Editorials

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Fight COVID-19

Physiological Genomics
Volume 52, Issue 4, April 2020, Pages 200-202

Alimadadi, Ahmad; Aryal, Sachin; Manandhar, Ishan; Munroe, Patricia B.; Joe, Bina; Cheng, Xi

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (13), has become an unprecedented public health crisis. Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University of Medicine has reported a total of 23,638 deaths as worldwide COVID-19 infections surpass 500,000 (as of 5 PM EST on March 26, 2020). On March 16, 2020, the White House, collaborating with research institutes and tech companies, issued a call to action for global artificial intelligence (AI) researchers for developing novel text and data-mining techniques to assist COVID-19-related research.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence, COVID-19, Machine Learning, SARS-CoV-2

Assessment of health information about the prevention of COVID-19 on the Internet

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance

Hernández-García, Ignacio; Giménez-Júlvez, Teresa

Abstract

Background: The internet is a large source of health information and has the capacity to influence its users. However, the information found on the internet often lacks scientific rigor, as anyone may upload content. This factor is a cause of great concern to scientific societies, governments, and users.

Objective: The objective of our study was to investigate the information about the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the internet.

Methods: On February 29, 2020, we performed a Google search with the terms "Prevention coronavirus," "Prevention COVID-19," "Prevención coronavirus," and "Prevención COVID-19". A univariate analysis was performed to study the association between the type of authorship, country of publication, and recommendations to avoid COVID-19 according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Results: In total, 80 weblinks were reviewed. Most of them were produced in the United States and Spain (n=58, 73%) by digital media sources and official public health organizations (n=60, 75%). The most mentioned WHO preventive measure was "wash your hands frequently" (n=65, 81%). A less frequent recommendation was to "stay home if you feel unwell" (n=26, 33%). The analysis by type of author (official public health organizations versus digital media) revealed significant differences regarding the recommendation to wear a mask when you are healthy only if caring for a person with suspected COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] 4.39). According to the country of publication (Spain versus the United States), significant differences were detected regarding some recommendations such as "wash your hands frequently" (OR 9.82), "cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze" (OR 4.59), or "stay home if you feel unwell" (OR 0.31).

Conclusions: It is necessary to urge and promote the use of the websites of official public health organizations when seeking information on COVID-19 preventive measures on the internet. In this way, users will be able to obtain high-quality information more frequently, and such websites may improve their accessibility and positioning, given that search engines justify the positioning of links obtained in a search based on the frequency of access to them.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment; Epidemiology

COVID-19, Rheumatic Diseases and Immunosuppressive Drugs: An Appeal For Medication Adherence

Rheumatology International 2020

Yun-Jung Kang

Dear Editor,

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak has raised concerns among patients on chronic immunosuppressive therapy because of immune response to virus perceived to be lowered, possibly fuelling non-adherence behaviour. Indeed, high frequency of infection has been observed in patients with rheumatic diseases. Despite immunosuppressive agents and impaired immune function had been associated with increased risk of infection, it must be remembered that uncontrolled disease activity is among the most sensitive and specific independent predictors.

Keywords

Clinical Aspects, Diagnosis, Treatment

Science Education in the Era of a Pandemic

Science & Education

Erduran, Sibel.

In late February 2019, when the Covid-19 crisis began to spread across South Korea, my doctoral student Wonyong Park was there for his data collection in secondary schools. Unphased by the growing national epidemic at the time, he remarked: “As a Cambridge student, Newton once had to return home due to the plague outbreak in England, during which he made his greatest discoveries! However, as the situation develops, I promise I’ll keep healthy and make this time most useful for me.” Now, about a month later, the entire planet finds itself in the midst of a pandemic

Keywords

Epidemiology

Roadblocks to Infection Prevention Efforts in Healthcare SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Response

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness

Popescu, Saskia

Abstract

The outbreak of a novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is challenging international public health and healthcare efforts. As hospitals work to acquire enough personal protective equipment and brace for potential cases, the role of infection prevention efforts and programs has become increasingly important. Lessons from the 2003 SARS-CoV outbreak in Toronto and 2015 MERS-CoV outbreak in South Korea have unveiled the critical role that hospitals play in outbreaks, especially of novel coronaviruses. Their ability to amplify the spread of disease can rapidly fuel transmission of the disease and often those failures in infection prevention and general hospital practices contribute to such events. While efforts to enhance infection prevention measures and hospital readiness are underway in the United States, it is important to understand why these programs were not able to maintain continued, sustainable levels of readiness. History has shown that infection prevention programs are primarily responsible for preparing hospitals and responding to biological events but face under-staffing and focused efforts defined by administrators. The current U.S. healthcare system though, is built upon a series of priorities that often view biopreparedness as a costly endeavor. Awareness of these competing priorities and the challenges infection prevention programs face when working to maintain biopreparedness is critical in adequately addressing this critical infrastructure in the face of an international outbreak.

