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Background: Coronavirus is a highly infectious novel virus we are in urge to know more about their clinical characteristics and laboratory findings for the characterization and selection of treatment protocol. Methods: Prospective, single centre study. Two months data was collected, clinical characteristics data from patient case sheet and the laboratoryvalues from the Hospital Information System (HIS) for the month of July and August 2020. Results: Of 462 patients, 55 (11.9%) are falls under asymptomatic category, 194 (42%) are in mild category, 167 (36.1%) are in moderate category and 46 (10%) in severe category. Fever 230 (49.8%) and cough 211 (45.7%) was most common clinical symptom with p value < 0.01. Non-severe vs severe, 340 (73.6%) and 201 (43.5%) showed decreased in eosinophil count and absolute eosinophil count, 125 (27.1%) and 80 (17.3%) patient showed decrease in lymphocyte count and absolute lymphocyte count, 200 (43.3%) showed increase in neutrophil count with a significance of p value >0.05.186 (40.3%) patients had one or more co-morbidities. Laboratory findings between Asymptomatic VS symptomatic, showed significance changes in neutrophil, lymphocyte, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, globulin values (p value <0.05). Conclusion: Clinical severity categorization at the time of admission was very helpful for the treating doctors in proper understanding of disease progression and appropriate treatment of the patient. Presence of co-morbidity, abnormal laboratory values, old age group patients, higher Computed Tomography score, higher mortality rate are seen more in patients who were in clinical severity grade severe category than in non-severe category patients.
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Background: Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by the bacteria - Orientia tsutsugamushi, transmitted through the bite of an infected chigger. This infection is endemic in tropical countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It usually presents with fever, headache, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and tender lymphadenopathy. The presence of an eschar clinches the diagnosis clinically. Commonly encountered complications in scrub typhus include acute kidney injury (AKI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute liver injury, and rarely acute pancreatitis. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 70 year-old teetotaller male, who presented with acute febrile illness and respiratory distress during the peak period of the COVID -19 pandemic. During the course of illness, the patient developed acute pancreatitis as evidenced by elevated serum amylase and lipase as well as features of pancreatitis in the CT abdomen. Common causes of acute pancreatitis were ruled out with necessary investigations. He tested negative for malaria, dengue fever, enteric fever, and leptospirosis, but his IgM and IgG ELISA for scrub typhus were positive with high titres. He also had AKI, ARDS, and acute liver injury. The patient was treated symptomatically and with doxycycline. His condition improved gradually. Conclusion: Even though acute pancreatitis is one of the rare manifestations of scrub typhus, it should be suspected early and treated promptly.
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COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory disease caused by coronavirus 2. While many biochemical alterations have been studied in patients with COVID-19, only a few studies were available to explore the relationship between serum lipid profile values and the severity of SARS COVID-19 infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute on 128 patients infected with SARS COVID-19 from March 2020 to September 2020. It was an age and sex-matched study. Patients were categorized into mild and severe based on the signs and symptoms. A fasting serum lipid profile and IL-6 levels were measured and Pearson's correlation analysis was done. There was a highly significant decrease in the median and IQR levels of TC, HDL, and LDL in severe cases as compared to mild cases [TC - mild: (256,64), severe (125,44), HDL - mild (46,11), severe (25,13), and LDL - mild (170,48), severe (76,36)]. TGL showed a significant decrease [mild: (170,67), severe:(110,69)]. IL-6 showed a significant increase in severe cases when compared to mild cases [mild:(20,37), severe:(62,105)]. Pearson's correlation analysis showed a significant inverse relationship between the levels of TC, HDL, and IL-6. However, TGL and LDL showed inverse but no significant relationship with IL-6. As the severity of COVID-19 increases, lipid profile levels start decreasing. Hypolipidemia is a pathognomic finding in severe SARS COVID-19 infection.
