The epidemic of the 2019 novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency with multifaceted severe consequences for people's lives... Show moreThe epidemic of the 2019 novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency with multifaceted severe consequences for people's lives and their mental health. In this article, as members of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Resilience, we will discuss the urgent need for a focus on resilience during the current coronavirus pandemic. Resilience is pivotal to cope with stress and vital to stay in balance. We will discuss the importance of resilience at the individual and societal level, but also the implication for patients with a psychiatric condition and health care workers. We not only advocate for an increased focus on mental health during the coronavirus pandemic but also highlight the urgent need of augmenting our focus on resilience and on strategies to enhance it. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Show less
The study was about the economic impact of covid-19 lockdown and the sustenance of commercial motorcycle operators in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The objective of the study was to compare the... Show moreThe study was about the economic impact of covid-19 lockdown and the sustenance of commercial motorcycle operators in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The objective of the study was to compare the economic position of respondents during the compulsory stay at home order relative to what it was before lockdown. The study was a descriptive survey where questionnaire administration and focus group discussions were employed in order to get necessary information that was used for this study. Results from the study had it that the commercial motorcycle operators made a living within their income earning capacity in their transport operations before the COVID-19 pandemic days. However, due to the lockdown their economic life had been greatly affected because income plunged to zero; this has consistently thrown them into poverty. It was observed that the longer the lockdown, the deeper they are submerged into further depth of poverty. Respondents already concluded that it is certain that some routine basic economic activities that they indulge in cannot resume as soon as the lockdown is eased. This study therefore recommends that government should see to how they can subsidize tuition fee payment for school children as soon as schools resume. This hopefully will minimize idleness which if not look into may lead to breeding social miscreants in the face of inability of parents to quickly raise tuition fees. Show less
Elens, L.; Langman, L.J.; Hesselink, D.A.; Bergan, S.; Moes, D.J.A.R.; Molinaro, M.; ... ; Lemaitre, F. 2020
Background: COVID-19 is a novel infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory distress (SARS)-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several therapeutic options are currently emerging but none... Show moreBackground: COVID-19 is a novel infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory distress (SARS)-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several therapeutic options are currently emerging but none with universal consensus or proven efficacy. Solid organ transplant recipients are perceived to be at increased risk of severe COVID-19 because of their immunosuppressed conditions due to chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs). It is therefore likely that solid organ transplant recipients will be treated with these experimental antivirals. Methods: This article is not intended to provide a systematic literature review on investigational treatments tested against COVID-19; rather, the authors aim to provide recommendations for therapeutic drug monitoring of ISDs in transplant recipients infected with SARS-CoV-2 based on a review of existing data in the literature. Results: Management of drug-drug interactions between investigational anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs and immunosuppressants is a complex task for the clinician. Adequate immunosuppression is necessary to prevent graft rejection while, if critically ill, the patient may benefit from pharmacotherapeutic interventions directed at limiting SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. Maintaining ISD concentrations within the desired therapeutic range requires a highly individualized approach that is complicated by the pandemic context and lack of hindsight. Conclusions: With this article, the authors inform the clinician about the potential interactions of experimental COVID-19 treatments with ISDs used in transplantation. Recommendations regarding therapeutic drug monitoring and dose adjustments in the context of COVID-19 are provided. Show less
With societies around the world tackling the Coronavirus pandemic, the role of digital technology has come into focus as a means of augmenting efforts to manage disease and its impacts. What can... Show moreWith societies around the world tackling the Coronavirus pandemic, the role of digital technology has come into focus as a means of augmenting efforts to manage disease and its impacts. What can apps, big data, and digital analytics contribute to such efforts, and what risks do they pose? Asia provides important lessons. Not only have societies in the region long been at the forefront of technological development, but they have also proactively adopted digital solutions as they confront COVID-19. Importantly, Asia has a history of managing highly contagious diseases, and outbreaks like SARS in 2002 or H1N1 in 2009 have provided experiences in risk management and health provision that now powerfully inform both digital and non-digital responses to the current pandemic. The result is a diverse range of different approaches that can teach us much about the advantages and disadvantages of designing tech solutions to fight pandemics. Show less
Sadhu, S.; Agrawal, R.; Pyare, R.; Pavesio, C.; Zierhut, M.; Khatri, A.; ... ; Biswas, J. 2020
After the outbreak of the disease COVID-19, it has reached pandemic proportions within a very short time. It is mainly transmitted human-to-human through direct contact with secretions from an... Show moreAfter the outbreak of the disease COVID-19, it has reached pandemic proportions within a very short time. It is mainly transmitted human-to-human through direct contact with secretions from an infected person or through inhalation of droplets containing SARS-CoV-2. It is controversial whether the virus may be transmitted via tears. Exposed ocular surface can serve as a gateway in transmission and acquiring respiratory diseases. Considering the reported cases on healthcare workers indicating nosocomial transmission and the anatomical and physiological aspects it is perceived that ophthalmic healthcare professionals are at higher risk of contracting the virus by virtue of their job. In this narrative review we discuss current evidence around detection of SARS-CoV-2 in human tears and forms of transmissions reported to date. We also provide a comprehensive approach that may be implemented in an ophthalmic care facility to protect healthcare personnel, as well as patients, from contracting the virus. Show less
Against the background of the corona pandemic, the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences Foundation and the Swiss Society for Intensive Care Medicine Association have specified the guidelines ... Show moreAgainst the background of the corona pandemic, the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences Foundation and the Swiss Society for Intensive Care Medicine Association have specified the guidelines "Intensive Care Measures" with regard to the handling of scarce resources. Among other things, the age of a patient plays a role in the decision on the allocation of such resources. This appears problematic from the perspective of discrimination law. Instead of age, the chances of survival, which depend on the respective state of health, should be considered. Show less
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, a need for evaluation of already available drugs for treatment of the disease is crucial. Hereby, based on literature review from the current pandemic and... Show moreDuring the current COVID-19 pandemic, a need for evaluation of already available drugs for treatment of the disease is crucial. Hereby, based on literature review from the current pandemic and previous outbreaks with corona viruses we analyze the impact of the virus infection on cell stress responses and redox balance. High levels of mortality are noticed in elderly individuals infected with SARS-CoV2 and during the previous SARS-CoV1 outbreak. Elderly individuals maintain a chronic low level of inflammation which is associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production, a condition that increases the severity of viral infections in this population. Coronavirus infections can lead to alterations of redox balance in infected cells through modulation of NAD + biosynthesis, PARP function along with altering proteasome and mitochondrial function in the cell thereby leading to enhanced cell stress responses which further exacerbate inflammation. ROS production can increase IL-6 production and lipid peroxidation resulting in cell damage. Therefore, early treatment with anti-oxidants such as NAC during COVID-19 can be a way to bypass the excessive inflammation and cell damage that lead to severe infection, thus early NAC as intervention should be evaluated in a clinical trial setting. Show less
