SMOKING AS ONE OF THE PREDICTORS OF THE SEVERITY OF THE CONDITION OF PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM A NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTION

The relationship between smoking and the lung damage volume in patients with a confirmed new coronavirus infection diagnosis, hospitalized in a temporary infectious hospital for the treatment of patients suffering from a new coronavirus infection and community-acquired pneumonia was evaluated. This was in the Odintsovo District's Patriot Park of the Moscow region. Smoking cigarettes, both active and passive, as well as exposure to tobacco smoke on the body, are important upper and lower respiratory tract infection risk factors due to local immune response suppression. Nevertheless, data from a number of international studies indicate a significantly lower number of hospitalized smoking patients compared to nonsmokers. These indicators were investigated as the percentage and degree of lung damage, smoking history, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and the smoker's index. In the course of the study, the data on a smaller percentage of smokers admitted to inpatient treatment were confirmed in comparison with non-smokers and smokers in the general population. There was no statistically significant difference in the volume of lung damage between smoking and non-smoking patients according to the chest organs computed tomography. At the same time, there was an increase in the volume of lung tissue damage, depending on the smoking experience. This is apparently due to the irreversible changes formation in lung tissue against a long-term smoking background. The median age of smoking patients was 56 years with a variation from 46 to 68 years. The minimum and maximum ages were 29 and 82. The median lung lesion was 32% with a variation from 23% to 39%. The minimum and maximum lung damage is 10% and 40%, respectively. A moderate correlation was found between the smoking experience and the volume of lung damage. An increase in lung damage by 0.309% should be expected with an increase in smoking experience by one full year. There was also no statistically significant difference in the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the smoker's index. All rights reserved © Eco-Vector, 2022.

The controversial effect of smoking and nicotine in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The effects of nicotine and cigarette smoke in many diseases, notably COVID-19 infection, are being debated more frequently. The current basic data for COVID-19 is increasing and indicating the higher risk of COVID-19 infections in smokers due to the overexpression of corresponding host receptors to viral entry. However, current multi-national epidemiological reports indicate a lower incidence of COVID-19 disease in smokers. Current data indicates that smokers are more susceptible to some diseases and more protective of some other. Interestingly, nicotine is also reported to play a dual role, being both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. In the present study, we tried to investigate the effect of pure nicotine on various cells involved in COVID-19 infection. We followed an organ-based systematic approach to decipher the effect of nicotine in damaged organs corresponding to COVID-19 pathogenesis (12 related diseases). Considering that the effects of nicotine and cigarette smoke are different from each other, it is necessary to be careful in generalizing the effects of nicotine and cigarette to each other in the conducted researches. The generalization and the undifferentiation of nicotine from smoke is a significant bias. Moreover, different doses of nicotine stimulate different effects (dose-dependent response). In addition to further assessing the role of nicotine in COVID-19 infection and any other cases, a clever assessment of underlying diseases should also be considered to achieve a guideline for health providers and a personalized approach to treatment.

Implementation fidelity of a smoke-free workplace intervention in a private medical company: A mixed-methods process evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Smoke-free workplaces are considered an important part of tobacco control strategies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate implementation fidelity and explore the significance of social and contextual factors for the implementation of a strict smoke-free workplace intervention in a large Danish medical company. METHODS: The UK Medical Research Council's guidance for process evaluation was used as a framework. Data were collected from approximately six months before the implementation until ten months after (2019-2020). A mixed method study design was used (a survey of 398 employees, a focus group of four employees and field visits on two days). Data were analyzed separately and later integrated through triangulation. We used the Fisher's exact test in the analysis of the questionnaire. RESULTS: We assessed the implementation fidelity through four key factors: reach, dose and delivery, mechanisms of change, and context for the intervention components. Despite compliance issues, the policy component had high implementation fidelity. However, the implementation fidelity of the smoking cessation support component was low. We identified three social mechanisms influencing the employees' responsiveness towards the policy: expectation, the social aspect of the smoking facilities, and management leadership. COVID-19 was identified as the main contextual factor affecting the implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Although not all elements of the intervention components were implemented as planned, the strict smoke-free workplace intervention is considered implemented. Further strategies can be initiated to raise implementation fidelity through better communication concerning the cessation support component, compliance, and enforcement of the policy.

