Knowledge and attitude towards monkeypox among the Lebanese population and their attitude towards vaccination.

Introduction: Monkeypox is a currently re-emerging disease in the world and several cases have been detected in Lebanon. For this reason, an assessment of the knowledge and attitude of the Lebanese population towards monkeypox and smallpox or monkeypox vaccines had to be done. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire developed from previous literature among a sample of Lebanese residents. It recorded the sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities of the participants and analyzed the patterns of knowledge and attitudes in Lebanon. Results: Among 493 participants, it was found that there is a generally low knowledge of and an average attitude toward monkeypox. However, knowledge is better with higher educational levels, COVID-19 vaccination, and residency in the south of Lebanon and poorer with marriage and residency in Beirut. Attitude is better in females but poorer with higher educational levels. Several other effectors have been devised too. As for vaccination, taking the smallpox vaccine as a proactive measure is predicted with previous COVID-19 vaccination and better attitude but not in the residents of the north of Lebanon and married Lebanese residents. Higher educational levels and a better attitude were positive predictions of taking the monkeypox vaccine whenever it is developed. Conclusion: This study revealed low level of knowledge and attitude towards monkeypox and its vaccines, which can be a rich resource when proactive measures are developed.

Associations between IL-17A G/A-rs2275913 and IL 23R A/G-rs11209026 gene polymorphisms and severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Severe COVID-19 disease was linked to a severe proinflammatory response and cytokine storm interleukin 17 (IL-17) is one of these cytokines, was associated with severe acute lung injury and multiorgan dysfunction. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes coding IL-17 can affect level of IL-17 hence its role in diseases. Also, SNPs in IL-23 R which control IL-23 is the main activator of IL-17 production. This study aimed to determine whether the IL-17A (G/A-rs2275913), IL-23R (A/G rs11209026) SNPs and serum levels of IL-17 were related to the risk of severe COVID-19. This case-control study included 120 confirmed COVID-19 patients, divided into two categories according to the severity of the disease and 74 normal subjects as controls. COVID-19 patients were SARS-CoV-2 positive by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and subjected to full clinical examinations, routine laboratory tests, and radiographic evaluations. The IL-17 levels were assessed using ELISA method, and genotyping of IL-17A (197 A/G; rs2275913) and IL-23R rs11209026 (A/G) was performed by the TaqMan Genotyping Assay. There were no differences in the distribution of IL-17A or IL-23R genotypes between COVID-19 groups and the control group (p=0.93 and p=0.84, respectively). Severe COVID-19 patients had significantly higher IL-17 serum levels than non-severe COVID-19 (p=0.0001). The GG genotypes of IL-17A were significantly higher in severe COVID-19 patients (p=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that AG, GG genotypes of IL-17 and IL-17A were independent predictors of COVID-19 disease severity (p < 0.0001, p=0.06 and p=0.04, respectively). ROC curve analysis for IL-17, as predictor of severe COVID-19 disease revealed a sensitivity of 87.9% and specificity of 66.1% at a cutoff point of 114 pg/ml with AUC = 0.799. In conclusion, these findings indicated that IL-17 may be considered a marker of severe COVID-19. IL-17A SNPs may have a role in COVID-19 severity. IL-23R SNPs had no role in COVID-19.

Synthesis, Molecular Docking, c-Met inhibitions of 2,2,2-Trichloro-ethylidene-cyclohexane-1,3-dione Derivatives Together With Their Application as Target SARS-CoV-2 main Protease (Mpro) And as Potential Anti-Covid-19.

BACKGROUND: The lack of anti-COVID-19 treatment to date warrants urgent research into potential therapeutic targets. Virtual drug screening techniques enable the identification of novel compounds that target the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (Mpro). OBJECTIVE: The binding of thehalogenated compounds to Mpro may inhibit the replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2 and, ultimately, stop the virallife cycle. In times of dire need for anti-COVID-19 treatment, this study lays the ground work for further experimental research to investigate the efficacy and potential medical uses of these compounds to treat COVID-19. METHOD: New heterocyclic compounds were synthesized through the first reaction of cyclohexan-1,3-dione (1a) or dimedone (1b) with trichloroacetonitrile (2) to give the 2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives 3a and 3b, respectively. The latter compounds underwent a series of heterocyclization reactions to produce biologically active compounds. RESULTS: Novel compounds including fused thiophene, pyrimidine and pyran derivatives were synthesized and tested against human RNA N7-MTase (hRNMT) and selected viral N7-MTases such as SARS-CoV nsp14 and Vaccinia D1-D12 complex to evaluate their specificity and their molecular modeling was also studied in the aim of producing anti covid-19 target molecules. CONCLUSION: The results showed that compounds 10a, 10b, 10c, 10e, 10f, 10g and 10h showed high % inhibitions against SARs-Covnsp 14. Whereas, compounds 5a, 7a, 8b, 10a, 10b, 10c and 10i showed high inhibitions against hRNMT. This study explored the binding affinity of twenty two halogenated compounds to the SARS-CoV-2 MPro and discovered fifteen compounds with higher binding affinity than Nelfinavir, of which three showed remarkable results. c-Met kinase inhibitions of 10a, 10f, 10g and 10h showed that all compounds exhibited higher inhibitions than the reference Foretinib.

