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1.
Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering ; 12626, 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-20243804

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 epidemic is not over. The correct wearing of masks can effectively prevent the spread of the virus. Aiming at a series of problems of existing mask-wearing detection algorithms, such as only detecting whether to wear or not, being unable to detect whether to wear correctly, difficulty in detecting small targets in dense scenes, and low detection accuracy, It is suggested to use a better algorithm based on YOLOv5s. It improves the generalization and transmission performance of the model by changing the ACON activation function. Then Bifpn is used to replace PAN to effectively integrate the target features of different sizes extracted by the network. Finally, To enable the network to pay attention to a wide area, CA is introduced to the backbone. This embeds the location information into the channel attention. © 2023 SPIE.

2.
Environ Pollut ; 333: 121986, 2023 Jun 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20245293

ABSTRACT

The consumption of disinfectants increased dramatically with the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic. Benzalkonium chloride (DDBAC), a cationic surfactant disinfectant for import and export cargoes, is used for effective degradation method. For DDBAC effective degradation, polyhedral Fe-Mn bimetallic catalyst of Prussian blue analogue (FeMn-CA300) was novelty developed for rapid peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. Results showed that the Fe/Mn redox and surface hydroxyl groups in the catalyst played an important role in the DDBAC-enhanced degradation. The removal effectiveness of 10 mg L-1 DDBAC was up to 99.4% in 80 min under the initial pH = 7, catalyst dosage of 0.4 g L-1, and PMS concentration of 15 mmol L-1. In addition, FeMn-CA300 had a wide pH applicability range. The results indicated that hydroxyls, sulfate radicals, and singlet oxygen could effectively improve the degradation efficiency, where sulfate radicals played a crucial role. Finally, the corresponding degradation path of DDBAC was further provided according to GC-MS results. The results of this study provide new insights into the degradation of DDBAC, thereby highlighting the great potential of FeMnca300/PMS to control refractory organic compounds in the aqueous phase.

3.
Cell Rep ; 42(5): 112443, 2023 05 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2306918

ABSTRACT

Omicron subvariants continuingly challenge current vaccination strategies. Here, we demonstrate nearly complete escape of the XBB.1.5, CH.1.1, and CA.3.1 variants from neutralizing antibodies stimulated by three doses of mRNA vaccine or by BA.4/5 wave infection, but neutralization is rescued by a BA.5-containing bivalent booster. CH.1.1 and CA.3.1 show strong immune escape from monoclonal antibody S309. Additionally, XBB.1.5, CH.1.1, and CA.3.1 spike proteins exhibit increased fusogenicity and enhanced processing compared with BA.2. Homology modeling reveals the key roles of G252V and F486P in the neutralization resistance of XBB.1.5, with F486P also enhancing receptor binding. Further, K444T/M and L452R in CH.1.1 and CA.3.1 likely drive escape from class II neutralizing antibodies, whereas R346T and G339H mutations could confer the strong neutralization resistance of these two subvariants to S309-like antibodies. Overall, our results support the need for administration of the bivalent mRNA vaccine and continued surveillance of Omicron subvariants.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibody Formation , Mutation/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Vaccines, Combined , Antibodies, Viral
4.
TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry ; 162 (no pagination), 2023.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-2299695

ABSTRACT

In addition to its remarkable genome editing capability, the CRISPR-Cas system has proven to be very effective in many fields of application, including the biosensing of pathogenic infections, mutagenic defects, or early cancer diagnosis. Thanks to their many advantages in terms of simplicity, efficiency, and reduced time, several CRISPR-Cas systems have been described for the design of sensitive and selective analytical tools, paving the way for the development and further commercialization of next-generation diagnostics. However, CRISPR-Cas-based biosensors still need further research efforts to improve some drawbacks, such as the need for target amplification, low reproducibility, and lack of knowledge of exploited element robustness. This review aims to describe the latest trends in the design of CRISPR-Cas biosensing technologies to better highlight the insights of their advantages and to point out the limitations that still need to be overcome for their future market entry as medical diagnostics.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

