Anxiety and Depression Among Sudanese Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background: While treating patients during a pandemic, nurses are at risk of mental health issues caused by the stress they face. This study aimed to examine the degree of anxiety and depression among Sudanese nurses throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and demographic features and their association with depression and anxiety. Methods: An online-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Sudanese nurses. Data were collected from eligible nurses using a three-part questionnaire: demographic questions, the generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the major depression index (MDI). We used the Chi-square test and Spearman or point biserial correlation to assess the association between demographics, anxiety, and depression. Results: Two hundred and forty-six nurses from Sudan participated in this study. Around 69.5% of participants experienced mild to severe anxiety, while26.4% revealed mild to severe depression. We found a significant association between depression and anxiety (P < 0.001). However, we did not find a significant association between depression or anxiety categories and the baseline characteristics of participants. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates high rates of anxiety and depression among Sudanese nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As we found no association between anxiety and depression with personal characteristics, psychological support should be given to all nurses' categories as all of them nearly have the same risk for anxiety and depression

Phosphorylation bar-coding of Free Fatty Acid receptor 2 is generated in a tissue-specific manner

Free Fatty Acid receptor 2 (FFA2) is activated by short-chain fatty acids and expressed widely, including in white adipocytes and various immune and enteroendocrine cells. Using both wild type human FFA2 and a Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD) variant we explored the activation and phosphorylation profile of the receptor, both in heterologous cell lines and in tissues from transgenic knock-in mouse lines expressing either human FFA2 or the FFA2-DREADD. FFA2 phospho-site specific antisera targeting either pSer296/pSer297 or pThr306/pThr310 provided sensitive biomarkers of both constitutive and agonist-mediated phosphorylation as well as an effective means to visualise agonist-activated receptors in situ. In white adipose tissue phosphorylation of residues Ser296/Ser297 was enhanced upon agonist activation whilst Thr306/Thr310 did not become phosphorylated. By contrast, in immune cells from Peyer’s patches Thr306/Thr310 become phosphorylated in a strictly agonist-dependent fashion whilst in enteroendocrine cells of the colon both Ser296/Ser297 and Thr306/Thr310 were poorly phosphorylated. The concept of phosphorylation bar-coding has centred to date on the potential for different agonists to promote distinct receptor phosphorylation patterns. Here we demonstrate that this occurs for the same agonist-receptor pairing in different patho-physiologically relevant target tissues. This may underpin why a single G protein-coupled receptor can generate different functional outcomes in a tissue-specific manner

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population