scholarly journals The second wave: estimating the hidden asymptomatic prevalence of COVID-19 in Ireland as we plan for imminent immunisation

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Catherine Comiskey ◽  
Anne Snel ◽  
Prakashini Banka
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
First Case ◽  
Total Prevalence ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Back Calculation ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals

Since the first case of COVID-19 in Ireland was recorded policy makers have introduced mitigation measures to control the spread of infection. Infection is spread by both known cases and hidden, undetected asymptomatic cases.  Asymptomatic individuals are people who transmit the virus but display no clinical symptoms. Current evidence reveals that this population is a major contributing factor to the spread of the disease. There is little or no knowledge of the scale of the hidden prevalence of all infections both asymptomatic and symptomatic in Ireland. Furthermore, as governments plan for the roll out of imminent immunisation programmes, the need to know the scale of the hidden prevalence and hence knowledge of the level of immunisation required is essential. We describe and analyse the numbers of reported cases of COVID-19 in Ireland from the first case in February 2020 to mid-December 2020. Using the method of back-calculation we provide estimates of the asymptomatic prevalence of cases from June to December 2020. The descriptive analysis highlighted two epidemic waves of known cases in the time period. Wave two from June to December included twice as many cases as wave one and cases were significantly younger. The back-calculation estimates of asymptomatic prevalence during this time period revealed that for every case known there was an additional unknown case and total prevalence in wave two was estimated to be approximately 95,000 as opposed to the reported 48,390 cases. As prevalence in wave two is known to be spreading within and from younger age groups the role of mixing patterns on spread needs to be disseminated to the wider public to adequately inform them how personal modifications in behaviour can contribute to the control of the epidemic. While universally imposed lockdowns and mitigation measures may be essential, personal behavioural mixing choices are powerful protectors.

A Longitudinal Study of Atlanto-Dens Relationships in Asymptomatic Individuals with Down Syndrome

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 1194-1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siegfried M. Pueschel ◽  
Francis H. Scola ◽  
John C. Pezzullo
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Atlantoaxial Instability ◽  
History Of ◽  
Child Development Center ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Development Center ◽  
Over Time

This study was designed to investigate the natural history of atlantoaxial instability in individuals with Down syndrome and to determine whether significant changes in C1-C2 relationship are taking place over time. Although more than 400 patients with Down syndrome who are presently followed at the Child Development Center had cervical spine radiographic examinations in the past, only 141 patients who had serial radiological examinations and whose radiographs were available for reevaluation participated in this study. The results of our investigations revealed that there were only minor changes (1 to 1.5 mm) of atlanto-dens interval measurements over time in 130 (92%) patients with Down syndrome. Eleven patients (8%) had changes of atlanto-dens interval measurements between 2 and 4 mm over time; however, none of these patients had any clinical symptoms. The analyses of data obtained from several subgroups (males and females, various age groups, and patients with and without atlantoaxial instability) did not show any significant changes of atlanto-dens interval measurements of successively obtained radiographs. Our recommendations for and rationale of routine screening for atlantoaxial instability and follow-up examinations are discussed in detail.

scholarly journals Prevalence and factors related to infection and mortality due to COVID-19 among patients of Shohada Ghaen Hospital, Ghaen, Iran, 2020

2021 ◽  
pp. 375-384
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
First Case

Background and Aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging disease, whose first case was reported in December 2019, and rapidly affected the world. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the frequency and factors associated with morbidity and mortality due to COVID -19 in Ghaen, Iran. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive-analytical study used the information sources of the portal of Shohada Ghaen Hospital, Gaen, Iran, from March 2020 to December 2021, which was collected from 1,124 patients with suspected respiratory infection referring to the hospital. Data using Chi-square and Fisher's exact test for univariate relationships. Moreover, two-way logistic regression was used to investigate the causal relationships, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In this study, the mean age of participants (n=1,124) was obtained at 51.6±24.5 years, and 546 (48.6%) subjects had a positive COVID-19 test by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, among whom 65 (11.9%) cases passed away. Clinical symptoms of body aches, coughs, diarrhea, and shortness of breath were associated with a positive COVID-19 test. It was also revealed that habitat, diabetes, cardiovascular and lung diseases, age, and job were risk factors of COVID-19 infection, and hospitalization in the ICU and age were identified as risk factors for COVID-19-caused death (P<0.05). Conclusion: In the present study, cough and shortness of breath were found to be the most frequent symptoms among patients and deceased individuals. Since these symptoms may be associated with a worse prognosis, they require the special attention of medical staff. The findings of this study also showed that the elderly were more at risk of death from this disease than other age groups, which increased the need for more education and attention to this group of society.

