@article {pmid38020120, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, S and Wang, Y and Mao, D and Wang, Y and Zhang, H and Pan, Y and Wang, Y and Teng, S and Huang, P}, title = {Current trends of clinical trials involving CRISPR/Cas systems.}, journal = {Frontiers in medicine}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1292452}, pmid = {38020120}, issn = {2296-858X}, abstract = {The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful genome editing tool that has made enormous impacts on next-generation molecular diagnostics and therapeutics, especially for genetic disorders that traditional therapies cannot cure. Currently, CRISPR-based gene editing is widely applied in basic, preclinical, and clinical studies. In this review, we attempt to identify trends in clinical studies involving CRISPR techniques to gain insights into the improvement and contribution of CRISPR/Cas technologies compared to traditional modified modalities. The review of clinical trials is focused on the applications of the CRISPR/Cas systems in the treatment of cancer, hematological, endocrine, and immune system diseases, as well as in diagnostics. The scientific basis underlined is analyzed. In addition, the challenges of CRISPR application in disease therapies and recent advances that expand and improve CRISPR applications in precision medicine are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid38018599, year = {2023}, author = {Ghoreishi Amin, N and Khosravi, S and Atefi, N and Seirafianpour, F and Farhoodi, S and Goodarzi, A}, title = {A systematic review and meta-analysis of investigating the mutual impact of COVID-19 and psoriasis: Focusing on COVID-19 course in psoriasis and the opinion on biologics in this setting.}, journal = {Immunity, inflammation and disease}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {e1063}, pmid = {38018599}, issn = {2050-4527}, mesh = {Humans ; *Biological Products/therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Case-Control Studies ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Systematic Reviews as Topic ; *Psoriasis/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Biological Factors/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the mutual impact of COVID-19 and psoriasis to inform clinical practice and future research.<br><br>METHODS: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis protocol for systematic reviews and searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar until May 1, 2022. Eligibility criteria included full-text articles in English reporting COVID-19 treatment outcomes in psoriasis patients. Studies on animals, letters to editors, non-English studies, and studies with no access to full articles were excluded. Search results were screened and data were extracted by two groups of reviewers with any discrepancies resolved by the senior author. The risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I for nonrandomized studies. The hospitalization rate, Intensive Care Unit&#xa0;(ICU) admission rate, case fatality rate, odds ratios of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rate in psoriasis patients were extracted and analyzed using random effects analysis to calculate pooled prevalence and odds ratios, as well as to explore heterogeneity.<br><br>RESULTS: We found 1980 records from four databases and included 20 studies after screening and removing duplicates. These studies evaluated 185,000 psoriasis patients and included eight retrospective cohort studies, one case-control study, three cross-sectional studies, and eight case series studies. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psoriasis treatment and the outcome of COVID-19 infection in psoriasis patients receiving different forms of treatment were evaluated. The pooled data from included studies showed that the incidence rate of COVID-19 infection among psoriasis patients was 0.03% (confidence interval [CI]: 0.01-0.06), with a pooled odds ratio of 1.97 (CI: 0.69-5.60) compared to the general population. The hospitalization rate, ICU admission rate, and case fatality rate for psoriasis patients with COVID-19 were 0.17 (CI: 0.10-0.31), 0.06 (CI: 0.06-0.46), and 0.02 (CI: 0.01-0.04), respectively. Additionally, psoriasis patients receiving systemic nonbiologic therapy had a pooled odds ratio of 2.32 (CI: 1.18-4.57) for hospitalization compared to those using biologic agents.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Studies have shown that biologic therapy for psoriasis did not increase the risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection and may have even offered some protection. Treatment adherence was higher in psoriasis patients receiving biologic therapies than those receiving conventional therapies. These findings suggest that psoriasis treatment did not negatively impact COVID-19 infection and that treatment could be continued on a case-by-case basis during the pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid38018575, year = {2023}, author = {Al-Kuraishy, HM and Al-Maiahy, TJ and Al-Gareeb, AI and Alexiou, A and Papadakis, M and Elhussieny, O and Saad, HM and Batiha, GE}, title = {New insights on the potential effect of progesterone in Covid-19: Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.}, journal = {Immunity, inflammation and disease}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {e1100}, pmid = {38018575}, issn = {2050-4527}, support = {//This work was supported by the University of Witten-Herdecke Germany./ ; }, mesh = {Male ; Humans ; Female ; *COVID-19 ; Progesterone/therapeutic use ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Cytokines ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is higher in men than women and sex hormones have immune-modulator effects during different viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2 infection. One of the essential sex hormones is progesterone (P4).<br><br>AIMS: This review aimed to reveal the association between P4 and Covid-19.<br><br>RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The possible role of P4 in COVID-19 could be beneficial through the modulation of inflammatory signaling pathways, induction of the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibition release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. P4 stimulates skew of na&#xef;ve T cells from inflammatory Th1 toward anti-inflammatory Th2 with activation release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and activation of regulatory T cells (Treg) with decreased interferon-gamma production that increased during SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, P4 is regarded as a potent antagonist of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), it could reduce MRs that were activated by stimulated aldosterone from high AngII during SARS-CoV-2. P4 active metabolite allopregnanolone is regarded as a neurosteroid that acts as a positive modulator of &#x3b3;-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) so it may reduce neuropsychiatric manifestations and dysautonomia in COVID-19 patients.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Taken together, the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of P4 may improve central and peripheral complications in COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid38018155, year = {2023}, author = {Sati, H and Alzraikat, N and Milan, M and Saliba, M and Fawaz, A and Boueri, M and Semaan, S and Chedid, ML and Yakdan, S}, title = {Skin manifestations in children with MIS-C and COVID-19: a narrative review.}, journal = {International journal of dermatology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/ijd.16912}, pmid = {38018155}, issn = {1365-4632}, abstract = {This review aims to highlight the diverse skin manifestations in children and adolescents with COVID induced multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary greatly in severity between different age groups. Although most children infected with SARS-CoV-2 experience either no symptoms or only mild symptoms, some reported cases of severely affected children with a clinical presentation similar to incomplete Kawasaki disease have led to the definition of a new condition called MIS-C. MIS-C can involve multiple organs, including the skin, and may pose a life-threatening risk to affected children. Such cases highlight the need for continuous research into the possible skin manifestations associated with COVID-19 in pediatric populations to aid in early diagnosis and prompt treatment. We conducted a search of PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases for studies published up until October 1, 2022. Three reviewers independently examined each study, and a fourth reviewer resolved any disagreements. A narrative review of all relevant papers was conducted. We present an overview of the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the various skin manifestations in children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C. The skin manifestations of COVID-19 and MIS-C can be diverse and are frequently overlooked. It is important to conduct further research to better understand the impact of this disease on children to provide appropriate care for these at-risk populations.}, }
@article {pmid38018136, year = {2023}, author = {Boccatonda, A and Campello, E and Simion, C and Simioni, P}, title = {Long-term hypercoagulability, endotheliopathy and inflammation following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.}, journal = {Expert review of hematology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-14}, doi = {10.1080/17474086.2023.2288154}, pmid = {38018136}, issn = {1747-4094}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: both symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections - coined Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) - have been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events after recovery.<br><br>AREAS COVERED: our review aims to summarize the latest evidence on the increased thrombotic and cardiovascular risk in recovered COVID-19 patients and to examine the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the interplay among endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory response and coagulation in long-COVID. We performed a systematic search of studies on hypercoagulability, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation after SARS-CoV-2 infection.<br><br>EXPERT OPINION: endothelial dysfunction is a major pathophysiological mechanism responsible for most clinical manifestations in COVID-19. The pathological activation of endothelial cells by a virus infection results in a pro-adhesive and chemokine-secreting phenotype, which in turn promotes the recruitment of circulating leukocytes. Cardiovascular events after COVID-19 appear to be related to persistent immune dysregulation. Patients with long-lasting symptoms display higher amounts of proinflammatory molecules such as tumor necrosis factor-&#x3b1;, interferon &#x3b3; and interleukins 2 and 6. Immune dysregulation can trigger the activation of the coagulation pathway. The formation of extensive microclots in vivo, both during acute COVID-19 and in long-COVID-19, appears to be a relevant mechanism responsible for persistent symptoms and cardiovascular events.}, }
@article {pmid38017632, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, Y and Chen, D and Pan, Y and Li, H and Zhao, W and Lu, T and Kong, W and Ding, M and Wang, X and Zhang, G}, title = {Serological response and immune-related adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Reviews in medical virology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e2495}, doi = {10.1002/rmv.2495}, pmid = {38017632}, issn = {1099-1654}, support = {82174454//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82074182//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82274599//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 62275121//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; ZJKT2023039//The independent research project for graduate students at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine/ ; }, abstract = {With the popularity of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and the development of vaccination strategies, the impact of COVID-19 vaccine on cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is still unclear. In the systematic review and meta-analysis of patients with ICIs, we assessed the serological response of cancer patients receiving COVID-19 vaccine, and explored the risk of immune related adverse events (irAEs). We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library as of 10 June 2023, and included cancer patients who received ICIs and COVID-19 vaccine. The systematic review and meta-analysis include cohort study, cross-sectional study and case report. The outcome included the serological response, Spike-specific T-cell response, irAEs and rare adverse events. When possible, the data were analysed by random effect analysis, and the statistical heterogeneity was assessed by Q-test and I[2] statistics. We explored the sources of heterogeneity through L'Abbe plots, Galbraith radial plots, and sensitivity analysis. The publication bias was evaluated by Egger's, Begg's linear regression test and funnel plot, and the impact of publication bias was further analysed by trim and fill method. 27 studies were eligible (19 cohort studies, 1 cross-sectional study and 7 case reports), involving 8331 patients (with 4724 receiving ICIs). Most studies used mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273). Compared with cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, cancer patients receiving ICIs were significantly more likely to have seroconversion (RR = 1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.10, P = 0.02). There were no statistically significant differences in seroconversion rates when comparing cancer patients receiving ICIs with controls without cancer (RR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.89-1.01, P = 0.09) or with cancer patients receiving targeted therapy (RR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.79-1.39, P = 0.75). The incidence of irAEs in patients receiving ICIs before and after COVID-19 vaccination was (21.96%, 95%CI 16.66%-28.94%) and (14.88%, 95%CI 8.65%-25.57%), respectively. The most common irAEs were endocrine abnormalities, skin disorders, etc. The certainty of evidence was low in cancer patients with ICIs, compared with those receiving chemotherapy, and very low versus controls without cancer. Cancer patients treated with ICIs seem to be able to receive COVID-19 vaccine safely without increasing the incidence of irAEs.}, }
@article {pmid38017599, year = {2023}, author = {El-Amaireh, NAA and Al-Zoubi, H and Al-Khashman, OA}, title = {Hospital waste incinerator ash: characteristics, treatment techniques, and applications (A review).}, journal = {Journal of water and health}, volume = {21}, number = {11}, pages = {1686-1702}, doi = {10.2166/wh.2023.299}, pmid = {38017599}, issn = {1477-8920}, mesh = {Incineration ; *Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/analysis ; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated ; Coal Ash ; *Medical Waste ; *Metals, Heavy/analysis ; }, abstract = {The amount of medical waste generated has increased enormously since the COVID-19 outbreak. An incineration process is the main method that is usually used to treat this waste, causing an increase in both medical waste bottom ash (MWBA) and medical waste fly ash (MWFA). In this work, the physical and chemical characteristics of MWFA and MWBA were reviewed. This ash contains high levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and heavy metals. Furthermore, medical waste ash appears to have high leachability in the toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) test and the European standard test (EN 12457). Owing to its toxicity, medical ash can be treated using various methods prior to disposal based on the covered review. These techniques include chemical, supercritical fluid, cement-based, melting, microwave, and mechanochemical techniques. The shortcomings of some of these treatment methods have been identified, such as the emission of high levels of chlorine from the melting technique, limited applications of the flotation method on the industrial scale, long-term stability of leachate treated by cement-based methods that have not been confirmed yet, and high energy consumption in the supercritical technique. This review also covers possible applications of medical waste ash in cement production, agriculture, and road construction.}, }
