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The present study aimed to propose a conceptual model of the general effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the self-regulatory behavior of students learning online. The participants of the study included 350 students of Salman Farsi University of Kazerun who answered an electronic questionnaire from November 5 to November 24, 2020. This electronic questionnaire consisted of two tools: 1. COVID-19 General Impact Survey 2. Online Self-regulated Learning Questionnaire (OSLQ). The results of the structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that the goal orientation dimension has the highest mean (M=17.58) and the time management dimension has the lowest mean (M=10.18) among students. With the increase in negative academic outcomes and the decrease in students' psychological health during the COVID-19, their online self-regulated learning behaviors have also reduced. In addition, the COVID-19 had a negative and direct effect on online self-regulated learning behaviors in students. The results also showed that the greatest effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the self-regulatory components of online learning was related to the time management component. As for academic achievement, the three dimensions of goal setting, environmental structure, and self-evaluation showed a positive and significant relationship with the average of two semesters of students. Finally, the overall effects of the COVID-19 could explain 11% of online self-regulatory learning behaviors in students. Implicit implications of these findings for education as well as suggestions for further research are discussed. © 2022 Polish Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
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Particulate matter and spread of viruses, including COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are two of the most serious problems because of their significant threat to human health. Here, we fabricate ultrafine and bimodal structured polyamide-6 nanofiber/nets (PA-6 NFN) membrane via one-step electrospinning/netting. The PA-6 NFN membranes include ultrafine (∼70 nm) nanofibers and two-dimensional (2D) ultrathin (∼20 nm) nanonets. These membranes are optimized by facilely regulating the solution concentration, incomplete phase separation by adding NaCl, and also applying a high voltage of 22 kV. With integrated properties of small pore size, high porosity, high specific surface area of 108.8 m2/g, and robust tensile strength of 13.70 MPa, the resultant PA-6 NFN membranes exhibit high filtration efficiency of 99.11%, low pressure drop of 81 Pa, and higher quality factor compared to the two standard commercial masks which consist of three-ply surgical mask and respirator face mask. It can include bacteria, fungi, and also viruses including SARS-CoV-2 (with a diameter of about 100 nm). Additionally, after 24 h of operation of the filtration process in a simulated living environment, the obtained air filter still displayed a high filtration efficiency and a less variation pressure drop that shows the long-term performance of PA-6 NFN membranes. In addition, the R2 value was 0.99, which indicates that the calculation results are in good agreement with the measured results. The fabrication of PA-6 NFN membrane makes it a promising candidate for PM0.3 governance at applications including face mask, protective clothing, clean room, and engine intake. © The Author(s) 2022.
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Background: The covid-19 pandemic has affected the health insurance industry in numerous ways.
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Background: Lung involvement in COVID-19 can be quantified by chest CT scan with some triage and prognostication value. Optimizing initial triage of patients could help decrease adverse health impacts of the disease through better clinical management. At least 6 CT severity score (CTSS) systems have been proposed. We aimed to evaluate triage and prognostication performance of seven different CTSSs, including one proposed by ourselves, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients diagnosed by positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Result(s): After exclusion of 14 heart failure and significant preexisting pulmonary disease patients, 96 COVID-19, PCR-positive patients were included into our retrospective study, admitted from February 20, 2020, to July 22. Their mean age was 63.6 +/- 17.4 years (range 21-88, median 67). Fifty-seven (59.4%) were men, and 39 (40.6%) were women. All CTSSs showed good interrater reliability as calculated intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) between two radiologists were 0.764-0.837. Those CTSSs with more numerous segmentations showed the best ICCs. As judged by area under curve (AUC) for each receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, only three CTSSs showed acceptable AUCs (AUC = 0.7) for triage of severe/critical patients. All CTSSs showed acceptable AUCs for prognostication (AUCs = 0.76-0.79). Calculated AUCs for different CTSSs were not significantly different for triage and for prediction of severe/critical disease, but some difference was shown for prediction of critical disease. Conclusion(s): Men are probably affected more frequently than women by COVID-19. Quantification of lung disease in COVID-19 is a readily available and easy tool to be used in triage and prognostication, but we do not advocate its use in heart failure or chronic respiratory disease patients. The scoring systems with more numerous segmentations are recommended if any future imaging for comparison is contemplated. CTSS performance in triage was much lower than earlier reports, and only three CTSSs showed acceptable AUCs in this regard. CTSS performed better for prognostic purposes than for triage as all 7 CTSSs showed acceptable AUCs in both types of prognostic ROC curves. There is not much difference among performance of different CTSSs. Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).
