سال:1399 | دوره: | شماره: |تعداد مقالات:10

Dear Editor: SARS-CoV-2, a novel virus causing COVID-19 in addition to respiratory symptoms (1, 2), may present with gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea (3-5), even without respiratory complaints (6). . .

Background: Diff erent aspects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children have not been well understood so far. Objectives: In this paper, we reported the clinical, Paraclinical, and epidemiological features of the hospitalized children infected with COVID-19 in the southeast of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in six hospitals affi liated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences. All children who were under the age of 15 years old hospitalized with acute respiratory infection from February 20 to May 14, 2020, were included in this study. Demographic characteristics, past medical history data, and disease-related data such as symptoms, signs, radiologic, and laboratory data were collected. Results: Of 97 hospitalized children with an acute respiratory infection, 13 cases (13. 4%) had been diagnosed to be infected by COVID19. The mean (standard deviation) and median of age of the patients with COVID-19 were 68. 0 (55. 9) and 60 months, respectively. Fever (n = 11, 84. 6%), cough (n = 8, 61. 5%), respiratory distress (n = 5, 38. 5%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (n = 5, 38. 5%) were known as the most common symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Frequency fever (84. 6% vs 47. 6%, P = 0. 016) and respiratory distress (38. 8% vs 13. 1%, P = 0. 022) were signifi cantly higher in patients with COVID-19 compared to non-COVID individuals. Frequency of admission in the intensive care unit (38. 5% vs. 27. 4%, P = 0. 668) and death rate (15. 4% vs. 7. 1%, P = 0. 291) were higher in patients with COVID-19 compared to non-COVID-19 subjects, but there were no signifi cant diff erences between the two groups in term of these variables. Conclusions: A low proportion of children hospitalized with acute respiratory syndrome were infected by COVID-19. Most of the children with COVID-19 recovered with supportive care with no need for any specifi c treatment.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a critical world concern, with healthcare workers (HCWs) at a high risk of infection. Thus, a suffi cient level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) must be ensured. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the KAP toward COVID-19 among HCWs in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on a large sample of HCWs dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple hospitals affi liated to the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The survey featured four sections: demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice. An expert panel validated the questionnaire, and its reliability was ensured through a pilot study on 20 HCWs (Cronbach’ s alpha = 0. 9). Results: We found that 72. 8% of HCWs had suffi cient knowledge, 66. 65% indicated correct attitudes, and 67. 72% described good practices. However, 24. 23% thought adequate protective equipment or facilities are unavailable. The knowledge scores were lowest on prevention and diagnosis, though symptoms were well-recognized. The male gender was correlated with more correct attitudes. Among nurses, 2-5 years of work experience was associated with better practice, with a master’ s degree being related to more positive attitudes. Conclusions: The KAP of HCWs toward COVID-19 are acceptable in Shiraz, but further education and training is benefi cial, especially on disinfectants and prevention; reassurance regarding protective equipment is also vital.

COVID-19 may have various radiological manifestations on the patient’ s chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Few cases with COVID-19 and pneumomediastinum have been reported to date. Here we present a patient with COVID-19, pneumomediastinum and emphysema.

Dear Editor: Viruses are microscopic parasites and generally much smaller than bacteria. They lack the capacity to thrive and reproduce outside of a host. Predominantly, viruses have a reputation for being the cause of infection (1). However, only a small number of microbes, parasites, and other pathogens in such a way need living organisms as their hosts to survive. In this regard, human communication and more importantly, the lifestyle of individuals are very important elements in the spread of the virus and completion or interruption of the transmission cycle. The same is true and can be applied in the case of the COVID-19 virus...

