ABSTRACT
Pakistan Registry of Intensive Care (PRICE) is a platform that has enabled standardized COVID-19 clinical data collection based on ISARIC/WHO Clinical Characterization Protocol. The near real-time data platform includes epidemiology, severity of illness, microbiology, treatment and outcomes of patients admitted with suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID19 infection to 67 intensive care and high dependency units across the country. Data has been extracted and analysed at regular intervals to inform stakeholders and improve care practices. This is our 28th report including all patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 from 26th March 2020 to 26th December 2021. Key findings from 8624 patients who met eligibility criteria, are as follows: Median age of 60 years (IQR 50-70). The most common symptoms were shortness of breath (n = 6428, 77.8%), fever (n = 6091, 73.8%), and Cough (n = 3354, 38.9%) The most common comorbidity was hypertension followed by diabetes. During the course of illness 2804 (32.6%) patients received non-invasive ventilation, whereas 2474 (28.8%) patients had mechanical ventilation as their highest organ support. In addition, 2246 (26.1%) patients needed haemodynamic support and 1249 (14.7%) patients required renal replacement therapy as their highest organ support. Median APACHE II score was 18 Overall mortality at ICU discharge was 39.2% Increasing age and requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation were independent risk factors for mortality increased the risk of death
ABSTRACT
Voltammetric parameters are studied to confirm the antioxidant activity of citric acid towards reduced form of methyl viologen dication (1, 1'-dimethyl-4, 4'-bipyridinium, MV 2+, also known as paraquat). In this study the kinetics of the reaction of citric acid with reduced form of methyl viologen is also reported. Out of two oxidative peaks (i.e. MVo to MV+Ë and MV+Ë to MV+2) the first peak is almost removed after interaction with citric acid. Shifting in second cathodic peak potential is also obvious and possibility of citric acid to scavenge or making adduct with paraquat is identified. Some real samples (fruit juices) as a rich source of citric acid are also studied. This study presents a simple, relevant and fast voltammetric method by which quick quantitation and monitoring of antioxidant/ scavenging activity of food, herbs and other spices towards paraquat poisoning is possible. It may constitute a new wave of treatment or therapy for the disease caused by paraquat.
