The potential link between Covid-19 and multiple myeloma: A new saga.

BACKGROUND: Covid-19 is considered a primary respiratory disease-causing viral pneumonia and, in severe cases, leads to acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In addition, though, extra-pulmonary manifestations of Covid-19 have been shown. Furthermore, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may coexist with several malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: This critical literature review aimed to find the potential association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and MM in Covid-19 patients with underlying MM. Narrative literature and databases search revealed that ARDS is developed in both MM and Covid-19 due to hypercalcemia and proteasome dysfunction. RESULTS: Notably, the expression of angiogenic factors and glutamine deficiency could link Covid-19 severity and MM in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications. MM and Covid-19 share thrombosis as a typical complication; unlike thrombosis in Covid-19, which reflects disease severity, thrombosis does not reflect disease severity in MM. In both conditions, thromboprophylaxis is essential to prevent pulmonary thrombosis and other thromboembolic disorders. Moreover, Covid-19 may exacerbate the development of acute kidney injury and neurological complications in MM patients. CONCLUSION: These findings highlighted that MM patients might be a risk group for Covid-19 severity due to underlying immunosuppression and most of those patients need specific management in the Covid-19 era.

E-learning for Students With Disabilities During COVID-19: Faculty Attitude and Perception

Faculty at the special education department of the University held mixed concerns about e-learning opportunities for Students with Disabilities (SWD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research investigated their attitude using a questionnaire survey. The sample was 70 faculty members who specialized in tutoring students with disabilities. The Pearson regression (0.655) established the reliability of the data collection instrument. The results showed that faculty members held a positive attitude toward the application of e-learning technologies for SWD and supported its ability to allow for cognitive, social, and education interaction during the pandemic. While faculty agreed the method was no more time-consuming than regular classroom sessions, they were reluctant to invest the time in training. The research concluded the views of department members in the design of appropriate systems/curricula would help to eliminate barriers and encourage more support for e-learning of SWDs during the pandemic. The faculty had several recommendations for the successful application of online learning during the pandemic for special needs students. Most suggested the need for adequate educational resources within the departments, and appropriate software and hardware to enable teaching appropriate skills to the learners with disabilities. There was a further recommendation that e-learning should be incorporated into the curricular programs. © The Author(s) 2021.