Identifying viral infections through analysis of head space volatile organic compounds.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by human respiratory cells reflect metabolic and pathophysiological processes which can be detected with the use of modern technology. Analysis of exhaled breath or indoor air may potentially play an important role in screening of upper respiratory tract infections such as COVID-19 or influenza in the future. In this experimental study, air samples were collected and analyzed from the headspace of ancell culture infected by selected pathogens (influenza A H1N1 and seasonal coronaviruses OC43 and NL63).

European health regulations reduce registry-based research.

Background: The European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation has been proposed to harmonize health data processing. Given its parallels with the Act on Secondary Use of Health and Social Data (Secondary Use Act) implemented in Finland in 2020, this study examines the consequences of heightened privacy constraints on registry-based medical research.

Methods: We collected study permit counts approved by university hospitals in Finland in 2014-2023 and the data authority Findata in 2020‒2023.

Superspreading of SARS-CoV-2 at a choir rehearsal in Finland-A computational fluid dynamics view on aerosol transmission and patient interviews.

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the role of aerosol transmission and the importance of superspreading events. We analyzed a choir rehearsal in November 2020, where all participants, except one who had recently earlier recovered from COVID-19, were infected. We explore the risk factors for severe disease in this event and model the aerosol dispersion in the rehearsal room.

Effect of Vocalization on Human Aerosol Dynamics: Whispering Produces More Aerosols than Speaking.

Objectives: Sound pressure and exhaled flow have been identified as important factors associated with higher particle emissions. The aim of this study was to assess how different vocalizations affect the particle generation independently from other factors.

Design: Experimental study.

Aerosol generation during pediatric otolaryngological procedures.

Objectives: To assess the extent of staff exposure to aerosol generation in common pediatric otorhinolaryngological procedures (tonsillotomies, adenoidectomies, and tympanostomies) and determine the surgical phases responsible for most aerosol generation in these procedures.

Methods: Aerosol generation was measured during 35 pediatric otolaryngological procedures using an Optical Particle Sizer that measures aerosol concentrations for particle sizes between 0.3 and 10.

Estimated relative potential for airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a day care centre.

We estimated the hourly probability of airborne severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and further the estimated number of persons at transmission risk in a day care centre by calculating the inhaled dose for airborne pathogens based on their concentration, exposure time and activity. Information about the occupancy and activity of the rooms was collected from day care centre personnel and building characteristics were obtained from the design values. The generation rate of pathogens was calculated as a product of viral load of the respiratory fluids and the emission of the exhaled airborne particles, considering the prevalence of the disease and the activity of the individuals.

High-volume evacuation mitigates viral aerosol spread in dental procedures.

Dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) are subjected to microbe-containing aerosols and splatters in their everyday work. Safer work conditions must be developed to ensure the functioning of the healthcare system. By simulating dental procedures, we aimed to compare the virus-containing aerosol generation of four common dental instruments, and high-volume evacuation (HVE) in their mitigation.

Comparison of aerosol generation between electrocautery and cold dissection tonsillectomy.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 can spread through aerosols produced by surgical procedures, but knowledge of the extent of aerosol production and the risk posed by many common procedures does not exist. This study analysed aerosol generation during tonsillectomy and how it differs between distinct surgical techniques and instruments. The results can be used in risk assessment during current and future pandemics and epidemics.

Safe use of PHI6 IN the experimental studies.

Surrogate viruses theoretically provide an opportunity to study the viral spread in an indoor environment, a highly needed understanding during the pandemic, in a safe manner to humans and the environment. However, the safety of surrogate viruses for humans as an aerosol at high concentrations has not been established. In this study, Phi6 surrogate was aerosolized at high concentration (Particulate matter: ∼1018 μg m) in the studied indoor space.

Working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in primary and tertiary healthcare: a comparative cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has globally affected healthcare workers' (HCWs) health and wellbeing. Most studies on COVID-19 have focused on tertiary healthcare. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge on the effects of the pandemic on working conditions in tertiary and primary healthcare.

Rhinological procedures result in minimal generation of aerosols.

Background: COVID-19 and other respiratory infections spread through aerosols produced in respiratory activities and in certain surgical procedures considered as aerosol-generating procedures (AGP). Due to manipulation of the upper airway mucosa, rhinosurgery has been considered a particular risk for spread of respiratory infections. Our aim was to assess staff exposure to aerosols during common rhinosurgical procedures METHODS: Staff exposure to generated particle concentrations and size distributions between 0.

" Healthcare workers' perspectives on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed several risk factors to healthcare workers' (HCWs') emotional distress. The purpose of the study was to enhance understanding of the experiences and feelings of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with specific reference to infection prevention and control (IPC) practices and guidance, focusing on the quality and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), guidelines, and management. With a qualitative approach, we aimed to enable a wider narrative; to gain a more detailed understanding related to PPE use and identify experiences that can be overlooked in forced-choice questionnaires.

