Obesity is a Major Health Problem Threatening the Iraqis- review article

Obesity can be defined as an excessive or abnormal fat accumulation which may impair health. It is recognized as a top public health issue and it is ranked as the 5th foremost cause of death worldwide. The current review set out to summarize the studies which provide basic information about the obesity prevalence in Iraq (adults, children and adolescents);moreover, it set out to address the impact of obesity on multiple health conditions. It is now demonstrated that obesity (dependent upon the duration, distribution, and degree of the excess adipocytes/weight) may progressively exacerbate and/or cause a wide range of comorbidities. This review discusses the contributions of obesity toward the pathogenesis of type II diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and COVID-19 in addition to other diseases.

Role of IFN-?, TNF-a, IL-6 and C-reactive protein in newly diagnosed Iraqi corona patients

The exceptional conditions sweeping the world due to the Corona virus epidemic have prompted researchers to race to study each of the symptoms, phenomena and relevant clinical biochemical parameters to provide science and scientists with valuable information to achieve victory over the virus. The aim of this investigation is to study the early inflammatory features caused by the immune system before a cell storm occurs in Iraqi Corona patients. The investigation was conducted at Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, during the period from January 2021 until the end of March 2021. Our team obtained five milliliters of venous blood from 50 participants newly diagnosed with the Coronavirus (24 males and 26 females). Their ages ranged between (25-55) years compared to 38 individuals (18 males and 20 females). Corona virus patients had statistically significant higher (P<0.01) with Low density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDL-C), urea, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and (P<0.001) with D-dimer when they were compared with control group. There was a significant increase in the value of Interleukin-6(IL-6) in people infected with the virus compared to the reviewers whose swab results showed that they were not infected with the virus. For both interferon-? (IFN) and Tumor necrosis factor -a (TNF- a), the data showed a significant decrease in morale of reviewers diagnosed with acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19) against their non-infected peers. These data indicate that early intervention for IFN antiviral infection could be fundamental in inhibiting fibrosis to improve functional recovery. Any source of cytokine control, such as interferon-? and Tumor necrosis factor -a combined with combination therapies for clinical treatment, will be important in the future for COVID-19 infection.

When small touristic islands close down. Rethinking island vulnerabilities in the time of COVID-19: the example of Mauritius

Despite exceptional economic and social growth compared to other African states, the Mauritian state has long been considered a periphery of the world system, defined through two main stereotypes: a tropical island paradise for international tourists, but also an island characterized by a great vulnerability linked to its small size, its relative remoteness and its development problems. However, between March 2020 and March 2021, the unique way the COVID-19 pandemic has been managed questions territorial vulnerabilities. Furthermore, it invites us to address the issues of island discontinuity, smallness and islandness that have allowed Mauritian authorities to have a total control of the national space and, thereby, of the health crisis during the first year of the pandemic. However, the stringency of the containment and border closure measures has severely impacted island's economy, particularly tourism that is a major pillar of island development. However, the Mauritian authorities, aware of first signs of decline within tourism activity since 2019, were already thinking on the need to renew their tourism strategy. They have been tending to make this "Covid free" situation an opportunity to rethink the attractiveness of the Mauritian destination and engage in a "building back better" approach. This contribution proposal, which is based on numerous field missions carried out on this island over the past years, particularly in November 2020 and March 2021, intends to question island vulnerabilities in this unprecedented context of health, social and economic chaos.

Level of Anxiety among Medical Students during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The general atmosphere of the medical college is frequently seen as being extremely stressful;as a result, medical students' academic results suffer, as well as their physical and psychological health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate medical students' levels of anxiety about their future careers. Objectives: To exploring the level of anxiety among medical students during COVID-19 Pandemic Methods: It was a descriptive quantitative cross-sectional research. After receiving verbal approval from each student at the Fatima Jinnah Medical University in Lahore, the participants enrolled. The data was gathered using a pre-designed questionnaire. A VAS score was employed to assess anxiety levels. SPSS 23 was used to analyze data. To get the desired findings, a statistical test like the chi-square test was used, with a p-value of 0.05 being considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed that the mean age student was 20.33± 1.49 years with range from 19-27 years of 165 female medical students were enrolled. Maximum strength of 3rd professional year as 70(42.42%), students were asked to respond to their own self-perceived level of anxiety by using VAS scale of 0 to 100 (mild, moderate and severe) and 84(50.91%) students' shows severe level of anxiety. The factor contributing anxiety during COVID-19 explored and faced fear about future career 127(76.97%). Students observed that it took great effort to understand online lectures 108(65.45%) and faced the problem of recalling the memorized online 112(67.88%) as insignificant p-value. Conclusion: The COVID-19 epidemic did not seem to enhance the general degree of anxiety among medical students, but instead, they were more concerned about their studies, exams, and especially their future career.

Code status discussions in outpatient setting

Background: In the face of the COVID 19 pandemic, goal-concordant care has been gaining further significance. Discussions about the care goals are best when they are exploratory, conversational, and longitudinal. Complex information processing is best done outside of a crisis. Ideally, these conversations should start with the primary care clinician who has a longitudinal clinical relationship with the patient. Methods: A quality initiative project was conducted at the Internal Medicine Residency Clinic located in Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital. Review of order entry in electronic medical records and charts for code status was assessed for data gathering. Patients above the age of 65 years presenting for their annual physical visit were included in the study. Various interventions were done, including educating residents through didactic lectures, sending electronic reminders to the residents and formatting a template note including code status documentation. Pre and post-intervention data was gathered. Results: A total of 104 patients were in the pre-intervention group and 94 patients in the post-intervention group. Pre-intervention, code status was addressed in 33% of total patients interviewed during their annual physical visit. Post intervention, code status was addressed in 48% of the patients. Conclusions: This project was undertaken to increase awareness on a crucial aspect of the addressing code status in outpatient setting. Post intervention studies showed that addressing code status significantly increased. In order to fill the gap, we propose that addressing code status be a mandatory process or a reminder be generated in electronic health records.