Rapid and Low-Cost Detection of Human Corona Virus Using MEMS ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy

The conventional methods used for the diagnostics of viral infection are either expensive and time-consuming or not accurate enough and dependent on consumable reagents. In the presence of pandemics, a fast and reagent-free solution is needed for mass screening. Recently, the diagnosis of viral infections using infrared spectroscopy has been reported as a fast and low-cost method. In this work a fast and low-cost solution for corona viral detection using infrared spectroscopy based on a compact micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device and artificial intelligence (AI) suitable for mass deployment is presented. Among the different variants of the corona virus that can infect people, 229E is used in this study due to its low pathogeny. The MEMS ATR-FTIR device employs a 6 reflections ZnSe crystal interface working in the spectral range of 2200-7000 cm-1. The virus was propagated and maintained in a medium for long enough time then cell supernatant was collected and centrifuged. The supernatant was then transferred and titrated using plaque titration assay. Positive virus samples were prepared with a concentration of 105 PFU/mL. Positive and negative control samples were applied on the crystal surface, dried using a heating lamp and the spectrum was captured. Principal component analysis and logistic regression were used as simple AI techniques. A sensitivity of about 90 % and a specificity of about 80 % were obtained demonstrating the potential detection of the virus based on the MEMS FTIR device. © 2023 SPIE.

Rigidity and Flexibility of Pyrazole, s-Triazole, and v-Triazole Derivative of Chloroquine as Potential Therapeutic against COVID-19

Based on the core unit of chloroquine, new types of N-heterocyclic compounds that are fused together have been made. The compounds were put into two groups. In series A, the five-member hetero-rings were directly connected to the core unit, while in series B, the CH2 group was used to make the five-member ring more flexible (series B). Using the Gaussian 09 programme, the DFT method with hybrid correlation functional (B3LYP) and 6-311 (d, p) basis sets were used to figure out how to optimize and measure the quantum chemical properties of molecules. The molecular overeating environment (MOE) programme is used to study molecular docking. The binding of flexible compounds shows that AC8, AC10, AC3, and AC5 have the strongest binding affinities compared to the other candidates, while the rigid molecules ARC10 and ARC6 have the lowest binding affinities. In general, the results of the binding affinity showed that the drugs and receptors being studied might have anti-Covid-19 properties. Likewise, the flexible compounds AC8, AC10, AC3, and AC5 had the lowest Ki values of those made and could be used as a treatment. Our virtual physicochemical evaluation of all compounds in series A and B showed that all of them met the limits for molecular weight, lipophilicity (MLogP 4.15, the octanol-water partition coefficient), and water solubility. In addition to MR, the number of H-bond acceptors and the PSA were both within the acceptable range. It seems that the number of rotatable bonds is the only physicochemical property that separates the compounds in series B. The scores of compounds AC3, AC4, AC7, AC8, AC11, and AC12 are outside the acceptable range when compared to the results of chloroquine as the parent compound. © 2023 by SPC (Sami Publishing Company).

Immunoglobulin G antibody immune response profile following infection with SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 Egyptian patients

This study aimed to report the dynamic profile of IgG-specific antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 infection for 6 months after infection. We conducted a prospective study, recruited 33 recently confirmed covid -19 patients and collected 6 samples from each patient. The first samples were collected one month from the start of symptoms and subsequent samples collected at 30 days interval. We measured the IgG by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). According to the disease severity, patients were categorized as asymptomatic 4 (12.1%), mild 14 (42,4%), moderate 9 (27.3%), and severe 6 (18.2%). Patients were 12 (35.3%) females and 21 (64.7%) males. The mean IgG levels maintained a high level till the second month (92.81 +/- 110.15 AU/ml) from the onset of symptoms followed by a gradual decrease till the sixth month after infection (17.42 +/- 22.61 AU/ml). The patients with severe symptoms significantly exhibited the highest IgG levels, reached the highest level (mean=237.44 +/- 164.13 AU/ml) at the second month. While the lowest levels were detected among the asymptomatic patients (mean= 3.04 +/- 2.94 AU/ml) at the second month. Older age correlated with higher IgG antibody level (r= 0.350 p=0.046);however, sex was not related to IgG level. In conclusion, Symptomatic COVID-19 disease is followed by protective immunity for more than 6 months. Immunity in asymptomatic patients is low and fades rapidly than symptomatic cases. Patients with severe disease had significantly higher IgG levels compared to mild, moderate, or asymptomatic patients. Copyright© by the Egyptian Association of Immunologists.

