Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant burdens globally. Healthcare workers (HCWs), at the heart of the unparalleled crisis of COVID-19, face challenges treating patients and doing testing for COVID-19: reducing the spread of infection; developing suitable short-term strategies; and formulating long-term plans. We aimed to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 on Laboratory health staff. Material and methods: Between February - March 2021, 72 laboratory staff workers of a tertiary care teaching hospital were invited to fill out a questionnaire regarding concerns and worries about the novel coronavirus pandemic, along with a coping scoring system and General health questionnaire level (GHQ-12) survey. Results: Out of 72 laboratory health staff who completed the survey questionnaire, 10 were faculty members, 17 were residents (including senior residents, junior residents, and demonstrators), 39 were lab technicians, followed by 4 were attendants and 2 were data operators. Laboratory staff workers with an age group range from 30 years - 60 years had a higher level of depression symptoms than respondents with 20 years - 29 years of age. Similarly, the symptoms of anxiety were noted to be significantly higher among female respondents and respondents with age >30yrs. The most frequent concern was transmitting the infection to family than to themselves only. A considerable number of laboratory staff workers utilized online psychological resources to deal with their psychological distress.Conclusion: The findings of this survey recognize the various problems faced by laboratory health workers during the period of COVID-19 which affect their working ability. Therefore, in the future, we have to implement such strategies that enhance the performance of laboratory workers, boost their energy level, and encourage them to take care of themselves, in times of such crisis.

COVID vaccination has been associated with serious disorders including thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and myocarditis. GBS has been reported in adults following COVID-19 infection and rarely following the COVID-19 vaccination. Post COVID vaccination GBS has been associated with prominent and early facial diplegia and quadriplegia. Extension of the COVID vaccination program to the pediatric age group of 5 to 17 years has exposed this population to the adverse effects of the vaccination. Only a few case reports of post-vaccination GBS have been reported in the pediatric age group without any data on the true prevalence. We report a case of a male in his early adolescence with GBS presenting as facial diplegia and rapid quadriplegia following the BECOV2D, (Corbevax) vaccination. Our case is the first case of GBS reported following BECOV2D, (Corbevax) vaccination and highlights the presentation with prominent and early diplegia, which is similar to the presentation in adults.

The global pandemic COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, affected millions of people. COVID-19 is known for its respiratory symptoms, but new research reveals it may also affect other organ systems, including the liver. This abstract reviews COVID-19 and liver function. The virus enters host cells through liver-expressed angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. Thus, viral infection and replication may target the liver. Virus-induced inflammation and cytokine production may also harm the liver. ALT and AST elevations are the most prevalent liver abnormalities in COVID-19 patients. Liver function test abnormalities frequently indicate serious illness and poor clinical outcomes. COVID-19 may worsen pre-existing liver diseases such as NAFLD and chronic viral hepatitis. Drug-induced liver damage (DILI) from COVID-19 therapies including antivirals and corticosteroids complicates liver complications care. Recent investigations have also shown that COVID-19 may cause long-term liver damage. In conclusion, COVID-19 infection, immune-mediated damage, and treatment problems may severely compromise liver function. Optimizing patient treatment and discovering targeted medicines requires understanding COVID-19's liver role. To reduce the effects of COVID-19 on liver function, further study is required to understand the mechanisms and long-term effects.

There is still limited information regarding patients’ perception of the dental approach changes in the pandemic circumstance. Therefore, the aims of this study were, firstly, to evaluate patient perception regarding the COVID-19 infection risk in the orthodontic office in Brazil, and to assess the influence of age in infection risk perception. Orthodontic patients from five states answered an online questionnaire, anonymously, about quarantine behavior, perception of the infection risk in the orthodontic office, as well as the apparent need for the new biosafety approach. Descriptive analyses were performed for each question. Correlations between age and concern of getting infected were calculated with Spearman correlation tests. There were 406 responses. Most patients respected the quarantine, and 93.10% of those who were scheduled for appointments realized that their appointment would be safe enough. From the total, 83.99%, 84.98%, 89.90%, and 95.81% of patients judged, respectively, health status checks by phone, temperature checking, disposable coat, and face shield, as necessary. Only 6.40% reported an increase in the concern of returning to appointments. The younger the patient, the greater the concern of getting infected in future appointments (p = 0.042). Most patients were confident in the professional care before the appointment. The new biosafety approach was well accepted by the majority, with less agreement with temperature checking and the use of disposable coats. The younger the patient, the greater the concern of getting infected in future appointments. The rate of patients with risk factors for COVID-19 was 14.77%.

