ABSTRACT
With nearly 4,500 attendees gathered in San Diego CA, the TMS 2023 Annual Meeting & Exhibition (TMS2023) was the fourth best-attended meeting in TMS history, marking a return to business as usual (more or less) after two decidedly unusual years for the Society's biggest event. By comparison, approximately 2,600 individuals came together in person for TMS2022 in Anaheim CA. One year earlier, TMS2021--held as a fully virtual conference--attracted 2,967 attendees from around the world. This year's event, held Mar 19-23 in one of TMS's most popular meeting locations, brought the conference back closer to its pre-COVID participation numbers. The last time TMS met in San Diego was in 2020 (shortly before widespread pandemic shutdowns began) when more than 4,600 individuals came together for the largest meeting in the Society's history.
ABSTRACT
The article presents current data on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and criteria for its deficiency in children in different countries. Vitamin D is recognized as one of the most important vitamins involved in many biochemical processes in the body. Its active metabolites play a key role in calcium absorption, bone mineralization and promote phosphate and magnesium metabolism. At the same time, in addition to affecting mineral metabolism, there is a wide range of conditions in which vitamin D also plays a preventive role. Vitamin D has been shown to play a vital role in innate immunity maintenance and is important in prevention of several diseases, including infections, autoimmune diseases, certain forms of cancer, type 1 and 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin D is of particular importance for newborns and young children. This vitamin is involved in important physiological regulatory processes such as bone metabolism, lung development, maturation of the immune system and differentiation of the nervous system. Vitamin D deficiency increases risks of neonatal sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory distress syndrome, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium during childhood can reduce the risk of osteoporosis and other diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency in adults. Recently, vitamin D deficiency has shown to be a potential risk factor for COVID-19 propensity. It has been established that to date most scientific pediatric societies have recognized the need to prevent vitamin D deficiency in healthy children of all ages, but data on the dosage of vitamin D in its prophylactic use differ. Most scientific societies recommend an average of 400-600 IU per day of vitamin D for prophylactic purposes. The analysis of published data shows the need to follow a strategy based on an individual approach, taking into account physiological characteristics, individual requirements and lifestyle.Copyright © 2021 University of Tartu Press. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) acquires new observations of the Earth from a state-of-the-art, optically fast F/1.8 visible to short wavelength infrared imaging spectrometer with high signal-to-noise ratio and excellent spectroscopic uniformity. EMIT was launched to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on July 14, 2022 local time. The EMIT instrument is the latest in a series of more than 30 imaging spectrometers and testbeds developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, beginning with the Airborne Imaging Spectrometer that first flew in 1982. EMIT's science objectives use the spectral signatures of minerals observed across the Earth's arid and semi-arid lands containing dust sources to update the soil composition of advanced Earth System Models (ESMs) to better understand and reduce uncertainties in mineral dust aerosol radiative forcing at the local, regional, and global scale, now and in the future. EMIT has begun to collect and deliver high-quality mineral composition determinations for the arid land regions of our planet. Over 1 billion high-quality mineral determinations are expected over the course of the one-year nominal science mission. Currently, detailed knowledge of the composition of the Earth's mineral dust source regions is uncertain and traced to less than 5,000 surface sample mineralogical analyses. The development of the EMIT imaging spectrometer instrumentation was completed successfully, despite the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EMIT Science Data System is complete and running with the full set of algorithms required. These tested algorithms are open source and will be made available to the broader community. These include calibration to measured radiance, atmospheric correction to surface reflectance, mineral composition determination, aggregation to ESM resolution, and ESM runs to address the science objectives. In this paper, the instrument characteristics, ground calibration, in-orbit performance, and early science results are reported. © 2023 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Health workers have been greatly affected by the pandemic, both as a health worker and as a member of the society, and have gone out of their routine lifestyle and habits more than normal individuals. In the pandemic stage;intense, irregular and stressful work pace also disrupted the routine eating habits while increasing the need for nutrition. With this survey study, it is aimed to evaluate the nutritional habits, affecting factors and results of healthcare professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic stage. Materials and methods: For our study a questionnaire of 49 questions was prepared. It was continued between 01/06/2020 