scholarly journals COVID-19 and Individual Genetic Susceptibility/Receptivity: Role of ACE1/ACE2 Genes, Immunity, Inflammation and Coagulation. Might the Double X-Chromosome in Females Be Protective against SARS-CoV-2 Compared to the Single X-Chromosome in Males?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donato Gemmati ◽  
Barbara Bramanti ◽  
Maria Luisa Serino ◽  
Paola Secchiero ◽  
Giorgio Zauli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
X Chromosome ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ras Pathway ◽  
The World ◽  
Thromboembolism Events ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Immune Related Genes ◽  
Transmembrane Serine Protease

In December 2019, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) from a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was recognized in the city of Wuhan, China. Rapidly, it became an epidemic in China and has now spread throughout the world reaching pandemic proportions. High mortality rates characterize SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19), which mainly affects the elderly, causing unrestrained cytokines-storm and subsequent pulmonary shutdown, also suspected micro thromboembolism events. At the present time, no specific and dedicated treatments, nor approved vaccines, are available, though very promising data come from the use of anti-inflammatory, anti-malaria, and anti-coagulant drugs. In addition, it seems that males are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 than females, with males 65% more likely to die from the infection than females. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Chinese scientists show that of all cases about 1.7% of women who contract the virus will die compared with 2.8% of men, and data from Hong Kong hospitals state that 32% of male and 15% of female COVID-19 patients required intensive care or died. On the other hand, the long-term fallout of coronavirus may be worse for women than for men due to social and psychosocial reasons. Regardless of sex- or gender-biased data obtained from WHO and those gathered from sometimes controversial scientific journals, some central points should be considered. Firstly, SARS-CoV-2 has a strong interaction with the human ACE2 receptor, which plays an essential role in cell entry together with transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2); it is interesting to note that the ACE2 gene lays on the X-chromosome, thus allowing females to be potentially heterozygous and differently assorted compared to men who are definitely hemizygous. Secondly, the higher ACE2 expression rate in females, though controversial, might ascribe them the worst prognosis, in contrast with worldwide epidemiological data. Finally, several genes involved in inflammation are located on the X-chromosome, which also contains high number of immune-related genes responsible for innate and adaptive immune responses to infection. Other genes, out from the RAS-pathway, might directly or indirectly impact on the ACE1/ACE2 balance by influencing its main actors (e.g., ABO locus, SRY, SOX3, ADAM17). Unexpectedly, the higher levels of ACE2 or ACE1/ACE2 rebalancing might improve the outcome of COVID-19 in both sexes by reducing inflammation, thrombosis, and death. Moreover, X-heterozygous females might also activate a mosaic advantage and show more pronounced sex-related differences resulting in a sex dimorphism, further favoring them in counteracting the progression of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals Characteristics of geriatric neurology patients treated at the central hospital of Sanglah Denpasar in 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 245
Author(s):  
Stephanie Elizabeth Gunawan ◽  
Anak Agung Ayu Putri Laksmidewi
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Elderly Person ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
World Health ◽  
Central Hospital ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an elderly person is someone who has entered the age of 60 years and above whose percentage tends to increase along with decreasing morbidity of the elderly. Geriatric Neurology itself is the study of a group of neurological diseases in the elderly. Based on 2012 data, the proportion of elderly population in Indonesia is 7.59%. This is accompanied by an increase in the dependency ratio of the productive age population to the non-productive age population. The results of the 2013 Basic Health Research showed an increase in the prevalence of neurological disease in the elderly which was the main cause of death in 15 regencies in 2011. It is to find out the 5 most neurological diseases in the elderly, clinical characteristics and outcomes of geriatric neurology patients treated at the Central Hospital of Sanglah.Methods: It is a retrospective study using no control by looking at medical records in geriatric neurology patients aged 60 years and over who visited the Central Hospital of Sanglah in the March to May 2019 period.Results: A total of 200 patients consisted of 111 men (55.5%) and 89 women (44.5%) who were divided into 5 most geriatric neurology diseases which included 1. ischemic stroke, 2. bleeding stroke, 3. brain tumor, 4. injury head, and 5. epilepsy. The number of deaths was 16, of which 7 cases were caused by sepsis and pneumonia.Conclusions: Stroke, tumors, head injuries and epilepsy are the dominant neurological diseases found. The focus of care and supervision of elderly neurology patients is expected to be further enhanced to prevent side effects that will extend the patient’s treatment period in the hospital which will automatically increase the burden on the hospital itself.

scholarly journals Exploring WHO Communication during the COVID 19 Pandemic through the WHO Website Based on W3C Guidelines: Accessible for All?

