Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Am J Perinatol 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Division of Maternal-Fetal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York.

Objective:  This study was aimed to review 4 weeks of universal novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) screening among delivery hospitalizations, at two hospitals in March and April 2020 in New York City, to compare outcomes between patients based on COVID-19 status and to determine whether demographic risk factors and symptoms predicted screening positive for COVID-19.

Study Design:  This retrospective cohort study evaluated all patients admitted for delivery from March 22 to April 18, 2020, at two New York City hospitals. Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes were collected. Read More

Respiration 2021 Apr 20:1-6. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Background And Objectives: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT), as a clinical assessment tool for functional exercise capacity, is an integral component of lung allocation scores (LASs). In times of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, patients underwent 6MWTs wearing a surgical mask in ambulatory care. We investigated the impact of wearing a mask on 6-minute walk distances (6MWDs). Read More

Acta Haematol 2021 Apr 20:1-4. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.

Recently, a significant cluster of pneumonia caused by a novel betacoronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2) was described initially in China and then spread throughout the world. Like other coronaviridae, the viral transmission occurs mainly through droplets. In addition, the virus has been detected in different clinical specimens, suggesting a potential transmission by other routes, including blood transfusion. Read More

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Dr. DY Patil University, Pune, India.

Eur J Health Law 2021 Apr 19:1-19. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Faculty of Law, University of Macau 59193 Macau China.

This paper focuses on the COVID-19 vaccines authorised for use in the European Union, and explores the mechanisms in place to control vaccine safety and to compensate injured patients, mainly in the context of European law. Based on these considerations, the paper concludes that the refusal by some potential vaccinees to take the vaccine based on safety concerns is ungrounded and an indication of unrealistic expectations, but that in order to build public trust proper compensation mechanisms should be in place. Read More

Diabetes Metab Syndr 2021 Apr 14;15(3):863-868. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.

Background And Aims: Reduction of atherogenic lipoproteins is often the ultimate goal of nutritional interventions, however this is complicated given that hypolipidemia is frequently observed in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. We aimed to explore the association of hypolipidemia with patient outcomes in terms of immunothrombosis and multiorgan injury, focusing on specialized apolipoproteins apo A1 and apo B.

Methods: Lipid profiles of 50 COVID-19 patients and 30 sick controls presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) were measured in this prospective observational study. Read More

Soc Sci Med 2021 Apr 14;277:113934. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Department of Social Work and Social Policy, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Nanjing University, Jiangsu Province, 210023, P. R. China; The Centre for Asia-Pacific Development Studies, Nanjing University, Jiangsu Province, 210023, PR China. Electronic address:

Objective: Worry about COVID-19 is an important cognitive component and manifestation of COVID-19-related anxiety. It has a social dimension and is shaped by various social factors.

Data: We employ original data from a large survey (N = 20,632) conducted in China from April 21 to 23, 2020, which provide us with a rare opportunity to investigate COVID-19-induced worry among ordinary Chinese citizens. Read More

Eur J Oncol Nurs 2021 Apr 18;52:101958. Epub 2021 Apr 18.

Research Unit of Oncology, The Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (www.agecare.org), Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 19.3, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark.

Purpose: This study investigated experiences and levels of distress and resilience of Danish cancer patients during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The mixed methods design included a subset of cancer patients who responded to a cross-sectional survey in May 2020. Data were collected through telephone interviews. Read More

Med Hypotheses 2021 Apr 9;151:110592. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address:

COVID-19 is an airway disease that has affected ~125 million people worldwide, caused by a novel coronavirus termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), spread through respiratory droplets, direct contact, and aerosol transmission. Although most patients presenting with absent or mild symptoms recover completely, the highest morbidity and mortality rates are seen in the elderly, and patients with comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, immunosuppressive diseases, diabetes, and pre-existing respiratory illnesses. Several therapeutic strategies have been examined, but a wide-ranging therapeutic option for particularly severe cases of COVID-19 remains to be elucidated. Read More

Joint Bone Spine 2021 Mar 27;88(4):105179. Epub 2021 Mar 27.

Rheumatology department, CHU de Brest, Inserm, CIC 1412, Brest, France. Electronic address:

Biosens Bioelectron 2021 Apr 17;184:113218. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT, 06030, United States. Electronic address:

Quantifying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in clinical samples is crucial for early diagnosis and timely medical treatment of coronavirus disease 2019. Here, we describe a digital warm-start CRISPR (dWS-CRISPR) assay for sensitive quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples. The dWS-CRISPR assay is initiated at above 50 °C and overcomes undesired premature target amplification at room temperature, enabling accurate and reliable digital quantification of SARS-CoV-2. Read More

J Forensic Leg Med 2021 Apr 14;80:102170. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Palm Desert High School, 74910 Aztec Road, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, USA.

Defensive medicine is a practice that has been utilized by clinicians in efforts of preventing patient dissatisfaction and malpractice claims and may be done through either omission or commission. As much as 57% of physicians have disclosed that they practice defensive medicine. However, this practice does not necessarily prevent malpractice claims and more importantly, neither does it equate to good medical practice, with some leading to poor outcomes. Read More

J Surg Res 2021 Apr 17;265:60-63. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Department of Plastic Surgery, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

As the decision to permanently suspend the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills exam resonates across the medical education landscape, it has different implications for the graduates of American allopathic (US-MD), osteopathic (DO) medical schools and international medical graduates (IMGs). Through this perspective, we as authors who represent each of these three diverse cohorts highlight the changes that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and delve into the multitude of ramifications that could ensue as a result of this decision. Our propositions are geared towards a standardized objective structured clinical examination for evaluating US-MDs and DOs, and a call for novel evaluation strategies to assure the minimum clinical standards of IMGs. Read More

J Inorg Biochem 2021 Mar 29;219:111454. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; GBA National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, Guangdong 510700, PR China; Research Unit of Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, PR China. Electronic address:

In recent years, some viruses have caused a grave crisis to global public health, especially the human coronavirus. A truly effective vaccine is therefore urgently needed. Vaccines should generally have two features: delivering antigens and modulating immunity. Read More

J Crit Care 2021 Apr 16;64:125-130. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Dept of Perioperative Medicine and Intensive Care, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address:

Background: Outcome for critically ill patients with COVID-19 treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is largely unknown. We describe mortality and renal outcome in this group.