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Background: Control of the COVID-19 pandemic, its treatment, and prevention of mortality and morbidity have been the main focus of researchers over the past two years. Due to disagreement on the usefulness of different corticosteroids in the treatment of COVID-19, this work compared the efficacy of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone in the treatment outcomes of intensive critical care (ICU) patients. Methods: The present retrospective cohort study examined clinical records of 105 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the ICUs of Firoozabadi Hospital in 2021. Clinical outcomes, including the length of hospital stay, the need for a ventilator, and mortality, were compared between patients who received either dexamethasone (DXM) or methylprednisolone (MP). Data were analyzed by SPSS V.20 software at P < 0.05 as statistical significance. Results: The mean ± SD ages of the patients in the DXM and MP groups were 58.82 ± 19.29 and 60.66 ± 14.17 years, respectively, without a statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). The mean duration of hospitalization was 8.14 ± 4.36 days in the DXM group and 6.80 ± 3.34 days in the MP group (P = 0.295). Also, 19 (33.3%) cases in the DXM group an, 19 (39.6%) in the MP group needed mechanical ventilation during hospitalization (P = 0.546). Finally, 30 (52.6%) patients in the DXM group and 27 (56.2%) in the MP group died. Conclusions: The findings indicated no significant difference in the mean duration of hospitalization, the need for a ventilator, and mortality in COVID-19 ICU patients treated with methylprednisolone or dexamethasone. There is a need to perform meta-analyses owing to conflicting results regarding the effects of different corticosteroids on the COVID-19 course. © 2022, Author(s).
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Background: Kidney transplant recipients are among vulnerable individuals with increased risk of developing COVID-19. Long-term immunosuppression and multiple co-morbidities might affect clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in such patients. In this study, we describe clinical presentations and the incidence of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in 9 kidney transplant patients with COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective case series was conducted on 9 kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19 who were admitted in Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex during the first wave of the disease in Iran from February 20 to 20th April 2020. The diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was confirmed by either positive results of quantitative RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs or typical findings in chest CT scanning. Results: The median age of patients was 51 years and the graft was functional in all cases before COVID-19 infection. Most patients complained of fever (8 cases), followed by cough (7 cases) and shortness of breath (5 cases). Eight cases had lymphopenia, and leukopenia was reported in 4 cases. AKI occurred in 8 cases. The increase in serum creatinine level resolved partially in most cases, but those who required renal replacement therapy had worse prognosis. Those who survived the acute illness are still alive after more than 16 months with functioning graft. Conclusion: It was shown in our study that similar to general population, fever and respiratory symptoms are presenting features of COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients. Lymphopenia is more prominent and the course of COVID-19 infection is more likely to be complicated by AKI in such patients. Copyright 2022, Journal of Iranian Medical Council. All rights reserved.
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Background: Vaccination is likely to be the final solution to stop the COVID-19 pandemic which has been considered as a global public health emergency. Influenza and coronavirus have previously demonstrated antigenic cross-reactivity. Methods: This cross-sectional study was aimed to evaluate the transmission rate and the severity of coronavirus infection among health care workers with history of previous influenza vaccination. Subjects of the study were asked about their demographics, influenza vaccination history prior to pandemic, infection with COVID-19, and the severity indicators of the disease. Results: Influenza vaccination has correlation neither with the prevalence of COVID-19 infection rate nor with the severity of the disease process among those who received flu vaccines and those who were not vaccinated. Vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects were equal in terms of sex, age, and comorbidities. Asthma has not been demonstrated to contribute to the severity of the disease. Conclusion: Influenza vaccination regardless of the evidence on its antigenic cross reactivity with coronavirus, is not associated with lesser involvement by or any contribution to the severity of the 2019 novel SARS-COV2 disease. Copyright 2022, Journal of Iranian Medical Council. All rights reserved.
