1
|
Genc S, Taghizadehghalehjoughi A, Naldan ME, Gülcü O, Caglayan C, Spanakis M, Nikolouzakis TK, Alegakis A, Docea AO, Drocas AI, Mitrut R, Hatzidaki E, Spandidos DA, Tsatsakis A. Evaluation of various blood biomarkers associated with the outcomes of patients with COVID‑19 treated in intensive care units. Exp Ther Med 2024; 27:82. [PMID: 38274343 PMCID: PMC10809360 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2024.12371] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the resulting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represented a global public health crisis and the most significant pandemic in modern times. Transmission characteristics, and the lack of effective antiviral treatment protocol and protective vaccines, pushed healthcare systems, particularly intensive care units (ICUs), to their limits and led to extreme quarantine measures to control the pandemic. It was evident from an early stage that patient stratification approaches needed to be developed to better predict disease progression. In the present study, the predictive value of clinical and blood biomarkers for the outcomes of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the ICU were investigated, taking age and sex into consideration. The present study analyzed blood samples from 3,050 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the ICU. The analysis revealed that the levels of procalcitonin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, D-dimer, ferritin, liver enzymes, C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase were increased and were associated with disease progression, resulting in a prolonged hospitalization period and severe COVID-19 related complications. Additionally, significant age and sex disparities among these biomarkers were documented and discussed in specific cases. On the whole, the results of the present study suggest a potential association of the demographic characteristics and blood biomarkers with prolonged hospitalization in the ICU and the mortality of patients with COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sidika Genc
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Bilecik Seyh Edebali University, Bilecik 11230, Turkey
| | - Ali Taghizadehghalehjoughi
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Bilecik Seyh Edebali University, Bilecik 11230, Turkey
| | - Muhammet E. Naldan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, Bilecik Seyh Edebali University, Bilecik 11230, Turkey
| | - Oktay Gülcü
- Department of Cardiology, Educational and Research Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Health Science University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
| | - Cüneyt Caglayan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Bilecik Seyh Edebali University, Bilecik 11230, Turkey
| | - Marios Spanakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Athanasios Alegakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Anca Oana Docea
- Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova 200349, Romania
| | - Andrei Ioan Drocas
- Department of Urology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova 200349, Romania
| | - Radu Mitrut
- Department of Cardiology, University and Emergency Hospital, Bucharest 050098, Romania
| | - Eleftheria Hatzidaki
- Department of Neonatology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Papadakis AA, Tsirigotakis I, Katranitsa S, Donousis C, Papalexis P, Keramydas D, Chaidoutis E, Georgakopoulou VE, Spandidos DA, Constantinidis TC. Assessing the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic health protocols on the hygiene status of swimming pools of hotel units. MEDICINE INTERNATIONAL 2023; 3:32. [PMID: 37425352 PMCID: PMC10326652 DOI: 10.3892/mi.2023.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
With the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous countries imposed strict lockdown measures and travel bans, resulting in the closure of hotels. Over time, the opening of hotel units was gradually allowed, and new strict regulations and protocols were issued to ensure the hygiene and safety of swimming pools in the era of COVID-19. The present study aimed to evaluate the implementation of strict health COVID-19-related protocols in hotel units during the 2020 summer tourist season concerning microbiological hygiene and physicochemical parameters of water, and to compare the data with those from the 2019 tourist season. For this reason, 591 water samples from 62 swimming pools were analyzed, of which 381 samples were for the 2019 tourist season and 210 samples were for the 2020 tourist season. To examine the presence of Legionella spp, 132 additional samples were taken from 14 pools, of which 49 in 2019 and 83 in 2020. In 2019, 2.89% (11/381) of the samples were out of legislative limits (0/250 mg/l) regarding the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli), 9.45% (36/381) were out of acceptable limits (0/250 mg/l) regarding the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and 8.92% (34/381) had residual chlorine levels <0.4 mg/l. In 2020, 1.43% (3/210) of the samples were out of the legislative limits as regards the presence of E. coli, 7.14% (15/210) were out of acceptable