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COVID 19 pandemic has gradually established itself as the worst pandemic in the last hundred years around the world after initial outbreak in China, including India. To prevent the spread of the infection the Government implemented lockdown measure initially from 24th March to 14th April, 2020 which was later extended to 3rd May, 2020. This lockdown imposed restrictions in human activities, vehicular movements and industrial functioning;resulting in reduced pollution level in the cities. This study was initiated with the objective to identify the change in the air quality of seven megacities in India and to determine any correlation between the active COVID cases with the air quality parameters. Air quality dataset of the most common parameters (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, NH3, CO and Ozone) along with air quality index for 70 stations of seven megacities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Chandigarh) were analysed. Comparison was made between AQI of pre lockdown and during lockdown periods. The results obtained indicate sufficient improvement in air quality during the period of the lockdown. For the next part of the study active COVID cases during the lockdown were compared to the air quality change of that period. A significant correlation between active COVID case and change in the air quality was observed for Delhi and Kolkata with 0.51 and 0.64 R2 values respectively. A positive correlation was also observed between air pollutant parameters and incidents of COVID cases in this study. Thus from the analysis it was identified that air quality index improved considerably as a result of the nationwide lockdown however, there was no significant impact of this improvement on the infection rate of the prevailing pandemic.
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Introduction: The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has made the provision of cancer care services a challenging task all over the world, even in developed countries. Multiple studies have already reported increased rate of diagnostic delays, interruptions in radiotherapy and chemotherapy administration, and shortage of health care personnel to deliver these services. Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of strategies used to deliver uninterrupted childhood cancer services at our center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of the children less than 18 years of age admitted at our center between March 2020 and September 2021 to assess the effect of strategies adopted to provide uninterrupted cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic. All the children with cancer who were managed during the study period were included in the study. The children who had treatment interruptions/lost to follow-up prior to onset of COVID-19 were excluded from the study. The primary outcome was to measure the effect of COVID-19 on delivery of cancer care services. The secondary outcome was to assess whether the strategies followed at our center helped to reduce diagnostic delays or loss to follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Out of total 1,490 admissions, 199 children were managed during the study period. Among the 199 children managed, 124 of them were newly diagnosed, 75 had ongoing treatment, 16 children relapsed, 13 children received palliative care, and 6 families were lost to follow-up. Out of 1,471 tests done, only 16 children and 6 caregivers tested COVID-19 positive during routine screening. Thirty-five underwent surgery and 23 received radiotherapy during this period. Among 199 children, 143 (71.8%) received financial support for hospital expenses, 23 (11.5%) received travel support, 20 (10%) were provided free accommodation, and 15 (7.5%) received home delivery of oral chemotherapy and pain medications. A total of $86,989.05 was supported for diagnostic investigations, COVID-19 testing, chemotherapy, and supportive care;$1,144.90 for travel support;and $17,010.94 was waived off by hospital administration to support the poor families. Conclusion: The shared care model, support from nongovernmental organizations and hospital administration, and utilization of local resources productively and effectively helped to avoid diagnostic delays and treatment interruptions, and provide uninterrupted pediatric cancer care services at our center.
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Introduction: Candida auris has been reported from various health care settings and has recently gained importance because of its intrinsic resistance to many classes of antifungal agents and to disinfection. The outbreak potential and high mortality associated with Candida auris infection reinforces the need for speciation. Routine conventional methods are cumbersome and automated systems are unable to confirm up to species level. Materials and Methods: Candida auris isolates from consecutive non-repetitive blood cultures over a 1-year period were speciated based on phenotypic, physiological and biochemical tests and VITEK. Molecular confirmation was done by PCR-RFLP and MALDI-TOF. Anti- fungal susceptibility test was performed according to CLSI guidelines (2021), using suitable controls. Virulence factors such as production of Hemolysin, Phospholipase, Esterase and Bio-film production were demonstrated. RT-PCR was used to screen the COVID-19 status using SD-Biosensor kit. Baseline data and clinical history were collected and analysed. Results: Of 3632 blood cultures (0.77%), 28 Candida sp. were isolated including 9 Candida auris, (9/28, 32.14%). Of these 8 were from COVID-19 positive patients (88.89%), while 1 was from COVID-19 negative patient (11.11%). Two patients survived, while the remaining 7 patients succumbed to the disease. Conclusion: The increasing incidence of Candidiasis especially during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised the concern for early speciation. Through multi-modal strategies such as quick and correct identification, active surveillance, guided reporting, stringent infection control measures and correct use of anti-fungals through proper susceptibility testing, we can prevent the occurrence and spread of new Candida auris cases in the future.