scholarly journals Characteristics of the Herd Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in Residents of the Saratov Region under COVID-19 Epidemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 106-116
Author(s):  
A. Yu. Popova ◽  
E. B. Ezhlova ◽  
A. A. Mel’nikova ◽  
V. V. Kutyrev ◽  
O. I. Kozhanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Maximum Increase ◽  
Scientific Center ◽  
Saratov Region ◽  
Infected People ◽  
First Case ◽  
Coronavirus Infection

The global community is experiencing one of the largest infectious disease outbreaks in the 21st century. In the Saratov Region, the first case of new coronavirus infection was confirmed on March 19, 2020.The maximum increase in cases was noted between May 15 and June 30, during that time the total number of infected people in the region increased from 1526 to 6444. Since July 2020, a stable incidence level of new coronavirus infection has been observed in the Saratov Region, without a steady decline.The aim of the study was to assess the status of population immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus among residents of Saratov and the Saratov Region under the COVID-19 epidemic.Materials and methods. In the period from June 23 to July 26, 2020, a serological study of blood samples from 3372 volunteers of different age groups was conducted. The content of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was determined by ELISA using a set of reagents “ELISA anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG” produced by the State Scientific Center of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology of the Rospotrebnadzor (Russia).Results and discussion. In general, the incidence of COVID-19 in the Saratov Region is taking place against the background of moderate seroprevalence to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, accompanied by a high incidence of non-apparent (asymptomatic) forms of the infectious process. The absence of clinical symptoms of the disease, in the context of the limited use of methods for determining the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in PCR (11 % of the region’s population) makes it difficult to assess the real spread of the virus in the population and to establish the timing of the formation of persistent herd immunity. A low rate of antibody response among individuals with a positive result of PCR analysis, as well as among volunteers who had an infection in May, June 2020, indicates a weak formation of the immune response, or the prevalence of individuals reacting mainly by activating the cellular link of the immune system in the population. The obtained results, although they need to be explained in a number of respects, can be applied to the organization of preventive measures, including vaccination, in the region. 

scholarly journals Pervasiveness and Epidemiological Profile of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among the Population of Majha Region of Punjab,India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harsimrat Kaur ◽  
Ravinder Singh ◽  
Kanwardeep Singh ◽  
Savjot Kaur ◽  
Mohan Jairath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
Medical College ◽  
First Case ◽  
Percent Positivity ◽  
Positivity Ratio ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Epidemiological Profile ◽  
The Individual

Introduction: There are many types of coronaviruses that causes respiratory and intestinal infection in humans. Among these coronaviruses, is a group of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like bat coronavirus, including both SARS-CoV and SARS-Cov-2 that comprise a unique clade under the subgenus Sarbecovirus. The SARS-CoV-2 strains in India are more closely related to bat-CoVRaTG13 (93% homology) than pangolin CoV (83.5% homology). India reported its first case of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) on January 30, 2020. Punjab, a state in northwestern India comprises of 22 districts which are classified into three major distinct regions viz. Majha, Malwa and Doaba. Four districts of Majha region of Indian state of Punjab are Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Pathankot. Aim: The present study describes the SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology based on samples tested for this virus; received at Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), Government Medical College, Amritsar-Punjab, India. Materials and Methods: This epidemiological study was designed taking into consideration three main factors i.e. the gender, the age groups and the factor whether the individual has any symptoms or not. To study their context of applicability and its interpretation, a total of 3,47,418 samples from period of 01st April 2020 to 31st October 2020 were included in this study. Ribonucleic Acid amplification by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs of all individuals revealed confirmation of 17,920 positive samples. Total 2,29,310 males and 1,18,108 females were tested for the COVID-19 infection. Social science statistics online tool (https://www.socscistatistics.com/tests/) was used for χ2 test to analyse different parameters. Results: Maximum number of COVID-19 positive patients was detected in 21 to 30 years age group (p<0.05). Highest positivity ratio of samples was observed in individuals exceeding the age of 50 years. Number of asymptomatic individuals was found to be quite higher than symptomatic individuals in total population. Overall percent positivity of asymptomatic individuals was 4.81% (p<0.00001), which accounts to 4.71% of total number of tested individuals in this study. Conclusion: COVID-19 is an evolving disease and data from this study elucidates the epidemiological profile of the SARS-CoV-2 infection among population of Majha region of Punjab state of Indian subcontinent.

