Partition Markov Model for Covid-19 Virus
subject: Bayesian information criterion, partition markov models, metric between markov processes
description: In this paper, we investigate a specific structure within the theoretical framework of Partition Markov Models (PMM) [see García Jesús and González-López, Entropy 19, 160 (2017)]. The structure of interest lies in the formulation of the underlying partition, which defines the process, in which, in addition to a finite memory o associated with the process, a parameter G is introduced, allowing an extra dependence on the past complementing the dependence given by the usual memory o. We show, by simulations, how algorithms designed for the classic version of the PMM can have difficulties in recovering the structure investigated here. This specific structure is efficient for modeling a complete genome sequence, coming from the newly decoded Coronavirus Covid-19 in humans [see Wu et al., Nature 579, 265–269 (2020)]. The sequence profile is represented by 13 units (parts of the state space’s partition), for each of the 13 units, their respective transition probabilities are computed for any element of the genetic alphabet. Also, the structure proposed here allows us to develop a comparison study with other genomic sequences of Coronavirus, collected in the last 25 years, through which we conclude that Covid-19 is shown next to SARS-like Coronaviruses (SL-CoVs) from bats specimens in Zhoushan [see Hu et al., Emerg Microb Infect 7, 1–10 (2018)].
creator: González-López Verónica Andrea, García Jesús Enrique, Tasca Gustavo Henrique
source: Epidemiology and Health
publisher: Korean Society of Epidemiology
date: 2020
coverage: Science, Medicine

Criminological aspects of the spread, containment and prevention of COVID-19
subject: coronavirus, Prevention, covid-19, Pandemic, crime, criminological cognition
description: There are many facets of the current pandemic to face and learn about. In addition to medical, political, economic, socio-psychological and other aspects it would be necessary to identify and study criminological aspects too. Relevant approach includes determining the origin of COVID-19, tendencies in the spread of the virus, interaction between epidemiological, economic and criminogenic processes, control systems of pandemic situations and resources, including law enforcement responses to the virus, and socio-economic and criminogenic consequences of COVID-19. The criminological approach in general includes the study of the causes and development of socially unfavourable phenomena, their determining factors, as well as the development of a methodology for improving preventive measures. Particular attention will be paid by the authors to these aspects in their study.
creator: Vilks Andrejs, Kipane Aldona
source: Epidemiology and Health
publisher: Korean Society of Epidemiology
date: 2020
coverage: Social Sciences

Comparison of Chest Ultrasound and Standard X-Ray Imaging in COVID-19 Patients
subject: coronavirus, covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, x-ray, Chest ultrasound
description: Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic poses new challenges for the medical community due to its large number of patients presenting with varying symptoms. Chest ultrasound (ChUS) may be particularly useful in the early clinical management in suspected COVID-19 patients due to its broad availability and rapid application. We aimed to investigate patterns of ChUS in COVID-19 patients and compare the findings with results from chest X-ray (CRX). Materials and Methods 24 patients (18 symptomatic, 6 asymptomatic) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction underwent bedside ChUS in addition to CRX following admission. Subsequently, the results of ChUS and CRX were compared. Results 94% (n=17/18) of patients with respiratory symptoms demonstrated lung abnormalities on ChUS. ChUS was especially useful to detect interstitial syndrome compared to CXR in COVID-19 patients (17/18 vs. 11/18; p
creator: Evgenii Shumilov, Ali Seif Amir Hosseini, Golo Petzold, Hannes Treiber, Joachim Lotz, Volker Ellenrieder, Steffen Kunsch, Albrecht Neesse
source: Ultrasound International Open
publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag KG
date: 2020
coverage: Medicine, Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine

Update on treatment and preventive interventions against COVID-19: an overview of potential pharmacological agents and vaccines
subject: vaccines, covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, Immunotherapy, antiviral drugs
description: Abstract The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) triggered by the new member of the coronaviridae family, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has created an unprecedented challenge for global health. In addition to mild to moderate clinical manifestations such as fever, cough, and fatigue, severe cases often developed lethal complications including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute lung injury. Given the alarming rate of infection and increasing trend of mortality, the development of underlying therapeutic and preventive treatment, as well as the verification of its effectiveness, are the top priorities. Current research mainly referred to and evaluated the application of the empirical treatment based on two precedents, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including antiviral drugs targeting different stages of virus replication, immunotherapy modulating the overactivated inflammation response, and other therapies such as herbal medicine and mesenchymal stem cells. Besides, the ongoing development of inventing prophylactic interventions such as various vaccines by companies and institutions worldwide is crucial to decline morbidity and mortality. This review mainly focused on promising candidates for the treatment of COVID-19 and collected recently updated evidence relevant to its feasibility in clinical practice in the near future.
creator: Hanyue Xu, Yinan Xiao, Wen Guo, Yunuo Zhao, Yuling Luo, Ming Wang, Zhiyao He, Zhenyu Ding, Jiyan Liu, Lei Deng, Fushen Sha, Xuelei Ma
source: Epidemiology and Health
publisher: Korean Society of Epidemiology
date: 2020
coverage: Medicine

