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Aim: The objective of this conceptual study was to know the effects of COVID-19 on mental health of older adults. Study design: This qualitative study was conducted in October-December 2022 in District Sargodha. Twenty (20) older adults who have been suffered from COVID-19 were taken as respondents selected through snowball-purposive sampling technique. A semi-structured interview protocol was used to collect data through in-depth interviews from the respondents. Thematic analysis method of qualitative methodology of research was used to analyze the data to find the results. Result(s): The study found that older adults experienced severe mental health issues during COVID-19 period due to loneliness, isolation, anxiety and fear of disease and death. During the quarantine period and hospitalization, loneliness and social isolation affected the mental health of the older adults. Fear of disease & death and losing the loved ones negatively affected the older adults psychologically to great extent. However, respondents who were educated and well aware of causes and consequences of the disease;used this information and awareness as coping strategy and such respondents had less adverse affects on their mental health. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 virus affected the well-being of older people with regard to mental and emotional. Social isolation and loneliness have been observed as main factors affecting the mental condition of older adults during the pandemic. They experienced grave psychological issues due to loneliness and fear of disease & death during the quarantine/ hospitalization period.Copyright © 2023 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.
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PBAT is a biodegradable material having great potential in the development of a new non-woven inner layer for facemasks. While other materials like commonly used non-woven polypropylene (PP) in commercial facemasks is unfortunately non-biodegradable. However, biodegradable polylactic acid has been used by researchers for developing non-woven inner layers of facemasks. Meanwhile there are very less reports on PBAT for such utilization. The main objective of this preliminary study is to fabricate a non-woven PBAT layer using electrospinning process. The parameters such as flow rate, and working distance were considered and examined. The properties of non-woven PBAT mat obtained from the present study were compared to the commercial non-woven PP mat. The results showed that a flow rate of 3 ml/h, working distance of 20 cm, spinning and stirring time of 1 and 48 h respectively produced good layers of non-woven PBAT.
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In this study, we develop a conceptual framework that explains the reasons behind a widening of the gaps in private rates of return to university education during an economic crisis such as COVID-19. Next, we report stylized facts on the private rates of return to university education before and after economic crises in Indonesia, Pakistan, and South Africa. We further conduct panel regression analysis to assess the statistical significance of the relationship between private returns and crises in the three countries. We conclude by speculating on COVID-19 implications and future research.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the infection with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). SARS-CoV-2 affects multiple organ systems including the central nervous system (CNS) where it leads to CNS dysfunction (Neuro COVID-19). Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 neuropathogenesis including the targeting of the brain and elucidation of the sequence of events underlying CNS damage are only poorly understood. We and others have investigated this by neuropathological deep phenotyping using morphological methods and molecular neuropathology in representative cohorts of patients dying from/with COVID-19 and in adequate control cohorts. Our studies show that Neuro COVID-19 is characterized by a compartmentalized and region-specific perivascular glial and neuroinflammatory response with activation of microglia which is found in nearly all patients dying from/with COVID-19. Conversely, SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins can only be found in low amounts in a subset of COVID-19 patients' brains. In the presentation, it will be illustrated how neuropathological deep phenotyping can contribute to elucidate disease mechanisms in Neuro COVID-19.
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Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the global economy and, thus, the global construction industry. This paper aims to study the impact of COVID-19 on construction project performance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a qualitative and exploratory approach to investigate the impact of COVID-19 and its policies on project performance in the UAE construction industry in critical areas of the project management body of knowledge (e.g. schedule, cost, resources and contracts). Semi-structured interview questions were asked from ten construction professional to obtain valuable insights into the pandemic’s effects on the UAE construction industry and the effectiveness of policies implemented to rectify the damage and identify the industry’s new normal. Findings: The findings indicate that the construction industry faced several challenges such as schedule delays, disrupted cashflows, delayed permits, approvals and inspections, travel restrictions, serious health and safety concerns, material and equipment shortages, among others which hindered the timely delivery of construction projects. It also indicates that efforts made by the government institutions and the construction industry of the UAE such as economic support programs, digitization of processes, fee and fine waivers, health facilities, among other statutory relaxations proved effective in supporting the construction industry against the adverse effects of the pandemic. Research limitations/implications: The research findings are limited to the literature review and ten semi-structured interviews seeking an expert’s opinion from industry professionals working in the UAE construction industry. The research team did not get access to project documents, contracts and project progress reports which may be required to validate the interview findings, and to perform an in-depth analysis quantifying the impact of COVID 19 on construction projects performance, which is a limitation of this research. Practical implications: The implication is that, owing to the imposed lockdowns and strict precautionary measures to curb the rapid spread of the pandemic, smooth execution of the construction project across the country was affected. The government institutions and stakeholders of the construction projects introduced and implemented various techniques and solutions which effectively handled the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction industry of the UAE. Originality/value: This study has identified the challenges faced by the construction industry of the UAE in the context of the management of project schedule, project cost, construction contracts, health and safety of construction employees and other related aspects of the construction projects. This study also identified the techniques and solutions adopted by various public and private institutions of the country and their implications on construction projects. Therefore, this study provides guidelines for policymakers and future research studies alike. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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Introduction and Objectives Emerging data suggests COVID-19 pneumonia could lead to fibrotic changes post-infection.1 In this study we seek to establish the radiological changes of non-ITU patients 3 months after hospital discharge based on the follow-up models recommended by the British Thoracic Society.2 Methods Patients admitted with swab-positive COVID-19 pneumonia were identified. Those who required intensive care and those deceased were excluded from analysis. Those who survived to hospital discharge were invited for a 3-month follow- up chest radiograph (CXR). Patients with normal CXRs were informed and discharged. Patients with persistent CXR changes were contacted and a decision made for further interval CXR or CT imaging. Results 200 patients were admitted with swab-positive COVID-19 pneumonia without escalation to intensive care and discharged between mid-March and mid-May 2020. 25 were excluded from follow-up due to patient factors (e.g. extreme frailty). The patients' characteristics and outcomes are summarised in table 1. 87% of patients had their CXR return to normal after 3 months. The patients whose CXR returned to normal after 3 months are younger than those with persistent changes (p<0.05). Conclusions Our results demonstrated reassuring findings that the majority of patients receiving ward-based care for COVID- 19 pneumonia who survived to discharge have normal CXR findings by 3 months post-discharge. Younger patients are more likely to have CXR changes resolved completely by 3 months. Most patients with persistent CXR changes at 3 months are improving symptomatically and radiologically so up-front CT was not requested. More follow-up is required to characterise the longer term respiratory sequelae of COVID- 19. Our follow-up is ongoing and more results will be available for presentation at the BTS Meeting if this abstract is accepted. We are also conducting follow up of patients surviving intensive care admissions with results submitted separately.
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Introduction: The current COVID-19 research has calculated VTE incidence in critical care which is 25%. We designed an increased dose thromboprophylaxis protocol based on D-dimer and weight for all patients that were admitted to respiratory wards. Objectives: To assess the incidence of pulmonary embolism pre and post protocol and to assess 30 days mortality rate. Methods: We evaluated retrospectively the incidence of pulmonary embolism for all COVID 19 patients admitted to respiratory wards before and after the modified protocol. Results: View inline Discussion: Our thromboprophylaxis protocol change demonstrated a decrease in incidence of PE, fewer ITU admissions, and a reduced length of stay. We suggest that in the pre-protocol population, the rapid deterioration of patients requiring invasive ventilation may be related to embolic phenomenon and microvascular thrombi rather than progression of COVID-19.There was one clinically significant bleed in Pre-protocol group. Therefore, it is essential to consider escalated thromboprophylaxis for all patients admitted to hospital with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. With the still significant rate of PE, and lack of significant bleeding in the post protocol group, a randomised controlled trial of higher thromboprophylaxis versus treatment dose anticoagulation is now required.
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Introduction: COVID-19 often results in acute adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (Jin-Gen Xia et al 2020). Current guidelines support that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can be used as a bridge to invasive ventilation or as a ceiling of care in patients with a high clinical frailty score (CSF).We present the results of patients treated with CPAP in the specialist respiratory wards of a large hospital in the UK. Methods: 45 patients were trialled on CPAP over a two-month period. CPAP was started when patients required more than 10L/min of oxygen to maintain saturation above 92%. Results: The mean age was 63 years and 80% were males. In 10 patients (22%), ceiling of care was CPAP only in view of CSF. The mean Pa02/Fi02 ratio was 104. Mean PEEP was 10 cms and mean Fi02 66%. Overall 42% were successfully treated with CPAP (average duration 79 hours) and discharged home. 37% deteriorated requiring invasive ventilation (average of 30 hours CPAP pre intubation). Among those who required ICU admission 20% died, 33% were discharged home and 47% continue to be treated in hospital. In those who had CPAP as ceiling of care, 90% died. Those with successful CPAP alone had an average length of hospital stay of 11 days. Discussion: CPAP was used as a first line of ventilatory support for patients who could be categorised as moderately severe ARDS by Berlin criteria. 42% patients were discharged home with a short length of stay. The outcome of patients with CPAP as ceiling of care was poor in view of significant co-morbidities. Our data suggests CPAP can be used as first line of treatment with good outcomes.Larger studies/meta analyses are indicated to delineate this further.