SPG biomedPub Date : 2023-04-04DOI: 10.3390/biomed3020019
Molly Carlyle, Grace Newland, L. Morris, Rhiannon Ellem, Calvert Tisdale, C. Quinn, L. Hides
{"title":"A Longitudinal Assessment of Substance Use Treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Staff and Service Data","authors":"Molly Carlyle, Grace Newland, L. Morris, Rhiannon Ellem, Calvert Tisdale, C. Quinn, L. Hides","doi":"10.3390/biomed3020019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed3020019","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services were required to rapidly adapt delivery of care in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This study examined longitudinal changes in the delivery of AOD counselling in Australia over 21 months (October 2019–July 2021) before and throughout the pandemic, using both staff self-report and service data. Methods: Treatment staff from a large AOD service in Queensland, Australia provided self-report data on time spent delivering counselling via face-to-face, outreach (home visits), telephone, and virtual (video) formats. Two waves of online questionnaires were collected, with staff reporting on their time before the pandemic (retrospectively for October 2019–February 2020); during the first lockdown period (retrospectively for March–May 2020); when restrictions were initially eased (June–September 2020); and one year later (July 2021). Service records of the number of counselling episodes conducted by each treatment modality were extracted between October 2019 and July 2021, and analysed by month. Results: Staff (n = 117) and service records indicated an increase in telephone-delivered AOD counselling during the first lockdown, alongside an increase in total counselling records. Telephone-delivered counselling was still significantly higher one year later. Face-to-face counselling declined after the onset of the pandemic, but increased quickly when restrictions were eased. Outreach counselling decreased during the first lockdown. Virtual counselling remained negligible throughout. Conclusion: AOD treatment services quickly utilised telephone counselling options at the start of the pandemic, and demonstrated continued utilisation of this method one year later. Increased virtual (video) counselling was not observed and may be due to limited infrastructure, staff training, and clients lacking Internet connectivity or technology required.","PeriodicalId":93816,"journal":{"name":"SPG biomed","volume":"78 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83926076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SPG biomedPub Date : 2023-03-23DOI: 10.3390/biomed3020017
C. Delteil, J. Carvelli, L. Velly, L. Daniel, C. Capuani, J. Torrents, M. Gainnier, N. Bruder, M. Piercecchi‐Marti, P. Simeone
{"title":"Obliterative Endotheliitis Leading to Cystic Lung Necrosis in Severe COVID-19 during the First Wave of the Pandemic","authors":"C. Delteil, J. Carvelli, L. Velly, L. Daniel, C. Capuani, J. Torrents, M. Gainnier, N. Bruder, M. Piercecchi‐Marti, P. Simeone","doi":"10.3390/biomed3020017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed3020017","url":null,"abstract":"In the early months of the outbreak (2020–2022), COVID-19 was responsible for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and an exceptional number of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Weaning difficulties from invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and many deaths related to COVID-19 were associated with persistent pulmonary hyperinflammation leading to pulmonary fibrosis and sometimes, in the first wave of the pandemic and before the use of dexamethasone was introduced, pulmonary cystic necrosis. A 72-year-old man hospitalized with severe COVID-19 required IMV and died on day 31 of refractory ARDS. Postmortem examination of the lungs found obliterative endotheliitis proximal to pulmonary cystic necrosis. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 envelope and complement/lectin (MASP-2) deposits near the endotheliitis lesions suggested that the virus acted directly on vascular involvement by a complement-mediated mechanism. Together with classic features of ARDS (epithelial lesions and diffuse alveolar damage), endothelial involvement with endotheliitis was the hallmark of severe COVID-19. Corticosteroids and complement blockade were sometimes beneficial for treating severe COVID-19, perhaps by preventing microvascular damage.","PeriodicalId":93816,"journal":{"name":"SPG biomed","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73290871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SPG biomedPub Date : 2023-03-14DOI: 10.3390/biomed3010016
Dominic Worku