limits regarding the presence of P. aeruginosa and 3.33% (7/210) of the samples measured residual chlorine levels <0.4 mg/l. The risk ratio (RR) in relation to the presence of E. coli due to incorrect compliance with the requirements for residual chlorine was calculated for 2019 at 8.50, while in 2020 it was calculated at 14.50 (P=0.008). The RR of the presence of P. aeruginosa due to inappropriate residual chlorine requirements was calculated in 2019 at 2.04 (P=0.0814), while in 2020 it was calculated at 2.07 (P=0.44). According to the microbiological hygiene and physicochemical parameters of the water samples studied, there was a significant improvement due to the strict protocols for the swimming pools in the summer season of 2020 compared to the tourist season of 2019, namely 72.72% (E. coli), 58.33% (P. aeruginosa), 79.41% (of residual chlorine <0.4 mg/l) in the three main parameters studied. Finally, an increased colonization by Legionella spp. detected in the internal networks of the hotels due to the non-operation of the hotels during the lockdown, the improper disinfection and stagnant water in the internal water supply networks. Specifically, in 2019, 95.92% (47/49) of the samples tested negative and 4.08% (2/49) tested positive (≥50 CFU/l) for Legionella spp., compared to 2020 where 91.57% (76/83) of the samples tested negative and 8.43% (7/83) tested positive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonios A. Papadakis
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Agri-Food and Life Sciences, University Research Centre, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Petros Papalexis
- Unit of Endocrinology, First Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Keramydas
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Chaidoutis
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Epameinondas Georgakopoulou
- Department of Infectious Diseases and COVID-19 Unit, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Theodoros C. Constantinidis
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Raghav PK, Mann Z, Ahluwalia SK, Rajalingam R. Potential treatments of COVID-19: Drug repurposing and therapeutic interventions. J Pharmacol Sci 2023; 152:1-21. [PMID: 37059487 PMCID: PMC9930377 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The infection is caused when Spike-protein (S-protein) present on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 interacts with human cell surface receptor, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This binding facilitates SARS-CoV-2 genome entry into the human cells, which in turn causes infection. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many different therapies have been developed to combat COVID-19, including treatment and prevention. This review is focused on the currently adapted and certain other potential therapies for COVID-19 treatment, which include drug repurposing, vaccines and drug-free therapies. The efficacy of various treatment options is constantly being tested through clinical trials and in vivo studies before they are made medically available to the public.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Kumar Raghav
- Immunogenetics and Transplantation Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | | | - Simran Kaur Ahluwalia
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Raja Rajalingam
- Immunogenetics and Transplantation Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gyanani V, Goswami R. Key Design Features of Lipid Nanoparticles and Electrostatic Charge-Based Lipid Nanoparticle Targeting. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041184. [PMID: 37111668 PMCID: PMC10144967 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have gained much attention after the approval of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The considerable number of currently ongoing clinical studies are testament to this fact. These efforts towards the development of LNPs warrant an insight into the fundamental developmental aspects of such systems. In this review, we discuss the key design aspects that confer efficacy to a LNP delivery system, i.e., potency, biodegradability, and immunogenicity. We also cover the underlying considerations regarding the route of administration and targeting of LNPs to hepatic and non-hepatic targets. Furthermore, since LNP efficacy is also a function of drug/nucleic acid release within endosomes, we take a holistic view of charged-based targeting approaches of LNPs not only in the context of endosomal escape but also in relation to other comparable target cell internalization strategies. Electrostatic charge-based interactions have been used in the past as a potential strategy to enhance the drug release from pH-sensitive liposomes. In this review, we cover such strategies around endosomal escape and cell internalization in low pH tumor micro-environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Gyanani