5.
College Teaching ; 71(2):103-111, 2023.
Article in English | Academic Search Complete | ID: covidwho-2294179

ABSTRACT

Rooted in the Greek tradition of Socrates and Aristotle, debate pedagogy utilizes the interpersonal 'heat' that comes with a clash in opinions to engage students in learning. Well-structured classroom debates can engage students, give them agency in their learning, and challenge them to view the layered perspectives that lie under the surface of topics across the curriculum. The proliferation of on-demand and asynchronous learning approaches presents a challenge for instructors who wish to hold live, synchronous, debates. It is frequently not possible to utilize traditional debate pedagogical techniques when students are not temporally or physically in a classroom space. Disruptions to traditional classroom learning caused by the COVID-19 epidemic only exacerbate the need to re-invent pedagogies for today's dynamic higher education learning environments. Emerging tools and approaches show promise in rekindling debate pedagogy, however, relatively little scholarship exists to orient instructors who wish to deploy evidenced-based debate pedagogy in blended and online courses. This paper presents the results of an investigation of one technology-facilitated approach to deploying asynchronous and online debates. Findings from the present investigation help to illuminate a path forward for instructors who wish to deploy structured classroom debates in online and asynchronous formats. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of College Teaching is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

6.
Front Microbiol ; 14: 1152249, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2295385

ABSTRACT

Virus infection involves the manipulation of key host cell functions by specialized virulence proteins. The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) small accessory proteins ORF3a and ORF7a have been implicated in favoring virus replication and spreading by inhibiting the autophagic flux within the host cell. Here, we apply yeast models to gain insights into the physiological functions of both SARS-CoV-2 small open reading frames (ORFs). ORF3a and ORF7a can be stably overexpressed in yeast cells, producing a decrease in cellular fitness. Both proteins show a distinguishable intracellular localization. ORF3a localizes to the vacuolar membrane, whereas ORF7a targets the endoplasmic reticulum. Overexpression of ORF3a and ORF7a leads to the accumulation of Atg8 specific autophagosomes. However, the underlying mechanism is different for each viral protein as assessed by the quantification of the autophagic degradation of Atg8-GFP fusion proteins, which is inhibited by ORF3a and stimulated by ORF7a. Overexpression of both SARS-CoV-2 ORFs decreases cellular fitness upon starvation conditions, where autophagic processes become essential. These data confirm previous findings on SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a and ORF7a manipulating autophagic flux in mammalian cell models and are in agreement with a model where both small ORFs have synergistic functions in stimulating intracellular autophagosome accumulation, ORF3a by inhibiting autophagosome processing at the vacuole and ORF7a by promoting autophagosome formation at the ER. ORF3a has an additional function in Ca2+ homeostasis. The overexpression of ORF3a confers calcineurin-dependent Ca2+ tolerance and activates a Ca2+ sensitive FKS2-luciferase reporter, suggesting a possible ORF3a-mediated Ca2+ efflux from the vacuole. Taken together, we show that viral accessory proteins can be functionally investigated in yeast cells and that SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a and ORF7a proteins interfere with autophagosome formation and processing as well as with Ca2+ homeostasis from distinct cellular targets.

7.
World J Diabetes ; 14(3): 343-346, 2023 Mar 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2292180

ABSTRACT

Ca2+/cAMP ratio could serve as an inflammatory index for diseases like hyp-ertension, diabetes, and coronavirus disease 2019.

8.
RELC Journal ; 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2268924

ABSTRACT

This article reports on the findings from a technology-enhanced teacher learning project where the SETTVEO app (Self Evaluation of Teacher Talk through Video Enhanced Observation) was used to support teachers' reflective practices and professional development. Participants in the project were a group of 40 student teachers (ST) from Hong Kong, who took part in a teaching practicum taught online owing to COVID-19 restrictions. They formed online professional learning communities (PLCs) with peers and tutors, shared their class recordings (tagged using the on SETTVEO app), and reflected on their teaching through weekly discussions. This study aims to characterize teacher learning mediated by video technology and dialogue, and to evaluate the impact of the app on STs' reflective practices and emerging Classroom Interactional Competence (CIC, Walsh 2013). In this article, we focus on an individual ST's development over a period of eight weeks. Two sources of data are transcribed and analysed using an applied Conversation Analysis (CA) method: the first records the teacher's interactions while teaching, the second their dialogic reflections based on observations of these class recordings. Findings from the study enhance our understandings of the role of technology in influencing classroom practice and highlight its importance in promoting teacher noticing and professional development. © The Author(s) 2023.

9.
Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome ; 23(3):247-255, 2020.
Article in English | APA PsycInfo | ID: covidwho-2252560

ABSTRACT

Patients who are hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) face an extremely stressful experience that might challenge their mental health. The study aims to describe the psychological condition of recovered patients, focusing on anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as post-traumatic stress. All the recovered COVID-19 patients who accessed to a multi- disciplinary follow-up screening program scheduled within two months after their hospital discharge were included. As far as the psychological assessment, patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised for post-traumatic stress. Socio-demographic and clinical data (days of hospitalization, intensity of received care, and number of supportive sessions with the hospital psychologist after the hospitalization) were collected. Descriptive, correlation and regression analyses were conducted. The sample includes 261 patients (68.2% men), aged between 23 and 90 (mean=58.9 st. dev=13.3). High numbers of patients reported anxiety (28%) and depression symptoms (17%), as well as post-traumatic stress (36.4%). Impaired outcomes were associated with female gender, while patient's age was found to be negatively correlated with anxiety symptoms. 13.8% of patients underwent a psychological visit and 6.1% of them were taken in charge for psychological support. Few months after hospital discharge, individuals recovered by COVID-19 reported negative consequences on their mental health. Understanding the impact that COVID-19 and hospitalization have on recovered patients may provide in- sights about how to develop an effective psychological intervention to help them deal with such psychological distress and prevent further psychopathological effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

10.
Tourism Review ; 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2248941

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This study aims to explore residents' emotional responses to tourism development and how the anticipated loss or gain of resources from it affects their attitudes and actions. The study extends the conservation of resources (COR) theory by using the cognitive appraisal (CA) theory to explain why the residents of Al-Juhfa village in Saudi Arabia become stressed and experience negative emotions due to tourism development and how they respond and cope with it. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses qualitative methods by applying purposive interviews to engage informants. Data were gathered from 38 residents of Al-Juhfa village, Saudi Arabia. A content analysis of the data collected was used. Findings: Findings indicate that residents who perceived they might lose resources (land, houses, heritage, sociocultural and Islamic values and job and investment opportunities) due to tourism development had negative emotions and attitudes towards tourism development. This led a group of residents to resist development and not allow tourists to enter the village. Without tourism knowledge and skills, the residents are worried they may lose control of their resources. Religiosity was a factor that helped to cope with the negative emotions, and other coping actions included accepting displacement with compensation, allowing foreign workers to enter the village with conditions and accepting development with their involvement. Research limitations/implications: The limitations of the current study are that the data were gathered for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak when residents were highly anxious and still feeling fear;these feelings could have influenced the responses. Secondly, the data were collected through hardcopy surveys using close- and open-ended questions. Therefore, these data might be limited, as the topic and questions were politicly sensitive, and the informants might not have completely expressed their feelings, giving diplomatic answers instead. Therefore, the research should be repeated in different contexts with qualitative data using face-to-face techniques. Practical implications: Firstly, the residents are concerned about losing their resources, such as land, houses and heritage. The development cannot be fully successful without the involvement and support of the local community. Therefore, the government should help them remain in their village by offering them official permission (sukuk) to retain their land and houses. Secondly, the government can open new residential areas and build homes for the residents within the current village, especially as the village has only a few people. Residential areas, such as a compound with complete services, can be designed as part of the tourist attractions in Al-Juhfa. Social implications: The two theories of COR and CA were developed in the western context and used in tourism studies separately in other contexts, especially CA. However, as far as the authors' concern, this is the first study to use the two theories in one study to explore residents' emotions towards tourism development. Both theories explained the process of residents' emotions towards tourism impact and the negative emotional reactions to perceived threats and resultant stress and how residents cope with these emotions. Nevertheless, in the context of Al-Juhfa as a conservative community, these two theories are not the only factors that explain the residents' emotional response and attitude, instated that the residents' religiosity and their belief in Allah is also an important determinant that explains their emotions and attitude towards tourism's impact on their village and community. Originality/value: The attached version was edited and proofread by an expert. All comments from the reviewers were responded to. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

11.
Cureus ; 15(2): e34534, 2023 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2275697

ABSTRACT

Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is a transmembrane glycoprotein, and it is known to be an essential biomarker in detecting treatment response and recurrence of ovarian cancer. It may also be used in monitoring colorectal cancer. It tends to rise in states of inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated a temporary rise in CA-125 levels and other cancer biomarkers in patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. However, in the following case report, we hope to shed light on a possible association between CA-125 levels and the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. We present the case of a 79-year-old woman with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the right adnexa, who had a transient increase in CA-125 levels after a period, during which she underwent treatment for COVID-19 infection and received the first dose of COVID-19 mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine with no evidence of disease progression on imaging.