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Modern entrepreneurship is defined by the ability to take risks independently and individually in order to profit by grapping a chance to earn more money in a market-oriented economy. The main objective of the study was to identify the constraints faced by the agripreneurs and suggestions to overcome the constraints. The study has been conducted in two incubators namely Technology Business Incubator (TBI), Coimbatore and Madurai Agribusiness Incubation Forum (MABIF), Madurai. The respondents were selected by proportionate random sampling method. Garrett ranking was used to rank the constraints. The constraints were classified into three categories namely Socio personal, technological and economic constraints. The major constraints faced by agripreneurs were problems in sustaining enterprise, more psychological stress, marketing and transport of the product was difficult during Covid time, poor access of input during Covid time, lack of financial support and problems during supply chain management. Different marketing strategies could be used to make awareness among the consumers about the developed products, technical support and timely supervision.
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Introduction: The 2019 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been a serious global threat with numerous researches indicating that frontline healthcare personnel involved in its management and diagnosis are at risk of experiencing psychological disturbances and deteriorating mental health. By definition, "burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed". Burnout has been associated with increased mortality and morbidity.
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This is a case report about an 8-year old boy who presented with complaints of fever for 5 days, loose stools, abdominal pain, and erythema of the palms and soles for 3 days. There was a history of short duration fever in all his family members 1 month back, but none of them were tested for COVID-19. On admission, the patient was febrile and had erythematous extremities. There was no organomegaly. He presented with hypotensive shock which was managed with fluid boluses and inotrope support. Fever workup including cultures were negative. His COVID-19 antibody was positive (16.17 index units). Inflammatory markers were elevated: ESR=50 mm/h=;C reactive protein=51 mg/dL;ferritin=>1000 ng/mL;D dimer=8260 ng/mL. Echocardiogram was normal and he was managed with intravenous immunoglobulin due to meeting the criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MISC) in children. The patient's fever subsided within 48 hours and his inflammatory markers showed declining trend. On the third day of becoming afebrile, the child complained of swelling, pain, and redness of right scrotum. There was no recurrence of fever, nor parotid swelling associated with orchitis. On examination, the right testis was enlarged, tender, located in the normal anatomic position with an intact ipsilateral cremasteric reflex. testicular tension was ruled out by ultrasound doppler. The unilateral orchitis was managed with supportive measures and subsided by 48 hours.
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The study aims to perform a comparative analysis of new cases of COVID-19 reported during the peak time of two waves in Chennai city in 2019-2020. Eight zone-wise variables for 15 zones of Chennai City were studied. They were reduced to fewer factors using a dimension reduction technique called factor analysis, and a standardized index value for each zone and two waves was obtained. The region of hot spots was identified using the Kriging interpolation method using the standardized index value. During wave 1, the average daily number of deaths, new cases, and active cases was 37, 2071, and 21163, respectively, but it was 76, 6663, and 39385 in the second wave. The second wave has a two times higher number of deaths, 3.2 times higher number of new cases, and 1.8 times of active cases. The first wave had a higher percentage of infected people aged 40 years or older, whereas it was more people aged 10-39 years in the second wave. The Krigged estimates showed comparison showed the regions at a higher risk of transmission. Population demographics play COVID-19 a vital role. The zone with a more slum population (Sholiganallur) does not show much intensity of new cases.
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Emergence of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) variants with altered tissue tropism and host range has been reported from different parts of the world. Little is known about the different IBV variants existing and emerging in India. To explore the same, an IBV isolate, namely B17 isolated from backyard chicken in Tamil Nadu was used in the present study. The complete genome of B17 was sequenced and its phylogenetic relationship with the existing vaccine strain genotypes was analysed. The phylogenetic analysis of both S1 gene and complete genome sequence grouped B17 under Mass41 genotype comprising of M41, Beaudette, H120 and H120 variant with bootstrap value of 95-100%. Further, genomic analysis of B17 revealed the possibilities of emergence of the same from H120 vaccine strain through mutations at various genes.
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Revitalization of local health traditions (RLHT) has become an inevitable aspect of human wellbeing in the post COVID era. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out to collect information on local health traditions and cultural reflections associate with the age old use of wild edible fruits (WEFs) from common plants in Melur Region of Madurai district, TamilNadu, India as the habit of consuming WEFs is quite common among people in this region and has not been completely abandoned in particular among the age old people. Information presented in this paper has been gathered from local people using an integrated approach of botanical collections, group discussions and interviews with questionnaires during the period from Apr 2021 to Mar 2022. As much as 29 informants were interviewed, among the informants 6 were local health-care practitioners (Vidiyars). Studies on the use of WEFs from common plants in Melur resulted in collection and documentation of information on a total of 34 ethnomedicinal plant species distributed across 20 families. Medicinal plants used by local people are listed with scientific name, family, local name, plant part(s) used, mode of consumption and preparation and medicinal uses. Data collected during the study clearly indicates that fresh parts of the plant (Fruit (Ripe/ Unripe)) were more preferred in general for the preparation of medicinal formulations by the local health practitioners. Documented ethnomedicinal plants were mostly used to cure long term complications associated with diabetics, gastrointestinal disorders, skin diseases, poison bites and nervous disorders. Howsoever, results of this study is clear record to the claim that the local people still depend on medicinal plants to overcome situations like COVID pandemic as fruits from most of the plants documented serve as natural source of immune boosters. Further, in-depth studies (both In-silico and Pre Clinical trials) are expected to bring to limelight the hidden quantum of bioactive compounds in the fruits these medicinal plants and their therapeutic potential.
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In order to address the needs of those caught in a pandemic, one needs situational awareness for tracking the development of the pandemic and the resources needed to help those affected by it. That can enable governments to connect those who need help with healthcare providers who can help them and as well connect healthcare providers with the resources they need for helping the sick. Using a war room as a central node for centralizing responsibility otherwise normally delegated to numerous stakeholders can provide minimal multimodal protocols for effectively capturing data for developing situational awareness of the pandemic. Having situational awareness in real time can enable a war room to use its authority for exercising responsibility for connecting the dots and taking action for addressing the needs of a pandemic. © 2021 IEEE.
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Introduction- The spread of coronavirus disease caused by novel coronavirus SARS-Cov2 is becoming a life threatening situation all over the globe. In such cases prevention is better than cure. Materials and methods - A survey was conducted through google forms - a cross sectional study (questionnaire based) across workers in south tamilnadu factory. For which 261 responses were received and recorded. Result - Over 261 responses majority of them belong to the age group of 20 to 40 and about 73.2% of them are males. Their responses were recorded and validation was done. Conclusion- Wearing a mask, following social distancing, proper hand sanitation prevents the spread of the disease. From our study we can conclude that workers among south Tamilnadu factories follow proper norms to prevent the spread.
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Education is the platform where one acquires knowledge, skills, habits and morals. It is a place for discovering learning and enhancing about the people and the surroundings. Education has not only thought about the world but also traditions and customs. Education takes place under the guidance of an educator it takes place formally and informally. Until 2019 education system took place formally but after the covid-19 education systems had to move to the next platform which is online education. Online education on self -efficacy, Academic achievement and hopelessness states the importance of student's online education and how the students are able to cope up with the new education system during the pandemic. The new educational system has brought in new changes among the students and how the students find this platform effective for their academic achievements and hopelessness. The main objective of the study is to find out how students are adapting to the online platform, the achievements of the students in the online platform. The researcher collected the data using an emailed questionnaire which has 4 sections. The first part consists of the personal details of the students, followed by the self-efficacy scale and the academic achievement scale which was developed by Wegner, Schwarz, and Jerusalem (1993), and hopelessness scale was developed by Saaho (1985). The researcher used the standard scale on self-efficacy, academic achievement and hopelessness. The universe of the study is the students pursuing their Higher Education in Coimbatore. The researcher collected the samples using snow ball sampling method which is a Non probability sampling method. The study reveals how the students find the online platform effective in order to achieve in terms of academic. The data analysis is carried out with the help of Statistical Package for Social Science.
