Features of liver function in pediatric patients infected with Delta variant versus Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Objective To summarize and analyze the features of liver function in pediatric patients infected with Delta variant versus Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS - CoV - 2). Methods In this study,an analysis was performed for the liver function test results of the locally transmitted or imported pediatric patients with SARS - CoV - 2 infection during isolation who were admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital,Guangzhou Medical University,since May 21,2021,and the clinical data and the constituent ratio of liver injury were compared between the pediatric patients infected with Delta variant and those infected with Omicron variant. The independent samples t - test or the Mann - Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups,and the chi - square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Results A total of 85 pediatric patients infected with SARS - CoV - 2 were enrolled,among whom there were 32 (37. 6%)pediatric patients infected with Delta variant and 53 (62. 4%)pediatric patients infected with Omicron variant,and there were no significant differences between the two groups in age,sex, body height,body weight,and comorbidities (all P > 0. 05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),alkaline phosphatase (ALP),gamma - glutamyl transpeptidase,total bilirubin,albumin,and cholinesterase (all P > 0. 05),and the pediatric patients infected with Omicron variant had a significantly higher level of total bile acid (TBA)than those infected with Delta variant (Z = - 2. 336,P = 0. 020). However,the median values of TBA were within the normal range and the ratios of abnormal TBA were no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0. 05). Among the 85 pediatric patients,10 (11. 8%)had a mild increase in liver function parameters,among whom 7 had an increase in TBA,1 had an increase in ALT, 1 had increases in ALT and AST,and 1 had an increase in ALP. The analysis of liver injury in the pediatric patients infected with Delta variant or Omicron variant showed that there was no significant difference in the constituent ratio of liver injury caused by the two variants (6. 3% vs 15. 1%,chi2 = 0. 691,P = 0. 406). Conclusion Mild liver injury is observed in pediatric patients infected with Delta and Omicron variants of SARS - CoV - 2,but further studies are needed to evaluate the long - term influence of such infection on liver function.Copyright © 2022 Editorial Board of Jilin University

Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Differentiation of Delta and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Carriers in Changsha,Hunan.

Objective: To summarize and compare the main traditional Chinese medicineTCMsyndromes of Delta and Omicron variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2SARS-CoV-2 carriers to provide references for the syndrome evolution and syndrome differentiation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Method(s):The TCM medical records of imported and local cases of infection with Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Changsha since September 23,2021 to March 27,2022 were collected,including 18 Delta variant cases and 36 Omicron variant cases. Their TCM diagnosis information and TCM pathogenesis were analyzed and compared. Result(s): The common manifestations in Delta variant cases were cough,fever,chest distress/shortness of breath,sore muscles,nausea,dry mouth,dry or sore throat,thick and greasy tongue coating,and rapid and slippery pulse. The predominant pathogenesis was dampness-heat in the upper-energizer and heat stagnation in the lesser Yang combined with dampness. The occurrence of chest distress/shortness of breath,greasy tongue coating,slippery pulse,and the proportion of dampness-heat in the upper-energizer syndrome were higher in Delta variant cases than in Omicron variant cases P<0.05. The common manifestations in Omicron variant cases were itchy and sore throat,nasal congestion,running nose,fever,mild aversion to cold,dry mouth,dizziness,slightly reddish tongue with thin white coating,and rapid or wiry pulse. The predominant pathogenesis was wind-dryness invading defensive exterior,and heat stagnation in the lesser Yang. The occurrence of white-coated tongue and the proportion of wind-dryness invading defensive exterior syndrome were higher in Omicron variant cases than in Delta variant casesP<0.05. Conclusion(s): There are certain differences in TCM syndromes and the corresponding pathogenesis between Delta variant and Omicron variant cases in Changsha,Hunan. The Delta variant of SARS-COV-2 tends to induce dampness-heat syndrome, whereas Omicron variant infection tends to elicit wind-dampness syndrome,which is expected to provide a reference for the pathogenesis evolution of SARS-COV-2 infection.Copyright © 2022, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Institute of Chinese Materia Medica. All rights reserved.

