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Couper I, Blitz J, Fish T. IDEAL: Maintaining PHC-focused training in a MBChB programme through a COVID-induced innovation. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med 2024; 16:e1-e3. [PMID: 38572862 PMCID: PMC11019063 DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Responding to the need for authentic clinical training for students in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences developed an innovative 12-week longitudinal, integrated rotation for pre-final-year medical students, the Integrated Distributed Engagement to Advance Learning (IDEAL) rotation. This saw 252 students being placed across 30 primary and secondary healthcare facilities in the Western and Northern Cape provinces. With a focus on service learning, the rotation was built on experiences and research of members of the planning team, as well as partnership relationships developed over an extended period. The focus of student learning was on clinical reasoning through being exposed to undifferentiated patient encounters and the development of practical clinical skills. Students on the distributed platform were supported by clinicians on site, alongside whom they worked, and by a set of online supports, in the form of resources placed on the learning management systems, learning facilitators to whom patient studies were submitted and wellness supporters. Important innovations of the rotation included extensive distribution of clinical training, responsiveness to health service need, co-creation of the module with students, the roles of learning facilitators and wellness supporters, the use of mobile apps and the integration of previously siloed learning outcomes. The IDEAL rotation was seen to be so beneficial as a learning experience that it has been incorporated into the medical degree on an ongoing basis.Contribution: Longitudinal exposure of students to undifferentiated patients in a primary health care context allows for integrated, self-regulated learning. This provides excellent opportunities for medical students, with support, to develop both clinical reasoning and practical skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Couper
- Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town.
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Downes L, Barbosa EC. COVID-19 adaptations to a training and support programme to improve primary care response to domestic abuse: a mixed methods rapid study. BMC Prim Care 2024; 25:21. [PMID: 38200413 PMCID: PMC10777646 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-02203-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased incidence and/or reporting of domestic abuse (DA) accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic. National lockdowns and enforced social isolation necessitated new ways of supporting victims of DA remotely. Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) is a programme to improve the response to domestic abuse in general practice, providing training for general practice teams and support for patients affected by DA, which has previously been proven effective and cost-effective [1-3]. The COVID-19 pandemic required the adaptation of the programme to online training and remote support. METHODS This study is mixed methods rapid research, which aimed to gather evidence around the relevance, desirability and acceptability of IRIS operating remotely. Quantitative IRIS referral data were triangulated with data from four surveys and 15 interviews. Participants were local IRIS teams, IRIS-trained clinicians, and victim-survivors supported by IRIS services. The study was designed using the Lean Impact approach, allowing quick evaluation of innovation and the impact of social interventions. We carried out a framework analysis of the interviews, which is a qualitative methodology widely used in policy and applied research that enables research teams to move from descriptive accounts to a conceptual explanation of findings [4, 5]. RESULTS We found that the adaptation to online training and support of IRIS was acceptable and desirable. Most clinicians felt confident addressing DA over the phone and online, although most were more confident face-to-face. While referrals to IRIS services initially declined in March 2020, numbers of referrals increased to pre-pandemic levels by July 2020. Patients felt well supported remotely, although patients who had previously experienced face-to-face support preferred it. Technology was the most frequently mentioned barrier to the change from face-to-face training and support to online training and remote support. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to practice by asserting the desirability and acceptability of training clinicians to be able to identify, ask about DA and refer to the IRIS programme during telephone/online consultations. This is of relevance to health and public health commissioners when making commissioning decisions to improve the general practice response to domestic abuse.
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Yang N, Kuo M, Liu J, Amirkhanian V, Tsai E. Direct SARS-CoV-2 Detection System Utilizing Simple-to-Use Capillary Gel Electrophoresis Sample-to-Result. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:145-150. [PMID: 36336803 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666221104160148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
AIM We present a Direct SARS-CoV-2 Detection System that achieves sample-to-results in less than two hours in three simple steps. METHODS The Detection System includes Direct one-step Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) reagents (Qexp-MDx kit), a portable thermal cycler (Qampmini) with a preprogrammed chip and a simple-to-use Capillary Gel Electrophoresis system (Qsep Series Bio-Fragment Analyzer) with high fluorescence detection sensitivity to solve the problems associated with traditional real-time PCR (qPCR) systems which produces high false positive results. RESULTS The proposed simple-to-use detection platform can provide high detection sensitivity (identify less than 20 copies) and fast results (less than 120 minutes), which would be suitable for field testing applications. CONCLUSION Our high detection sensitivity platform provides fast and accurate results in 120 minutes without doing DNA/RNA extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neo Yang
- BiOptic, Inc. (23141) 5F., No.6, Ln. 130, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dis., New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Meya Kuo
- BiOptic, Inc. (23141) 5F., No.6, Ln. 130, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dis., New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jerry Liu
- BiOptic, Inc. (23141) 5F., No.6, Ln. 130, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dis., New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Varoujan Amirkhanian
- BiOptic, Inc. (23141) 5F., No.6, Ln. 130, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dis., New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Eric Tsai
- BiOptic, Inc. (23141) 5F., No.6, Ln. 130, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dis., New Taipei City, Taiwan
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Elfarargy MS, Elbadry DH, Ahmad AR, Elhady HA. Neonatal Microbiome: Is it Still Beneficial? Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2024; 24:617-625. [PMID: 37916638 DOI: 10.2174/0118715303238665231010062701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The neonatal microbiome includes all the microorganisms living within or on the surface of the newborn, as well as their genes (i.e., bacteria, fungi, and viruses), which are composed mainly of bacteria. The majority of these microorganisms reside in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which is known as the gut microbiome. They include trillions of microbes, which exceed the total number of neonate cells. In this study, we have examined factors affecting neonatal microbiome colonization, various phyla of the microbiome in neonates, and their characteristics. In addition, we have discussed symbiosis and dysbiosis, precipitating diseases, breast milk's role in the neonatal gut microbiome, prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics, as well as the airway or respiratory microbiome, and the main role of the neonatal microbiome. We have also discussed neonatal mycobiome and neonatal virome, as well as the research done on the neonatal microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Shawky Elfarargy
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Jouf University, KSA
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt
| | | | - Ahmad Roshdy Ahmad
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Jouf University, KSA
| | - Hany A Elhady
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Alazhar University, Egypt
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Jouf University, KSA
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Pandey P, Ranjan S, Setya D, Kumari S, Mandal S. The Effect of COVID Convalescent Plasma on Hospital Stay: A Retrospective Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India. Recent Adv Antiinfect Drug Discov 2024; 19:95-103. [PMID: 37032501 DOI: 10.2174/2772434418666230407133720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION COVID convalescent plasma (CCP) has been used as standard of care in patients all over the world. CCP is plasma collected from recently infected and currently recovered COVID-19 patients, which contains antiviral antibodies that can be used to treat patients with COVID-19. Several studies have shown a shorter hospital stay and lower mortality in patients treated with convalescent plasma in comparison with those not treated with it. OBJECTIVES This study aims to determine the effect of COVID convalescent plasma (CCP) on the length of hospital stay in symptomatic patients and to determine outcome of the disease in patients who were administered CCP. METHODS This was a retrospective observational study done at a tertiary health care centre from July 2020 to May 2021, including patients who received CCP during the course of their stay in the hospital. RESULTS Among 257 participants, the patients with multiple comorbidities who were administered CCP had the longest average length of stay in the hospital which was 15 days, out of which, 92 (35.8%) patients were discharged while 9 (3.5%) patients died. Also, the maximum number of deaths was observed in those patients who had no associated comorbidity, being 11 (4.3%). It was observed that earlier administration of CCP in patients (< 5 days from symptom onset) was associated with a higher number of discharges as compared to deaths. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that CCP may be efficient in treating COVID-19 patients if given in early course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Pandey
- Transfusion Medicine & Blood Centre, Jaypee Hospital, Noida, Delhi NCR, India
| | - Shweta Ranjan
- Transfusion Medicine & Blood Centre, Jaypee Hospital, Noida, Delhi NCR, India
| | - Divya Setya
- Transfusion Medicine & Blood Centre, Jaypee Hospital, Noida, Delhi NCR, India
| | - Supriya Kumari
- Transfusion Medicine & Blood Centre, Jaypee Hospital, Noida, Delhi NCR, India
| | - Saikat Mandal
- Transfusion Medicine & Blood Centre, Jaypee Hospital, Noida, Delhi NCR, India
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Chang E, Davis TL, Berkman ND. Differences in Telemedicine, Emergency Department, and Hospital Utilization Among Nonelderly Adults with Limited English Proficiency Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: a Cross-Sectional Analysis. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:3490-3498. [PMID: 37592119 PMCID: PMC10713935 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08353-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The unprecedented use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to examine its uptake among individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). OBJECTIVE To assess telemedicine use among nonelderly adults with LEP and the association between use of telehealth and emergency department (ED) and hospital visits. DESIGN Cross-sectional study using the National Health Interview Survey (July 2020-December 2021) PARTICIPANTS: Adults (18-64 years), with LEP (N=1488) or English proficiency (EP) (N=25,873) MAIN MEASURES: Telemedicine, ED visits, and hospital visits in the past 12 months. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess (1) the association of English proficiency on having telemedicine visits; and (2) the association of English proficiency and telemedicine visits on having ED and hospital visits. KEY RESULTS Between July 2020 and December 2021, 22% of adults with LEP had a telemedicine visit compared to 35% of adults with EP. After controlling for predisposing, enabling, and need factors, adults with LEP had 20% lower odds of having a telemedicine visit than adults with EP (p=0.02). While English proficiency was not associated with ED or hospital visits during this time, adults with telemedicine visits had significantly greater odds of having any ED (aOR: 1.80, p<0.001) and hospital visits (aOR: 2.03, p<0.001) in the past 12 months. CONCLUSIONS While telemedicine use increased overall during the COVID-19 pandemic, its use remained much less likely among adults with LEP. Interventions targeting structural barriers are needed to address disparities in access to telemedicine. More research is needed to understand the relationship between English proficiency, telemedicine visits, and downstream ED and hospital visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Chang
- Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Advocate Health, 945 N. 12th St., Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.