Facilitators of a Campus Tobacco-free Policy: Navigating the Politics

Objective: In this paper, we discuss prioritization, formulation, and adoption of a comprehensive campus tobacco-free policy on a large, diverse campus at a public university in the United States. Methods: We examined the comprehensive campus tobacco-free policy experience through Kindgon's Multiple Streams Framework, which stipulates that policy change can happen when problem, policy, and politics align. We focus on the factors that led the political stream to align with the problem and policy streams to create a "window of opportunity" for adopting this policy. Results: The campus experience with COVID-19 helped spur policy adoption. Support from leadership, a committed faculty-administration team, engagement with stakeholders and community partners, knowledge of the policy adoption process, and sustained advocacy all contributed to policy adoption. Conclusions: Campus tobacco-free policy advocates can navigate the politics of prioritizing, formulating, and adopting a campus smoke-free policy by knowing the context and process, being comfortable with policy work, engaging with tobacco prevention stakeholders, sustaining their efforts and advocating in multiple ways, and considering implementation and evaluation early.

The effect of environmental factors on precocious puberty in children: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Recently the prevalence of precocious puberty development is increasing among Chinese children. Proper understanding of the risk factors for precocious puberty in children is pivotal as could help to improve children's health. This study aims to evaluate the effect of environmental factors on precocious puberty in children. METHODS: We matched the cases and controls by age at the ratio of 1:1 (201 cases and 201 controls) for girls and 1:4 (24 cases and 96 controls) for boys. We used conditional logistic regression to explore the effect of environmental factors on precocious puberty, and a random forest model to identify the most important risk factor. RESULTS: In the multivariate regression, cesarean section (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.05, 3.76), child body mass index [BMI] (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.43), maternal BMI (OR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.26), and exposure to secondhand smoke several times a month but less than once a week (OR = 4.09, 95%CI: 1.79,9.35), and almost every day (OR = 6.48, 95% CI: 2.14, 19.56) were risk factors for precocious puberty in girls. While maternal height (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.88), paternal height (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.98), bedtime at night (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.51), and night sleep (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.86) were protective factors. In boys, only exposure to secondhand smoke several times a month but less than once a week (OR = 7.94, 95% CI: 1.25, 50.33) was a risk factor for precocious puberty. In the random forest model, Child BMI was the most important risk factor for precocious puberty in girls. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that environmental factors were associated with precocious puberty in children, particularly in girls.

Second-hand smoke and fine particulate matter exposures among multi-unit housing residents in Singapore: A pilot study.

Globally, approximately 1.2 million deaths among non-smokers are attributed to second-hand smoke (SHS) per year. Multi-unit housing is becoming the common type of residential dwelling in developed cities and the issue of neighbour SHS is of rising concern especially as 'Work From Home' became the norm during and post COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this pilot study is to measure and compare the air quality of households that are exposed to SHS and unexposed households among smoking and non-smoking households in Singapore. A total of 27 households were recruited from April to August 2021. Households were categorized into smoking households with neighbour SHS, smoking households without neighbour SHS, non-smoking households with neighbour SHS, and non-smoking household without neighbour SHS. Air quality of the households was measured using calibrated particulate matter (PM2.5) sensors for 7-16 days. Socio-demographic information and self-reported respiratory health were collected. Regression models were used to identify predictors associated with household PM2.5 concentrations and respiratory health. Mean PM2.5 concentration was significantly higher among non-smoking households with neighbour SHS (n = 5, mean = 22.2, IQR = 12.7) than in non-smoking household without neighbour SHS (n = 2, mean = 4.1, IQR = 5.8). Smoking activity at enclosed areas in homes had the lowest PM2.5 concentration (n = 7 mean = 15.9, IQR = 11.0) among the three smoking locations. Exposure to higher household PM2.5 concentration was found to be associated with poorer respiratory health. A 'smoke-free residential building' policy is recommended to tackle the issue of rising neighbour SHS complaints and health concerns in densely populated multi-unit housing in Singapore. Public education campaigns should encourage smokers to smoke away from the home to minimize SHS exposure in household members.

