Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 in adults and children

Different neurological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults and children and their impact have not been well characterized. We aimed to determine the prevalence of neurological manifestations and in-hospital complications among hospitalized COVID-19 patients and ascertain differences between adults and children. We conducted a prospective multicentre observational study using the International Severe Acute Respiratory and emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) cohort across 1507 sites worldwide from 30 January 2020 to 25 May 2021. Analyses of neurological manifestations and neurological complications considered unadjusted prevalence estimates for predefined patient subgroups, and adjusted estimates as a function of patient age and time of hospitalization using generalized linear models. Overall, 161 239 patients (158 267 adults; 2972 children) hospitalized with COVID-19 and assessed for neurological manifestations and complications were included. In adults and children, the most frequent neurological manifestations at admission were fatigue (adults: 37.4%; children: 20.4%), altered consciousness (20.9%; 6.8%), myalgia (16.9%; 7.6%), dysgeusia (7.4%; 1.9%), anosmia (6.0%; 2.2%) and seizure (1.1%; 5.2%). In adults, the most frequent in-hospital neurological complications were stroke (1.5%), seizure (1%) and CNS infection (0.2%). Each occurred more frequently in intensive care unit (ICU) than in non-ICU patients. In children, seizure was the only neurological complication to occur more frequently in ICU versus non-ICU (7.1% versus 2.3%, P < 0.001). Stroke prevalence increased with increasing age, while CNS infection and seizure steadily decreased with age. There was a dramatic decrease in stroke over time during the pandemic. Hypertension, chronic neurological disease and the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were associated with increased risk of stroke. Altered consciousness was associated with CNS infection, seizure and stroke. All in-hospital neurological complications were associated with increased odds of death. The likelihood of death rose with increasing age, especially after 25 years of age. In conclusion, adults and children have different neurological manifestations and in-hospital complications associated with COVID-19. Stroke risk increased with increasing age, while CNS infection and seizure risk decreased with age

Suicidal ideations and Psycho-Education Compliance at a Transplant Center

Objective: To assess the frequency of compliance to provide psycho-education in patients suffering from suicidal ideations. Study Design: Retrospective Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration: Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore from 1st January 2021 to 31st December, 2021. Methodology: Electronic medical record of patients visiting psychiatric clinic at Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021. Results: Among the total 487 patients majority (34%) were consulted for pre-transplant assessment. The ideations were reported by 6.8% patients only, whereas in 1.4% of patients the record regarding suicidal ideations were not found. The mental health team provided psycho-education in 93% of all patients with ideations. The data suggests that medications were prescribed in all patients who reported suicidal ideation. Conclusion: The suicidal ideations are essential to ask in the clinical encounter. It is concluded that patients report ideations but to enquire is essential. The suicidal risk assessment is not dependent on the clinical site, i.e. whether a tertiary care center or a transplant center. We also conclude that documentation is pertinent and this can be achieved by selecting suicidal risk assessment as department’s Key Performance Indicator (KPI). Keywords: Suicidal Ideations, Compliance, Psychoeducation, Outpatient, Mental Health, Risk Management, Transplant Patients How to Cite This: Khan F, Munawar S, Nawaz N, Bhimani M. Suicidal ideations and Psycho-Education compliance at a Transplant Center. Isra Med J. 2022; 14(3): 113-116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55282/imj.oa1334</jats:p

Fire Extinguisher Robo

Fire hazard is a very common phenomenon in developing countries, which causes huge loss of lives and properties every year. Lack of detecting fire hazard in initial stage, delay in sending information to fire service authority and failure of taking primary initiative to extinguish or prevent spreading of fire increases the loss. This paper is concerned with developing of a microcontroller based autonomous fire extinguisher robot which is able to detect a fire hazard automatically when it occurs, sends information to fire service authority instantly and takes initiative to extinguish the fire. Three different sensors are used to detect the fire hazard. Microcontroller takes data from sensors and makes a decision of fire hazard analysing the data. At the same time, it runs to search the fire following a black track in the floor and throw water to extinguish the fire by activating a water pump when it gets a flame. Keywords: Fire Extinguisher Robo, DC motors, Flame Sensor, Water pump, Arduino, and Human Life.</jats:p

Outcome of First Episode Psychosis in Bangladesh-Report from A Pioneer Tertiary Referral Service

Limited research exists looking at outcome data in First Episode Psychosis in low income countries. This prospective analytical study looks at remission rates in psychotic symptoms on Positive and Negative Symptom Score (PANSS) following first contact with a pioneer Early Intervention Service based at a tertiary referral center in Dhaka, Bangladesh (DEIS). The study found that the remission rate at 6 months was 62% on PANSS. The study also found that a shorter Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) was positively correlated with improved remission rates at 3- and 6-months follow-up. As a secondary finding, the study established that 62% of individuals attending the service had attempted to access spiritual or traditional healers prior to entering into mental health services</jats:p

A CAUSAL COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS SENSE OF SELF EFFICACY IN THE CONTEXT OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Leadership is the key element of all educational endeavors. Leaders are the implementer of educational plans and innovations. Other educational departments are for their assistance. Effectiveness of leadership lies in leaders’ sense of self-efficacy. The causal- comparative research study was conducted to elaborate the effect of gender on leadership skills with specific reference to self-efficacy. Simple Random sampling procedure is followed to select sample (N=50) of educational leaders in the context of teacher education. Multiple data sources such as questionnaire, interviews, observations and informal discussions are used to collect the data. These modes of data collection make triangulation feasible. Hypotheses were tested statistically with the application of software (SPSS). The findings possess by the study are important and interesting such as in decision making educational leaders’ sense of efficacy works as a driven force. There is no any significant difference in the sense of efficacy in both gender and both can be a successful leader. Majority of the female leaders enjoy instructional leadership style due to contextual realities, where females are under privilege, while male leaders are confident and reflective. But time management and objectivity of the task is difficult for them to manage. Recommendations are placed to modify the existing situation.</jats:p