Keywords

Epidemiology

A Randomized Trial Of Instructor-Led Training Versus Video Lesson In Training Health Care Providers In Proper Donning And Doffing Of Personal Protective Equipment

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness

Christensen, Liva; Rasmussen, Charlotte Schang; Benfield, Thomas; Franc, Jeffrey Michael

Abstract

Objective: This study compared live instructor-led training with video-based instruction in personal protective equipment (PPE) donning and doffing. It assessed the difference in performance between (1) attending 1 instructor-led training session in donning and doffing PPE at 1 month prior to assessment, and (2) watching training videos for 1 month.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial pilot study divided 21 medical students and junior doctors into 2 groups. Control group participants attended 1 instructor-led training session. Video group participants watched training videos demonstrating the same procedures, which they could freely watch again at home. After 1 month, a doctor performed a blind evaluation of performance using checklists.

Results: Nineteen participants were assessed after 1 month. The mean donning score was 84.8/100 for the instructor-led group and 88/100 for the video group; mean effect size was 3.2 (95% CI: -7.5 to 9.5). The mean doffing score was 79.1/100 for the instructor-led group and 73.9/100 for the video group; mean effect size was 5.2 (95% CI: -7.6 to 18).

Conclusion: Our study found no significant difference in donning and doffing scores between instructor-led and video lessons. Video training could be a fast and resource-efficient method of training in PPE donning and doffing in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords

personal protective equipment, coronavirus, video training, randomized trial

COVID-19, Diabetes Mellitus and ACE2: The Conundrum

Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice

Pal, Rimesh; Bhansali, Anil

Introduction

A novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has scourged the world since its outbreak in December 2019 at Wuhan, China resulting in the World Health Organization declaring it as a pandemic. As of March 22, 2020, COVID-19 has affected over 292,000 people in at least 185 countries worldwide with most of the cases being reported from China, Europe and the United States of America. The absolute number of deaths has already surpassed 12,750 globally and is expected to increase further as the disease spreads rapidly. The disease has also infiltrated the Indian masses and is spreading fast. India being a developing nation with more than 1.3 billion people, failure to contain the virus can lead to disastrous consequences with death toll perhaps surpassing all other nations.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Progress and Prospects on Vaccine Development against SARS-CoV-2

Vaccines 2020
Volume 8, Issue 2, Page 153

Zhang, Jinyong; Zeng, Hao; Gu, Jiang; Li, Haibo; Zheng, Lixin; Zou, Quanming

Introduction

In December 2019, the outbreak of pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to a serious pandemic in China and other countries worldwide. So far, more than 460,000 confirmed cases were diagnosed in nearly 190 countries, causing globally over 20,000 deaths. Currently, the epidemic is still spreading and there is no effective means to prevent the infection. Vaccines are proved to be the most effective and economical means to prevent and control infectious diseases. Several countries, companies, and institutions announced their programs and progress on vaccine development against the virus. While most of the vaccines are under design and preparation, there are some that have entered efficacy evaluation in animals and initial clinical trials. This review mainly focused on the progress and our prospects on field of vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2, Vaccine, Adjuvant, Animal model

ASPHER Statement On The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak Emergency

International Journal of Public Health

Middleton, John; Martin-Moreno, Jose M.; Barros, Henrique; Chambaud, Laurent; Signorelli, Carlo

Introduction

With the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) we are currently experiencing a worldwide emergency affecting all societies. Fortunately, we have learnt much since the 1918/19 influenza pandemic, and we have come a long way towards controlling infectious diseases. Smallpox has been eradicated, cases of measles and poliomyelitis have been drastically reduced, and much has been achieved in mitigating HIV. Still, we now must coordinate efforts on a global scale to stop the spread of COVID-19, an epidemic with grave consequences. Globalization, ease of travel and open borders present challenges; but the degree of scientific progress and the free exchange of rapidly generated knowledge also afford important opportunities not available in previous outbreaks. These opportunities must be put to good use; this is where public health plays a critical role.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment; Epidemiology

Neurosurgery During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Update From Lombardy, Northern Italy

Acta Neurochirurgica

Zoia, Cesare; Bongetta, Daniele; Veiceschi, Pierlorenzo; Cenzato, Marco; Di Meco, Francesco; Locatelli, Davide; Boeris, Davide; Fontanella, Marco M.

Introduction

Since February, 21st 2020, when the first person infected was reported in Lombardy, Italy rapidly became home to a massive Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Currently, on 21th March, 53,578 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Italy. 6072 patients are now hospitalized. The number of deaths has risen to 4825 while 6072 were declared healed [4]. This data shows that Italy is, currently, the second most affected nation in the world by the epidemic, second only to China

Keywords

RCT; Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Complex Emergencies Of COVID-19: Management And Experience In Zhuhai

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents

Jin, Hao; Lu, Ligong; Liu, Junwei; Cui, Min

Abstract

The impact of communicable diseases (infectious diseases) on human health is obvious. The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) has made people realise the threat of communicable diseases to mankind. As a city of many migrants, Zhuhai Special Economic Zone experienced great challenges brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic. Experience has been acquired from all aspects of this. A highly reactive, multifunctional and efficient emergency management system should be established, and the significance of information communication should be fully understood for the future.

