Introduction: Morocco has experienced, like the whole world, the COVID-19 pandemic. Until the writing of this article, a subjective observation of the increase in the number of anencephaly has been observed in our fac...Introduction: Morocco has experienced, like the whole world, the COVID-19 pandemic. Until the writing of this article, a subjective observation of the increase in the number of anencephaly has been observed in our facility. And since the teratogenic potential of the SARS Cov 2 virus is not sufficiently documented, we wondered if there would be a relationship between the relatively high number of anencephalic fetuses and COVID-19 infection. Aim: the objective of the study is to look for a possible correlation between the period of conception of these anencephalies and the pandemic. Material and methods: This is a retrospective study (from June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2022 in the Obstetrics Gynecology department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, CADI AYYAD UNIVERSITY Marrakech Morocco) consisting of the analysis of the number of patients in the target embryonic period (namely the closure of the neural tube: D18 to D30 of embryonic life) compared to the reference curves of the evolution of the SARS Cov2 pandemic. Results: The analysis of the number of patients at the target embryonic phase shows that many of our anencephalons (63%) were conceived during periods of high diffusion of the SARS Cov 2 virus in Morocco. Conclusion: Our study suggests a relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the occurrence of anencephaly, we cannot, however, highlight the type of direct or indirect relationship that binds them. Therefore, further studies should be considered to better investigate this relationship.展开更多
The virus SARS-CoV2,which causes the Coronavirus disease COVID-19 has become a pandemic and has spread to every inhabited continent.Given the increasing caseload,there is an urgent need to augment clinical skills in o...The virus SARS-CoV2,which causes the Coronavirus disease COVID-19 has become a pandemic and has spread to every inhabited continent.Given the increasing caseload,there is an urgent need to augment clinical skills in order to identify from among the many mild cases the few that will progress to critical illness.We present a first step towards building an artificial intelligence(AI)framework,with predictive analytics(PA)capabilities applied to real patient data,to provide rapid clinical decision-making support.COVID-19 has presented a pressing need as a)clinicians are still developing clinical acumen given the disease’s novelty,and b)resource limitations in a rapidly expanding pandemic require difficult decisions relating to resource allocation.The objectives of this research are:(1)to algorithmically identify the combinations of clinical characteristics of COVID-19 that predict outcomes,and(2)to develop a tool with AI capabilities that will predict patients at risk for more severe illness on initial presentation.The predictive models learn from historical data to help predict specifically who will develop acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS),a severe outcome in COVID-19.Our experimental results based on two hospitals in Wenzhou,Zhejang,China identify features most predictive of ARDS in COVID-19 initial presentation which would not have stood out to clinicians.A mild increase in elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(a liver enzyme)),a presence of myalgias(body aches),and an increase in hemoglobin,in this order,are the clinical features,on presentation,that are the most predictive.Those two centers’COVID-19 case series symptoms on initial presentation can help predict severe outcomes.Predictive models that learned from historical data of patients from two Chinese hospitals achieved 70%to 80%accuracy in predicting severe cases.展开更多
Infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV2)virus,responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,induces symptoms including increased inflammatory response,severe ...Infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV2)virus,responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,induces symptoms including increased inflammatory response,severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS),cognitive dysfunction like brain fog,and cardiovascular defects.Long-term effects of SARS-CoV2 COVID-19 syndrome referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome on age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease remain understudied.Using the targeted misexpression of individual SARS-CoV2 proteins in the retinal neurons of the Drosophila melanogaster eye,we found that misexpression of nonstructural protein 3(Nsp3),a papain-like protease,ablates the eye and generates dark necrotic spots.Targeted misexpression of Nsp3 in the eye triggers reactive oxygen species production and leads to apoptosis as shown by cell death reporters,terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)dUTP Nick-end labeling(TUNEL)assay,and dihydroethidium staining.Furthermore,Nsp3 misexpression activates both apoptosis and autophagy mechanism(s)to regulate tissue homeostasis.Transient expression of SARS-CoV2 Nsp3 in murine neuroblastoma,Neuro-2a cells,significantly reduced the metabolic activity of these cells and triggers cell death.Misexpression of SARS-CoV2 Nsp3 in an Alzheimer's disease transgenic fly eye model(glass multiple repeats[GMR]>amyloidβ42)further enhances the neurodegenerative rough eye phenotype due to increased cell death.These findings suggest that SARS-CoV2 utilizes Nsp3 protein to potentiate cell death response in a neurodegenerative disease background that has high pre-existing levels of neuroinflammation and cell death.展开更多