The Tempo and mode(S) of Prebiotic Evolution

1997 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 419-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Lazcano
Keyword(s):  
Origin Of Life ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Biological Evolution ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Early Diversification ◽  
Time Period ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
History Of ◽  
Widespread Phenomenon ◽  
The Origin Of Life

AbstractDifferent current ideas on the origin of life are critically examined. Comparison of the now fashionable FeS/H2S pyrite-based autotrophic theory of the origin of life with the heterotrophic viewpoint suggest that the later is still the most fertile explanation for the emergence of life. However, the theory of chemical evolution and heterotrophic origins of life requires major updating, which should include the abandonment of the idea that the appearance of life was a slow process involving billions of years. Stability of organic compounds and the genetics of bacteria suggest that the origin and early diversification of life took place in a time period of the order of 10 million years. Current evidence suggest that the abiotic synthesis of organic compounds may be a widespread phenomenon in the Galaxy and may have a deterministic nature. However, the history of the biosphere does not exhibits any obvious trend towards greater complexity or «higher» forms of life. Therefore, the role of contingency in biological evolution should not be understimated in the discussions of the possibilities of life in the Universe.

TBE in Lithuania

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Encephalitis ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Shoulder Girdle ◽  
Muscle Paralysis ◽  
First Case ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽  
Autopsy Data ◽  
Forest Worker ◽  
Girdle Muscle ◽  
Shoulder Girdle Muscle

The first case of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Lithuania, diagnosed by clinical and epidemiologic criteria only, was reported in 1953. A forest worker became ill with the disease in April after a tick bite, had a typical clinical presentation with shoulder girdle muscle paralysis and bulbar syndrome, and died after 12 days from the start of clinical symptoms. Autopsy data were compatible with viral encephalitis.1 Serological diagnosis of TBE in Lithuania was started in 1970.2

Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): A Narrative Review Based on Current Status

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rina Das ◽  
Dinesh Kumar Mehta ◽  
Meenakshi Dhanawat
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
First Case ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract:: A novel virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), appeared and expanded globally by the end of year in 2019 from Wuhan, China, causing severe acute respiratory syndrome. During its initial stage, the disease was called the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). It was named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 February 2020. The WHO declared worldwide the SARS-CoV-2 virus a pandemic on March 2020. On 30 January 2020 the first case of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in India. Now in current situation the virus is floating in almost every part of the province and rest of the globe. -: On the basis of novel published evidences, we efficiently summarized the reported work with reference to COVID-19 epidemiology, pathogen, clinical symptoms, treatment and prevention. Using several worldwide electronic scientific databases such as Pubmed, Medline, Embase, Science direct, Scopus, etc were utilized for extensive investigation of relevant literature. -: This review is written in the hope of encouraging the people successfully with the key learning points from the underway efforts to perceive and manage SARS-CoV-2, suggesting sailent points for expanding future research.

scholarly journals Microbiome and PCOS: State-of-Art and Future Aspects

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 2048
Author(s):  
Pierluigi Giampaolino ◽  
Virginia Foreste ◽  
Claudia Di Filippo ◽  
Alessandra Gallo ◽  
Antonio Mercorio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Bile Acid ◽  
Peptide Yy ◽  
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Fecal Transplant ◽  
Secondary Bile Acid ◽  
First Case

