Seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-Cov-2 in the high impacted sub-district in Jakarta, Indonesia

Background Understanding the actual prevalence of COVID-19 transmission in the community is vital for strategic responses to the pandemic. This study aims to estimate the actual infection of COVID-19 through a seroprevalence survey and to predict infection fatality rate (IFR) in Tanjung Priok, the hardest-hit sub-district by the COVID-19 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Methods We conducted a venous blood sampling (phlebotomy) to 3,196 individuals in Tanjung Priok between Nov 23, 2020, and Feb 19, 2021 to detect their antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Using an enumerator-administered questionnaire, we collected data on the respondents’ demographic characteristics, COVID-19 test history, COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days, comorbidities, and protective behaviours during the last month. We employed descriptive analysis to estimate the seroprevalence and IFR. Findings The prevalence of Antibody against SARS-CoV-2 was 28.52% (95% CI 25.44–31.81%), with the result being higher in females than males (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.02–1.42). By the end of the data collection (February 9, 2021), the cumulative cases of COVID-19 in Tanjung Priok were reported to be experienced by 9,861 people (2.4%). Those aged 45–65 were more likely to be seropositive than 15–19 years old (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.05–1.92). Nearly one third (31%) of the subjects who developed at least one COVID-19 symptom in the last 14 days of the data collection were seropositive. The estimated IFR was 0.08% (95% CI 0.07–0.09), with a higher figure recorded in males (0.09; 95% CI 0.08–0.10) than females (0.07; 95% CI 0.06–0.08), and oldest age group (45–65) (0.21; 95% CI 0.18–0.23) than other younger groups. Conclusion An under-reporting issue was found between the estimated COVID-19 seroprevalence and the reported cumulative cases in Tanjung Priok. More efforts are required to amplify epidemiological surveillance by the provincial and local governments.

Comparison of the effect of three intramuscular sedation protocols on packed cell volume and total protein in cats

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in packed cell volume (PCV) and total protein following intramuscular preanesthetic sedation with one of three drug combinations in cats. Methods Thirty client-owned cats were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical study. A venous blood sample was obtained prior to administration of any sedation and PCV, total protein, electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl–, iCa2+), glucose and lactate were measured. Cats were randomly assigned to receive one of three intramuscular sedation protocols (n = 10 cats/protocol): methadone 0.2 mg/kg + acepromazine 0.02 mg/kg (MA), methadone 0.2 mg/kg + dexmedetomidine 5 µg/kg (MD) or methadone 0.2 mg/kg + midazolam 0.2 mg/kg + alfaxalone 2 mg/kg (MMA). Twenty-five minutes later, cats were assessed for level of sedation followed by another venous blood sampling to evaluate the same variables as above. Results There were no significant differences in demographics (age, weight, sex) between groups. Level of sedation was significantly higher in MMA cats. Within groups, after premedication, PCV and hemoglobin significantly decreased in all groups, total protein significantly decreased in the MA and MMA groups and glucose significantly increased in the MD group. For electrolytes, statistical changes were not clinically relevant; Cl– mean difference was significantly different between MA and MD; in the MD group Na+ and Cl– significantly decreased and in the MMA group Cl– significantly increased. Conclusions and relevance All three sedation protocols caused significant decreases in PCV and hemoglobin in healthy cats.

Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Kadar Hemoglobin Pada Petani Bawang Merah

_________________________________________________________ Activities in the agricultural sector cannot be separated from the use of pesticides to prevent agricultural products from pests. The use of pesticides that are at risk can cause abnormalities in the blood profile. This study aims to determine the factors associated with hemoglobin levels in farmers exposed to pesticides in Tegalglagah Village, Brebes Regency. This study used a cross sectional design. Sampling with a total sampling of 42 people, venous blood sampling to determine the hemoglobn level of respondents using the Cyanmethemoglobin method. The results showed that most of the respondents who were exposed to pesticides were normal (52.38%), most of the respondents smoked while spraying pesticides (73.80%), most of them used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while spraying (52.38%) ), and most of them sprayed <4 hours per day (59.52%), the factors related to hemoglobin levels were the use of PPE when spraying with a p-value of 0.013 and length of work per day with a p-value of 0.032. It was concluded that the use of PPE when spraying and the length of work per day were related to hemoglobin levels. Keywords: Farmer spraying, pesticides, hemoglobin levels.

