scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 genome-based severity predictions correspond to lower qPCR values and higher viral load

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Skarzynski ◽  
Erin M McAuley ◽  
Ezekiel J Maier ◽  
Anthony C Fries ◽  
Jameson D Voss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Cycle Threshold ◽  
Predictive Algorithm ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Severity Prediction ◽  
Diagnostic Values ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Impact

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has demonstrated the importance of predicting, identifying, and tracking mutations throughout a pandemic event. As the COVID-19 global pandemic surpassed one year, several variants had emerged resulting in increased severity and transmissibility. In order to reduce the impact on human life, it is critical to rapidly identify which genetic variants result in increased virulence or transmission. To address the former, we evaluated if a genome-based predictive algorithm designed to predict clinical severity could predict polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results, as a surrogate for viral load and severity. Using a previously published algorithm, we compared the viral genome-based severity predictions to clinically-derived PCR-based viral load of 716 viral genomes. For those samples predicted to be severe (predicted severity score > 0.5), we observed an average cycle threshold (Ct) of 18.3, whereas those in in the mild category (severity prediction < 0.5) had an average Ct of 20.4 (P = 0.0017). We found a non-trivial correlation between predicted severity probability and cycle threshold (r = -0.199). Additionally, when divided into quartiles by prediction severity probability, the most probable quartile (≥75% probability) had a Ct of 16.6 (n=10) as compared to those least probable to be severe (<25%) of 21.4 (n=350) (P = 0.0045). Taken together, our results suggest that the severity predicted by a genome-based algorithm can be related to the metrics from the clinical diagnostic test, and that relative severity may be inferred from diagnostic values.

scholarly journals Happiness and Satisfaction after 1 Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-123
Author(s):  
Diena Dwidienawati ◽  
David Tjahjana ◽  
Dyah Gandasari ◽  
M. Faisal
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Satisfaction Scale ◽  
Life Scale ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Impact

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is on human health and other aspects of human life. The government's most common action to prevent the spread of the infection is mobility restriction. The implication of this mobility restriction is the limitation of social activities can be done. Mobility restriction was implemented in Jakarta and its surrounding cities and impacted more than 20 million people. The previous study showed that mobility restriction impacted people's happiness and life satisfaction. After one year of COVID-19 measure implementation, is the adaption effect applied? This study aims to see whether, after one year of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are starting to adapt, and their well-being level is improving compared to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was conducted in February - March 2021. Happiness and satisfaction with life were measured using the Subjective Happiness Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale. The reliability and validity of measures were analyzed with SPSS. The study reveals that the participant's happiness level was only slightly happy, and the level of satisfaction was only slightly satisfied. The participants claim that their happiness has deteriorated during mobility restriction (58%). Fifty-eight percent felt their satisfaction has deteriorated. The student's group is shown as the most impacted group in their happiness and life satisfaction scale.

scholarly journals Playing with FiRE: A genome resolved view of the soil microbiome responses to high severity forest wildfire

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia R Nelson ◽  
Adrienne B Narrowe ◽  
Charles C Rhoades ◽  
Timothy S Fegel ◽  
Rebecca A Daly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marker Gene ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Soil Microbiome ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Metabolomics Data ◽  
High Severity ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Restoration Strategies ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Impact

Warming climate has increased the frequency and size of high severity wildfires in the western United States, with deleterious impacts on forest ecosystem resilience. Although forest soil microbiomes provide a myriad of ecosystem functions, little is known regarding the impact of high severity fire on microbially-mediated processes. Here, we characterized functional shifts in the soil microbiome (bacterial, fungal, and viral) across wildfire burn severity gradients one year post-fire in coniferous forests (Colorado and Wyoming, USA). We generated the Fire Responding Ecogenomic database (FiRE-db), consisting of 637 metagenome-assembled bacterial genomes, 2490 viral populations, and 2 fungal genomes complemented by 12 metatranscriptomes from soils affected by low and high-severity, and complementary marker gene sequencing and metabolomics data. Actinobacteria dominated the fraction of enriched and active taxa across burned soils. Taxa within surficial soils impacted by high severity wildfire exhibited traits including heat resistance, sporulation and fast growth that enhanced post-fire survival. Carbon cycling within this system was predicted to be influenced by microbial processing of pyrogenic compounds and turnover of dominant bacterial community members by abundant viruses. These genome-resolved analyses across trophic levels reveal the complexity of post-fire soil microbiome activity and offer opportunities for restoration strategies that specifically target these communities.

scholarly journals DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL ECONOMIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF PANDEMICS

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
Tetiana Melnyk ◽  
Nataliia Mazaraki ◽  
Kateryna Pugachevska
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
World Economy ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
The World ◽  
One Year ◽  
National Economies ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
The Impact