The impact of COVID-19 prevention and control measures on residential burglary hotspots: A case study of the core urban areas of Beijing

In order to analyze the impact of COVID-19 prevention and control measures on the hotspots of residential burglary, the data of crimes that occurred during the First Level Response period of Major Public Health Emergencies in Beijing in 2020 and the same period in 2019 were collected, and the changes of hotspots during the two periods were compared by using kernel density estimation and predictive accuracy index. Consequently, the environmental features such as street network, point of interest (POI) diversity, crime locations, and repeat victimization in significantly varied hotspot areas were investigated. The results show that: 1) After the outbreak of the pandemic, the occurrence of residential burglary in the core urban areas of Beijing dropped significantly, and daily occurrence of crimes during the First Level Response period in 2020 decreased by 66.8% compared with the same days in 2019. 2) The eight major hotspots that existed in 2019 apparently declined during the corresponding days in 2020, five of them basically disappeared, and three hotspots weakened. 3) The declined hotspots were generally clustered around traffic hubs, areas with high diversity of POIs, clustered crimes, and repeat victimizations. 4) Home isolation and social restriction strategies implemented during the First Level Response period reduced the opportunities of offenders, and the real-name inspection adopted in public places increased the exposure risk of offenders, which are the main reasons for the hotspots decline during the pandemic. This work has some implications for crime prevention and police resources optimization during the pandemic. © 2023, Editorial office of PROGRESS IN GEOGRAPHY. All rights reserved.

COVID-19: comparison lung CT signs and biochemical parameters in the groups of patients with three-time positive RT-PCR and with triple negative RT-PCR test during the period of hospitalization.

Research goal. Comparative characteristics of the dynamics of CT semiotics and biochemical parameters of two groups of patients: with positive RT-PCR and with triple negative RT-PCR. Reflection of the results by comparing them with the data already available in the literature. The aim of the study is to compare the dynamics of CT semiotics and biochemical parameters of blood tests in two groups of patients: with positive RT-PCR and with triple negative RT-PCR. We also reflect the results by comparing them with the data already available in the literature. Materials and methods. We have performed a retrospective analysis of CT images of 66 patients: group I (n1 = 33) consists of patients who had three- time negative RT-PCR (nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 RNA) during hospitalization, and group II (n2 = 33) includes patients with triple positive RT-PCR. An important selection criterion is the presence of three CT examinations (primary, 1st CT and two dynamic examinations - 2nd CT and 3rd CT) and at least two results of biochemistry (C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, prothrombin time, procalcitonin) performed in a single time interval of +/- 5 days from 1st CT, upon admission, and +/- 5 days from 3st CT. A total of 198 CT examinations of the lungs were analyzed (3 examinations per patient). Results. The average age of patients in the first group was 58 +/- 14.4 years, in the second - 64.9 +/- 15.7 years. The number of days from the moment of illness to the primary CT scan 6.21 +/- 3.74 in group I, 7.0 (5.0-8.0) in group II, until the 2nd CT scan - 12.5 +/- 4, 87 and 12.0 (10.0-15.0), before the 3rd CT scan - 22.0 (19.0-26.0) and 22.0 (16.0-26.0), respectively. In both groups, all 66 patients (100%), the primary study identified the double-sided ground-glass opacity symptom and 36 of 66 (55%) patients showed consolidation of the lung tissue. Later on, a first follow-up CT defined GGO not in all the cases: it was presented in 22 of 33 (67%) patients with negative RT-PCR (group I) and in 28 of 33 (85%) patients with the positive one (group II). The percentage of studies showing consolidation increased significantly: up to 30 of 33 (91%) patients in group I, and up to 32 of 33 (97%) patients in group II. For the first time, radiological symptoms of "involutional changes" appeared: in 17 (52%) patients of the first group and in 5 (15%) patients of the second one. On second follow-up CT, GGO and consolidations were detected less often than on previous CT: in 1 and 27 patients of group I (3% and 82%, respectively) and in 6 and 30 patients of group II (18% and 91%, respectively), although the consolidation symptom still prevailed significantly . The peak of "involutional changes" occurred on last CT: 31 (94%) and 25 (76%) patients of groups I and II, respectively.So, in the groups studied, the dynamics of changes in lung CT were almost equal. After analyzing the biochemistry parameters, we found out that CRP significantly decreased in 93% of patients (p < 0.001) in group I;in group II, there was a statistically significant decrease in the values of C-reactive protein in 81% of patients (p = 0.005). With an increase in CT severity of coronavirus infection by one degree, an increase in CRP by 41.8 mg/ml should be expected. In group I, a statistically significant (p = 0.001) decrease in fibrinogen was recorded in 77% of patients;and a similar dynamic of this indicator was observed in group II: fibrinogen values decreased in 66% of patients (p = 0.002). Such parameters as procalcitonin and prothrombin time did not significantly change during inpatient treatment of the patients of the studied groups (p = 0.879 and p = 0.135), which may indicate that it is inappropriate to use these parameters in assessing dynamics of patients with a similar course of the disease. When comparing the outcomes of the studied groups, there was a statistically significant higher mortality in group II - 30.3%, in group I - 21.2% (p = 0.043). Conclusion. According to our data, a course of the disease does not significantly differ in the groups o patients with positive RT-PCR and three-time negative RT-PCR. A negative RT-PCR analysis may be associated with an individual peculiarity of a patient such as a low viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, with repeated negative results on the RNA of the virus in the oro- and nasopharynx, one should take into account the clinic, the X-ray picture and biochemical indicators in dynamics and not be afraid to make a diagnosis of COVID-19.Copyright © 2021 ALIES. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of cardiotocography in pregnant women with mild COVID-19 in the third trimester.

