The Impact of Age and BMI on the VWF/ADAMTS13 Axis and Simultaneous Thrombin and Plasmin Generation in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Aging and obesity independently contribute toward an endothelial dysfunction that results in an imbalanced VWF to ADAMTS13 ratio. In addition, plasma thrombin and plasmin generation are elevated and reduced, respectively, with increasing age and also with increasing body mass index (BMI). The severity risk of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases in adults older than 65 and in individuals with certain pre-existing health conditions, including obesity (>30 kg/m2). The present cross-sectional study focused on an analysis of the VWF/ADAMTS13 axis, including measurements of von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen (VWF:AG), VWF collagen binding activity (VWF:CBA), Factor VIII antigen, ADAMTS13 antigen, and ADAMTS13 activity, in addition to thrombin and plasmin generation potential, in a demographically diverse population of COVID-19 negative (−) (n = 288) and COVID-19 positive (+) (n = 543) patient plasmas collected at the time of hospital presentation. Data were analyzed as a whole, and then after dividing patients by age (<65 and ≥65) and independently by BMI [<18.5, 18.5–24.9, 25–29.9, >30 (kg/m2)]. These analyses suggest that VWF parameters (i.e., the VWF/ADAMTS13 activity ratio) and thrombin and plasmin generation differed in COVID-19 (+), as compared to COVID-19 (−) patient plasma. Further, age (≥65) more than BMI contributed to aberrant plasma indicators of endothelial coagulopathy. Based on these findings, evaluating both the VWF/ADAMTS13 axis, along with thrombin and plasmin generation, could provide insight into the extent of endothelial dysfunction as well as the plasmatic imbalance in coagulation and fibrinolysis potential, particularly for at-risk patient populations.

EFFECT OF ORAL TOBACCO ON VITAL DATA

Chewing Tobacco is a global public Health hazard. oral and nasal smokeless products have been used in many countries for centuries. Smokeless tobacco use has been associated with oral cancer and leukoplakia at the site of application of tobacco . .Nicotine is cardio active , changes in heart rate, temperature respiratory rate blood pressure were observed . At present cross-sectional study was done between September 2020 to February 2021 on apparently healthy individuals of age group 20 to 40 years who have the habit of tobacco chewing for more than 2 years. Oral use of smokeless tobacco is widely prevalent in India. On chewing tobacco in any form, nicotine is released into bloodstream which in turn has effect on sympathetic nervous system Hence the present study was conducted to study the effect of oral tobacco on heart rate , respiratory rate , blood pressure and temperature

Sleep Quality and Related Determinants among Stroke Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Effective rehabilitation and better quality of life among stroke patients are functions of several factors such as quality and pattern of sleep. The present study aimed to evaluate sleep quality and related determinants in such patients. Method: The present cross-sectional study was performed from October to December 2019 among stroke patients who were admitted to Sina Hospital, Hamadan, Iran. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire to determine sleep quality in these patients. Significant determinants of the global score of PSQI were identified via multivariable linear regression. Results: A total of 97 stroke patients (age 67±79 years, 55.7% male) were enrolled into the study. Prevalence of poor sleep was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.91) in stroke patients. Patients with nervous tension and those with surgical treatment and with Non-hemorrhagic CT scan had a predicted increase of 1.65, 2.91 and 3.25 in the mean of the global PSQI score (P ≤ 0.05), respectively. Conclusion: Nervous tension, treatment method, results of CT scan and cardiac problems may be associated with post-stroke sleep disorder.

Perception of Dental Aesthetics among Dental Students; a Cross-sectional Study in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Dental aesthectics is now a necessary area in the field of dentistry, and new graduates' perceptions should be investigated. Hence the present cross-sectional study aimed to assess the perception about dental aesthetics among clinical interns, dentistry interns, and pre-clinical interns in dental colleges on Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The study subjects comprises of all above three (clinical interns, dentistry interns, and pre-clinical interns) groups volunteered from different colleges. Perception about dental aesthetics was measured using a 14 item questionnaire. Chi-square test was performed on SPSS to determine the statistically significant differences (p<0.05) across gender and dentistry level. Results: Findings revealed 61% of the participants were male while 39% were female. Among them, 26% were pre-clinical interns, 41% were dental interns and 33%were clinical students. All the particiants reported some kind of dissatisfaction with appearance of their teeth and males were more satisfied and confident about their teeth and smile than females. Conclusion: To conclude, in the present study male participants and clinical students were confident about their smile as compared to female while dental interns thought others have good smile. The study reported the significant gender differences on looking at magazines, having whiter teeth, they way gums look and putting hand over mouth while non-significant differences across dentistry level.

The burden of SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers across 16 hospitals of Kashmir, India—A seroepidemiological study

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has greatly affected healthcare workers because of the high risk of getting infected. The present cross-sectional study measured SARS-CoV-2 antibody in healthcare workers of Kashmir, India. Methods: Serological testing to detect antibodies against nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 was performed in 2003 healthcare workers who voluntarily participated in the study. Results: We report relatively high seropositivity of 26.8% (95% CI 24.8–28.8) for SARS-CoV-2in healthcare workers, nine months after the first case was detected in Kashmir. Most of the healthcare workers (71.7%) attributed infection to the workplace environment. Among healthcare workers who neither reported any prior symptom nor were they ever tested for infection by nasopharyngeal swab test, 25.5% were seropositive. Conclusion: We advocate interval testing by nasopharyngeal swab test of all healthcare workers regardless of symptoms to limit the transmission of infection within healthcare settings.

Perceptual and Behavioral Response to COVID-19 Pandemic among Sri Lankan Undergraduates

COVID-19 has emerged as the most impactful pandemic after the Spanish flu. As communities adjust to a life with COVID-19 it has become essential to employ different behavioral mechanisms of prevention to curtail community transmission. Perceptual factors such as risk perception and locus of control play a role in the level of stress experienced and the likelihood of employing behavioral methods for the prevention of the spread of the virus. The present cross sectional study utilized four questionnaires measuring COVID-19 related risk perception, COVID-19 related stress, locus of control and adherence to safety measures. The sample consisted of 371 undergraduate students representing all academic years in the Faculty of Arts in the University of Peradeniya,Sri Lanka. A significant relationship was found between COVID-19 risk perception and COVID-19 stress. Increase in internal locus of control was reflective of lower levels of risk perception and COVID-19 related stress. However adherence to safety measures did not have a significant association with COVID-19 risk perception, COVID-19 related stress or their level of internal locus of control. COVID-19 risk perception was also predictive of COVID-19 stress while increasing internal locus of control and adherence to safety measures were not. This suggests perception of risk to be the key predictive factor for the psychological wellbeing of undergraduate students in this study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To Study the Clinico-Hematological Profile of Pre-Eclampsia on Mother and Newborns

Pre-eclampsia is a significant cause of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidities and mortalities associated with pregnancy. We aimed at examining the impact of maternal pre-eclampsia on new-borns’ and Mother’s hematological profile. OBJECTIVE: To study the hematological profile in mothers suffering from pre-eclampsia. To study the hematological profile in neonates. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present cross-sectional study includes 100 pregnant womens and 100 neonates were included in the study and were grouped as under. Group 1: 50 normal pregnant womens. Group II: 50 Normal Neonates of mothers having normal pregnancy Group III: 50 pregnant mothers with gestational age between 32 and 36 weeks with preeclampsia. Group IV: 50 Neonates of mothers having pre-eclampsia. RESULT: Comparatively lower platelet count in preeclamptic women as compared to normal pregnant women. Also, total leucocyte count was relatively on lower side. Neutrophils and monocytes were raised in preeclamptic women when compared with normal pregnant women. Rest of all the parameters were not significantly affected. Clearly shows that in case of new-borns of mothers who are preeclamptic, haemoglobin and red blood cell count were significantly lowered. But platelet counts and total lymphocyte count was raised when compared with new-borns of normal pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Positive correlation between preeclampsia and neonatal thrombocytopenia. Prematurity, insufficiency of the placenta and fetal development restriction and need for neonatal resuscitation in babies born to pre-eclamptic women were found to be substantially higher compared to those born to stable normotensive people.

POST COVID SYNDROME; A SCENARIO TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

BACKGROUND: COVID -19 pandemic is the most important public health problem of recent time. Tens and thousands of people have suffered with COVID-19 in last one and half year. Most people who have suffered with COVID-19 recover completely within a few weeks but majority of patients continue to have varied symptoms after initial recovery. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of Post COVID symptoms, to assess requirement of treatment and to make recommendation for Post COVID syndrome care. METHODS: Present cross-sectional study was done among patients who recovered from COVID-19 in GIMS Hospital of Kalaburagi district. Mobile numbers of COVID patients were collected from records. Total 100 randomly selected patients were contacted and information regarding post covid symptoms in between 6 weeks to 12 weeks after recovery from COVID-19 was collected. RESULT: 87%patients developed one or more post covid symptoms. Weakness was reported to be most common problem (55%), followed by body ache (26%) and neuropsychiatric symptoms such as difculty in concentration and insomnia (22%). Every fth patient reported that symptoms persisted for more than 1 month. Though most of the respondents classied their symptoms as mild and moderate (52.5% and 37.9% respectively), 47% of the symptomatic patients have to take some treatment for these symptoms. CONCLUSION: Post COVID symptoms are common but usually less severe. Many of patients required conservative management with medications. Many patients required lot of counselling. Almost one in ve patients reported that symptoms persisted for more than one month. The results highlight the need for post Covid care for COVID recovered patients.

Demographic, Clinical and Immunogenetic Profiles of a Greek Cohort of COVID-19 Patients

The present cross-sectional study consists of a comprehensive analysis of epidemiological, laboratory, and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients in relation to their immunogenetic profiles. We studied 125 COVID-19 patients comprising different stages of disease severity; non-hospitalized (mild n = 69) and hospitalized (n = 56). Analysis of disease characteristics revealed no major differences between males and females of each group of patients while hospitalized patients were older and presented with comorbidities. A positive allele association was observed for HLA-DRB1*01 in total COVID-19 patients versus healthy controls. Subgrouping of COVID-19 patients in mild and hospitalized further identified a statistically significant increase in HLA-DRB1*01 in mild COVID-19 patients versus controls. The frequency of A*11, A*23, and DRB1*09 alleles was higher, while the frequency of C*12 was lower, in hospitalized patients versus healthy controls albeit with uncorrected statistical significance. The identification of specific allele associations may provide useful future markers for disease susceptibility in order to allow successful clinical management of COVID-19 patients.

A study to assess the cholesterol levels in pleural fluid and its role in differentiate between exudative and transudate pleural effusion

The pathophysiology of the transudate pleural effusion occurs when the systemic factors are involved in the formation and absorption of plural effusion, where the source of pleural fluid is originating from Lung, Peritoneal or Pleural Cavity. The origin of exudative pleural fluid effusion is when capillaries or the pleural surfaces where the fluid originates gets altered. Hence when we the pleural fluid is found to be transudate further diagnostic evaluation is not required and treat the systemic disease affecting it and if the fluid is exudate we need to investigate further to find out the cause of effusion. To assess the role of pleural fluid cholesterol in differentiating exudative and transudative pleural effusion. : The present cross sectional study was conducted by the Department of Chest and Respiratory Medicine at Chamarajanagara Institute of Medical Sciences from March 2019 to December 2019. A total of 100 cases of clinically confirmed cases of pleural effusion cases were selected for the purpose of the study. Based on the Light’s Criteria the Pleural Fluid was analyzed and 94% of them were classified as exudates and 6% of them to be transudates and Pleural fluid cholesterol of more than 45mg/dl 74% of them were exudates and 26% of them were transudates. In the present study based on final diagnosis out of 74 subjects who were classified as exudates, 72 subjects were classified as exudates and misclassified 2 cases as transudate. Lights Criteria diagnosed only 4 cases as transudate pleural fluid among the 26 cases of transudate pleural fluid based on final diagnosis Light‘s criteria is the most accepted criteria for differentiating between exudates and transudate in pleural effusion. By the Present study we could conclude that the estimation of Pleural Cholesterol Level has good sensitivity, Positive Predictive Value than lights criteria in diagnosing exudative and transudate Pleural Fluid.