| | - Teaniese L Davis
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Mackieh R, Al-Bakkar N, Kfoury M, Okdeh N, Pietra H, Roufayel R, Legros C, Fajloun Z, Sabatier JM. Unlocking the Benefits of Fasting: A Review of Its Impact on Various Biological Systems and Human Health. Curr Med Chem 2023; 31:CMC-EPUB-136295. [PMID: 38018193 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673275492231121062033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Fasting has gained significant attention in recent years for its potential health benefits in various body systems. This review aims to comprehensively examine the effects of fasting on human health, specifically focusing on its impact on different body's physiological systems. The cardiovascular system plays a vital role in maintaining overall health, and fasting has shown promising effects in improving cardiovascular health markers such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. Additionally, fasting has been suggested to enhance insulin sensitivity, promote weight loss, and improve metabolic health, thus offering potential benefits to individuals with diabetes and metabolic disorders. Furthermore, fasting can boost immune function, reduce inflammation, enhance autophagy, and support the body's defense against infections, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Fasting has also demonstrated a positive effect on the brain and nervous system. It has been associated with neuroprotective properties, improving cognitive function, and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, besides the ability of increasing the lifespan. Hence, understanding the potential advantages of fasting can provide valuable insights for individuals and healthcare professionals alike in promoting health and wellbeing. The data presented here may have significant implications for the development of therapeutic approaches and interventions using fasting as a potential preventive and therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawan Mackieh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences 3, Lebanese University, Campus Michel Slayman Ras Maska, Tripoli1352, Lebanon
| | - Nadia Al-Bakkar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut Campus, P.O.Box 11 50 20, Riad El Solh, 11072809Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Milena Kfoury
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences 3, Lebanese University, Campus Michel Slayman Ras Maska, Tripoli1352, Lebanon
| | - Nathalie Okdeh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences 3, Lebanese University, Campus Michel Slayman Ras Maska, Tripoli1352, Lebanon
| | - Hervé Pietra
- Association Esprit Jeûne & Fasting Spirit, 226, chemin du Pélican, Toulon83000, France
| | - Rabih Roufayel
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait
| | - Christian Legros
- Univ Angers, INSERM, CNRS, MITOVASC, Team 2 CarMe, SFR ICAT, 49000Angers, France
| | - Ziad Fajloun
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, EDST, Lebanese University, 1300Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Jean-Marc Sabatier
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INP, Inst Neurophysiopathol, 13385Marseille, France
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Montero-Pérez FJ, Cobos Requena ÁM, González Del Castillo J, Jacob J, García-Lamberechts EJ, Piñera Salmerón P, Alquézar-Arbé A, Aguiló S, Fernández Alonso C, Burillo-Putze G, Calderón Caro M, Díaz Salado ÁI, Martín Mojarro E, Eiroa-Hernández P, Parra-Esquivel P, López Pérez JJ, Ruiz Grinspan M, Osorio Quispe IG, González Tejera M, Serrano Lázaro L, Espinosa Fernández B, Fuentes L, Suero Méndez C, Del Valle Toro-Gallardo M, Beddar Chaib F, Pedraza Ramírez P, Miró Ò. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on demand for emergency department care for older patients: the EDEN-7 COVID cohort study. Emergencias 2023; 35:270-278. [PMID: 37439420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Spanish emergency department (ED) care for patients aged 65 years or older during the first wave vs. a pre-pandemic period. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective cross-sectional study of a COVID-19 portion of the EDEN project (Emergency Department and Elder Needs). The EDEN-COVID cohort included all patients aged 65 years or more who were treated in 52 EDs on 7 consecutive days early in the pandemic. We analyzed care variables, discharge diagnoses, use of diagnostic and therapeutic resources, use of observation units, need for hospitalization, rehospitalization, and mortality. These data were compared with data for an EDEN cohort in the same age group recruited during a similar period the year before the pandemic. RESULTS The 52 participating hospital EDs attended 33 711 emergencies during the pandemic vs. 96 173 emergencies in the pre-COVID period, representing a 61.7% reduction during the pandemic. Patients aged 65 years or older accounted for 28.8% of the caseload during the COVID-19 period and 26.4% of the earlier cohort (P .001). The COVID-19 caseload included more men (51.0%). Comorbidity and polypharmacy were more prevalent in the pandemic cohort than in the earlier one (comorbidity, 92.6% vs. 91.6%; polypharmacy, 65.2% vs. 63.6%). More esturesources (analgesics, antibiotics, heparins, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids) were applied in the pandemic period, and common diagnoses were made less often. Observation wards were used more often (for 37.8% vs. 26.2% in the earlier period), and hospital admissions were more frequent (in 56.0% vs. 25.3% before the pandemic). Mortality was higher during the pandemic than in the earlier cohort either in ED (1.8% vs 0.5%) and during hospitalization (11.5 vs 2.9%). CONCLUSION The proportion of patients aged 65 years or older decreased in the participating Spanish EDs. However, more resources were required and the pattern of diagnoses changed. Observation ward stays were longer, and admissions and mortality increased over the numbers seen in the reference period.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Javier Jacob
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | | | | | - Aitor Alquézar-Arbé
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, España
| | - Sira Aguiló
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
| | - Cesáreo Fernández Alonso
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IDISSC, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, España
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ivet Gina Osorio Quispe
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
| | | | | | | | - Lidia Fuentes
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | | | | | | | | | - Òscar Miró
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
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Argüello A, Oruezabal RI, Reyes M, Álvarez P. [Incremental innovation in healthcare in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic]. Rev Esp Salud Publica 2023; 97:e202303018. [PMID: 36883658 PMCID: PMC10541244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE It is important to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incremental innovation and its protection through industrial property rights, in order to acquiring valuable insights to develop effective public policies and corporate strategies. The objective was to analyze incremental innovations in response to the pandemic that have been protected by industrial property rights, and to examine whether the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive or negative effect on incremental innovation, promoting or inhibiting it. METHODS Utility models in the health patent class have been used as indicators (01.01.20 to 31.12.21), since the information they provide and their characteristics (requirements of applications and publication) allowed us to obtain preliminary conclusions in the short term. Their frequency of application during the pandemic months was analyzed and compared with an equivalent period immediately before (01.01.18 to 31.12.19). RESULTS The analysis showed that there had been greater activity in healthcare innovation by all agents (individuals, companies and the public sector). In the pandemic period of 2020-2021, 754 utility models were requested, representing a nearly 40% increase compared to the equivalent period of 2018-2019, of which 284 were identified as pandemic-related innovations, with 59.7% of rights holders being individuals, 36.4% being companies, and only 3.9% being public entities. CONCLUSIONS In general, incremental innovations require less investment and shorter technology maturation times, which had made it possible to respond, in some cases successfully, to situations of initial shortages of many medical devices, such as ventilators and protective equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Argüello
- Oficina de Transferencia de Tecnología del Sistema Sanitario Público de Andalucía, Fundación Pública Andaluza Progreso y SaludFundación Pública Andaluza Progreso y SaludSevillaSpain
| | - Roke Iñaki Oruezabal
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Marta Reyes
- Hospital Santa Ana de MotrilHospital Santa Ana de MotrilMotrilSpain
| | - Pablo Álvarez
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADAInstituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADAGranadaSpain
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Andalucía Oriental (FIBAO)Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Andalucía Oriental (FIBAO)GranadaSpain
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Fresco L, Osorio G, Marco DN, Artajona L, Sempertegui D, Piñango D, Demidenoka N, García-Gozalbes J, Carbó M, Perea M, Ortega Romero MDM. Mortality risk model validation in a prospective cohort of patients from the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in a hospital emergency department. Emergencias 2023; 35:15-24. [PMID: 36756912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To validate risk factors for mortality in patients treated for COVID-19 in a hospital emergency department during the sixth wave of the pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prospective observational noninterventional study. We included patients over the age of 18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 between December 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022. For each patient we calculated a risk score based on age 50 years or older (2 points) plus 1 point each for the presence of the following predictors: Barthel index less than 90 points, altered level of consciousness, ratio of arterial oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen less than 400, abnormal breath sounds, platelet concentration less than 100 × 109/L, C-reactive protein level of 5 mg/dL or more, and glomerular filtration rate less than 45 mL/min. The model was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS Of the 1156 patients included, 790 (68%) had received at least 2 vaccine doses. The probability of 30-day survival was 96%. A risk score was calculated for 609 patients. Four hundred seventeen patients were at low risk of death, 180 were at intermediate risk, and 10 were at high risk. The probability of death within 30 days was 1%, 13%, and 50% for patients in the 3 risk groups, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of a risk score of 3 points or less were 88%, 72%, 19%, 99%, respectively.The AUC for the model was 0.87. CONCLUSION The risk model identified low risk of mortality and allowed us to safely discharge patients treated for COVID-19 in our tertiary-care hospital emergency department.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gina Osorio
- Área de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, España
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Míriam Carbó
- Área de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, España
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Sodhi S, Chamali R, Praveen D, Sharma M, Garcia Dieguez M, Mash R, Goodyear-Smith F, Ponka D. Protocol for a cross-sectional study on COVID-19 vaccination programmes in primary health care. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med 2023; 15:e1-e7. [PMID: 36744460 PMCID: PMC9900242 DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v15i1.3649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An integrated primary health care approach, where primary care and public health efforts are coordinated, is a key feature of routine immunisation campaigns. AIM The aim of the study is to describe the approach used by a diverse group of international primary health care professionals in delivering their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programmes, as well as their perspectives on public health and primary care integration while implementing national COVID-19 vaccination programmes in their own jurisdictions. SETTING This is a protocol for a study, which consists of a cross-sectional online survey disseminated among a convenience sample of international primary health care professional through member-based organisations and professional networks via email and online newsletters. METHODS Survey development followed an iterative validation process with a formative committee developing the survey instrument based on study objectives, existing literature and best practices and a summative committee verifying and validating content. RESULTS Main outcome measures are vaccination implementation approach (planning, coordination service deliver), level or type of primary care involvement and degree of primary care and public health integration at community level. CONCLUSION Integrated health systems can lead to a greater impact in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and can ensure that we are better prepared for crises that threaten human health, not only limited to infectious pandemics but also the rising tide of chronic disease, natural and conflict-driven disasters and climate change.Contribution: This study will provide insight and key learnings for improving vaccination efforts for COVID-19 and possible future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeet Sodhi
- Besrour Centre for Global Family Medicine, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Mississauga, Canada; and Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; and Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto.