@article {pmid38017426, year = {2023}, author = {Guo, B and Zhao, C and He, MZ and Senter, C and Zhou, Z and Peng, J and Li, S and Fitzpatrick, AL and Lindström, S and Stebbins, RC and Noppert, GA and Li, C}, title = {Identifying patterns of reported findings on long-term cardiac complications of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {BMC medicine}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {468}, pmid = {38017426}, issn = {1741-7015}, support = {R00 AG062749/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; R00AG062749/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; R01AG075719/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications/epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/epidemiology/etiology ; Chest Pain ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Prior reviews synthesized findings of studies on long-term cardiac complications of COVID-19. However, the reporting and methodological quality of these studies has not been systematically evaluated. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on long-term cardiac complications of COVID-19 and examined patterns of reported findings by study quality and characteristics.<br><br>METHODS: We searched for studies examining long-term cardiac complications of COVID-19 that persisted for 4&#xa0;weeks and over. A customized Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was performed to generate prevalence estimates of long-term cardiac complications across studies. Stratified analyses were further conducted to examine the prevalence of each complication by study quality and characteristics. The GRADE approach was used to determine the level of evidence for complications included in the meta-analysis.<br><br>RESULTS: A total number of 150 studies describing 57 long-term cardiac complications were included in this review, and 137 studies reporting 17 complications were included in the meta-analysis. Only 25.3% (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;38) of studies were of high quality based on the NOS quality assessment. Chest pain and arrhythmia were the most widely examined long-term complications. When disregarding study quality and characteristics, summary prevalence estimates for chest and arrhythmia were 9.79% (95% CI 7.24-13.11) and 8.22% (95% CI 6.46-10.40), respectively. However, stratified analyses showed that studies with low-quality scores, small sample sizes, unsystematic sampling methods, and cross-sectional design were more likely to report a higher prevalence of complications. For example, the prevalence of chest pain was 22.17% (95% CI 14.40-32.55), 11.08% (95% CI 8.65-14.09), and 3.89% (95% CI 2.49-6.03) in studies of low, medium, and high quality, respectively. Similar patterns were observed for arrhythmia and other less examined long-term cardiac complications.<br><br>CONCLUSION: There is a wide spectrum of long-term cardiac complications of COVID-19. Reported findings from previous studies are strongly related to study quality, sample sizes, sampling methods, and designs, underscoring the need for high-quality epidemiologic studies to characterize these complications and understand their etiology.}, }
@article {pmid38017246, year = {2023}, author = {Miscia, ME and Lauriti, G and Di Renzo, D and Cascini, V and Lisi, G}, title = {Management and outcomes of acute appendicitis in children during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Pediatric surgery international}, volume = {40}, number = {1}, pages = {11}, pmid = {38017246}, issn = {1437-9813}, mesh = {Humans ; Child ; *Appendicitis/epidemiology/surgery ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Inflammation ; Acute Disease ; Postoperative Complications ; Appendectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; }, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way to manage the emergencies, as people faced fear of the hospitals, with possible delay in the diagnosis. Moreover, clinicians had to rearrange protocols for diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to assess whether COVID-19 pandemic influenced severity of inflammation, management, and outcomes of acute appendicitis (AA), when compared to the pre-COVID era. Using defined search strategy, two independent investigators identified those studies comparing pediatric AA during COVID-19 pandemic versus the pre-COVID-19 period. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3. Data are mean ± SD. Of 528 abstracts, 36 comparative studies were included (32,704pts). Time from symptoms onset to surgery was longer during the pandemics compared to the pre-COVID-19 (1.6 ± 0.9 versus 1.4 ± 0.9 days; p < 0.00001). Minimally Invasive Surgery was similar during COVID-19 (70.4 ± 30.2%) versus control period (69.6 ± 25.3%; p = ns). Complicated appendicitis was increased during the pandemics (35.9 ± 14.8%) compared to control period (33.4 ± 17.2%; p < 0.0001). Post-operative complications were comparable between these two groups (7.7 ± 6.5% versus 9.1 ± 5.3%; p = ns). It seems that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the time of diagnosis, severity of inflammation, and type of surgery. However, the number of post-operative complications was not different between the two groups, leading to the conclusion that the patients were correctly managed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 Meta-analysis on Level 3 studies.}, }
@article {pmid38016099, year = {2023}, author = {Boardman, E and Boffito, M and Chadwick, DR and Cheserem, E and Kabagambe, S and Kasadha, B and Elliott, C}, title = {Tackling late HIV diagnosis: Lessons from the UK in the COVID-19 era.}, journal = {International journal of STD &amp; AIDS}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {9564624231202287}, doi = {10.1177/09564624231202287}, pmid = {38016099}, issn = {1758-1052}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Late diagnosis of HIV is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and an increased risk of non-infectious comorbidities. On a societal level, late diagnosis leads to higher treatment and healthcare costs and is a major driver of HIV transmission. Despite improvements in other areas of the HIV care pathway, late diagnosis remains an individual and public health concern globally.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: To examine the barriers to HIV testing and highlight successful strategies to improve prompt diagnosis. This review describes the prevalence of late diagnosis in the UK and discusses key factors that contribute to late diagnosis, including the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Late HIV diagnosis is lower in the UK than in most other European countries. In this review, pilot projects and ongoing initiatives that have reduced late diagnosis in the UK are highlighted; moreover, further strategies for improving prompt diagnosis are suggested.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient testing is the fundamental reason for late HIV diagnosis, with societal, systemic, and individual factors all contributing to inadequate testing. Improving access to testing, removing barriers to health-seeking behaviour, and ensuring all people with HIV indicator conditions are promptly tested are key to reducing the rates of late diagnosis globally.}, }
@article {pmid38016058, year = {2023}, author = {Voropaeva, SV and Segeda, AS and Sazonova, AD}, title = {[Medical rehabilitation features of patients suffered from new coronavirus infection].}, journal = {Voprosy kurortologii, fizioterapii, i lechebnoi fizicheskoi kultury}, volume = {100}, number = {5}, pages = {64-69}, doi = {10.17116/kurort202310005164}, pmid = {38016058}, issn = {0042-8787}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Despite the development and implementation of preventive measures, new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) cases are still being registered among the population.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: To describe the methods of recovery treatment, used at different rehabilitation stages of patients suffered from COVID-19.<br><br>MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analytical review of rehabilitation methods of patients after COVID-19 was conducted. The literature reviews and original researches from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, CyberLeninka and eLibrary electronic databases were studied.<br><br>RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Lungs, heart and vessels, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system are most commonly affected by COVID-19. Due to this, the article considers key aspect of rehabilitation of patients with revealed disorders. Multidisciplinary approach is the main treatment type of patient with COVID-19. The effective result of comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach can be achieved only by the work of a team of specialists from different disciplines. The early onset, consistency and continuity of rehabilitation activities are important factors in the recovery of patients with post-COVID syndrome.}, }
@article {pmid38015595, year = {2023}, author = {Jeong, H and Choi, Y and Kim, H}, title = {Nonface-to-Face Visitation to Restrict Patient Visits for Infection Control: Integrative Review.}, journal = {Interactive journal of medical research}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {e43572}, pmid = {38015595}, issn = {1929-073X}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: In the COVID-19 pandemic, a visit restriction policy for patients has been implemented in medical institutions worldwide and visits are being made using alternative communication technologies. This shift has also required the use of platforms to prevent negative consequences of these restrictions.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to comprehensively explore nonface-to-face visits as an alternative during infection prevention and to synthesize the scientific evidence of their benefits and disadvantages.<br><br>METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted via the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science electronic databases; unpublished trials in the clinical trials register ClinicalTrials.gov; and Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library up to September 10, 2021. The search query was developed according to the guidelines of the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies and included keywords on the topics of telemedicine and visitation restrictions. The inclusion criteria were a nonface-to-face modality using telemedicine with family in a hospital setting, experimental and observational studies, and articles written in English. The exclusion criteria were inaccessible in full text, not related to patient or family involvement, mainly focused on the study protocol, or only discussing the pros and cons of telemedicine.<br><br>RESULTS: Overall, patients' families experienced emotional distress due to restrictions on face-to-face visits. Nonface-to-face virtual visits compensating for these restrictions had a positive effect on reducing the risk of infection to the patient and the family. This further encouraged psychological and physical recovery and decreased psychological distress. However, nonface-to-face virtual technology could not replace the existence of actual families, and technical problems with networks and devices are reported as limitations.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Ensuring the availability of technology and educating on the same in alignment with the characteristics of patients and their families, nonface-to-face virtual visits need to show more potential as an effective patient-centered treatment strategy based on more research and advanced practice.}, }
@article {pmid38015300, year = {2023}, author = {Domingues, KZA and Cobre, AF and Lazo, REL and Amaral, LS and Ferreira, LM and Tonin, FS and Pontarolo, R}, title = {Systematic review and evidence gap mapping of biomarkers associated with neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19.}, journal = {Journal of neurology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38015300}, issn = {1432-1459}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to synthesize the existing evidence on biomarkers related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who presented neurological events.<br><br>METHODS: A systematic review of observational studies (any design) following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and the Cochrane Collaboration recommendations was performed (PROSPERO: CRD42021266995). Searches were conducted in PubMed and Scopus (updated April 2023). The methodological quality of nonrandomized studies was assessed using the Newcastle&#x2012;Ottawa Scale (NOS). An evidence gap map was built considering the reported biomarkers and NOS results.<br><br>RESULTS: Nine specific markers of glial activation and neuronal injury were mapped from 35 studies published between 2020 and 2023. A total of 2,237 adult patients were evaluated in the included studies, especially during the acute phase of COVID-19. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) biomarkers were the most frequently assessed (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;27 studies, 77%, and n&#x2009;=&#x2009;14 studies, 40%, respectively). Although these biomarkers were found to be correlated with disease severity and worse outcomes in the acute phase in several studies (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05), they were not necessarily associated with neurological events. Overall, 12 studies (34%) were judged as having low methodological quality, 9 (26%) had moderate quality, and 9 (26%) had high quality.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Different neurological biomarkers in neurosymptomatic COVID-19 patients were identified in observational studies. Although the evidence is still scarce and conflicting for some biomarkers, well-designed longitudinal studies should further explore the pathophysiological role of NfL, GFAP, and tau protein and their potential use for COVID-19 diagnosis and management.}, }
@article {pmid38015184, year = {2023}, author = {Lisi, GRE and Appiani, F and Basile, ME and Garro, M and Duarte, JM}, title = {Pathophysiological Hypothesis of COVID-19 Psychosis.}, journal = {The Journal of nervous and mental disease}, volume = {211}, number = {12}, pages = {890-895}, doi = {10.1097/NMD.0000000000001624}, pmid = {38015184}, issn = {1539-736X}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Psychotic Disorders/epidemiology/etiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; }, abstract = {In December 2019, a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 was discovered in patients with pneumonia of unknown cause. Although respiratory symptoms mainly characterize infection by this virus, neuropsychiatric manifestations of the disease are becoming more and more frequent. Among them, the appearance of psychotic outbreaks in patients experiencing the infection or after a short time after it has resolved is remarkable. This narrative review aims to describe the possible relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the onset of psychosis by developing the neurotropic capacities of the virus and analyzing the neurobiology of psychoses.}, }