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and heterogeneous endocrine disease. The hypothesis that alterations in the microbiome are involved in the genesis of PCOS has been postulated. Aim of this review is to summarize the available literature data about the relationship between microbiome and PCOS. A search on PubMed and Medline databases was performed from inception to November 20Most of evidence has focused on the connection of intestinal bacteria with sex hormones and insulin-resistance: while in the first case, a relationship with hyperandrogenism has been described, although it is still unclear, in the second one, chronic low-grade inflammation by activating the immune system, with increased production of proinflammatory cytokines which interfere with insulin receptor function, causing IR (Insulin Resistance)/hyperinsulinemia has been described, as well as the role of gastrointestinal hormones like Ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY), bile acids, interleukin-22 and Bacteroides vulgatus have been highlighted. The lower genital tract microbiome would be affected by changes in PCOS patients too. The therapeutic opportunities include probiotic, prebiotics and synbiotics, as well as fecal microbiota transplantation and the use of IL-22, to date only in animal models, as a possible future drug. Current evidence has shown the involvement of the gut microbiome in PCOS, seen how humanized mice receiving a fecal transplant from women with PCOS develop ovarian dysfunction, immune changes and insulin resistance and how it is capable of disrupting the secondary bile acid biosynthesis. A future therapeutic approach for PCOS may involve the human administration of IL-22 and bile acid glycodeoxycholic acid.

Trends in Craniofacial Injuries Associated with the Introduction of Electric Scooter Sharing Services

FACE ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 273250162199244
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Boudiab ◽  
Thomas D. Zaikos ◽  
Christopher Issa ◽  
Kongkrit Chaiyasate ◽  
Stephen M. Lu
Keyword(s):  
Maxillofacial Surgery ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Injury Surveillance System ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Electric Scooter ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Trends Over Time ◽  
Patterns Of Injury ◽  
Craniofacial Fractures

Electric scooters are an increasingly common and convenient mode of transportation worldwide and have effectively revolutionized the shared micromobility industry. As electric scooter sharing companies have increased in popularity there has been a concomitant increase in the frequency of all electric scooter-related injuries. The purpose of this study is to describe the most up-to-date trends in craniofacial fractures and lacerations related to electric scooter use among all age groups. We queried the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for craniofacial fractures and lacerations related to e-scooters between 2010 and 2019. We then compared injury trends over time and between time periods before and after 2017 when electric scooter share apps revolutionized micromobility. We compared incidence of injury overall and by day of the week, patient demographics, and case severity based on clinical disposition. We identified an increase in the frequency of craniofacial lacerations and fractures in the 3 years following the introduction of electric scooter share services in 2017 (2017 and 2019), compared to the 3 years before this time (2014-2016). Young adults (18-39 years) were the age group with the greatest interval increase in craniofacial injuries. There was also an increase in number of craniofacial injuries occurring on Mondays and a decrease number occurring on Fridays in the later time period. Finally, patients who presented with electric scooter-related craniofacial injuries in this later time period showed a higher frequency of overnight observation and hospital admission for their injuries. The number of craniofacial injuries secondary to electric scooter use has increased dramatically since the introduction of share services. Craniofacial fractures and lacerations are a common reason for craniofacial or maxillofacial surgery consultation and understanding these patterns of injury will help prepare surgeons for patient care, preventative education, and public advocacy.

scholarly journals One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Galicia: A Global View of Age-Group Statistics during Three Waves

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5104
Author(s):  
Iván Area ◽  
Henrique Lorenzo ◽  
Pedro J. Marcos ◽  
Juan J. Nieto
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Nw Spain ◽  
The Past ◽  
Global View ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
One Year

In this work we look at the past in order to analyze four key variables after one year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Galicia (NW Spain): new infected, hospital admissions, intensive care unit admissions and deceased. The analysis is presented by age group, comparing at each stage the percentage of the corresponding group with its representation in the society. The time period analyzed covers 1 March 2020 to 1 April 2021, and includes the influence of the B.1.1.7 lineage of COVID-19 which in April 2021 was behind 90% of new cases in Galicia. It is numerically shown how the pandemic affects the age groups 80+, 70+ and 60+, and therefore we give information about how the vaccination process could be scheduled and hints at why the pandemic had different effects in different territories.

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