Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in an adolescent girl with rapidly progressive dyspnea

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease, especially in pediatrics, but important to consider, as it may avoid unnecessary and/or invasive investigations and delayed diagnosis. This case report highlights an adolescent girl with rapid onset dyspnea but an unremarkable physical exam and initial testing. However, due to a high index of suspicion, a chest computed tomography (CT) scan was done, revealing a "crazy paving" pattern, which then prompted expedited assessment. This finding, however, is not as specific as often discussed and has a broad differential diagnosis, which will be reviewed in detail as part of this case. Furthermore, this report demonstrates a diagnostic approach for PAP that avoids lung biopsy, previously considered to be required for diagnosis of PAP, but is increasingly becoming unnecessary with more advanced blood tests and understanding of their sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, management strategies for PAP will be briefly discussed.Copyright © 2022 Canadian Thoracic Society.

Autonomous UAV with obstacle management using AIoT: a case study on healthcare application

With the simultaneously connected 26.66 billion devices worldwide, the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming a vast field of research and helping hand to every individual. However, when IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) consolidate, it results in smart applications and future revolutions that are known as Artificial Intelligent of Things (AIoT). Similarly, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) domain is also developing daily, helping many unrest people in the healthcare industry. One step towards developing the healthcare industry is the use of UAV devices like drones embedded with AIoT to work autonomously in the healthcare industry. This can help the healthcare industry in many ways. This chapter proposes an algorithm to recast these UAV drones to autonomous UAV drones and use them as intelligent or smart for various healthcare purposes like COVID-19. The proposed autonomous UAV drone uses Raspberry Pi 3, a Hubney, and a bearing formula to automatically determine the direction of the UAV movement, making it work without any controller. Also, the comparative study presented in this chapter highlighted the benefits of this proposed algorithm with others present in the literature.

Proposed Experimental Design of a Portable COVID-19 Screening Device Using Cough Audio Samples

With the proliferation of COVID-19 cases, it has become indispensable to conceive of innovative solutions to abate the mortality count due to the pandemic. With a steep rise in daily cases, it is a known fact that the current testing capacity is a major hindrance in providing the right healthcare for the individuals. The common methods of detection include swab tests, blood test results, CT scan images, and using cough sounds paired with AI. The unavailability of data for the application of deep learning techniques has proved to be a major issue in the development of deep learning-enabled solutions. In this work, a novel solution of a screening device that is capable of collecting audio samples and utilizing deep learning techniques to predict the probability of an individual to be diagnosed with COVID-19 is proposed. The model is trained on public datasets, which is to be manually examined and processed. Audio features are extracted to create a dataset for the model which will be developed using the TensorFlow framework. The trained model is deployed on an ARM CortexM4 based nRF52840 microcontroller using the lite version of the model. The in-built PDM-based microphone is to be used to capture the audio samples. The captured audio sample will be used as an input for the model for screening. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Observation of Online vs Offline Learning Experience

As the outbreak of COVID-19 increased in various countries. India is also majorly affected with the COVID-19 by that education system is affected, and it has transferred the traditional face-to-face teaching to online education platform. Considering student's perspective on both online and offline learning mode in India, we conducted a survey to collect the data. In that survey questionnaire, focus was on the factors and situation which can affect the education system. Using that data, we used Kruskal Wallis test to collect the evidence for which learning mode is better and Naive Bayes Algorithm, we were able to conclude the results. © 2022 IEEE.

Personality Effects on Financial Responses Caused by the Perceived Financial Threat during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The link between the uncertainty of stock markets and the emotional stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has been studied by numerous researchers. For example, a few studies have provided mixed evidence about the behavioral responses of individual retail investors and their financial risk tolerance and stock trading. To the best of the authors' knowledge, however, this study is the first to analyze the influence of the psychological aspects of the pandemic on these investors' financial responses. A total of 396 investors from India participated in the study, and a mediational analysis was performed using AMOS to explore whether the perceived financial threat (PFT) was a linkage between personality traits (PTs), trading preferences, and risk tolerance during the pandemic. The results show that the PFT was a mediator between PTs and stock trading and between PTs and risk tolerance. Additionally, investors with various PTs had varying intensities of the PFT, which eventually impacted financial behavior in the form of trading and risk aversion. © 2022 Journal of Structured Finance. All right reserved.

The Impact of Ebola and COVID on the Provider-Patient Relationship in Sierra Leone's Maternal Health Care System: Cues for Technology Innovation

Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. In 2010, a new initiative was implemented to provide free healthcare to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under the age of five. While this well-intentioned initiative strengthened maternal health in some respects, it added additional dynamics to the complex patient-provider relationships at various levels of the referral-based public health infrastructure. The genesis of these observations and the subsequent research into the complexities of these relationships can be traced to the authors' work over the past five years in championing the integration of a low-cost diagnostic device for pregnant women across 56 rural health clinics. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, this article describes the complexities of the various types of patient-provider relationships and the role that technology innovations might play in strengthening them. There is a specific emphasis on the impact of the Ebola epidemic in 2014-2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic on patient-provider relationships. This article is of particular interest to technology innovators seeking to integrate novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in rural settings in low-resource countries such as Sierra Leone. © 2022 IEEE.