Among many global problems of mankind, a special place is occupied by the phenomenon of pandemics. A pandemic has been one of the constant companions of human existence since ancient times. This is evidenced by both the texts of religious and mythological orientation, and recorded events in historical life. Pandemic is always an emergency that threatens the very existence of humanity. Various circumstances are heard as the causes of pandemics: sacred (violation of divine laws), domestic (unsanitary conditions of existence), civilizational (technocratic human intervention in the environment), political, economic, etc. The purpose of this article is to study the effects of pandemics that have occurred in different historical periods and their impact on the development of society and the economy. Based on this goal, the objectives of the article are to study the world economy in a pandemic COVID-19; to analyse the trends and forecasts of its further development, including Ukrainian economy; to offer an assessment of the main opportunities and risks of the functioning of Ukraine’s economy in quarantine. This article reveals the theoretical and practical principles of the pandemics impact on global economic development. The result of the article is the statistical analysis of pandemic impact on the world economy, which leads to the rupture of economic chains and slowing down the economic and social development for several months or even up to one year. As a conclusion it may be noted, that since periodic pandemics have become an integral part of human life, no country in the world is safe from their direct or indirect impact and, as a result, countries must be economically ready to provide strict measures according to the formula “combating the epidemic – minimizing the negative effects in the short, medium- and long-term periods”. Practical implications. The main theoretical propositions, the authors’ conclusions presented in the article, are supposed to form a methodological basis in substantiating the priorities of the state support of business in conditions of pandemic and quarantine restrictions. Value/originality. The proposed results can be used for modeling and forecasting the impact of quarantine restrictions on the economic development of countries.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in hospitalized patients and healthcare workers: what have changed after the first wave in a university hospital

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Moreira ◽  
Gabriela Rodrigues Barbosa ◽  
Luciano Kleber de Souza Luna ◽  
Alberto Fernando Oliveira Justo ◽  
Ana Paula Cunha Chaves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Cycle Threshold ◽  
Ct Value ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract ObjectiveTo assess the COVID-19 frequency rates in hospitalized patients (HP) and healthcare workers (HCW), viral load inference, and the impact of vaccination and variants of concern (VOC) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and methodWe evaluated the COVID-19 diagnostics at Hospital São Paulo, Brazil, from March 2020 to April 2021, in 10,202 samples (6,502 HP and 3,700 HCW) tested by RT-qPCR, inferring viral load by cycle threshold (Ct) values, and frequency rates.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 was detected in 31.27% of individuals (32.23% HP and 29.80% HCW). The mean age of HP positives was 57.26 ± 18.29 years (median = 59), with a mean Ct value of 25.55 ± 6.07. Neither age nor Ct values in both groups have significantly differed during the first and second waves or even since the predominance of VOC P.1 on March 2021.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 epidemic curves of HP and HCW accompanied the variations reported in São Paulo city, as well as the variation of hospitalization and occupancy of ICU beds. The VOC P.1 has no impact on the viral load, since its predominance in March 2021. The vaccination of HCW may have contributed to a decrease in the positivity rates, although more studies will provide a better understanding of the impact of immunization on the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Misinterpretation of viral load in COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renan Lyra Miranda ◽  
Alexandro Guterres ◽  
Carlos Henrique de Azeredo Lima ◽  
Paulo Niemeyer Filho ◽  
Mônica R. Gadelha
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Biological Samples ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Tracheal Aspirate ◽  
Cycle Threshold ◽  
Viral Load Data ◽  
The Impact

AbstractKnowledge of viral load is essential for formulating strategies for antiviral treatment, vaccination, and epidemiological control of COVID-19. Moreover, patients identification with high viral load could also be useful to understand risk factors such as age, comorbidities, severity of symptoms and hypoxia to decide the need for hospitalization. Several studies are evaluating the importance of analyzing viral load in different types of samples, clinical outcomes and viral transmission pathways. However, in a great number of emerging studies cycle threshold (Ct) values by itself is often used as a viral load indicator, which may be a mistake. In this study, we compared tracheal aspirate with nasopharyngeal samples obtained from critically ill COVID-19 patients and demonstrate how the raw Ct could lead to misinterpretation of results. Further, we analyzed nasopharyngeal swabs positive samples and propose a method to reduce evaluation error that could occur from using raw Ct. Based on these findings, we show the impact that normalization of Ct values has on interpretation of viral load data from different biological samples from patients with COVID-19, transmission and lastly in relations with clinical outcomes.ImportanceIn a pandemic, prevention of disease transmission is key. Reliable data for profiles of viral load are needed and important to guide antiviral treatment, infection control and vaccination. The differential expression of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA among patient groups is a current topic of interest and viral load has been associated with a diversity of outcomes. However, in a great number of emerging studies cycle threshold (Ct) values by itself is often used as a viral load indicator, which may be a mistake. In this study, we compared tracheal aspirate with nasopharyngeal samples obtained from critically ill COVID-19 patients and demonstrate how the raw Ct could lead to misinterpretation of results. Based on these findings, we show the impact that normalization of Ct values has on interpretation of viral load data from different biological samples from patients with COVID-19, transmission and lastly in relations with clinical outcomes.