Methods: This observational study was conducted at a university hospital in Sweden. Read More

Clin Microbiol Infect 2021 Apr 17. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Renal Research Institute, New York, NY, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Pool testing strategies combine samples from multiple people and test them as a group. A pool testing approach may shorten the screening time and increase the test rate during times of limited test availability and inadequate reporting speed. Pool testing has been effectively used for a wide variety of infectious disease screening settings. Read More

Thromb Res 2021 Apr 8;202:182-183. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy.

Int J Infect Dis 2021 Apr 17. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran; Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. Electronic address:

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has called an urgent need for drug repurposing to improve the outcome of the disease. Quaternary ammonium compounds have been demonstrated to have antiviral effects and may be of use against SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Design: In this double-blind, single-center study, we enrolled patients with positive PCR test and/or CT findings for COVID-19. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2021 Apr 17. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy. Electronic address:

Objectives: The present study compared the performance of Lumipulse G Sars-CoV-2 Ag kit with TaqPath COVID-19 RT-PCR CE IVD kit.

Methods: The study was conducted on 4266 naso-oropharyngeal swabs. Samples were subjected to antigen RT-PCR tests for detection of Sars-CoV-2 and related variants. Read More

Travel Med Infect Dis 2021 Apr 17:102064. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. Electronic address:

Background: The first case of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Libya was diagnosed in March 2020. We aimed to determine the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 in Libya.

Method: In this retrospective descriptive study, we analyzed the demographics, initial clinical presentation, history, comorbidities, laboratory findings, complications, and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at several centers in the Western part of Libya between March 24, 2020, and December 3, 2020. Read More

Exp Gerontol 2021 Apr 17:111361. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Długa 1/2 Str., 61-848 Poznan, Poland. Electronic address:

RT-qPCR is the most reliable molecular method for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we analyzed results of RT-qPCR obtained for 3044 patients diagnosed as SARS-CoV-2-positive using four different molecular tests utilizing five RNA sequences. The analysis showed that patients' age inversely correlates with threshold cycle (Ct) values for RdRP gene (LightMix® Modular Wuhan CoV RdRP-gene by Roche Diagnostics) and RdRP+S genes (MutaPLEX® Coronavirus RT-PCR kit by Immundiagnostic). Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2021 Apr 17. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Prev Med 2021 Apr 17:106564. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Agent-Based Modelling Laboratory, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada. Electronic address:

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused severe outbreaks in Canadian long-term care facilities (LTCFs). In Canada, over 80% of COVID-19 deaths during the first pandemic wave occurred in LTCFs. We sought to evaluate the effect of mitigation measures in LTCFs including frequent testing of staff, and vaccination of staff and residents. Read More

Ann Clin Psychiatry 2021 May;33(2):e8-e12

Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA.

Background: In representative cases of Munchausen by internet (MBI), an individual (or "poser") goes online to falsely report or exaggerate illnesses or life crises. The principal goal, as in factitious disorder imposed on self or another, is to garner emotional satisfaction. We provide the first evidence that MBI can target a specific type of health care provider-in this case, birthing doulas. Read More

Ann Clin Psychiatry 2021 May;33(2):101-107

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact the mental health of health care workers (HCWs). To address this issue, it is essential to determine levels of anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress, and sources of stress, and to identify subgroups of HCWs at a higher risk of adverse mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of symptoms of mental illness in HCWs in the area surrounding Detroit, Michigan. Read More

J R Soc Interface 2021 Apr 21;18(177):20210063. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Manaaki Whenua, Lincoln, New Zealand.

In an attempt to maintain the elimination of COVID-19 in New Zealand, all international arrivals are required to spend 14 days in government-managed quarantine and to return a negative test result before being released. We model the testing, isolation and transmission of COVID-19 within quarantine facilities to estimate the risk of community outbreaks being seeded at the border. We use a simple branching process model for COVID-19 transmission that includes a time-dependent probability of a false-negative test result. Read More

J R Soc Interface 2021 Apr 21;18(177):20200947. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.

Viral tests including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are recommended to diagnose COVID-19 infection during the acute phase of infection. A test should have high sensitivity; however, the sensitivity of the PCR test is highly influenced by viral load, which changes over time. Because it is difficult to collect data before the onset of symptoms, the current literature on the sensitivity of the PCR test before symptom onset is limited. Read More

Klin Lab Diagn 2021 Apr;66(4):210-212

Astrakhan State Medical University.

To study the diagnostic characteristics of test systems for detecting antibodies to SARS-Cov-2. We studied the diagnostic characteristics of two test systems for detecting antibodies to SARS-Cov-2, registered in the Russian Federation. The first test system is a kit for detecting total antibodies to SARS-Cov-2 using immunochemiluminescence analysis on the «Cobas e 411» analyzer («Roche Diagnostics», Germany). Read More