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Mohtasham N, Bargi R, Farshbaf A, Shahri MV, Hesari KK, Mohajertehran F. Salivary Antiviral and Antibacterial Properties in the Encounter of SARS-CoV-2. Curr Pharm Des 2023; 29:2140-2148. [PMID: 37670699 DOI: 10.2174/1381612829666230904150823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Due to the high mortality rate of COVID-19 and its high variability and mutability, it is essential to know the body's defense mechanisms against this virus. Saliva has numerous functions, such as digestion, protection, and antimicrobial effects. Salivary diagnostic tests for many oral and systemic diseases will be available soon because saliva is a pool of biological markers. The most important antiviral and antibacterial compounds identified in saliva include lysozyme, lactoferrin (LF), mucins, cathelicidin, salivary secretory immunoglobulin (SIgA), chromogranin A, cathelicidin, salivary agglutinin (SAG) (gp340, DMBT1), α, β defensins, cystatin, histatins, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), heat shock protein (HSP), adrenomedullin and microRNA (miRNAs). Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in saliva could be used in the future as models for designing effective oral microbial antibiotics. The antiviral properties of the peptides in saliva may be one of the future treatments for the COVID-19 virus. In this review, we investigate compounds with antiviral and antibacterial properties in saliva and the importance of these compounds in saliva in exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Due to the transmission route of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the oral cavity in the lower and upper respiratory tract, studies of salivary antiviral properties in these patients are very important. Some of the antiviral effects of saliva, especially mucin, α, β-defensins, IgA, IgG, IgM, lysozyme, SAG, SLPI, and histatins, may play a greater role in neutralizing or eliminating COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nooshin Mohtasham
- Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Rahimeh Bargi
- Dental Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alieh Farshbaf
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Vahabzadeh Shahri
- Department of Biology Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Kiana Kamyab Hesari
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Student Science and Research University Tehran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnaz Mohajertehran
- Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Dental Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Ebrahimian R, Souri Z, Feizkhah A, Mobayen M, Eslami Kenarsari H, Esmailzadeh M, Ghorbani M, Mirhedayati S, Bagheri Toolaroud P. Evaluation of the Spiral Chest CT Scan Findings in Patients with Multiple Trauma. Bull Emerg Trauma 2023; 11:19-25. [PMID: 36818057 PMCID: PMC9923035 DOI: 10.30476/beat.2023.97214.1402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the spiral chest computed tomography (CT) scan findings in patients with multiple trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This retrospective study was performed on multiple trauma patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in the north of Iran in 2020. All patients with multiple trauma who had undergone a chest spiral CT were included in this study. Furthermore, the data analysis was performed through descriptive and analytical statistics using SPSS software. Results A total of 600 patients were included over the study period. The mean age of patients was 48.2±20.3 years. Of the total, 496 (65.3%) patients had blunt chest injuries, and 104 (34.7%) had penetrating chest injuries. Falling was the most common mechanical cause of chest trauma in 270 patients (45%). Surgical interventions were performed in 110 (18.3%) patients. A total of 276 (46%) patients had chest injuries identified by CT scans. Many patients (15.6%) had ground-glass lung opacity in the CT scan reports. Lung consolidation, pneumothorax, lung contusion, hemothorax, and rib fractures were the most common. Conclusion Due to the high frequency of typical findings in spiral CT scan examinations, obtaining a reliable history of trauma severity, injury mechanism, and a detailed physical examination is recommended before prescribing a CT scan for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramin Ebrahimian
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Zoubin Souri
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Alireza Feizkhah
- Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran,Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Mobayen
- Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Habib Eslami Kenarsari
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mojdeh Esmailzadeh
- Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mohsen Ghorbani
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Soroush Mirhedayati
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Parissa Bagheri Toolaroud
- Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran,Health Information Management Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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14
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Goyal P, Malviya R. Advancement in Polymer-based Carrier for DNA Vaccine. Curr Pharm Des 2023; 29:2062-2077. [PMID: 37644794 DOI: 10.2174/1381612829666230830105758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
A novel strategy that has the potential to solve the drawbacks of the present conventional vaccines is the development of DNA vaccines. DNA vaccines offer a versatile and adaptable platform for treating a wide variety of diseases, as immunization targets may be easily adjusted by altering the gene sequences encoded in the plasmid DNA delivered. Due to their ability to elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses, their stability, and the ease with which they may be produced, plasmid DNA vaccines are quickly becoming the vaccine of choice, they are frequently safer than conventional vaccinations. Despite the highly encouraging outcomes of ongoing clinical trials, these vaccines' immunogenicity is compromised by a few factors. The use of various vaccine delivery techniques, the use of various polymer-based carriers, and the use of adjuvants are some of the several approaches that might be examined to better the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines made from plasmids. These advancements taken together might allow plasmid DNA vaccines to be successfully used in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanshi Goyal
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rishabha Malviya
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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15
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Singh MP, Singh N, Mishra D, Ehsan S, Chaturvedi VK, Chaudhary A, Singh V, Vamanu E. Computational Approaches to Designing Antiviral Drugs against COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Pharm Des 2023; 29:2601-2617. [PMID: 37916490 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128259795231023193419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 necessitates innovative strategies for the rapid development of effective treatments. Computational methodologies, such as molecular modelling, molecular dynamics simulations, and artificial intelligence, have emerged as indispensable tools in the drug discovery process. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of these computational approaches and their application in the design of antiviral agents for COVID-19. Starting with an examination of ligand-based and structure-based drug discovery, the review has delved into the intricate ways through which molecular modelling can accelerate the identification of potential therapies. Additionally, the investigation extends to phytochemicals sourced from nature, which have shown promise as potential antiviral agents. Noteworthy compounds, including gallic acid, naringin, hesperidin, Tinospora cordifolia, curcumin, nimbin, azadironic acid, nimbionone, nimbionol, and nimocinol, have exhibited high affinity for COVID-19 Mpro and favourable binding energy profiles compared to current drugs. Although these compounds hold potential, their further validation through in vitro and in vivo experimentation is imperative. Throughout this exploration, the review has emphasized the pivotal role of computational biologists, bioinformaticians, and biotechnologists in driving rapid advancements in clinical research and therapeutic development. By combining state-of-the-art computational techniques with insights from structural and molecular biology, the search for potent antiviral agents has been accelerated. The collaboration between these disciplines holds immense promise in addressing the transmissibility and virulence of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohan P Singh
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, India
| | - Nidhi Singh
- Centre of Bioinformatics, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, India
| | - Divya Mishra
- Centre of Bioinformatics, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, India
| | - Saba Ehsan
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, India
| | - Vivek K Chaturvedi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Anupriya Chaudhary
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, India
| | - Veer Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 800007, India
| | - Emanuel Vamanu
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Bucharest 011464, Romania
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16
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Jlifi B, Sakrani C, Duvallet C. Towards a soft three-level voting model (Soft T-LVM) for fake news detection. J Intell Inf Syst 2022; 61:1-21. [PMID: 36575748 PMCID: PMC9780098 DOI: 10.1007/s10844-022-00769-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Fake news has a worldwide impact and the potential to change political scenarios and human behavior, especially in a critical time like the COVID-19 pandemic. This work suggests a Soft Three-Level Voting Model (Soft T-LVM) for automatically classifying COVID-19 fake news. We train different individual machine learning algorithms and different ensemble methods in order to overcome the weakness of individual models. This novel model is based on the soft-voting technique to calculate the class with the majority of votes and to choose the classifiers to merge and apply at every level. We use the Grid search method to tune the hyper-parameters during the process of classification and voting. The experimental evaluation confirms that our proposed model approach has superior performance compared to the other classifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boutheina Jlifi
- Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Tunis (ESCT), LARIA Laboratory, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
| | - Chayma Sakrani
- Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Tunis (ESCT), LARIA Laboratory, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
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17
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González Del Castillo J, Jacob J, García-Lamberechts EJ, Piñera Salmerón P, Alquézar-Arbé A, Llorens P, Jiménez S, Quero Espinosa FDB, Aguiló S, Gil-Rodrigo A, Fernández Alonso C, Burillo-Putze G, Espinosa Fernández B, Suero Méndez C, Iglesias Vela M, Quero Motto E, Hong Cho JU, Llopis F, Marrón R, Gayoso Martín S, Lucena Aguilera C, Alemany González X, Rizzi MA, Llauger L, Murcia Olagüenaga A, Vaswani-Bulchand A, Parra Esquivel P, Sánchez Nicolás JA, Carrasco Fernández E, Ruescas Escolano E, Chacón García A, Fernández Salgado F, Miró Ò. Sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, and baseline functional status of older patients treated in emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic and associations with mortality: an analysis based on the EDENCOVID cohort. Emergencias 2022; 34:428-436. [PMID: 36625692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, and baseline functional status of patients aged 65 or older who came to hospital emergency departments (EDs) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to compare them with the findings for an earlier period to analyze factors of the index episode that were related to mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied data from the EDEN-COVID cohort (Emergency Department and Elder Needs During COVID-19) of patients aged 65 years or older treated in 40 Spanish EDs on 7 consecutive days. Nine sociodemographic variables, 18 comorbidities, and 7 function variables were registered and compared with the findings for the EDEN cohort of patients included with the same criteria and treated a year earlier in the same EDs. In-hospital mortality was calculated in the 2 cohorts and a multivariable logistic regression model was used to explore associated factors. RESULTS The EDEN-COVID cohort included 6806 patients with a median age of 78 years; 49% were women. The pandemic cohort had a higher proportion of men, patients covered by the national health care system, patients brought from residential facilities, and patients who arrived in an ambulance equipped for advanced life support. Pandemic-cohort patients more often had diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and dementia; they less often had connective tissue and thromboembolic diseases. The Barthel and Charlson indices were worse in this period, and cognitive decline was more common. Fewer patients had a history of depression or falls. Eight hundred ninety these patients (13.1%) died, 122 of them in the ED (1.8%); these percentages were lower in the earlier EDEN cohort, at 3.1% and 0.5%, respectively. Independent sociodemographic factors associated with higher mortality were transport by ambulance, older age, male sex, and living in a residential facility. Mortalityassociated comorbidities were neoplasms, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure. The only function variable associated with mortality was the inability to walk independently. A history of falls in the past 6 months was a protective factor. CONCLUSION The sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, and functional status of patients aged 65 years or older who were treated in hospital EDs during the pandemic differed in many ways from those usually seen in this older-age population. Mortality was higher than in the prepandemic period. Certain sociodemographic, comorbidity, and function variables were associated with in-hospital mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Javier Jacob
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | | | | | - Aitor Alquézar-Arbé
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, España
| | - Pere Llorens
- Servicio de Urgencias, Unidad de Estancia Corta y Hospitalización a Domicilio, Hospital General Doctor Balmis, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biómedica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, España
| | - Sònia Jiménez
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
| | | | - Sira Aguiló
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
| | - Adriana Gil-Rodrigo
- Servicio de Urgencias, Unidad de Estancia Corta y Hospitalización a Domicilio, Hospital General Doctor Balmis, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biómedica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, España
| | - Cesáreo Fernández Alonso
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IDISSC, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, España
| | | | - Begoña Espinosa Fernández
- Servicio de Urgencias, Unidad de Estancia Corta y Hospitalización a Domicilio, Hospital General Doctor Balmis, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biómedica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, España
| | | | | | - Eva Quero Motto
- Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen Arrixaca, Murcia, España
| | | | - Ferran Llopis
- Hospital De Bellvitge, L'hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | - Rafael Marrón
- Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet. Zaragoza, España
| | | | | | - Xavier Alemany González
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
| | - Miguel A Rizzi
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, España
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ana Chacón García
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IDISSC, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, España
| | | | - Òscar Miró
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
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18