Introduction: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination has been proposed in several countries as the main preventive measure despite very limited data, particularly in dialysis patients. We conducted this study to...Introduction: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination has been proposed in several countries as the main preventive measure despite very limited data, particularly in dialysis patients. We conducted this study to assess the immunological response to vaccination in Senegalese hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective study, in two dialysis centers in Dakar from March 30<sup>th</sup> to August 30<sup>th</sup>, 2021 including patients on hemodialysis for >6 months, vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 according to the vaccination schedule recommended by WHO. A vaccine response was considered positive when seroconversion was observed after one dose of vaccine. The clinical efficacy of immunization was defined as the absence of new COVID-19 infection in patients who received a complete vaccination. Results: Among the 81 patients included in the study, 7.4% had anti-Spike IgM antibodies before their first vaccination. Seroprevalence of IgM antibodies was 38.3% one month after the first vaccine dose (at M1) and 8.6% one month after the second dose (at M4). Anti-Spike IgG antibodies were present in 40.3% of patients before vaccination, in 90.1% at M1, and in 59.7% at M4. Among patients previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, 10.2% had IgM antibodies at M0, 31.6% at M1, and 10.5% at M4 post-vaccination. Similarly, seroprevalences of IgG antibodies in this subgroup were 31.5%, 61.3%, and 50.0% respectively at M0, M1, and M4 post-vaccination. A comparison of seroconversion rates between M0 and M4 showed significant differences only for IgG in COVID-19 naive patients. Mean duration in dialysis and the existence of previous COVID-19 infection were associated with patients’ vaccinal response after the two doses. Age, gender and the use of immunosuppressive treatment did not influence post-vaccinal antibody production. Conclusion: Vaccination against COVID-19 in Senegalese hemodialysis patients induced a low seroconversion rate but it was well tolerated. Moreover, the induced protection was neither st展开更多
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are among the most important risk factors for severe coronavirus disease-19. Some studies have suggested that the use of insulin as a therapeutic agent to treat hyperglycemia and the metabo...Obesity and type 2 diabetes are among the most important risk factors for severe coronavirus disease-19. Some studies have suggested that the use of insulin as a therapeutic agent to treat hyperglycemia and the metabolic abnormalities associated with type 2 diabetes during the acute phase of severe coronavirus disease-19 could have a negative impact on the disease’s progression;however, there is no consensus on this issue. Here, we performed a systematic review in an attempt to answer this important question. We included 29 articles published from December 2019 to August 2023, which reported the outcomes of 3,070,657 patients with severe coronavirus disease-19 that had the diagnosis of diabetes and were treated with either insulin or other glucose-reducing agents. The results show that using insulin as a pharmacological intervention to treat type 2 diabetes in patients with severe coronavirus disease-19 increases the likelihood of mortality by 193%.展开更多
Context: COVID-19 can spread rapidly in haemodialysis centres, leading to fatal outcomes. Implementing physical measures is crucial in limiting the spread of infection. Aims: To assess adherence to physical measures a...Context: COVID-19 can spread rapidly in haemodialysis centres, leading to fatal outcomes. Implementing physical measures is crucial in limiting the spread of infection. Aims: To assess adherence to physical measures against SARS-Cov2 in haemodialysis patients. Methods and Material: From 13 to 19 July 2021, we administered the questionnaire to haemodialysis patients during or immediately after the dialysis session. The dependent variables were adherence to wearing masks, hand washing outside the dialysis centre, social distancing of at least 1.5 meters, and cough and sneeze hygiene. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using Epi info software;descriptive statistics were presented as mean, headcount, and percentage;related factors were determined by multi-logistic regression. The significance level was 5%. The Health Research Ethics Committee approved the research protocol. Results: 142 patients were included (mean age: 42.5 ± 14 years). Wearing masks, hand-washing, social distancing, and coughing and sneezing hygiene were observed by 88%, 75%, 47%, and 60% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: Wearing masks was the most respected physical measure, while social distancing was the least respected.展开更多
Introduction: Covid-19 is a systemic disease that can spread to all systems. Among the gastrointestinal manifestations, pancreatic involvement can have a major prognostic impact. We report 3 acute pancreatitis cases o...Introduction: Covid-19 is a systemic disease that can spread to all systems. Among the gastrointestinal manifestations, pancreatic involvement can have a major prognostic impact. We report 3 acute pancreatitis cases occurring during Covid-19, in Dakar. Case 1: 65-year-old woman who presented with intense atypical epigastric pain. Physical examination revealed obesity, high blood pressure and abdominal tenderness. Biological tests found increase CRP (134 mg/l) and lipasemia (312 UI/l). Abdominal CT scan showed findings of Balthazar grade C acute pancreatitis. RT-PCR for SARS CoV 2 RT-PCR was positive. The outcome was favorable. Case 2: 56-year-old woman patient with history of nephroangiosclerosis who presented with dyspnea, cough, fever and moderate epigastric pain. Physical examination revealed epigastric tenderness, high blood pressure, anuria. Biological testing, noted increase CRP (96 mg/l), lipasemia (793 UI/l), creatinine (227 mg/l) and urea (3.84 g/l). Abdominal CT scan showed acute edematous pancreatitis findings. SARS CoV 2 RT PCR was positive. The outcome was favorable. Case 3: 27-year-old man who presented with physical asthenia, headache, and epigastric pain. Physical examination found epigastric tenderness. Elevated CRP level was of 102 mg/l and lipasemia level was of 427 UI/l (7N). Abdominal CT scan showed acute edematous pancreatitis findings. SARS CoV 2 RT PCR was positive. The outcome was favorable. Conclusion: Acute pancreatitis can occur during Covid-19 infection. However, the imputability to the Covid-19 disease necessitates to rule out the most common causes.