Blockchain Based Framework for COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery using Smart Contracts

Abstract A blockchain is a continuously expanding list of documents known as blocks that are connected together via cryptography. A smart contract is a computer program that executes itself in accordance with the terms of a contract. In Traditional vaccine delivery systems, vaccine delivery information is not visible to all the supply chain entities, thereby prone to data tampering. Thus, transparency is the biggest concern in this system. In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid launch of a vaccine and the implementation of a worldwide vaccination campaign is crucial, but their success depends on the availability of an operable and transparent distribution chain that all necessary stakeholders can assess. In the proposed work, we show how blockchain technology may be used to enable transparent tracing of COVID-19 vaccination registration, storage, and distribution and self-reporting of side effects by constructing a prototype using smart contracts.</jats:p

The Potential Role of Vitamin B12 in the Prevention of COVID-19 Complications: A Narrative Review

The elderly are more prone to mortality from COVID-19 infection, as they are susceptible to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). For COVID-19 patients with ARDS caused by sepsis or septic shock, high-dose parenteral vitamin B12 appears to be a potential new treatment option. Vitamin B12 may play a substantial impact in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality reduction owing to its function in DNA synthesis, cellular control, improvement of anti-inflammatory immune responses, and decrease of pro-inflammatory responses. This review aims to assess the functional role of Vitamin B12 in COVID-19 in terms of its immunomodulatory effect, role in cellular and humoral immunity and maintaining the gut microbe homeostasis. From data inception to June 2021, accessible electronic databases were searched for research/review articles reporting on the function of Vitamin B12 in COVID-19. Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, WHO worldwide research on COVID-19 and the clinical trials registration “https://clinicaltrials.gov/” were used to conduct the systematic search by using keywords: “COVID-19 and “Vitamin B12”. Also, based on these outcomes, it can be concluded that Vitamin B12 may have a potential role in preventing COVID-19 complications. Further, studies evaluating the role of Vitamin B12 in COVID-19 may open a new array of ideas on the optimal and the well-tolerated dose and timing of its administration in COVID-19 patients.</jats:p

Covid vaccine dilemma curbing the herd immunity in India- Jab or no jab?

After the devastating second wave of COVID-19, with the rapid increase in the number of new cases in many states of India marking the beginning of a probable third wave of COVID-19, our best bet is taking a jab to protect against COVID-19. Currently, licensed vaccines are found to be reasonably safe and effective. The second wave of COVID-19 was devastating, but it's a silver lining to note that most of the individuals who had taken the jab recovered with mild infections, and the hospitalization rates among jabbed individuals were meager.  Various rumours related to the efficacy, safety, content, and side effects of the vaccine in India had caused a plunge in the vaccine acceptance rate leading to hesitancy and carelessness among the Indian population. This is a critical time for facts, not fear or rumors. This review provides an insight into the myths, pros and cons, and efficacy of the available vaccines.</jats:p

A Formal Analysis of Anthropometric Parameters for Effective Forecasting of Dyslipidemia in Healthy Young Adults

Background: Obesity in the younger age groups predisposes an individual for a high risk for developing dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Distribution of the abdominal adipose tissue cannot be accurately described by the traditional anthropometric indices.Newer anthropometric indices are better predictors of obesity.&#x0D; Objective: To compare the ability of different anthropometric indices in predicting dyslipidemia in healthy young adults.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was performed on 100 subjects (48 males and 52 females) at K S Hegde Medical Academy from 2017 to 2018 (power of study: 80%).  Apparently healthy individuals attending the executive health checkup plan and individuals from hospital staff aged 18-35 years were selected for the study. The Kolmogorov Smirnov test was used to determine the data's normality. Pearson's correlation test was used to measure the relationship between lipid parameters and various anthropometric indices. The predictive capacity of various anthropometric indices for distinguishing between dyslipidemic and healthy individuals was investigated using ROC curve analysis.&#x0D; Results: Newer anthropometric measurement approaches such as ABSI, BRI, CI, AVI, VAI, and LAP have been suggested as better instruments for predicting dyslipidemia. The present study found that VAI had the highest predictive efficiency in identifying dyslipidemia among apparently healthy adults using ROC analysis.  This discovery may lead to the use of a simple anthropometric index as a screening tool for cardiovascular disease prediction.&#x0D; Conclusion: The current study has shown that the VAI has emerged as a valuable instrument for dyslipidemia assessment in healthy young adults. Using regular laboratory tests and basic anthropometric measurements, VAI can be easily measured and can therefore be used as relevant dyslipidemia evaluation methods in clinical practice.</jats:p