COVID-19 impact on Socio-economic and Health Interventions: A Gaps and Peaks analysis using Clustering Approach

A quantifiable model to describe the peaks and gaps during the several waves of COVID 19 is generated and applied to the progression of 120 countries. The number of waves encountered and how many more to be encountered is a question which is currently explored by all the scientific communities. In the same quest, an attempt has been made to quantitatively model the peaks and the gaps within them which have been encountered by 120 most affected countries from February 2020 to December 2021. These 120 countries were ranked based on the number of confirmed cases and deaths recorded during this period. This study further cluster these countries based on socio economic and health interventions to find an association with three dependent features of COVID 19 i.e. number of confirmed cases, deaths and death infectivity rate. The findings in this study suggests that, every wave had multiple peaks within them and as the number of peaks increased, predicting their growth rate or decline rate turns to be extremely difficult. However, considering the clusters which share the common features even with diverse countries, there is some possibility to predict what might be coming next. This study involves exhaustive analysis of reliable data which are available in open access and marks an important aspect to the COVID 19 research communities.

Durable nanocomposite face masks with high particulate filtration and rapid inactivation of coronaviruses

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique challenge to the healthcare community due to the high infectivity rate and need for effective personal protective equipment. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have shown promising antimicrobial properties and are recognized as a safe additive in many food and cosmetic products. This work presents a novel nanocomposite synthesis approach, which allows zinc oxide nanoparticles to be grown within textile and face mask materials, including melt-blown polypropylene and nylon-cotton. The resulting nanocomposite achieves greater than 3 log10 reduction (≥ 99.9%) in coronavirus titer within a contact time of 10 min, by disintegrating the viral envelope. The new nanocomposite textile retains activity even after 100 laundry cycles and has been dermatologist tested as non-irritant and hypoallergenic. Various face mask designs were tested to improve filtration efficiency and breathability while offering antiviral protection, with Claros’ design reporting higher filtration efficiency than surgical masks (> 50%) for particles ranged 200 nm to 5 µm in size.

TO STUDY THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VARIOUS BIOCHEMICAL AND ND HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN COVID CASES IN INDIA IN 2 WAVE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC: STUDY FROM PUNE, MAHARASHTRA

COVID -19 infection is an ongoing pandemic. The world has already witness two waves and a third one is imminent. Also the COVID 19 infection is now presenting with numerous manifestation besides respiratory symptom. Thus it becomes essential to study surrogate markers or various biochemical and hematological parameters and their signicance in these cases. Data available so far is mostly from other nations with only a limited number of studies from Indian context. Thus the present study was conducted to evaluate the signicance of laboratory parameters in predicting cases infected with COVID 19 and also the correlation of these parameters with gender and course of disease. 557 subjects were included in this study from Pune, Maharashtra. The groups were divided into cases and controls on basis of RT PCR results and clinical manifestations. The control group had 442 subjects and the cases were 135 in number. The inammatory markers (CRP, D-dimer and ferritin) were signicantly high in cases as compared to controls. Among cases 40 % patients belonged to young age (<45 years), 38% to middle age (45 -59 years) and 22 % to elderly group (>60 years). This shows high infectivity rate in st younger group as compared to 1 wave. NLR was higher in cases as compared to controls. CRP, D-dimer and ferritin were signicantly higher in cases as compared to controls

Revamped vaccination policy in India, need of the hour

The unprecedented COVID pandemic has caused catastrophic loss all over the world. India has faced a flabbergasting second COVID wave. The current COVID mutant strain is more virulent and has become a variant of concern (VOC) with its high infectivity rate. The current second wave is more detrimental when compared to the first wave, where its transmissibility is high, affecting the younger generation, and even the mortality rate is high. Currently, there is no specific treatment against COVID-19. The health care workers (HCW’s) have been fighting the pandemic tirelessly since the beginning of the pandemic, and many were affected, and severe loss of HCWs occurred. The only ray of hope in fighting against this deadly virus is vaccination. Studies have shown that COVID vaccination is effective in preventing the severity of the disease. Hence vaccination is now is the need of the hour. COVID vaccination has to be taken rampant with vaccinating every citizen of the country in the current crisis. The government of India should make serious efforts that vaccination is available and accessible to everyone. With every citizen being vaccinated, one can flatten the current wave and also can prevent further outbreaks.

Severe COVID-19 Case with HRCT Score of 25/25: A Survival Story

With the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS-CoV2, the incidence of the disease is increasing each day with a higher infectivity rate and unpredictable morbidity and mortality. The second wave in India has higher morbidity and mortality compared to the previous wave of SARS-Cov2. With the increasing trend of screening hypoxic patients with high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of thorax, treatment modalities, and investigational approaches have changed drastically. Here we report a case of a 31-year-old female who presented to a tertiary care centre in the rural area with a history of fever five days back and a history of breathlessness of 3 days duration and dry cough of 3 days duration. She was hypoxic on admission and later on diagnosed with SARS-Cov2 infection. HRCT thorax revealed a CT severity score of 25/25. She was treated according to standard treatment protocols. The patient was discharged after 46 days with normal oxygen saturation on room air. The aim of this case study is to emphasize the wholesome approach in the management of COVID-19.

Is the infection of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant associated with the outcomes of COVID-19 patients?

Background: SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) has been responsible for the current increase in COVID-19 infectivity rate worldwide. We compared the impact of the Delta variant and non-Delta variant on the COVID-19 outcomes in patients from Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces, Indonesia. Methods: We ascertained 161 patients, 69 with the Delta variant and 92 with the non-Delta variant. The Illumina MiSeq next-generation sequencer was used to perform the whole genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2. Results: The mean age of patients with Delta and the non-Delta variant was 27.3 +/- 20.0 and 43.0 +/- 20.9 (p=3x10-6). The patients with Delta variant consisted of 23 males and 46 females, while the patients with the non-Delta variant involved 56 males and 36 females (p=0.001). The Ct value of the Delta variant (18.4 +/- 2.9) was significantly lower than the non-Delta variant (19.5 +/- 3.8) (p=0.043). There was no significant difference in the hospitalization and mortality of patients with Delta and non-Delta variants (p=0.80 and 0.29, respectively). None of the prognostic factors was associated with the hospitalization, except diabetes with an OR of 3.6 (95% CI=1.02-12.5; p=0.036). Moreover, the patients with the following factors have been associated with higher mortality rate than patients without the factors: age ≥65 years, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease with the OR of 11 (95% CI=3.4-36; p=8x10-5), 27 (95% CI=6.1-118; p=1x10-5), 15.6 (95% CI=5.3-46; p=6x10-7), 12 (95% CI=4-35.3; p=1.2x10-5), and 6.8 (95% CI=2.1-22.1; p=0.003), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age 65 years, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension were the strong prognostic factors for the mortality of COVID-19 patients with the OR of 3.6 (95% CI=0.58-21.9; p=0.028), 16.6 (95% CI=2.5-107.1; p=0.003), 5.5 (95% CI=1.3-23.7; p=0.021), and 5.8 (95% CI=1.02-32.8; p=0.047), respectively. Conclusions: We show that the patients infected by the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant have a lower Ct value than the patients infected by the non-Delta variant, implying that the Delta variant has a higher viral load, which might cause a more transmissible virus among humans. However, the Delta variant does not affect the COVID-19 outcomes in our patients. Our study also confirms the older age and comorbidity increase the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients.

Roll of Spices in Controlling Microbial Infection and in Modulation of the Immune System

Nature provided us with different products like fruits, flowers, vegetables, spices, herbs and so on. People utilize them since ancient times. Among them spices play key role in the lives of people and are used in rituals and in traditional medicines, beside using as food additives, preservatives and flavoring agents. People use spices to cure various infectious diseases like cancer, diabetes, viral infection, bacterial infection, fungal infection. At present, entire world is combating the coronavirus disease by utilizing different means. Scientific communities are trying to develop vaccines. Numerous evidences suggested that some common spices have the ability to reduce the severity of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome – coronavirus). One of the main factor to prevent the infection is to boost the immunity power, which is possible by using the spices in our diet chart. Spices also possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study discusses how the spices and their components act as anti-inflammatory agents and prevent infection. The review work is done to find out different beneficial activities of spices, identify the phytochemicals that are responsible for their activities. Aim of this review is to acquaint researchers and international communities with the functions of spices and their bioactive components which are responsible in minimizing the infectivity rate and how the spices are controlling the immune system in combating the diseases. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, spices, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties, Nrf2

In vitro and in vivo activity of a hypotoxic copper(I) complex against dermotropic Leishmania species

ABSTRACT Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and, currently, the treatment of first choice is meglumine antimoniate. However, due to its limited effectiveness and high toxicity, it is necessary to seek new active principles for leishmaniasis treatment. Metal complexes are gaining importance due to their effectiveness and low toxicity. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity of the hypotoxic copper(I) complex [HB(pz)3]Cu(PCN). Four dermotropic species of Leishmania were tested with the metal complex and its effectiveness was determined through parasitic viability and infectivity rate, and cytotoxicity was determined using a redox dye (resazurin). For the in vivo tests, hamsters were infected and the lesions treated with a formulated ointment containing the complex, the effectiveness of which was assessed by measuring the diameter of the inoculum/snout location and determining the parasitic load. The results demonstrated moderate toxicity in murine macrophages and human monocytes and better efficacy in Leishmania (V.) braziliensis when compared to the other species tested, with a 50% reduction in the viability of promastigote and amastigote forms (in vitro). General data from daily topical treatment for up to 30 days showed low efficacy for reducing lesions, and no clinical and parasitological cure was observed in the experimental animals. Thus, the [HB(pz)3]Cu(PCN) complex proved to be promising in in vitro studies against L. (V.) braziliensis, and should be further tested in new formulations and new experimental treatment schemes.

Durable Nanocomposite Face Masks with High Particulate Filtration and Rapid Inactivation of Coronaviruses

The COVID−19 pandemic presents a unique challenge to the healthcare community due to the high infectivity rate and need for effective personal protective equipment. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have shown promising antimicrobial properties and are recognized as a safe additive in many food and cosmetic products. This work presents a novel nanocomposite synthesis approach, which allows zinc oxide nanoparticles to be grown within textile and face mask materials, including melt-blown polypropylene and nylon-cotton. The resulting nanocomposite achieves greater than 3 log 10 reduction (≥ 99.9%) in coronavirus titer within a contact time of 10 minutes, by disintegrating the viral envelope. The new nanocomposite textile retains activity even after 100 laundry cycles and has been dermatologist tested as non-irritant and hypoallergenic. Various face mask designs were tested to improve filtration efficiency and breathability while offering antiviral protection, with Claros’ design reporting higher filtration efficiency than surgical masks (> 50%) for particles ranged 200nm to 5µm in size.

Lingual split bone technique – Revisited as a standard operating procedure for surgical removal of third molar during COVID pandemic

Objectives: The objective of the study is to revisit the forgotten art of Lingual split bone technique during the COVID pandemic as a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. It was originally introduced in early 90’s by Sir William Kelsey Fry and also we have compared its advantages over the bone guttering technique. Materials and Methods: Twenty seven cases were operated during COVID pandemic in our institution using Davi’s modified lingual split technique under strict COVID protocol. Results: All impacted mandibular third molars were successfully removed. With regards to post-operative complication; 3 patients had nerve injury (11%), 2 patients had lingual paraesthesia (7.6%), 1 patient had alveolar osteitis (3.8%), 2 patients had postoperative infection (7.6%), 3 patients had trismus (19%). The overall success rate was 100%. Also the results of a comparison between bone guttering and chisel-mallet technique were stated. Conclusion: The use of lingual split bone technique deserves consideration during this COVID time as an alternate for bone guttering in surgical removal of third molar as it ensures minimal cross infectivity rate among both dentists and patients. Thus, patient care can be delivered with confidence even during pandemic.