and 01/01/2021. Questionnaires were prepared on Google forms and sent to healthcare professionals via e-mail. Multiple-choice questions were asked about personal information such as the number of meals, whether they gained weight during the pandemic stage, foods believed to protect from Covid-19, nutritional supplements used during the pandemic period, and the reason for using supplements. The questions in the second category are;it mostly includes questions about changes in dietary and lifestyle of health workers during the pandemic period. It includes questions such as: ‘‘My meal count has increased'', ‘‘My water consumption has increased'', ‘‘My night eating behavior has improved'', ‘‘My sleep pattern has been disrupted'', ‘‘I gained weight during the pandemic'', ‘‘I smoke more'', ‘‘I drink more tea and coffee'', ‘‘I try to exercise''. The answers were obtained with a 3-point Likert scale (agree, undecided, disagree). Results: It was determined that health workers experienced weight gain during the pandemic stage. It was determined that the average weight and average BMI of health professionals showed a statistically significant increase (p<0.01). It was noticed that the participants had an increase in the number of meals during the pandemic stage (p<0.001). It was noticed that the vast majority of the participants took vitamin and mineral supplements. Conclusion: We found that healthcare workers took additional mineral and vitamin supplements, increased the number of meals, and experienced weight gain during the pandemic. Because of this, health workers should be given healthy snacks with high nutritional value during the pandemic stage. By health managers and administrators;a management and organizational plan including a healthy nutrition program especially in extraordinary situations such as pandemics can be created, for health workers who are exposed to intense, irregular and stressful working conditions and who are in high risk groups. © 2023, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundLong-term glucocorticoid (GC) exposure leads to systemic bone loss and fracture. In addition, GC is known to increase white blood cell (WBC) amount and change the distribution of differential count (DC). Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been studied as an optimal marker of subclinical inflammation, predicting the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases, cancers and even covid-19 infection. For patients under long-term GC exposure, the hemogram change might be a potential parameter to predict prognosis.ObjectivesThis pilot study aims to investigate if GC related WBC-DC change, including NLR, is associated with future fractures during 3 years follow-up.MethodsThis retrospective study is based on a registry, conducted in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from September 2014 till April 2021, aimed to monitor bone mineral density (BMD) changes and fractures in patients with autoimmune diseases. All recruited patients were followed at least 3 years and took X-ray images annually to capture new fragility fracture, including morphometric vertebral fractures. We screened participants who used GC continuously at least 3 months before the index day. We recorded the complete blood count (CBC) and WBC-DC values at least twice during the period of 3 months before and after the index day, and excluded patients who were febrile, under infection status, diagnosed as cancers or cardiovascular diseases at the index day. The NLR was calculated by the absolute neutrophil count divided by absolute lymphocyte count individually.ResultsA total of 346 participants were enrolled in current study, and 101 (29.2%) suffered from new fragility fracture in 3 years. Among patients with fracture and non-fracture, conventional fracture risk factors, such as age, BMD, and previous fracture remained significantly different, while the WBC revealed no difference (Table 1). Nevertheless, the absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte count were significantly higher and lower in the fracture group, respectively, and no difference in the monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil count. We compared different WBC ratio, and NLR is significantly higher in the fracture group, providing the odds ratio of 1.24 (95% confidence interval 1.07-1.44, p=0.005). Figure 1 showed that the observed fracture risk raised as the NLR values increased.ConclusionIn patients under long-term GC, NLR might be a helpful marker to predict fracture, and higher NLR indicates higher fracture risks.Figure 1.Observed fracture rate is associated with baseline NLR[Figure omitted. See PDF]Table 1.Demographic characteristics of enrolled patients on long-term glucocorticoid.Fracture N=101No-Fracture N=245p-valueAge63.7 ± 9.056.5 ± 9.6<0.001*Sex(women)89(88.1)210(85.7)0.55BMI24.1 ± 3.923.4 ± 3.90.14Previous Fracture64(63.4)55(22.4)<0.001*Total hip BMD0.738 ± 0.1330.790 ± 0.1220.001*Femoral neck BMD0.575 ± 0.1130.626 ± 0.109<0.001*Lumbar BMD0.841 ± 0.2000.855 ± 0.1500.49WBC7.3 ± 2.16.9 ±1.70.14Hemoglobin12.8 ± 1.512.9 ± 1.40.33Platelet239.2 ± 64.7247.9 ± 71.40.30Neutrophil67.3 ± 9.764.3 ± 9.70.009*Lymphocyte24.3 ± 8.726.6 ± 9.50.04*Monocyte6.2 ± 1.86.3 ± 1.60.52Eosinophil1.8 ± 1.81.9 ± 1.30.77Basophil0.4 ± 0.20.4 ± 0.20.18NLR (Neutrophil to lymphocyte)3.3 ± 1.72.8 ± 1.40.004*NMR (Neutrophil to monocyte)11.9 ± 4.511.0 ± 3.60.04*LMR (Lymphocyte to monocyte)4.2 ± 1.74.5 ± 1.90.20AcknowledgementsThis work was supported by funding grant CMRPG8J0331 from the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (https://www.cgmh.org.tw).Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.