Bleeding Classification in Clinical Trials: Observer Variability and Clinical Relevance

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (04) ◽  
pp. 1189-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne P Graafsma ◽  
Martin H Prins ◽  
Anthonie W A Lensing ◽  
Rob J de Haan ◽  
Menno V Huisman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Clinical Relevance ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Weighted Kappa ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Minor Bleeding ◽  
Recent Trial ◽  
Bleeding Episodes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Adjudication Committee

SummaryTo evaluate the bleeding classification in a recent trial on venous thrombosis treatment, a selection of reported bleeding episodes was adjudicated twice by an independent committee and graded by the treating physician and independent clinical experts on the clinical severity and impact on the patient’s life.The kappa values for the dichotomy major bleeding versus minor or no bleeding were 0.79 (95% CI, 0.57-1.0) for the agreement between the two members of the adjudication committee and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.52-1.0) for the agreement between both adjudication sessions. The kappa values for the dichotomy major or minor bleeding versus no bleeding were 0.42 and 0.44. The weighted kappa values for the agreement between the treating physician and the independent experts were 0.76 for the Clinical severity and 0.79 for the impact on the patient’s life (95% CI, 0.63-0.88 and 0.70-0.89). The association between the adjudication result expressed as major bleeding or minor or no bleeding and the Clinical grading by the treating physician resulted in an ROC curve with an area under the curve of 0.98 for the Clinical severity and 0.99 for the impact on the patient’s life. The dichotomy major or minor bleeding versus no bleeding resulted in areas under the curve of 0.70 and 0.66.In conCIusion, the applied criteria for major bleeding are reproducible and Clinically relevant. The criteria for minor bleeding are not reproducible and are less associated with the observed Clinical relevance.

Forms of physical activity of the elderly

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-228
Author(s):  
Piotr Czarnecki ◽  
◽  
Justyna Podgórska-Bednarz ◽  
Lidia Perenc ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Good Health ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Polish Society ◽  
Central Statistical ◽  
Key Phrases ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. Physical activity is known to be an important factor influencing health throughout human life. This issue has become crucial for public health due to the aging of the population in both developed and developing countries. Aim. is to present a literature review on the forms of physical activity undertaken by the elderly, as well as on issues related to physical activity and the population aging. Material and methods. The study was prepared on the basis of a review of Polish and foreign literature. The following databases and data sources were used: EBSCO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. An additional source of data were the websites of the Central Statistical Office. Strictly defined key phrases were used during the collection of literature. The work has been divided into thematic subsections on the aging of the society, the impact of physical activity on health and the main topic, i.e. forms of physical activity selected by the elderly. Analysis of the literature. The number of elderly people in Polish society has increased by almost 3.7 million over three decades. Therefore, an important topic is prophylaxis aimed at increasing the number of days in good health, largely covering the broadly understood activation of the elderly. The available data indicate that only 12% of elderly people undertake physical activity once a week. The most common form of spending free time actively is walking (as many as 73% of people in this population declare this form of physical activity in one of the presented studies). Conclusion. Organized forms of physical activity are undertaken much less frequently by the analyzed age group mainly due to financial limitations and limited availability of sports infrastructure.

The Status of Mind and Intellect in Digital Environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-143
Author(s):  
Elena I. Yaroslavtseva
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Natural Material ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Connection To Nature ◽  
Digital World ◽  
The Status ◽  
Natural Foundation ◽  
The Impact

The article examines the impact of digitalization on human life and intellectual experience. The development of computer technology demands an understanding of new aspects of human development and requires a capability to overcome not only external conditions but also ourselves. Entering a new level of development cannot imply a complete rejection of previous dispositions, but should be accompanied by reflection on personal experience and by the quest for new forms of interaction in society and with nature. Communicative and cognitive activity of a person has an ontological basis and relies on processes that actually evolve in nature. Therefore, the creation of new objects is always associated with the properties of natural material and gives rise to new points of support in the development of man. The more audacious his projects, the more important it is to preserve this connection to nature. It is always the human being who turns out to be the initiator who knows how to solve problems. The conformity of complex technical systems to nature is not only a goal but also a value of meaningful construction of development perspectives. The key to the nature orientation of the modern digital world is the human being himself, who keeps all the secrets of the culture of his natural development. Therefore, the proposed by the Russian philosopher V.S. Stepin post-non-classical approach, based on the principle of “human-sizedness,” is an important contribution to contemporary research because it draws attention to the “human – machine” communication, to the relationship between a person and technological systems he created. The article concludes that during digital transformation, a cultural conflict arises: in an effort to solve the problems of the future, a person equips his life with devices that are designed to support him, to expand his functionality, but at the same time, the boundaries of humanity become dissolved and the forms of human activity undergo simplification. Transhumanism engages society in the fight against fears of vulnerability and memory loss and ignores the flexibility and sustainability of natural foundation.

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