Objective. To study the characteristics of cardiotocography (CTG) and pregnancy outcomes in patients who had a mild coronavirus infection in the third trimester. Patients and methods. The parameters and variations of CTG and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in 32 low-risk pregnant women who experienced mild COVID-19 in the third trimester (the study group) and in 30 pregnant women (matched pairs) who had no coronavirus infection (the comparison group). Results. A total of 375 CTGs were analyzed: 221 in the study group and 154 in the comparison group. Normal CTG recordings were found in 87% of pregnant women in the study group, which was significantly less frequent than in those without COVID-19 (97%) (p = 0.02), and suspicious CTG in 10 and 1.3%, respectively, which was 3.38-fold more frequent than in the comparison group (p = 0.04). Pathological CTG recordings were observed only in two women in the study group. The features of CTG in women who had a mild form of COVID-19 in the third trimester were a significant decrease in the number of accelerations, short-term variation (STV) in the range of 3 to 5 ms, long-term variation (LTV) <50 ms, a tendency toward tachycardia and low heart rate variability (<5 ms), and prolonged decelerations. The frequency of fetal asphyxia and neonatal morbidity was higher in the study group. Conclusion. COVID-19 even in its mild form may have a negative effect on the fetus, increasing the frequency of fetal hypoxia and neonatal asphyxia.Copyright © 2023, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved.

A "new" role of amantadines in COVID-19 in patients with Parkinson's disease: results of own comparative study.

Amantadine has begun to be used as a possible alternative in COVID-19 therapy to mitigate its effects. There is anecdotal evidence that patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) treated with amantadine and who test positive for COVID-19 often do not develop clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Objective(s): to compare the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients with PD who took or did not take amantadine sulfate. Patients and methods. A prospective continuous study included 142 patients with PD who were treated in Republican Clinical Diagnostic Center for Extrapyramidal Pathology and Botulinum Therapy in Kazan from October 2021 to January 2022. Patients filled out a proprietary internally developed questionnaire. Results and discussion. Out of 142 individuals with PD COVID-19 occurred in 77 (54.2%), of which 52.0% had a mild course, 39.0% had a moderate course, 2.6% had a severe course, and in 6.5% the severity of the disease has not been established. Deterioration after COVID-19 infection was noted by 36% of patients: the appearance or increase in motor fluctuations (41%), increased tremor, stiffness or slowness (31%), the appearance of "exhaustion" of the effect of a single dose of levodopa (13%), the appearance or increased dyskinesia (21%), hallucinations (3.5%). Patients taking amantadine sulfate had PD much longer (11.5+/-5.62 years versus 5.12+/-3.24 years) and had a more pronounced (III-IV) stage of the disease. These patients were more likely to experience mild COVID-19 (in 60.87% of cases), in contrast to patients not receiving amantadine sulfate (only in 48.15% of cases). There was no correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and levodopa intake. Conclusion. The results of the study showed that patients with PD taking amantadine sulfate are more likely to have a mild course of COVID-19.Copyright © 2022 Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Biodegradable Polyester Nanoparticle Vaccines Deliver Self-Amplifying mRNA in Mice at Low Doses