12.
Eur J Psychotraumatol ; 14(1): 2171751, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2255975

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) appear to be at increased risk for negative psychological outcomes [e.g. depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), moral distress] and associated impacts on functioning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. HCPs working on designated COVID-19 units may be further impacted than their colleagues not on these units given added demands of patient care and risk of contracting COVID-19. Little is known, however, about the mental health and functioning of specific professional groups beyond nurses and physicians, including respiratory therapists (RTs), over the course of the pandemic. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to characterize the mental health and functioning of Canadian RTs and compare profiles between RTs working on and off designated COVID-19 units.Methods: Canadian RTs completed an online survey between February and June 2021, including demographic information (e.g. age, sex, gender,) and measures of depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, moral distress and functional impairment. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and between-groups comparisons were conducted to characterize RTs and compare profiles between those on and off COVID-19 units.Results: Two hundred and eighteen (N = 218) RTs participated in this study. The estimated response rate was relatively low (6.2%) Approximately half of the sample endorsed clinically relevant symptoms of depression (52%), anxiety (51%) and stress (54%) and one in three (33%) screened positively for potential PTSD. All symptoms correlated positively with functional impairment (p's < .05). RTs working on COVID-19 units reported significantly greater patient-related moral distress compared to those not on these units (p < .05).Conclusion: Moral distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD were prevalent among Canadian RTs and were associated with functional impacts. These results must be interpreted with caution given a low response rate, yet raise concern regarding the long-term impacts of pandemic service among RTs.


Research on RTs' mental health prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic is scant, especially in comparison to other HCPs.RTs in the present study reported experiencing moral distress and clinically significant symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD, with associated functional impairment.One in three RTs screened positive for likely PTSD on the PCL-5.There is a need to provide RTs with adequate mental health supports and to understand the long-term impacts of pandemic service among RTs.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Mental Health , Pandemics , Canada/epidemiology , Health Personnel
13.
J Pharmacol Sci ; 151(2): 93-109, 2023 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2283329

ABSTRACT

We have no definitive treatment for dementia characterized by prolonged neuronal death due to the enormous accumulation of foreign matter, such as ß-amyloid. Since Alzheimer's type dementia develops slowly, we may be able to delay the onset and improve neuronal dysfunction by enhancing the energy metabolism of individual neurons. TND1128, a derivative of 5-deazaflavin, is a chemical known to have an efficient self-redox ability. We expected TND1128 as an activator for mitochondrial energy synthesis. We used brain slices prepared from mice 22 ± 2 h pretreated with TND1128 or ß-NMN. We measured Ca2+ concentrations in the cytoplasm ([Ca2+]cyt) and mitochondria ([Ca2+]mit) by using fluorescence Ca2+ indicators, Fura-4F, and X-Rhod-1, respectively, and examined the protective effects of drugs on [Ca2+]cyt and [Ca2+]mit overloading by repeating 80K exposure. TND1128 (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg s.c.) mitigates the dynamics of both [Ca2+]cyt and [Ca2+]mit in a dose-dependent manner. ß-NMN (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg s.c.) also showed significant dose-dependent mitigating effects on [Ca2+]cyt, but the effect on the [Ca2+]mit dynamics was insignificant. We confirmed the mitochondria-activating potential of TND1128 in the present study. We expect TND1128 as a drug that rescues deteriorating neurons with aging or disease.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Mitochondria , Mice , Animals , Mitochondria/metabolism , Brain/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction
14.
Vaccine ; 41(12): 2073-2083, 2023 03 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2269805