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Background: Dermatomyositis (DM) patients have fewer risks of COVID-19 infection compared to the general population, however, certain subgroups with DM have worse outcomes. Men. African Americans, those with interstitial lung disease, exhibited higher risks of severe COVID-19. DMARD and glucocorticoid use was associated with frequent hospitalisations and severe sepsis. Objectives: Rheumatic diseases (RDs) like DM, are previously known to be vulnerable towards various types of infections due to its aggressive activity mandating high dose immunosuppressive therapy. The severity of COVID-19 in RDs is limited in literature due to the heterogeneous nature of the condition. Therefore, specifc details on mortality is essential to navigate any precautions required in the treatment. Methods: Retrospective data of individuals with DM and COVID-19 and the general population with COVID-19 between January 2020 to August 2020 was retrieved from the TriNetX database. A one-to-one matched COVID-19 positive control was selected using propensity score (PS) matching. We assessed COVID-19 outcomes such as mortality, hospitalisation, ICU admission, severe COVID-19, mechanical ventilation (MV), acute kidney injury (AKI), venous thromboembo-lism (VTE), ischemic stroke, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), renal replacement therapy (RRT) and sepsis. Subgroup analyses included gender, race, ILD, cancer patients, disease-modifying rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) use, and glucocorticoids (GC) use (Figure 1). Results: We identifed 5,574 DM patients with COVID-19, and 5,574 general population with COVID-19 (controls). DM with COVID-19 had a lower risk of mortality in comparison to controls [RR 0.76], hospitalisation [RR 0.8], severe COVID-19 [RR 0.76], AKI [RR 0.83], and sepsis [RR 0.73]. Males and African Americans were more likely to develop AKI [RR 1.35, 1.65], while African Americans had higher odds for severe COVID-19 [RR 1.62] and VTE [RR 1.54]. DM with ILD group also experienced higher odds for severe COVID-19 infection [RR 1.64], and VTE [RR 2.06] (Figure 1). DM patients receiving DMARDs and glucocorticoids had higher odds for hospitalisation [RR 1.46, 2.12], and sepsis [RR 3.25] Subgroup analysis of neoplasms amongst DM patients with COVID-19 was inadequate for meaningful comparison (Figure 1). Conclusion: DM patients are protected for certain aspects of COVID-19 disease, including severe COVID-19, hospitalization, and mortality. The African American race, male gender, ILD, DMARDS and glucocorticoid users, are associated with poor outcomes.
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Background: People's participation in more efficient control of the disease and public awareness about the risk of COVID-19 affect their preventive behavior. This study examines the level of fear of COVID-19 infection in Iranian society after returning to social activities and business reopening. Methods: This Cross-Sectional study consisted of urban dwellers in Iran, and the data gathering tool was a researcher-designed questionnaire. To design the instrument, the authors interviewed experts and ordinary people to determine the key questions . Then, the questions were modified and finalized based on the experts' feedback and a reexamination by the experts after two weeks. An online version of the questionnaire was disseminated using social networks. 168 people were included in the study by the available sampling method. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics methods. Quantitative data as mean and standard deviation were reported, and the qualitative data were reported as numbers. Chi-square test and Spearman correlation coefficient were used to examine the relationship between questions related to COVID-19 infection fear and demographic variables. Data analyses were done in SPSS 20. Results: The study was carried out on 168 participants, and 78 of them were employees of different offices. The participants believed that among the ways of spreading the disease, kissing and hugging (n=142, 84.5%), shaking hands (n=127, 75.6%), contact with the saliva of an infected person (n=116, 69.0%), and spread through the air (n=60, 35.7%) had the highest frequencies. Conclusion: Fear of COVID-19 infection in the participants was at moderate and above moderate levels. The participants also hoped that the vaccine would be found and made available to the public. Policy-makers in the health sector can use the results. © 2022 Shriaz University of Medical Sciences
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Background: COVID-19 has become a global problem. In this case study, the experiences gained from disease control in rural areas are reported. Methods: An observational study was done in 2020 in Sistan and Balochestan, the largest province with most rural areas in the southeast of Iran. Results: After identification of the first patient of Covid-19 in a rural area, three measures were taken including: 1. Diagnosis, screening and treatment of the disease (Incident command post was established and the village was completely quarantined, etc.;2. Intersectoral coordination for epidemiological management (limiting traffic for people and any gathering);and 3. Identification of any Covid-19 positive cases. The results of these measures showed that after quarantining the village and performing the mentioned actions, the number of patients decreased, and the disease was controlled. Conclusion: Quarantine of the contaminated rural area and people's traffic routes is one of the most important measures in controlling Covid-19. © Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System.All right reserved.