The healthcare experiences of patients with COPD: An IPA study

Introduction/Aim: Studies of the lived experience of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) reveal a number of challenges patients face when interacting with healthcare providers that may be exacerbated by unwillingness or inability to quit smoking. However, none have explored, in-depth, primary care experiences among patients with COPD in community healthcare settings. The study investigated primary care experiences of patients living independently in the community with doctor diagnosed COPD, who smoke or had recently quit smoking and focused on how vulnerability, stigma and emotional components of care shape care experiences. Method(s): An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) involving thirteen participants purposively recruited from social media posts in COPD and carer support groups, general community groups, community noticeboards and paid adverts on social media. In-depth interviews were held between February and April 2022 by phone or Zoom TM and explored healthcare experiences, smoking, stigma and impact of care during COVID-19. Cross-case analysis was conducted to form group experiential themes. Result(s): Participants were aged between 45 to 75 years. Nine were female and two-thirds were current daily smokers. Both positive and negative experiences were explored. Problematic experiences including time-constrained consultations ('You're a number, and that's where I feel like a sheep and [that] can stress you out more'), having to self-advocate for care, and guilt about smoking were common. Positive care experiences described non-judgemental interpersonal interactions with doctors, timely referral, proactive care and trust ('I have an actual great trust for my GP. they're awesome, they'll look after you'). Conclusion(s): Pro-active, empathetic care from GPs is desired by patients living with COPD who continue to smoke but this is not always reflected in the lived experience of care. Stigma and fear of judgement were important underlying drivers of negative care experiences and need to be carefully considered in provision of care for this group.

Biologic Potential of Human Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exposed to Maternal Smoking and Active Sars-Cov-2 Infection at Delivery

Purpose of Study: COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to a worldwide pandemic with cytokine storm as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. It is known that pregnant women are at higher risk of viral infections given an alteration in immune response. Mothers who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy are even at higher risk. The infection varies from asymptomatic to severe disease in pregnant women depending upon the degree of inflammation and cytokine storm. At present, limited data are available to show the effects of simultaneous maternal smoking and SARS-CoV-2 infection on the biologic efficacy of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 infection in combination with smoking of the pregnant mother at the time of delivery will lead to an alteration in the growth and differential potential of cord-derived MSCs. Our aims included collection, isolation and growth of human umbilical cord derived MSCs followed by assessment of their differentiation potential. Methods Used: The study was approved by the Institutional IRB. The umbilical cords were collected from the following groups of pregnant mothers at the time of delivery: Normal (non-smoking and negative SARS-CoV-2 infection), Smoker (smoking with negative SARS-CoV-2), Covid Smoker (smoking with positive SARS-CoV-2 infection) and Covid non-smoker (non-smoking with positive SARS-CoV-2 infection). Plastic adherent cells were harvested from 3 pooled human umbilical cords from each group. These cells were cultured and underwent immunodepletion per International Society for cellular therapy guidelines to isolate MSCs. MSCs were cultured in MSC-culture media to assess the duplication time. Similarly, MSCs were cultured in differentiation media (adipocytes and osteocytes) to assess differentiation time. Summary of Results: Picture shows the duplication and differentiation time from each group. Smoker group showed the longest duplication and differentiation time. Covid non-smoker group showed the shortest duplication and differentiation time. Covid Smoker group showed similar duplication and differentiation time as normal controls. All these results were statistically significant (T-test). Conclusion(s): Maternal smoking and active SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of delivery alters the growth and differentiation potential of cord-derived MSCs. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are currently in progress to determine how this change effects the biological potential of these cells.