- T.J.L. School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cauvi DM, Hawisher D, Derunes J, De Maio A. Phosphatidylcholine Liposomes Reprogram Macrophages toward an Inflammatory Phenotype. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:141. [PMID: 36837644 PMCID: PMC9968183 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13020141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipids are the major components of cellular membranes and cell-derived vesicles such as exosomes. They are also key components of artificial lipid nanoparticles, allowing the encapsulation and transport of various biological or chemical cargos. Both artificial and natural vesicles could be captured by cells delivering important information that could modulate cellular functions. However, the potential contribution of phospholipids within vesicles altering cellular physiology has been largely underestimated. Here, we showed that macrophages exposed to liposomes made exclusively with palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC) in vivo resulted in a dramatic alteration of the transcriptome profile. Differential gene expression analysis indicated that the exposure to POPC liposomes resulted in a change in the expression of 1598 genes. Moreover, 146 genes were upregulated, and 69 genes were downregulated by incubation with POPC liposomes in contrast to palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylserine (POPS) exposure. Signaling pathway impact analysis revealed that 24 signaling pathways were significantly modulated after exposure to POPC liposomes, including the activation of the NF-κB pathway. Indeed, the expression of several cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) and chemokines (Cxcl1 and Cxcl2) were increased. These observations were validated by the exposure of macrophages to POPC liposomes in culture conditions. In addition, the proteomic analysis of peritoneal cells exposed to POPC liposomes performed by mass spectrometry revealed that the expression of 107 proteins was downregulated after POPC exposure, whereas the expression of 12 proteins was significantly upregulated by this treatment, including seven proteins involved in the neutrophil degranulation pathway. This observation was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis showing the rapid recruitment of neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity after POPC exposure. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the presence of phospholipids within artificial and natural vesicles could be responsible for changes in the function of target cells.
Collapse
|
6
|
Multi-Target Mechanisms of Phytochemicals in Alzheimer’s Disease: Effects on Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation and Protein Aggregation. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12091515. [PMID: 36143299 PMCID: PMC9500804 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a tangle-shaped accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide fragments and Tau protein in brain neurons. The pathophysiological mechanism involves the presence of Aβ-amyloid peptide, Tau protein, oxidative stress, and an exacerbated neuro-inflammatory response. This review aims to offer an updated compendium of the most recent and promising advances in AD treatment through the administration of phytochemicals. The literature survey was carried out by electronic search in the following specialized databases PubMed/Medline, Embase, TRIP database, Google Scholar, Wiley, and Web of Science regarding published works that included molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways targeted by phytochemicals in various experimental models of Alzheimer’s disease in vitro and in vivo. The results of the studies showed that the use of phytochemicals against AD has gained relevance due to their antioxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-amyloid, and anti-hyperphosphorylation properties of Tau protein. Some bioactive compounds from plants have been shown to have the ability to prevent and stop the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Collapse
|
7
|
Nucleic Acids as Biotools at the Interface between Chemistry and Nanomedicine in the COVID-19 Era. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084359. [PMID: 35457177 PMCID: PMC9031702 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent development of mRNA vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 infection has turned the spotlight on the potential of nucleic acids as innovative prophylactic agents and as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Until now, their use has been severely limited by their reduced half-life in the biological environment and the difficulties related to their transport to target cells. These limiting aspects can now be overcome by resorting to chemical modifications in the drug and using appropriate nanocarriers, respectively. Oligonucleotides can interact with complementary sequences of nucleic acid targets, forming stable complexes and determining their loss of function. An alternative strategy uses nucleic acid aptamers that, like the antibodies, bind to specific proteins to modulate their activity. In this review, the authors will examine the recent literature on nucleic acids-based strategies in the COVID-19 era, focusing the attention on their applications for the prophylaxis of COVID-19, but also on antisense- and aptamer-based strategies directed to the diagnosis and therapy of the coronavirus pandemic.
