The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in mandatory isolation and quarantine. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the psychological impacts of COVID-19 isolation and quarantine. Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study. Participants were Bahrainis aged >18 years who had undergone either isolation or quarantine. Eligible participants were identified from the COVID-19 contacts (quarantine) and cases (isolation) database of Bahrain. Validated questionnaires for self-reported depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies -depression [CES-D]), posttraumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale -revised [IES-R]), and perceived stigma (Stigma Scale [SS]) were administered. Results: Mean CES-D, IES-R, and SS scores were 16.76±5.65, 13.50±14.67, and 25.29 ±7.99, respectively. In sum, 40% (205 of 502) of participants showed clinically significant depression, and <20% (98 of 502) had indications of some posttraumatic distress, with greater depression and distress in those isolated than those quarantined. Perceived stigma was reported by 53.4% (268 of 502) of participants, more prominent among those quarantined. Depression and posttraumatic stress scores were significantly higher in females, college students, those with a history of mental health conditions, knowing a COVID-19 fatality, and experiencing social conflict. Age was a significant variable correlated with all three scales, with younger participants indicating more distress, depression, and stigma. Duration of segregation was significantly correlated with CES-D, score showing more depressive symptoms as the duration of isolation increased. Significant predictors were age, sex, history of mental illness, and COVID-19 status. Conclusion: Isolated and quarantined individuals reported depression, perceived stigma, and to a lesser extent distress. Psychological interventions identifying and targeting people with different-severity psychological burdens are in urgent need.
The bphK gene located in the bph operon of Burkholderia xenovorans LB400 encodes a protein, BphKLB400, with significant sequence similarity to glutathione‐S‐transferases (GSTs). GSTs are a superfamily of enzymes involved in the detoxification of many endobiotic and xenobiotic substances. Recently, BphKLB400 was shown to catalyze the dechlorination of a number of toxic chlorinated organic compounds. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of BphKLB400 with GSTs from other bacteria that degrade polychlorinated biphenyls identified a number of highly conserved amino acids in the C‐terminal region of the protein thought to be associated with substrate specificity. Mutating the conserved amino acid at position 180 of BphKLB400 from an alanine to a proline residue resulted in an increase in GST activity of bacterial cell extracts towards a number of chlorinated organic substrates tested including commonly used pesticides. Laboratory scale plant protection experiments suggested that E. coli expressing BphKLB400 [wildtype and mutant (Ala180Pro)] could protect pea plants from the effects of chloromequat chloride. Therefore, BphKLB400, identified as having dechlorination activity towards toxic chlorinated organic compounds used in the environment, could have potential in bioremediation.
Reports on the solubility of Fe during fluctuating redox conditions in soils and sediments are often difficult to interpret. This study was undertaken to examine the solubility relationships of Fe in suspensions of amorphous Fe(OH)3, Fe2O3(hematite), and soils subjected to changing redox conditions. A decrease in pe + pH was accomplished by the addition of organic matter and H2(g) in soils, and by H2(g) with a Pt catalyst in Fe(III) oxide suspensions. Addition of H2(g) and a Pt catalyst to Fe(III) oxide suspensions resulted in their dissolution and subsequent precipitation of two distinct Fe3O4 products. With small additions of O2 (0.2 mL of air), equilibrium was maintained with Fe3O4(magnetite). X‐ray diffraction confirmed its presence. When large amounts of atmospheric O2(g) were added (15 mL of air), the precipitate designated Fe3O4(amorp) was formed with a mean log of the equilibrium constant based on activities (Ko) of 40.65 ± 0.11. X‐ray diffraction showed this precipitate to be amorphous. This precipitate controlled Fe solubility within the pe + pH range of 4.0 to 12.7. In soil suspensions subject to changing redox, the Fe3O4(amorp) precipitate and Fe(OH)3(amorp) appear to control Fe solubility. Crystalline Fe(III) oxides including Fe2O3(hematite) and FeOOH(goethite) can only control Fe solubility under more highly stable, oxidizing conditions. Only with prolonged and intensive reduction is Fe3O4(magnetite) expected to form and control Fe solubility.
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