Delivery of self-amplifying mRNA (SAM) has high potential for infectious disease vaccination due to its self-adjuvanting and dose-sparing properties. Yet a challenge is the susceptibility of SAM to degradation and the need for SAM to reach the cytosol fully intact to enable self-amplification. Lipid nanoparticles are successfully deployed at incredible speed for mRNA vaccination, but aspects such as cold storage, manufacturing, efficiency of delivery, and the therapeutic window can benefit from further improvement. To investigate alternatives to lipid nanoparticles, a class of >200 biodegradable end-capped lipophilic poly(beta-amino ester)s (PBAEs) that enable efficient delivery of SAM in vitro and in vivo as assessed by measuring expression of SAM encoding reporter proteins is developed. The ability of these polymers to deliver SAM intramuscularly in mice is evaluated, and a polymer-based formulation that yields up to 37-fold higher intramuscular (IM) expression of SAM compared to injected naked SAM is identified. Using the same nanoparticle formulation to deliver a SAM encoding rabies virus glycoprotein, the vaccine elicits superior immunogenicity compared to naked SAM delivery, leading to seroconversion in mice at low RNA injection doses. These biodegradable nanomaterials may be useful in the development of next-generation RNA vaccines for infectious diseases.Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Advanced Therapeutics published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Antibody levels of COVID-19 vaccine: A comparison between healthy subjects and psychiatric patients on antidepressants

This study compares the serological antibody level post-COVID-19 vaccine among healthy subjects and psychiatric patients on antidepressant therapy. It also examines the difference in antidepressants' side effects experienced by psychiatric patients following the completion of two vaccine doses. A comparative posttest quasi-experimental study was conducted among healthy subjects and psychiatric patients on antidepressant medication in a teaching hospital in Malaysia. Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay was used to detect the antibody titre between weeks 4 and 12 post vaccination. The antidepressant side-effect checklist (ASEC) was used to monitor the occurrence of antidepressant-related side effects pre-and post-vaccination. 24 psychiatric patients and 26 healthy subjects were included. There was no significant difference in the antibody level between the patients (median = 1509 u/ml) and the healthy subjects (median = 995 u/ml). There was no significant worsening in the antidepressant-related side effects. The antibody level post-COVID-19 vaccine did not differ significantly between patients on antidepressant therapy and healthy subjects. Additionally, there was no change in the antidepressant side effects experienced by the patients following the completion of the vaccine.Copyright © 2022, Research Trends (P) LTD.. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of Glaucoma in Cataract Patients - a Comparison between Pre-Covid and Post-Covid Periods

Objectives: Globally, cataract and glaucoma are the predominant causes of blindness. Screening glaucoma in patients referred for cataract surgery is a convenient tool for detecting glaucoma cases in rural population. The COVID period has adversely affected eye care as the routine screening and follow-ups at hospital were substantially reduced owing to pandemic restrictions. We aim to study the impact of COVID on detection of glaucoma in patients with cataract. Method(s): It was a retrospective study conducted to compare the prevalence of glaucoma in rural patients presenting with cataract pre- and post-COVID. Details of 975 consecutive patients each were taken prior to March 2020 (pre-COVID) and after October 2021 (post-COVID) from hospital database and patient case files. Result(s): The prevalence of glaucoma was higher during the pre-COVID time (3.8%) as compared to pre-COVID (3.8%), but the result was not statistically significant. In both the groups, primary open-angle glaucoma was the pre-dominant form of glaucoma, with prevalence being 1.5% and 2.2% in the pre-COVID and post-COVID groups, respectively. The mean intraocular pressure and mean VCDR values were higher in the post-COVID group as compared to the pre-COVID group, and the result was statistically significant. Conclusion(s): This was the first study to compare the prevalence of glaucoma in patients with cataract in rural population in the pre-COVID and post-COVID periods. In the aftermath of the pandemic, the present study emphasizes the role of screening and follow-ups in glaucoma management to prevent irreversible loss of vision.Copyright © 2023 The Authors.