EcoRealms: Improving Well-being and Enhancing Productivity Through Incorporating Nature into the Workplace

Work-induced stress is a large problem that has only been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Nature has beneficial effects on psychological and physiological well-being, with an abundance of scientific literature demonstrating the ability of greenery to reduce stress. As such, the fusion of nature-based design into the work and academic environments has the potential to greatly decrease student and employee stress. Primary methods of incorporating greenery indoors include living walls and potted plants. However, these methods fall short of creating an immersive environment that maximizes the positive impact on worker well-being, and additionally, barriers such as maintenance, costs, and extensive construction limit implementation. This paper outlines a new method to integrate nature into the work environment through 'EcoRealms,' which are immersive, natural spaces created by modular and self-maintaining 'living partitions.' These low-cost, easy-to-install partitions act as design elements to create a flexible space that serves worker well-being and enhances productivity. Discussed are prototypes that demonstrate the design's technical feasibility and results from a self-reported questionnaire that validate the positive impacts of the EcoRealm on wellbeing. © 2022 IEEE.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Awareness, and Opinion of Patients on Routine Dental Services during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 virus has undoubtedly disrupted the life of every individual and created a global health and economic crisis. Health-care systems, including dental clinics, were affected and patients with dental pain suffered since they were unable to seek dental care at the right time. It has since become relevant to examine and understand the outlook and views of patients toward seeking routine dental services and their acceptance of alternative methods of dental practice through the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, this cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and opinion of patients visiting a dentist for routine dental services during the COVID-19 pandemic Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 200 patients who visited the dental college for their treatment. Their responses were recorded and descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were carried out to evaluate their responses. Results: The participants were aware of the transmission of COVID-19 (91%), 64% believed it was safe to visit a dentist and 99.5% believed it necessary to take proper precautions before visiting the dentist. Participants (84%) preferred having dental consultations over phone/email/video calls compared to regular in-person consultations during the pandemic. Conclusion: Teledentistry has the potential to emerge as an effective mode of managing patients with dental needs to reduce the burden on dental clinics and hospitals. It can ensure the accessibility to dental care even in the remotest area by allowing patients to connect with dentists through appropriate digital and social media.

Pillars of a Corruption Free Economically Strong Healthcare Industry during COVID-19: Artificial Intelligence and Global Connectivity

COVID-19 is causing turmoil across the world’s healthcare systems, aiming to contain the spread of pandemics and develop the basis for global economic productivity. A professional healthcare infrastructure would depend on the country’s commitment to ethical principles, a prerequisite for effective anti-corruption governance. It serves as the creative growth accelerator for healthcare. COVID is a global threat to not all human health but also to the country’s economic balance. The chapter has initiated to evaluate the relationship of the variables such as the Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, Global Connectivity levels, Corruption levels, and the health care systems. The research has been conducted using secondary data collected from various published online and offline sources. Our study’s sample covers the various indexesrecorded by 71 countries from all over the globe. The chapter exhibits a clear and positive impact of all the variables on each other. The indexes calculated also showed that the country having a robust AI framework will have good governance resulting in an anticorruption healthcare system. © 2022 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Haematological Malignancy Presenting in an Unusual Manner

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a haematological malignancy that occurs due to an increased proliferation of mature B lymphocytes. It is considered to be the most common leukaemia in adults. Hyponatremia is commonly seen in such patients. This case report is about a 75-year-old male, who presented with giddiness, followed by altered sensorium. However, the patient had no motor weakness or sensory loss. Initially, a diagnosis of posterior circulation stroke was made but Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain did not show associated signs. The routine investigations showed highly elevated total leukocyte count and hyponatremia. The patient was worked up for malignancy and diagnosed with Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Oncology reference was taken and treated with tablet Ibrutinib. On discharge, the patient's mentation improved, and he is on regular follow-up.

Exploring Pathways of Digital Financial Inclusion to Improve Women's Economic Participation

In the recent times, digital financial services have seen exponential growth with expanded opportunities to individuals, especially women. In 2020, more than 240 million women, as compared to data of the year 2014, have a bank account and access to mobile payment services. However, compared to men, women are more likely to be poor and have less participation in the formal economy. They mostly find jobs in the informal economy. Therefore, there is a need to support women's financial status by providing them with appropriate infrastructure and resources and removing barriers to digital financial inclusion. In addition, the policymakers need to address the challenges in access to financial services for women, different laws and regulations, and limited access to technology. The study explores the challenges to women's access to online banking and policy options to strengthen women's participation in digital financial services. © 2022 IEEE.

