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COPD and COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Retrospective Single Center Analysis of Respiratory Status and Outcome
Cianci Roberta,
Masi Umberto,
Buonincontro Miriam,
Squillante Francesco,
Bocchino Vincenzo
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2022
Pages:
61-68
Received:
20 May 2022
Accepted:
16 June 2022
Published:
20 July 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijbse.20221003.11
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Abstract: Acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2 is associated with severe mortality in the general population. COPD patients are at risk for severe pneumonia and poor prognosis associated with COVID-19 infection. This may be due to insufficient lung reserve or the expression of the ACE-2 receptor in the small airways. We wanted to find out if COPD patients had more severe COVID-19 pneumonia and worse clinical outcomes. We did a retrospective analysis of 101 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Pulmonology Department of Monaldi Hospital (Naples) from November 2020 to May 2021. The calculated criteria were obtained only by patients with positive real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The study included computed tomography (CT) scans with specific COVID-19 results. We used fractional inhaled oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) to assess respiratory status and Chung score on chest TC to assess the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. We investigated comorbidities, need of ventilation (NIV/CPAP), hospitalization and patients’ outcome. We used descriptive statistics, Chi square test and independent sample test to analyze our population. Out of 101 patients, 10,89% of them had COPD in anamnesis or had enphysema on chest TC. In the patients without COPD the mean P/F ratio was 167,9 (SD: 93.854). Their mean Chung score was 12,178 (SD: 3,505). They had an average of 20.111 (SD: 11.037) hospitalization days. 40% of them needed non-invasive ventilation (including CPAP) and 28,9% of them died. In patients with COPD the mean P/F ratio was 124,273 (SD: 61,254). Their mean Chung score was 11,727 (SD: 4,149). They had a mean hospitalization days of 22,273 (SD: 11,714). 63,636% of them needed non-invasive ventilation (including CPAP) and 72,727% of them died. In COPD patients we observed a higher prevalence of obesity, a higher number of deaths and a higher LDH value. In particular in obese patients that needed noninvasive ventilation we found a longer hospitalization and a higher LDH value. Although the two groups studied had the same severity of respiratory status and pneumonia, we found a worse outcome in patients with COPD.
Abstract: Acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2 is associated with severe mortality in the general population. COPD patients are at risk for severe pneumonia and poor prognosis associated with COVID-19 infection. This may be due to insufficient lung reserve or the expression of the ACE-2 receptor in the small airways. We wanted to find out if COPD ...
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Evaluation of Knowledge for Risk Factors Causing Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Computer Users in Bulgaria
Sonya Vachinska Aleksandrova,
Martin Ivanov,
Natalya Usheva,
Valentina Markova
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2022
Pages:
69-77
Received:
21 July 2022
Accepted:
5 August 2022
Published:
24 August 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijbse.20221003.12
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Abstract: Prolonged computer work is among the most common causes for developing musculoskeletal disorders, as well as various of inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting tendons, blood vessels and joints, among others. During recent COVID-19 lockdowns, many office workers were forced to work from home, where workplace ergonomic assessments were no longer possible. In such cases, computer users must rely on their ergonomic training and knowledge of risk factors to keep a healthy work environment. The current study focuses on the awareness and knowledge of various risk factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders among office workers and university students. A cross-sectional survey among 197 participants was conducted during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Bulgaria. Respondents were asked if they had felt discomfort and pain in ten body areas due to prolonged computer use. All of the survey questions were designed with multiple-choice responses and rating scales to maximize the response rate and ease the data analysis. According to the findings, one out of every four persons is unaware of how to protect themselves from musculoskeletal pain. As a result, increased efforts through educational initiatives are required, which have a strong focus on changing working behaviors, as ergonomic interventions aimed at reducing unnatural body postures can be regarded as a significant step toward the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.
Abstract: Prolonged computer work is among the most common causes for developing musculoskeletal disorders, as well as various of inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting tendons, blood vessels and joints, among others. During recent COVID-19 lockdowns, many office workers were forced to work from home, where workplace ergonomic assessments were no...
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Biotechnological Potential of Lactic Acid Bacterial Strains Isolated from Fermented Milk: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Bile Salt Hydrogenase Activity, and Probiotic Potential
Yomna Ali Moustafa Marzok Elkhateeb
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2022
Pages:
78-85
Received:
16 July 2022
Accepted:
29 July 2022
Published:
11 October 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijbse.20221003.13
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Abstract: Friendly intestinal bacteria exert an important role in improving resistance to disease; but increased stress or consumption of antibiotic medications can lead to disturbance in balance of microflora. Probiotics used to return the balance between friendly bacteria and pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Yogurt as a source of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or LAB mainly lactobacilli as probiotics have several therapeutic functions when administered as live microorganisms in adequate amounts. LAB strains have good potential for application in functional foods due to their Antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are necessary for preventing diseases induced by free radicals and called effective free radical scavengers. Aim of this study was to isolate strains from yoghurt and rayeb to evaluate their biotechnological potential including antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, bile salt hydrolase activity and probiotic potential. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS at P < 0.05. A total of 50 bacterial strains were isolated from yoghurt and rayeb of 5 different companies (Almaraei, Nada, Nadec, Alsafi and Activia) and used to examine their probiotic properties, antioxidant activity, bile salt dehydrogenase activity and antimicrobial activity. Based on morphological characters, 20 isolates were designated as being catalase negative, and rod-shaped while only nine isolates showed positive reaction with both gram stain and lactic acid production. Accordingly, representative isolates (nine isolates) were considered as presumptive Lactobacillus species. Assessment of Survival in the Gastrointestinal Tract (probiotic potential) revealed that 4 bacterial strains were acid tolerance, Strain 2 was the most acid resistance of all isolates, survived over a period of 4 h at pH 3 (Survival rate was 68.22%), 3 strains were bile salt resistance after 4 hours that the Survival rate was more than 50%., only 2 strains from the previous strains had BSH activity and antioxidant activity. Therefore, these bacterial strains had the ability to survive conditions mimic those present in gastrointestinal tract and had probiotic potential. These strains isolated from yoghurt and Rayeb Almaraei. The result of comparison between companies indicates that the best company which use starter cultures with probiotic potential was Almaraei.
Abstract: Friendly intestinal bacteria exert an important role in improving resistance to disease; but increased stress or consumption of antibiotic medications can lead to disturbance in balance of microflora. Probiotics used to return the balance between friendly bacteria and pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Yogurt as a source of Lactic a...
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