Reactive Arthritis (Rea) Following the First Dose of Covid-19 Vaccine: A Case Report

Introduction: The development of vaccination against COVID-19 infection was a promising step during the battle against this pandemic;however, some vaccines were associated with some complications starting with just flu-like symptoms up to anaphylaxis;joint pain is among the reported complications. Here, we report a case who developed reactive arthritis (ReA) after receiving the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Case presentation: A healthy 54-year-old male with no previous history of any medical condition presented with bilateral hand and bilateral knee pain after one week of receiving his first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Clinical examination revealed swelling, tenderness, and erythema over the right index metacarpophalangeal joint and the medial aspect of the right knee. Radiographs of the hand and knee were normal. Laboratory investigations were within normal values except for an elevated ESR (15 mm/hr) and a positive CRP titer of 48 mg/l. The symptoms entirely resolved after two weeks of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Conclusion(s): Although rare, ReA can be seen as a complication of COVID-19 vaccination, and physicians should be aware of the possibility of its occurrence. Copyright © 2022 Medical Information Center. All rights reserved.

How Can Mobile Health Technology Improve Usage and Delivery of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Low-and Middle-Income Countries?

BACKGROUND: Mobile health projects have been implemented worldwide, using mobile phones for record keeping, data collection, or patient communication. Further, mobile health tools have been used to promote behavior change in health workers and/or patients. For example, text message reminders have been shown to increase health-care-seeking behavior or medication adherence in some patients, and mobile data collection and communication tools for health workers have improved follow-up of patients and data reporting. METHODS: This literature review was conducted through a keyword search of the following databases to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles: Google Scholar, PubMed, Embase, and EKB. Keywords used in these searches included mHealth, mobile health, mobile phone, coverage, usage, delivery, vaccination, immunization, and COVID-19. RESULTS: Eleven studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria were included. They examined awareness, applications, challenges, and strengths of Mobile-Health applications. All studies showed some evidence that mHealth intervention had a positive impact on increasing the coverage and use of the COVID-19 vaccine. Bad awareness of people was strongly associated with declines in vaccination intent. The use of mobile applications has made a great revolution in tracking and data gathering about vaccination status. The main limitations were reporting bias and malfunctioning of mobile applications. The main strengths were getting real-time data, improving surveillance, using geographic mapping to monitor populations. CONCLUSION: Growing usage of smartphones and Internet penetration in African countries opens the door to mHealth applications such as health literacy, vaccine supply and control, disease monitoring and intervention, and virtual consultations with health professionals worldwide.

Comparison of glycemic control between remote and in clinic initiation of advanced hybrid closed loop system MiniMed 780G in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the consideration of alternative methods to provide consultations such as telephone, e-mail, and video conferencing. Sidra Diabetes Team developed remote pump training program using video conferencing. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate glycemic control between Remote Initiation and In Clinic Initiation of Advanced Hybrid Closed Loop (AHCL) System MiniMed 780G (Medtronic, Northridge, US) in patients with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Methods: Prospective observational study of children aged 7 to 18 years with T1D who were offered to start the MiniMed 780G system either following the remote initiation program (Remote group) or the traditional in clinic initiation program (In Clinic group). Both programs followed same structured education protocol over four consecutive days, two hours per days. Remote program was performed using Skype “Meet Now” or Zoom Conferencing, while in clinic program was performed at the hospital. HbA1c, Time in Range, AHCL system characteristics were analyzed three months after AHCL initiation. Results: 13 patients (age 12.6±2.8 years, female:7) were included in the Remote group and 34 patients (age 11.7±2.1 years, female:18) in the In Clinic group. HbA1c of the Remote group decreased from 8.5 ±1.2% (69±13.1 mmol/mol) at baseline to 7.1±0.9% (54±9.8 mmol/ mol) at the end of the study (p=0.002), compared to the In Clinic group for which HbA1c decreased from 8.6±1.3% (70±14.2 mmol/ mol) to 7.0±1.1% (53±12.0 mmol/mol), (p=0.001), respectively). No significant difference of HbA1c levels, TIRs and SmartGuard use between groups was found at the end of the study. No DKA events and severe hypoglycemia in both groups was observed during the study. No severe hypoglycemia was observed in both groups. Conclusions: Remote Initiation Program for AHCL system should be offered to people with T1D as alternative to In-Clinic Initiation Program. Both programs can improve glycemic control in a safe manner without severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

Risk factors, predictions, and progression of acute kidney injury in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: An observational retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Studies have shown that acute kidney injury (AKI) occurrence post SARS-CoV-2 infection is complex and has a poor prognosis. Therefore, more studies are needed to understand the rate and the predications of AKI involvement among hospitalized COVID-19 patients and AKI's impact on prognosis while under different types of medications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective observational cohort study conducted at Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Royal Medical Services. Medical records of COVID-19 patients admitted to BDF hospital, treated, and followed up from April 2020 to October 2020 were retrieved. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression with covariate adjustment, and the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence (95% CI) interval were reported. RESULTS: Among 353 patients admitted with COVID-19, 47.6% developed AKI. Overall, 51.8% of patients with AKI died compared to 2.2% of patients who did not develop AKI (p< 0.001 with OR 48.6 and 95% CI 17.2-136.9). Besides, deaths in patients classified with AKI staging were positively correlated and multivariate regression analysis revealed that moderate to severe hypoalbuminemia (<32 g/L) was independently correlated to death in AKI patients with an OR of 10.99 (CI 95% 4.1-29.3, p<0.001). In addition, 78.2% of the dead patients were on mechanical ventilation. Besides age as a predictor of AKI development, diabetes and hypertension were the major risk factors of AKI development (OR 2.04, p<0.01, and 0.05 for diabetes and hypertension, respectively). Also, two or more comorbidities substantially increased the risk of AKI development in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, high levels upon hospital admission of D-Dimer, Troponin I, and ProBNP and low serum albumin were associated with AKI development. Lastly, patients taking ACEI/ARBs had less chance to develop AKI stage II/III with OR of 0.19-0.27 (p<0.05-0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AKI in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and the mortality rate among AKI patients were high and correlated with AKI staging. Furthermore, laboratory testing for serum albumin, hypercoagulability and cardiac injury markers maybe indicative for AKI development. Therefore, clinicians should be mandated to perform such tests on admission and follow-up in hospitalized patients.

Willingness to Test for COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Population in the Ha'il Region, KSA

Aims: To measure the degree to which the Ha'il community is willing to test for COVID-19 and assess the possible factors that may influence their decision. Study Design: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Ha'il Community. And the data was collected from October to November of 2020. Methodology: Participants comprised of both Saudi and non-Saudi males and females who were 18 years or older and living within the Ha'il region. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling by distributing the electronic questionnaire throughout various social media platforms. Results: Of the 664 participants, 80.9% reported their willingness to test for COVID-19 if they had olfactory dysfunction with, 80.3% reporting their willingness to test if they had difficulty breathing. However, only 61.7% of participants said that they would be willing to be tested if they had been in contact with someone who had tested positive, whilst they themselves were asymptomatic. More than half of the participants reported that they were confident in the results (81%). Bio-demographic factors that influence the degree of public trust were as follows;females (83.8%);living with others (81.8%);history of not gathering with more than 10 people outside their household (87.9%). Conclusion: Our finding revealed that the vast majority of the Ha'il community are willing to test for COVID-19, with a high proportion of females, participants who are living with others and participants who do not usually mix with more than 10 people at the same time showing a greater degree of trust in the results of the COVID-19 test. Furthermore, when participants had experienced olfactory dysfunction or\and breathing difficulties themselves, they tended to exhibit greater trust in the COVID-19 test results.