Characterization of patients with COVID-19 in pinar del rio, March 2020 - March 2021

Introduction: the study of the characteristics of patients with COVID-19 makes it possible to determine risk groups in specific populations and to outline strategies by the institutions to improve the quality of care for these patients. Background: to characterize patients with COVID-19 in Pinar del Rio between March 2020 and March 2021. Methods: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in the province of Pinar del Rio between March 2020 and March 2021. The sample consisted of 450 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: female patients predominated (56%), with a history of arterial hypertension (24,6%). A high incidence of COVID was found in individuals with between two and five chronic non-communicable diseases (40,2%). Of all patients diagnosed with COVID-19, 49% were passive smokers. Conclusions: COVID-19 occurred mainly in patients with several chronic diseases, as well as in those exposed.

TSANZSRS 2023 Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health and Respiratory Science

The proceedings contain 360 papers. The topics discussed include: comparison of three methods assessing spirometry bronchodilator responsiveness in children;the quality of spirometry testing: a systematic review;airflow severity in asthma minimally affects within-session oscillometry variability;corrected normative multiple breath washout data in pre-school aged children;prevalence and predictors of tidal expiratory-flow-limitation in healthy adolescents/young adults;impact of change of significant bronchodilator response definition;volume-dependence of reactance as a measure of ventilation inhomogeneity;mechanisms of impaired gas exchange following hospitalization for severe COVID-19;increased shunt and dead space in recovered COVID-19 pneumonitis patients;airway hyperresponsiveness detection in atopic asthma using exhaled nitric oxide;increased conductive ventilation heterogeneity following exposure to coal-mine fire smoke;accuracy of transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring during sleep studies;and effect of hematopoietic stem cell transplant on small airways function.

Molecular Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Infants and Young Children by the Conventional Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Background: At the peak of the viral season, World Health Organization ranked respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as a major cause of acute respiratory infections in more than 60% of children and more than 80% of infants younger than one year. The current study is the first in the governorate of Was it to investigate respiratory syncytial virus subtypes. The objectives of the study were to estimate the frequency of respiratory syncytial virus in children <5 years old and to recognize some potential risk factors that might be associated with respiratory tract infections.Methodology: A cross sectional study with conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed on nasopharyngeal swabs from 158 pediatric patients. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients aged 15 days to 60 months hospitalised with RTIs or seen at private clinics (cases, n = 158) and control children (n = 40) with non-respiratory symptoms during the respiratory season of 2021-2022. Pearson's chi-square (x2) model was applied, and P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: RSV nucleic acid was detected in 15 (9.49%) of the 158 clinical specimens after amplification of the F gene. The identity of these amplified fragments was confirmed as human respiratory syncytial virus subtype B by sequencing. Except the clinical presentation there was no overall association between negative and positive cases while breast feeding and family history of the same condition when comparing the control and positive cases showed statistically significant.Conclusions: conventional PCR was successfully detected the subtype B of h RSV while it may not the appropriate PCR type for subtype A detecting or that the RSVB was the only subtype circulated in 2021-2022 winter.

Relationships between plasma cytokine balance and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in long-term post-COVID follow-up: A cross-sectional preliminary study