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> The prevalence of SARS-COV2 in Libya is unclear;PCR is still under-performed. Although lockdown measures have been in place for weeks, there is no prevalence data to support th...<strong>Background:</strong> The prevalence of SARS-COV2 in Libya is unclear;PCR is still under-performed. Although lockdown measures have been in place for weeks, there is no prevalence data to support the gradual lifting of such lockdowns. SARS-COV2 IgM/IgG is emerging as potential alternatives to PCR testing, and many counties and towns have undertaken such seroprevalence studies. <strong>Objective:</strong> Prevalence of SARS-COV2 in Misrata, Libya amongst the population as a whole. <strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> The study was prospective, cross-sectional, population-based, and age-stratified, to assess SARS-COV2 IgM/IgG in the population of Misrata. It was carried out between the 18th and 21st of April, 2020. <strong>Results: </strong>A representative sample of 897 participants was tested for SARS-COV2 IgM/IgG antibodies. 30 participants were positive for IgM or IgG indicating a prevalence of 3.4% (95% CI, 2.8% - 5.2%), with eight (0.9%) IgM positive and 22 (2.4%) IgG positive. Accordingly, 9075 (95% CI, 6586 - 14,170) people are estimated to have had a current or recent COVID-19 infection, symptomatic or asymptomatic. <strong>Conclusion and Recommendations:</strong> Serological testing as a diagnostic or surveillance tool may uncover a large proportion of asymptomatic individuals in the community, far outnumbering PCR. The authors highly recommend further precautionary public measures, as well as an ongoing surveillance programme to monitor the epidemiological trends of the disease in the city of Misrata and Libya in general.展开更多
COVID-19 disease is a global pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) that mainly presents with pneumonia, but has variable multi-systemic manifestations. Concomitant bacterial in...COVID-19 disease is a global pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) that mainly presents with pneumonia, but has variable multi-systemic manifestations. Concomitant bacterial infections associated with the acute stage of COVID-19 disease have been rarely reported in the literature. However, to our knowledge, post viral organizing pneumonia (OP) secondary to bacterial infection after recovery from SARS-CoV2 infection has not been noted before. We report a 27-year-old male patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus who presented with fever post recovery from COVID-19 disease for seven weeks and was found to have OP secondary to<em> Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>. Furthermore, the bronchoalveolar lavage was positive for SARS-CoV2 by RT-PCR despite multiple negative nasopharyngeal RT-PCR. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics only. Therefore, we conclude that early recognition of OP secondary to bacterial infection in patients with COVID-19 disease and prompt antibiotic treatment could avoid the use of a prolonged course of steroids.展开更多
We examined the coronavirus classification and evolution through its multiple mutations that have increased its transmissibility rate up to 70% globally, threatening to undermine the promise of a number of emerging va...We examined the coronavirus classification and evolution through its multiple mutations that have increased its transmissibility rate up to 70% globally, threatening to undermine the promise of a number of emerging vaccines that primarily focus on the immune detection of the Spike trimer. The safety and effectiveness of different vaccination methods are evaluated and compared, including the mRNA version, the Adenovirus DNA, Spike protein subunits, the deactivated virus genres, and the live attenuated coronavirus. Mutations have been long considered as random events, or mistakes during the viral RNA replication. Usually, what can go wrong will go wrong;therefore, repeated transformations lead to the extinction of a virus. On the contrary, the aggregate result of over 300,000 Covid-19 variants has expanded its transmissibility and infectiousness. Covid-19 mutations do not degrade the virus;they empower and facilitate its disguise to evade detection. Unlike other coronaviruses, Covid-19 amino acid switches do not reflect the random unfolding of errors that eventually eradicate the virus. Covid-19 appears to use mutations adaptively in the service of its survival and expansion. We cite evidence that Covid-19 inhibits the interferon type I production, compromising adaptive immunity from recognizing the virus. The deleterious consequences of the cytokine storm where the CD8+ killer cells injure the vital organs of the host may well be a Covid-19 manoeuvring to escape exposure. It is probable that evolution has programmed Covid-19 with an adeptness designed to debilitate key systemic defences to secure its subsistence. To date the infectiousness of the Covid-19 pandemic is exponentially increasing, denoting the possibility of an even more dangerously elusive, inconspicuous, and sophisticated version of the disease.展开更多
目的应用文献计量学工具探讨肾素血管紧张素系统(RAS)与肠道菌群(GM)的联系,挖掘本领域内最重要和新颖的文章,并客观总结该领域内的研究热点。方法在Web of Science(WoS)数据库中收集2014~2022年所有关于RAS和GM相关的文献。使用CiteSp...目的应用文献计量学工具探讨肾素血管紧张素系统(RAS)与肠道菌群(GM)的联系,挖掘本领域内最重要和新颖的文章,并客观总结该领域内的研究热点。方法在Web of Science(WoS)数据库中收集2014~2022年所有关于RAS和GM相关的文献。使用CiteSpace和VOSviewer等工具对收集的文献进行计量学分析。结果2014~2022年期间,共有62个国家(地区)、910个机构、2599名作者参与了464篇文章的撰写。这些文章被发表在255本期刊上。共现次数大于10次的参考文献共有176篇。近年来,在GM与RAS领域内,相关研究数量呈上升趋势,逐渐成为研究热点。美国是发文量最多的国家,且较早参与该领域研究。Hsu、Tain、Raizada、Yang等人在本领域内为权威性作者。心血管期刊、生化与分子生物学期刊和营养学期刊是纳入本领域文章最多的期刊。该领域内出现次数最多的关键词包括高血压、新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV2)、膳食纤维、疾病和健康的发育起源、三甲胺氧化物、慢性肾脏病和炎症等。结论应用文献计量学工具归纳出的本领域研究热点包括RAS与GM之间的联系、RAS与SARS-CoV2相互影响、疾病和健康的发育起源、抗高血压肽和高盐饮食等。展开更多