@article {pmid37856938, year = {2024}, author = {Keegan, D and Heffernan, E and Clarke, B and Deasy, C and O'Donnell, C and Crowley, P and Hughes, A and Murphy, AW and Masterson, S}, title = {Tools and methods for evaluating the change to health service delivery due to pandemics or other similar emergencies: A rapid evidence review.}, journal = {Evaluation and program planning}, volume = {102}, number = {}, pages = {102378}, doi = {10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2023.102378}, pmid = {37856938}, issn = {1873-7870}, mesh = {Humans ; *Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; Emergencies ; Program Evaluation ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Health Services ; }, abstract = {The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease COVID-19, were declared a pandemic in March 2020. Countries developed rapid response activities within their health services to prevent spread of the virus and protect their populations. Evaluating health service delivery change is vital to assess how adapted practices worked, particularly during times of crisis. This review examined tools and methods that are used to evaluate health service delivery change during pandemics and similar emergencies. Five databases were searched, including PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. The SPIDER tool informed the inclusion criteria for the articles. Articles in English and published from 2002 to 2020 were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). A narrative synthesis approach was used to analyse the studies. Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria. Many evaluation tools, methods, and frameworks were identified in the literature. Only one established tool was specific to a particular disease outbreak. Others, including rapid-cycle improvement and PDSA cycles were implemented across various disease outbreaks. Novel evaluation strategies were common across the literature and included checklists, QI frameworks, questionnaires, and surveys. Adherence practices, experience with telehealth, patient/healthcare staff safety, and clinical competencies were some areas evaluated by the tools and methods. Several domains, including patient/practitioner safety and patient/practitioner experience with telemedicine were also identified in the studies.}, }
@article {pmid37436770, year = {2023}, author = {Granerod, J and Huang, Y and Davies, NWS and Sequeira, PC and Mwapasa, V and Rupali, P and Michael, BD and Solomon, T and Easton, A}, title = {Global Landscape of Encephalitis: Key Priorities to Reduce Future Disease Burden.}, journal = {Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America}, volume = {77}, number = {11}, pages = {1552-1560}, pmid = {37436770}, issn = {1537-6591}, support = {MC_PC_19059/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_PC_19059/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Quality of Life ; *Encephalitis/epidemiology ; Cost of Illness ; Disease Progression ; Incidence ; }, abstract = {Encephalitis affects people across the lifespan, has high rates of mortality and morbidity, and results in significant neurological sequelae with long-term consequences to quality of life and wider society. The true incidence is currently unknown due to inaccurate reporting systems. The disease burden of encephalitis is unequally distributed across the globe being highest in low- and middle-income countries where resources are limited. Here countries often lack diagnostic testing, with poor access to essential treatments and neurological services, and limited surveillance and vaccination programs. Many types of encephalitis are vaccine preventable, whereas others are treatable with early diagnosis and appropriate management. In this viewpoint, we provide a narrative review of key aspects of diagnosis, surveillance, treatment, and prevention of encephalitis and highlight priorities for public health, clinical management, and research, to reduce the disease burden.}, }
@article {pmid36917116, year = {2023}, author = {Maeshiro, R and Jarris, YS and Prunuske, J and Carney, JK and Strelnick, AH and Townsend, JM and Krane, NK and Johnson, SB and Howley, LD and Cashman, SB and Deyton, LR and Ortega, LA and Lebwohl, B and Fair, M}, title = {Public and Population Health in U.S. Medical Education: A Review of Guidance in Extraordinary Times.}, journal = {Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges}, volume = {98}, number = {12}, pages = {1366-1380}, doi = {10.1097/ACM.0000000000005208}, pmid = {36917116}, issn = {1938-808X}, mesh = {Humans ; Pandemics ; *Education, Medical ; Delivery of Health Care ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Population Health ; }, abstract = {Generations of medical educators have recommended including public and population health (PPH) content in the training of U.S. physicians. The COVID-19 pandemic, structural racism, epidemic gun violence, and the existential threats caused by climate change are currently unsubtle reminders of the essential nature of PPH in medical education and practice. To assess the state of PPH content in medical education, the authors reviewed relevant guidance, including policies, standards, and recommendations from national bodies that represent and oversee medical education for physicians with MD degrees.Findings confirm that guidance across the medical education continuum, from premedical education to continuing professional development, increasingly includes PPH elements that vary in specificity and breadth. Graduate medical education policies present the most comprehensive approach in both primary care and subspecialty fields. Behavioral, quantitative, social, and systems sciences are represented, although not uniformly, in guidance for every phase of training. Quantitative PPH skills are frequently presented in the context of research, but not in relation to the development of population health perspectives (e.g., evidence-based medicine, quality improvement, policy development). The interdependence between governmental public health and medical practice, environmental health, and the impact of structural racism and other systems of oppression on health are urgent concerns, yet are not consistently or explicitly included in curricular guidance. To prepare physicians to meet the health needs of patients and communities, educators should identify and address gaps and inconsistencies in PPH curricula and related guidance.Re-examinations of public health and health care systems in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic support the importance of PPH in physician training and practice, as physicians can help to bridge clinical and public health systems. This review provides an inventory of existing guidance (presented in the appendices) to assist educators in establishing PPH as an essential foundation of physician training and practice.}, }
@article {pmid38015183, year = {2023}, author = {Sales, PMG and Greenfield, MJ and Pinkhasov, A and Viswanathan, R and Saunders, R and Huremović, D}, title = {Drawing the Line Between Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19 and Functional Neurologic Disorders: A Daunting Clinical Overlap or Irrelevant Conundrum?.}, journal = {The Journal of nervous and mental disease}, volume = {211}, number = {12}, pages = {882-889}, doi = {10.1097/NMD.0000000000001643}, pmid = {38015183}, issn = {1539-736X}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Cough ; *Conversion Disorder ; Disease Progression ; Fatigue ; *Nervous System Diseases/etiology ; }, abstract = {Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in its multiple variants that classically presents with cough, fatigue, fever, headache, myalgias, and diarrhea. As vaccination becomes widely available and infection rates facilitate herd immunity across the globe, more attention has been given to long-term symptoms that may persist after the index infection, which include impairments in concentration, executive dysfunction, sensory disturbances, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and cough, among other symptoms classified under the umbrella term of postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).Functional neurologic disorder (FND), also known as conversion disorder and functional neurologic symptom disorder, refers to the presence of one or more symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function that are incompatible with and not better explained by a known neurological or medical condition that causes significant distress and functional impairment. Although the diagnosis of FND may not require the identification of an underlying psychological stressor, being diagnosed with an FND can worsen stigma and shift attention and resources away from other medical concerns that should be concomitantly addressed.This review summarizes the literature on the overlapping nature and discrimination of PASC from FND in COVID-19 survivors. Based on this, we develop a treatment framework that targets unique domains of these complex overlapping presentations, following a multidisciplinary approach with an individualized treatment plan inclusive of physical and psychological interventions focused on functional rehabilitation.}, }
@article {pmid38015133, year = {2023}, author = {Hadjikyriakou, M and Martinez-Sosa, N and Harvey, PD and Potter, JE and Johnson, L and Kenny, MC and Alhajji, L}, title = {Visit Data and Telehealth in a Clinic for Trafficked Persons: Virtual Care and Human Trafficking During the COVID-19 Pandemic.}, journal = {Journal of health care for the poor and underserved}, volume = {34}, number = {3}, pages = {989-1002}, pmid = {38015133}, issn = {1548-6869}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; *Human Trafficking ; *Telemedicine ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Human trafficking involves coerced labor or sex. THRIVE, a multidisciplinary University of Miami clinic for trafficked persons, transitioned to a hybrid telehealth model during the COVID-19 pandemic. Th is paper presents appointment data across THRIVE clinic services during this transition.<br><br>METHODS: A review of appointments for THRIVE patients (n=156) was conducted to compare pre-pandemic (February 2019 to February 2020) and pandemic (March 2020 to December 2021) appointment trends.<br><br>RESULTS: There were 15% more scheduled (n=51.1 versus n=44) and 8% more completed (n=30.2 versus n=27.9) appointments per month early in the pandemic period with telehealth use compared to the pre-pandemic period. Telehealth was most used within psychiatry. Rescheduled and no-show appointments per month significantly increased during the pandemic period (p=0.010 in pandemic period 1 and and p=0.028 in pandemic period 2). There were few significant differences in appointment trends according to demographic variables.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Telehealth succeeded in connecting THRIVE patients during the pandemic, highlighting its potential for long-term use amongst trafficked persons.}, }
@article {pmid38014645, year = {2023}, author = {Volk, P and Rahmani Manesh, M and Warren, ME and Besko, K and Gonçalves de Andrade, E and Wicki-Stordeur, LE and Swayne, LA}, title = {Long-term neurological dysfunction associated with COVID-19: Lessons from influenza and inflammatory diseases?.}, journal = {Journal of neurochemistry}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/jnc.16016}, pmid = {38014645}, issn = {1471-4159}, support = {GA4-177766/CAPMC/CIHR/Canada ; PJT 185887/CAPMC/CIHR/Canada ; }, abstract = {As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, SARS-CoV-2 infection is increasingly associated with long-term neurological side effects including cognitive impairment, fatigue, depression, and anxiety, colloquially known as "long-COVID." While the full extent of long-COVID neuropathology across years or even decades is not yet known, we can perhaps take direction from long-standing research into other respiratory diseases, such as influenza, that can present with similar long-term neurological consequences. In this review, we highlight commonalities in the neurological impacts of influenza and COVID-19. We first focus on the common potential mechanisms underlying neurological sequelae of long-COVID and influenza, namely (1) viral neurotropism and (2) dysregulated peripheral inflammation. The latter, namely heightened peripheral inflammation leading to central nervous system dysfunction, is emerging as a shared mechanism in various peripheral inflammatory or inflammation-associated diseases and conditions. We then discuss historical and modern examples of influenza- and COVID-19-associated cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and fatigue, revealing key similarities in their neurological sequelae. Although we are learning that the effects of influenza and COVID differ somewhat in terms of their influence on the brain, as the impacts of long-COVID grow, such comparisons will likely prove valuable in guiding ongoing research into long-COVID, and perhaps foreshadow what could be in store for individuals with COVID-19 and their brain health.}, }
@article {pmid38014567, year = {2023}, author = {Dey, S and Kusuma, YS and Kant, S and Kumar, D and Gopalan, RB and Sridevi, P and Aggarwal, S}, title = {COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Indian context: a systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Pathogens and global health}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-14}, doi = {10.1080/20477724.2023.2285184}, pmid = {38014567}, issn = {2047-7732}, abstract = {Vaccination against COVID-19 is vital for achieving herd immunity, and the Government of India has adopted several strategies to achieve coverage. Vaccine hesitancy was identified as a potential obstacle in combating COVID-19. This study aimed to review the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy, and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy based on studies conducted in Indian populations. The data sources (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were searched by following PRISMA guidelines, and the search was done in September 2022. We performed a meta-analysis through a random effect model to estimate pooled hesitancy rate with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 3,339 records were searched, of which 46 studies were found to be eligible for inclusion in the review. The included studies covered 65,551 respondents, 55% were female. Studies reported COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate of 65.7% in January-February 2021, which increased to 92.8% in May-August 2021. Likewise, the rate of vaccine hesitancy in December 2020 was 37%, dropping to 12.1% through November 2021. The estimated pooled COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 31% [95% CI: 27% - 36%, I[2] = 99.3%]. Most studies highlighted that fear of the vaccine's side effects, efficacy, and safety were major barriers to vaccine acceptance. However, as the review indicates, it is important to consider and address all factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy.}, }
