A machine learning COVID-19 mass screening based on symptoms and a simple olfactory test.

The early detection of symptoms and rapid testing are the basis of an efficient screening strategy to control COVID-19 transmission. The olfactory dysfunction is one of the most prevalent symptom and in many cases is the first symptom. This study aims to develop a machine learning COVID-19 predictive tool based on symptoms and a simple olfactory test, which consists of identifying the smell of an aromatized hydroalcoholic gel.

Effects of raloxifene on bone metabolism and serum lipids in postmenopausal women on chronic hemodialysis.

Background: Premature amenorrhea and hypoestrogenism and lack of hormone replacement therapy after menopause have been frequently reported in uremic women on dialysis. Therefore, in addition to renal osteodystrophy, postmenopausal women on dialysis could be at risk of osteoporosis. In addition, these patients are at higher risk for hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, and subsequent coronary heart disease and stroke.

Role of persistent amenorrhea in bone mineral metabolism of young hemodialyzed women.

Background: Chronic renal failure in women is frequently associated with endocrine disturbances leading to menstrual disorders. However, most studies on renal osteodystrophy have not taken into account the possible role of these hormonal disturbances on the pathogenesis of bone alterations seen in these patients. In the present study, we evaluated bone mineral metabolism in a group of young hemodialyzed women with persistent amenorrhea and compared them with similar women with regular menstruation.

Turnover of hepatitis C virus genotypes in hemodialysis patients.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes were determined in hemodialysis patients with a high prevalence and incidence of infection. A change of HCV genotype was observed in 6/14 follow-up samples analyzed 13 and 21 months later. The appearance and disappearance of HCV genotypes may be due to either genotype-specific intermittent viremic status or viral interference.

Hepatitis G virus infection in Amerindians and other Venezuelan high-risk groups.

Recently, a new virus related to flaviviruses, the hepatitis G virus (HGV), or GBV-C virus, was discovered as a putative blood-borne human pathogen. HGV RNA (NS5 region) was amplified by reverse transcription-nested PCR in the sera of 6 of 64 (9%) hemodialysis patients; 2 of 80 (2.5%) West Yukpa Amerindians, a population with a high rate of HBV infection but negative for HCV infection; and 1 patient with an acute episode of non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis (NABCH).

Reduced antibody reactivity to hepatitis C virus antigens in hemodialysis patients coinfected with hepatitis B virus.

Antibody reactivities to hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens and to synthetic peptides derived from different parts of the HCV genome (core, NS4, and NS5) were evaluated in HCV-infected hemodialysis patients. In the RIBA 3 assay, NS5 was significantly less recognizable by sera of hemodialysis patients compared to other HCV-infected subjects. Among hemodialysis patients, those coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (positive for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg+]) showed a reduction in reactivity to C33 and C100.

High incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients in units with high prevalence.

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was evaluated in 227 hemodialysis patients from four units in Caracas, Venezuela, by using different second- and third-generation enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and immunoblot assays. HCV antibodies were detected in 162 patients (71%) by the recombinant-based second-generation assays (Abbott and Ortho) and in 161 patients by the synthetic peptide-based EIA (UBI). Of the 162 HCV antibody-positive serum samples, 161 were confirmed to be positive by RIBA 3.

Risk factors for dialysis-associated hepatitis C in Venezuela.

Utilizing the first and second generation of enzyme immunoassays which detect antibodies to the C virus we investigated the frequency of anti-HCV antibodies in 315 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Other subpopulations at risk were used as reference groups. One hundred and twenty-three samples (39%) from the hemodialysis group repeatedly showed anti-HCV positive antibodies while only 19% and 1% were positive in the reference groups.