COPD in the Time of COVID-19
COPD ExacerbationCOPDThis cross-sectional observational study will collect information about changes in exacerbation frequency and behaviour amongst a clinical cohort of severe or complex COPD clinic patients. This will be done through a combination of telephone survey and access to electronic heath records.
Monocytes and NK Cells Activity in Covid-19 Patients
COVID-19Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 21 moreSARS-CoV-2 belong to beta-coronavirus family and its transmission route and symptoms follow those of all community-acquired coronaviruses. The main difference of the novel Coronavirus is the higher mortality rate, that is around 3%. Death rate is over 1% only for patients over 50 years old, whereas until 40 years old is under 0,4%. No fatalities are declared among children under 10 years old to date. Death rate is almost double for male rather than female. This distribution of mortality rate according to age of infected patients could be only partially ascribed to other comorbidities in addition to great age. In fact, patients with no pre-existing conditions have however a case fatality rate of 0,9%. The almost null rate of severe illness in children and generally in patients younger than 40 years old is quite un-explicable. Infant, children and young people could be infected but infection is rapidly self-limited or without symptoms. Older patients undergo severe lung injury as consequence of an immune response that is late in coming. Possible explanation of these phenomena could be something, which assure ability to prompt response to SARS-CoV-2 in younger people independently from the novelty of the virus itself. It would seem to be that younger people are already sensitized to the antigens of the virus without a previous contact. This immunity is not really specific, but "partially specific" for many antigens of the virus, however able to limit the infection in the organism. Something stimulated the immune system and it scattered immunity against more and more antigens present. Children are the age group mostly exposed to all community-circulating viruses. This immunity is not persistent but progressively fade out. It protects from the age of two, when the hypothetical stimulation occurs, to the fifth decade because of its slow decrease. The only external stimulation, which healthy people receive are vaccines. All vaccinations and especially tetanic, diphtheria toxoids and inactivated bacteria as pertussis could stimulate immune system. They develop the specific immunity but generate also a sprouting immunity against antigens in transit, as coronaviruses and other community-circulating viruses. The developed immunity gives some protection against multiple viral infection for years until the natural fade out. After the fifth decade, that immunity is slower to be recall and reactivated. Additionally, transplant recipients and HIV infected patients, which have an immune system inhibited, unexpectedly, do not seem to suffer the worst complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. An immune system imbalance could be play a pivotal role during the reaction to the virus, limiting destructive consequences of excessive inflammation. According to the medical hypothesis on which the protocol is based on, young people could benefit from a functional adaptation of innate immune cells induced through epigenetic reprogramming and, especially, a pre-existing "partially specific" immunity to the community viruses caused by "bystander effect" of preceding vaccinations. In this study, we will explore the main differences existing among patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 who experience the illness at different degree of severity. We suppose to recognize different populations of patients, each one with a specific immunological pattern. It could differ in terms of cytokines, soluble factors serum level and immune cells activity both of the innate compartment and of the acquired one. The proof of a role of these immunological phenomena in the pathogenesis of Covid-19 are bases for implementation of therapeutic immunomodulatory treatments. In addition, the definition of an immunological risk profile could tailor established therapies to each kind of patient.
Evaluation of Transnasal Endoscopy During COVID-19 Pandemic
EndoscopyPatients who received the indication for endoscopic diagnostics using gastroscopy in transnasal technique will be included into the study. The examination is carried out in standard technique and is not influenced by the study. Following the examination, patient data is collected pseudonymously and a questionnaire is submitted to the patient.
Respiratory Tele Monitoring COVID 19 (TMR COVID-19)
Covid19The determinants of the evolution to a severe form for COVID-19 pneumonia remain unclear. COVID-19 pneumonia is characterized by a hypoxemia with a possible rapid worsening and related resuscitation requirement. The monitoring of patients in hospital wards (excluding intensive care unit) is therefore both necessary and complicated given the contagious risks for health workers. The COVID 19 Respiratory Tele Monitoring (RTM COVID 19) research project is based on a comparison between usual nurse respiratory monitoring (4 to 6 time per day) of respiratory parameters (capillary oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, hearth rate) and a continuous monitoring of these respiratory parameters with continuous monitoring by a portable, wireless and stand-alone device. The main objective of this work is a more sensitive and earlier detection of respiratory degradation events in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (capillary desaturation, increased respiratory rate) requiring the introduction of oxygen therapy, its increase or a resuscitation requirement with possible intensive care admission. A prospective, randomized, multicentre, comparative exposure study will be conducted with planned inclusion of 80 patients. This investigation will focus on patients with COVID-19 pneumonia hospitalized in dedicated medical wards of two University Hospitals in France. A randomization will be stratified by Hospital and adapted so that each Hospital provides the same number of subjects in each arms: Control Respiratory Monitoring Group (40 patients) Experimental Respiratory Monitoring Group (40 patients) The main criterion is respiratory degradation event, during a 4 days period after ward admission, which motivates a change in the therapeutic strategy defined by the presence of at least one of these elements: Capillary saturation < 94% (regardless of oxygen intake) for at least 2 minutes. And/or an increase in respiratory rate > 20/minute for at least 2 minutes. The modification of the therapeutic strategy is defined by: Introduction of oxygen therapy for included patients without oxygen therapy or supplementation of oxygen therapy > 2 litres/minutes for included patients with oxygen therapy And/or introduction of a high oxygen concentration mask And/or Request an On-Site Opinion from a member of the resuscitation team. And/or Transfer to intensive care or resuscitation unit And/or Need for immediate resuscitation for life-threatening distress.
COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness in Albanian Health Workers
Covid19The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine in hospital based HWs in Albania. This will answer critical questions about the real-world performance of COVID-19 vaccines in one of the key target groups for vaccination.
Incidence of Postoperative Delirium After Cardiac Surgery in Adults.
Postoperative DeliriumAdult Cardiac Surgery1 morePostoperative delirium is an acute syndrome of mental deterioration characterized by acute onset and fluctuating course during the day. Very frequent delirium is a presage of other serious comorbidities i.e.: sepsis, acute kidney injury, circulatory and/or respiratory failure. A detailed knowledge of symptoms and early diagnose of delirium increase the chances of early therapy. To what extent the occurrence of postoperative delirium influences hospital therapy in the Cardiac Surgical Postoperative ICU in University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk is unknown so far.
Evaluation of Post-covid 19 Patients Who Receive Ozonetheraphy With Thorax CT
Ozone Therapy for Covid 19 Pneumonia PatientsIt is known that enhances wound healing by oxidative stress and supports immune system besides it is cheap and has not any side effects. Aim of the study is to prevent pulmonary fibrosis by using ozone therapy as a supportive therapy on the patients who have pneumonia and ground glass opacity on thorax CT both in ICU and wards. Patients will follow for a year.
The Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Cardiovascular Heath of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder...
Autism Spectrum DisorderCardiovascular HealthThe aim of the questionnaire and semi structured interview was to understand how the Covid 19 pandemic has impacted the cardiovascular health, physical activity levels, sedentary behavior, sleep, anxiety levels and eating habits of children with ASD in comparison to before the pandemic.
Tele-monitoring of COVID-19 Survivors for Long-Term Impacts
COVID-19To confront the COVID-19 pandemic hospitals need to maximize bed availability and minimize the duration of patients' stay as much as possible. Given the constraints, physicians are neither able to investigate the long-term effects of COVID-19 nor able to optimize extended treatments beyond the hospital. Physicians also do not have time to keep patients mobile and lucid during their hospital stays, resulting in longer recovery periods and further complications for patients. The investigators propose the development of a tele-monitoring solution for the long-term monitoring of COVID-19 survivors. Such a solution will help save significant healthcare costs by reducing the number of plausible future hospitalizations due to patient complications, providing valuable insights to various stakeholders from doctors to policymakers on the long-term effects of COVID-19, and improving patient care and treatment. Using our team's existing bio-instrumentation technologies and years of experience, the investigators propose to develop a custom-designed miniaturized monitoring system capable of recording pulse oximetry (blood's oxygen level), blood pressure, heart rate and breathing and swallowing sounds. This solution will be non-invasive, easy to implement and will not require an assistant physically present. The system will be augmented by regular videoconferencing sessions with a medical practitioner. The frequency of the connection can be modified depending on the patient's condition and medical history in consultation with our team's physician. By running the proposed project on a large scale, the expected outcomes will be: 1) collection of reliable and objective information on the long-term impacts of COVID-19, 2) developing an all-in-one technology for future applications, 3) collection of objective and actionable information that can be used to optimize care and treatment plans for patients, 4) better care and treatment for all strata of society regardless of the remoteness of the residence, and 5) improved mental health and recovery of patients.
Oral Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccine
Oral ManifestationsCovid191 moreThis study is a multicenter cross-sectional survey-based study conducted in four European countries (Czech Republic, Germany, Slovak Republic, and Turkey). An online questionnaire will be utilized to collect data from volunteer subjects following the STROBE reporting guidelines of cross-sectional studies.