@article {pmid38014424, year = {2023}, author = {Sevilla, JP}, title = {COVID-19 vaccines should be evaluated from the societal perspective.}, journal = {Journal of medical economics}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-16}, doi = {10.1080/13696998.2023.2287935}, pmid = {38014424}, issn = {1941-837X}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the importance of valuing vaccines from a broad societal perspective (SP), as opposed to a narrower health-payer perspective (HPP). COVID-19's catastrophic global impacts extend not only to its health-related effects, but also to the profound macroeconomic losses caused by lockdowns required for disease control, leading to the worst global economic crisis in a century. COVID-19 vaccination (CV) has been the central policy tool for resolving this economic crisis, and it has been hypothesized that this macroeconomic benefit alone justifies the cost of CV many times over.Yet HPP-based vaccine valuations are wholly insensitive to this enormous benefit, not allowing it to influence the allocation of given health budgets nor the determination of the magnitudes of such budgets, thereby risking inadequate societal spending on CV. HPP allocates given health budgets to maximize only health, giving no weight to macroeconomic outcomes, causing allocative inefficiency by not allowing welfare-improving trade-offs of health for wealth. HPP assumes health budgets are optimal, not scrutinizing whether their scale adequately reflects the macroeconomic benefits of health spending, thereby risking productive inefficiency by foregoing health spending increases such as on CV that could raise both population-level health and wealth. These allocative and productive inefficiencies in turn distort for-profit R&amp;D incentives, risking dynamic inefficiency. And since the socio-economic and health burdens of COVID-19 are disproportionately borne by the worse off, HPP's failure to promote optimal levels of societal investment in CV may disproportionately burden the worse off as well, exacerbating inequality. Vaccine valuations from the societal perspective allow the allocation and determination of health budgets to reflect macroeconomic and distributional values, thereby promoting allocative, productive, and dynamic efficiency, as well as equity. These considerations of efficiency and equity support evaluating CV, and to ensure a level playing field, all vaccines, from a societal perspective.}, }
@article {pmid38013973, year = {2022}, author = {Hausburg, MA and Williams, JS and Banton, KL and Mains, CW and Roshon, M and Bar-Or, D}, title = {C1 esterase inhibitor-mediated immunosuppression in COVID-19: Friend or foe?.}, journal = {Clinical immunology communications}, volume = {2}, number = {}, pages = {83-90}, pmid = {38013973}, issn = {2772-6134}, abstract = {From asymptomatic to severe, SARS-CoV-2, causative agent of COVID-19, elicits varying disease severities. Moreover, understanding innate and adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 is imperative since variants such as Omicron negatively impact adaptive antibody neutralization. Severe COVID-19 is, in part, associated with aberrant activation of complement and Factor XII (FXIIa), initiator of contact system activation. Paradoxically, a protein that inhibits the three known pathways of complement activation and FXIIa, C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), is increased in COVID-19 patient plasma and is associated with disease severity. Here we review the role of C1-INH in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Additionally, we contextualize regulation of C1-INH and SERPING1, the gene encoding C1-INH, by other pathogens and SARS viruses and propose that viral proteins bind to C1-INH to inhibit its function in severe COVID-19. Finally, we review the current clinical trials and published results of exogenous C1-INH treatment in COVID-19 patients.}, }
@article {pmid38013946, year = {2023}, author = {Moreira, A and Alves, C and Machado, J and Santos, MF}, title = {An Overview of Omnichannel Interaction in Health Care Services.}, journal = {Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Digital health}, volume = {1}, number = {2}, pages = {77-93}, pmid = {38013946}, issn = {2949-7612}, abstract = {The adoption of omnichannel interaction services in health care can bring significant benefits to both health care institutions and their patients. The ongoing health pandemic caused by coronavirus disease has further emphasized the need for health care providers to implement an omnichannel strategy to provide seamless personalized experiences to their patients through multiple access channels. This study aimed to examine the current state of research on omnichannel interaction services in health care with a focus on the benefits, challenges, and issues that health care institutions may encounter when adopting this strategy. A systematic literature review was conducted to synthesize the current state of research and provide a comprehensive overview of the field. The results of the review were used to perform a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis of omnichannel services in health care and identify 5 key criteria that health care institutions should consider when implementing an omnichannel strategy. This study contributes to the field by offering an updated and comprehensive understanding of omnichannel interaction services in health care and provides valuable insights for health care providers considering this strategy. The ultimate goal of an omnichannel strategy in health care is to improve patient engagement, increase access to care, and reduce costs while improving communication and collaboration among health care providers. The successful implementation of this strategy requires a well-defined plan, robust technology, infrastructure, data analytics, capabilities, trained professionals, and a basic understanding of the communication channels among patients. The adoption of an omnichannel strategy in health care can lead to new business growth and increased patient engagement, but health care institutions must be properly aligned and patients must be prepared for its implementation.}, }
@article {pmid38013945, year = {2023}, author = {Zahid, A and Sharma, R}, title = {Personalized Health Care in a Data-Driven Era: A Post-COVID-19 Retrospective.}, journal = {Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Digital health}, volume = {1}, number = {2}, pages = {162-171}, pmid = {38013945}, issn = {2949-7612}, }
@article {pmid38013875, year = {2023}, author = {Cate, G and Barnes, J and Cherney, S and Stambough, J and Bumpass, D and Barnes, CL and Dickinson, KJ}, title = {Current status of virtual reality simulation education for orthopedic residents: the need for a change in focus.}, journal = {Global surgical education : journal of the Association for Surgical Education}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {46}, pmid = {38013875}, issn = {2731-4588}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Advances in technology are changing surgical education. Simulation provides an important adjunct to operative experience. This pedagogy has arguably become more important in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, with resultant reduction in operative exposure for trainees. Virtual reality (VR) simulators may provide significant contribution to experiential learning; however, much of the investigative focus to date has, correctly, been on establishing validity evidence for these constructs. The aim of this work was to perform a scoping review to assess the current status of VR simulation education to determine curricular development efforts for orthopedic residents.<br><br>METHODS: With a trained medical librarian, searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were conducted for all articles in the last 10&#xa0;years (September 2011-September 2021). Controlled vocabulary Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and natural language developed with subject matter experts describing virtual reality or VR simulation and orthopedic training were used. Two trained reviewers evaluated all abstracts for inclusion. Exclusion criteria were all articles that did not assess VR simulation education involving orthopedic residents. Data were extracted from the included full-text articles including: study design, type of participants, type of VR simulation, simulated orthopedic skill, type of educational event, learner assessment including Kirkpatrick's level, assessment of quality using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI), and level of effectiveness (LoE).<br><br>RESULTS: Initial search identified 1,394 articles, of which 61 were included in the final qualitative synthesis. The majority (54%) were published in 2019- 2021, 49% in Europe. The commonest VR simulator was ArthroS (23%) and the commonest simulated skill was knee arthroscopy (33%). The majority of studies (70%) focused on simulator validation. Twenty-three studies described an educational module or curriculum, and of the 21 (34%) educational modules, 43% were one-off events. Most modules (18/21, 86%) assessed learners at Kirkpatrick level 2. With regard to methodological quality, 44% of studies had MERSQI 11.5-15 and 89% of studies had LoE of 2. Two studies had LoE of 3.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Current literature pertaining to VR training for orthopedic residents is focused on establishing validity and rarely forms part of a curriculum. Where the focus is education, the majority are discrete educational modules and do not teach a comprehensive amalgam of orthopedic skills. This suggests focus is needed to embed VR simulation training within formal curricula efforts guided by the work of Kern, and assess the efficacy of these against patient outcomes.}, }
@article {pmid38013862, year = {2023}, author = {Rasic, G and Parikh, PP and Wang, ML and Keric, N and Jung, HS and Ferguson, BD and Altieri, MS and Nahmias, J}, title = {The silver lining of the pandemic in surgical education: virtual surgical education and recommendations for best practices.}, journal = {Global surgical education : journal of the Association for Surgical Education}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {59}, pmid = {38013862}, issn = {2731-4588}, abstract = {Virtual education is an evolving field within the realm of surgical training. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the application of virtual technologies in surgical education has undergone significant exploration and advancement. While originally developed to supplement in-person curricula for the development of clinical decision-making, virtual surgical education has expanded into the realms of clinical decision-making, surgical, and non-surgical skills acquisition. This manuscript aims to discuss the various applications of virtual surgical education as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with each education modality, while offering recommendations on best practices and future directions.}, }
@article {pmid38013836, year = {2023}, author = {Antwi, I and Watkins, D and Pedawi, A and Ghrayeb, A and Van de Vuurst, C and Cory, TJ}, title = {Substances of abuse and their effect on SAR-CoV-2 pathogenesis.}, journal = {NeuroImmune pharmacology and therapeutics}, volume = {2}, number = {3}, pages = {301-316}, pmid = {38013836}, issn = {2750-6665}, abstract = {Following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, various reports suggest that there has been a significant increase in substance abuse due to social distancing and related issues. Several reports have suggested the impact of chronic substance use on individuals' physiological and psychological health. Therefore, there is a need to know the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on persons with substance use disorders. Individuals with substance use disorders are the most vulnerable groups and are at a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their already existing health issues associated with substance use. This review discusses some of the molecular and systemic/organic effects chronic substance use such as alcohol, nicotine, marijuana (cannabis), opioids, methamphetamine, and cocaine have on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and its potential cause for worsened disease outcomes in persons with substance use disorder. This will provide healthcare providers, public health policies, and researchers with the needed knowledge to address some of the many challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic to facilitate treatment strategies for persons with substance use disorders.}, }
@article {pmid38013532, year = {2023}, author = {Khalid, N and Umer, M}, title = {Utilization Of The Complete Blood Count In Diagnosing Endemic Diseases In Pakistan.}, journal = {JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association}, volume = {73}, number = {11}, pages = {2219-2225}, doi = {10.47391/JPMA.8459}, pmid = {38013532}, issn = {0030-9982}, mesh = {Humans ; Pakistan/epidemiology ; Endemic Diseases ; *Dengue/diagnosis/epidemiology ; Blood Cell Count ; *Malaria/diagnosis/epidemiology ; *Typhoid Fever/diagnosis/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Numerous infectious diseases, including enteric fever, malaria, dengue fever, and, most recently, coronavirus disease-2019, are prevalent in Pakistan. All these diseases have overlapping clinical symptoms and can present a diagnostic challenge for the general practitioner. Since definitive testing for these disorders is time-consuming and expensive, basic clinical testing, such as a complete blood count, should be utilised to supplement clinical diagnosis, when possible. The current narrative review was planned to present specific alterations in haematological parameters for each of these disorders. The review was intended as a guide for practising physicians in their decision-making.}, }
@article {pmid38013376, year = {2023}, author = {Cho, Y and Yeo, IH and Lee, DE and Kim, JK}, title = {Coronavirus disease pandemic impact on emergency department visits for cardiovascular disease in Korea: A review.}, journal = {Medicine}, volume = {102}, number = {47}, pages = {e35992}, pmid = {38013376}, issn = {1536-5964}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology/therapy ; Pandemics ; *Ischemic Stroke ; Retrospective Studies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; *Myocardial Infarction/epidemiology/therapy ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; *Stroke/epidemiology/therapy ; }, abstract = {The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected patient visits to the hospital, including visits to the emergency department (ED). This study aimed to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the patterns of ED visits and treatment in hospitals for diseases requiring urgent diagnosis and treatment. We analyzed entries from the South Korea National Emergency Department Information System claims database between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. We analyzed data of patients who visited the ED with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and acute hemorrhagic stroke (AHS). We found that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted ED utilization and fatality in patients with AMI, AIS, and AHS.}, }
@article {pmid38012762, year = {2023}, author = {Tian, Z and Guo, W and Zhai, M and Li, H}, title = {Job preference of preventive medicine students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a discrete choice experiment survey in Shandong Province, China.}, journal = {BMC medical education}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {890}, pmid = {38012762}, issn = {1472-6920}, support = {23DSHJ03//Social Science Planning Research Project of Shandong Province/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Career Choice ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; China/epidemiology ; Choice Behavior ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Public health workers are a crucial part of the health workforce, particularly during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. They play an important role in achieving universal health coverage and sustainable development goals. Human resources in public health in China are in short supply, their distribution is unequal, and their turnover rate is high. A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was applied to investigate preventive medicine students' preferred job choice criteria and trends in trade-offs by calculating the marginal rate of substitution between these criteria. This study identified the properties of jobs primarily selected by preventive medicine students and estimated the monetary value of each attribute.<br><br>METHODS: Based on discussions and in-depth interviews with preventive medicine students and a literature review, we developed a DCE that assessed how students' stated preferences for a certain choice were influenced by several job attributes, including location, salary, bianzhi, career development opportunities, working environment, and workload. We applied this DCE to preventive medicine students in Shandong Province, China, using a brief, structured questionnaire. Conditional logit models were used to estimate the utility of each job's attributes. Willingness to pay (WTP) was estimated as the ratio of the value of the coefficient of interest to the negative value of the cost attribute.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 307 respondents completed the questionnaire, and 261 passed the internal consistency test. All the attributes were statistically significant. Career development opportunities and work locations were the most important factors for the respondents. Preference heterogeneity existed among respondents, e.g., 3-year medical education college students placed a higher value on jobs with bianzhi compared to 5-year medical education college students. Furthermore, rural students' WTP for a job located in the county or city is much lower than that of urban students.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneity of attributes indicates the complexity of job preferences. Monetary and nonmonetary job characteristics significantly influenced the job preferences of preventive medicine students in China. A more effective policy intervention to attract graduates to work in rural areas should consider both job incentives and the backgrounds of preventive medicine graduates.}, }
@article {pmid38012751, year = {2023}, author = {Killeen, T and Kermer, V and Troxler Saxer, R}, title = {mRNA vaccine development during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective review from the perspective of the Swiss affiliate of a global biopharmaceutical company.}, journal = {Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {158}, pmid = {38012751}, issn = {2052-3211}, abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the defining public health emergency of our time. In Switzerland, messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines were and still are widely utilized as a critical component of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)'s preventative mitigation strategy. The development, conditional approval and worldwide roll-out of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 proceeded at an unprecedented pace and presented myriad challenges for manufacturers. In this review, we discuss, from the perspective of the Swiss affiliate of a global biopharmaceutical company, the clinical, regulatory, pharmacovigilance and logistical considerations of making a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine available to the Swiss population during a pandemic as rapidly as possible while ensuring strict adherence to safety and quality standards.}, }
@article {pmid37682410, year = {2023}, author = {Schwendinger, F and Knaier, R and Radtke, T and Schmidt-Trucksäss, A}, title = {Response to Comment on: "Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness Post-COVID-19: A Narrative Review".}, journal = {Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)}, volume = {53}, number = {12}, pages = {2531-2532}, pmid = {37682410}, issn = {1179-2035}, mesh = {Humans ; *Cardiorespiratory Fitness ; *COVID-19 ; Physical Fitness/physiology ; }, }
@article {pmid37682409, year = {2023}, author = {da Silva, LSL}, title = {Comment on: "Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness Post-COVID-19: A Narrative Review".}, journal = {Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)}, volume = {53}, number = {12}, pages = {2529-2530}, pmid = {37682409}, issn = {1179-2035}, support = {2022/07280-8//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Cardiorespiratory Fitness ; *COVID-19 ; Physical Fitness ; }, }
@article {pmid38014364, year = {2022}, author = {Khazeei Tabari, MA and Najary, S and Khadivi, G and Yousefi, MJ and Samieefar, N and Abdollahimajd, F}, title = {Oral lesions after COVID-19 vaccination: Immune mechanisms and clinical approach.}, journal = {Infectious medicine}, volume = {1}, number = {3}, pages = {171-179}, pmid = {38014364}, issn = {2772-431X}, abstract = {COVID-19 vaccination, although is a promising tool to overcome the pandemic, has side effects. There are increasing reports of oral lesions after COVID-19 vaccination. The aim of this review is to identify the occurrence of some oral lesions after COVID-19 vaccination, and highlight the underlying immune mechanisms involved. A narrative literature review was performed by searching electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science to investigate the oral lesions after COVID-19 vaccination. The inclusion criteria were original studies, including the case reports, case series, letter to the editor, and cross-sectional studies. The exclusion criteria included the studies which examined the oral lesions caused by COVID-19 infection. The information, including the number of participant(s) receiving vaccine, type of vaccine, dose number, side effect(s), time of onset following vaccination, healing time, treatment strategies for the existing lesions, and related mechanisms were then summarized in a data extraction sheet. The results of this review showed that some vaccines had side effects with oral involvement such as pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid, herpes zoster, lichen planus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Behçet's disease. Future research needs to elucidate the physiopathology of oral manifestations after the COVID-19 vaccination, and better understand the risk factors associated with such responses. Sometimes vaccine's side effects may be due to the nocebo effect, which means that the person expects some adverse events to occur following the vaccine administration.}, }
@article {pmid38013747, year = {2022}, author = {Freytag, J and Touchett, HN and Bryan, JL and Lindsay, JA and Gould, CE}, title = {Advances in Psychotherapy for Older Adults Using Video-to-Home Treatment.}, journal = {Advances in psychiatry and behavioral health}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {71-78}, pmid = {38013747}, issn = {2667-3827}, abstract = {Providing telemental health services to older adults has become especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Video-to-home (VTH) treatment is an effective treatment modality; research shows that older adults are open to using VTH. However, there are unique barriers to using VTH with older adults. Barriers include access to technology, acceptance of technology, and physical and cognitive limitations. Additional concerns include establishing rapport with older patients and the policy and ethical concerns surrounding the use of VTH. Methods of addressing these barriers have been developed, and more research is needed to develop evidence-based VTH practice.}, }
@article {pmid38013975, year = {2022}, author = {de Souza Santos, D and Bittencourt, EA and de Moraes Malinverni, AC and Kisberi, JB and de França Vilaça, S and Iwamura, ESM}, title = {Domestic violence against women during the Covid-19 pandemic: A scoping review.}, journal = {Forensic Science International. Reports}, volume = {5}, number = {}, pages = {100276}, pmid = {38013975}, issn = {2665-9107}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aims to assess the situation of violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America, mainly in Brazil.<br><br>METHODS: This study consists of a Scoping Review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. To conduct this review, we mapped scientific evidence on domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inclusion criteria were: journal articles on domestic violence set in Latin American countries, particularly Brazil, in the context of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, published between March 2020 and June of 2021. Articles that were not published in journals, studies focusing on child violence or the elderly population, suicide-related approaches, editorials and letters to readers were excluded. The databases used were: National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Embase, COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease, Scopus Preview, Web of Science, LILAC's, Database of the best Evidence-Based Health (Epistemonikos) with the following strategic keywords: "domestic violence" "female'/exp OR female" "domestic violence AND women" "SARS-CoV-19") AND ("domestic violence") SARS-CoV-2" OR "2020-nCoV". The databases above were accessed in July 2021. The articles selected from the databases were synthetized following the double-check procedure and the topics that were most relevant to the subject discussed were separated. The articles used were in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.<br><br>RESULTS: We discussed domestic violence against women in the context of social isolation, showing a significant increase and highlighting aggravating factors - financial instability, exacerbation of the female workload, increase in drug and alcohol consumption, lack of access to care services - and statistics that demonstrate the significant increase in countries such as Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay and Brazil, especially in S&#xe3;o Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Paran&#xe1;, among other states. Despite the meaningful increase in the number of cases and the aggravating factors for domestic violence against women in Latin America and Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic, the reality of underreporting, resulting, among others, from limited legal, social and economic support and the lack of well-prepared intersectoral services may be a limitation in this scenario, since the situation can be even more acute. We presented measures adopted in Brazil and alternatives to confront the critical situation of domestic violence against women, aggravated by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.The 18 most relevant articles were read twice by each author, following the "Double-Check" protocol. The articles used addressed important questions around the established goals: (a) characteristics of the current scenarios in Latin America and, specifically, in Brazil, with regard to violence against women; (b) factors that intensify this type of violence; (c) numbers that demonstrate an increase in cases; and finally (e) strategies to combat domestic violence against women. A total of 595 articles were found, then, based on the abstracts presented, 18 articles were used to write this scoping review.}, }
@article {pmid38013745, year = {2022}, author = {Wei, Y and Dong, Z and Fan, W and Xu, K and Tang, S and Wang, Y and Wu, F}, title = {A narrative review on the role of temperature and humidity in COVID-19: Transmission, persistence, and epidemiological evidence.}, journal = {Eco-Environment &amp; Health (Online)}, volume = {1}, number = {2}, pages = {73-85}, pmid = {38013745}, issn = {2772-9850}, abstract = {Since December 2019, the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has become a global pandemic. Understanding the role of environmental conditions is important in impeding the spread of COVID-19. Given that airborne spread and contact transmission are considered the main pathways for the spread of COVID-19, this narrative review first summarized the role of temperature and humidity in the airborne trajectory of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Meanwhile, we reviewed the persistence of the virus in aerosols and on inert surfaces and summarized how the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 is affected by temperature and humidity. We also examined the existing epidemiological evidence and addressed the limitations of these epidemiological studies. Although uncertainty remains, more evidence may support the idea that high temperature is slightly and negatively associated with COVID-19 growth, while the conclusion for humidity is still conflicting. Nonetheless, the spread of COVID-19 appears to have been controlled primarily by government interventions rather than environmental factors.}, }
@article {pmid38013719, year = {2022}, author = {Luo, Q and Han, J}, title = {Preparedness for a monkeypox outbreak.}, journal = {Infectious medicine}, volume = {1}, number = {2}, pages = {124-134}, pmid = {38013719}, issn = {2772-431X}, abstract = {In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the unexpected outbreak and worldwide spread of monkeypox has gained global attention. As of June 22, 2022, there were 3340 confirmed cases of monkeypox globally, which is the largest and most widespread monkeypox epidemic outside Africa. Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is transmitted from human-to-human through direct contact with infectious skin or mucosal skin lesions, respiratory droplets, or indirect contact with contaminated objects or materials, as well as mother-to-child vertical transmission. It is also possibly sexually transmitted through semen/vaginal fluid, and the possibility of community transmission cannot be ruled out. Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by MPXV, which is an enveloped, linear, double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus, of the Chordopoxvirinae subfamily, within the Poxviridae family. Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting infection, with symptoms lasting 2-4 weeks, and has a fatality rate that has historically fluctuated from 0% to 11%. Symptoms of monkeypox include intense headaches, fever, lesions, and lymphadenopathy. Although there is no specific treatment or vaccine for MPXV infection, antiviral drugs and vaccines for smallpox have been approved for use in several countries in response to the monkeypox outbreak. Before the virus can be allowed to establish efficient person-to-person transmission, rapid action must be taken to contain the local spread and, by extension, the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox.}, }
@article {pmid38012736, year = {2023}, author = {Verghis, S}, title = {COVID-19 and migrants: lessons for pandemic preparedness from the Malaysian experience.}, journal = {Globalization and health}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {92}, pmid = {38012736}, issn = {1744-8603}, mesh = {Humans ; *Transients and Migrants ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; Commerce ; Health Services Accessibility ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Internationality ; Health Policy ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aligning with global evidence related to migrants and COVID-19, the pandemic highlighted and exposed long-standing structural inequities in the context of migrant populations in Malaysia who experienced a disproportionate level of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 morbidity, as well as exacerbated precarity during COVID-19 owing to disruptions to their livelihoods, health, and life.<br><br>MAIN BODY: Focusing on COVID-19 and migrant workers in Malaysia, this review addresses two research queries: (i) what are the policy responses of the government toward migrants with regard to COVID-19? (ii) what are the lessons learned from the Malaysian experience of COVID-19 and migrants that can inform pandemic preparedness, especially regarding migrant health policy? The review used Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework refined by Levac, Colquhoun, and O'Brien. In addition to the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO databases, and Malaysian English language newspapers, including the Malay Mail, Malaysiakini, and the New Straits Times, the search also included reports from the websites of government ministries and departments, such as the Immigration Department, Ministry of Human Resources, Ministry of Health, and the International Trade and Industry Ministry.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Using the case example of Malaysia and the policy approach toward migrant populations in Malaysia during the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021, this paper unravels complex pathways and inter-linkages between the contexts of migration and health which coalesced to engender and exacerbate vulnerability to disease and ill-health for the migrant workers. The lack of coordination and coherence in policies addressing migrant workers during the pandemic, the normalization of cheap and disposable labor in neoliberal economic regimes, and the securitization of migration were key factors contributing to the failure of migration policies to provide protection to migrant workers during COVID-19. The review suggests that policy approaches embodying the principles of Health in All Policies, a whole-of-society approach, and the promotion of safe, just, and regular migration, predicated on equity and inclusion, are integral to a comprehensive and effective response to pandemics such as COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid38012459, year = {2023}, author = {Zhao, F and Zhang, K and Chen, H and Zhang, T and Zhao, J and Lv, Q and Yu, Q and Ruan, M and Cui, R and Li, B}, title = {Therapeutic potential and possible mechanisms of ginseng for depression associated with COVID-19.}, journal = {Inflammopharmacology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38012459}, issn = {1568-5608}, support = {21ZGY16//Changchun City Science and Technology Development Plan Key Project/ ; No.82371540//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {Recently, a global outbreak of COVID-19 has rapidly spread to various national regions. As the number of COVID-19 patients has increased, some of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 have developed a variety of psychiatric symptoms, including depression, cognitive impairment, and fatigue. A distinct storm of inflammatory factors that contribute to the initial disease but also a persistent post-acute phase syndrome has been reported in patients with COVID-19. Neuropsychological symptoms including depression, cognitive impairment, and fatigue are closely related to circulating and local (brain) inflammatory factors. Natural products are currently being examined for their ability to treat numerous complications caused by COVID-19. Among them, ginseng has anti-inflammatory, immune system stimulating, neuroendocrine modulating, and other effects, which may help improve psychiatric symptoms. This review summarizes the basic mechanisms of COVID-19 pneumonia, psychiatric symptoms following coronavirus infections, effects of ginseng on depression, restlessness, and other psychiatric symptoms associated with post-COVID syn-dromes, as well as possible mechanisms underlying these effects.}, }
@article {pmid38010852, year = {2023}, author = {Bakhshi, A and Eslami, N and Norouzi, N and Letafatkar, N and Amini-Salehi, E and Hassanipour, S}, title = {The association between various viral infections and multiple sclerosis: An umbrella review on systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Reviews in medical virology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e2494}, doi = {10.1002/rmv.2494}, pmid = {38010852}, issn = {1099-1654}, abstract = {Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the immune-mediated demyelinating disorders. Multiple components, including the environment and genetics, are possible factors in the pathogenesis of MS. Also, it can be said that infections are a key component of the host's response to MS development. Finally, we evaluated the relationship between different pathogens and MS disease in this umbrella research. We systematically collected and analysed multiple meta-analyses focused on one particular topic. We utilised the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases starting with inception until 30 May 2023. The methodological quality of the analysed meta-analysis has been determined based on Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 and Grade, and graph construction and statistical analysis were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis. The Confidence Interval of effect size was 95% in meta-analyses, and p < 0.05 indicated a statistically meaningful relationship. The included studies evaluated the association between MS and 12 viruses containing SARS-CoV-2, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Hepatitis B virus, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), HHV-7, HHV-8, HSV-1, HSV-2, Cytomegalovirus, Human Papillomavirus, and influenza. SARS-CoV-2, with a 3.74 odds ratio, has a significantly more potent negative effect on MS among viral infections. After that, EBV, HHV-6, HSV-2, and VZV, respectively, with 3.33, 2.81, 1.76, and 1.72 odds ratios, had a significantly negative relationship with MS (p < 0.05). Although the theoretical evidence mostly indicates that EBV has the greatest effect on MS, recent epidemiological studies have challenged this conclusion and put forward possibilities that SARS-CoV-2 is the culprit. Hence, it was necessary to investigate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 and EBV on MS.}, }
@article {pmid38010848, year = {2023}, author = {Jyoti, TP and Chandel, S and Singh, R}, title = {Flow Cytometry: Aspects and Application in Plant and Biological Science.}, journal = {Journal of biophotonics}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e202300423}, doi = {10.1002/jbio.202300423}, pmid = {38010848}, issn = {1864-0648}, abstract = {Flow cytometry is a potent method that enables the quick and concurrent investigation of several characteristics of single cells in solution. Photodiodes or photomultiplier tubes are employed to detect the dispersed and fluorescent light signals that are produced by the laser beam as it passes through the cells. Photodetectors transform the light signals produced by the laser into electrical impulses. A computer then analyses these electrical impulses to identify and measure the various cell populations depending on their fluorescence or light scattering characteristics. Based on their fluorescence or light scattering properties, cell populations can be examined and/or isolated. This review covers the basic principle, components, working and specific biological applications of flow cytometry, including studies on plant, cell and molecular biology and methods employed for data processing and interpretation as well as the potential future relevance of this methodology in light of retrospective analysis and recent advancements in flow cytometry. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.}, }
@article {pmid38010585, year = {2023}, author = {Schirò, G and Iacono, S and Andolina, M and Bianchi, A and Ragonese, P and Salemi, G}, title = {Tocilizumab treatment in MOGAD: a case report and literature review.}, journal = {Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38010585}, issn = {1590-3478}, abstract = {Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-immunoglobulin G associated disease (MOGAD) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) which usually occurs with recurrent optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, acute disseminating encephalomyelitis, or brainstem encephalitis. To date, the anti-CD 20 drug rituximab (RTX) is employed in MOGAD although some authors reported the efficacy of Tocilizumab (TCZ) in refractory patients. We present the case of a woman affected by refractory MOGAD who was treated with TCZ after therapy with RTX had failed to prevent relapses. We also conducted a current literature review on TCZ use in MOGAD. A 57-year-old Caucasian woman affected by MOGAD with severe motor impairment and cognitive dysfunction was treated from 2020 to February 2022 with RTX. However, she experienced progressive clinical and cognitive worsening associated with white matter lesions mimicking leukodystrophy. In February 2022, the patient started therapy with TCZ administered with improvement of cognitive performance, walking ability, and brainstem functions. During TCZ, our patient reached the condition of NEDA-3 (no relapse, no increase in disability, no MRI activity on neuroimaging follow-up performed in September 2023). Moreover, the patient experienced paucisymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection that did not modify TCZ schedule. To date, there are few evidence on the efficacy and safety of TCZ in MOGAD. However, all the reviewed cases showed that TCZ represents an effective therapy in drug-resistant MOGAD. Our case highlights the efficacy of TCZ in drug resistant MOGAD and strengthens previous reports of TCZ safety and efficacy in MOGAD.}, }
@article {pmid38010097, year = {2023}, author = {Baig, MMFA and Wong, LY and Wu, H}, title = {Development of mRNA Nano-Vaccines for COVID-19 Prevention and its Biochemical Interactions with Various Disease Conditions and Age Groups.}, journal = {Journal of drug targeting}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-40}, doi = {10.1080/1061186X.2023.2288996}, pmid = {38010097}, issn = {1029-2330}, abstract = {This review has focused on the development of mRNA nano-vaccine and the biochemical interactions of anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccines with various disease conditions and age groups. It studied five major groups of individuals with different disease conditions and ages, including allergic background, infarction background, adolescent, and adult (youngsters), pregnant women, and elderly. All five groups had been reported to have background-related adverse effects. Allergic background individuals were observed to have higher chances of experiencing allergic reactions and even anaphylaxis. Individuals with an infarction background had a higher risk of vaccine-induced diseases, e.g., pneumonitis and interstitial lung diseases. Pregnant women were seen to suffer from obstetric and gynecological adverse effects after receiving vaccinations. However, interestingly, the elderly individuals (> 65 years old) had experienced milder and less frequent adverse effects compared to the adolescent (<19 and >9 years old) and young adulthood (19-39 years old), or middle adulthood (40-59 years old) age groups, while middle to late adolescent (14-17 years old) was the riskiest age group to vaccine-induced cardiovascular manifestations.}, }
@article {pmid38009431, year = {2023}, author = {Rodríguez-Artalejo, FJ and Ruiz-Galiana, J and Cantón, R and De Lucas Ramos, P and García-Botella, A and García-Lledó, A and Hernández-Sampelayo, T and Gómez-Pavón, J and González Del Castillo, J and Martín-Delgado, MC and Martín Sánchez, FJ and Martínez-Sellés, M and Molero García, JM and Moreno Guillén, S and García de Viedma, D and Bouza, E}, title = {COVID-19: On the threshold of the fifth year. The situation in Spain.}, journal = {Revista espanola de quimioterapia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.37201/req/123.2023}, pmid = {38009431}, issn = {1988-9518}, abstract = {Despite having emerged from pandemic status, the incidence of COVID-19 episodes has recently increased in Spain, including pediatric cases and admissions to Intensive Care Units. Several recombinant variants are circulating among us, particularly XBB arising from two Omicron BA.2 sublineages with mutations in the genes encoding the spicule proteins that could increase binding to the ACE2 receptor and be more prone to immune escape. Faced with these, 3 pharmaceutical companies have developed vaccines adapted to the XBB.1.5 sublineage that are already available for administration in our setting with risks that should not be different from those of previous mRNA vaccines and with clearly favorable benefit/risk ratios. They should be applied to patients with potential for poor COVID-19 evolution and to collectives that have a particular relationship of proximity with them. Their application should be understood not only from a perspective of individual convenience but also from that of collective responsibility. The most convenient seems to be a simultaneous immunization of COVID-19 and influenza in our environment. In the therapeutic aspect, there is little to expect right now from antisera, but the already known antiviral drugs are still available and indicated, although their efficacy will have to be reevaluated due to their impact on populations that are mostly immunized and with a better prognosis than in the past. In our opinion, it is necessary to continue to make a reasonable and timely use of masks and other non-pharmacological means of protection.}, }
@article {pmid38009138, year = {2023}, author = {Stepanovic, B and Sommerfield, A and Sommerfield, D and von Ungern-Sternberg, BS}, title = {The influence of the COVID pandemic on the management of URTI in children.}, journal = {BJA education}, volume = {23}, number = {12}, pages = {473-479}, pmid = {38009138}, issn = {2058-5357}, }
@article {pmid38009006, year = {2023}, author = {F, R and L, E and B, R and E, N and A, B and M, RV and A E, R and B, BG and V, R and S, F}, title = {Red tides in the Galician rías: historical overview, ecological impact, and future monitoring strategies.}, journal = {Environmental science. Processes &amp; impacts}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1039/d3em00296a}, pmid = {38009006}, issn = {2050-7895}, abstract = {The Galician rías (NW Iberia, Spain) are coastal embayments at the northern boundary of the Canary Current upwelling system. Their favourable conditions for phytoplankton growth turn them into a suitable area for the development of aquaculture activities and a site of most of the national shellfish production. Phytoplankton blooms, a natural phenomenon inside the rías, under certain conditions eventually lead to seawater discolourations (colloquially known as "red tides"). Because of their transient nature, available records derive mainly from opportunistic samplings or casual observations, and are scattered in the literature. As a rule of thumb, red tides in the NW Iberian Peninsula are of non-toxic nature and are not systematically monitored. However, in recent years striking exceptions such as those of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum, a producer of paralytic shellfish toxins, have been registered. The present study goes through a historical overview of red tides in the Galician rías, describing their colouring, responsible organisms, seasonal and geographical occurrence, and their association with other features (harmful algal blooms, biotoxins and shellfish harvesting closures, bioluminescence, etc.), ending with social challenges and proposals for improving the monitoring of red tides in the future.}, }
@article {pmid38008952, year = {2023}, author = {Cui, R and Gao, B and Ge, R and Li, M and Li, M and Lu, X and Jiang, S}, title = {The effects of COVID-19 infection on working memory: a systematic review.}, journal = {Current medical research and opinion}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-37}, doi = {10.1080/03007995.2023.2286312}, pmid = {38008952}, issn = {1473-4877}, abstract = {BACKGROUNDS: Studies demonstrate that people who were infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, would experience cognitive dysfunction, including working memory impairment, executive dysfunction, and decreased concentration. This review aimed to explore the incidence of working memory impairment and possible concomitant symptoms in the acute phase (< 3 months) and chronic phase (> 6 months) of COVID-19.<br><br>METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the following databases for inception&#xff1a; MEDLINE via Pub Med, Cochrane EMBASE, and Web of Science electronic databases. The search strategy was comprised of all the observational studies with COVID-19 patients confirmed by PCR or serology who were infected by SARS-CoV-2 with no previous cognitive impairment. This review protocol was recorded on PROSPERO with registration number CRD 42023413454.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 16 studies from 502 retrieved articles were included. COVID-19 could cause a decline in working memory ability, the results showed that 22.5-55% of the people suffered from working memory impairment in the acute phase (< 3 months) of COVID-19, at 6 months after SARS-CoV2 infection, the impairment of working memory caused by COVID-19 still existed, the prevalence was about 6.2-10%, and 41.1% of the patients had a slight decrease in working memory or a negative change in the boundary value. Moreover, concomitant symptoms could persist for a long time. To some extent, the performance of working memorywas affected by age, the time after infection, and the severity of infection. (&#x3b2; = -0.132, P < 0.001; &#x3b2; = 0.098, P < 0.001; &#x3b2; = 0.075, P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.003). The mechanism of working memory impairment after infection was mainly focused on the aspects of neuroinflammation and the nerve invasiveness of the virus, at the same time, we also noticed some changes of the brain parenchymal structure.<br><br>RESULTS: Conclusion&#xff1a;COVID-19 can cause a decline in working memory ability, accompanied by neurological symptoms.However, there is a lack of studies to identify the structural and functional changes in specific brain regions that related to the impaired working memory.}, }