Introduction: We report an eight-case series of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Methods: Children who tested positive for COVID-19, met the MIS-C crit...Introduction: We report an eight-case series of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Methods: Children who tested positive for COVID-19, met the MIS-C criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), and were <span style="font-family: ">hospitalized at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh from September to December 2021 were identified and their clinical data reviewed. Results: The age at diagnosis is <span style="font-family: ">between 4 to 13 years old. Fever, decreased oral intake, gastroenteritis, and abdominal pain were the most common symptoms. All cases showed hyperinflammation with high C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ferritin levels, and deranged coagulation profiles. Most of the cases had elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (75%) and troponin (100%) levels. However, two cases had cardiovascular involvement. Two patients presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome and required mechanical ventilation. The mean hospital stay was 13.1 days, with seven patients initially requiring intensive care management for ionotropic support. Most cases required broad-spectrum antibiotics, intravenous steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and aspirin. All patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital in good clinical condition. Conclusion: Children with COVID-19 are at risk of developing MIS-C. Practitioners must have a high index of suspicion for its diagnosis and should start treatment as soon as possible to prevent unfavorable outcomes.展开更多
Some manufactures made UVC LED Strip as disinfection tool against SARS-CoV2. Therefore, three types of commercially UVC lights were used to evaluate their efficiency to warp bacteria and viruses. We tested three comme...Some manufactures made UVC LED Strip as disinfection tool against SARS-CoV2. Therefore, three types of commercially UVC lights were used to evaluate their efficiency to warp bacteria and viruses. We tested three commercially available UV lights devices. They were put at 4 to 5 cm to spiked sterile Petri dishes (samples) for 10, 20, 30, and 60 seconds and compared it to control (without UV light exposure). Also, the same three UV LED devices were used on Positive SARS-CoV2 swab samples (used for the Petri dishes). Serial dilutions of the cultured microbes were used for the experiment as follows: 1/10 (high concertation), 1/100, 1/1000, 1/10,000, 1/100,000 (low concertation). All three UV LED devices (DA, DB, DC) were found to have no effects on the pathogens (Bacteria or SARS-CoV2), even to the lowest Bacteria Concentration (1/100,000), when pathogens were exposed to UV radiation for 10, 20, 30, and 60 sec at distance a 4 to 5 cm. One of the manufacturers of these UVC lights (DB) claims that the device is very effective in killing Bacteria and Virus immediately at a 99.93% killing rate (in 20 sec.). This observation was not noticed. False claims may lead to severe spread of SARS-CoV2 as customers may think that the DB was disinfecting, after short exposure, while truly having no effect.展开更多
There has been some extensive research investigating the effect of Far Ultraviolet Radiation (UVC) on SARS and MARS. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have not been any detailed experiments looking at the e...There has been some extensive research investigating the effect of Far Ultraviolet Radiation (UVC) on SARS and MARS. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have not been any detailed experiments looking at the effect of UVC on COVID-19 (now is called SARS-CoV2). Many researchers in this field believe that UVC destroys SARS-CoV2 because it warps the genetic material of the virus hurdling the viral particles from reproduction. In this paper, we report the result of our novel experiments on the effect of UVC on SARS-CoV2 using a commercially available UVC source, <em>i.e.</em> Krypton Disinfection lighting CM15W12V Series (wavelength of 222 nm), which is sold and marketed for the disinfection of pathogens. The experiments were extended to study the effect of UVC exposure to Bacteria and Fungus. Our experiments show that UVC has no effects on SARS-CoV2 when it is close to the SARS-CoV2 culture plate (4 - 5 cm) or at a distance (2.0 to 2.9 m),<em> i.e.</em> when fixed at the ceiling. This observation is important as the public seems to have the impression that commercial UVC ceiling light can kill SARS-CoV2 while this study has proven the opposite. Moreover, it shows no effect even when the UVC ceiling light is radiating on SARS-CoV2 for overnight. This proves that the intensity of the UVC from these devices is relatively low. However, the UVC light is found to be effective in destroying Bacteria and Fungus (part of pathogens), substantially, in 30 sec, and completely kills them when it’s at 2.9 m (or less) away from them and exposure for one day. This indicates that the UVC light is effective for bacteria disinfection.展开更多