X-ray study as an alternative method for visualizing changes in lungs, with infection caused by COVID-19.

Introduction. Despite the existence of generally accepted diagnostic protocols, when a new coronavirus infection is suspected, in some cases, it is increasingly difficult to detect changes in the lung tissue in a timely manner due to the heavy workload of the main method of radiation diagnostics - computed tomography. Purpose of the study. To determine the effectiveness of the appointment of an X-ray examination as first-line metgod, as well as to carry out a comparative analysis of the use of radiation diagnostics methods - computed tomography and radiography in relation to the diagnostic sensitivity to changes in lung tissue when a person is infected with the SARS-COV-2 virus. Materials and methods. 150 patients (63.0 +/- 8.4 years) with confirmed coronavirus infection were examined. Each of the participants underwent X-ray examination and computed tomography of the chest organs. The percentage of subjects studied for each of the degrees of severity of lung damage was determined to identify the proportion of involvement of lung tissue in the pathological process in the bulk of the examined individuals. Results. Of the 150 patients, changes in the lung tissue during chest X-ray were detected in 97 (65%), respectively, in 53 (35%), pathological changes in the lungs were not visualized. When examining patients by computed tomography, changes in the lungs were detected in 143 patients (95%), X-ray morphological changes were not detected in 7 subjects (5%). When detecting the volume of lung damage, it turned out that the majority of the subjects - 86 people (57%) - had the degree of damage CT-2. The degree of CT-1 and CT-3 was determined in 26 (17%) and 25 (17%) patients, respectively. CT-4 was observed in 6 patients (4%), and in 5% of cases, CT was not able to detect pathological changes in the lung tissue, the degree of CT-0 was established. Conclusion. In the assessment of viral lung damage, radiography takes a significant place, but in 35% of cases, radiographic examination failed to identify the existing pathological changes. CT of the chest organs confirms its value as the "gold standard" in the study of pulmonary pathology in coronavirus infection, but if it is impossible to perform it, radiography is recommended.Copyright © 2021 Vigne et Vin Publications Internationales. All rights reserved.

Comparison of PCR-negative patients with CT findings and PCR-positive COVID-19 patients

Aim: The gold standard diagnostic method for the diagnosis of COVID-19 is based on the demonstration of viral RNA in samples taken from the upper respiratory tract in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, in emergencies, the World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends to use computed tomography (CT) in order to reduce the loss of time and to provide rapid diagnosis, treatment and isolation of suspicious cases. In our study, we aimed to compare the laboratory values of patients with PCR negative CT findings and PCR positive patients. Material(s) and Method(s): The medical records of 1280 COVID-19 patients registered at our Family Medicine Center were reviewed retrospectively. Result(s): In our study, it was found that 66,70 % of PCR-negative patients with CT findings were aged 60 years and older, and 50.70% of PCR-positive COVID-19 patients were between the ages of 40-59 years;61.30% of the patients with CT findings and 48% of the PCR-positive patients were male;73% of PCR-positive patients had lung involvement. When CRP, fibrinogen and D-dimer values were examined, it was found that in PCR-negative COVID-19 patients with CT findings these values were statistically significantly higher. Discussion(s): Although the definitive diagnosis of the disease is made using a PCR test, it should not be overlooked that the patients may remain PCR negative, and it should not be forgotten that thoracic tomography findings are a good diagnostic method for this group.Copyright © 2022, Derman Medical Publishing. All rights reserved.