@article {pmid38008729, year = {2023}, author = {Sadat Larijani, M and Doroud, D and Banifazl, M and Karami, A and Bavand, A and Ashrafian, F and Ramezani, A}, title = {A landscape on disorders following different COVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review of Iranian case reports.}, journal = {European journal of medical research}, volume = {28}, number = {1}, pages = {542}, pmid = {38008729}, issn = {2047-783X}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects ; Iran/epidemiology ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Vaccination/adverse effects ; }, abstract = {There have been massive studies to develop an effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 which fortunately led to manage the recent pandemic, COVID-19. According to the quite rapidly developed vaccines in a fast window time, large investigations to assess the probable vaccine-related adverse events are crucially required. COVID-19 vaccines are available of different platforms and the primary clinical trials results presented acceptable safety profile of the approved vaccines. Nevertheless, the long-term assessment of the adverse events or rare conditions need to be investigated. The present systematic review, aimed at classification of probable vaccine-related unsolicited adverse events in Iranian population through the data collection of the published case report studies.The related published case reports were explored via PubMed, Web of Science and Google scholar according to the available published data up to 14[th] Dec, 2022 using PRISMA guideline. Out of 437 explored studies, the relevant data were fully investigated which totally led to 40 studies, including 64 case reports with a new onset of a problem post-vaccination. The cases were then classified according to the various items, such as the type of adverse event and COVID-19 vaccines.The reported COVID-19 vaccines in the studied cases included BBIBP-CorV, ChAdOx1-S, Sputnik V and COVAXIN. The results showed that the adverse events presented in 8 different categories, including cutaneous involvements in 43.7% (n = 28), neurologic problems (n = 16), blood/vessel involvement (n = 6), cardiovascular involvement (n = 5), ocular disorders (n = 4), liver disorder/failure (n = 2), graft rejection (n = 2) and one metabolic disorder. Notably, almost 60% of the cases had no comorbidities. Moreover, the obtained data revealed nearly half of the incidences occurred after the first dose of injection and the median duration of improvement after the symptom was 10 days (range: 2-120). In addition, 73% of all the cases were either significantly improved or fully recovered. Liver failure following ChAdOx1-S vaccination was the most serious vaccine adverse event which led to death in two individuals with no related medical history.Although the advantages of COVID-19 vaccination is undoubtedly significant, individuals including with a history of serious disease, comorbidities and immunodeficiency conditions should be vaccinated with the utmost caution. This study provides a comprehensive overview and clinical implications of possible vaccine-related adverse events which should be considered in further vaccination strategies. Nevertheless, there might be a bias regarding potential under-reporting and missing data of the case reports included in the present study. Although the reported data are not proven to be the direct vaccination outcomes and could be a possible immune response over stimulation, the people the population with a medium/high risk should be monitored after getting vaccinated against COVID-19 of any platforms. This could be achieved by a carefull attention to the subjects ' medical history and also through consulting with healthcare providers before vaccination.}, }
@article {pmid38008700, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, Z and Li, L and Zhang, H and Pang, X and Qiu, Z and Xiang, Q and Cui, Y}, title = {Platelet factor 4(PF4) and its multiple roles in diseases.}, journal = {Blood reviews}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {101155}, doi = {10.1016/j.blre.2023.101155}, pmid = {38008700}, issn = {1532-1681}, abstract = {Platelet factor 4 (PF4) combines with heparin to form an antigen that could produce IgG antibodies and participate in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). PF4 has attracted wide attention due to its role in novel coronavirus vaccine-19 (COVID-9)-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) and cognitive impairments. The electrostatic interaction between PF4 and negatively charged molecules is vital in the progression of VITT, which is similar to HIT. Emerging evidence suggests its multiple roles in hematopoietic and angiogenic inhibition, platelet coagulation interference, host inflammatory response promotion, vascular inhibition, and antitumor properties. The emerging pharmacological effects of PF4 may help deepen the exploration of its mechanism, thus accelerating the development of targeted therapies. However, due to its pleiotropic properties, the development of drugs targeting PF4 is at an early stage and faces many challenges. Herein, we discussed the characteristics and biological functions of PF4, summarized PF4-mediated signaling pathways, and discussed its multiple roles in diseases to inform novel approaches for successful clinical translational research.}, }
@article {pmid38008525, year = {2023}, author = {Khanna, M and Allison, P and Farmer, J and Quiñonez, C and Glogauer, M and Siqueira, WL and Rock, LD and McNally, M and Madathil, S}, title = {Personal protective equipment during COVID-19: A natural history of dental and dental hygiene regulatory guidance in Canada.}, journal = {Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)}, volume = {154}, number = {12}, pages = {1077-1086.e8}, doi = {10.1016/j.adaj.2023.09.017}, pmid = {38008525}, issn = {1943-4723}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Oral Hygiene ; Oral Health ; Canada/epidemiology ; Personal Protective Equipment ; Dentists ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Due to the evolving nature of COVID-19, there is evidence that COVID-19-specific infection prevention and control guideline (IPCG) documents formulated for oral health care settings are also changing rapidly. To better inform future policies, a comprehensive review of all IPCG documents across different phases of restrictions for oral health care practitioners is required.<br><br>TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: A search was performed for documents shared from March 2020 through January 2022 on websites of oral health regulatory authorities in Canada's 10 provinces and 3 territories. The authors performed a narrative review of the identified IPCG documents for dentists (n&#xa0;= 78) and dental hygienists (n&#xa0;= 57).<br><br>RESULTS: Overall findings from more than 100 IPCG documents distributed during a period of 23 months revealed that the frequency of these updates differed among jurisdictions and between the 2 oral health care practitioners (ie, dentists and dental hygienists) within the same jurisdiction. The most notable observation was the different face-covering recommendations for dentists and dental hygienists within the same jurisdiction during the same timeframe. A common document was sometimes observed for dentists and dental hygienists, however, most jurisdictions had separate IPCG documents.<br><br>The different approaches could have been justified on the basis of prevalence of COVID-19 and availability of personal protective equipment; however, there was a risk of creating confusion about IPCG best practices. The findings of this review will support decision makers when planning future development and dissemination of regulations for all oral health care practitioners.}, }
@article {pmid38008326, year = {2023}, author = {Ebrahimifakhar, A and Poursadegh, M and Hu, Y and Yuill, DP and Luo, Y}, title = {A systematic review and meta-analysis of field studies of portable air cleaners: Performance, user behavior, and by-product emissions.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {912}, number = {}, pages = {168786}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168786}, pmid = {38008326}, issn = {1879-1026}, abstract = {Indoor air quality is important for the health of building occupants, and public interest in controlling indoor airborne pathogens increased dramatically with the COVID-19 pandemic. Pollutant concentrations can be controlled locally using portable air cleaners (sometimes called air purifiers), which allow occupants to apply air cleaning technology to meet their needs in the location and times that they find appropriate. This paper provides a systematic review of scientific literature that describes field studies of the effectiveness of portable air cleaners. Over 500 papers were considered, and 148 were reviewed in detail, to extract 35 specific research results (e.g., particulate removal performance) or characteristics (e.g., type of building). These were aggregated to provide an overview of results and approaches to this type of research, and to provide meta-analyses of the results. The review includes: descriptions of the geographical location of the research; rate of publications over time; types of buildings and occupants in the field study; types of air cleaner technology being tested; pollutants being measured; resulting pollutant removal effectiveness; patterns of usage and potential barriers to usage by occupants; and the potential for by-product emissions in some air cleaner technologies. An example result is that 83 of the 148 papers measured reductions in fine particulates (PM2.5) and found a mean reduction of 49 % with standard deviation of 20 %. The aggregated results were approximately normally distributed, ranging from finding no significant reduction up to a maximum above 90 % reduction. Sixteen of the 148 papers considered gaseous pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone; 36 papers considered biological pollutants, such as bacteria, viruses, pollen, fungi, etc. An important challenge, common to several studies, is that occupants run the air cleaners for shorter periods and on low airflow rate settings, because of concerns about noise, drafts, and electricity cost, which significantly reduces air cleaning effectiveness.}, }
@article {pmid38008193, year = {2023}, author = {Subramani, C and Sharma, G and Chaira, T and Barman, TK}, title = {High content screening strategies for large-scale compound libraries with a focus on high-containment viruses.}, journal = {Antiviral research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {105764}, doi = {10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105764}, pmid = {38008193}, issn = {1872-9096}, abstract = {A majority of viral diseases do not have FDA-approved drugs. The recent outbreaks caused by SARS-CoV-2, monkeypox, and Sudan ebolavirus have exposed the critical need for rapid screening and identification of antiviral compounds against emerging/re-emerging viral pathogens. A high-content screening (HCS) platform is becoming an essential part of the drug discovery process, thanks to developments in image acquisition and analysis. While HCS has several advantages, its full potential has not been realized in antiviral drug discovery compared to conventional drug screening approaches, such as fluorescence or luminescence-based microplate assays. Therefore, this review aims to summarize HCS workflow, strategies, and developments in image-based drug screening, focusing on high-containment viruses.}, }
@article {pmid38007716, year = {2023}, author = {Pati, D and Sheykhmaleki, P and Chilaka, DAU}, title = {Reimagining America's Rural Health: Challenges and Opportunities.}, journal = {HERD}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {19375867231209501}, doi = {10.1177/19375867231209501}, pmid = {38007716}, issn = {2167-5112}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: The objective of this inquiry was to identify (a) rural health challenges in the United States, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) to identify opportunities within the disruptions caused by the pandemic.<br><br>BACKGROUND: Rural healthcare challenges in the United States are not the same as those faced in urban and suburban communities. Nor are rural hospitals a miniature version of larger urban hospitals. Urban healthcare and hospital-centric policies and solutions, hence, do not help address or optimize the unique health challenges of rural communities. Furthermore, the challenges previously faced by rural hospitals were further exacerbated by COVID-19.<br><br>METHODS: Key points from public deliberations among experts in a 1-day symposium on rural health, attended by 65 professionals representing 18 west Texas institutions, were captured by the authors. The data were subsequently analyzed to identify common areas of information.<br><br>FINDINGS: Four clusters of challenges and opportunities were identified: healthcare delivery, healthcare infrastructure/building, community health, and public administration.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Symposium data suggest that rural health faced numerous unique challenges, which were further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic also helped discover the resiliency of clinicians working in rural areas. For rural health optimization, rural health buildings also need to be flexible. While funds are not easily available, some innovative community collaborations with healthcare institutions may generate novel solutions. In the meantime, telemedicine promises a radical change in rural community health services in the future.}, }
@article {pmid38007673, year = {2023}, author = {Duncan, RP and Earhart, GM}, title = {Remote Delivery of Allied Health Therapies in Parkinson's Disease.}, journal = {Journal of Parkinson's disease}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3233/JPD-230214}, pmid = {38007673}, issn = {1877-718X}, abstract = {Remote delivery of allied health therapies has long been possible, but adoption has been limited in some disciplines until relatively recently. The COVID-19 pandemic drove dramatic increases in use of remote delivery within allied health. This review summarizes the latest evidence on remotely-delivered physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy and discusses associated challenges and opportunities.}, }
@article {pmid38007649, year = {2023}, author = {Monllor, P and Kumar, P and Lloret, M&#xc1; and Ftara, A and Leon, JL and Lopez, B and Cervera-Ferri, A and Lloret, A}, title = {Multifactorial Causation of Alzheimer's Disease Due to COVID-19.}, journal = {Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3233/JAD-230396}, pmid = {38007649}, issn = {1875-8908}, abstract = {There are several implications of the surge in the incidence of pandemics and epidemics in the last decades. COVID-19 being the most remarkable one, showed the vulnerability of patients with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review studies the pathological interlinks and triggering factors between the two illnesses and proposes a multifactorial pathway of AD causation due to COVID-19. The article evaluates and describes all the postulated hypotheses which explain the etiology and possible pathogenesis of the disease in four domains: Inflammation &amp; Neurobiochemical interactions, Oxidative Stress, Genetic Factors, and Social Isolation. We believe that a probable hypothesis of an underlying cause of AD after COVID-19 infection could be the interplay of all these factors.}, }
