Articles: pandemics.
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Observational Study
Effect of COVID-19 on quality of life of persons aged >70 years with adult spinal deformity: A cross-sectional case-control study.
This observational, cross-sectional case-control study evaluates the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in elderly persons who have undergone surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD). On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities first reported severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and on March 11, 2020, it was declared a pandemic. The pandemic seems to have had a negative effect on elderly patients who underwent ASD, in terms of functional and psychological quality of life. ⋯ Patients who underwent surgery also had a higher risk of depression (GDS, 6.7 [P = .02]), a lower EQ-5 score (P = .001), a higher body mass index (P = .004), greater consumption of drugs (P < .001), especially opiates (P < .001). Patients who underwent surgery constitute a vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic, with poorer quality of life and had a much higher risk of depression. They are also polymedicated and prefrail, adhere well to COVID-19 preventive measures, and do not seem to fear visiting health centers.
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Observational Study
Lower brachial artery flow-mediated dilation is associated with a worse prognosis and more lung parenchymal involvement in Covid-19: Prospective observational study.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is a highly infectious pathogenic coronavirus, which has appeared toward the end of 2019. The virus seen all over the world caused a pandemic of an acute respiratory disease named coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). It has been shown that the virus that uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors is causing endothelial dysfunction resulting in vascular inflammation and coagulopathy. ⋯ According to our results, lower FMD% was associated with higher lung parenchyma involvement, ICU admission, and mortality rate in Covid-19 patients. The best cutoff point for predicting mortality of FMD was 3.135%. Nevertheless, largescale, multicenter studies are needed to evaluate lower FMD values as a risk factor for mortality in Covid-19.
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Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global threat, administering effective and safe vaccines is currently the most promising strategy to curb the ongoing pandemic and decrease the number of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. However, there remains some uncertainty regarding the safety of vaccines for patients with kidney disease. ⋯ The patient's course of events of apparent IgAN exacerbation should prompt nephrologists to closely follow patients with glomerular disease after they receive a COVID-19 vaccine, especially if persistent gross hematuria occurs.
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the global workloads and general well-being of employees, especially in the university system. The object of this study is to evaluate the mental health and effect of increase in workload on the general well-being of the administrative staff of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, on the resumption of academic activities after the lockdown due to COVID-19. A total of 73 randomly selected administrative staff were involved in the study. ⋯ The married, divorced, widowed, older, and females staff with >2 children are the most vulnerable to mental disorder, physical workload, frustration, and general health challenges. The younger staff, those with at most 2 children, and those who are still single experience lower mental and general health disorder and are more resilient. Significant and comprehensive health and administrative support should be provided for the overall well-being of the staff.
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The aim of the present study was to observe the abrasion of implant drills and postoperative reactions for the preparation of the interradicular immediate implant bed during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Thirty-two implant drills were included in four groups: blank, improved surgery, traditional surgery, and control. In the improved surgery group, a dental handpiece with a surgical bur was used to decoronate the first molar and create a hole in the middle of the retained root complex, followed by the pilot drilling protocol through the hole. ⋯ This study proved that a new pilot drill could only be used once in traditional surgery but could be used regularly in improved surgery. Improved surgery was more effective, efficient, and economical than the traditional surgery. The higher FCV-19S, the more severe swelling, pain, and trismus.