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Jiménez S, Miró Ò, Alquézar-Arbé A, Piñera P, Jacob J, Llorens P, García-Lamberechts EJ, Martín-Sánchez FJ, González Del Castillo J, Burillo-Putze G. Quality of hospital emergency department care for patients with COVID-19 during the first wave in 2020: the CALUR-COVID-19 study. Emergencias 2022; 34:369-376. [PMID: 36217932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To define quality of care indicators and care process standards for treating patients with COVID-19 in hospital emergency departments (EDs), to determine the level of adherence to standards during the first wave in 2020, and to detect factors associated with different levels of adherence. MATERIAL AND METHODS We selected care indicators and standards by applying the Delphi method. We then analyzed the level of adherence in the SIESTA cohort (registered by the Spanish Investigators in Emergency Situations Team). This cohort was comprised of patients with COVID-19 treated in 62 Spanish hospitals in March and April 2020. Adherence was compared according to pandemic-related ED caseload pressure, time periods during the wave (earlier and later), and age groups. RESULTS Fourteen quality indicators were identified. Three were adhered to in less than 50% of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection was the indicator most often disregarded, in 29% of patients when the caseload was high vs 40% at other times (P .001) and in 30% of patients in the later period vs 37% in the earlier period (P = .04). Adherence to the following indicators was better in the later part of the wave: monitoring of oxygen saturation (100% vs 99%, P = .035), electrocardiogram monitoring in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine (87% vs 65%, P .001), and avoiding of lopinavir/ritonavir treatment in patients with diarrhea (79% vs 53%, P .001). No differences related to age groups were found. CONCLUSION Adherence to certain quality indicators deteriorated during ED treatment of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic. Pressure from high caseloads may have exacerbated this deterioration. A learning effect led to improvement. No differences related to patient age were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sònia Jiménez
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
| | - Òscar Miró
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
| | - Aitor Alquézar-Arbé
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, España
| | - Pascual Piñera
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital General Universitario Reina Sofía, Murcia, España
| | - Javier Jacob
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | - Pere Llorens
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Alicante, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), España
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19
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Alberdi-Iglesias A, López-Izquierdo R, Ortega GJ, Sanz-García A, Del Pozo Vegas C, Delgado Benito JF, Martín-Rodríguez F. Derivation and validation of new prehospital phenotypes for adults with COVID-19. Emergencias 2022; 34:361-368. [PMID: 36217931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To characterize phenotypes of prehospital patients with COVID-19 to facilitate early identification of at-risk groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS Multicenter observational noninterventional study of a retrospective cohort of 3789 patients, analyzing 52 prehospital variables. The main outcomes were 4 clusters of prehospital variables describing the phenotypes. Secondary outcomes were hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, admission to an intensive care unit, and cumulative mortality inside or outside the hospital on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after hospitalization and after start of prehospital care. RESULTS We used a principal components multiple correspondence analysis (factor analysis) followed by decomposition into 4 clusters as follows: cluster 1, 1090 patients (28.7%); cluster 2, 1420 (37.4%); cluster 3, 250 (6.6%), and cluster 4, 1029 (27.1%). Cluster 4 was comprised of the oldest patients and had the highest frequencies of residence in group facilities and low arterial oxygen saturation. This group also had the highest mortality (44.8% at 28 days). Cluster 1 was comprised of the youngest patients and had the highest frequencies of smoking, fever, and requirement for mechanical ventilation. This group had the most favorable prognosis and the lowest mortality. CONCLUSION Patients with COVID-19 evaluated by emergency medical responders and transferred to hospital emergency departments can be classified into 4 phenotypes with different clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic characteristics. The phenotypes can help health care professionals to quickly assess a patient's future risk, thus informing clinical decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Alberdi-Iglesias
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL), España
| | - Raúl López-Izquierdo
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitario Río Hortega, Valladolid, Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL), España. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, España
| | - Guillermo J Ortega
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital de la Princesa (IIS-IP), Madrid, España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, Argentina. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Argentina
| | - Ancor Sanz-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital de la Princesa (IIS-IP), Madrid, España
| | - Carlos Del Pozo Vegas
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL), España. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, España
| | - Juan F Delgado Benito
- Gerencia de Emergencias Sanitarias, Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL), España
| | - Francisco Martín-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, España. Gerencia de Emergencias Sanitarias, Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL), España
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20
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Fresco L, Osorio G, Carbó M, Marco DN, García-Gozalbes J, Artajona L, Sempertegui D, Perea M, Piñango D, Ortega Romero MªDM. Risk score for mortality due to COVID-19: a prospective temporal validation cohort study in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital. Emergencias 2022; 34:196-203. [PMID: 35736524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To validate a previously described hospital emergency department risk model to predict mortality in patients with COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prospective observational noninterventional study. Patients aged over 18 years diagnosed with COVID-19 were included between December 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021. We calculated a risk score for each patient based on age 50 years (2 points) plus 1 point each for the presence of the following predictors: Barthel index 90 points, altered level of consciousness, ratio of arterial oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen 400, abnormal breath sounds, platelet concentration 100 × 109/L, C reactive protein level 5 mg/dL, and glomerular filtration rate 45 mL/min. The dependent variable was 30-day mortality. We assessed the score's performance with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS The validation cohort included 1223 patients. After a median follow-up of 80 days, 143 patients had died; 901 patients were classified as having low risk (score, 4 points), 270 as intermediate risk (5-6 points), and 52 as high risk ( 7 points). Thirty-day mortality rates at each risk level were 2.8%, 22.5%, and 65.4%, respectively. The AUC for the score was 0.883; for risk categorization, the AUC was 0.818. CONCLUSION The risk score described is useful for stratifying risk for mortality in patients with COVID-19 who come to a tertiary-care hospital emergency department.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gina Osorio
- Área de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, España
| | - Míriam Carbó
- Área de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, España
| | | | | | - Lourdes Artajona
- Área de Urgencias, Sede Platón, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, España
| | - Dora Sempertegui
- Área de Urgencias, Sede Platón, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, España
| | | | - Daniela Piñango
- Área de Urgencias, Sede Platón, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, España
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21
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Moreno-Pérez Ó, Ribes I, Fuertes-Kenneally L, Carratalá JM, Román F, Otero-Rodríguez S, González-de la Aleja P, Merino E, Llorens P. Effective fast-track ambulatory care pathway for patients with COVID-19 at risk for poor outcome: the COVID-A2R model in a hospital emergency department. Emergencias 2022; 34:103-110. [PMID: 35275460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of a care pathway (Spanish acronym, COVID-A2R) through which patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were referred by a hospital emergency department (ED) for fast-track in-person outpatient clinic care if they did not have respiratory insufficiency but were at high risk for complications and poor outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective cohort of patients referred to the COVID-A2R pathway after being diagnosed with COVID-19 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay in a tertiary care hospital ED between January 7 and February 17, 2021. The inclusion criteria were 1) absence of pneumonia but presence of serious comorbidity and/or elevated biomarkers of inflammation, and 2) pneumonia with or without elevated inflammatory markers but without respiratory insufficiency. The main outcome was need for an emergency department revisit with hospital admission and time from ED evaluation to hospitalization. Secondary outcomes were the number of COVID-A2R visits and the potential economic impact. RESULTS We included 278 patients with a median age of 57 years (57.9% men) and a median Charlson Comorbidity Index of 1. The median time since onset of symptoms was 7 days (interquartile range, 4-11 days). Pneumonia was diagnosed in 71.8%, and 64.7% required only 1 in-person visit in the COVID-A2R pathway. No revisits to the ED were needed by 87.8% (83.4%-91.1%) of the patients. Of the 34 patients who were hospitalized, 88.2% were admitted within 5 days. The COVID-A2R model potentially saved 1708 days of hospitalization. CONCLUSION The fast-track ambulatory care model was effective after emergency department discharge of patients with COVID-19 without respiratory insufficiency but with clinical or laboratory indicators of risk for poor outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Óscar Moreno-Pérez
- Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, España. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España. Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, España
| | - Isabel Ribes
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España. Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, España
| | - Laura Fuertes-Kenneally
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España. Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, España
| | - José Manuel Carratalá
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España. Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, España
| | - Francisco Román
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España. Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, España
| | - Silvia Otero-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España
| | - Pilar González-de la Aleja
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España. Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España
| | - Esperanza Merino
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España. Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España
| | - Pere Llorens
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, España. Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, España. Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, España
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22
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López-Ayala P, Alcaraz-Serna A, Valls Carbó A, Cuadrado Cenzual MÁ, Torrejón Martínez MJ, López Picado A, Martínez Valero C, Miranda JD, Díaz Del Arco C, Cozar López G, Suárez-Cadenas MDM, Jerez Fernández P, Angós B, Rodríguez Adrada E, Cardassay E, Del Toro E, Chaparro D, Montalvo Moraleda MT, Espejo Paeres C, García Briñón MÁ, Hernández Martín-Romo V, Ortega L, Fernández Pérez C, Martínez-Novillo M, González Armengol JJ, González Del Castillo J, Mueller CE, Martín-Sánchez FJ. Procalcitonin concentration in the emergency department predicts 30-day mortality in COVID-19 better than the lymphocyte count, the neutrophil-tolymphocyte ratio, or the C-reactive protein level. Emergencias 2022; 34:119-127. [PMID: 35275462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although many demographic and clinical predictors of mortality have been studied in relation to COVID-19, little has been reported about the prognostic utility of inflammatory biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective cohort study. All patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 treated in a hospital emergency department were included consecutively if baseline measurements of the following biomarkers were on record: lymphocyte counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio NRL, and C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels. We analyzed associations between the biomarkers and all-cause 30-day mortality using Cox regression models and dose-response curves. RESULTS We included 896 patients, 151 (17%) of whom died within 30 days. The median (interquartile range) age was 63 (51-78) years, and 494 (55%) were men. NLR, CRP and PCT levels at ED presentation were higher, while lymphocyte counts were lower, in patients who died compared to those who survived (P .001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves revealed the PCT concentration (0.79; 95% CI, 0.75-0.83) to be a better predictor of 30-day mortality than the lymphocyte count (0.70; 95% CI, 0.65-0.74; P .001), the NLR (0.74; 95% CI, 0.69-0.78; P = .03), or the CRP level (0.72; 95% CI, 0.68-0.76; P .001). The proposed PCT concentration decision points for use in emergency department case management were 0.06 ng/L (negative) and 0.72 ng/L (positive). These cutoffs helped classify risk in 357 patients (40%). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the PCT concentration had the strongest association with mortality. CONCLUSION PCT concentration in the emergency department predicts all-cause 30-day mortality in patients with COVID-19 better than other inflammatory biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro López-Ayala
- Instituto de Investigación Cardiovascular de Basel (CRIB), Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario de Basel, Universidad de Basel, Basel, Suiza
| | - Ana Alcaraz-Serna
- Hospital Universitario de Lausanne (CHUV), Departamento de Medicine, Servicio de Inmunología y Alergología, Lausanne, Suiza
| | | | - Mª Ángeles Cuadrado Cenzual
- Servicio de Laboratorio de Análisis Biomédicos, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - María Del Mar Suárez-Cadenas
- Instituto de Investigación de la Salud, Hospital San Carlos, Madrid, España. Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España
| | | | - Beatriz Angós
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España
| | | | | | - Enrique Del Toro
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España
| | - David Chaparro
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España
| | | | | | - Miguel Ángel García Briñón
- Instituto de Investigación de la Salud, Hospital San Carlos, Madrid, España. Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España
| | | | - Luis Ortega
- Servicio de Laboratorio de Análisis Biomédicos, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España
| | | | - Mercedes Martínez-Novillo
- Servicio de Laboratorio de Análisis Biomédicos, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España. Instituto de Investigación de la Salud, Hospital San Carlos, Madrid, España
| | - Juan Jorge González Armengol
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España. Instituto de Investigación de la Salud, Hospital San Carlos, Madrid, España. Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España
| | - Juan González Del Castillo
- Instituto de Investigación de la Salud, Hospital San Carlos, Madrid, España. Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España
| | - Christian E Mueller
- Instituto de Investigación Cardiovascular de Basel (CRIB), Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario de Basel, Universidad de Basel, Basel, Suiza