ABSTRACT

Somatic mutation-derived neoantigens are associated with patient survival in breast and ovarian cancer. These neoantigens are targets for cancer, as shown by the implementation of neoepitope peptides as cancer vaccines. The success of cost-effective multi-epitope mRNA vaccines against SARS-Cov-2 in the pandemic established a model for reverse vaccinology. In this study, we aimed to develop an in silico pipeline designing an mRNA vaccine of the CA-125 neoantigen against breast and ovarian cancer, respectively. Using immuno-bioinformatics tools, we predicted cytotoxic CD8+ T cell epitopes based on somatic mutation-driven neoantigens of CA-125 in breast or ovarian cancer, constructed a self-adjuvant mRNA vaccine with CD40L and MHC-I -targeting domain to enhance cross-presentation of neoepitopes by dendritic cells. With an in silico ImmSim algorithm, we estimated the immune responses post-immunization, showing IFN-γ and CD8+ T cell response. The strategy described in this study may be scaled up and implemented to design precision multi-epitope mRNA vaccines by targeting multiple neoantigens.


Subject(s)
Cancer Vaccines , Ovarian Neoplasms , mRNA Vaccines , Female , Humans , Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics , Ovarian Neoplasms/therapy , CA-125 Antigen
15.
Curr Alzheimer Res ; 19(3): 179-187, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2251913

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The hypothesis that a dyshomeostasis of Ca2+ increases the incidence of dementia has been established. Several discoveries have emphasized the concept that a decrease in the excess of Ca2+ could be an interesting pharmacological target to alleviate dementia symptoms. Aging along with a healthy brain can be supported by daily exercise, self-control in caloric ingestion, and participation in intellectually challenging events. These lifestyle factors may alleviate the excess of Ca2+ resulting from a Ca2+ dyshomeostasis. Curiously, epidemiological and clinical studies have also reported a clinical relationship between hypertension, diabetes, and other inflammatory processes, and a higher risk of cognition decline. Considering the cumulative data from the scientific literature, including data of high evidence such as meta-analysis and systematic reviews, we can now link a Ca2+ dyshomeostasis as an upstream factor for hypertension, diabetes and other inflammatory processes, and dementia. Several reports have also indicated that increasing cAMP levels may induce neuroprotective outcomes, thus alleviating dementia symptoms. METHODS: With these concepts in mind, we found that the pharmacological manipulation of Ca2+/cAMP signalling could be a novel plausible target to treat dementia. This article puts together fundamental concepts and current therapies to treat dementia, including novel therapeutics coming from the pharmacological manipulation of Ca2+/cAMP signalling. RESULTS: Then, combined with improvements in the lifestyle issues, these novel therapeutics may allow sustained improvements in the life quality of age-related neurological patients. CONCLUSIONS: In addition, considering coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly evolving field, this article also reviewed recent reports about Ca2+ channel blockers' role in restoring Ca2+ signalling disruption due to COVID-19. Finally, this article also presents a timeline of the major events in Ca2+/cAMP signaling.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Dementia , Diabetes Mellitus , Hypertension , Cyclic AMP/therapeutic use , Dementia/drug therapy , Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Humans
16.
Learn Cult Soc Interact ; 38: 100683, 2023 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2246283

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of children across the world. To understand these changes, this study explores how 14 Chinese children aged 6 to 12 years old experienced and reacted to the pandemic since its first outbreak in 2020. Applying Vygotsky's conceptualizations of perezhivanie and agency, the author interprets the children's narrative accounts of their thinking and actions during the pandemic. According to the three-dimensional narrative analyses conducted, perezhivaniya commonalities among the participating children include limited physical movement, scarcity of peer interaction, compulsory online learning, reconstruction of family relationships, and noticeable self-growth. Further, the participating children manifested their agency as resisting, exploring, self-control, committing, and envisioning. Different perezhivaniya lead children to manifest different types of agency-a process wherein mediational means play pivotal roles. This study contributes to theoretical discussions of the dialectical relation between perezhivanie and human agency. Moreover, it has practical implications for how adults can support the emergence of children's agency through means of mediation in perezhivaniya.

