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Joshi SA, Shah PG, Gajbhiye MR, Pillai P, Dudhate SN, Karyakarte RP. Household Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the Third Wave of the Pandemic with Special Reference to Clinico-epidemiological Characteristics. Indian J Community Med 2024; 49:91-95. [PMID: 38425978 PMCID: PMC10900464 DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_946_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began in India in 2020. Despite successful vaccination, cases again started increasing from mid-December 2021. Therefore, this study was undertaken to find out the clinico-epidemiological characteristics and effectiveness of vaccination in the household transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in and around Pune. Material and Methods All samples received from December 15, 2021, till February 15, 2022, were included in the study. Samples received in viral transport medium (VTM) were extracted by the MagMAX RNA Extraction Kit, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed by the CoviPath Kit as per kit guidelines. Values of nucleocapsid (N) gene and open reading frame (ORF) less than 37 were considered positive. Clinico-epidemiological data were analyzed from the sample referral form (SRF). Results A total of 712 of 1032 household contacts of 271 families were positive. When geographical areas were compared, it was found that rural areas were affected more (63.76%) as compared to urban areas (36.24%). Males were more affected than females. The most commonly affected age group was 41-50 years (26.54%). Small families were found to have more household transmission. Mild symptoms were present in 97.89%. Among 271 infected individuals, seven were admitted to hospital, of which one patient died due to pneumonia. Two doses of vaccination were completed in 93.95%, and 3.79% had taken booster dose. Conclusions Data from this study showed that a high rate of transmission was observed in household contact despite two doses of vaccination. However, these vaccinated individuals had mild symptoms, maybe due to the effect of vaccination and infecting variant omicron.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pooja G. Shah
- Department of Microbiology, BJ GMC Pune, Maharashtra, India
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El-Sayyad GS, Elfadil D, Gaballah MS, El-Sherif DM, Abouzid M, Nada HG, Khalil MS, Ghorab MA. Implication of nanotechnology to reduce the environmental risks of waste associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. RSC Adv 2023; 13:12438-12454. [PMID: 37091621 PMCID: PMC10117286 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra01052j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is the largest global public health outbreak in the 21st century so far. It has contributed to a significant increase in the generation of waste, particularly personal protective equipment and hazardous medical, as it can contribute to environmental pollution and expose individuals to various hazards. To minimize the risk of infection, the entire surrounding environment should be disinfected or neutralized regularly. Effective medical waste management can add value by reducing the spread of COVID-19 and increasing the recyclability of materials instead of sending them to landfill. Developing an antiviral coating for the surface of objects frequently used by the public could be a practical solution to prevent the spread of virus particles and the inactivation of virus transmission. Relying on an abundance of engineered materials identifiable by their useful physicochemical properties through versatile chemical functionalization, nanotechnology offers a number of approaches to address this emergency. Here, through a multidisciplinary perspective encompassing various fields such as virology, biology, medicine, engineering, chemistry, materials science, and computer science, we describe how nanotechnology-based strategies can support the fight against COVID-19 well as infectious diseases in general, including future pandemics. In this review, the design of the antiviral coating to combat the spread of COVID-19 was discussed, and technological attempts to minimize the coronavirus outbreak were highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gharieb S El-Sayyad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University (ACU) Giza Egypt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Galala University New Galala City Suez Egypt
- Drug Microbiology Laboratory, Drug Radiation Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) Cairo Egypt
| | - Dounia Elfadil
- Biology and Chemistry Department, Hassan II University of Casablanca Morocco
| | - Mohamed S Gaballah
- College of Engineering (Key Laboratory for Clean Renewable Energy Utilization Technology, Ministry of Agriculture), China Agricultural University Beijing 100083 PR China
- Department of Physical Pharmacy and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences Rokietnicka 3 St. 60-806 Poznan Poland
| | - Dina M El-Sherif
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF) Cairo Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abouzid
- Department of Physical Pharmacy and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences Rokietnicka 3 St. 60-806 Poznan Poland
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences 60-812 Poznan Poland
| | - Hanady G Nada
- Drug Microbiology Laboratory, Drug Radiation Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) Cairo Egypt
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University Cairo Egypt
| | - Mohamed S Khalil
- Agricultural Research Center, Central Agricultural Pesticides Laboratory Alexandria Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Ghorab
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Institute for Integrative Toxicology (IIT), Michigan State University East Lansing MI 48824 USA
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Vicente D, Proença DN, Morais PV. The Role of Bacterial Polyhydroalkanoate (PHA) in a Sustainable Future: A Review on the Biological Diversity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2959. [PMID: 36833658 PMCID: PMC9957297 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental challenges related to the mismanagement of plastic waste became even more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for new solutions regarding the use of plastics came to the forefront again. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) have demonstrated their ability to replace conventional plastics, especially in packaging. Its biodegradability and biocompatibility makes this material a sustainable solution. The cost of PHA production and some weak physical properties compared to synthetic polymers remain as the main barriers to its implementation in the industry. The scientific community has been trying to solve these disadvantages associated with PHA. This review seeks to frame the role of PHA and bioplastics as substitutes for conventional plastics for a more sustainable future. It is focused on the bacterial production of PHA, highlighting the current limitations of the production process and, consequently, its implementation in the industry, as well as reviewing the alternatives to turn the production of bioplastics into a sustainable and circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diogo Neves Proença