A Comparative Study of Peripartum Mental Health Disorders between COVID-19-infected and Non-infected during the Pandemic

Introduction: This study was done to compare the prevalence of mental health disorders between COVID-19-infected and non-infected mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary objective was to find out the risk factors and long-term outcome of peripartum depression (PPD). Material(s) and Method(s): This was an observational and comparative study using a questionnaire-based direct interview, conducted in a tertiary hospital. After judging the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 842 subjects were selected between September 2020 to December 2020. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) and COVID-19 anxiety scale (CAS) was used for evaluation of the mental health. Subjects with PPD were followed up for a year. Result(s): The mean age of the subjects was 24.8 +/- 3.9 years, 142 (16.8%) were confirmed COVID-19 positive. Overall, 317 (37.6%) had possible PPD (EPDS >=14) and 763 (90.6%) had peripartum anxiety (EPDS anxiety subscore >=4). While there was no significant difference in the prevalence of PPD (32.6% vs 39%, p = 0.12), peripartum anxiety was higher among COVID non-infected subjects (91.6% vs 86.6%, p = 0.04). Furthermore, COVID-19-related anxiety was higher among COVID-19-infected compared to the non-infected [17 (10-28) vs 15 (8-25), p = 0.00]. In multivariate analysis, medical comorbidities (p = 0.000), history of psychiatric illness (p = 0.002), domestic violence (p = 0.032) and obstetric complications (p = 0.000) were significant risk factors for PPD. Among the subjects who had PPD, only 35% still had depression after a year. Conclusion(s): This study provides an in-depth analysis of PPD and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk factors, and the long-term effects. Clinical significance: It highlights the importance of routine screening for perinatal mental health disorders and early psychiatric consultation when required.Copyright © The Author(s).

Efficacy and safety of bovhyaluronidase azoximer (Longidase) in patients with post-COVID syndrome: results of an open, prospective, controlled, comparative, multicenter clinical trial DISSOLVE.

Post-COVID syndrome develops after COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019) and leads to cumulative effects in the form of shortness of breath and impaired lung function. Notably, patients with airway inflammation and COVID-19 were found to have increased concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA). Since bovhyaluronidase azoximer (Longidase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of HA, this drug has the potential to reduce HA levels and improve lung function in patients with post-COVID syndrome. The aim of the DISSOLVE trial, which was conducted early in the pandemic, was to investigate the efficacy and safety of bovhyaluronidase azoximer in patients with symptoms associated with post-COVID syndrome. Methods. An open, prospective, controlled, comparative, multicenter clinical trial (NCT04645368) included adult patients (n = 160) who had post-COVID syndrome. Patients in the treatment group (n = 81) received bovhyaluronidase azoximer, and individuals in the control group (n = 79) were followed up without intervention. The study included physical examination, evaluation of forced vital capacity (FVC), assessment of dyspnea with the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC), 6-minute walking test, and pulse oximetry. These indicators were measured on 3 visits, at days 1 (baseline), 75, and 180. In addition, the number of patients who experienced adverse events and serious adverse events were recorded. Results. Baseline patient characteristics in the treatment group and the control group were similar. In the treatment group, there was a statistically significant reduction in residual pulmonary abnormalities after visit 2 (day 75) and visit 3 (day 180). In addition, FVC, pulse oximetry values, and functional exercise tolerance increased statistically significantly at days 75 and 180 compared to baseline. The mMRC scores for dyspnea decreased statistically significantly in the treatment group over 75 days. The safety profile of the drug was reported to be favorable throughout the study. Conclusion. Treatment with bovhyaluronidase azoximer in patients with post-COVID syndrome showed improvement in FVC, pulse oximetry, functional exercise tolerance, and mMRC dyspnea.Copyright © Chuchalin A.G. et al., 2023.

Comparison of Obstetric Outcomes in First and Second COVID-19 Waves: Analysis from a COVID-19-dedicated Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: The physiological changes in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems in the immunosuppressed state of pregnancy may exacerbate clinical features and deteriorate outcomes due to COVID-19 infection. We aimed to compare the maternal and neonatal adverse effects in the first and second COVID-19 waves. Methodology: This study was a prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary care COVID-19-dedicated hospital. In total, 104 (group A) and 96 (group B) COVID-19-positive pregnant women admitted during the first and second waves, respectively, were included in the study. Data on baseline variables, associated comorbidities, clinical presentations, management strategies, and neonatal and maternal outcomes were collected and compared using parametric and nonparametric tests and analyzed. Result(s): Around 2.08% in group A and 6.72% in group B of COVID-19-infected pregnant women, respectively, had moderate-to-severe disease and required intensive care unit stay. Almost 1.04% in group A and 3.84% in group B had maternal mortality, 13.4% and 19.8% babies of groups A and B required admission in neonatal intensive care units, and 8.6% and 7.3% of newborns in groups A and B had COVID-19-positive reports by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at birth, respectively. Of them, 2.1% newborns in group B had RT-PCR positive on day 7 of life and beyond, whereas none had positive RT-PCR reports on 7 days and beyond in group A. Conclusion(s): Dreadful maternal outcomes like requirement of ICU and mechanical ventilator and persistence of neonatal infections were higher during the second wave.Copyright © The Author(s). 2023.

Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke during COVID-19 Pandemic in Srinagarind Hospital

Background: Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In COVID-19 pandemic, stroke remains to be a medical emergency. To treat patients with acute ischemic stroke [AIS], early intravenous thrombolysis is highly time sensitive. This research investigated the impact of regionally imposed social and healthcare restrictions of COVID-19 on the time metrics in the management of AIS patients admitted at the stroke unit center in Srinagarind Hospital. Objective(s): Comparison of door to needle time for intravenous thrombolysis for AIS patients before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Material(s) and Method(s): The present study is a retrospective analysis of patients with AIS who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator [tPA] from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020 in Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen. The patients admitted before and after the COVID-19 outbreak [January 13, 2020, as officially announced by the World Health Organization] were screened to collect sociodemographic data, medical history information, and symptom onset status from clinical medical records and to compared door-to-needle time (DNT) for intravenous thrombolysis before and after the outbreak. Result(s): A total of 239 patients were included, of which 113 were enrolled before and 126 after the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the findings, DNT is 35.3 minutes before the pandemic and 35.8 minutes after the epidemic. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 has remarkable impacts on the management of AIS. However, DNT for before and after COVID-19 outbreak is nearly identical. It was established that administering intravenous thrombolysis to patients in the emergency room rather than the stroke unit allowed for speedier access. Therefore, a policy which provides quick AIS treatments in COVID-19 situations should be implemented.Copyright © 2023 Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand.

Emergency visits of otorhinolaryngology department during COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia, 2020

Aim: In this study, we aimed to assess the frequency of patient emergency visits to the Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) Department during coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and compare it with that before coronavirus COVID-19. Material(s) and Method(s): A retrospective comparative study was performed at Al-Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif (Saudi Arabia), and data regarding various diagnoses of ORL cases were collected from medical records of patients who visited/admitted to ORL-ED during the lockdown (Group 1) and those who visited/ admitted to ORL-ED before the pandemic (Group 2). Result(s): Group 2 had a significantly higher percentage of cases who had no ENT-related disorders, hypertrophy inferior turbinate (HIT), stridor, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), epistaxis and who had no complications, had general ENT, foreign body ingestion-aspiration, trauma, otology and who had more than one disorder and Group 1 had a significantly higher percentage of those having nasal obstruction, tonsil hypertrophy grade 3, had emergency head and neck cancer, had deep neck space infections and who had complicated. Discussion(s): During coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic period, cold ENT visits were much less and foreign body ingestion remains the highest reason for ENT visits. Additionally, telemedicine has been shown to be effective in reducing ED visits during the pandemic period. Furthermore, older cases with chronic ENT problems who had regular follow-up ENT visits were less likely to visit ED during the pandemic.Copyright © 2022, Derman Medical Publishing. All rights reserved.