ABSTRACT
Global suffering from COVID-19 has necessitated augmenting the immunity systems of humans through consumption of macro-micro-nutrients and antioxidant-enriched fortified foods. In this article, fortifications of popular bakery products, viz. biscuits, cookies, have been reviewed, encompassing the novel fortifying ingredients and innovative methods employed with an emphasis on the overall enrichment in the final product quality. A few notable features concerning novel fortified biscuit and fortified cookie have been decisively summarized. Wheat flour blended with 40% sesame-cake flour resulted in a fortified biscuit possessing higher protein (16.6%), crude fat (16.95%), and dietary fiber (8.2%) with acceptable sensory characteristics. About 9% toting up of chicken-eggshell dried-powder could result in high Ca content in biscuits with customary changes in texture and sensory properties. A remarkable 5% addition of bee pollen to wheat flour appreciably improved the nutrient compositions (carbohydrate 65.18%, protein 7.32%, and total dietary-fiber 1.47%) along with high polyphenol and antioxidant potentials. Notably, mixing fish fillet protein concentrate with wheat flour could yield enhanced nutritional content (protein 14.63-19.52%, fat 16.2-16.5%), as well as augmented amino acids. Remarkably, wheat flour fortified with fermented jack bean flour resulted in an overall fortified biscuit with substantial carbohydrate, crude protein, fat, fiber, ash, and appreciable macro-micro mineral contents and sensory characteristics. Innovative fortified cookies were made by blending wheat flour or Brewer's spent grain flour with one or more ingredients, e.g. full fat soya, mushroom, cardamom powder, moringa leaves, coconut, sweet potato flour rendering amplified values of nutrients, superior physical properties, increased mineral and flavonoid contents and organoleptic qualities.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
The title of the ConferenceXXII Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists "Interdisciplinary topics in mining and geology”The location and the date of the conferencevirtual event – online conference, June 29th to July 1st, 2022 in Wrocław, PolandXXIInd Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists "Interdisciplinary topics in mining and geology” continues a series of events that started in 2000 at Wrocław University of Science and Technology. Scientific programme of the Conference focuses on four thematic panels:1. Mining Engineering: sustainable development, digitalisation in mining, problems of securing, protecting and using remnants of old mining works, underground mining, opencast mining, mineral processing, waste management, mining machinery, mine transport, economics in mining, mining aeronautics, ventilation and air conditioning in mines,2. Earth and Space Sciences: geology, hydrogeology, environmental protection, extraterrestrial resources, groundwater and medicinal waters, engineering and environmental protection, geotourism,3. Geoengineering: environmental protection, applied geotechnics, rock and soil mechanics, geohazards,4. Geoinformation: mining geodesy, GIS, photogrammetry and remote sensing, geodata modeling and analysis.The XXII Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists was held as a virtual event, that is as a virtual, online conference in real-time. The reason why the Organizing Committee decided to change the traditional formula of the event to online formula was related to the concern for the health of the participants due to the COVID-19 epidemic.The XXII Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists took place from June 29th to July 1st, 2022 in Wroclaw, Poland. That is the organizers worked and managed the event from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology Geocentre building. Because the conference focused on four thematic panels, four different special opening lectures were delivered by wellknown scientists- Professor Jan Zalasiewicz (University of Leicester, England)- Associate Professor Artur Krawczyk (AGH University of Science and Technology, Poland)- Professor Biljana Kovacević-Zelić (University of Zagreb, Croatia)- Assistant Professor Eduard Kan (Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanizations Engineers, Uzbekistan).The Conference was divided into 8 oral sessions (with 33 presentations) and 1 poster session (with 33 posters). The amount of time provided to one presentation was 15 minutes, after presentation there was 5 minutes available for discussion. The poster session was available throughout the event, and the posters were available