Background Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there have been concerns related to the preparedness of healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to describe the level of awareness and preparedness of hospital HCWs at the time of the first wave. Methods This multinational, multicenter, cross-sectional survey was conducted among hospital HCWs from February to May 2020. We used a hierarchical logistic regression multivariate analysis to adjust the influence of variables based on awareness and preparedness. We then used association rule mining to identify relationships between HCW confidence in handling suspected COVID-19 patients and prior COVID-19 case-management training. Results We surveyed 24,653 HCWs from 371 hospitals across 57 countries and received 17,302 responses from 70.2% HCWs overall. The median COVID-19 preparedness score was 11.0 (interquartile range [IQR] = 6.0–14.0) and the median awareness score was 29.6 (IQR = 26.6–32.6). HCWs at COVID-19 designated facilities with previous outbreak experience, or HCWs who were trained for dealing with the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, had significantly higher levels of preparedness and awareness (p<0.001). Association rule mining suggests that nurses and doctors who had a ’great-extent-of-confidence’ in handling suspected COVID-19 patients had participated in COVID-19 training courses. Male participants (mean difference = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.22, 0.46; p<0.001) and nurses (mean difference = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.53, 0.81; p<0.001) had higher preparedness scores compared to women participants and doctors. Interpretation There was an unsurprising high level of awareness and preparedness among HCWs who participated in COVID-19 training courses. However, disparity existed along the lines of gender and type of HCW. It is unknown whether the difference in COVID-19 preparedness that we detected early in the pandemic may have translated into disproportionate SARS-CoV-2 burden of disease by gender or HCW type.

The prognosis of breast cancer has radically changed in recent years and continues to improve due to the broad application of effective therapies. New targeting strategies including targeted delivery of cytotoxic drugs via receptor-targeting agents have been developed. We summarize recent publications and developments of novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) used to control breast cancer.

Background: The Coronavirus was first discovered in December 2019 and quickly it turned into a pandemic called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The main symptoms of infection with this virus were constitutional and respiratory symptoms. However, one-third of COVID-19 patients also developed neurologic manifestations, including Guillan-Barre syndrome (GBS), which was one of the most critical complications. Case presentation: In this paper, the authors present seven patients who suffered from GBS after being infected with the Coronavirus or in conjunction with the infection. Nerve conduction studies showed axonal type in four patients, and demyelinating type in three patients. Neurological symptoms were the initial symptoms in two patients and the presence of COVID-19 was later discovered. Most of the patients had an excellent recovery. Conclusion: In the medical literature, many articles have mentioned the association of GBS with the Coronavirus, and it is considered the most common peripheral neurologic complication for the virus, but this article is considered one of the very few articles that were published from the Middle East, especially from Syria. Guillain-Barre’s occurrence after infections is known, and the Coronavirus is one of the most important viruses of the era, which incited an increase in the number of Guillain-Barre patients.

Introduction and importance: Peritoneal hydatid cyst is a rare disease which transplants by eggs of Echinococcus. Peritoneal cysts are divided into primary and secondary. This case shows an unusual manifestation of peritoneal hydatid cysts, adding to the already known manifestations of this disease in medical literature. It is important because peritoneal hydatid cysts maybe life-threatening if it is not managed carefully. Case presentation: In this case, we present a patient with history of recurrent hepatic hydatid cysts who presented with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction. CT showed multiple peritoneal cysts consisting with peritoneal hydatid cysts located at the level of stomach pylorus. Although the patient suffered from multiple surgeries for recurrent hydatid cysts, she accepted the surgical option. The patient was discharged 10 days later after a non-complicated surgery. Albendazole was recommended after surgery. Clinical discussion: The mechanism of peritoneal hydatid cysts is still unknown, but one of theories declares that microrupture can explain the disease. Conclusion: This case emphasizes the idea that peritoneal hydatid cysts should be considered even in patients presenting with atypical symptom (eg, Gastric outlet obstruction). Highlights