The Implications of Using Digital Technologies in the Management of COVID-19: Comparative Study of Japan and South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Technology can assist in providing effective infectious disease management, but it can also become a source of social injustice and inequality. To control the rapidly increasing SARS-CoV-2 infections and promote effective vaccine administration, both South Korea and Japan have been using several technology-based systems and mobile apps. However, their different approaches to technology use have yielded contrasting social implications. OBJECTIVE: Through comparative studies of the use of digital technologies for pandemic management and its social implications in Japan and South Korea, this study aimed to discuss whether the active and optimal use of technology for pandemic management can occur without subverting or compromising important social values, such as privacy and equality. METHODS: This study compared the social implications of Japan's and South Korea's contrasting approaches to technology implementation for COVID-19 pandemic management in early 2022. RESULTS: Digital technologies have been actively and comprehensively used in South Korea, enabling effective COVID-19 management, but have raised serious concerns about privacy and social equality. In Japan, technologies have been more carefully implemented, thereby not causing similar social concerns, but their effectiveness in supporting COVID-19 regulations has been criticized. CONCLUSIONS: Potential social implications such as equality concerns, the balance between public interest and individual rights, and legal implications must be carefully assessed in conjunction with effective and optimal infectious disease control to achieve sustainable use of digital health technologies for infectious disease management in the future.

Comparative study between delivery modalities in higher education during emergency remote teaching due to COVID-19

Despite the difficulties faced during Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also true that such a situation has left a series of learnings that educational institutions around the world should capitalize on. Under this scenario, interest arose in studying three delivery modalities (face-to-face, hybrid, and remote) at the university level, aiming to compare the students' learning level and their perceptions of each delivery modality. The present study was developed in a private university in Mexico, following a quantitative methodological approach involving 360 students and 14 professors from various schools and geographical locations. Data were collected through pre- and post-tests and a perception questionnaire for students. Findings suggest that the students' learning level in every modality varies by school and that students positively perceive the three delivery modalities, albeit identifying factors that foster and hinder their learning process in each one. The results of this study contribute to strengthening the research field on teaching during ERT, allowing educational institutions to make better decisions regarding the quality of the educational offer.

Path dependence or steps for major reforms? Pandemic-related social protection measures in ten OECD countries

This article examines with empirical evidence the social protection measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in ten welfare states in the Global North. We analysed the potential similarities and differences in responses by welfare regimes. The comparative study was conducted with data from 169 measures, collected from domestic sources as well as from COVID-19 response databases and reports. In qualitative terms, we redeveloped Hall's theory on the distinction between first-, second- and third-order changes. In accordance with the path-dependence thesis, we show systematically that the majority of the studied changes (91%) relied on a pre-pandemic tool demonstrating flexibility within social security systems. The relative share of completely new instruments was notable but modest (9%). Thematically, the social protection measures converged beyond traditional welfare regimes, particularly among the European welfare states. Somewhat surprisingly, the changes to social security systems related not just to emergency aid to mitigate traditional risks but, to a greater extent, also to prevent new risks from being actualised.

A one-enzyme rt-qpcr assay for sars-cov-2, and procedures for reagent production

Given the scale of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the need for reliable, scalable testing, and the likelihood of reagent shortages, especially in resource-poor settings, we have developed an RTqPCR assay that relies on an alternative to conventional viral reverse transcriptases, a thermostable reverse transcriptase/DNA polymerase (RTX) (Ellefson et al., 2016). Here we show that RTX performs comparably to the other assays sanctioned by the CDC and validated in kit format. We demonstrate two modes of RTX use - (i) dye-based RT-qPCR assays that require only RTX polymerase, and (ii) TaqMan RT-qPCR assays that use a combination of RTX and Taq DNA polymerases (as the RTX exonuclease does not degrade a TaqMan probe). We also provide straightforward recipes for the purification of this alternative reagent RTX. We anticipate that in low resource or point-of-need settings researchers could obtain the available constructs and begin to develop their own assays, within whatever regulatory framework exists for them.Copyright © 2021 Bio-protocol LLC. All Rights Reserved.