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Background: Educational system is affected because of COVID-19. Online classes were conducted by the management for the welfare of the students. Online classes are conducted over the internet and it is very convenient during lockdown. But technological challenges can make the students think back towards their blackboard class setup. Aim: To assess the perception and reception of online and offline education among adolescents in the Chennai population.
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Mannequins are the human shaped, human sized dolls to showcase the garments. And to style those apparels on it. This is found in almost all the garment stores. These mannequins in the chosen value fashion brandbrand are rarely seen for styling ideas. So this research proposes, using those mannequins as a element to provide social distancing in any fashion retail store. For which, various researches were done using, questionnaire and the chosen location was the chosen value fashion brandbrand's five outlets in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India. For a basic study, whole Tamilnadu population was taken and random sampling was done to find the importance of mannequin in the region.
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To develop a questionnaire to measure the influence of Low Carb Diet Therapy on patients' Quality of Life, and also assess the effect of Low Carb Diet on biochemical, anthropometric and dietary intake parameters reflecting on the evaluation of care, health status and thus the efficacy of online consultation and review methods during COVID-19 Pandemic. Thirty five patients visiting the Diabetologist / Endocrinologist through online methods prescribed Low Carb Diets were administered the QOL questionnaire in Google Form through WhatsApp at online visit to the doctor and the subsequent visit. Other demographic, biochemical, anthropometric parameters, and diet recall were gathered at baseline and the subsequent review. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Reliability Analysis (RA) using Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability were done. The questionnaire assessed 15 aspects or questions in the QOL. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a three-factor solution with eigen values >1 and factor loadings >0.3. The first factor contained 5 reliable items, the second factor contained 4 items, third factor with 6 items (with Cronbach's Alpha= 0.669, 0.884, 0.775 respectively) As hypothesized, the QOL was better among patients following Low Carb Diets with higher levels of happiness, more satisfaction with their life and health and also, their biochemical, anthropometric and intake improved. These findings indicate the efficacy of the Low Carb Diet education on QOL and the influence on biochemical, anthropometric and dietary intake parameters was noted. This also shows the efficacy of online consultation and review methods during Pandemic.
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A well-structured specifically developed questionnaire with 31 questions was circulated among residents in Tamil Nadu via social networking sites such as Facebook, Email, WhatsApp, and Twitter starting on 1411' August 2020 to 24m August 2020.181 out of 350 participants contacted, responded to the online survey (52%). Among the respondents (181), 30%, 21%, and 0.3% were male, female, and third gender, respectively. There was no substantial change in the consumption pattern of eggs during the COVID-19 lock-down period. However, there was a 5% reduction in the consumption of poultry meat and egg on Sunday's during the COVID-19 lock-down period. There was a marginal increase in the purchase of poultry eggs among the respondents who usually buy less than 6 eggs per week for their family and a marginal reduction in the (-4%) in the purchase of poultry eggs among the respondents purchasing 12-24 eggs per week for their family. The regular quantity of chicken meat consumed per family per week is up to 2 kgs. There was a 6% reduction in the consumption of chicken meat among the respondents consuming 1 to 2 kg per week for their family during the COVID-19 lock-down period. This survey highlights the need for constant awareness among the general public as 36% of respondents were unaware of the about non-transmission of COVID-19 through chicken meat and egg. fry.
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Introduction: India is one of the top three countries in the world with more than 10 million confirmed cases. Ever since the emergence of this COVID-19 pandemic, many SARS-CoV-2 mutations have been identified all over the globe and the latest to this addition is the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Only when there is adequate knowledge about the pandemic, we can handle the situation with ease. The main aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of knowledge and awareness about COVID-19 among COVID-19 recovered adults in the rural population of Chengalpattu district and to assess the prevalence of standard practising methods followed by them. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional study. It used a semi-structured questionnaire that had three segments like sociodemographic profile, awareness related to COVID-19 and practice related to COVID-19. Scores were given to knowledge and practice related questions and the cumulative score for the same was taken into consideration.