for online viewing on the Conference's website with the possibility of make discussion and ask questions in real time via zoom meeting application as well. Every day of the Conference one "virtual coffee break” was devoted for discussion between participants and question and answer session for the Organizers.There were 96 registered participants from 13 countries. The online XXII Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists was conducted using the Zoom meeting platform with commemorative screen shots taken. By tradition two competitions, for the best oral presentation and for the best poster were held. The award for the best oral presentation was given ex aequo to Julia Tiganj (TH Georg Agricola University of Applied Sciences, Germany) for the presentation entitled Post-mining goes international: hurdles to climate neutrality using the example of China and Oksana Khomiak, Jörg Benndorf (TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany) for the presentation entitled Spectral analysis of ore hyperspectral images at different stages of the mining value chain, whereas the best poster was awarded to Adam Wróblewski, Jacek Wodecki, Paweł Trybała, Radosław Zimroz (Wrocław University of Science and technology, Poland) for the poster entitled Large underground structures geometry evaluation based on point cloud data analysis.List of Scientific Committee, Organizing Committee, Editorial Team are available i this pdf.
ABSTRACT
There has been significant research and therapeutic activity within the healthcare sector in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the United States, a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment regimen for improving patients' immune systems against COVID-19 prophylaxis includes excess zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D supplementation administered over a seven-day period. Despite the fact that zinc and other mineral supplements are becoming increasingly popular in Western culture, clinical research on CAM remains limited. This case series examines three patients treated with a surplus of zinc tablets for COVID-19 prophylaxis who presented with moderate-to-severe hypoglycemia. Varying amounts of glucose were administered to these patients to offset their low blood sugar levels. Medical staff noted a positive Whipple's triad in two of the patients but observed no other abnormalities in the laboratory values. All three patients were instructed to cease zinc tablet intake upon discharge. Our findings raise awareness of the potential dangers associated with mineral supplements and serve as a warning for those seeking CAM treatment options.
ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction is an emerging problem with a significant impact on the quality of life of affected individuals. Different lines of treatment have been used with varying results. This study aimed to assess the potential therapeutic effect of PRP in the treatment of post-COVID olfactory dysfunction. This work aimed to assess the potential therapeutic effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treating post-COVID-19 parosmia. A pilot study was conducted on 60 patients with post-COVID parosmia without responding to a 3-month course of olfactory training, topical corticosteroids, omega-three, vitamin B12, and zinc supplementation. The patients were distributed randomly and equally among 2 groups. The case group was subjected to three PRP injections in the olfactory cleft at 3 weeks intervals. The control group continued the pre-study treatment protocol for 6 weeks. The degree of parosmia was assessed before and after treatment subjectively using a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10. Reaching 0-1 on the visual analog scale was a complete improvement. The primary outcome was assessing the post-treatment score for parosmia 1 month after the third injection in the case group. The second outcome was the comparison between both groups regarding the degree of improvement 1 month after cessation of treatment. Result(s): There was a highly significant improvement in VAS for parosmia (p < 0.00001) in the case group and a significant improvement in VAS for parosmia in the control group (p = P = 0.00148). There was a significant difference between both groups regarding the degree of improvement favoring the case group (p = 0.002). Conclusion(s): Platelet-rich plasma injection in the olfactory cleft offers a therapeutic option for treating patients with post-COVID-19 olfactory parosmia who failed to respond to traditional conservative treatment.Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).