Background: COVID-19 infection can lead to a constellation of longlasting post-infectious sequelae, including myocardial dysfunction, whose outcome is strongly affected by a fine-tuned balance between pro-and anti-inflammatory systemic immune responses. Plasma cytokines are key mediators of this immunological balance. In this preliminary study we evaluated the cross-sectional association between the circulating levels of the main pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) abnormalities. Method(s): 71 subjects (59% female, mean age 52+/-14) with previous diagnosis of COVID-19 infection were enrolled at our institution for MULTICOVID protocol, comprehensive of CMR and biomarkers assessment performed >3 months and <1 year following the first negative swab test. CMR protocols consisted of conventional sequences (cine, T2-weighted imaging, and late gadolinium enhancement [LGE]) and quantitative mapping sequences (T1, T2, and extracellular volume [ECV] mapping). Plasma levels of cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1alpha, IFN-alpha2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-18, IP-10, MIG and MCP-1 were quantified by Multiplex Immunoassays on the Luminex technology platform. Soluble cardiologic and biochemical biomarkers were measured by routine laboratory analysis. Result(s): After a median of 9 (IQR 6-11) months following negative swab, CMR was normal in 48 subjects, while in 23 (32%) it revealed tissue characterization abnormalities (myocardial late enhancement and/or edema). By multivariate regression analysis (adjusted for age, sex, vaccination, severity degrees of the initial COVID disease, presence of comorbidities, smoke, time interval between COVID diagnosis and CMR assessment) the cytokine ratio TNF-alpha/(IL-10+IL-13) was independently associated (OR=2.89, 95% CI 1.19-7.04, p=0.02) with CMR abnormalities. Interestingly, the cumulative pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine ratio (IL-1beta+TNF-alpha+IFN-alpha2+IL-6+IL-17A+IL-8)/(IL-10+IL-13) showed a positive (OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.04-2.75) and significant (p=0.03) association with CMR imaging aspects. Also, the ratio IFN-alpha2/(IL-10+IL-13), although without achieving a complete statistical significance (p=0.09), was associated positively with CMR findings. Conclusion(s): The preliminary results of this cross-sectional study suggest that the systemic inflammatory environment, long-lasting unbalanced towards a prevalent cytokine-driven pro-inflammatory condition following COVID infection, could affect the development of CMR-detectable myocardial edema and fibrosis in long-term post-COVID subjects.

Tobacco: A Looming Epidemic in Sub-Saharan African Countries

Sub-Saharan Africa, a region already burdened with HIV/AIDS, other infectious diseases, and competing priorities, is battling with the increasing burden of COVID-19 and non-communicable diseases (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer). Africa's statistics on young people aged 13-15 years already hooked to tobacco are at an alarming 17%, matching the global trend. It is estimated that the number of smokers in sub-Saharan Africa will increase to 208 million (148%) by 2030, if robust tobacco control measures are not implemented. The chapter highlights the global trends of tobacco use, and exposure to tobacco smoke, all of which aggravate the prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The chapter also explores the harmful impact of tobacco use on people's health, suggesting that tobacco control should be a public health priority. The chapter presents the evidence for effective community-based interventions on tobacco control and prevention to reverse the tobacco epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021.

A Platform for the Necessities Distribution and Circulation of Residents in the Control Community During COVID-19 Outbreak Period

The ravages of the COVID-19 and the continuous mutation of the COVID-19 make this war without gunpowder smoke unstoppable. With the continuous epidemic prevention and control, the resident closure and isolation by community is an effective way to block the large-scale development of the COVID-19. However, the shortage of daily necessities for residents during the lockdown period requires timely arrangements and deployment by local departments to ensure the basic living of the residents under lockdown. A necessary distribution and circulation system in the epidemic prevention and control community was designed and developed in this paper. The proposed necessity distribution and circulation system is mainly to help the government distribute supplies to residents and the circulation of necessities between residents more efficiently. The design process of the system includes the software development process of demand analysis, overall design, detailed design and programming;it was adopted CS three-tier architecture software development mode and the software development technology of .Net + SQLSERVER. The main business modules of the system are including necessity circulation between residents, government supply management, and volunteer necessity delivery business. The system can also be applied to the necessity circulation subsystem of the community healthy life service platform for the daily life of residents. © 2022 ACM.