- Department of Life Sciences, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
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Meskher H, Belhaouari SB, Thakur AK, Sathyamurthy R, Singh P, Khelfaoui I, Saidur R. A review about COVID-19 in the MENA region: environmental concerns and machine learning applications. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:82709-82728. [PMID: 36223015 PMCID: PMC9554385 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23392-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has delayed global economic growth, which has affected the economic life globally. On the one hand, numerous elements in the environment impact the transmission of this new coronavirus. Every country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) area has a different population density, air quality and contaminants, and water- and land-related conditions, all of which influence coronavirus transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) has advocated fast evaluations to guide policymakers with timely evidence to respond to the situation. This review makes four unique contributions. One, many data about the transmission of the new coronavirus in various sorts of settings to provide clear answers to the current dispute over the virus's transmission were reviewed. Two, highlight the most significant application of machine learning to forecast and diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Three, our insights provide timely and accurate information along with compelling suggestions and methodical directions for investigators. Four, the present study provides decision-makers and community leaders with information on the effectiveness of environmental controls for COVID-19 dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hicham Meskher
- Division of Process Engineering, College of Applied Science, Kasdi-Merbah University, 30000, Ouargla, Algeria
| | - Samir Brahim Belhaouari
- Division of Information and Computing Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Amrit Kumar Thakur
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Arasur, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641407, India
| | - Ravishankar Sathyamurthy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Punit Singh
- Institute of Engineering and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, GLA University Mathura, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281406, India
| | - Issam Khelfaoui
- School of Insurance and Economics, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, China
| | - Rahman Saidur
- Research Centre for Nano-Materials and Energy Technology (RCNMET), School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, No. 5, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
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Attitudes toward Receiving COVID-19 Booster Dose in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region: A Cross-Sectional Study of 3041 Fully Vaccinated Participants. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10081270. [PMID: 36016158 PMCID: PMC9414713 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines are crucial to control the pandemic and avoid COVID-19 severe infections. The rapid evolution of COVID-19 variants such as B.1.1.529 is alarming, especially with the gradual decrease in serum antibody levels in vaccinated individuals. Middle Eastern countries were less likely to accept the initial doses of vaccines. This study was directed to determine COVID-19 vaccine booster acceptance and its associated factors in the general population in the MENA region to attain public herd immunity. We conducted an online survey in five countries (Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan) in November and December 2021. The questionnaire included self-reported information about the vaccine type, side effects, fear level, and several demographic factors. Kruskal−Wallis ANOVA was used to associate the fear level with the type of COVID-19 vaccine. Logistic regression was performed to confirm the results and reported as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals. The final analysis included 3041 fully vaccinated participants. Overall, 60.2% of the respondents reported willingness to receive the COVID-19 booster dose, while 20.4% were hesitant. Safety uncertainties and opinions that the booster dose is not necessary were the primary reasons for refusing the booster dose. The willingness to receive the booster dose was in a triangular relationship with the side effects of first and second doses and the fear (p < 0.0001). Females, individuals with normal body mass index, history of COVID-19 infection, and influenza-unvaccinated individuals were significantly associated with declining the booster dose. Higher fear levels were observed in females, rural citizens, and chronic and immunosuppressed patients. Our results suggest that vaccine hesitancy and fear in several highlighted groups continue to be challenges for healthcare providers, necessitating public health intervention, prioritizing the need for targeted awareness campaigns, and facilitating the spread of evidence-based scientific communication.
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Telehealth and Artificial Intelligence Insights into Healthcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10020385. [PMID: 35206998 PMCID: PMC8871559 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10020385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Soon after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was proclaimed, digital health services were widely adopted to respond to this public health emergency, including comprehensive monitoring technologies, telehealth, creative diagnostic, and therapeutic decision-making methods. The World Health Organization suggested that artificial intelligence might be a valuable way of dealing with the crisis. Artificial intelligence is an essential technology of the fourth industrial revolution that is a critical nonmedical intervention for overcoming the present global health crisis, developing next-generation pandemic preparation, and regaining resilience. While artificial intelligence has much potential, it raises fundamental privacy, transparency, and safety concerns. This study seeks to address these issues and looks forward to an intelligent healthcare future based on best practices and lessons learned by employing telehealth and artificial intelligence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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