{"title":"Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A) and SARS-CoV2: An Evolving Relationship","authors":"Dominic Worku","doi":"10.3390/biomed3010016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed3010016","url":null,"abstract":"The SARS-CoV2 pandemic is the most significant global health emergency of the last century. While the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV2 is understood, the early and long-term outcomes of natural infection are increasingly being recognised. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) represents a manifestation of the extreme immune dysfunction that SARS-CoV2 infection heralds and has been described in both children (MIS-C) and adults (MIS-A). Here, we discuss current knowledge of MIS-A and the vast questions that remain unanswered.","PeriodicalId":93816,"journal":{"name":"SPG biomed","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135747679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SPG biomedPub Date : 2023-03-10DOI: 10.3390/biomed3010015
S. Fazio, P. Bellavite
{"title":"Early Multi-Target Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19, Particularly in Terms of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Indomethacin","authors":"S. Fazio, P. Bellavite","doi":"10.3390/biomed3010015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed3010015","url":null,"abstract":"Recently, in Italy, a flowchart to be used by General Practitioners for the at-home treatment of patients with COVID-19, has been released. It states that early at-home treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection is possible due to the availability of specific antiviral drugs to be used in at-risk patients, and that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have an important function in combating the virus. Therefore, the use of NSAIDs is not only rational but also effective in cases that cannot be treated using antivirals. These seemingly simple concepts have been applied in Italy since the beginning of the pandemic by doctors that belong to Italian groups created in order to help COVID-19 patients early at home, at a time of organizational difficulties within Italian health institutions and government. However, this approach was largely boycotted by both the Italian Ministry of Health and medical institutions, which mainly suggested the use of paracetamol as symptomatic, and a wait-and-watch approach for the first three days from the onset of symptoms. In this article, we analyze the rationale for the use of NSAIDs and, in particular, the multi-targeted approach including indomethacin in synergism with flavonoids and low-dose aspirin, as early at-home treatment of patients with COVID-19. Applying these simple concepts from the beginning could have reduced the high lethality of the disease during the first two years of the pandemic and prevented hospital overload. In perspective, it is still necessary to systematically address the comparison between different therapeutic approaches to this viral disease on an experimental basis.","PeriodicalId":93816,"journal":{"name":"SPG biomed","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89230303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SPG biomedPub Date : 2023-03-10DOI: 10.3390/biomed3010014
C. Edet, A. I. Wegbom, Kitoye Gentle Samuel, L. Sapira-Ordu, Ishmeal Daniel Jaja, Janet Ene-Peter, I. Harold, C. Onyema, Biteegeregha Godfrey Pepple, A. Fagbamigbe
{"title":"Prevalence and Factors Influencing Self-Medication among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Urban Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria","authors":"C. Edet, A. I. Wegbom, Kitoye Gentle Samuel, L. Sapira-Ordu, Ishmeal Daniel Jaja, Janet Ene-Peter, I. Harold, C. Onyema, Biteegeregha Godfrey Pepple, A. Fagbamigbe","doi":"10.3390/biomed3010014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed3010014","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the adverse effects of self-medication (SM), such as antimicrobial drug resistance, drug addiction, allergy, worsening of ailment, organ damage, disability, and death, the practice is still common and increasingly practiced globally, even among pregnant women. This study investigated the prevalence and factors influencing self-medication among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in urban tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out in two tertiary hospitals in Port Harcourt between 25 September and 24 October 2022, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and logistics regression techniques, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. A total of 413 respondents participated in the study. The prevalence of SM was 31.0% (95% CI = 26.7–73.3). Women who were not married and those with less than secondary education had the highest prevalence, 60.5% (95% CI = 45.1–74.0) and 51.1% (95% CI = 42.7–59.4), respectively. The common drugs used for SM were Paracetamol, antimalarials, antibiotics, cough and cold medicines, and herbal products. While the reasons for SM were emergency illness, high cost at health facilities, and distance to the health facility. The commonest illnesses/symptoms that necessitated SM included body pain, headache, fever, cold and cough, and vaginal discharge. Married women and those educated above the secondary level had lower odds of practicing SM compared to their counterparts; married (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.18–0.78) and >secondary level (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.18–0.51). This study showed that a significant proportion of pregnant women practiced SM and marital status and educational level were the factors influencing SM in the studied population. We recommend public health education and reproductive health programmes aimed at discouraging unmarried women and those with minimal education from the irrational use of drugs during pregnancy.","PeriodicalId":93816,"journal":{"name":"SPG biomed","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75307890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SPG biomedPub Date : 2023-02-24DOI: 10.3390/biomed3010013