Perceptions, insights, and attitudes (P.I.A.) of selected filipino female physicians on cardiovascular risks and diseases

Introduction: In 2012, coronary heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for more than 31% of deaths from all causes. In 2020, PH statistics showed that ischemic heart diseases were the leading causes of death in the Philippines (PH), responsible for 17.3% of the total deaths. Objective(s): To determine the knowledge, perceptions, insights and attitudes on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, personal health-related lifestyle practices, and lifestyle counseling practices of selected female physicians who are practicing or training in the PH through an online survey. Method(s): A descriptive ambispective cross-sectional study where the survey questionnaire of Ameh, et al. (2019) was modified with the authors' permission, was conducted online and answered by consenting female physicians. 484 participants' data were collated and analyzed. Result(s): Majority had accurate responses for the CVD prevention knowledge items (Figures 1 and 2). Among the participants, 36.98% had hypertension, 32% were obese, 28.5% had dyslipidemia, and 17.2% had diabetes mellitus. Sleep of 6-8 hours is practiced by 60.33%, 53.51% eat vegetables and fruits daily, 55.79% prefer fish and seafood, 89.05% do not smoke, 61.2% take coffee or black tea daily, 84.51% have no regular exercise, and 30.79% of those who do only exercise for 10-20 minutes. Moreover, 67.98% add salt, soy or fish sauce to their meals, and 72.73% do not drink enough water daily. In addition, 44.42% do not undergo annual general check-up and 58.06% do not have a personal physician. Limitations due to COVID-19 pandemic, lack of education, and expensive screening tests are perceived to be major barriers to CVD screening. More than 90% of our participants practice health teachings on diabetes mellitus prevention, high blood pressure screening, cholesterol screening and management, nutrition, and weight management. Counseling on regular exercise, smoking, and alcohol abuse are being practiced by 88.02%, 85.74%, and 83.88% of our respondents, respectively. Conclusion(s): There are female physicians who are not aware of the World Health Organization's recommendations on the prevention of CVD, who do not do health teaching and counseling, and who practice unhealthy lifestyle. Changing physicians' knowledge and behavior towards CVD prevention is a great challenge to improve standards of CVD prevention. Improvement and enhancement in education of both physicians and patients, together with more consultation time, financing for CVD prevention, and comprehensive, multidisciplinary preventive cardiology programs supported by government and societies in favor of prevention are some of the best ways to improve management of CVD risk factors and prevention.

Timing and Predictors of Decannulation: Comparison Between COVID-19 and NO-COVID-19 Ards

Background: Tracheotomy is a routine procedure for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) in intensive care units (ICUs), included Covid-19 ARDS, for which few data about decannulation are available. Aim(s): To compare time to decannulation between Covid-19 and no-Covid-19 ARDS and identify possible predictive factors. Method(s): In this retrospective, multicenter study, 96 tracheotomized patients, admitted from March 2020 to May 2021 in 5 pulmonary wards after an ICU stay due to Covid-19 ARDS, are compared to 32 tracheotomized ARDS patients not associated to Covid-19 admitted before its outbreak. Clinical, demographic data and comorbidities are analyzed. Result(s): Median age is lower in Covid-19 group;sex prevalence, body mass index (BMI) and frailty do not differ between the two groups as well as timing of decannulation (median days: 14 [IQR 9-22] vs 13 [IQR 8-18] in noCovid-19 and Covid-19 ARDS, respectively;p=0.08). In a multivariate linear regression analysis, Medical Research Council (MRC) scale (beta -0.33;p<0.0001), duration of steroids (beta 0.28;p=0.001), clinical complications (beta 0.27;p=0.004), PaO2/FiO2 ratio (beta -0.25;p=0.007) and history of smoke (beta 0.18;p=0.04) significantly predict timing of decannulation in both groups. Conclusion(s): Timing of decannulation in Covid-19 ARDS patients is not different from no-Covid-19 ARDS. In Covid19 patients, past knowledge about decannulation and the need of relieve post-ICU setting avoid the delay in decannulation time if compared to no-Covid-19 patients. ICU-acquired weakness, evaluated by MRC scale, seems to be a strong predictor of longer time to decannulation in the two groups.

