Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Correlation of Zinc Serum level with Hypo-and Hyperthyroidism

Background: Low levels of zinc have been linked to thyroid function in the blood in several ways, but the link between zinc deficiency and thyroid disease has yet to be confirmed. This study aimed to estimate the serum zinc levels status in a sample of patients associated with hypo- and hyperthyroidism compared with normal thyroid function. Materials and Methods: The study included 38 patients who suffered from thyroid disorders, hyperactivity, and they were assessed by the members of the Endocrine Unit for a definitive for the diagnosis of the cause of thyroid dysfunction. As well as 12 healthy people who were used as a control group. Results: serum zinc levels were significantly lower in patients with hypothyroid 67.719(45.40-94.63) compared to hyperthyroid 90.21(53-101.22) and controls 90.27(83.20-100.71). &nbsp;(P&lt; 0.001). Similarly, as compared to the control group, the results revealed a statistically significant increase in TSH serum levels in hypothyroidism patients and a significant lowering in hyperthyroidism patients (P&lt;&nbsp;0.002).&nbsp; A negative association between TSH and zinc was found (p =0.001). The study did not show a significant association between TSH and T3, T4 with zinc in the controls group or the hyperthyroid patients. Even though there is a variation in median values among these groups of patients. The current study established no significant difference in serum levels of T3 in hypo- and hyperthyroidism patients (P=0.202) when compared to the control group. In comparison to the control group, the data revealed a statistically significant decrease in T4 serum levels in hypothyroidism patients and an increment in hyperthyroidism patients (P&lt;&nbsp;0.005). Conclusion: hyperactivity and hypothyroidism can both be caused by low zinc levels in the blood. To improve zinc status in this group, efforts to correct abnormal levels of thyroid hormones may help.Antecedentes: los niveles bajos de zinc se han relacionado de varias maneras con la función tiroidea sanguínea, pero aún no se ha confirmado el vínculo entre la deficiencia de zinc y la enfermedad de la tiroides. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar el estado de los niveles séricos de zinc en una muestra de pacientes asociados con hipo- e hipertiroidismo en comparación con la función tiroidea normal. Materiales y Métodos: Se incluyeron en el estudio 38 pacientes que sufrían de trastornos tiroideos, hiperactividad, y fueron evaluados por los miembros de la Unidad de Endocrinología con el propósito de establecer el diagnóstico definitivo de la causa de la disfunción tiroidea. Igualmente, 12 personas sanas fueron utilizadas como grupo de control. Resultados: los niveles séricos de zinc fueron significativamente menores en pacientes con hipotiroidismo 67,719(45,40-94,63) en comparación con hipertiroidismo 90.21(53-101,22) y controles 90,27(83,20-100,71) con (P&lt; 0.001). De manera similar, en comparación con el grupo de control, los resultados revelaron un aumento estadísticamente significativo en los niveles séricos de TSH en pacientes con hipotiroidismo y una disminución significativa en pacientes con hipertiroidismo (P &lt; 0,002). Se encontró asociación negativa de TSH con zinc (p =0,001). El estudio no mostró una asociación significativa entre TSH y T3, T4 con zinc en el grupo control o en los pacientes hipertiroideos. A pesar de que existe una variación en los valores medianos entre estos grupos de pacientes, el estudio actual no estableció una diferencia significativa en los niveles séricos de T3 en pacientes con hipo- e hipertiroidismo (P = 0,202) en comparación con el grupo de control. Los datos de esta investigación también revelaron una disminución estadísticamente significativa en los niveles séricos de T4 en pacientes con hipotiroidismo y un incremento en pacientes con hipertiroidismo (P&lt;0,005). Conclusión: tanto la hiperactividad como el hipotiroidismo pueden ser causados ​​por bajos niveles de zinc en la sangre. Para mejorar el estado de zinc en este grupo, los esfuerzos para corregir los niveles anormales de hormonas tiroideas pueden ayudar

Development of eco-friendly wall insulation layer utilising the wastes of the packing industry

Efficient thermal insulation materials considerably lower power consumption for heating and cooling of buildings, which in turn minimises CO2 emissions and improves indoor comfort conditions. However, the selection of suitable insulation materials is governed by several factors, such as the environmental impact, health impact, cost and durability. Additionally, the disposal of used insulation materials is a major factor that affects the selection of materials because some materials could be very toxic for humans and the environment, such as asbestos-containing materials. Therefore, there is a continuous research effort, in both industry and academia, to develop sustainable and affordable insulation materials. In this context, this work aims at utilising the packing industry wastes (cardboard) to develop an eco-friendly insulation layer, which is a biodegradable material that can be disposed of safely after use. Experimentally, wasted cardboard was collected, cleaned, and soaked in water for 24 h. Then, the wet cardboard was minced and converted into past papers, then cast in square moulds and left in a ventilated oven at 75 °C to dry before de-moulding them. The produced layers were subjected to a wide range of tests, including thermal conductivity, acoustic insulation, infrared imaging and bending resistance. The obtained results showed the developed material has a good thermal and acoustic insulation performance. Thermally, the developed material had the lowest thermal conductivity (λ) (0.039 W/m.K) compared to the studied traditional materials. Additionally, it successfully decreased the noise level from 80 to about 58 dB, which was better than the efficiency of the commercial polyisocyanurate layer. However, the bending strength of the developed material was a major drawback because the material did not resist more than 0.6 MPa compared to 2.0 MPa for the commercial polyisocyanurate and 70.0 MPa for the wood boards. Therefore, it is recommended to investigate the possibility of strengthening the new material by adding fibres or cementitious materials.Validerad;2023;Nivå 2;2023-11-21 (joosat);CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 License;</p