Objective: This study aims to assess whether COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is a risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome, and eclampsia. Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted on obstetric patients who gave birth between March 2020 and December 2021 at Augusta University Medical Center, an academic urban referral center in Augusta, GA. The patients were categorized into two groups: those who were COVID-19 positive during pregnancy and those who were COVID-19 negative. The primary outcome was the development of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Secondary outcomes included preterm delivery, mode of delivery, maternal death, maternal ICU admission, NICU admission, intrauterine fetal demise/stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, and prolonged hospital stay. The association between COVID-19 status and categorical outcomes was assessed using Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests. Mean differences between groups were evaluated using Student’s two-sample tests. Additionally, a multinomial multiple logistic regression was performed to assess whether COVID-19 is a risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy when adjusting for potential confounding effects. Results: Out of the 2760 charts reviewed, 2426 (87.9%) met the inclusion criteria. Of those 2426 patients, 203 were COVID-positive and 2223 were COVID-negative . There were no significant differences in patient sociodemographic information between the COVID-19 positive and negative groups. After adjusting for potential confounding effects, COVID-19 was determined to be a risk factor for combined hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.39-2.66) and preeclampsia specifically (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.38-2.88).For the observed secondary outcomes, COVID-19 infection during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery (p = 0.046), maternal ICU admission (p = 0.008), and prolonged hospital stay (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of developing preeclampsia. COVID-19 was not a statistically significant risk factor for gestational hypertension when controlling for confounding effects. The study was unable to draw conclusions about more severe hypertensive conditions of pregnancy (HELLP, Eclampsia), likely due to their low prevalence in the study sample. COVID-19 was shown to be a risk factor for cesarean delivery, prolonged hospital stay, and maternal ICU admission in secondary outcome analysis. This research contributes to existing knowledge by examining the association between COVID-19 and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy during a period encompassing multiple strains of the COVID-19 virus.

Loneliness was a major concern of people during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Now, that the pandemic is mainly gone, it is still a global issue. This commentary reviews the impact on that loneliness has on our cognitive, behavioral and affective functioning. These effects are described, along with the stigma that often accompanies loneliness and which makes it hard for people to acknowledge and admit that they are lonely, and seek help from healthcare professionals. This commentary, aside from describing the various negative implications of loneliness, highlights the need for society to address the issue. While it cannot be eliminated, the population can be taught how to recognize it, and how to offer assistance to those who struggle with it.

Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic infection originating in the regions of Central and West Africa. The global threat has been arising since monkeypox is spreading outside of the endemic regions. Pakistan has recently exhausted health funds in a quarrel against SARS-CoV-2, by supplying expensive COVID-19 vaccines to the general public, free of cost. Pakistan’s government has remarkably contributed to lowering the suffering of COVID-19-affected patients by granting the Sehat Sahulat Programme and similar health initiatives to restrict viral propagation in the general public. However, despite all efforts the major constraints are a lack of international funds and limitations on the budget of healthcare systems and medical facilities. Newly emerged cases of monkeypox are very threatening to Pakistan’s economy and health. Therefore, it is very necessary that healthcare authorities take effective measures like surveillance, early identification, separation, monitoring of contacts, immunization, and public awareness in order to stop the spread of the virus and control monkeypox outbreaks.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative potentials. Additionally, utilization of MSCs in the clinical arena has been shown to be safe and well tolerated. Hence, this form of cellular therapy has gained particular attention in the treatment of several infectious disorders and their complications. MSCs have been successfully used in the treatment of the following infections and their complications: bacterial infections including complicated sepsis; viral infections including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C viruses, and Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome; parasitic infections including schistosomiasis, malaria, and Chagas disease; and mycobacterial infections including tuberculosis. The use of MSCs derived from certain sources and Extracellular Vesicles (ECVs) derived from MSCs has improved their efficacy and reduced their side effects. However, the clinical application of MSCs in the treatment of several infectious diseases still faces real challenges that need to be resolved. The current status of MSCs and the controversies related to their utilization in various infections will be thoroughly discussed in this review. 

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has seen the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, resulting in the emergence of various concerning variants with unique biological characteristics. As the pandemic continues, it will be crucial to promptly evaluate the potential of any new variant to cause severe illness. The severity of the latest Omicron sublineages, including BA.5, XBB, BQ.1.18, BA.2, BA.2.75, and EG.5.1, is currently under assessment. This system provides valuable and essential information for rapidly assessing the threat posed by new versions of the virus.

The research creates a theoretical basis for examining the metamorphic changes and transformations in urban and housing planning with the interaction created by the latest epidemic in the world, which is moving towards a period related to climate problems. The first quarter of the 21st century witnessed an unexpected event: Humanity found itself in the middle of a pandemic considered temporary, it would be permanent and change the world dramatically. The post-COVID-19 period has led to significant and permanent changes in our lives, from urban planning to housing typologies. The study aims to understand the changing dynamics in the post-pandemic period that converges on the same goal with SDG, (Sustainable Development Goals), as continuity by updated dialogues, and discourses on literature. This research focuses on the SDG, (Sustainable Development Goals), and the post-pandemic period, analysis of two phenomena separated, analogous paradigms or intertwined. The findings of the public perception are there is a distinction between sustainability and pandemics considered dissimilar processes, they contain similarities. Contrary to common ideas, the pandemic was a catalyst for sustainability, and these two concepts contain analogous ideas and principles. In conclusion, it is revealed that they both concentrated on similar ideas; SDG, (Sustainable Development Goals) is “health”, and pandemic is the “healthy city” concept like; clean air, zero carbon, living healthy and safely in airy and green areas, etc.