In many outbreaks, patients and healthcare workers are particularly at risk from nosocomial infections as a result of non-effective disinfection methods. With increasing incidence of viral infections such as severe ac...In many outbreaks, patients and healthcare workers are particularly at risk from nosocomial infections as a result of non-effective disinfection methods. With increasing incidence of viral infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, in one hand, and the increase in the rate of antibiotic resistant bacteria associated with nosocomial infections in other hand, there is a need to design novel engineering tools for inactivation of nosocomial pathogens. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is considered as a promising method to inactivate bacteria and viruses. This paper presents UV-C Based disinfection tools monitored by mobile application, designed for hospital and Epidemic Treatment Center. The evolution of the irradiation intensity over time w</span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">as</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""> evaluated, and the theorical disinfection duration for several nosocomial pathogens </span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">was </span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">determined. In the case of SARS-CoV2, less than 12 minutes were needed to achieve 99.99% viral reduction in a room of 36 sqm.展开更多
文摘Introduction: Morocco has experienced, like the whole world, the COVID-19 pandemic. Until the writing of this article, a subjective observation of the increase in the number of anencephaly has been observed in our facility. And since the teratogenic potential of the SARS Cov 2 virus is not sufficiently documented, we wondered if there would be a relationship between the relatively high number of anencephalic fetuses and COVID-19 infection. Aim: the objective of the study is to look for a possible correlation between the period of conception of these anencephalies and the pandemic. Material and methods: This is a retrospective study (from June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2022 in the Obstetrics Gynecology department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, CADI AYYAD UNIVERSITY Marrakech Morocco) consisting of the analysis of the number of patients in the target embryonic period (namely the closure of the neural tube: D18 to D30 of embryonic life) compared to the reference curves of the evolution of the SARS Cov2 pandemic. Results: The analysis of the number of patients at the target embryonic phase shows that many of our anencephalons (63%) were conceived during periods of high diffusion of the SARS Cov 2 virus in Morocco. Conclusion: Our study suggests a relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the occurrence of anencephaly, we cannot, however, highlight the type of direct or indirect relationship that binds them. Therefore, further studies should be considered to better investigate this relationship.
文摘The virus SARS-CoV2,which causes the Coronavirus disease COVID-19 has become a pandemic and has spread to every inhabited continent.Given the increasing caseload,there is an urgent need to augment clinical skills in order to identify from among the many mild cases the few that will progress to critical illness.We present a first step towards building an artificial intelligence(AI)framework,with predictive analytics(PA)capabilities applied to real patient data,to provide rapid clinical decision-making support.COVID-19 has presented a pressing need as a)clinicians are still developing clinical acumen given the disease’s novelty,and b)resource limitations in a rapidly expanding pandemic require difficult decisions relating to resource allocation.The objectives of this research are:(1)to algorithmically identify the combinations of clinical characteristics of COVID-19 that predict outcomes,and(2)to develop a tool with AI capabilities that will predict patients at risk for more severe illness on initial presentation.The predictive models learn from historical data to help predict specifically who will develop acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS),a severe outcome in COVID-19.Our experimental results based on two hospitals in Wenzhou,Zhejang,China identify features most predictive of ARDS in COVID-19 initial presentation which would not have stood out to clinicians.A mild increase in elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(a liver enzyme)),a presence of myalgias(body aches),and an increase in hemoglobin,in this order,are the clinical features,on presentation,that are the most predictive.Those two centers’COVID-19 case series symptoms on initial presentation can help predict severe outcomes.Predictive models that learned from historical data of patients from two Chinese hospitals achieved 70%to 80%accuracy in predicting severe cases.
基金supported by 1RO1EY032959-01 from NIHSchuellein Chair Endowment FundSTEM Catalyst Grant from the University of Dayton(all to AS)。
文摘Infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV2)virus,responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,induces symptoms including increased inflammatory response,severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS),cognitive dysfunction like brain fog,and cardiovascular defects.Long-term effects of SARS-CoV2 COVID-19 syndrome referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome on age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease remain understudied.Using the targeted misexpression of individual SARS-CoV2 proteins in the retinal neurons of the Drosophila melanogaster eye,we found that misexpression of nonstructural protein 3(Nsp3),a papain-like protease,ablates the eye and generates dark necrotic spots.Targeted misexpression of Nsp3 in the eye triggers reactive oxygen species production and leads to apoptosis as shown by cell death reporters,terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)dUTP Nick-end labeling(TUNEL)assay,and dihydroethidium staining.Furthermore,Nsp3 misexpression activates both apoptosis and autophagy mechanism(s)to regulate tissue homeostasis.Transient expression of SARS-CoV2 Nsp3 in murine neuroblastoma,Neuro-2a cells,significantly reduced the metabolic activity of these cells and triggers cell death.Misexpression of SARS-CoV2 Nsp3 in an Alzheimer's disease transgenic fly eye model(glass multiple repeats[GMR]>amyloidβ42)further enhances the neurodegenerative rough eye phenotype due to increased cell death.These findings suggest that SARS-CoV2 utilizes Nsp3 protein to potentiate cell death response in a neurodegenerative disease background that has high pre-existing levels of neuroinflammation and cell death.
文摘Introduction: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination has been proposed in several countries as the main preventive measure despite very limited data, particularly in dialysis patients. We conducted this study to assess the immunological response to vaccination in Senegalese hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective study, in two dialysis centers in Dakar from March 30<sup>th</sup> to August 30<sup>th</sup>, 2021 including patients on hemodialysis for >6 months, vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 according to the vaccination schedule recommended by WHO. A vaccine response was considered positive when seroconversion was observed after one dose of vaccine. The clinical efficacy of immunization was defined as the absence of new COVID-19 infection in patients who received a complete vaccination. Results: Among the 81 patients included in the study, 7.4% had anti-Spike IgM antibodies before their first vaccination. Seroprevalence of IgM antibodies was 38.3% one month after the first vaccine dose (at M1) and 8.6% one month after the second dose (at M4). Anti-Spike IgG antibodies were present in 40.3% of patients before vaccination, in 90.1% at M1, and in 59.7% at M4. Among patients previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, 10.2% had IgM antibodies at M0, 31.6% at M1, and 10.5% at M4 post-vaccination. Similarly, seroprevalences of IgG antibodies in this subgroup were 31.5%, 61.3%, and 50.0% respectively at M0, M1, and M4 post-vaccination. A comparison of seroconversion rates between M0 and M4 showed significant differences only for IgG in COVID-19 naive patients. Mean duration in dialysis and the existence of previous COVID-19 infection were associated with patients’ vaccinal response after the two doses. Age, gender and the use of immunosuppressive treatment did not influence post-vaccinal antibody production. Conclusion: Vaccination against COVID-19 in Senegalese hemodialysis patients induced a low seroconversion rate but it was well tolerated. Moreover, the induced protection was neither st
文摘Obesity and type 2 diabetes are among the most important risk factors for severe coronavirus disease-19. Some studies have suggested that the use of insulin as a therapeutic agent to treat hyperglycemia and the metabolic abnormalities associated with type 2 diabetes during the acute phase of severe coronavirus disease-19 could have a negative impact on the disease’s progression;however, there is no consensus on this issue. Here, we performed a systematic review in an attempt to answer this important question. We included 29 articles published from December 2019 to August 2023, which reported the outcomes of 3,070,657 patients with severe coronavirus disease-19 that had the diagnosis of diabetes and were treated with either insulin or other glucose-reducing agents. The results show that using insulin as a pharmacological intervention to treat type 2 diabetes in patients with severe coronavirus disease-19 increases the likelihood of mortality by 193%.
文摘Context: COVID-19 can spread rapidly in haemodialysis centres, leading to fatal outcomes. Implementing physical measures is crucial in limiting the spread of infection. Aims: To assess adherence to physical measures against SARS-Cov2 in haemodialysis patients. Methods and Material: From 13 to 19 July 2021, we administered the questionnaire to haemodialysis patients during or immediately after the dialysis session. The dependent variables were adherence to wearing masks, hand washing outside the dialysis centre, social distancing of at least 1.5 meters, and cough and sneeze hygiene. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using Epi info software;descriptive statistics were presented as mean, headcount, and percentage;related factors were determined by multi-logistic regression. The significance level was 5%. The Health Research Ethics Committee approved the research protocol. Results: 142 patients were included (mean age: 42.5 ± 14 years). Wearing masks, hand-washing, social distancing, and coughing and sneezing hygiene were observed by 88%, 75%, 47%, and 60% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: Wearing masks was the most respected physical measure, while social distancing was the least respected.