Characterising neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with COVID-19 - Authors' reply.
creator: Thomas A Pollak, Aravinthan Varatharaj, Timothy R Nicholson, Jonathan P Coles, Laura A Benjamin, Alan Carson, Rhys H Thomas, Benedict D Michael
source: The lancet. Psychiatry
date: 2020

Reducing alcohol misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya.
creator: Florence Jaguga, Sarah Kanana Kiburi
source: The lancet. Psychiatry
date: 2020

Osteoporosis management during the COVID-19 pandemic – Position paper
subject: covid-19, osteoporosis, fractures
description: COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the already large number of victims of osteoporosis in Portugal. Osteoporosis outpatient clinics were either closed or had limited presential appointments. Many hospitals reduced orthopaedic services to make space for patients with COVID-19. In addition, the volunteer or forced sedentarism, as imposed by the pandemic, increased the risk of falls and fractures drastically. It urges to intensify the current efforts to improve the management of bone health and to prioritize fragility fracture care and prevention. This paper addresses the challenges in osteoporosis management during the COVID-19 pandemic and provides guidance on osteoporosis management. This position paper is a joint initiative of several health professionals and patients dedicated to osteoporosis.
creator: Ana M. Rodrigues, José Carlos Romeu, José Canas da Silva, José Tavares-Costa, Augusto Faustino, Carlos Vaz, José António Pereira da Silva, Helena Canhão
source: Biotemas
publisher: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
date: 2021
coverage: Immunologic diseases. Allergy, Internal medicine

COVID-19 infection and cardiac angiosarcoma: a dangerous combination—a case report
subject: covid-19, Heart tumor, Primary heart angiosarcoma
description: Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has strained all medical systems, especially in countries like Ecuador, where health services were already limited. These conditions, combined with a deadly and unusual disease, like primary heart angiosarcoma, can lead to severe outcomes. Angiosarcomas represent the most common and aggressive primary malignant heart tumor; regretfully, its clinical manifestations are vague and can be easily missed. Most patients become symptomatic when there is local invasion, embolization, or metastases, leading to late diagnosis and poor survival. High clinical awareness, adequate diagnosis, and prompt treatment are vital in these rare diseases, in which time is of paramount importance. Case presentation We report the case of a 28-year-old female who had cough, hemoptysis, and ground-glass opacities in the CT (computed tomography). Since Ecuador is in the middle of this pandemic, she was misdiagnosed and mistreated. Primary heart angiosarcoma was diagnosed, and regretfully, the patient suffered multiple complications due to diagnosis and died. Conclusion To this day, most cardiac angiosarcomas are found in a late-stage with distal metastasis and advanced local invasion. Sadly, this tumor is frequently missed due to its incidence and broad-spectrum of clinical symptoms. Considering that its manifestations can be misleading, misdiagnosis can occur, especially in pandemic times. Therefore, knowledge of other pathologies prevents COVID-19 from overshadowing other diagnoses, hence preventing delayed diagnosis or even misdiagnosis and consequent adverse outcomes for patients.
creator: Santiago A. Endara, Gerardo A. Dávalos, Vladimir E. Ullauri, Gabriel A. Molina, Aldo B. Zavala, Patricia M. Ponton, Maribel Brito, Carlos Nieto
source: Epidemiology and Health
publisher: Korean Society of Epidemiology
date: 2021
coverage: Diseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system, Surgery

Reflexiones en torno al Impacto del Covid-19 sobre la Educación Universitaria: Aspectos a Considerar acerca de los Estudiantes con Discapacidad
creator: Ricardo Moreno-Rodríguez
source: Epidemiology and Health
publisher: Korean Society of Epidemiology
date: 2020
coverage: Special aspects of education, Education

Perceção dos Estudantes Finalistas de Serviço Social Face ao Contexto de Emergência Covid-19
creator: Hélia Bracons
source: Epidemiology and Health
publisher: Korean Society of Epidemiology
date: 2020
coverage: Special aspects of education, Education