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Objective: To determine the preference for home quarantine and its reasons among health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration: Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro, and other affiliated hospitals with LUMHS, from Apr to Sep 2021. Methodology: Eighty home-quarantined health professionals (HPs) at our institute following the exposure to confirm COVID-19 cases were included. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to analyze its reliability using Cronbach's alpha value in SPSS after completing the home quarantine period and analyzed. Results: We enrolled 80 health professionals. 43 (53.8%) were PG Trainees, followed by consultant (20%), doctors (20.0%), nurses (6.2%), and technicians (6.9%). The mean quarantined period was 15.72 ± 6.15 days (7-20 days). Doctors, PG trainees, and nurses perceived a greater level of irritability than the other health professionals. We found an association between irritability and advanced age, confinement, and being single. Generally, PG Trainee revealed higher physical activity (p= <0.001). Physical activity was significantly lower among respondents who were unmarried (p= 0.004). Conclusion: Increased satisfaction and a more homelike environment, less aggravation of symptoms, and a mild level of depression and anxiety among health care professionals were associated with home quarantine measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2022, Army Medical College. All rights reserved.
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This paper presents a definition of what Autonomous Vehicle and their functions are, how they operate, gather data and what threats they have to encounter-with throughout their operations. As explained later in the article, we can observe that there are a handful of ways by which a self-driving vehicle can gather information about it's surrounding environment beside the sensors it is equipped with. These methods of gathering data are thoroughly explained in the article alongside their advantages and disadvantages. This article also tries to have a look at the methods an AV can overcome the computing challenges it is facing while guiding and controlling the vehicle, as well as staying in communication with other vehicles or any object that can provide useful information to the vehicle. © 2021 ACM.
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Favipiravir (Fav) has become a well-known drug for medication of patients by appearance of COVID-19. Heterocyclic structure and connected peptide group could make changes for Fav yielding different features from those required features. Therefore, it is indeed a challenging task to prepare a Fav compound with specific features of desired function. In this work, existence of eight Fav structures by tautomeric formations and peptide group rotations were obtained using density functional theory (DFT) optimization calculations. Gas phase, octanol solution, and water solution were employed to show impact of solution on features of Fav besides obtaining partition coefficients (LogP) for Fav compounds. Significant impacts of solutions were seen on features of Fav with the obtained LogP order: Fav-7 > Fav-8 > Fav-4 > Fav-3 > Fav-2 > Fav-5 > Fav-1 > Fav-6. As a consequence, internal changes yielded significant impacts on features of Fav affirming its carful medication of COVID-19 patients.
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Existence of iron (Fe) is important for cells of living systems;however, its level of magnitude for those patients infected by novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is still a challenging issue. Therefore, such mechanism of function was investigated in this work by assistance of thiofavipiravir (TFav) compounds generated by the well-known favipiravir (Fav) drug used for medication of COVID-19 patents. To this aim, sulfur-substitutions of oxygen atoms of Fav were done and the obtained parent structures were prepared for participating in Fe-chelation function. The results indicated that the modes were suitable for running such Fe-chelation processes, in which favorability and strength the models were ranged in this order: 1O2S-Fe > 1S2S-Fe > 1O2O-Fe > 1S2O-Fe. As a consequence, such idea of sulfur-substitution of Fav drug for more appropriate favorability of participating in Fe-chelation processwas sensed by results of this work proposing 1O2S compound as the most favorable one for doing the function. Hence, information about capability of TFav compounds for participating in Fe-chelation processes were provided in this work regarding the challenging issue of Fe-chelation in medication of COVID-19 patients. All results of this work were obtained by performing computations using the density functional theory (DFT) approach