| | - F Javier Martín-Sánchez
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España. Instituto de Investigación de la Salud, Hospital San Carlos, Madrid, España. Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España
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23
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Jalal B, Chamberlain SR, Robbins TW, Sahakian BJ. Obsessive-compulsive disorder-contamination fears, features, and treatment: novel smartphone therapies in light of global mental health and pandemics (COVID-19). CNS Spectr 2022; 27:136-144. [PMID: 33081864 PMCID: PMC7691644 DOI: 10.1017/s1092852920001947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This review aims to shed light on the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with a focus on contamination fears. In addition, we will briefly review the current therapies for OCD and detail what their limitations are. A key focus will be on discussing how smartphone solutions may provide approaches to novel treatments, especially when considering global mental health and the challenges imposed by rural environments and limited resources; as well as restrictions imposed by world-wide pandemics such as COVID-19. In brief, research that questions this review will seek to address include: (1) What are the symptoms of contamination-related OCD? (2) How effective are current OCD therapies and what are their limitations? (3) How can novel technologies help mitigate challenges imposed by global mental health and pandemics/COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baland Jalal
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel R. Chamberlain
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton; and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor W. Robbins
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara J. Sahakian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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24
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Dehkordi EA, Heidari-Soureshjani E, Aryan A, Ganjirad Z, Soveyzi F, Hoseinsalari A, Derisi MM, Rafieian-Kopaei M. Antiviral Compounds Based on Natural ASTRAGALUS POLYSACCHARIDE (APS): Researches and Foresight in the Strategies for Combating SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Mini Rev Med Chem 2022; 22:2299-2307. [PMID: 35232341 DOI: 10.2174/1389557522666220301143113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Today, finding natural polymers with desirable properties for use in various industries is one of the critical axes of research in the world. Polysaccharides are a group of natural polymers that have various applications in the pharmaceutical industry. The attachment of monosaccharides forms polysaccharides through glycosidic bonds that are widely found in various sources, including plants. Genus Astragalus belongs to the Fabaceae family. Plants belonging to this genus have different polysaccharides. Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) have attracted a great deal of attention among natural polymers because they are non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible. Currently, APS has great drug potential for curing or treating various diseases. Due to the different biological activities of polysaccharides, including Astragalus, this study has investigated the chemical structure of APS, research report on antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and stimulation of cytokine secretion by these polysaccharides. Also, in this study, the pharmaceutical approaches of APS compounds, as a natural, new and inexpensive source, have been discussed as suitable candidates for use in pharmaceutical formulations and preparation of new drugs to control COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elahe Aleebrahim Dehkordi
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Ehsan Heidari-Soureshjani
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
- SaNa Zist Pardaz Co, Member of Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari Science and Technology Park, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Alisam Aryan
- Medical Student, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Ganjirad
- Student research committee, Hamedan University of medical sciences, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Faezeh Soveyzi
- Medical Student, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Hoseinsalari
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohamad Mehdi Derisi
- Medical Student, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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25
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Solà S, Jacob J, Azeli Y, Trenado J, Morales-Álvarez J, Jiménez-Fàbrega FX. Priority in interhospital transfers of patients with severe COVID-19: development and prospective validation of a triage tool. Emergencias 2022; 34:29-37. [PMID: 35103441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop and validate a triage scale (Spanish acronym, TIHCOVID) to assign priority by predicting critical events in patients with severe COVID-19 who are candidates for interhospital transfer. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prospective cohort study in 2 periods for internal (February-April 2020) and external (October-December 2020) validation. We included consecutive patients with severe COVID-19 who were transported by the emergency medical service of Catalonia. A risk model was developed to predict mortality based on variables recorded on first contact between the regional emergency coordination center and the transferring hospital. The model's performance was evaluated by means of calibration and discrimination, and the results for the first and second periods were compared. RESULTS Nine hundred patients were included, 450 in each period. In-hospital mortality was 33.8%. The 7 predictors included in the final model were age, comorbidity, need for prone positioning, renal insufficiency, use of high-flow nasal oxygen prior to mechanical ventilation, and a ratio of PaO2 to inspired oxygen fraction of less than 50. The performance of the model was good (Brier score, 0.172), and calibration and discrimination were consistent. We found no significant differences between the internal and external validation steps with respect to either the calibration slopes (0.92 [95% CI, 0.91-0.93] vs 1.12 [95% CI, 0.6-1.17], respectively; P = .150) or discrimination (area under the curve, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.75-0.84] vs 0.85 [95% CI, 0.81-0.89]; P = .121). CONCLUSION The TIHCOVID tool may be useful for triage when assigning priority for patients with severe COVID-19 who require transfer between hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Solà
- Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques de Catalunya, España. Grupo RINVEMER. Red de Investigación de Emergencias Prehospitalarias
| | - Javier Jacob
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Youcef Azeli
- Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques de Catalunya, España. Servei d'Urgencies Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Tarragona, España. Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Tarragona, España
| | - Josep Trenado
- Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques de Catalunya, España. Servei Medicina Intensiva UCI-Semicritics, Hospital Universitario Mutua de Terrassa, Barcelona, España
| | | | - Francesc Xavier Jiménez-Fàbrega
- Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques de Catalunya, España. Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona, España. Grupo RINVEMER. Red de Investigación de Emergencias Prehospitalarias
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26
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Albert A, Jacob J, Malchair P, Llopis F, Fuentes L, Martín C, García C, Rodríguez O, Ruibal JC, Martínez C, Fuentes E, Cordero M, Guillén L, Chamorro F, Quetglas S, Ferre C. Predictors of revisits within 1 year by patients after acute COVID-19: the HUBCOVID365 cohort study. Emergencias 2022; 34:38-46. [PMID: 35103442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze the frequencies of 3 types of hospital revisits by patients after treatment for COVID-19 in the emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective observational study of consecutive patients who came to the emergency department in March and April 2020 and were discharged alive with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Baseline and acute episode data were collected and the patients were followed for 1 year. We analyzed variables associated with revisits for any reason, revisits related to COVID-19, and early COVID-19-related revisits (within 30 days). RESULTS A total of 1352 patients with a mean age of 62.1 years (52.9% male) were studied. A total of 553 revisits were made by 342 patients (25.3%) for any reason; 132 (9.8%) revisited in relation to COVID-19 at least once. Of those, 103 (7.6%) revisited within 30 days (early) and 29 (2.2%) came later. COVID-19-related revisits were associated with thrombotic events (odds ratio [OR], 7.58; 95% CI, 1.75-32.81) and pulmonary fibrosis (OR, 4.95; 95% CI, 1.27-19.24); early revisits were inversely associated with follow-up management by a contracted health care support service (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.03-0.92). Hospital admission during the initial visit was significantly associated with fewer revisits for any reason or related to COVID-19 at any time. CONCLUSION Fewer than half the total number of emergency department revisits after initial care for COVID-19 were related to the novel coronavirus infection. Revisits occurred more often in the first 30 days after discharge. Later COVID-19-related revisits were uncommon, but given the large number of patients with this infection, such visits can be expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arantxa Albert
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Javier Jacob
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Pierre Malchair
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Ferrán Llopis
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Lidia Fuentes
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Cristina Martín
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Cristina García
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Orlando Rodríguez
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - José Carlos Ruibal
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | | | - Elena Fuentes
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Marco Cordero
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Lara Guillén
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Francisco Chamorro
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Sebastián Quetglas
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
| | - Carles Ferre
- Servei d'Urgències Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España
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Joseph B, Steier L. Bioluminescence and ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by oral biofilm in ICU during COVID-19 -Is there a possible relationship? Med Hypotheses 2022; 159:110760. [PMID: 35002024 PMCID: PMC8721922 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has been claiming many lives in the intensive care unit (ICU) during COVID-19. Oral biofilm and bacterial contamination that can be passed on from the oral cavity to the lungs during endotracheal intubation has been found to be the main culprit. Bioluminescence-based assays are emerging as potential clinical diagnostics methods. Hence, we hypothesize that the bioluminescent imaging technique can be used in the ICU to determine the load of biofilm-associated with patients undergoing endotracheal intubation. Early detection of such infections and their management can effectively bring down mortality and influence the death rate in ICU caused due to VAP. Government agencies and policymakers should be made to take this issue of deaths in the ICU due to VAP more seriously and act judiciously to methods such as bioluminescence based on sound scientific evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betsy Joseph
- Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Liviu Steier
- Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Restorative Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
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28
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Leung KKY, Hon KL. Lessons from Animal Culling during Human Pandemics: Is Vaccination a Viable Option for Animals? Curr Pediatr Rev 2022; 19:2-4. [PMID: 35297351 DOI: 10.2174/1573396318666220316124155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Animal reservoirs for respiratory and coronavirus have been major health concerns. Zoonosis due to coronavirus involves bats, civet cat, camels, pangolins and now the minks. In the same vein, influenza pandemics occur when a new strain of the influenza virus is transmitted to humans from another animal species. Species thought to be of particular importance in the emergence of new human influenza strains are swine and poultry and these hosts are often culled during epidemics or pandemics. It is often too easy for humans to forget that millions of animals can die or be slaughtered in human pandemics, including the recent cull of minks in Europe and chickens in Asia. To co-exist with nature in a sustainable way, we must respect our animals by ensuring their welfare and immunizing them against pathogens where possible. Zoonotic diseases are here to stay and will continue to cause major epidemics and pandemics. The other side of the coin is that reverse zoonosis can also have devastating effects on animal populations if pandemics are not effectively prevented and controlled. Unfortunately, none of the COVID-19 vaccines in production are set aside to save the minks. We advocate that animals be immunized to save human lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen K Y Leung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kam Lun Hon
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
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29
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Mongero LB, Stammers AH, Tesdahl EA, Petersen C, Patel K, Jacobs JP. The Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in COVID-19 Patients with Severe Cardiorespiratory Failure: The Influence of Obesity on Outcomes. J Extra Corpor Technol 2021; 53:293-8. [PMID: 34992320 DOI: 10.1182/ject-2100034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the management of severely ill patients with COVID-19 has been reported in more than 5,827 cases worldwide according to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). Several pre-existing conditions have been linked to an increase in COVID-19 mortality risk including obesity. The purpose of this research is to review the clinical experience from a cohort of 342 COVID-19 patients treated with ECMO in which 61.7% (211/342) are confirmed obese. Following institutional review board approval, we reviewed all 342 COVID-19 patients supported with ECMO between March 17, 2020 and March 18, 2021, at 40 American institutions from a multi-institutional database. Descriptive statistics comparing survivors to non-survivors were calculated using chi-square, Welch's ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test as appropriate. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the odds of survival while adjusting for age, gender, chronic renal failure, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and pre-ECMO P/F ratio. Descriptive analysis showed that obese patients were more likely to be hypertensive (58.1% vs. 32%, p < .001), diabetic (42% vs. 30%, p < .05), and female (35% vs. 21%, p < .05), and had longer median days from intubation to cannulation (4.0 vs. 2.0, p < .05). Obese patients appeared to also have a slightly lower median age (47.9 vs. 50.5, p = .07), higher incidence of asthma (17.8% vs. 10.2%, p = .09), and a slightly lower pre-ECMO PaO2/FiO2 ratio (67.5 vs. 77.5, p = .08) though these differences were slightly less statistically reliable. Results from the logistic regression model suggest no statistically reliable association between BMI and odds of survival. Age had a moderately large and statistically reliable negative association with survival; the relative odds of survival for a 59-year-old patient were approximately half those of a 41-year-old patient (OR = .53, 95% CI: .36-.77, p < .001). Obesity does not seem to be a major risk factor for poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients supported with ECMO; however, age was moderately negatively associated with survival. The potential influence of other comorbidities on odds of survival among these patients warrant further investigation.
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Abstract
We newly developed a hybrid protein, tentatively named rMIKO-1, using gene technology. We herein investigated the effects of rMIKO-1 on activated macrophages and discussed its potential as a suppressor of experimental colitis. Fluorescent microscopy was used to observe the dynamic mobility of rMIKO-1 in macrophages. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, fluorescent immunochemical staining, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, a polymerase chain reaction/quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were conducted to assess the potential activity of rMIKO-1. A large amount of bleeding was observed in rats treated with 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) alone on day 8 after treatment initiation, but not in those treated with 5% DSS plus rMIKO-1. In the in vitro assay, rMIKO-1 rapidly bound to macrophages, immediately entered cells by an unknown mechanism, and then migrated inside the nucleus. This result suggests that rMIKO-1 plays important immunological roles in the nucleus. Despite the activation of macrophages by lipopolysaccharide, the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β, was significantly suppressed in macrophages preliminarily treated with rMIKO-1 for 1 h. Complexes of rMIKO-1 with nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/p65 and β-actin formed in activated macrophages, which attenuated experimental colitis in rats. These results strongly suggest that rMIKO-1 negatively regulates excessively activated macrophages through the NF-κB/p65 signaling pathway. Therefore, rMIKO-1 is a novel suppressor of experimental colitis in rats through the negative regulation of activated macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohki Okada
- Department of Medical Technology and Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyoto Tachibana University, 34 Yamada-cho Oyake Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, 607-8175 Japan
| | - Masaki Ikemoto
- Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama-shi, Shiga, Tamuracho 1266526-0829 Japan
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Castro Delgado R, Delgado Sánchez R, Duque Del Río MDC, Arcos González P. Potential capacity of an emergency dispatch center to predict COVID-19-related hospital and intensive care unit admissions. Emergencias 2021; 33:368-373. [PMID: 34581530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze the association between the perceived care demand in the emergency call center of Castilla La Mancha (and hospital and ICU admissions for COVID-19, as well as their temporal characteristics, to explore its potential capacity as a predictive tool for COVID hospital admissions. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective observational study on the daily calls made to the emergency call center of Castilla La Mancha, both calls to 112 and those made to COVID line, in the period between March 1 and October 14, 2020. The data were analyzed by codes "diarrhea", "dyspnea", "fever" and "general discomfort" that were used as predictor variables, and their relationship with hospital admissions and ICU admissions. RESULTS A total of 831,943 calls were received at the CLM emergency call center through 112, with a maximum on March 13, 2020 with 10,582 calls. On COVID line, a total of 208,803 calls were received in that period, with a maximum on March 15 with 23,744. A statistically significant relationship was found between the regulation codes studied (specific symptoms) and the number of calls with hospital admissions and ICU admissions, with a predictive capacity of 2 weeks in relation to occupancy peaks. The codes with the greatest relationship were "general malaise" and "diarrhea". CONCLUSION We have found an association between the number of calls to a CCUE due to dyspnea, fever, general discomfort, diarrhea and the number of calls with hospital admissions and ICU for COVID-SARS-2 2 weeks in advance, mainly due to general discomfort and diarrhea. The design of predictive expert systems and their automation using artificial intelligence could be part of the preparation, planning and anticipation programs of health systems in the near future in the event of future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Castro Delgado
- Unidad de Investigación en Emergencia y Desastre, Universidad de Oviedo, España. SAMU-Asturias, España. Red de Investigación de Emergencias Prehospitalarias (RINVEMER), SEMES, España
| | - Ricardo Delgado Sánchez
- Gerencia de Urgencias, Emergencias y Transporte Sanitario, GUETS, SESCAM, Castilla- La Mancha, España. Red de Investigación de Emergencias Prehospitalarias (RINVEMER), SEMES, España
| | - María Del Carmen Duque Del Río
- Gerencia de Urgencias, Emergencias y Transporte Sanitario, GUETS, SESCAM, Castilla- La Mancha, España. Red de Investigación de Emergencias Prehospitalarias (RINVEMER), SEMES, España
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Markarian T, Persico N, Roch A, Ahriz D, Taguet C, Birman G, Mahboubi A, Ducassou J, Bourenne J, Zieleskiewicz L, Bobbia X, Michelet P. Early assessment of patients with COVID-19 and dyspnea using lung ultrasound scoring. Emergencias 2021; 33:354-360. [PMID: 34581528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The main objective was to evaluate the precision of the Modified Lung Ultrasound (MLUS score) for predicting the need for respiratory support in the first 48 hours in patients with dyspnea due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The secondary objectives were 1) to compare the MLUS and National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), as well as the combination of both scores, as predictors of severity according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement; and 2) to compare severity assessed by ultrasound scoring to severity assessed by lung computed tomography (CT). MATERIAL AND METHODS Multicenter prospective observational cohort study conducted from March 30 to April 30, 2020, in 2 university hospitals. Adult patients with dyspnea due to COVID-19 were included. An initial lung ultrasound was performed, and the results of MLUS, NEW2, and lung CT evaluations were recorded. Patients were classified by risk according to the WHO scale at 48 hours, as follows: low risk (score less than 5) or high risk (score of 5 or more). RESULTS A total of 100 patients were included: 35 (35%) were classified as low risk and 65 (65%) as high risk. The correlation between the MLUS and WHO assessments was positive and very high (Spearman rank correlation = 0.832; P .001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the MLUS, NEW2 and combined ultrasound scores, in relation to prediction of risk classification were, respectively, 0.96 (0.93-0.99), 0.89 (0.82-0.95) and 0.98 (0.96-1.0). The MLUS and lung CT assessments were correlated. CONCLUSION An early lung ultrasound score can predict clinical severity in patients with dyspnea due to COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Markarian
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Timone University Hospital, Marsella, Francia. UMR 1263 Center of Cardiovascular and Nutrition Research (C2VN), Aix-Marseille University, INSERM, INRAE, Marsella, Francia
| | - Nicolas Persico
- Department of Emergency Medicine, North University Hospital, Marsella, Francia. Aix-Marseille University, School of medicine - La Timone Medical Campus, EA 3279, CEReSS - Health Services Research and Quality of Life Center, Marsella, Francia
| | - Antoine Roch
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Timone University Hospital, Marsella, Francia. Department of Emergency Medicine, North University Hospital, Marsella, Francia. Aix-Marseille University, School of medicine - La Timone Medical Campus, EA 3279, CEReSS - Health Services Research and Quality of Life Center, Marsella, Francia
| | - Dalia Ahriz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Timone University Hospital, Marsella, Francia
| | - Chloe Taguet
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Timone University Hospital, Marsella, Francia
| | - Guillaume Birman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, North University Hospital, Marsella, Francia
| | - Adela Mahboubi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, North University Hospital, Marsella, Francia
| | - Justine Ducassou
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Timone University Hospital, Marsella, Francia
| | - Jeremy Bourenne
- Aix-Marseille University, School of medicine - La Timone Medical Campus, EA 3279, CEReSS - Health Services Research and Quality of Life Center, Marsella, Francia. Medecine Intensive Réanimation, Réanimation des Urgences, Timone University Hospital, Marsella, Francia
| | - Laurent Zieleskiewicz
- UMR 1263 Center of Cardiovascular and Nutrition Research (C2VN), Aix-Marseille University, INSERM, INRAE, Marsella, Francia. Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, North University Hospital, Marsella, Francia
| | - Xavier Bobbia
- Medecine Intensive Réanimation, Réanimation des Urgences, Timone University Hospital, Marsella, Francia
| | - Pierre Michelet
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Timone University Hospital, Marsella, Francia. Department of Emergency Medicine, North University Hospital, Marsella, Francia
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Montero-Pérez FJ, Jiménez Murillo LM. Impact of the first COVID-19 pandemic wave on the care and quality indicators of a hospital emergency department. Emergencias 2021; 33:345-353. [PMID: 34581527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the impact of the first COVID-19 pandemic wave state of emergency on qualitative and quantitative indicators of demand for the services of a hospital emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of all visits by adults to the department during the Spanish state of emergency. The findings were compared to those for a similar period before the pandemic. We collected data for care variables, triage levels, wait times before triage, triage times, and times to first contact with a physician, discharge diagnostic codes, revisits within 72 hours, among other information. We also analyzed demand for timesensitive emergencies. RESULTS Demand for emergency department care decreased overall by 48.3% (95% CI, 0.48%-0.49%) while the state of emergency was in effect. The decrease was 60.7% (95% CI, 0.60%-0.61%) during phase 0 (lockdown). The decrease was more marked for the lower priority emergencies during lockdown (phase 0), at 60.5% for the lowest (level V) versus 35.1% for the highest priority (level I). The most frequent diagnoses were for respiratory conditions, followed by abdominal pain. There was a decrease in demand for treatment for all time-sensitive conditions. CONCLUSION Overall demand for emergency care for adults fell during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave state of emergency in Spain. Lower priority emergencies for less serious problems saw the greatest decreases. We also saw a decrease in the use of time-dependent procedures.
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Rafique Z, Szarpak L, Chirico F, Szarpak Ł. Airway management in personal protective equipment conditions. Adv Respir Med 2021; 89:554-555. [PMID: 34553367 DOI: 10.5603/arm.a2021.0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zubaid Rafique
- Henry JN Taub Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Luiza Szarpak
- Institute of Outcomes Research, Polonia University, Częstochowa, Poland
| | - Francesco Chirico
- Post-graduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.,Health Service Department, Italian State Police, Ministry of the Interior, Milano, Italy
| | - Łukasz Szarpak
- Institute of Outcomes Research, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Medical Academy, Warsaw, Poland. .,Maria Sklodowska-Curie Bialystok Oncology Center, Bialystok, Poland.
