Delta Variant in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study on Clinical Outcomes Based on Vaccination Status.

BACKGROUND: As the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic endures, the spread of the Delta variant has introduced nuanced challenges, prompting a nuanced examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a multilevel logistic regression analysis encompassing 197 patients, comprising 44 vaccinated individuals (V group) and 153 unvaccinated counterparts (UV). These patients, afflicted with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, were hospitalized between October 2021 and February 2022 at the COVID-19 department of a University Centre in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. We compared patient characteristics, CT lung involvement, Padua score, oxygen saturation (O2 saturation), ventilation requirements, dynamics of arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters, ICU admission rates, and mortality rates between the two groups. RESULTS: The UV group exhibited a statistically significant (p < 0.05) proclivity toward developing a more severe form of infection, marked by elevated rates of lung involvement, oxygen requirement, ICU admission, and mortality. CONCLUSION: Our findings underscore the substantial efficacy of the vaccine in diminishing the incidence of severe disease, lowering the rates of ICU admissions, and mitigating mortality among hospitalized patients.

Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Personalizing Sleep Quality through Gentle Rocking Motion.

INTRODUCTION: Achieving restorative sleep is crucial for overall well-being, yet sleep difficulties affect a substantial portion of the adult population. Sleep disturbances are associated with diminished quality of life, physical complaints, cognitive impairment, and emotional regulation challenges. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the influence of an innovative experimental bed designed to generate rocking motions on sleep parameters. METHODS: A prospective observational study enrolled 60 adult participants, assessing their sleep on a regular stationary bed and the Inoveris bed, providing gentle rocking movements. Polysomnography was conducted, recording electroencephalography, electrooculogram, electromyogram, respiratory effort, and other parameters. RESULTS: The rocking bed significantly increased total sleep time (TST) and reduced N1 sleep stage duration (p < 0.001). Participants also experienced a quicker transition to the N2 sleep stage (p = 0.01), indicative of a faster shift from wakefulness to deeper sleep. Additionally, rocking led to a higher percentage of N1 sleep stages (p = 0.01) and a significant increase in N3 sleep stage duration (p = 0.004). While some results lacked statistical significance, notable trends in the rocking bed group have clinical relevance, consistently improving sleep parameters, including increased TST. The rocking bed also showed a trend towards higher sleep efficiency (SE) and sleep duration percentage, hinting at a potential overall enhancement in sleep quality. CONCLUSION: This study contributes valuable insights into the potential benefits of rocking motions on sleep architecture. Despite variations in outcomes across studies, our results underscore the potential of rocking beds as a non-pharmacological intervention for enhancing sleep quality. Notable improvements in total sleep time (TST), N1 sleep stage reduction, and accelerated transitions to deeper sleep stages highlight the clinical relevance of rocking interventions. Further research, collaboration, and addressing the identified limitations will advance our understanding of the therapeutic applications of rocking motions in sleep science.

A Rare Case of Successfully Treated Double Valve Infective Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rare yet particularly aggressive infective endocarditis pathogen. We describe a case of successfully managed double-valve P. aeruginosa infective endocarditis, in which the presumed source of bacteremia was a long-term tunneled central venous catheter used for hemodialysis.