文摘Introduction: Covid-19 is a systemic disease that can spread to all systems. Among the gastrointestinal manifestations, pancreatic involvement can have a major prognostic impact. We report 3 acute pancreatitis cases occurring during Covid-19, in Dakar. Case 1: 65-year-old woman who presented with intense atypical epigastric pain. Physical examination revealed obesity, high blood pressure and abdominal tenderness. Biological tests found increase CRP (134 mg/l) and lipasemia (312 UI/l). Abdominal CT scan showed findings of Balthazar grade C acute pancreatitis. RT-PCR for SARS CoV 2 RT-PCR was positive. The outcome was favorable. Case 2: 56-year-old woman patient with history of nephroangiosclerosis who presented with dyspnea, cough, fever and moderate epigastric pain. Physical examination revealed epigastric tenderness, high blood pressure, anuria. Biological testing, noted increase CRP (96 mg/l), lipasemia (793 UI/l), creatinine (227 mg/l) and urea (3.84 g/l). Abdominal CT scan showed acute edematous pancreatitis findings. SARS CoV 2 RT PCR was positive. The outcome was favorable. Case 3: 27-year-old man who presented with physical asthenia, headache, and epigastric pain. Physical examination found epigastric tenderness. Elevated CRP level was of 102 mg/l and lipasemia level was of 427 UI/l (7N). Abdominal CT scan showed acute edematous pancreatitis findings. SARS CoV 2 RT PCR was positive. The outcome was favorable. Conclusion: Acute pancreatitis can occur during Covid-19 infection. However, the imputability to the Covid-19 disease necessitates to rule out the most common causes.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> The prevalence of SARS-COV2 in Libya is unclear;PCR is still under-performed. Although lockdown measures have been in place for weeks, there is no prevalence data to support the gradual lifting of such lockdowns. SARS-COV2 IgM/IgG is emerging as potential alternatives to PCR testing, and many counties and towns have undertaken such seroprevalence studies. <strong>Objective:</strong> Prevalence of SARS-COV2 in Misrata, Libya amongst the population as a whole. <strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> The study was prospective, cross-sectional, population-based, and age-stratified, to assess SARS-COV2 IgM/IgG in the population of Misrata. It was carried out between the 18th and 21st of April, 2020. <strong>Results: </strong>A representative sample of 897 participants was tested for SARS-COV2 IgM/IgG antibodies. 30 participants were positive for IgM or IgG indicating a prevalence of 3.4% (95% CI, 2.8% - 5.2%), with eight (0.9%) IgM positive and 22 (2.4%) IgG positive. Accordingly, 9075 (95% CI, 6586 - 14,170) people are estimated to have had a current or recent COVID-19 infection, symptomatic or asymptomatic. <strong>Conclusion and Recommendations:</strong> Serological testing as a diagnostic or surveillance tool may uncover a large proportion of asymptomatic individuals in the community, far outnumbering PCR. The authors highly recommend further precautionary public measures, as well as an ongoing surveillance programme to monitor the epidemiological trends of the disease in the city of Misrata and Libya in general.
文摘COVID-19 disease is a global pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) that mainly presents with pneumonia, but has variable multi-systemic manifestations. Concomitant bacterial infections associated with the acute stage of COVID-19 disease have been rarely reported in the literature. However, to our knowledge, post viral organizing pneumonia (OP) secondary to bacterial infection after recovery from SARS-CoV2 infection has not been noted before. We report a 27-year-old male patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus who presented with fever post recovery from COVID-19 disease for seven weeks and was found to have OP secondary to<em> Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>. Furthermore, the bronchoalveolar lavage was positive for SARS-CoV2 by RT-PCR despite multiple negative nasopharyngeal RT-PCR. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics only. Therefore, we conclude that early recognition of OP secondary to bacterial infection in patients with COVID-19 disease and prompt antibiotic treatment could avoid the use of a prolonged course of steroids.
文摘We examined the coronavirus classification and evolution through its multiple mutations that have increased its transmissibility rate up to 70% globally, threatening to undermine the promise of a number of emerging vaccines that primarily focus on the immune detection of the Spike trimer. The safety and effectiveness of different vaccination methods are evaluated and compared, including the mRNA version, the Adenovirus DNA, Spike protein subunits, the deactivated virus genres, and the live attenuated coronavirus. Mutations have been long considered as random events, or mistakes during the viral RNA replication. Usually, what can go wrong will go wrong;therefore, repeated transformations lead to the extinction of a virus. On the contrary, the aggregate result of over 300,000 Covid-19 variants has expanded its transmissibility and infectiousness. Covid-19 mutations do not degrade the virus;they empower and facilitate its disguise to evade detection. Unlike other coronaviruses, Covid-19 amino acid switches do not reflect the random unfolding of errors that eventually eradicate the virus. Covid-19 appears to use mutations adaptively in the service of its survival and expansion. We cite evidence that Covid-19 inhibits the interferon type I production, compromising adaptive immunity from recognizing the virus. The deleterious consequences of the cytokine storm where the CD8+ killer cells injure the vital organs of the host may well be a Covid-19 manoeuvring to escape exposure. It is probable that evolution has programmed Covid-19 with an adeptness designed to debilitate key systemic defences to secure its subsistence. To date the infectiousness of the Covid-19 pandemic is exponentially increasing, denoting the possibility of an even more dangerously elusive, inconspicuous, and sophisticated version of the disease.