Background: COVID-19 is a serious pandemic. However, no studies worldwide have assessed the knowledge of any healthcare workers, including dentists, towards COVID-19. Objectives: Given the importance of Iran as an epicenter of this disease, this preliminary study assessed the knowledge of dentists, dental students, and dental specialists towards COVID-19. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire with 23 questions (three regarding sources of information and 20 regarding knowledge) was developed through a pilot study. It was distributed electronically to dental professions/students, 778 of whom completed it. Factors associated with knowledge were assessed using the chi-square test in SPSS ( = 0. 05). Results: Above 70% of the responders answered correctly to all questions, except for six more technical questions, including handwashing-related questions. Age, specialization, and attendance at lectures and meetings did not play a role in grasping accurate information (all P values > 0. 1). Men had poorer information (P = 0. 014), and the sources of information were mostly offi cial websites and social networks (P = 0. 000). Conclusions: Knowledge of dentists, dental students, and specialists towards SARS-CoV-2 is generally good, except in the case of more technical questions that need more education (especially regarding handwashing).

Dear Editor: Distance learning is a type of education in which all or most of the teaching are done through the learner to the learner regardless of time and place, in the sense that all or part of the communication between teachers and learners through one there is artifi cial media, whether electronic or print (1). By defi nition, technology is the normal or main tool of communication in distance learning. In fact, distance learning is a guided system or process that connects learners to distant resources. It can also be used as a tool to learn supplements (2). The historical evolution of distance learning has taken place in four main stages (correspondence systems, radio and television education systems, multimedia systems, and Internet systems), each of which, with its organizational form, is one of the main forms of communication has been derived (3). . .

Dear Editor, In the early days of the pandemic, fears were translated into retreat to personal, community, and national values for the sake of survival and protection. Concerns were expressed by the poor, and underdeveloped countries about equitable access to medicines or vaccines once developed and produced. Indeed, some rich countries and groupings, namely the USA and Europe, have announced that access priority to technology shall be given to their nationals. . .

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with a wide range of clinical symptoms. Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the neurological manifestations among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Rouhani Hospital in Babol. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted in March and April 2020 on patients admitted to Rouhani Hospital in Babol with COVID-19. A number of 230 medical records were selected randomly from a list. The data were collected using the demographic characteristics questionnaire and a checklist for the neurological symptoms. Results: Among the 230 patients with COVID-19 (mean [SD] age, 59. 85 [16. 22] years; 138 men [60%]), 127 (56%) patients had at least one neurologic symptom. The most common symptoms of the central nervous system disorder were headache (34%), dizziness (25%), and impaired consciousness (20%), and the most prevalent symptoms of the peripheral nervous system disorder were taste impairment (17%) and smell impairment (16%). The occurrence of transient ischemic attack (TIA) in women was signifi cantly higher than in men (P = 0. 02). Moreover, the incidence of dizziness, impaired consciousness, ataxia, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), anorexia, and smell impairment had a signifi cant relationship with age (P < 0. 05). Conclusions: The neurological manifestations are prevalent and substantial among patients with COVID-19. Therefore, it is suggested that the healthcare workers take these symptoms seriously, especially in the outbreak of COVID-19, and take the pertinent preventive and protective measures.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19) has brought great public health challenges into our lives. To date, there has been no specifi c therapeutic protocol for this disease, which requires a study with high-quality evidence. Objectives: To analyze clinical trials on COVID-19 in Brazil. Methods: Documentary research was conducted on the clinical trial registration platform. For the search strategy, the “ COVID-19” keyword was established in the “ condition or disease” section and “ Brazil” in the “ country” section. No limit on the search period was considered. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 81 registered clinical trials, 48 met the eligibility criteria. The sample size ranged from 10 to 3, 000 individuals. Most studies recruited individuals aged 18-64 years (48. 5%) and > 65 years (48. 5%). Regarding the study design, randomized (91. 6%), parallel (89. 5%), quadruple-blind (39. 6%), and therapeutic (97. 9%) types were more frequent. Most studies used standard two-arm trial (70. 8%), used drugs (79. 2%), placebo (58. 3%), and were sponsored by pharmaceutical/biotechnology companies and universities with 33. 3% and 29. 2%, respectively. Conclusions: Clinical trials under development in Brazil on COVID-19 are mostly carried out with adult and elderly participants, and regarding the study design, have a predominance of randomized allocation, parallel model, quadruple-blind masking with a therapeutic purpose. Most studies use antithrombotic agents or combinations of antithrombotic agents.