Collapse
|
8
|
Vâţă A, Anita A, Manciuc C, Savuta G, Luca C, Roșu F, Mihai I, Anita D. Clinical significance of early IgA anti‑SARS‑CoV‑2 antibody detection in patients from a Romanian referral COVID‑19 hospital. Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:391. [PMID: 35495593 PMCID: PMC9019744 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Vâţă
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași 700116, Romania
| | - Adriana Anita
- Ion Ionescu de la Brad University of Life Sciences, Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety (ROVETEMERG), Iași 700490, Romania
| | - Carmen Manciuc
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași 700116, Romania
| | - Gheorghe Savuta
- Ion Ionescu de la Brad University of Life Sciences, Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety (ROVETEMERG), Iași 700490, Romania
| | - Catalina Luca
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași 700116, Romania
| | - Florin Roșu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași 700116, Romania
| | - Ioana Mihai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași 700116, Romania
| | - Dragos Anita
- Ion Ionescu de la Brad University of Life Sciences, Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety (ROVETEMERG), Iași 700490, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Stepan MD, Cioboata R, Vintilescu ŞB, Vasile CM, Osman A, Ciolofan MS, Popescu M, Petrovici IL, Zavate AC. Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders following COVID-19. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:509. [PMID: 35455000 PMCID: PMC9027938 DOI: 10.3390/life12040509] [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: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) are a group of functional gastrointestinal disorders with multifactorial etiology and are subclassified using Rome IV criteria into a series of clinically distinct entities represented by irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, abdominal migraine and functional abdominal pain that is not otherwise specified. Digestive functional disorders associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) may be mediated by the involvement of complex pathogenic mechanisms, which have been under investigation in children since the beginning of the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19). METHODS In this retrospective, observational descriptive and analytical study, we investigated the presence of chronical functional abdominal pain in preschool children (4-6 years old) from the south-west of Romania in the pre-pandemic (18 cases) and COVID-19 pandemic period (34 cases), as well as the association with the COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative statuses, gender, environment origin, and viral infection-associated symptoms. Age-specific Rome IV criteria were used to diagnose functional abdominal pain. We performed an integrated statistical analysis of the results utilizing an electronic database in which we compared the data in order to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the clinical-epidemiological parameters analyzed. RESULTS In the pre-pandemic group, irritable bowel syndrome predominated (77.8%), followed by functional dyspepsia (22.2%), the other types of functional abdominal pain being absent, while for the pandemic group, irritable bowel syndrome was the most common (79.4%), followed by abdominal migraine (11.8%), abdominal dyspepsia (5.9%) and functional abdominal pain not otherwise specified (2.9%). We found a female/male ratio difference of 0.84 and an urban/rural ratio of 1.83 in favor of the pandemic group. These discrepancies were mainly caused by the differences between the COVID-19 positive and negative pandemic groups, where we observed statistical association of the positive pandemic group with IBS and urban environment, and a tendency of FAPDs diagnostic mainly with males. The predominant symptoms associated with COVID-19 positive cases were digestive (60.9%) or respiratory (39.1%). CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates viral-mediated sensitivity of the gastrointestinal tract in preschool children, considering different clinical-epidemiological profiles related to the prevalence of FAPD and according to gender and environment origin, while the contribution of the pandemic context remains to be demonstrated in larger studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mioara Desdemona Stepan
- Department of Infant Care-Pediatrics-Neonatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Ramona Cioboata
- Department of Pneumology, University of Pharmacy and Medicine Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Ştefăniţa Bianca Vintilescu
- Department of Infant Care-Pediatrics-Neonatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Corina Maria Vasile
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Andrei Osman
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Mircea Sorin Ciolofan
- Department of ENT, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Mihaela Popescu
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Ilaria Lorena Petrovici
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (I.L.P.); (A.C.Z.)
