PURPOSEThe objective of this study was to establish the relationship between the timing of admission to a hospital and the severity of injuries following an earthquake.

METHODSIt was a retrospective chart review of injured patients admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital following the 2005 Pakistan earthquake. Age, gender, injury severity score, type of injuries, complications, operations, hospital stay and mortality were studied and compared at different time intervals using SPSS.

RESULTSMost injuries were musculoskeletal [145 (59%)] vs. all other injuries, including minor lacerations [103 (41%)], but the percentage of non-musculoskeletal injuries was higher within 24 h (67% vs. 53% respectively, p = 0.4). Injury severity score (25 ± 10 vs. 16 ± 9, p=0.01), multiple injuries [73% vs. 45%, p=0.05] and crush syndrome [20% vs. 03%, p = 0.02] were significantly higher in patients admitted within 24 h. More patients with head and neck injuries were admitted within 24 h (27% vs. 18%, p = 0.4). Patients admitted within 24 h had higher complication rates (67% vs. 32%, P = 0.01) as well as mean operative procedures (2.8 ± 1.9 vs. 1.9 ± 1.9, p= 0.08).

CONCLUSIONOur study showed that patients admitted to a hospital within 24 h following an earthquake had more severe injuries and higher complication rate than those admitted after 24 h.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pakistan ; Patient Admission ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Systole*

Objective To explore inhibitory effects of genome-specific, chemically synthesized siRNAs (small interference RNA) against NS3 gene of hepatitis C virus (HCV) 1a genotype in stable Huh-7 (human hepatoma) cells as well as against viral replication in serum-inoculated Huh-7 cells. Methods Stable Huh-7 cells persistently expressing NS3 gene were produced under antibiotic gentamycin (G418) selection. The cell clones resistant to 1 000 μg antibiotic concentration (G418) were picked as stable cell clones. The NS3 gene expression in stable cell clone was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. siRNA cell cytotoxicity was determined by MTT cell proliferation assay. Stable cell lines were transfected with sequence specific siRNAs and their inhibitory effects were determined by RT-PCR, real-time PCR and Western blotting. The viral replication inhibition by siRNAs in serum inoculated Huh-7 cells was determined by real-time PCR. Results RT-PCR and Western blot analysis confirmed NS3 gene and protein expression in stable cell lines on day 10, 20 and 30 post transfection. MTT cell proliferation assay revealed that at most concentrated dose tested (50 nmol/L), siRNA had no cytotoxic effects on Huh-7 cells and cell proliferation remained unaffected. As demonstrated by the siRNA time-dependent inhibitory analysis, siRNA NS3-is44 showed maximum inhibition of NS3 gene in stable Huh-7 cell clones at 24 (80%, P = 0.013) and 48 h (75%, P = 0.002) post transfection. The impact of siRNAs on virus replication in serum inoculated Huh-7 cells also demonstrated significant decrease in viral copy number, where siRNA NS3-is44 exhibited 70% (P < 0.05) viral RNA reduction as compared to NS3-is33, which showed a 64% (P < 0.05) decrease in viral copy number. siRNA synergism (NS3-is33 + NS3-is44) decreased viral load by 84% (P < 0.05) as compared to individual inhibition by each siRNA (i.e., 64%–70% (P < 0.05)) in serum-inoculated cells. Synthetic siRNAs mixture (NS5B-is88 + NS3-is33) targeting different region of HCV genome (NS5B and NS3) also decreased HCV viral load by 85% (P < 0.05) as compared to siRNA inhibitory effects alone (70% and 64% respectively, P < 0.05). Conclusions siRNAs directed against NS3 gene significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression in stable cell clones. Viral replication was also vividly decreased in serum infected Huh-7 cells. Stable Huh-7 cells expressing NS3 gene is helpful to develop anti-hepatitis C drug screening assays. siRNA therapeutic potential along with other anti-HCV agents can be considered against hepatitis C.

Background: COVID-19 was first detected in Malaysia on 25 January 2020. Multiple clusters were detected in Petaling District, with the first locally transmitted case reported on 8 February. Descriptive analyses of the epidemiology of the COVID-19 outbreak in Petaling are presented, from the first case to the end of the first wave. Methods: All laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported to the Petaling District Health Office between 1 February and 26 June 2020 were analysed. Socio-demographic characteristics, symptoms, date of onset, date of exposure, travel history and history of comorbidities were obtained by phone interviews using one of two investigation forms. The descriptive analysis was conducted according to time, place and person. Results: There were 437 COVID-19 cases, for an incidence rate of 24/100 000 population. Ten (2.3%) deaths and 427 recovered cases were recorded. Of the 437 cases, 35.5% remained asymptomatic and 64.5% were symptomatic. Common symptoms included fever (43.8%), cough (31.6%) and sore throat (16.2%); 67.3% had no comorbidities, 62.5% reported close contact with a confirmed case, and 76.7% were local infections. Transmission occurred in four main groups: religious gatherings (20.4%), corporations (15.1%), health facilities (10.3%) and a wholesale wet market (6.4%). In 31.9% of confirmed cases, an epidemiological link to an asymptomatic case was found. Conclusion: Transmission of the disease by asymptomatic cases should be emphasized to ensure continuous wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing. Further research should be conducted to better understand the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from asymptomatic cases.

Background: and Purpose Randomized trials proved the benefits of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for select patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) within 24 hours of last-known-well (LKW). Recent data suggest that LVO patients may benefit from MT beyond 24 hours. This study reports the safety and outcomes of MT beyond 24 hours of LKW compared to standard medical therapy (SMT). Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of LVO patients presented to 11 comprehensive stroke centers in the United States beyond 24 hours from LKW between January 2015 and December 2021. We assessed 90-day outcomes using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: Of 334 patients presented with LVO beyond 24 hours, 64% received MT and 36% received SMT only. Patients who received MT were older (67±15 vs. 64±15 years, P=0.047) and had a higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; 16±7 vs.10±9, P<0.001). Successful recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b-3) was achieved in 83%, and 5.6% had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage compared to 2.5% in the SMT group (P=0.19). MT was associated with mRS 0–2 at 90 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.73, P=0.026), less mortality (34% vs. 63%, P<0.001), and better discharge NIHSS (P<0.001) compared to SMT in patients with baseline NIHSS ≥6. This treatment benefit remained after matching both groups. Age (aOR 0.94, P<0.001), baseline NIHSS (aOR 0.91, P=0.017), Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography (ASPECTS) score ≥8 (aOR 3.06, P=0.041), and collaterals scores (aOR 1.41, P=0.027) were associated with 90-day functional independence. Conclusion In patients with salvageable brain tissue, MT for LVO beyond 24 hours appears to improve outcomes compared to SMT, especially in patients with severe strokes. Patients’ age, ASPECTS, collaterals, and baseline NIHSS score should be considered before discounting MT merely based on LKW.