruiting individuals from these communities and highlights the possibilities for more effectively engaging health department and community partners to support investigation efforts. Optimizing recruitment strategies with additional participation from community partners, developing culturally and linguistically appropriate data collection tools, and providing supportive resources and services may augment participation from refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities in similar remote investigations.

Spatiotemporal evaluation of hydrochemical facies and pesticide residues in the cardamom plantations of Southern Western Ghats, India

In India, Kerala state is considered as the “land of spices” and providing good quality spices to the world especially cardamom, ginger, clove, cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg, vanilla, tamarind and pepper. To maintain consistency in better crops yield, planters are constantly using pesticides. Most of the time, over-usage causes environmental degradation in terms of water and soil pollution. Highlands of Southern Western Ghats, especially in the Idukki district of Kerala, is famous for cardamom plantations. The widespread use of pesticides in plantations creates irreparable environmental concern due to pesticide residues in water and sediment. Abandoned pesticides are available in the local market with special brand names, and have been regularly used. At the same time organics such as acephate, fenvalerate, methamidophos, atrazine, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and ethion with comparable activity have been widely used in the areas of cardamom plantations as pesticides. A systematic field-survey conducted in cardamom plantations during the summer and monsoon seasons in 2020 (before and after the critical COVID-19 pandemic period). The sampling carried out from small streams near the plantations, which finally flows into the Periyar River. The samples collected from each location are carefully preserved and analysed using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS facilities using corresponding pesticide standards. The study identified the presence of acephate and fenvalerate in almost half of the sampling stations, while ethion is absent in all the samples. The rest of the hydrochemical parameters also determined. The potability and irrigational suitability of water-resources evaluated. The study also pointed out that the presence of pesticides is not having much influence on the hydrochemical prospects of water resources. Further studies required to get more information about the status and dynamics of pesticide contamination in other areas of the basin. Such studies are inevitable in mitigating pesticide pollution in a view of sustainable ecosystem management.

Pandemic Measures for the COVID19 Outbreak Control in Malaysia: A Correlative Comparison with China

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak is declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. This chapter presents a simplified approach of the 2019-nCoV outbreak in Malaysia, based on a simple mathematical model and limited reference data. The profound model predictions is based on the actual data on the date of confirmation excluding deaths, considering the recovered will have the possibility to get infected again. The 14 days incubation characteristics are used in the computations as pronounced by CDC to improve the prediction characteristics. This includes the four stages of recovery characteristics in any pandemic cases towards cluster segregation, contact tracing towards flattening the growth curve. The model from china was taken as reference and the Malaysian recovery phase analyses and compared with the measures in place. The computational approach for the dataset available is presented and the similarity measure is a good reference point in handling the pandemic of this size in future. © 2022, Institute of Technology PETRONAS Sdn Bhd.

Transition Within the Teaching Pedagogy: A Stochastic Opportunity to Engage Problem Solving Skill Through CODE

Engineering curriculum primarily relies on the execution of learning strategy in knowledge skill and psychomotor skill. The COVID19 scenario forces a rethinking stochastic approach needed to continue run the courses without compromising the outcomes as agreed and endorsed by the various stakeholders. This work proposes a way in which the engagement of students and curriculum can be approached in the future through a stochastic approach using design thinking strategy. CODE is a design thinking approach used in the alternative shift in running curriculum due to the shift in the full digital mode of operation due the closed down of physical institutions place of learning. The framework, the key components, and the tracking of the performance to align the set outcomes are presented. Analysis on a sample core module from the engineering specific with action plan strategy over a semester is presented with reflections and effectiveness through on the programme outcomes reflections. © 2022, Institute of Technology PETRONAS Sdn Bhd.

Covid fear leads to bleed: What is the cause?