| | - Andrei Calin Zavate
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (I.L.P.); (A.C.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Baby BT, Anichuvattil Vilson A, Aranjani JM, Eespintakath S, Sudheer AP, Mathew ST, Nair V, Joseph SP. Assessment of fear among the general public of Kerala, India, following a surge of COVID-19 cases. MEDICINE INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2:9. [PMID: 36699101 PMCID: PMC9829194 DOI: 10.3892/mi.2022.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
During the initial stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the community spread of the virus had efficiently been prevented in Kerala, India. The present study aimed to assess fear and its predictors among the general public following the unforeseen surge of COVID-19 cases in July, 2020 using a reliable and validated tool, the 'Fear of COVID-19 Scale', administered through social media. Of 1,100 responses, 1,046 responses were included in the analysis. The majority of the respondents expressed mild fear 44.6%; moderate fear was found in 39.4% of the respondents, severe fear in 13.6% and very severe fear in 2.4% of the respondents. The mean fear score was found to be 15.93±5.81. Statistically significant (P≤0.05) associations were found between fear and sociodemographic variables, such as age, sex, education and occupation, along with predictors, such as the district of residence, healthcare stakeholders in the family, and the presence of an infected individual in the family. Women and students were found to be the most affected. On the whole, the present study provides sufficient insight into the fear associated with COVID-19. The findings presented herein may enable authorities to take adequate measures to prevent the aftermath.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beena Thazhackavayal Baby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Science, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Udupi, Karnataka 576104, India
| | | | - Jesil Mathew Aranjani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Science, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Udupi, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Safeeda Eespintakath
- Centre for Professional and Advanced Studies, Mahathma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala 686008, India
| | - Arsha Peruvanthara Sudheer
- Centre for Professional and Advanced Studies, Mahathma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala 686008, India
| | | | - Vipin Nair
- Department of Data Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Udupi, Karnataka 576104, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Efstathiou V, Stefanou MI, Siafakas N, Makris M, Tsivgoulis G, Zoumpourlis V, Spandidos DA, Smyrnis N, Rizos E. Suicidality and COVID-19: Suicidal ideation, suicidal behaviors and completed suicides amidst the COVID-19 pandemic (Review). Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:107. [PMID: 34976149 PMCID: PMC8674972 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.11030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been widespread concern that social isolation, financial stress, depression, limited or variable access to health care services and other pandemic-related stressors may contribute to an increase in suicidal behaviors. In patients who have recovered from COVID-19, an increased risk of developing suicidal behaviors may be noted, while post-COVID syndrome comprises another potential risk factor contributing to increased suicidal behaviors. Despite the initial alarming predictions for an increase in suicide rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of published studies to date suggest that experienced difficulties and distress do not inevitably translate into an increased number of suicide-related deaths, at least not in the short-term. Nevertheless, the long-term mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have yet to be unfolded and are likely to remain for a long period of time. Suicide prevention and measures aiming at promoting well-being and mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, particularly among vulnerable groups, should thus be a priority for healthcare professionals and policymakers amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Efstathiou
- Second Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Attikon’ University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
| | - Maria-Ioanna Stefanou
- Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Attikon’ University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Siafakas
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Attikon’ University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
| | - Michael Makris
- Allergy Unit, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Attikon’ University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Attikon’ University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Vassilios Zoumpourlis
- Biomedical Applications Unit, Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), Athens 11635, Greece
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Smyrnis
- Second Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Attikon’ University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Rizos
- Second Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Attikon’ University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tobacco Smoking and Liver Cancer Risk: Potential Avenues for Carcinogenesis. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2021; 2021:5905357. [PMID: 34925509 PMCID: PMC8683172 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5905357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Smoking a cigarette generates over 4000 chemicals that have a deleterious impact on each part of the human body. It produces three main severe effects on the liver organ: oncogenic, immunological, and indirect or direct toxic effects. It results in the production of cytotoxic substances, which raises fibrosis and necro-inflammation. Additionally, it also directs the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6) that will be responsible for the chronic liver injury. Furthermore, it gives rise to secondary polycythemia and successively raises the turnover and mass of red cells, which might be a common factor responsible for the development of oxidative stress in the liver due to iron overload. It also produces chemicals that are having oncogenic properties and raises the risk of liver cancer especially in sufferers of chronic hepatitis C. Smoking modulates both humoral and cell-mediated responses by restricting the proliferation of lymphocytes and inducing their apoptosis and ultimately decreasing the surveillance of cancer cells. Moreover, it has been determined that heavy smoking impacts the response of hepatitis C patients to interferon (IFN) therapy through different mechanisms, which can be improved by phlebotomy. Efforts are being made in different nations in decreasing the prevalence of smoking to improve premature death and ill effects of their nation's individuals.