The Percentage of Vaccine Hesitancy among Married Individuals in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross Sectional Study in Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background Vaccines are largely regarded as one of medicine's greatest breakthroughs, yet vaccination rates have been declining in many parts of the world in recent years. Although there are numerous contributing variables to decreased vaccination rates, it is critical to evaluate the impact of the relevant factors. Also, because we are in the midst of a sad epidemic and vaccination for COVID-19 is critical to maintaining public health and limiting the virus's spread, there is a risk of vaccine rejection on the horizon. Methods Five hundred and fourteen married Riyadh inhabitants aged 18 years and over were issued an online Web-based survey. The research took place from June to October 2020. The study calculates the percentage of vaccination apprehension and analyzes immunization attitudes and knowledge. It also contrasts the participants' attitudes regarding vaccines before and during the COVID-19 global pandemic, as well as the associated causes for vaccine reluctance and rejection. Result The majority of the respondents (48.1%) were between 37–47 and 26–36 years of age (37.5%). Females (80%) made up the majority of the group. Around 66.3% of participants have a bachelor's degree, and 80.8% have an average monthly income. During the pandemic, 38.5% of participants said they do not want to be vaccinated. When comparing vaccine-hesitant participants' sociodemographic characteristics, it was discovered that the percentage of vaccine-hesitant participants was significantly higher in the younger age-group (<36 years), those who had been married for more than 10 years, those with 1–3 children (p < 0.001), and those who did not work (p = 0.002). Conclusion The percentage of people who are hesitant to get vaccinated has grown by 5.2% from the previous level, and the level of reluctance has increased by 2.3%.

Liver function test abnormalities in COVID-19 patients and factors affecting them - a retrospective study.

AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to study liver function test abnormalities in our COVID-19 patients and factors affecting them and to evaluate whether liver function test abnormalities are related to the severity of COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our retrospective study included 118 patients who were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Their median age was 40 years. Fifty percent were male. Clinical and biochemical data were collected from patient records during the period from the start of June 2020 to the end of July 2020. Liver function test abnormalities included: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 40 U/l, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 40 U/l, serum albumin < 3.5 mg/dl, total bilirubin > 1.2 mg/dl, and international normalized ratio (INR) > 1.2. RESULTS: Forty-four percent of COVID-19 patients had liver function test (LFT) abnormalities. In patients with severe SARS-CoV-2, AST, total bilirubin and INR levels were significantly higher than in patients with the non-severe disease. Levels of hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum ferritin, D-dimer, and serum glucose were significantly higher in SARS-CoV-2 patients with LFT abnormalities than those with normal liver function. CONCLUSIONS: LFT abnormalities are very common in SARS-CoV2 positive patients, especially those with the severe form. Levels of ESR, CRP, serum ferritin, and D-dimer were higher in COVID-19 patients with LFT abnormalities than those with normal LFT. High serum ferritin levels might be potential risk factors for LFT abnormalities.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia.

This study assesses the determinants and severity of psychological distress among frontline Ministry of Health workers within Saudi Arabia during the rapid acceleration phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Moreover, we assess distress sustainability and stress-coping behaviors. We conducted an online national cross-sectional survey. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (k10) is a highly reliable instrument used to assess depression and anxiety. We evaluated stress-coping behavior and the persistence of the disorders. Binary logistic regression identified the sociodemographic factors related to severe distress. The prevalence of severe psychological distress among COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) was 27.3%. Factors associated with severe psychological distress in multiple regression analyses were male gender (p < 0.001), working for >45 hours/week (p = 0.009), age of >40 years (p = 0.038), years of experience for more than seven years (p = 0.048), Asir region (p = 0.003), and using psychological services (p < 0.001). The prevalence of severe psychological distress was 27.3%. Factors associated with severe psychological distress in multiple regression analyses were male gender, working >45 hours/week, age, years of experience, region, and using psychological services. The results form a foundation for targeted psychological health support services at the individual and institutional levels to prevent progression to mental illness.

Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Gene Patterns Associated with Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) from Broiler Chickens in Qatar.

Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is the contributing agent behind the avian infectious disease colibacillosis, which causes substantial fatalities in poultry industries that has a significant impact on the economy and food safety. Several virulence genes have been shown to be concomitant with the extraintestinal survival of APEC. This study investigates the antibiotic resistance patterns and APEC-associated virulence genes content in Escherichia coli isolated from non-healthy and healthy broiler chickens from a commercial poultry farm in Qatar. A total of 158 E. coli strains were isolated from 47 chickens from five different organs (air sac, cloacal, kidney, liver, and trachea). Based on genetic criteria, 65% were APEC strains containing five or more virulence genes, and 34% were non-pathogenic E. coli (NPEC) strains. The genes ompT, hlyF, iroN, tsh, vat, iss, cvi/cva, and iucD were significantly prevalent in all APEC strains. E. coli isolates showed 96% resistance to at least one of the 18 antibiotics, with high resistance to ampicillin, cephalothin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and fosfomycin. Our findings indicate high antibiotic resistance prevalence in non-healthy and healthy chicken carcasses. Such resistant E. coli can spread to humans. Hence, special programs are required to monitor the use of antibiotics in chicken production in Qatar.