C. M. O. Castro, M. T. O. Mota, A. Vidotto, Í. Caruso, M. R. Ribeiro, F. R. Moraes, Fátima P. Souza, M. Nogueira
{"title":"Alterations in the Cellular Metabolic Footprint Induced by Mayaro Virus","authors":"C. M. O. Castro, M. T. O. Mota, A. Vidotto, Í. Caruso, M. R. Ribeiro, F. R. Moraes, Fátima P. Souza, M. Nogueira","doi":"10.3390/biomed3010013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed3010013","url":null,"abstract":"Mayaro virus is a neglected virus that causes a mild, dengue-like febrile syndrome characterized by fever, headache, rash, retro-orbital pain, vomiting, diarrhea, articular edemas, myalgia, and severe arthralgia, symptoms which may persist for months and become very debilitating. Though the virus is limited to forest areas and is most frequently transmitted by Haemagogus mosquitoes, Aedes mosquitoes can also transmit this virus and, therefore, it has the potential to spread to urban areas. This study focuses on the metabolic foot-printing of Vero cells infected with the Mayaro virus. Nuclear magnetic resonance combined with multivariate analytical methods and pattern recognition tools found that metabolic changes can be attributed to the effects of Mayaro virus infection on cell culture. The results suggest that several metabolite levels vary in infection conditions at different time points. There were important differences between the metabolic profile of non-infected and Mayaro-infected cells. These organic compounds are metabolites involved in the glycolysis pathway, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the oxidation pathway of fatty acids (via β-oxidation). This exometabolomic study has generated a biochemical profile reflecting the progressive cytopathological metabolic alterations induced by Mayaro virus replication in the cells and can contribute to the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in viral pathogenesis.","PeriodicalId":93816,"journal":{"name":"SPG biomed","volume":"76 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85520281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SPG biomedPub Date : 2023-02-20DOI: 10.3390/biomed3010012
Rebeka Pečjak, Ž. Kozinc
{"title":"Long-Term Deficits in Muscle Composition, Performance and Quality of Movement after Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Review","authors":"Rebeka Pečjak, Ž. Kozinc","doi":"10.3390/biomed3010012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed3010012","url":null,"abstract":"The acute rupture of the Achilles tendon is an increasingly common injury due to an active lifestyle and participation in sports, especially in the middle-aged group. We conducted a focused review of the literature and found that the acute rupture of the Achilles tendon leaves long-term changes in the structure of the triceps surae muscle, regardless of whether it was treated surgically or conservatively. Significant elongation of the Achilles tendon and atrophy of the triceps surae can be observed on the injured leg, even 4 years or more after the injury. The injury also has long-lasting consequences on movement patterns of walking, running and jumping. These compensatory strategies place stress on other musculoskeletal structures, which are then at greater risk for injury.","PeriodicalId":93816,"journal":{"name":"SPG biomed","volume":"115 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79432238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SPG biomedPub Date : 2023-02-13DOI: 10.3390/biomed3010011
A. Adeniyi, M. Foláyan, O. Arowolo, N. Chukwumah, M. El Tantawi
{"title":"Association between Family Level Influences and Caries Prevention Views and Practices of School Children in a Sub-Urban Nigerian Community","authors":"A. Adeniyi, M. Foláyan, O. Arowolo, N. Chukwumah, M. El Tantawi","doi":"10.3390/biomed3010011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed3010011","url":null,"abstract":"Little is known about how family-level factors influence children’s caries prevention views and practices in Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between family level characteristics and caries prevention views and practices of 6–11-year-old primary school children. Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey of 1326 children in Ile-Ife, a Nigerian suburb. The child’s family structure, size, and birth rank were independent variables while the child’s caries prevention views and self-care practices were dependent variables. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk indicator(s) for caries prevention views and practices. The study participants’ mean (SD) age was 8.7 (1.9) years, 407 (30.7%) children had positive caries prevention views, and 106 (8.0%) children did not use the recommended self-care caries preventive methods. Children from larger families had significantly lower odds of having positive prevention views (AOR: 0.572; p = 0.002). Children who were not living with both parents had higher odds of using recommended self-care caries preventive methods (AOR: 3.165; p = 0.048). The findings suggest that family size and family living structure may be social determinants of caries risks in children 6–11 years old in the study population. These findings need to be studied further.","PeriodicalId":93816,"journal":{"name":"SPG biomed","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85001880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SPG biomedPub Date : 2023-02-01DOI: 10.3390/biomed3010010