Collapse
|
13
|
Papakonstantinou E, Dragoumani K, Efthimiadou A, Palaiogeorgou AM, Pierouli K, Mitsis T, Chrousos GP, Bacopoulou F, Vlachakis D. Haematological malignancies implications during the times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:856. [PMID: 34777590 PMCID: PMC8581473 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.13117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated current healthcare services for cancer patients. Patients with haematological malignancies specifically seem vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their immunosuppressed status. The COVID-19 pandemic influences every step of the assessment and treatment of a haematological malignancy. Clinicians must adhere to strict policies to not spread the virus to their patients while they must also adjust their workflow for maximum productivity. These difficulties accentuate the ever-present need to improve the healthcare services for cancer patients. This improvement is needed not only to combat the problems that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic but also to establish a framework for the management of patients with haematological malignancies in potential future pandemics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Aspasia Efthimiadou
- Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter, Institute of Soil and Water Resources, Department of Soil Science of Athens, 14123 Lycovrisi, Greece
| | - Anastasia Marina Palaiogeorgou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Udriștoiu AL, Ghenea AE, Udriștoiu Ș, Neaga M, Zlatian OM, Vasile CM, Popescu M, Țieranu EN, Salan AI, Turcu AA, Nicolosu D, Calina D, Cioboata R. COVID-19 and Artificial Intelligence: An Approach to Forecast the Severity of Diagnosis. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:1281. [PMID: 34833156 PMCID: PMC8617902 DOI: 10.3390/life11111281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The new SARS-COV-2 pandemic overwhelmed intensive care units, clinicians, and radiologists, so the development of methods to forecast the diagnosis' severity became a necessity and a helpful tool. (2) Methods: In this paper, we proposed an artificial intelligence-based multimodal approach to forecast the future diagnosis' severity of patients with laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. At hospital admission, we collected 46 clinical and biological variables with chest X-ray scans from 475 COVID-19 positively tested patients. An ensemble of machine learning algorithms (AI-Score) was developed to predict the future severity score as mild, moderate, and severe for COVID-19-infected patients. Additionally, a deep learning module (CXR-Score) was developed to automatically classify the chest X-ray images and integrate them into AI-Score. (3) Results: The AI-Score predicted the COVID-19 diagnosis' severity on the testing/control dataset (95 patients) with an average accuracy of 98.59%, average specificity of 98.97%, and average sensitivity of 97.93%. The CXR-Score module graded the severity of chest X-ray images with an average accuracy of 99.08% on the testing/control dataset (95 chest X-ray images). (4) Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that the deep learning methods based on the integration of clinical and biological data with chest X-ray images accurately predicted the COVID-19 severity score of positive-tested patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anca Loredana Udriștoiu
- Faculty of Automation, Computers and Electronics, University of Craiova, 200776 Craiova, Romania; (A.L.U.); (Ș.U.); (M.N.)
| | - Alice Elena Ghenea
- Department of Bacteriology-Virology-Parasitology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Ștefan Udriștoiu
- Faculty of Automation, Computers and Electronics, University of Craiova, 200776 Craiova, Romania; (A.L.U.); (Ș.U.); (M.N.)
| | - Manuela Neaga
- Faculty of Automation, Computers and Electronics, University of Craiova, 200776 Craiova, Romania; (A.L.U.); (Ș.U.); (M.N.)