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5663
Author(s):  
Elena Fernández-Díaz ◽  
Patricia P. Iglesias-Sánchez ◽  
Carmen Jambrino-Maldonado
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Digital Version ◽  
Recommendations For Action ◽  
The World ◽  
Accessibility Guidelines ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Health Content

Health crisis situations generate greater attention and dependence on reliable and truthful information from citizens, especially from those organisations that represent authority on the subject, such as the World Health Organization (WHO). In times of global pandemics such as COVID-19, the WHO message “health for all” takes on great communicative importance, especially from the point of view of the prevention of the disease and recommendations for action. Therefore, any communication must be understandable and accessible by all types of people, regardless of their technology, language, culture or disability (physical or mental), according to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), taking on special relevance for public health content. This study analysed whether the WHO is accessible in its digital version for all groups of citizens according to the widely accepted standards in the field of the Internet. The conclusion reached was that not all the information is accessible in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1, which implies that there are groups that are, to some extent, left out, especially affecting the elderly. This study can contribute to the development of proposals and suggest ways in which to improve the accessibility of health content to groups especially vulnerable in this pandemic.

scholarly journals The Road to Healthy Ageing: What Has Indonesia Achieved So Far?

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3441
Author(s):  
Ray Wagiu Basrowi ◽  
Endang Mariani Rahayu ◽  
Levina Chandra Khoe ◽  
Erika Wasito ◽  
Tonny Sundjaya
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Aging Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
The Road ◽  
The World ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) has projected that the world should prepare for an aging society. As the fourth most populous country in the world, the elderly population in Indonesia is also continuously growing. In 2010, the proportion of the elderly group was merely 5%, and it is expected to increase to 11% in 2035. Understanding the current situation of the adult population in Indonesia would be crucial to prepare for the future aging population. This article analyzed the current socio-demographic status, nutrition status, nutrient intake, and health profile of the current Indonesian adult population through a literature review. The key issues to prepare for healthy aging in Indonesia are summarized. Acknowledging the profile of the adult and senior adult population in Indonesia will provide beneficial information for all stakeholders in preparing Indonesia for a better healthy aging population with improved quality of life.

scholarly journals Suicide attempts among the elderly in East Asia

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 707-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guk-Hee Suh ◽  
Lina Gega
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The World ◽  
The One ◽  
Health Organization

Among the one million suicide deaths worldwide each year, as many as 60% occur in Asia. The World Health Organization (WHO) found higher suicide rates among the elderly in rapidly industrialized Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore, compared to the corresponding rates of recently industrializing Asian countries like Vietnam and Sri Lanka (WHO, 2014). As a case in point, suicide rates in South Korea have been the highest in the world since 2003 and are rising especially among older people (Hong and Knapp, 2014). Suicide attempts and older age are strong predictors of completed suicide (Szanto et al., 2002; Simon et al., 2013) and, as such, are important in guiding our efforts for suicide prevention; however, most epidemiological studies focus on completed suicides across all ages rather than understanding the reasons behind suicide attempts in older populations.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Treatment: Drug Safety Prior to Conception and During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

2021 ◽  
Vol 81 (01) ◽  
pp. 46-60
Author(s):  
Marcelo Borges Cavalcante ◽  
Candice Torres de Melo Bezerra Cavalcante ◽  
Ana Catherine Sampaio Braga ◽  
Dennyse Araújo Andrade ◽  
Mariana Albuquerque Montenegro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
World Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn December 2019, a new viral respiratory infection known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first diagnosed in the city of Wuhan, China. COVID-19 quickly spread across the world, leading the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The disease is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a similar virus to those involved in other epidemics such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Epidemiological studies have shown that COVID-19 frequently affects young adults of reproductive age and that the elderly and patients with chronic disease have high mortality rates. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and breastfeeding. Most COVID-19 cases present with mild flu-like symptoms and only require treatment with symptomatic relief medications, whereas other cases with COVID-19 require treatment in an intensive care unit. There is currently no specific effective treatment for COVID-19. A large number of drugs are being used to fight infection by SARS-CoV-2. Experience with this therapeutic arsenal has been gained over the years in the treatment of other viral, autoimmune, parasitic, and bacterial diseases. Importantly, the search for an effective treatment for COVID-19 cannot expose pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 to the potential teratogenic risks of these drugs. Therefore, it is necessary to determine and understand the safety of anti-COVID-19 therapies prior to conception and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

scholarly journals The cross-national epidemiology of specific phobia in the World Mental Health Surveys

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1744-1760 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Wardenaar ◽  
C. C. W. Lim ◽  
A. O. Al-Hamzawi ◽  
J. Alonso ◽  
L. H. Andrade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Specific Phobia ◽  
World Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Cross National

BackgroundAlthough specific phobia is highly prevalent, associated with impairment, and an important risk factor for the development of other mental disorders, cross-national epidemiological data are scarce, especially from low- and middle-income countries. This paper presents epidemiological data from 22 low-, lower-middle-, upper-middle- and high-income countries.MethodData came from 25 representative population-based surveys conducted in 22 countries (2001–2011) as part of the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys initiative (n = 124 902). The presence of specific phobia as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition was evaluated using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview.ResultsThe cross-national lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of specific phobia were, respectively, 7.4% and 5.5%, being higher in females (9.8 and 7.7%) than in males (4.9% and 3.3%) and higher in high- and higher-middle-income countries than in low-/lower-middle-income countries. The median age of onset was young (8 years). Of the 12-month patients, 18.7% reported severe role impairment (13.3–21.9% across income groups) and 23.1% reported any treatment (9.6–30.1% across income groups). Lifetime co-morbidity was observed in 60.5% of those with lifetime specific phobia, with the onset of specific phobia preceding the other disorder in most cases (72.6%). Interestingly, rates of impairment, treatment use and co-morbidity increased with the number of fear subtypes.ConclusionsSpecific phobia is common and associated with impairment in a considerable percentage of cases. Importantly, specific phobia often precedes the onset of other mental disorders, making it a possible early-life indicator of psychopathology vulnerability.

scholarly journals Age-friendly city: future perspectives for the Brazilian cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-298
Author(s):  
Patricia de Oliveira Lopes ◽  
Simone Rezende da Silva ◽  
Tathianni Cristini da Silva ◽  
Yara Dadalti Fragoso ◽  
Angelina Zanesco
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
World Health ◽  
World Population ◽  
The World ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health Organization

ABSTRACT The world population is aging fast and not all cities are prepared to cope with the needs of the elderly people. Cities need to develop strategies for senior citizens including the aspects of health, nutrition, consumer protection, housing, transportation, environment, social welfare, income, employment, safety, and education. The World Health Organization (WHO) created a program dedicated to older adults called the age-friendly city. This program is about creating the environment and opportunities that enable older people to be and do what they value throughout their lives. Most of the elderly population lives in urban spaces, and aging represents a challenge as well as opportunities to the cities all over the world. Recently, only 16 Brazilian cities have received the seal of international certification by meeting the requirements stipulated by the WHO. In the State of Sao Paulo, only two cities have been qualified for this seal. Therefore, the aims of this article are (a) to provide a brief history of this important initiative taken by the WHO and (b) to urge the decision-makers of Brazilian municipalities to develop effective initiatives for their cities to be prepared for this demographic modification.

scholarly journals Fully Human Antibody Immunoglobulin from Transchromosomic Bovines is Potent Against SARS-CoV-2 Variant Pseudoviruses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Luke ◽  
Hua Wu ◽  
Kristi A Egland ◽  
Eddie J Sullivan ◽  
Christoph L Bausch
Keyword(s):  
293T Cell ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Antibody ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Transmembrane Serine Protease ◽  
Multiple Variants

SAB-185 is a fully human polyclonal anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin produced from the plasma of transchromosomic bovines that are hyperimmunized with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-1 Spike protein. SAB-185 is being evaluated for efficacy in an adaptive phase 2/3 clinical trial. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified multiple Variants-of-Concern and Variants-of-Interest (VOC/VOI) that have mutations in their Spike protein that appear to increase transmissibility and/or reduce the effectiveness of therapeutics and vaccines, among other parameters of concern. SAB-185 was evaluated using a lentiviral-based pseudovirus assay performed in a BSL2 environment that incorporates a stable 293T cell line expressing human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). The results indicate that SAB-185 retained neutralization potency against multiple SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus variants, including the Delta, Kappa and Lambda variants, that are supplanting other VOC/VOI in many countries and regions around the world.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Anaemia and Evaluation of Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) in the Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency in the Hospitalized Elderly Patients: Anaemia Clinical Studies in Chile

Anemia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio López-Sierra ◽  
Susana Calderón ◽  
Jorge Gómez ◽  
Lilian Pilleux
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Transferrin Saturation ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Patients ◽  
Hospitalized Elderly ◽  
Elderly Inpatient ◽  
Hospitalized Elderly Patients ◽  
Health Organization

Iron constitutes the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide. In Chile, anaemia epidemiological data is scarce, evaluating mainly children and women. Our objective was to determine prevalence of anaemia in an inpatient elderly population (≥60 years) and assess the usefulness of sTfR levels analyzed by other authors as a good predictor in the differential diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia and anaemia of chronic disease.Method.We studied medical patients admitted at Hospital of Valdivia (HV), Chile, in a 2month period. World Health Organization criteria were used for anaemia.Results.391 patients were hospitalized, average age 62.5 years, 247 elderly and 99 of which had anaemia. Anaemia was normocytic in 88.8%, and we observed: low serum iron in 46.3%, low ferritin 10.1%, high TIBC 2%, low % transferrin saturation (Tsat) 40%, and high sTfR 25%.Conclusions.As a first figure known in Chile, the prevalence of anaemia in the elderly inpatient was 40.1%. Our findings encourage us to promote the implementation of sTfR determination in the clinical setting to analyze the state of erythropoiesis in patients with chronic diseases wich commonly occurs in elderly.

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