Corporate Influence and the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Combating Trafficking in Persons—The India Story

Trafficking in persons (TIP) has become ‘an issue without borders’, where worldwide, 24.9 million people are prey to this act of human rights violation. India has been combatting this issue as a source, transit and destination country for both sex-based and non-sex-based exploitation. This is because, India, despite much development in the socio-economic sector in recent times, remains an emerging nation with dismal social indicators and porous international borders that nurtures unsafe migration. To make matters worse, the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the vulnerability of certain sections of the people to trafficking. While the government has taken certain steps to tackle the issue of trafficking in persons, but the business sector, has remained oblivious to such pressing social matters. However, only recently, the Companies Act, 2013 was passed and the new statute incorporated Section 135 and Schedule VII within its purview that deals with mandated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for certain large, stable companies. Section 135 lays down the requirement of the law for conducting CSR and Section VII lays down a list of broad areas in which the CSR resources need to be spent. Interestingly, much of the Schedule VII corresponds to the 17 broader goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as laid down by the United Nations in the year 2015, that became effective from 2016. This paper aims to document some of the causes of trafficking in persons in India as well as map the various ways in which the corporate sector can do its part in combatting such a social problem through its CSR interventions. © 2022, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Prospective voluntary SARS-CoV-2 virus and anti-COVID-19 antibody tests in asymptomatic medical and research staff who work in direct contact with cancer patients: A single center study

Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has assaulted all aspects of daily life. Medical professionals in oncology face additional challenges with balancing prompt cancer diagnosis and urgent treatment against potential COVID-19 exposure risk in these high-risk patients. We designed this prospective freewill study to offer testing for SAR2-CoV-2 viral RNA and/or anti-COVID-19, respectively in asymptomatic medical and research staff who work in direct contact with cancer patients. The overall goal was to evaluate the prevalence of infection in this group of asymptomatic healthcare providers to reduce exposure of cancer patients to asymptomatic staff. Methods Asymptomatic medical and research staff who work in direct contact with cancer patients were asked to voluntarily be tested for either SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA or antibodies or both. Either NP swabs and/or blood samples (EDTA tube) were collected. Tests are performed at Sinochips Kansas LLC, Sinochips Diagnostics (CLIA number:17D2176068, CAP number: 8709463). The PCR test is performed with FDA authorized 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel EUA. The Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Roche Diagnostics) immunoassay was used to qualitative detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in human plasma. Results From 06/18/2020 to 12/18/2020, 861 participated in the study. 1095 tests were completed for SAR2-CoV-2 virus infection, and 918 were completed for antibody. Amount participants, 530 had both virus and antibody tested. 235 were tested more than once for viral infection and 166 were tested more than once for the antibody. Median age of participants was 39 years (IQR 32-51 years). Among these 84.7% were females, 84.4% white, 6.7% African American, 4.8% Asian and 84.7% non-Hispanic. The cumulative incidence of a positive test for the virus was 2.2% (16/712), and for the antibody test was 3.8% (26/679). 5 had both viral and antibody tests positive, with an average time of 4.1 weeks from viral testing positivity to detectable antibody among 3 cases and 2 cases with both viral infection and antibody detected at same time. There were 3 cases virus was detected more than once after turning positive. 2 remained positive at 16 and 22 days after initial test and one turned negative at 36 days as of last follow up. There were 7 cases where the antibody was tested more than once after turning positive and all 7 remained positive as of last follow up (range 7-103 days). Conclusion Prospective voluntary testing in asymptomatic medical and research staff who work in direct contact with cancer patients was feasible and resulted in identification of asymptomatic carriers who then placed in quarantine, thereby limiting exposure to cancer patients. Medical and research staff who work with cancer patients are general very cautious and the frequency of infections were significantly lower than general society. In addition, it seems that 1) virus and antibody may co-exist in the same person after exposure, and 2) the antibody may last for a relatively long time.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Influenza-Related Hospitalization, Intensive Care Admission and Mortality in Canadian Children

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented implementation of wide-ranging public health measures globally. During the pandemic, dramatic decreases in seasonal influenza virus detection have been reported worldwide. Information on pediatric influenza-related hospitalizations is limited. We describe influenza-related hospitalization in Canadian children during the 2020/2021 influenza season compared to ten previous seasons. Methods. Data on influenza-related hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and in-hospital deaths in children across Canada were obtained from the Canadian Immunization Monitoring Program, ACTive (IMPACT). This national surveillance initiative comprises 90% of all tertiary care pediatric beds in Canada. The total study period included eleven influenza seasons from September 2010 to April 2021 inclusive. Time series modelling was used to compare trends in influenza-related hospitalizations during the 2020/2021 season (September 2020 to April 2021 inclusive) with the ten previous seasons. Results. During the 2020/2021 influenza season there were no pediatric influenza infection-related hospitalizations. This was a significant decrease compared to the predicted total influenza-related hospitalizations for this period (p< 0.001). No pediatric ICU admission or deaths were reported for the 2020/2021 influenza season. Conclusion. We show complete absence of influenza infection-related hospitalization in children in Canada during the 2020/2021 season. This significant decrease is likely related in large part to non-pharmacological public health interventions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the potential role of viral interference is unknown. Our findings suggest measures such as use of facemasks, hand-washing, distancing and school closures may be beneficial for influenza control and mitigation of future influenza epidemics.