| | - Ovidiu Mircea Zlatian
- Department of Bacteriology-Virology-Parasitology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Corina Maria Vasile
- PhD School Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Mihaela Popescu
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Eugen Nicolae Țieranu
- Department of Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200642 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Alex-Ioan Salan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Adina Andreea Turcu
- Infectious Disease Department, Victor Babes University Hospital Craiova, 200515 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Dragos Nicolosu
- Pneumology Department, Victor Babes University Hospital Craiova, 200515 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Pharmacy and Medicine Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Ramona Cioboata
- Department of Pneumology, University of Pharmacy and Medicine Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hospital-based observational study of neurological disorders in patients recently vaccinated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. J Neurol Sci 2021; 430:120030. [PMID: 34688190 PMCID: PMC8511874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.120030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We describe the spectrum of acute neurological disorders among hospitalized patients who recently had COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. METHOD We performed a prospective study at 7 acute hospitals in Singapore. Hospitalized patients who were referred for neurological complaints and had COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, in the last 6 weeks were classified into central nervous system (CNS) syndromes, cerebrovascular disorders, peripheral nervous system (PNS) disorders, autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders and immunization stress-related responses (ISRR). RESULTS From 30 December 2020 to 20 April 2021, 1,398,074 persons (median age 59 years, 54.5% males) received COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (86.7% BNT162b2, 13.3% mRNA-1273); 915,344(65.5%) completed 2 doses. Four hundred and fifty-seven(0.03%) patients were referred for neurological complaints [median age 67(20-97) years, 281(61.5%) males; 95.8% received BNT162b2 and 4.2% mRNA-1273], classified into 73(16.0%) CNS syndromes, 286(62.6%) cerebrovascular disorders, 59(12.9%) PNS disorders, 0 ANS disorders and 39(8.5%) ISRRs. Eleven of 27 patients with cranial mononeuropathy had Bell's palsy. Of 33 patients with seizures, only 4 were unprovoked and occurred within 2 weeks of vaccination. All strokes occurred among individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors. We recorded 2 cases of cerebral venous thrombosis; none were vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia. Five had mild flares of immune-mediated diseases. CONCLUSION Our observational study does not establish causality of the described disorders to vaccines. Though limited by the lack of baseline incidence data of several conditions, we observed no obvious signal of serious neurological morbidity associated with mRNA vaccination. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh concerns over neurological adverse events.
Collapse
|
16
|
Kostoff RN, Calina D, Kanduc D, Briggs MB, Vlachoyiannopoulos P, Svistunov AA, Tsatsakis A. Why are we vaccinating children against COVID-19? Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:1665-1684. [PMID: 34540594 PMCID: PMC8437699 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This article examines issues related to COVID-19 inoculations for children. The bulk of the official COVID-19-attributed deaths per capita occur in the elderly with high comorbidities, and the COVID-19 attributed deaths per capita are negligible in children. The bulk of the normalized post-inoculation deaths also occur in the elderly with high comorbidities, while the normalized post-inoculation deaths are small, but not negligible, in children. Clinical trials for these inoculations were very short-term (a few months), had samples not representative of the total population, and for adolescents/children, had poor predictive power because of their small size. Further, the clinical trials did not address changes in biomarkers that could serve as early warning indicators of elevated predisposition to serious diseases. Most importantly, the clinical trials did not address long-term effects that, if serious, would be borne by children/adolescents for potentially decades. A novel best-case scenario cost-benefit analysis showed very conservatively that there are five times the number of deaths attributable to each inoculation vs those attributable to COVID-19 in the most vulnerable 65+ demographic. The risk of death from COVID-19 decreases drastically as age decreases, and the longer-term effects of the inoculations on lower age groups will increase their risk-benefit ratio, perhaps substantially.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349, Craiova, Romania
| | - Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrey A. Svistunov
- Department of Pharmacology, I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003, Heraklion, Greece
| |
Collapse
|