Keywords

COVID-19, Epidemic, Public health

Chronic Kidney Disease Is Associated With Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection

International Urology and Nephrology

Henry, Brandon Michael; Lippi, Giuseppe

Editor,

As the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak expands, identification of predictive factors for severe infection is essential to enable risk stratification, optimize reallocation of hospital resource, and guide public health recommendations and interventions. Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an increased risk of both inpatient and outpatient pneumonia. Moreover, the pneumonia-related mortality rate in CKD patients seems to be 14–16 times higher than in the general population. In this article, we aim to explore the potential association between CKD and severity of COVID-19 infection.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Arthralgia as an initial presentation of COVID-19: observation

Rheumatology International

Joob, Beuy; Wiwanitkit, Viroj.

Dear Editor,

Arthralgia is an important clinical complaint seen in many virus infections. For a new emerging disease from China, COVID-19, the data on the rheumatic manifestation are limited. In a clinical epidemiology report published in Lancet, no data on joint complaint of the patients are mentioned. Here, the authors would like to share observation from Thailand, the second country where the disease exists. In Thailand, at present (28 February 2020), there are 40 patients. Of these 40 patients, at least one patient (2.5%) presented with joint pain complaint. The case is a female patient who initially presented with high fever and low platelet count was observed…

Keywords

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Treatment

Can Companion Animals Become Infected With Covid-19?

The Veterinary Record
Volume 186, Issue 12, Pages 388-389

Almendros, Angel

Introduction

The veterinary community has been following the evolution of the global pandemic of Covid-19 to identify risks to animals and possible zoonotic transmission. With some exceptions, most coronavirus (CoV) infections in domestic animals are predominantly associated with gastrointestinal disease. Their genetic diversity and variety of hosts are likely to be connected to their high mutation frequency and their RNA instability. This makes CoVs a public health concern with future outbreaks being predicted.

Keywords

Ethics, social science, economics

Spotlight on Jails: COVID-19 Mitigation Policies Needed Now

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Wurcel, Alysse G.; Dauria, Emily; Zaller, Nicholas; Nijhawan, Ank; Beckwith, Curt; Nowotny, Kathryn; Brinkley-Rubinstein, Lauren 

Dear Editor,

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare institutions and public health experts are mobilizing to develop mitigation protocols based on the experiences of other countries, including China, South Korea, and Italy. Compared to these countries, the US has a higher incarceration rate, with 10.6 million people booked into jails each year.2 Jails pose a unique set of challenges to COVID-19 prevention, detection, and management mitigation that deserves immediate attention.

Papa Giovanni XXIII Bergamo Hospital At The Time Of The COVID-19 Outbreak: Letter From The Warfront

International journal of laboratory hematology

Buoro, Sabrina; Di Marco, Fabiano; Rizzi, Marco; Fabretti, Fabrizio; Lorini, Ferdinando Luca; Cesa, Simonetta; Fagiuoli, Stefano

Abstract

In early December 2019, the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified as the agent responsible for the first pneumonia cases of unknown origin in Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei region in China. The virus has been identified as a novel enveloped RNA betacoronavirus2 , that has been promptly named SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). The World Health Organization (WHO), on January 12, 2020 declared the COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern. On March 11, the WHO made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment; Epidemiology

A Strange New World

New Scientist
Volume 245, Issue 3275, 28 March 2020, Page 5

Introduction

The new coronavirus may be upending our lives, but we aren't helpless against it.

HARD times lie ahead. Not only do we all have to contend with the threat of covid-19 itself, and its economic fallout, but as nations lock down movement outside our homes, there are extra mental pressures to cope with too. Fortunately, there are constructive things we can do.

Keywords

Epidemiology

Possible Method for the Production of a Covid-19 Vaccine

The Veterinary Record
Volume 186, Issue 12, Pages 388-388

Myint, Aung; Jones, Trevor

Introduction

OVER a number of years we worked on genetically transformed Pasteurella multocida vaccines, experimenting on whether they could provide protection against a variety of animal and avian virus diseases. We think the methodology has potential for a Covid19 vaccine.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Sourcing Personal Protective Equipment During the COVID-19 Pandemic

JAMA

Livingston, Edward; Desai, Angel; Berkwits, Michael

Introduction

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic accelerates, global health care systems have become overwhelmed with potentially infectious patients seeking testing and care. Preventing spread of infection to and from health care workers (HCWs) and patients relies on effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE)—gloves, face masks, air-purifying respirators, goggles, face shields, respirators, and gowns. A critical shortage of all of these is projected to develop or has already developed in areas of high demand. PPE, formerly ubiquitous and disposable in the hospital environment, is now a scarce and precious commodity in many locations when it is needed most to care for highly infectious patients. An increase in PPE supply in response to this new demand will require a large increase in PPE manufacturing, a process that will take time many health care systems do not have, given the rapid increase in ill COVID-19 patients.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment