Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Hematological and Molecular Profiling of Some Blood Pathogens in Dog Breeding Farm in Egypt

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are widespread arthropod-transmitted diseases that pose a significant threat to animal and human health. Despite their growing significance, little is known about the vector-born pathogen in Egypt. There is a substantial diagnostic challenge, especially when a dog is co-infected with more than one pathogen. Microscopic blood smear examination (n=49) followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR, n=6) using species-specific primers of Babesia and Mycoplasma was used to establish the prevalence of each infecting pathogen. Most of the examined dogs recorded macrocytic hypochromic anemia with marked thrombocytopenia. The dog ticks; Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Haemaphysalis elliptica were morphologically identified. Blood smear analysis showed that Babesia spp. was the most prevalent pathogen detected with an overall prevalence of 44.9% (22/49), 18.44% (9/49) for Mycoplasma spp, and co-infection was found in 8.2% (4/49) dogs. Quantitative PCR identified B. canis vogeli, B. gibsoni, and Mycoplasma haemocanis. Babesiosis infection in this study was significantly reliant on sex, season, and age. This is the first microscopical and molecular identification of M. haemocanis in dogs in Egypt. This study provides a foundation for future avenues of research investigating prevalent vector-borne pathogens in endemic areas and offers crucial knowledge for future diagnostic efforts.

Appraisal on the wound healing potential of Melaleuca alternifolia and Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil-loaded chitosan topical preparations.

The present study investigates the wound healing potential of three chitosan-based topical preparations loaded with either tea tree essential oil, rosemary essential oil or a mixture of both oils in vivo. Essential oils of M. alternifolia and R. officinalis were analyzed using GC/MS. Essential oil-loaded chitosan topical preparations were formulated. Wound healing potential was evaluated in vivo using an excision wound model in rats. GC/MS analysis of M. alternifolia and R. officinalis essential oils revealed richness in oxygenated monoterpenes, representing 51.06% and 69.61% of the total oil composition, respectively. Topical application of chitosan-based formulation loaded with a mixture of tea tree and rosemary oils resulted in a significant increase in wound contraction percentage compared to either group treated with individual essential oils and the untreated group. Histopathological examination revealed that topical application of tea tree and rosemary oil combination demonstrated complete re-epithelialization associated with activated hair follicles. The high percentage of oxygenated monoterpenes in both essential oils play an important role in the antioxidant and wound healing potential observed herein. Incorporation of tea tree and rosemary essential oils in chitosan-based preparations in appropriate combination could efficiently promote different stages of wound healing