ABSTRACT
In recent times, industrialized economies have focused more on achieving a sustainable environment while maintaining economic prosperity. However, it is clear from the current research that natural resource exploitation and decentralization substantially affect environmental quality. To experimentally validate such data, the current study examines decentralized economies during the previous three decades (1990-2020). This study discovered the existence of long-term cointegration between carbon emissions, economic growth, revenue decentralization, spending decentralization, natural resources, and human capital using panel data econometric techniques. The findings are based on non-parametric techniques, indicating that economic growth and revenue decentralization are the primary barriers to meeting the COP26 objective. Human capital drives down carbon emissions and contributes to meeting the COP26 objective. On the contrary, decentralization of spending and natural resources has a mixed influence on carbon emissions across quantiles. This report recommends investing in human capital, education, and research & development to speed up COP26's target accomplishment.
ABSTRACT
The NASA Earth Venture Instrument mission, Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation ( EMIT), is planned for launch to the International Space Station on a SpaceX rocket in May of 2022. EMIT's science objectives are to reduce uncertainty in the direct radiative forcing effect of mineral dust in the Earth system today and assess future changes in the effect under a range of climate scenarios. The development of the EMIT imaging spectrometer instrumentation and other systems has proceeded successfully despite the severe impacts of the COVID pandemic. The status and plans for the imaging spectrometer, calibration, ground system, in-orbit checkout, and prime science measurement observation phase are reported.
ABSTRACT
Background: In order to propose a destination for the bottom ash generated from biomass burning, its morphology, functional groups and mineral phases were studied. Dipyrone has been extensively used as an antipyretic, increased due to cases of COVID-19, and due to excretion by urine, incorrect disposal and industrial effluents has been destined to wastewater, being harmful to human and animal life. The present study proposes using biomass ash for the adsorption of dipyrone. Result(s): The characterization of biomass ash shows a sufficient surface area size for adsorption, and a mainly amorphous structure with some peaks of quartz, calcite and other mineral phases. The results show that the kinetic model which best describes the adsorption is the pseudo-first-order model. The Langmuir model best fits at 25 degreeC, and the Freundlich model best describes the adsorption at 35 and 45 degreeC. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the process is endothermic with a maximum adsorptive capacity of 65.27 mg g-1. In addition, the adsorption is spontaneous, disordered and chemical. The ionic strength study reveals that the adsorbent is promising for real effluent treatment and there is evidence that electrostatic interaction is not the primary adsorptive mechanism, agreeing with the result obtained from pH testing. The proposed mechanism for dipyrone removal involves hydrogen bonds, pi bonds and electron donor-acceptor complex. Conclusion(s): The results are promising in comparison with recent literature and solve two environmental problems: biomass bottom ash disposal and pharmaceutical removal in aqueous medium. The ash may be regarded as a low-cost and environmentally friendly adsorbent. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
ABSTRACT
Background: and Purposes: The terminology "immune boost-up" was the talk of the topic in this Covid-19 pandemic. A significant number of the people took initiative to increase the body's defense capacity through boosting up immunity worldwide. Considering this, the study was designed to explain the natural products, vitamins and mineral that were proved by clinical trail as immunity enhancer. Methods: Information was retrieved from SciVerse Scopus ® (Elsevier Properties S. A, USA), Web of Science® (Thomson Reuters, USA), and PubMed based on immunity, nutrients, natural products in boosting up immunity, minerals and vitamins in boosting up immunity, and immune booster agents. Result: A well-defined immune cells response provide a-well functioning defense system for the human physiological system. Cells of the immune system must require adequate stimulation so that these cells can prepare themselves competent enough to fight against any unintended onslaught. Several pharmacologically active medicinal plants and plants derived probiotics or micronutrients have played a pivotal role in enhancing the immune boost-up process. Their role has been well established from the previous study. Immune stimulating cells, especially cells of acquired immunity are closely associated with the immune-boosting up process because all the immunological reactions and mechanisms are mediated through these cells. Conclusion: This article highlighted the mechanism of action of different natural products, vitamins and mineral in boosting up the immunity of the human body and strengthening the body's defense system. Therefore, it is recommended that until the specific immune-boosting drugs are available in pharma markets, anyone can consider the mentioned products as dietary supplements to boost up the immunity.