COVID-19 Pandemic Reveals Distinct Impact of Aerosols on Surface Solar Radiation in China

With the abrupt and significant drop of PM2.5 concentrations during the lockdown in 2020, hourly direct radiation (Rdir) at surface substantially increased in East China, such as Zhengzhou, Wuhan and Baoshan, with the maximum enhancement of 86% at Wuhan. Most of these stations had decreased diffuse radiation (Rdif) except Zhengzhou. Zhengzhou had both enhanced Rdir and Rdif, as well as reduced but still high PM2.5 concentrations, indicating atmospheric particles were more scattering in this region. At Beijing and Harbin in North and Northeast China, intensification of aerosol pollution led to hourly Rdir (Rdif) falling (rising) up to −28% (59%) and −23% (40%), respectively. By contrast, surface solar radiation (SSR) in West China was also greatly influenced by the elevated dust/smoke layers, revealed by aerosol layer vertical distribution and the reduction of SSR and PM2.5 concentrations. This study highlighted the importance of aerosol optical properties and vertical structures in aerosol–radiation interactions. © 2023. The Authors.

Differentiating infectious from non-infectious respiratory disease in the cat and dog

This paper describes the clinical signs and use of differential laboratory diagnostic techniques (computed tomography, cytology, histopathology, antigen/antibody detection and polymerase chain reaction) for infectious (viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic) and non-infectious (inflammatory/immune mediated, neoplastic, cardiac, malformation, foreign body, smoke inhalation, aspiration of caustic material, non-cardiogenic, pulmonary oedema, traumativ, pneumothorax, pulmonary contusions and idiopathic) causes of respiratory diseases in cats and dogs in Ontario, Canada.

Prediction of Survival COVID-19 Patients by Using Backpropagation Neural Network Algorithm

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus and increasing in cases every day. This is because the large number of patients makes it difficult to be treated at the hospital. This is behind the need for survival prediction of COVID-19 patients within 48 days so that the medical team can prioritize patients who are predicted to not survive on that period. In this research, the firefly algorithm is used which aims to select attributes and will perform comparisons for data that is balance or imbalance and combined with data that do feature selection and does not feature selection. The data that will be used are age, asthma, diabetes, gender, COPD, pregnancy, hypertension, obesity, ICU, chronic kidney disease, smoking, heart disease, immune deficiency, pneumonia, and other medical history. In this research, the selected attributes were gender, type of patient, intubation, pneumonia, age, pregnancy, diabetes, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), asthma, hypertension, other diseases, obesity, chronic kidney disease, smokers, contact with COVID patients, and ICU. The prediction model with the highest level of performance is a model with balanced data with a recall value of 0.79, then a precision value of 0.93, then an f score of 0.85, then an accuracy value of 0.86, then a specificity 0,93, then a NPV 0,82 and a geometric mean value of 0.87 © 2022 IEEE.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived alveolar type 2 cells mature at air-liquid interface and respond to airborne stimuli

Human alveolar type II cells (AT2s) are progenitors of the alveolar epithelium and are among the pulmonary cells that are directly exposed to inhaled stimuli. Primary human AT2s can be cultured in three-dimensional alveolospheres, but are difficult to culture in the physiologically relevant air-liquid interface (ALI) format. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be directed to differentiate to iPSC-derived AT2s (iAT2s) in alveolospheres, where they transcriptomically resemble fetal lung. Here we report the successful adaptation of iAT2s to ALI culture, which promotes their maturation and permits exposure to inhaled stimuli. We transcriptomically profile iAT2s cultured at ALI and find that they mature as they downregulate cell cycle-associated transcripts. We then evaluate the extent of iAT2 maturation at ALI within the developmental context by comparison to primary AT2s. We find that iAT2s at ALI are more similar to primary AT2s than iAT2s cultured as spheres, and that differences are driven by primary AT2s' response to immune stimuli. We then test the capacity of iAT2s to respond to immune stimuli by infecting with SARSCoV-2. We find that iAT2s mount an epithelial-intrinsic interferon and inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and can serve as a platform for testing antiviral therapeutics. Finally, we demonstrate that iAT2s at ALI respond to cigarette smoke and electronic cigarette vapor, enabling the direct comparison of these common inhaled stimuli. Overall, we describe a novel disease modeling platform that will enable exploration of gene-environment interactions unique to inhaled exposures of the alveolar epithelium.