17.
JHEP Rep ; 5(5): 100703, 2023 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2240261

ABSTRACT

Background & Aims: Bacterial infections affect survival of patients with cirrhosis. Hospital-acquired bacterial infections present a growing healthcare problem because of the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms. This study aimed to investigate the impact of an infection prevention and control programme and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) measures on the incidence of hospital-acquired infections and a set of secondary outcomes, including the prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms, empiric antibiotic treatment failure, and development of septic states in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: The infection prevention and control programme was a complex strategy based on antimicrobial stewardship and the reduction of patient's exposure to risk factors. The COVID-19 measures presented further behavioural and hygiene restrictions imposed by the Hospital and Health Italian Sanitary System recommendations. We performed a combined retrospective and prospective study in which we compared the impact of extra measures against the hospital standard. Results: We analysed data from 941 patients. The infection prevention and control programme was associated with a reduction in the incidence of hospital-acquired infections (17 vs. 8.9%, p <0.01). No further reduction was present after the COVID-19 measures had been imposed. The impact of the infection prevention and control programme remained significant even after controlling for the effects of confounding variables (odds ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.73, p = 0.002). Furthermore, the adoption of the programme reduced the prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms and decreased rates of empiric antibiotic treatment failure and the development of septic states. Conclusions: The infection prevention and control programme decreased the incidence of hospital-acquired infections by nearly 50%. Furthermore, the programme also reduced the prevalence of most of the secondary outcomes. Based on the results of this study, we encourage other liver centres to adopt infection prevention and control programmes. Impact and implications: Infections are a life-threatening problem for patients with liver cirrhosis. Moreover, hospital-acquired infections are even more alarming owing to the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. This study analysed a large cohort of hospitalised patients with cirrhosis from three different periods. Unlike in the first period, an infection prevention programme was applied in the second period, reducing the number of hospital-acquired infections and containing multidrug-resistant bacteria. In the third period, we imposed even more stringent measures to minimise the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, these measures did not result in a further reduction in hospital-acquired infections.

18.
Journal of Research in Pharmacy ; 27(1):414-419, 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2234123

ABSTRACT

The coronavirus spreading has led to the development of many drugs to prevent and treat it. One of these drugs is hydroxychloroquine, so this study was designed to investigate the potential side effects of the drug when used long-term and at high doses in male rats. Physiologically, 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and hydroxychloroquine (10, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) (n=6 per group). Hydroxychloroquine was administered orally for seven consecutive days. On the seventh day, 30 minutes after receiving hydroxychloroquine, the animals were anesthetized with a combination of ketamine (70 mg/kg) and xylazine (7 mg/kg), the animal's head was fixed using a stereotaxic device, and an incision 1.5-2 cm long was made in the scalp. Drill the desired point with a perforated dental drill using the Paxinos coordinates (AP =-0.27, ML =-0.14, DV =-0.3). Pentylenetetrazol (80 mg/kg i.p.) was used to induce epileptiform activities. Finally, diazepam (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was given to reduce epileptiform activity. The number of seizure activities was reduced significantly (p<0.001) at dose of 10 mg/kg and significantly (p<0.001) increased at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. In contrast, the dose of 50 mg/kg had no discernible effect. Giving male rats high doses of oral hydroxychloroquine for one week has biphasic effects on the number of pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure activities. As a result, it has protective effects in low and stimulant effects in high doses. © 2023 Marmara University Press ISSN: 2630-6344.

19.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results ; 14(2):351-358, 2023.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-2226808

ABSTRACT

As a major virus outbreak in the twenty-first century, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented risks to global mental health. Because of the severity of the virus, people were forced to isolate themselves and confine themselves to their homes. This was linked to people's inability to work, seek help from loved ones, and participate in their communities. Stressors that contribute to anxiety and depression include loneliness, fear of infection, suffering and death for oneself and loved ones, bereavement grief, and financial worries. As a result, covid 19 is a source of psychological distress. This paper investigates the impact of these stressors on all age groups in society, including today's youth, the elderly, and even health workers. Because Buddhism has a longstanding experience with medicine and preaches calmness and acceptance of fear, it is not surprising that Buddhist ideas come to the aid of those in need during times of crisis. However, it receives little attention. Thus, this paper focuses on theories such as mindfulness meditations, engaged Buddhism, and cultivating compassion, all of which can aid in increasing positive emotions and thus reducing stressors. Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