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to analyze the prognostic value of muscle volume (MV), bone mineral density (BMD), and diaphragm diameter (DD) in COVID-19. METHOD: The study included 498 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a positive polymerase chain reaction test for COVID-19 from March 11, 2020, through August 31, 2022. The patients' laboratory and demographic data of the patients at the time of ICU admission were recorded. MV, DD, and BMD measurements were performed using computed tomography examinations. Muscle index (MI) was calculated as MV/height2. Quartiles were determined for all 4 measurements. Patients in the lowest quartile were recorded as having low MV, MI, DD, and BMD values. The parameters were evaluated for the whole group and compared according to gender and mortality. The multiple regression analysis was performed for the prediction of mortality. RESULTS: In the mortality group, the male and female patients had significantly statistically lower values in MV (P < .001 and P = .002, respectively), MI (P < .001 and P = .005, respectively), DD (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively), and BMD (P = .002 and P < .001, respectively). In the multiple regression analysis, low MI (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.14-3.61, P = .016) and DD (OR: 10.47, 95% CI: 5.59-19.59, P < .001) values remained significant for the prediction of mortality. CONCLUSION: BMD is a risk factor for mortality in patients with severe COVID-19, but cannot be used as an independent predictor. However, MI and DD can be used as independent predictors of mortality even in severe cases.
ABSTRACT
Immunity plays a fundamental role in the maintenance and protection of the human body from infectious and pathogenic microorganisms. It requires regular intake of nutrients for proper functioning of the immune system. Due to an unbalanced lifestyle and consumption of ready-to-eat foods, immunity is being affected negatively. Inflammation and immunity are influenced by diet and nutrition. Simple sugars, trans fats, refined carbs, and processed meat, among other meals, may induce inflammation while simultaneously counteracting the anti-inflammatory benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. As a result, unhealthy food intake may enhance systemic inflammation in individuals, boosting the generation of IL-6. Dietary nutrition is a well-known aspect of immune system maintenance, with the significance of micronutrients prominently featured in a variety of scientific literary works. Currently, global population is susceptible viral infection such as COVID-19. This viral strain is directly attacking the immunity of the individual and bringing it at risk. When a patient's immune system isn't operating correctly, COVID-19 is thought to raise the harshness of the infection or make it more vulnerable to contagious diseases. This review paper will help in understanding the immune responses mechanism along with diet balance and maintaining the sufficiency of vitamins and minerals to fight against COVID-19 infection.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s)
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research is to study the problems and prospects for the development of the Russian market of mineral fertilizers in terms of the pandemic, along with their impact on the dynamics of agricultural development. The article explores the consequences of the pandemic, their impact on the development of the world market of mineral fertilizers and provides forecasts for the development of this sector in the current context. The focus is made on studying the characteristics of the world agrochemicals market, identifying the major global players in this market, along with defining Russia's place in it. The world trade structure of such countries as China, the USA and Russia is studied. The influence of internal problems and institutional transformations of states in the era of coronavirus and their impact on price and structural fluctuations in the agricultural fertilizer market is substantiated. The main emphasis is laid on the study of the factors that allow the Russian producers of agricultural fertilizers to provide full coverage of the needs of domestic farmers. The dynamics of exports and imports of agrochemicals in Russia in terms of the pandemic indicates a decline in foreign trade due to the reorientation to the domestic market. The article specifies the prospects for development of the Russian market of mineral fertilizers in the current economic conditions by increasing the volume of investment activity in the sector, despite the difficult circumstances of the pandemic. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
The search for a potent anti-coronavirus therapy for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains an overwhelming task since the outbreak of COVID-19. It is more evident that most of the existing antiviral and immune-boosting drugs are non-promising and ineffective for the treatment of coronavirus infected patients while the safety of a few drugs/vaccines that have demonstrated high potential remains unclear. With daily records of confirmed infectious cases across the world, it is crucial to emphasize the need for repurposed therapies with a validated ethnomedicinal base focused on well-known active medicines with traceable biochemical, pharmacological and safety profiles for viral infection management. In the present study, recent literature on Artemisia and Artemisia-based products for the management of COVID-19 are reviewed. Artemisia-based products have demonstrated a broad spectrum of biological ability including antiviral properties. Besides its antiviral activity, Artemisia annua have shown to contain appreciable amounts of minerals such as zinc, gallium and selenium among others. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].Copyright © 2021, Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Typical manifestations of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) include respiratory involvement. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have also been reported as early clinical manifestations. The GI involvement can represent with diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The present research aimed to identify dysentery as one of the signs of GI involvement in the novel coronavirus infection in children. Case Presentation: We report twelve patients with COVID-19 and dysentery. All these children had positive reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results. None had underlying illnesses or recent travel history. However, all children had contact with a first-degree relative affected by non-digestive COVID-19. In three patients, obvious dysentery was observed, and in the rest, red and white blood cells were evident in the stool exam. Stool exams were negative for bacterial infections, parasites, and the toxin of Clostridium difficile. Abdominal ultrasonography and echocardiographic evaluations to rule out multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children were normal. Supportive treatment, such as zinc supplementation and probiotics, was prescribed. They also received intravenous fluid therapy based on their dehydration percentage. In the end, they were discharged in good general condition without any complications. No GI complications were found in the follow-up series. Conclusion(s): Dysentery in children can be one of the GI manifestations of COVID-19, which is usually self-limiting. It does not require invasive diagnostic measures and antiviral treatments. This symptom is in contrast to other viral infections of the GI tract.Copyright © 2022, Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Background: Anxiety is common among university students and previous research has highlighted the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and higher anxiety scores in the public. Objectives: In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety status of pharmacy students studying in Northern Cyprus and analyze the role of some parameters on the observed anxiety scores. Methods: Anxiety scores of 185 pharmacy students studying at two universities in Northern Cyprus were evaluated using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) assessments. Additionally, the information of participants was recorded in terms of sociodemographic and educational characteristics, antidepressants and anxiolytic use, and consumption of vitamin-mineral supplements. The questionnaires were distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic from December 11, 2020, to January 4, 2021, online via the Microsoft TeamsR platform. It should be mentioned that responses were anonymous. Results: The mean BAI and GAD-7 scores of pharmacy students were 13.1+or-11.2 and 10+or-6.7, respectively. Based on the results, 6% of the students (n=11) revealed potentially concerning levels of anxiety in their BAI responses. Moreover, 31.9% of the pharmacy students (n=59) demonstrated severe anxiety scores on the GAD-7. Positive COVID-19 cases in the family led to statistically significant increases in anxiety on both instruments. Pharmacy students with five years of education (B. Pharm/M. Pharm) showed significantly higher anxiety scores on the BAI. Besides, age correlated negatively with anxiety scores on the GAD-7. Neither antidepressant and anxiolytic use nor vitamin/mineral supplement use were not related to the anxiety scores of participants. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrated an alarming anxiety status among pharmacy students during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Diagnosis of a family member with COVID-19 was observed to be critical in triggering the anxiety of pharmacy students. Data from this study should raise awareness to take action plans for the mental well-being of pharmacy students during pandemics.
ABSTRACT
Previous studies have shown that secondary school students may have misconceptions about geological scientific information. By the end of secondary education these misconceptions may remain unresolved. As a result, students enter university studies and still hold them. Students of engineering, as for example civil engineering, are no exception. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyse misconceptions of this specific target group. A closed questionnaire was designed and given to 102 University students who attended the 2nd semester course "Geology for Civil Engineers” in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Patras. The questionnaire was designed and validated according to previous research findings and implemented through google forms that were prepared and given electronically to the students to fill them online. The participants completed the questionnaire on the principles of geology electronically due to Covid-19 conditions. The results showed that in some questions most of the students answered correctly while in others there were many wrong answers, which revealed their misconceptions in geology. Many misconceptions were traced especially regarding mineral properties like color and luster. An important observation was that a notable number of students confused hardness with brittleness and as a result they expressed their belief that hard minerals are hard to break. Gender and age differences were tested using appropriate statistical tests. In cases that there was a significant difference between the genders, women were the ones with higher percentage of correct answers. The results may be seen in relation to educational practices. © 2022 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved.