Immunometabolic Dysregulation at the Intersection of Obesity and COVID-19

Obesity prevails worldwide to an increasing effect. For example, up to 42% of American adults are considered obese. Obese individuals are prone to a variety of complications of metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Recent meta-analyses of clinical studies in patient cohorts in the ongoing coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic indicate that the presence of obesity and relevant disorders is linked to a more severe prognosis of COVID-19. Given the significance of obesity in COVID-19 progression, we provide a review of host metabolic and immune responses in the immunometabolic dysregulation exaggerated by obesity and the viral infection that develops into a severe course of COVID-19. Moreover, sequela studies of individuals 6 months after having COVID-19 show a higher risk of metabolic comorbidities including obesity, diabetes, and kidney disease. These collectively implicate an inter-systemic dimension to understanding the association between obesity and COVID-19 and suggest an interdisciplinary intervention for relief of obesity-COVID-19 complications beyond the phase of acute infection.

Case study: impact of interdisciplinary interventions in a 9-year-old male child with autism spectrum disorder

Purpose This study aims to highlight the need for an interdisciplinary intervention approach to bring noteworthy changes in children with an autism spectrum disorder. It proposes to study how holistic individualized therapeutic plans can promote functionality even in the adolescent age. This study aims to channelize the restricted abilities in a positive manner and make it, a strength for the child. Social-emotional development along with academic goals is also proposed. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on an exploratory study where participant observation was the main tool. Unstructured interviews with the therapists were conducted and the background history was taken. Documents and assessments related to the case were referred. Findings The paper provides empirical insight into the impact of an interdisciplinary intervention on autism spectrum disorder. It suggests that speech therapy, occupational therapy, special education and counseling taken up as a holistic approach and modified as per the needs and competence of the child prove to be effective. It also becomes evident that intervention can help the child to become functional and meaningful even if the intervention is started a little late in life. Consistency and intensity of interventions along with compassion play a very positive role in the life of children with autism. Research limitations/implications As the approach taken describes one case in depth, there is less probability of generalization of results. Therefore, it suggests a wide scope of testing the proposed propositions further. Practical implications This paper includes implications for the children with autism spectrum disorder, who: are not able to get early intervention for some reason and the ones who have special restricted abilities. It also is an inspiration for the service providers to develop comprehensive and interdisciplinary plans of intervention. Social implications This will help parents who somehow miss providing interventions at an early age to be hopeful and to seek help. The results are encouraging so as to make children with autism spectrum disorder more functional and acceptable in their lives. Originality/value This paper worked on the identified needs of children with autism but found that their restricted abilities that are commonly found can be used and channelized positively to become a strength. There is a scope and hope to guide these children toward a functional life where they can connect with others around them and are accepted and included in society. Individualized and interdisciplinary interventions prove to make these children happier and confident.

Reflections About the Specificiy of Social Work with Families, A Matter of Permanent Debate

In this article, the results of a research report will be shown, this research report made it possible to recognize the professional specificity of Social Work in the intervention with families through information collected in the research “Professional Specificity of Social Work in the interdisciplinary intervention with families in Emerging dynamics: Reading from the knowledge and practices of six academic units in Colombia”, in which the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana de Medellín and five other academic units from Colombia participated. A conceptual theoretical tracking and information gathering was carried out through interviews with graduates and a focus group with Social Work teachers, where topics such as the notion of Social Work, the understanding of Social Work with families and the professional specificity of Social Work in the intervention with families were addressed, in order to provide theoretical and methodological foundations in the training and intervention processes of professionals in this discipline.

The effectiveness of an online interdisciplinary intervention for mental health promotion: a randomized controlled trial

Background There is an urgent need for efficacious interventions to combat the global mental health crisis, and mental health promotion and primary prevention approaches are paramount. The aim of this study is to examine whether an online interdisciplinary intervention that incorporates evidence-based strategies from the disciplines of Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology improves measures of mental health and emotional wellness. Methods A randomized controlled trial with a wait-list control (N = 425, aged 46.97 ± 14.5, 69.9% females) was conducted in Australia and New Zealand. The intervention group participated in a 10-week online interdisciplinary intervention. Primary outcome measures of mental health and emotional wellness were taken at baseline (Week 1), post-intervention (Week 12), and 12 weeks post-intervention (Week 24). The wait-list control completed the same assessments. Results General Linear Modelling analyses indicated that the intervention group experienced significantly greater improvements than the wait-list control group over time in all outcome measures: mental health (F(319) = 7.326, p = 0.007) and vitality (F(319) = 9.445, p = 0.002) subscales of the Short Form Survey (SF-36); depression (F(319) = 7.841, p = 0.005), anxiety (F(319) = 4.440, p = 0.36) and stress (F(319) = 12.494, p < 0.001) scales of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21); and life satisfaction (F(319) = 8.731, p = 0.003) as measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Within the intervention group, significant improvements were observed from Week 1 to 12 in all outcome measures: mental health (10%, t(167) = − 6.423), p < 0.001, dz = 0.50), vitality (22%, t(167) = − 7.043, p < 0.001, dz = 0.54), depression (− 41%, t(167) = 6.189, p < 0.001, dz = 0.48), anxiety (− 38%, t(167) = 5.030, p < 0.001, dz = 0.39), stress (− 31%, t(167) = 6.702, p < 0.001, dz = 0.52) and life satisfaction (8%, t(167) = − 6.199, p < 0.001, dz = 0.48). Improvements in the outcome measures remained significant in the intervention group at 12 weeks post-intervention. Conclusion The online interdisciplinary intervention improved measures of mental health and emotional wellness suggesting that such interventions may be useful for mental health promotion and prevention. Trial registration The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. ACTRN12619000993190. Registered on 12 July 2019 (Retrospectively registered). The ANZCTRN is part of the WHO Primary Registries.

An Interdisciplinary Team Approach to Decrease Sacral Hospital-acquired Pressure Injuries: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) of the sacrum are among the most common iatrogenic events in health care. Multi-intervention programs have been shown to decrease the prevalence of pressure injuries. PURPOSE: To assess changes in the yearly incidence of sacral HAPIs before and after implementation of a 3-pronged interdisciplinary intervention to reduce HAPI incidence. METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients admitted between 2010 and 2017 was conducted to evaluate the effect of a 2012 initiative on the incidence of sacral HAPIs. In 2012, an interdisciplinary team was created, and enhanced education programs for nursing staff and quality data reporting measures were implemented for all patients admitted to North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY. Pre- and post-intervention patient variables and sacral HAPI outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Pre- intervention, the sacral HAPI incidence was 0.353% and 0.267% (mean 0.31%) in the years 2010 and 2011, respectively. Post-intervention the HAPI incidence was 0.033%, 0.043%, 0.008%, 0.007%, and 0.004% in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively (mean 0.019%) (2-sample unpaired t-statistic: 11.5937; P < .001). Significant variables and outcomes differences between pre-intervention (n = 245) and post-intervention (n = 49) patients with a sacral HAPI were seen for race (P < .0001), length of stay (P = .0096), and HAPI stage (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: A hospital-wide, multi-part, interdisciplinary intervention resulted in a significant and sustained reduction in the incidence of sacral HAPIs.