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

The Effect of Gestational Age and Birth Weight on Serum Catalase Level as an Antioxidant Marker in Neonates

ABSTRACT Oxidative stress, the imbalance between the production of free radicals and anti-oxidants, results in irreversible cell damage. Birth implies a strong oxidative stress, for the rapid change from relatively hypoxic intra-uterine to the extra-uterine environment. Newborns are more susceptible to oxidative stress. Such oxidative environment; which increases in premature infants from birth before the 37th week of gestation, appears to involve an immaturity in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms. Catalase which is a common antioxidant enzyme, found nearly in all living organisms that are exposed to oxygen and functions to catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. Estimating the effect of gestational age and birth weight on serum catalase activity level, as an antioxidant marker in neonates. Forty neonates (20 full term "FT: and 20 preterm "PT") classified into 4 groups: group I (n=10, FT-AGA), group II (n=10, FT-SGA), group III (n=10, PT-AGA) and group IV (n=10, PT-SGA). Forty umbilical cord blood samples were collected immediately after birth to assess serum catalase activity level by Spectrophotometric method. Mean serum catalase activity level was statistically significant higher in FT group when compared to PT group. In PT group, there was insignificant positive correlation between serum catalase activity level and gestational age and birth weight. In FT group, there was statistically insignificant positive correlation between serum catalase activity level and gestational age. Serum catalase activity level positively correlated with gestational age and birth weight in neonates. The maturation of antioxidant system increases along with increasing gestational age and birth weight