文摘目的应用文献计量学工具探讨肾素血管紧张素系统(RAS)与肠道菌群(GM)的联系,挖掘本领域内最重要和新颖的文章,并客观总结该领域内的研究热点。方法在Web of Science(WoS)数据库中收集2014~2022年所有关于RAS和GM相关的文献。使用CiteSpace和VOSviewer等工具对收集的文献进行计量学分析。结果2014~2022年期间,共有62个国家(地区)、910个机构、2599名作者参与了464篇文章的撰写。这些文章被发表在255本期刊上。共现次数大于10次的参考文献共有176篇。近年来,在GM与RAS领域内,相关研究数量呈上升趋势,逐渐成为研究热点。美国是发文量最多的国家,且较早参与该领域研究。Hsu、Tain、Raizada、Yang等人在本领域内为权威性作者。心血管期刊、生化与分子生物学期刊和营养学期刊是纳入本领域文章最多的期刊。该领域内出现次数最多的关键词包括高血压、新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV2)、膳食纤维、疾病和健康的发育起源、三甲胺氧化物、慢性肾脏病和炎症等。结论应用文献计量学工具归纳出的本领域研究热点包括RAS与GM之间的联系、RAS与SARS-CoV2相互影响、疾病和健康的发育起源、抗高血压肽和高盐饮食等。
文摘Introduction: We report an eight-case series of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Methods: Children who tested positive for COVID-19, met the MIS-C criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), and were <span style="font-family: ">hospitalized at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh from September to December 2021 were identified and their clinical data reviewed. Results: The age at diagnosis is <span style="font-family: ">between 4 to 13 years old. Fever, decreased oral intake, gastroenteritis, and abdominal pain were the most common symptoms. All cases showed hyperinflammation with high C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ferritin levels, and deranged coagulation profiles. Most of the cases had elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (75%) and troponin (100%) levels. However, two cases had cardiovascular involvement. Two patients presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome and required mechanical ventilation. The mean hospital stay was 13.1 days, with seven patients initially requiring intensive care management for ionotropic support. Most cases required broad-spectrum antibiotics, intravenous steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and aspirin. All patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital in good clinical condition. Conclusion: Children with COVID-19 are at risk of developing MIS-C. Practitioners must have a high index of suspicion for its diagnosis and should start treatment as soon as possible to prevent unfavorable outcomes.
文摘Some manufactures made UVC LED Strip as disinfection tool against SARS-CoV2. Therefore, three types of commercially UVC lights were used to evaluate their efficiency to warp bacteria and viruses. We tested three commercially available UV lights devices. They were put at 4 to 5 cm to spiked sterile Petri dishes (samples) for 10, 20, 30, and 60 seconds and compared it to control (without UV light exposure). Also, the same three UV LED devices were used on Positive SARS-CoV2 swab samples (used for the Petri dishes). Serial dilutions of the cultured microbes were used for the experiment as follows: 1/10 (high concertation), 1/100, 1/1000, 1/10,000, 1/100,000 (low concertation). All three UV LED devices (DA, DB, DC) were found to have no effects on the pathogens (Bacteria or SARS-CoV2), even to the lowest Bacteria Concentration (1/100,000), when pathogens were exposed to UV radiation for 10, 20, 30, and 60 sec at distance a 4 to 5 cm. One of the manufacturers of these UVC lights (DB) claims that the device is very effective in killing Bacteria and Virus immediately at a 99.93% killing rate (in 20 sec.). This observation was not noticed. False claims may lead to severe spread of SARS-CoV2 as customers may think that the DB was disinfecting, after short exposure, while truly having no effect.
文摘There has been some extensive research investigating the effect of Far Ultraviolet Radiation (UVC) on SARS and MARS. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have not been any detailed experiments looking at the effect of UVC on COVID-19 (now is called SARS-CoV2). Many researchers in this field believe that UVC destroys SARS-CoV2 because it warps the genetic material of the virus hurdling the viral particles from reproduction. In this paper, we report the result of our novel experiments on the effect of UVC on SARS-CoV2 using a commercially available UVC source, <em>i.e.</em> Krypton Disinfection lighting CM15W12V Series (wavelength of 222 nm), which is sold and marketed for the disinfection of pathogens. The experiments were extended to study the effect of UVC exposure to Bacteria and Fungus. Our experiments show that UVC has no effects on SARS-CoV2 when it is close to the SARS-CoV2 culture plate (4 - 5 cm) or at a distance (2.0 to 2.9 m),<em> i.e.</em> when fixed at the ceiling. This observation is important as the public seems to have the impression that commercial UVC ceiling light can kill SARS-CoV2 while this study has proven the opposite. Moreover, it shows no effect even when the UVC ceiling light is radiating on SARS-CoV2 for overnight. This proves that the intensity of the UVC from these devices is relatively low. However, the UVC light is found to be effective in destroying Bacteria and Fungus (part of pathogens), substantially, in 30 sec, and completely kills them when it’s at 2.9 m (or less) away from them and exposure for one day. This indicates that the UVC light is effective for bacteria disinfection.
文摘In many outbreaks, patients and healthcare workers are particularly at risk from nosocomial infections as a result of non-effective disinfection methods. With increasing incidence of viral infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, in one hand, and the increase in the rate of antibiotic resistant bacteria associated with nosocomial infections in other hand, there is a need to design novel engineering tools for inactivation of nosocomial pathogens. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is considered as a promising method to inactivate bacteria and viruses. This paper presents UV-C Based disinfection tools monitored by mobile application, designed for hospital and Epidemic Treatment Center. The evolution of the irradiation intensity over time w</span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">as</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""> evaluated, and the theorical disinfection duration for several nosocomial pathogens </span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">was </span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">determined. In the case of SARS-CoV2, less than 12 minutes were needed to achieve 99.99% viral reduction in a room of 36 sqm.