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Adnine A, Nadiri K, Soussan I, Coulibaly S, Berrada K, Najdi A, Abourazzak FE. Mental Health Problems Experienced by Patients with Rheumatic Diseases During COVID-19 Pandemic. Curr Rheumatol Rev 2021; 17:303-311. [PMID: 33504309 DOI: 10.2174/1573397117666210127124544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with rheumatic diseases are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and insomnia. Yet, little is known about mental health status during COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study aims to measure the prevalence of mental health disorders among patients with rheumatic diseases in the era of COVID-19 pandemic and to determine potential risk factors for major symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia in participants. METHODS Participants with rheumatic diseases were asked to complete a questionnaire using a telephonic interview. Sociodemographic and rheumatic disease characteristics were recorded. Mental health status was assessed by the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)-7, and insomnia severity index (ISI) questionnaires to detect depression, anxiety and insomnia symptoms, respectively. RESULTS We included 307 patients in the survey. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequent diagnosis (55%). Of all participants, 7.5% had known depression and 5.5% known anxiety. Mental health disorders were insomnia (34.9%), anxiety (33.2%), and depression (24.4%). Major symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and depression were noted in respectively, 19.9%, 12.4%, and 7.8% of participants. Risk factors for major insomnia were male gender (OR= 4.36, 95% CI 2.06 to 9.25; p<0.0001), low socioeconomic status (OR= 2.64, 95% CI 1.44 - 4.83; p<0.002) and having rheumatoid arthritis (OR= 2.00, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.84; p<0.036). Major anxiety was associated with low monthly income (OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.01; p<0.026), and higher Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of pain (OR=1.795, 95% CI 1.074 to 2.994 ; p<0.026). Major depression was associated with the worsening of rheumatic disease (OR=1.86, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.26; p<0.03). CONCLUSION A high frequency of undiagnosed depression, anxiety and insomnia symptoms was found in rheumatic patients. Rheumatologists should be aware of these comorbidities, especially in the era of COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anass Adnine
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Tangier, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, Morocco
| | - Khawla Nadiri
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Tangier, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, Morocco
| | - Ilias Soussan
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Tangier, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, Morocco
| | - Siriman Coulibaly
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health and Social Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, Morocco
| | - Khadija Berrada
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Tangier, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, Morocco
| | - Adil Najdi
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health and Social Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, Morocco
| | - Fatima E Abourazzak
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Tangier, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, Morocco
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Okea A, Sahin D, Chen X, Shang Y. High Throughput Screening for Drug Discovery and Virus Detection. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2021; 25:1518-1533. [PMID: 34382507 DOI: 10.2174/1386207324666210811124856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High throughput screening systems are automated labs for the analysis of many biochemical substances in the drug discovery and virus detection process. This paper was motivated by the problem of automating testing for viruses and new drugs using high throughput screening systems. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the turn of 2019-2020 presented extradentary challenges to public health. Existing approaches to test viruses and new drugs do not use optimal schedules and are not efficient. OBJECTIVE The scheduling of activities performed by various resources in a high throughput screening system affects its efficiency, throughput, operations cost, and quality of screening. This study aims to minimize the total screening (flow) time and ensure the consistency and quality of screening. METHODS This paper develops innovative mixed integer models that efficiently compute optimal schedules for screening many microplates to identify new drugs and determine whether samples contain viruses. The methods integrate job-shop and cyclic scheduling. Experiments are conducted for a drug discovery process of screening an enzymatic assay and a general process of detecting SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS The method developed in this article can reduce screening time by as much as 91.67%. CONCLUSION The optimal schedules for high throughput screening systems greatly reduce the total flow time and can be computed efficiently to help discover new drugs and detect viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adetola Okea
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. United States
| | - Deniz Sahin
- Department of Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, Technische Universität Berlin. Germany
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. United States
| | - Ying Shang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Indiana Institute of Technology, Fort Wayne. United States
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Gokada MR, Pasupuleti VR, Bollikolla HB. A Mini Review on Emerging Targets and Approaches for the Synthesis of Anti-viral Compounds: In Perspective to COVID-19. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 21:1173-1181. [PMID: 33397236 DOI: 10.2174/1389557521666210104165733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an epidemic disease that appeared at the end of the year 2019 with a sudden increase in number and came to be considered as a pandemic disease caused by a viral infection which has threatened most countries for an emergency search for new anti-SARS-COV drugs /vaccines. At present, the number of clinical trials is ongoing worldwide on different drugs i.e. Hydroxychloroquine, Remedisvir, Favipiravir that utilize various mechanisms of action. A few countries are currently processing clinical trials, which may result in a positive outcome. Favipiravir (FPV) represents one of the feasible treatment options for COVID-19, if the result of the trials turns out positive. Favipiravir will be one of the developed possibly authoritative drugs to warrant benefits to mankind with large-scale production to meet the demands of the current pandemic Covid-19 outbreak and future epidemic outbreaks. In this review, the authors tried to explore key molecules, which will be supportive for devising COVID-19 research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maheswara Rao Gokada
- Department of Chemistry, Acharya Nagarjuna University, N Nagar, Guntur-522510, AP, India
| | - Visweswara Rao Pasupuleti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, 88400, Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Hari Babu Bollikolla
- Department of Chemistry, Acharya Nagarjuna University, N Nagar, Guntur-522510, AP, India
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Basille D, Andrejak C. [SARS-CoV-2 infection: Available data on 15th April 2021]. Rev Mal Respir 2021; 38:616-625. [PMID: 34024645 PMCID: PMC8086807 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2021.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since January 2020, when the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were diagnosed in France, pulmonologists have been at the heart of the crisis and should be responsible for the management of acute COVID-19 (and any possible sequelae) BACKGROUND: Many drugs have been evaluated or are currently under evaluation as possible specific treatment for SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, as of April 15, 2021, the only recommended treatment in current practice is the "standard of care", i.e. the symptomatic management of infection with SARS-CoV-2. This review presents the state of knowledge on COVID-19 in the acute phase (virological, immunological, epidemiological and therapeutic data) available on 15th April, 2021. OUTLOOK A large number of clinical trials are currently ongoing. It is important to propose to patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials and to structure the research in order to complete the studies. CONCLUSION Current management is based on oxygen therapy, thromboprophylaxis and in some cases corticosteroids. No antiviral therapy is currently recommended. These data are constantly evolving.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Basille
- Service de pneumologie, CHU d'Amiens-Picardie, Amiens, France; Université de Picardie Jules-Verne, UR 4294 AGIR, Amiens, France
| | - C Andrejak
- Service de pneumologie, CHU d'Amiens-Picardie, Amiens, France; Université de Picardie Jules-Verne, UR 4294 AGIR, Amiens, France.
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Gutiérrez Gabriel S, Domínguez García MJ, Pérez Mañas G, Moreno García N, Silvan Domínguez M, Andrés EM. Biological markers and follow-up after discharge home of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Emergencias 2021; 33:174-180. [PMID: 33978330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to analyze the clinical course of patients discharged from our emergency departament (ED) with pneumonia symptoms compatible with a diagnosis of COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS We followed 102 patients discharged home with a diagnosis of pneumonia compatible with COVID19 between March 12 and 21, 2020, in our hospital in the southern part of the autonomous community of Madrid. Descriptive statistics (medians and interquartile ranges or frequencies, as appropriate) were compiled for the main variables. Treatments and prognoses were compared with 2, Kruskal-Wallis, or Mann-Whitney tests. The data then underwent logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Most patients (accounting for 74.5% of the discharges) were treated with hydroxychloroquine alone. The readmission rate was 15.7%; the ED revisiting rate was 25.7%. Admission was associated with an elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (P=.011), elevated creatine kinase (CK) (P=.004), and lymphopenia (P=.034). Hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were also related to admission. Ischemic heart disease was associated with longer duration of symptoms. CONCLUSION Lymphopenia, and elevated LDH and CK levels predicted the need for hospital admission better than other traditional biological markers in patients with mild to moderate symptoms. Telephone follow-up proved useful for dealing with the overloading of health care services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gemma Pérez Mañas
- Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España
| | - Natalia Moreno García
- Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España
| | | | - Eva María Andrés
- Grupo "gestión del paciente sangrante" idiPaz-Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, España
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Soriano Aguadero I, Ezponda Casajús A, Mendoza Ferradas F, Igual Rouilleault A, Paternain Nuin A, Pueyo Villoslada J, Bastarrika G. [Chest computed tomography findings in different phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection]. Radiologia 2021; 63:218-227. [PMID: 35370313 PMCID: PMC7914007 DOI: 10.1016/j.rx.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective To compare the findings on chest computed tomography (CT) in patients with COVID-19 during different phases of the disease and to evaluate the reproducibility of a visual radiologic score for estimating the extent of lung involvement. Methods We retrospectively reviewed chest CT studies from 182 patients with RT-PCR findings positive for SARS-CoV-2. Patients were classified according to the time elapsed from the onset of symptoms, as follows: early (0-4 days), intermediate/progressive (5-9 days), or advanced (≥10 days). We analyzed the frequency of each radiologic finding, as well as the pattern, appearance, and predominant distribution of lung involvement. A visual tomographic score (range, 0-25) was used to estimate the extent of involvement in each lobe and in the total lung volume. Results The predominant CT finding was the ground-glass pattern (n=110; 60.4%), the most common distribution was peripheral (n = 116; 66.7%), and the most prevalent appearance was typical (n=112; 61.5%). The halo sign was seen most frequently in the early phase (25%), whereas ground-glass opacities were more common in the intermediate/progressive and advanced phases. The median severity score was 10 (IQR: 5-13), and the scores increased as the disease progressed. The interobserver agreement (kappa) was 0.92 for the appearance, 0.84 for the distribution, 0.70 for the predominant pattern, and 0.89 for the visual score. Conclusion The CT findings in patients with COVID-19 vary with the course of the infection. The proposed visual radiologic score is a simple, reproducible, and reliable tool for assessing lung involvement in COVID-19 pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Soriano Aguadero
- Departamento de Radiología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España
| | - A Ezponda Casajús
- Departamento de Radiología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España
| | - F Mendoza Ferradas
- Departamento de Radiología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España
| | - A Igual Rouilleault
- Departamento de Radiología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España
| | - A Paternain Nuin
- Departamento de Radiología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España
| | - J Pueyo Villoslada
- Departamento de Radiología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España
| | - G Bastarrika
- Departamento de Radiología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España
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Sánchez Martín C, Madrid Martínez E, González Pellicer R, Armero Ibáñez R, Martínez González E, Llau Pitarch JV. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19. Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim (Engl Ed) 2021; 69:S0034-9356(21)00131-6. [PMID: 34565575 PMCID: PMC8057739 DOI: 10.1016/j.redar.2021.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Patients with COVID-19 who are admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing secondary infections, including invasive fungal infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The main purpose was to analyse the putative COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) patients in our setting. In these patients, we performed mycological culture in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for isolation of Aspergillus sp. We followed the AspICU algorithm to diagnose putative IPA. Moreover, we considered relevant the positivity of galactomannan in BAL. We diagnosed putative IPA in 3 patients. The common features of these 3 patients were: more than 21 days of stay in ICU, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and treatment with steroids (1mg/kg per day). Therefore, CAPA has to be systematically considered although a new algorithm to diagnose it is needed to treat patients in early stages in order to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sánchez Martín
- Servicio de Anestesiología-Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, España.