M. Foláyan, R. A. A. Zuñiga, O. Ezechi, Nourhan M. Aly, Joanne Lusher, A. Nguyen, M. El Tantawi
{"title":"Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Emotional Distress, Transactional Sex and Psychoactive Substance Use during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"M. Foláyan, R. A. A. Zuñiga, O. Ezechi, Nourhan M. Aly, Joanne Lusher, A. Nguyen, M. El Tantawi","doi":"10.3390/biomed3010010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed3010010","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with emotional distress and determine if the quality of family relationships and the perception of social isolation can protect those who transacted sex or used psychoactive substances from emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data for 426 people who transacted sex and 630 persons who used psychoactive drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic were extracted from a database of participants recruited from 152 countries. The extracted data were the dependent (emotional distress), independent (age, sex, education status, employment status, HIV status, the perception of social isolation, and the quality of family relationships), and confounding (country income level) variables. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between the dependent and independent variables after adjusting for confounders. Students who transacted sex (AOR:2.800) and who used psychoactive substances (AOR:2.270) had significantly higher odds of emotional distress. Participants who transacted sex, lived with HIV (AOR:2.582), or had the same/better quality of family relationships (AOR:1.829) had significantly higher odds of emotional distress. The participants who used psychoactive substances, had tertiary education (AOR:1.979), were retired (AOR: 2.772), were unemployed (AOR:2.263), or felt socially isolated (AOR:2.069) had significantly higher odds of emotional distress. Being a student was the only sociodemographic risk indicator common to both populations. The risk indicators and protective factors for emotional distress differed for both populations despite both being at high risk for emotional distress.","PeriodicalId":93816,"journal":{"name":"SPG biomed","volume":"64 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84992174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
SPG biomedPub Date : 2023-01-30DOI: 10.3390/biomed3010009
Rahma Nur Istiqomah, L. Yunaini, U. Umiatin, P. Sari
{"title":"Effects of Static Magnetic Field (SMF) Exposure on Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Risk Indicators","authors":"Rahma Nur Istiqomah, L. Yunaini, U. Umiatin, P. Sari","doi":"10.3390/biomed3010009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed3010009","url":null,"abstract":"Dyslipidemia is a condition of abnormalities in blood lipids, such as increased LDL and decreased HDL. Exposure to intracellular static magnetic fields (SMFs) can affect membranes to modulate the number of Ca2+ ions, which can affect cell biological effects. Increasing the number of Ca2+ ions will affect the expression of genes that help reduce LDL levels as an indicator of CHD. This study aims to see whether the influence of SMFs can affect calcium levels, lipid profiles, SREBP-2 protein excretion, and LDLR gene expression, which affects the process of breaking down cholesterol. We used obese C57BL/6J male mice divided into standard and HFD feed groups. The HFD feed group was split into Obes0, Obes2, Obes7, Obes14, and Obes21 groups based on the day of exposure. The exposure was carried out with an intensity of Bmax = 2 mT for 1 h daily. After exposure to SMFs, there were changes in blood cholesterol and LDL levels, which tended to decrease in the Obes2 and Obes7 groups and increase in the Obes14 and Obes21 groups. In addition, the exposed group tended to have an increase in the expression of the LDLR gene, SREBP-2 protein, and calcium ion compared to the control. Although it managed to increase after exposure on days 14 and 21, there was a decrease in the expression of the LDLR gene and SREBP-2 protein; hence, the effect of SMF exposure can reduce the risk of CHD. However, research still needs to be done regarding the effective duration of exposure.","PeriodicalId":93816,"journal":{"name":"SPG biomed","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80418527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}