Development of prognostic models to estimate the probability of lung injury one year after COVID-19-related hospitalization-a prospective study.

Background: Long-term effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection still under study. The objectives of this study were to identify persistent pulmonary lesions 1 year after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization and assess whether it is possible to estimate the probability that a patient develops these complications in the future. Methods: A prospective study of ≥18 years old patients hospitalized for SARS-COV-2 infection who develop persistent respiratory symptoms, lung function abnormalities or have radiological findings 6-8 weeks after hospital discharge. Logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors associated with a higher risk of developing respiratory problems. Models performance was assessed in terms of calibration and discrimination. Results: A total of 233 patients [median age 66 years [interquartile range (IQR): 56, 74]; 138 (59.2%) male] were categorized into two groups based on whether they stayed in the critical care unit (79 cases) or not (154). At the end of follow-up, 179 patients (76.8%) developed persistent respiratory symptoms, and 22 patients (9.4%) showed radiological fibrotic lesions with pulmonary function abnormalities (post-COVID-19 fibrotic pulmonary lesions). Our prognostic models created to predict persistent respiratory symptoms [post-COVID-19 functional status at initial visit (the higher the score, the higher the risk), and history of bronchial asthma] and post-COVID-19 fibrotic pulmonary lesions [female; FVC% (the higher the FVC%, the lower the probability); and critical care unit stay] one year after infection showed good (AUC 0.857; 95% CI: 0.799-0.915) and excellent performance (AUC 0.901; 95% CI: 0.837-0.964), respectively. Conclusions: Constructed models show good performance in identifying patients at risk of developing lung injury one year after COVID-19-related hospitalization.

Pre and post-COVID 19 infection pulmonary functions in children with chronic respiratory disease: A case series.

As functional respiratory impairment following COVID-19 infection (COVID-19) is increasingly reported in adult, data regarding children especially with pre-existing chronic respiratory disease (PCRD) remain scarce. We retrospectively assessed clinical presentation, duration of symptoms related to COVID-19 from paediatric patients with PCRD and compared their pre/post COVID-19-I spirometry values. Data from 12 patients were analysed. Timing between COVID-19 diagnosis and subsequent functional evaluation ranged from 26 to 209 days (mean 77). The PCRD in these patients included asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchomalacia. During COVID-19, all clinical presentations were mild. One patient displayed persistent post-COVID-19 symptoms for 8 weeks after infection. Two patients presented significant deterioration of post-COVID-19 spirometric values with a return to pre-COVID-19 values in subsequent measures. We concluded that children with PCRD are not at increased risk for severe COVID disease and that most of them have no or only transient pulmonary functional impairment 1 to 7 months after COVID-19.

Low-cost CPAP device for patients with COVID-19

The increase in COVID-19 infections due to the appearance of new variants causes serious health problems in the population. Although the majority of those infected have no symptoms, approximately 19% will require oxygen therapy for respiratory support, either by invasive or non-invasive ventilation. The high costs of this equipment mean that hospitals in developing countries have a limited supply of such equipment. Therefore, this paper presents the redesign, simulation, fabrication, and evaluation of a CPAP device that was developed in Europe but has now been replicated in Latin America. It starts with the analysis of the device’s original design and through exploratory techniques and computer simulation the materials, parts, and assembly are determined. Functional tests validate that a prototype similar to the original was obtained that will provide noninvasive positive air pressure that keeps patients' airways open. © 2022 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.

Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors for Occupational Low Back Pain Among Male Military Pilots: A Study Based on Questionnaire and Physical Function Assessment.

Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) has negative implications for the military's combat effectiveness. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of LBP among pilots through a questionnaire and physical function assessments. Methods: Data on the demographic and occupational characteristics, health habits, physical activity, and musculoskeletal injuries of 217 male pilots (114 fighter, 48 helicopter, and 55 transport pilots) were collected using a self-reported questionnaire and physical function assessments. Results: LBP prevalence was 37.8% in the total cohort and 36.0, 45.8, and 34.5% among fighter, helicopter, and transport pilots, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the risk factors significantly associated with LBP were neck pain [odds ratio (OR): 3.559, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.827-6.934], transversus abdominis activation (OR: 0.346, 95% CI: 0.172-0.698), and hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.001, 95% CI: 0.000-0.563) in the total cohort; neck pain (OR: 3.586, 95% CI: 1.365-9.418), transversus abdominis activation (OR: 0.268, 95% CI: 0.094-0.765), hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000-0.949), and weekly flying hours (OR: 3.889, 95% CI: 1.490-10.149) in fighter pilots; irregular strength training (OR: 0.036, 95% CI: 0.003-0.507) and hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000-0.042) in helicopter pilots; and neck pain (OR: 6.417, 95% CI: 1.424-28.909) in transport pilots. Conclusions: High volume flight schedules and weak core muscle functions have significant negative effects on pilots' back health. LBP is commonly associated with high weekly flying hours, worsening neck pain, transversus abdominis insufficient activation, and reduced hip extensor/rotator strength. Risk factors vary among pilots of different aircraft. Thus, specific core muscle training would be especially important for military pilots.

An interactive 3D interface for a virtual Chilean artisan fairs

Craft fairs are spaces where artisans can exhibit their artistic pieces and interact with the public, however this activity is always affected by external factors, such as weather, stoppages, health situation (due to covid-19), among others. This proposal is an innovative contribution to this problem that makes technology available to support this sector. Through a Web platform that incorporates a 3D interface, the craftsman will reach his audience without having to leave his home, since it simulates the environment of a craft fair where you can browse and see the crafts in its 360°, admiring each detail as if the user were in person. The technological infrastructure includes a catalog of all the pieces offered by the artisans and contact details. A filter facilitates the search for parts according to established criteria. The proposal has validations and various functional tests that show the technical feasibility and usability tests that demonstrate its usefulness and ease of use. © 2021 IEEE.