| | - E Madrid Martínez
- Servicio de Anestesiología-Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, España
| | - R González Pellicer
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, España
| | - R Armero Ibáñez
- Servicio de Anestesiología-Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, España
| | - E Martínez González
- Servicio de Anestesiología-Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, España
| | - J V Llau Pitarch
- Servicio de Anestesiología-Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, España; Anestesiología, Universitat de València, Valencia, España
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Nielsen F, Marti G, Ray S, Pyne S. Clustering Patterns Connecting COVID-19 Dynamics and Human Mobility Using Optimal Transport. Sankhya B (2008) 2021; 83:167-184. [PMID: 33746458 PMCID: PMC7961163 DOI: 10.1007/s13571-021-00255-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Social distancing and stay-at-home are among the few measures that are known to be effective in checking the spread of a pandemic such as COVID-19 in a given population. The patterns of dependency between such measures and their effects on disease incidence may vary dynamically and across different populations. We described a new computational framework to measure and compare the temporal relationships between human mobility and new cases of COVID-19 across more than 150 cities of the United States with relatively high incidence of the disease. We used a novel application of Optimal Transport for computing the distance between the normalized patterns induced by bivariate time series for each pair of cities. Thus, we identified 10 clusters of cities with similar temporal dependencies, and computed the Wasserstein barycenter to describe the overall dynamic pattern for each cluster. Finally, we used city-specific socioeconomic covariates to analyze the composition of each cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Nielsen
- Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gautier Marti
- Independent Researcher, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sumanta Ray
- Centrum Wiskunde, Informatica, Science Park 123, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Saumyadipta Pyne
- (1) Public Health Dynamics Lab; and Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh; (2) Health Analytics Network, Pittsburgh, USA
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Dżygało K, Nowaczyk J, Szwilling A, Kowalska A. Increased frequency of severe diabetic ketoacidosis at type 1 diabetes onset among children during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: an observational cohort study. Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 2020; 26:167-75. [PMID: 33554490 DOI: 10.5114/pedm.2020.101003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION On March 11, 2020 the WHO announced a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Lockdown restrictions, compromised access to medical care and fear of potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2 have forced patients with non-COVID-19 illnesses such as type 1 diabetes (T1D) to stay home. This situation can lead to delay in T1D diagnosis and insulin treatment resulting in rapid progression to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and therefore increased risk of complications and death. . AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and severity of DKA at the onset of T1D in children diagnosed in our department during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown from March 2020 till May 2020 in comparison to corresponding period of the previous year. . MATERIAL AND METHODS We collected data of children with newly diagnosed T1D. DKA was defined according to ISPAD guidelines. . RESULTS The study cohort comprised 34 children in group 2020 and 52 in group 2019 with an average age 9.90 ±4.9 vs. 9.59±4.7 years with mean HbA1c 12.9 ±2.4 vs. 11.5 ±2.2%, respectively. The incidence of DKA was higher by 12% in group 2020 vs. 2019 (52.94% vs 40.38%; p = 0.276). Regarding the DKA severity (2020 vs. 2019) 32.35% vs. 11.54% were severe (p = 0.026), 17.65 vs. 13% were moderate (p = 0.759), and 2.94 vs. 15.38% were mild (p = 0.081). None of the analyzed patients were COVID-19 positive. CONCLUSIONS During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown changes in society and health care system, the DKA rate has increased by 12 percentage points with more severe cases noted in children with newly diagnosed T1D. Regular education of the whole society about the symptoms of diabetes could contribute to faster diagnosis of T1D and reduction of DKA prevalence. .
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Desmet T, Paepe PD, Boelens J, Coorevits L, Padalko E, Vandendriessche S, Leroux-Roels I, Aerssens A, Callens S, Braeckel EV, Malfait T, Vermassen F, Verhasselt B. Combined oropharyngeal/nasal swab is equivalent to nasopharyngeal sampling for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic PCR. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:31. [PMID: 33482729 PMCID: PMC7820523 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02087-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early 2020, a COVID-19 epidemic became a public health emergency of international concern. To address this pandemic broad testing with an easy, comfortable and reliable testing method is of utmost concern. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab sampling is the reference method though hampered by international supply shortages. A new oropharyngeal/nasal (OP/N) sampling method was investigated using the more readily available throat swab. Results 35 patients were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 by means of either NP or OP/N sampling. The paired swabs were both positive in 31 patients. The one patient who tested negative on both NP and OP/N swab on admission, was ultimately diagnosed on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A strong correlation was found between the viral RNA loads of the paired swabs (r = 0.76; P < 0.05). The sensitivity of NP and OP/N analysis in hospitalized patients (n = 28) was 89.3% and 92.7% respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrates equivalence of NP and OP/N sampling for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by means of rRT-PCR. Sensitivity of both NP and OP/N sampling is very high in hospitalized patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Desmet
- Emergency Department, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter De Paepe
- Emergency Department, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jerina Boelens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liselotte Coorevits
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elizaveta Padalko
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Isabel Leroux-Roels
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Infection Control, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Aerssens
- Department of Infection Control, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Callens
- Department of Internal Medicine & Infectious diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eva Van Braeckel
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas Malfait
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Vermassen
- Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Chief Physician and Head of COVID-19 task force, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruno Verhasselt
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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Joseph S, Nair B, Nath LR. The Ineluctable Role of ACE-2 Receptors in SARS COV-2 Infection and Drug Repurposing as a Plausible SARS COV-2 Therapy: A Concise Treatise. Curr Mol Med 2021; 21:888-913. [PMID: 33563197 DOI: 10.2174/1573405617666210204212024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent for the COVID-19 infectious disease that spreads via the respiratory route and has reached a drastic level of a global pandemic. Symptoms of COVID-19 may vary from mild (fever, dry cough, shortness of breath) to severe pneumonia-like respiratory symptoms as exacerbation of disease occurs. Unlike SARS-CoV, the SARSCoV- 2 has a higher binding affinity to ACE-2 receptors, which signifies its higher transmission rate from person to person. Even though ACE-2 is significant in the reninangiotensin- aldosterone system (RAAS) regulation that exhibits protection to various organs, it plays a significant role in COVID-19 disease pathogenesis. Viral interferences with the ACE-2 peptidase activity are found in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients leading to pro-inflammatory responses, hypertension and multi-organ damage. Angiotensinconverting enzyme-2 is constrained to a variety of organ systems, but surface ACE-2 receptors on lung epithelia are largely affected, which lead to pathological alterations in lung histology which may progress to respiratory failure. The viral tropism mainly occurs by the attachment to the angiotensin-converting enzymes-2 receptors in the host cell; thus drugs targeting ACE-2 expressions may arise as the future therapeutic strategy to combat COVID-19 infections. The innovative approach of repurposing drugs has shown temporary effectiveness to curb the rising pandemic. This article mainly focuses on the prominence of ACE-2 receptors which are expressed during the COVID infections and the repurposing strategy of available drug therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherin Joseph
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P.O., Kochi, Kerala 682041, India
| | - Bhagyalakshmi Nair
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P.O., Kochi, Kerala 682041, India
| | - Lekshmi R Nath
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P.O., Kochi, Kerala 682041, India
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Kamali M, Mousavi SK. Observance of patients' rights by physicians and nurses from the COVID-19 patients' perspective. J Med Ethics Hist Med 2020; 13:33. [PMID: 34055249 PMCID: PMC8141208 DOI: 10.18502/jmehm.v13i33.5315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Observance of patients' rights is a significant indicator in evaluating the quality of healthcare services. The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global crisis and affected the interactions between healthcare providers and patients. This study examined the COVID-19 patients’ viewpoint about the observance of their rights by physicians and nurses. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional work of research conducted on the COVID-19 patients in Zanjan Province, Iran, in September 2020. The subjects were selected through convenience sampling, and data was collected using a two-section questionnaire consisting of a demographic characteristics survey and a Likert-type scale for evaluating patients' rights observance. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were found to be acceptable, and the collected data was analyzed in SPSS v.26 using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and ANOVA test. The mean score of observance of patients' rights was 69.60±7.36, representing a moderate level. The highest and lowest scores for the observance of patients' rights were related to the dimensions of courteous communication and responsibility, respectively. A significant relationship was found between the observance of patients’ rights and their marital status, health insurance, and education level (P<0.05). This study showed that the observance of the COVID-19 patients' rights has not been affected by the social agitation caused by this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Kamali
- Researcher, Department of Nursing, Abhar School of Nursing, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Seyed Kazem Mousavi
- Researcher, Department of Nursing, Abhar School of Nursing, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global health issue today due to the rapid human to human transmission of SARS-CoV-2, a new type of coronavirus that causes fatal pneumonia. SARS -CoV-2 has a faster rate of transmission than other coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS and until now there are no approved specific drugs or vaccines for treatment. Thus, early diagnosis is crucial to prevent the extensive spread of the disease. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the most routinely used method until now to detect SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, several other faster and accurate assays are being developed for the diagnosis of COVID-19 aiming to control the spread of infection through the identification of patients and immediate isolation. In this review, we will discuss the various detection methods of the SARS-CoV-2 virus including the recent developments in immunological assays, amplification techniques as well as biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Sheikhzadeh
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Shimaa Eissa
- Department of Chemistry, Alfaisal University, Al Zahrawi Street, Al Maather, Al Takhassusi Road, Riyadh, 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aziah Ismail
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Mohammed Zourob
- Department of Chemistry, Alfaisal University, Al Zahrawi Street, Al Maather, Al Takhassusi Road, Riyadh, 11533, Saudi Arabia; King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Zahrawi Street, Al Maather, Riyadh, 12713, Saudi Arabia.
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Barratt R, Wyer M, Hor SY, Gilbert GL. Medical interns' reflections on their training in use of personal protective equipment. BMC Med Educ 2020; 20:328. [PMID: 32967669 PMCID: PMC7509499 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-020-02238-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential, to prevent the acquisition and transmission of infectious diseases, yet its use is often sub-optimal in the clinical setting. Training and education are important to ensure and sustain the safe and effective use of PPE by medical interns, but current methods are often inadequate in providing the relevant knowledge and skills. The purpose of this study was to explore medical graduates' experiences of the use of PPE and identify opportunities for improvement in education and training programmes, to improve occupational and patient safety. METHODS This study was undertaken in 2018 in a large tertiary-care teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia, to explore medical interns' self-reported experiences of PPE use, at the beginning of their internship. Reflexive groups were conducted immediately after theoretical and practical PPE training, during hospital orientation. Transcripts of recorded discussions were analysed, using a thematic approach that drew on the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation - behaviour) framework for behaviour. RESULTS 80% of 90 eligible graduates participated. Many interns had not previously received formal training in the specific skills required for optimal PPE use and had developed potentially unsafe habits. Their experiences as medical students in clinical areas contrasted sharply with recommended practice taught at hospital orientation and impacted on their ability to cultivate correct PPE use. CONCLUSIONS Undergraduate teaching should be consistent with best practice PPE use, and include practical training that embeds correct and safe practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Barratt
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
- Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Mary Wyer
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Su-yin Hor
- Centre for Health Services Management, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gwendolyn L. Gilbert
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
- Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
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