Combining Phi6 as a surrogate virus and computational large-eddy simulations to study airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a restaurant.

COVID-19 has highlighted the need for indoor risk-reduction strategies. Our aim is to provide information about the virus dispersion and attempts to reduce the infection risk. Indoor transmission was studied simulating a dining situation in a restaurant.

Aerosol concentrations and size distributions during clinical dental procedures.

Background: Suspected aerosol-generating dental instruments may cause risks for operators by transmitting pathogens, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The aim of our study was to measure aerosol generation in various dental procedures in clinical settings.

Methods: The study population comprised of 84 patients who underwent 253 different dental procedures measured with Optical Particle Sizer in a dental office setting.

Mental well-being of healthcare workers in 2 hospital districts during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unseen pressure on healthcare systems in many countries, jeopardizing the mental well-being of healthcare workers. The authors aimed to assess the mental well-being of Finnish healthcare workers from 2 hospital districts (Helsinki University Hospital [HUS] and Social and Health Services in Kymenlaakso [Kymsote]) with differing COVID-19 incidence rates during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020.

Material And Methods: A total number of 996 healthcare workers (HUS N = 862, Kymsote N = 134) participated in this prospectively conducted survey study during summer 2020.

Aerosol Generation During Otologic Surgery.

Objective: To assess whether aerosol generation occurs during otologic surgery, to define which instruments are aerosol generating, and to identify factors that enhance safety in protection against airborne pathogens, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Study Design: An observational prospective study on aerosol measurements during otologic operations recorded between August and December 2020.

Setting: Aerosol generation was measured with an Optical Particle Sizer as part of otologic operations with anesthesia.

Blood and saliva SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in self-collected dried spot samples.

We examined the usefulness of dried spot blood and saliva samples in SARS-CoV-2 antibody analyses. We analyzed 1231 self-collected dried spot blood and saliva samples from healthcare workers. Participants filled in a questionnaire on their COVID-19 exposures, infections, and vaccinations.

A machine learning approach to predict resilience and sickness absence in the healthcare workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have faced unprecedented workloads and personal health risks leading to mental disorders and surges in sickness absence. Previous work has shown that interindividual differences in psychological resilience might explain why only some individuals are vulnerable to these consequences. However, no prognostic tools to predict individual HCW resilience during the pandemic have been developed.

Aerosol generation during coughing: an observational study.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 has highlighted the lack of knowledge on aerosol exposure during respiratory activity and aerosol-generating procedures. This study sought to determine the aerosol concentrations generated by coughing to better understand, and to set a standard for studying, aerosols generated in medical procedures.

Methods: Aerosol exposure during coughing was measured in 37 healthy volunteers in the operating theatre with an optical particle sizer, from 40 cm, 70 cm and 100 cm distances.

Effect of RNA quality to SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR detection from saliva.

Saliva is an alternative sample material to nasopharyngeal swab in SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. We investigated possible aspects to improve the reliability of SARS-CoV-2 detection from saliva. Saliva was collected from asymptomatic healthy subjects (=133) and COVID-19 patients (=9).

Minor salivary gland infection as origin of peritonsillitis - novel theory and preliminary results.

Background: Peritonsillitis (PT) is defined as cellulitis in peritonsillar tissue without pus. The pathogenesis of peritonsillar infections is controversial.

Objective: To explore whether minor salivary glands are involved in the development of PT and to identify clinical findings that predict the evolution of PT to peritonsillar abscess (PTA).

Aerosol generation during general anesthesia is comparable to coughing: An observational clinical study.

Background: Intubation, laryngoscopy, and extubation are considered highly aerosol-generating procedures, and additional safety protocols are used during COVID-19 pandemic in these procedures. However, previous studies are mainly experimental and have neither analyzed staff exposure to aerosol generation in the real-life operating room environment nor compared the exposure to aerosol concentrations generated during normal patient care. To assess operational staff exposure to potentially infectious particle generation during general anesthesia, we measured particle concentration and size distribution with patients undergoing surgery with Optical Particle Sizer.

Microdebrider is less aerosol-generating than CO laser and cold instruments in microlaryngoscopy.

Objective: COVID-19 spreads through aerosols produced in coughing, talking, exhalation, and also in some surgical procedures. Use of CO laser in laryngeal surgery has been observed to generate aerosols, however, other techniques, such cold dissection and microdebrider, have not been sufficiently investigated. We aimed to assess whether aerosol generation occurs during laryngeal operations and the effect of different instruments on aerosol production.

Sources of healthcare workers' COVID‑19 infections and related safety guidelines.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of safety guidelines in the workplace, the authors analyzed the work-related exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the source of COVID‑19 infections among healthcare workers (HCWs), together with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in tertiary hospitals in the Uusimaa region, Finland, with 1072 volunteers being enrolled in the study from among the HCWs at the Helsinki University Hospital. Overall, 866 (80.