20.
Criminologie ; 55(2):171, 2022.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2217461

ABSTRACT

La pandémie a posé des défis importants aux institutions de sécurité publique. Les organisations policières ont dû rapidement faire preuve d'adaptation et de mobilisation, considérant le rôle que les policiers ont été appelés à endosser dans cette lutte contre la pandémie. Dans une perspective descriptive et compréhensive, la présente recherche a exploré les enjeux de gestion au sein des organisations policières dans les premiers mois de la pandémie. Une méthodologie qualitative a été privilégiée afin de répondre à cet objectif. Des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été réalisées auprès de 8 policières et de 26 policiers oeuvrant dans différentes régions de la province de Québec. Parmi eux, 15 occupaient la fonction de patrouilleur, 9 étaient reliés à des unités d'enquête et 10 ont déclaré occuper une fonction de supervision. La méthode de réduction du matériel a été guidée par les techniques propres à l'analyse de contenu thématique. Les principaux résultats mettent en lumière des enjeux de gestion sur le plan communicationnel (p. ex., évolution rapide des directives à transmettre pour l'application des règles de santé publique), des ressources humaines (p. ex., imposer des équipes fixes pour diminuer les contacts entre employés) et de la logistique (p. ex., réaffectation des fonctions), de la clarté des directives découlant des mesures de la Santé publique (p. ex., mise en application des cas d'exception) et de la formation des gestionnaires (p. ex., manque de connaissances sur les enjeux de santé publique). Les implications de cette étude ajoutent aux connaissances sur la compréhension des enjeux de gestion dans les organisations policières en temps de pandémie et notent une série de leçons à retenir sur le plan pratique.Alternate :The COVID-19 health crisis resulted in significant challenges for public security institutions. Police organizations had to quickly adapt and mobilize given their responsibilities in the fight against the pandemic. This paper explored management issues within police organizations during a health crisis, employing qualitative methodology towards this objective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight policewomen and 26 police officers working in different regions of the province of Quebec. Of these, 15 worked as a patroller, nine were linked to investigative units and ten were identified as occupying a supervisory role. The material reduction method was guided by techniques specific to thematic content analysis. The main results highlight management issues at the communication level (e.g. : the rapid evolution of directives to be transmitted for the application of public health rules), as well in relation to personnel management (e.g. imposing fixed teams to reduce contacts between employees), logistics (e.g. reassignment of functions), the clarity of directives resulting from public health measures (e.g. enforcement of exceptional cases) and the training of managers (e.g. lack of knowledge regarding public health issues). The results of this study add to the body of knowledge regarding the understanding of management issues in police organizations during a health crisis such as this. A series of lessons to be learned on a practical level are also noted.Alternate :La pandemia ha planteado importantes desafíos a las instituciones de seguridad pública. Las organizaciones policiales han tenido que adaptarse y movilizarse rápidamente, teniendo en cuenta los roles que los policías han tenido que asumir en la lucha contra la pandemia. Adoptando una perspectiva descriptiva y comprensiva, este estudio ha explorado los problemas de gestión dentro de las organizaciones policiales durante los primeros meses de una pandemia. Se ha favorecido una metodología cualitativa para cumplir este objetivo. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a ocho mujeres policías y 26 agentes de policía trabajando en diferentes regiones de la provincia de Quebec. De ellos, 15 trabajaban como patrulleros, mientras e nueve estaban vinculados a unidades de investigación y diez afirmaron desempeñar funciones de supervisión. El método de reducción de material se guió por técnicas propias del análisis de contenido temático. Los principales resultados ponen de manifiesto problemas de gestión a nivel de la comunicación (por ejemplo, la rápida evolución de las directivas a transmitir para la aplicación de las normas de salud pública), de gestión de los recursos humanos (por ejemplo, la imposición de equipos fijos para reducir los contactos entre los empleados) y de logística (por ejemplo, la reasignación de funciones), de la claridad de las directivas derivadas de las medidas de salud pública (por ejemplo, la aplicación de casos excepcionales) y de la formación de los directivos (por ejemplo, la falta de conocimientos sobre cuestiones de salud pública). Los resultados de este estudio se suman al conocimiento sobre la comprensión de los problemas de gestión en las organizaciones policiales durante una crisis sanitaria de este tipo y permiten constatar una serie de lecciones que deben aprenderse a nivel práctico.

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