Association of COVID-19 with Mucormycosis-An Appalling and Enervating Disease in North West India

Introduction: The pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be a significant problem worldwide. The disease pattern ranges from mild to life threatening pneumonia. Association of COVID-19 with mucormycosis is rare but an increase in this association has been observed recently, particularly in a background of immunocompromised state with rhino-orbital-cerebral region being the most common site of involvement. Aim: To study the site and presentation of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients with histopathological association. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at American International Institute of Medical Sciences, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, in which 1st 20 patients of COVID-19 with mucormycosis of rhino-orbital region were included in the study. The study was conducted for a period of two months (April-May 2021). Detailed clinical history and associated co-morbidities were noted for each patient. Histopathological examination of all the specimens resected for fungal infection was done along with special stain. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test. Results: COVID-19 association with mucormycosis was observed in all 20 cases. Maximum number of cases (11) was present in the age group of 20-40 years. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) had a strong association with mucormycosis. Maxillary sinus was most commonly associated site. Preoperative Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) was positive in all 20 cases, detailed histopathology study along with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain was performed in all cases. Additional microscopic findings like angioinvasion (03), granuloma (01) and giant cell reaction (13) were also recorded. Conclusion: COVID-19 has emerged as a global threat to mankind. In the present scenario the entire medical fraternity should have a prompt and team approach towards the management of this pandemic, in terms of, early detection of the infection, meticulous use of corticosteroids and screening of comorbidities to safeguard patients from such life threatening fungal infections.

Prognostic impact of obesity in cancer patients with COVID-19 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Obesity is a bona fide risk factor for ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and mortality in patients (pts) with COVID-19 in the general population. However, whether obesity is a risk factor in cancer pts remains unknown. Herein, we have conducted a systematic review/meta-analysis of obesity and all-cause mortality in cancer pts with COVID-19. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines,a systematic search of PubMed and Embase as well as major conference proceedings (ASCO/ESMO/AACR) was conducted for publications from inception to 14 January 2020. Observational studies that reported all-cause mortality in cancer pts with lab confirmation or clinical diagnosis of COVID19 and BMI (obese (>30 kg/m2 ) vs. non-obese) were included in the analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated with the fixed-effects model based on low heterogeneity. Small sample publication bias was evaluated using the Begg's Funnel Plot and Egger's test. Results: After reviewing 3387 studies,3 retrospective cohort studies of 419 obese and 1694 non-obese cancer pts (N=2117) with COVID-19 in both inpatient/outpatient settings that reported outcomes based on obesity were found. The 3 studies were conducted multi-nationally in North America, in France, and in the Netherlands respectively. The median ages of the cohorts ranged 66-68. All studies included various cancers of various stages and were of high quality per Newcastle Ottawa scale (scores 7-9). Fixed effects metaanalysis showed no association between obesity and all-cause mortality (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.74- 1.23) in cancer pts with COVID-19. Heterogeneity was low (I2= 33%). No significant funnel plot asymmetry was detected per Egger's test (P=0.2273). The reported OR of each study is outlined in the table. Conclusions: In contrast to the general population, our analysis reveals that obesity is not associated with increased all-cause mortality in cancer pts with COVID-19. Limitations of this study include a limited number of included studies, reliance on retrospective studies, non-use of ethnicityspecific WHO BMI criteria, and limited granularity of the study-reported BMI. Future prospective studies are warranted to assess the complex interplay among anthropomorphic measures, cachexia/sarcopenia, comorbidities associated with the metabolic syndrome, and COVID-19 outcomes in the cancer pt population. (Table Presented).

Repurposing mefenamic acid in the management of covid-19

With the growing understanding of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pathogenesis, different therapeutic targets are being considered for the management of COVID-19. The development of new drugs is a time-consuming process;hence, many drugs acting on similar therapeutic targets/sites in the COVID-19 treatment are repurposed in COVID-19. In this article, an expert panel deliberated on the existing evidence on the immunopathogenesis, therapeutic targets under consideration for treatment of COVID-19, and the place of mefenamic acid in the therapy landscape of COVID-19. The expert panel has also provided recommendations regarding the dose and regimen of mefenamic acid in different phases of the COVID-19 disease.