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Purpose Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination is recommended by AST, ISHLT, and CDC in all transplant recipients. Lung transplant recipients (LTR) are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms due to higher immunosuppression (IS) and baseline compromised graft function. Limited antibody response to messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines has been reported in LTR, with the majority mounting a response after the 2nd dose. In this series, 3 patients developed new and significant respiratory compromise after their 2nd vaccine dose consistent with antibody mediated rejection (AMR). To our knowledge, this is the first published case series of vaccine induced rejection in LTR. Methods Retrospective chart review of our cohort showed 46% fully vaccinated and an additional 2.5% partially vaccinated patients. Three fully vaccinated patients with approved mRNA vaccines (2 Moderna, 1 Pfizer-BioNTech) were identified after developing severe respiratory compromise post 2nd vaccine dose. Evaluation revealed AMR as the underlying etiology. Results All patients were female, ages 50-70 years old, between 6 months and 2 years post-transplant. No previous rejection episodes. All were on standard IS as per institution protocols. Two were hospitalized with hypoxic respiratory failure within 2 weeks of their 2nd vaccine dose. The 3rd was seen at clinic for milder similar symptoms, later progressing and requiring supplemental oxygen (O2) and hospitalization. Imaging showed new lung infiltrates, infectious work up was negative. Biopsies did not show any cellular rejection. All developed new DSAs and received treatment for AMR with plasmapheresis, IVIg, and Rituximab. Two recovered their lung function and are off supplemental O2, the 3rd did not and is re-listed for transplant. Conclusion While LTR have a diminished response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines making them more vulnerable to the disease, their immune system's response may not always be clear. We report three cases of patients developing severe AMR from new DSAs that appear to be triggered by the COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine responses should be collected in a database where each case can be investigated to help better understand the mechanism behind them and hopefully identifying LTR at risk. This can then be used to modify vaccination strategies and aid in preventing adverse outcomes in this vulnerable group of patients.
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Objective: To investigate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of corona virus disease. Study Design: Systamatic Review Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Watim Medical and Dental College from Jan 2021 to June 2021. Materials and Methods: All the articles published in 2020 at Google Scholar and PubMed were searched from to gather the information about the clinical and histopathological characteristics of corona virus disease. The articles published in English language only were included in this study. The terms like "clinical features of COVID-19", "COVID-19", "Histopathology of corona virus" and "Histology of COVID-19" were searched. I2 and Egger's test was used to analyze the data about the clinical characteristics of the patients. Results: The most common comorbidities related to COVID-19 are hypertension in 16 % cases and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in 12 % of the cases. The histopathological changes were most evident in the lungs. According to the percentage the most common lungs findings were congestion and diffused alveolar damage with 97.8 %. Corona virus disease also effects other organs and systems like CVS;myocardial hypertension, nervous system;hypoxic injury, digestive system;segmental dilatation and stenosis, liver;steatosis, kidney;acute tubular injury, immune system;coagulation abnormalities among many other. Conclusion: TMultiple dysfunction caused by corona virus disease can occur due one of the following reasons: To direct viral attack, systemic inflammation, injury to the immune system or shock © 2021 Medical Forum Monthly. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: A newly appeared challenge for the healthcare system is the variety of clinical symptoms of COVID-19. In this research, we report 2 cases admitted to Modarres Hospital with unusual postoperative anastomotic failure. Case Presentation: In a 72-year-old man with a perforated peptic ulcer in D2 and signs of leakage after the first operation and during the second operation due to massive unexpected hemorrhage, we found fully disrupted anastomosis on the second part of the duodenum. Accordingly, the suture ligature of the bleeding ulcer with the closure of the duodenal stump and loop gastrojejunostomy and tube duodenostomy were performed. During the postoperative period, he developed dyspnea, and the diagnostic test of SARS-CoV-2 confirmed him as a case of COVID-19. Unfortunately, 1 week after the second surgery, evidence of anastomotic leakage appeared again by bile discharge from drains;although it was managed conservatively, he died because of respiratory failure. In another case, a 65-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency ward with closed-loop small bowel obstruction. After emergency laparotomy, resection of ischemic bowel with primary anastomosis was performed. The same as the previous case, she developed dyspnea, and the diagnostic test resulted positive for COVID-19. After 2 weeks, she was admitted to the hospital with signs of anastomotic leakage that was subsequently confirmed by abdominal computed tomography (CT);although it was managed conservatively, she died because of respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Conclusions: These cases were unique in that intestinal microangiopathies can cause very severe problems, weaken the body, and eventually death, as we have seen in these 2 cases.
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Background and Objectives: The spread of COVID-19 in the world has had adverse effects on all aspects of people' life and social and economic development of the communities. The current study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19 in the general population of Qazvin province.