Aims & Objectives: Aim: To describe an unexpected clinical condition during the pandemic due to Covid 19 Objectives: (1) To understand the effects of allopathic and alternative medicines at inappropriate doses on coagulation. (2) To understand the need of full coagulation work up to provide proper treatment. Patients/Materials & Methods: Present : A 47 year old gentle man was referred to haematologist for prolonged coagulation screen and factor X deficiency. Past : He had echymoses in the lower limbs and hematuria 2 months back. Nephrology & Urology opinion: Nil abnormality detected. Coagulation screen (prothrombin time & partial thromoplastin time) prolonged. InvestigatIon for common pathway factors show low Factor X. 3 units of fresh frozen plasma transfused to arrest hematuria and echymoses. (These past events happened elsewhere and was verified from his case file). Two years back he had plate implant without transfusion support for fracture femur which occurred due to road traffic accident. He has no comorbid conditions or bleeding history. Family history: No significant illness or bleeding history. Occupation: Pharmacist. Drug history: (1) Diclofeanac paracetamol 2 tabs/day for two years for pain. (2) Antihiastamines and antifungals for echymoses. (3) Kabasurakudineer and many other decotions for fear of Covid 19. Results: Diagnosis: Acquired Vitamin K dependent factor deficiencies. Treated with Vitamin K 10 mg orally daily for 3 months. Follow up: coagulation screen within reference range. Discussion & Conclusion: 1.Diclofenac known to inhibit platelet aggregation will interfere with coagulation? As in rats 2.Alternate system medicines interfere with vitamin K+ 3.Diclofenac and alternate medicines interaction cause vitamin k deficiency? 4.Lot of drugs causing malabsorption? Medications of all streams need physician guidance and follow up. Full coagulation work up is diagnostic and aids in treatment.

Dynamic d dimer as a prognostic indicator in covid 19

Aims & Objectives: AIM: To assess the utility of dynamic D-dimer as a prognostic marker in hospitalized patients with Covid-19. OBJECTIVE: (1) To correlate the initial D-dimer value with hospital stay and outcome of the patient. (2) To correlate the peak D-dimer value with hospital stay and outcome of the patient. (3) To correlate the initial D-dimer value with CT-chest score of the patient. Patients/Materials & Methods: MATERIAL & METHODS: (1) The serial D-dimer values of patients admitted with RT-PCR positive for Covid-19 were retrieved. (2) The age, sex and number of days of hospital stay and the outcome of the patient were observed from hospital information system. (3) The age and sex of the patient were collected from hospital database. (4) Spearman's correlation and Mann-Whitney U test were done with R base version 3.4.2 for MAC (R Core T 2017) a p value of<0.5 is considered significant . Results: (1) Total no of patients :121. (2) The age of the patients ranged from 7 to 80 Years. (3) Mean ± SD age is: 56.5 ± 17.7 years. (4) Sex: Male 89(73.6%) Female 32 (26.4). (5) Male : female ratio -2.8:1. (6) The patients stayed in the hospital for a minimum of 1 day to 1 month. (7) The outcome of patients were good. (8) There was no correlation between the initial D-dimer value and duration of hospital stay inspite of elevated initial D dimer was noticed in patients who stayed long (Spearman's rho = 0.13). (9) Also the peak D-dimer value was also not significant with duration of hospital stay. (10) (Spearman's rho = 0.28). (11) T D dimer value couldn't be correlated with adverse outcome since the numbers were less. (12) There was no correlation between initial D-dimer value and CT chest score (CORADS Score). (13) Spearman's rho = 0.21. Discussion & Conclusion: Males are more commonly affected than females. Though statistically insignificant, the elevated initial D dimer value is associated with prolonged hospital stay in patients with Covid 19 infection.

Potential Impact of COVID-19 on Recently Resettled Refugee Populations in the United States and Canada: Perspectives of Refugee Healthcare Providers.

Recently resettled refugee populations may be at greater risk for exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a virus that causes coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), and face unique challenges in following recommendations to protect their health. Several factors place resettled refugees at elevated risk for exposure to persons with COVID-19 or increased severity of COVID-19: being more likely to experience poverty and live in crowded housing, being employed in less protected, service-sector jobs, experiencing language and health care access barriers, and having higher rates of co-morbidities. In preparing for and managing COVID-19, resettled refugees encounter similar barriers to those of other racial or ethnic minority populations, which may then be exacerbated by unique barriers experienced from being a refugee. Key recommendations for resettlement and healthcare providers include analyzing sociodemographic data about refugee patients, documenting and resolving barriers faced by refugees, developing refugee-specific outreach plans, using culturally and linguistically appropriate resources, ensuring medical interpretation availability, and leveraging virtual platforms along with nontraditional community partners to disseminate COVID-19 messaging.