Improving the Quality of Venous Blood Sampling Procedure (Phlebotomy): Avoiding Tourniquet Use

Background Phlebotomy guidelines discourage tourniquet use whenever possible. We assessed phlebotomists' capability of not using the tourniquet in venous blood sampling, hypothesizing it to be equal to 50% of the patients attended, and identifying the most frequent venipuncture site. Materials and Methods We assigned two phlebotomists of the same age (41 years) and experience (20 years) to record 10 phlebotomy days, the first with prioritized and the latter with nonprioritized patients. Each acquired daily data for the number of attended patients, age, gender, frequency of nontourniquet usage, and punctured vein. To test our work hypothesis we used the two-tailed single sample t-test. Differences between age-group means and nontourniquet use means by each phlebotomist were tested by two-tailed t-test for independent means. Results In 10 phlebotomy days, 683 patients were attended (males 43.2%). We found no statistically significant difference between age-group means. The combined capability of nontourniquet use was 50.5%, which did not differ from our null hypothesis, but the difference in individual group means was statistically significant, the means being 33% and 66.9% (prioritized vs. nonprioritized). The medial cubital vein was the most prone to be punctured (77.7%). Conclusion Performing phlebotomies without tourniquet was possible in at least half of the attended patients, though it was more limited in specific group populations.

The Effect of Balloon Inflating Distraction on Pain Intensity During Venous Blood Sampling in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: A large number of children are subject to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment procedures that mostly require venous blood sampling. Painful procedures such as blood sampling in children have annoying physical and emotional effects and can lead to wider negative consequences such as physical, behavioral, and social disorders in children. This study aimed to determine the effect of distraction by balloon inflating on the amount of pain during taking blood samples from children aged 4 to 7. Method: This study had a randomized controlled clinical trial that was conducted on 80 children admitted to the pediatric department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Jiroft-Kerman province who met the inclusion criteria after obtaining their parent’s consent. The children were randomly grouped into the intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. The pain level in children in the intervention group was measured during the venous blood sampling while the children were watching inflating a balloon. However, the pain in children in the control group was measured without any intervention during blood sampling. Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale questionnaire was used for pain assessment. Results: The average pain scores for the children in the two groups showed no significant difference before the intervention but the average pain scores after the intervention in the intervention and control groups were 1.38±2.56 and 4.2±1.58; showing a significant difference between the two groups after the intervention (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Using balloon inflation distraction during venous blood sampling reduces pain in children.

THE EFFECT OF COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE IN COMBINATION WITH PREDIABETES ON THE LIPID PROFILE

The aim: To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed therapy, which included recommendations for nutrition, physical activity and treatment with rosuvastatin, omega-3 PUFA and ursodeoxycholic acid, on the indicators of the lipid profile in patients with NAFLD and prediabetes. Materials and methods: 78 patients with impaired glucose tolerance were examined. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 55 patients with prediabetes and concomitant NAFLD were included in the study. All patients underwent a comprehensive clinical examination, which included anthropometric data collection, objective examination, and venous blood sampling for laboratory tests. Results: The data obtained after 12 months of proposed treatment revealed a statistically significant improvement of indicators lipid profile in patients with prediabetes and NAFLD. Moreover, no significant difference between mean values of HDLC, LDLC, TG and atherogenic coefficient of almost healthy individuals and the corresponding indicators of treated patients detected. Conclusions: therapy which included recommendations for nutrition, physical activity and treatment with rosuvastatin, omega-3 PUFA and ursodeoxycholic acid significantly improved lipid metabolism in patients with prediabetes and NAFLD.