@article {pmid38007225, year = {2023}, author = {Xu, M and Benn, C and Reid-Henry, S and Brown, T and Zhou, S and Yang, J and Chen, Y and Wang, Z}, title = {Rethinking international financing for health to better respond to future pandemics.}, journal = {BMJ global health}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38007225}, issn = {2059-7908}, mesh = {Humans ; *Pandemics ; *International Cooperation ; Global Health ; Policy ; }, abstract = {International financing for health has been high on the political and global health agenda since COVID-19. The recent launch of the Pandemic Fund represents the first consolidated effort of the international community to mobilise additional voluntary financial resources for the purpose of strengthening global efforts in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR). Against such a dynamic landscape, building on recent critiques and new policy proposals, we propose a new generation of more equitable, effective and coordinated financing arrangements for pandemic PPR and for global health and development more broadly: lessons that could be applied in the ongoing endeavour of the Pandemic Fund. We also explore the principles of Global Public Investment and consider their potential to achieve greater inclusiveness in governance, diversity in financing, and transparency and performance in operations. The Pandemic Fund could become the first example of a global health initiative based on innovative concepts. It needs to be broad based, more flexible, leverage a great variety of funding sources and join forces with multiple stakeholders to maximise the impact.}, }
@article {pmid38007047, year = {2023}, author = {Chen, R and Kezhekkekara, SG and Kunasekaran, MP and MacIntyre, CR}, title = {Universal masking during COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Ageing research reviews}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {102138}, doi = {10.1016/j.arr.2023.102138}, pmid = {38007047}, issn = {1872-9649}, abstract = {Aged care facilities (ACFs) are a high-risk COVID-19 transmission setting, and older residents are at greater risk of severe outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed whether universal masking and COVID-19 vaccination reduce SARS-CoV-2 attack rates (ARs) in ACFs. Articles published between 1 December 2019 and 28 February 2022 were screened across five databases (Medline, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL)). Risk of bias was assessed using relevant Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Meta-analysis of single proportions, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression were performed to compare the effects of universal masking and vaccination dosage on pooled SARS-CoV-2 ARs. Of 99 included articles, SARS-COV-2 ARs for residents were available in 86 studies (representing 139 outbreaks), and for staff in 49 studies (78 outbreaks). Universal masking was associated with lower SARS-CoV-2 ARs in ACF outbreaks (AR = 34.9% [95% CI: 27.2-42.6%]) compared to facilities without universal masking (67.3% [54.2-80.4%], p<.0001). In ACFs with universal masking prior to outbreak onset, facility-wide testing, and documentation of asymptomatic infection, the asymptomatic AR at time of testing was 11.4% (6.5-17.4%) in residents. Receipt of zero, one and two vaccination doses were associated with ARs of 64.9% (49.6-80.2%), 54.9% (33.7-76.1%) and 45.2% (29.2-61.3%), respectively. To protect residents from COVID-19, ACFs should provide vaccination of residents and staff, universal masking for staff, and facility-wide testing during times of heightened community transmission.}, }
@article {pmid38006951, year = {2023}, author = {Shahi, F and Rasti, M and Moradi, M}, title = {Overview of the different methods for RNA preparation in COVID-19 diagnosis process during the pandemic.}, journal = {Analytical biochemistry}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {115410}, doi = {10.1016/j.ab.2023.115410}, pmid = {38006951}, issn = {1096-0309}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the impact of a widespread disease on various aspects of human relationships, communities, and economies. One notable consequence was the increased demand for diagnostic kits, laboratory reagents, and personal health equipment. This surge in testing capacity worldwide led to shortages in the supply of essential items, including RNA extraction kits, which are crucial for detecting COVID-19 infections. To address this scarcity, researchers have proposed alternative and cost-effective strategies for RNA extraction, utilizing both chemical and physical solutions and extraction-free methods. These approaches aim to alleviate the challenges associated with the overwhelming number of tests being conducted in laboratories. The purpose of this review is intends to provide a comprehensive summary of the various kit-free RNA extraction methods available for COVID-19 diagnosis during the pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid38006819, year = {2023}, author = {Kaur, H and Chauhan, A and Mascarenhas, M}, title = {Does SARS Cov-2 infection affect the IVF outcome - A systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology}, volume = {292}, number = {}, pages = {147-157}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.11.027}, pmid = {38006819}, issn = {1872-7654}, abstract = {STUDY QUESTION: What is the effect of SARS Cov-2 on IVF outcome?<br><br>SUMMARY ANSWER: Mild or asymptomatic Covid-19 infection does not appear to affect clinical or ongoing pregnancy rate after IVF.<br><br>WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN: Covid-19 has been shown to affect female and male fertility and reproductive function. Studies have shown variable results regarding impact of Covid-19 on IVF outcome with few reporting impaired ovarian reserve, oocyte and embryo quality, semen parameters, clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) while others reported no effect on IVF outcome.<br><br>STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: An electronic database search of PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, WHO Covid-19 database, Clinical trials.gov and Cochrane Central was performed for articles published in English language between 1st January 2020 and 15th October 2022 by two independent reviewers using predefined eligibility criteria We have included observational studies both prospective and retrospective, cohort studies, and case control studies and excluded narrative reviews, case studies, cost-effectiveness studies or diagnostic studies. Risk of bias was assessed using NOS and quality of evidence was graded by GRADE pro.<br><br>Studies comparing women undergoing IVF and comparing Covid-19 affected with those unaffected by Covid-19 were included. Also, studies comparing immune group (infected or vaccinated) in the study group and unaffected as controls (historical controls, IVF cycles done prior to Covid-19 outbreak but matched with study group) were included. Those with no comparison group or published in language other than English language or duplicate studies were excluded.<br><br>We identified 5046 records and after full text screening of 82 studies, 12 studies were selected for final review. For the clinical pregnancy rate, there was no difference in the CPR in covid recovered or control patients (OR 0.90, 95&#xa0;% CI&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.67 to1.21; I[2]&#xa0;=&#xa0;29&#xa0;%). Similarly, there was no significant effect on implantation rate (RR 0.92, 95&#xa0;% CI&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.68 to1.23; I[2]&#xa0;=&#xa0;31&#xa0;%) and ongoing pregnancy rate (RR 0.96, 95&#xa0;% CI&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.79 to 1.15;I[2]&#xa0;=&#xa0;21&#xa0;%). The mean number of the oocyte retrieved per patient was not significantly different in both the groups (mean difference 0.52, 95&#xa0;% CI&#xa0;=&#xa0;-1.45 to 2.49; I[2]&#xa0;=&#xa0;75&#xa0;%). The certainty of the evidence was low.<br><br>LIMITATIONS: The meta-analysis is based on observational studies each involving small number of participants. Few studies reported outcomes as per patient while others reported as per cycle, for uniformity we have reported outcomes as per cycle. Sample size in most of studies was small.<br><br>This systematic review has not shown any significant effect on the outcome of IVF cycles in patients post Covid-19 recovery compared to controls. But given the sample size, the findings should be considered with caution.<br><br>REGISTRATION: The review protocol has been registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42022314515).}, }
@article {pmid38006594, year = {2023}, author = {Alsalim, A and Rylance-Graham, R}, title = {The causative factors of psychological distress and mental ill-health among ICU nurses during the pandemic.}, journal = {British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)}, volume = {32}, number = {21}, pages = {1026-1030}, doi = {10.12968/bjon.2023.32.21.1026}, pmid = {38006594}, issn = {0966-0461}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; Mental Health ; Intensive Care Units ; *Psychological Distress ; *Nurses ; }, abstract = {The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had a global impact on health systems and health professionals. Nurses, particularly those working in intensive care units (ICUs), held a central critical role in the care of COVID-19 patients, facing numerous challenges in the delivery of care, leading to significant psychological and mental health issues. This article reports on findings from a qualitative narrative review of the literature related to psychological ill-being and mental health of ICU nurses' during the pandemic. Four key themes emerged: (1) isolation (2) workload (3) clinical preparedness and lack of protocols and (4) fear.}, }
@article {pmid38006520, year = {2023}, author = {Karofi, DH and Lawal, N and Bello, MB and Imam, MU}, title = {Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of Nucleic Acid-Based Vaccines Against COVID-19: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Molecular biotechnology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38006520}, issn = {1559-0305}, abstract = {To overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of safe and effective vaccines is crucial. With the enormous information available on vaccine development for COVID-19, there are still grey areas to be considered when designing a potential vaccine. The rapid regulatory approval of nucleic acid-based vaccines was unique to the COVID-19; these vaccines were rapidly produced cost-effectively and with lesser risk of infectivity. Additionally, they demonstrated relative stability at room temperature (DNA). However, a comparative understanding of the immunogenic impact and efficacy of these vaccines is lacking. Immunogenicity is essential for developing and maintaining effective and long-lasting post-vaccination immunity to pathogenic microorganisms. This systematic review aims to assess and summarize the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the nucleic acid-based vaccines against COVID-19. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) recommendations were followed in this review. CASP tool was used for quality assessment of randomized controlled trials. All included studies employed a randomized control method, and the results demonstrated promising immune responses and effectiveness that provided high-level protection against COVID-19 infection. This study offers vital insights for advancing vaccine technology. Furthermore, it guides formulation, informs personalized vaccination strategies, and enhances global health preparedness, particularly in regions with limited vaccine access.}, }
@article {pmid38006129, year = {2023}, author = {Diniz, MSDF and Mourão, MM and Xavier, LP and Santos, AV}, title = {Recent Biotechnological Applications of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in the Biomedical Sector-A Review.}, journal = {Polymers}, volume = {15}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38006129}, issn = {2073-4360}, support = {001//Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior/ ; }, abstract = {Petroleum-derived plastics are materials of great importance for the contemporary lifestyle, and are widely used commercially because they are low cost, resistant, malleable, and weightless, in addition to their hydrophobic character. However, some factors that confer the qualities of these materials also cause problems, mainly environmental, associated with their use. The COVID-19 pandemic aggravated these impacts due to the high demand for personal protective equipment and the packaging sector. In this scenario, bioplastics are environmentally positive alternatives to these plastics due to their applicability in several areas ranging from packaging, to biomedicine, to agriculture. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable biopolymers usually produced by microorganisms as an energy reserve. Their structural variability provides a wide range of applications, making them a viable option to replace polluting materials. PHAs can be applied in various biotechnology sectors, such as producing drug carriers and scaffolds for tissue engineering. This review aimed to survey works published in the last five years on the study and biotechnological application of PHAs in the biomedical sector, exploring the versatility and advantages of their use and helping to understand how to enhance their application.}, }
@article {pmid38006029, year = {2023}, author = {Gianfredi, V and Berti, A and Stefanizzi, P and D'Amico, M and De Lorenzo, V and Moscara, L and Di Lorenzo, A and Venerito, V and Castaldi, S}, title = {COVID-19 Vaccine Knowledge, Attitude, Acceptance and Hesitancy among Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Systematic Review of Hospital-Based Studies.}, journal = {Vaccines}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38006029}, issn = {2076-393X}, abstract = {The risk of unfavourable outcomes for SARS-CoV-2 infection is significant during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Vaccination is a safe and effective measure to lower this risk. This study aims at reviewing the literature concerning the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine's acceptance/hesitancy among pregnant and breastfeeding women attending hospital facilities. A systematic review of literature was carried out. Hospital-based observational studies related to vaccination acceptance, hesitancy, knowledge and attitude among pregnant and breastfeeding women were included. Determinants of acceptance and hesitancy were investigated in detail. Quality assessment was done via the Johann Briggs Institute quality assessment tools. After literature search, 43 studies were included, 30 of which only focused on pregnant women (total sample 25,862 subjects). Sample size ranged from 109 to 7017 people. Acceptance of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine ranged from 16% to 78.52%; vaccine hesitancy ranged between 91.4% and 24.5%. Fear of adverse events for either the woman, the child, or both, was the main driver for hesitancy. Other determinants of hesitancy included religious concerns, socioeconomic factors, inadequate information regarding the vaccine and lack of trust towards institutions. SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy in hospitalized pregnant women appears to be significant, and efforts for a more effective communication to these subjects are required.}, }
@article {pmid38005976, year = {2023}, author = {Sobhani, K and Cheng, S and Binder, RA and Mantis, NJ and Crawford, JM and Okoye, N and Braun, JG and Joung, S and Wang, M and Lozanski, G and King, CL and Roback, JD and Granger, DA and Boppana, SB and Karger, AB}, title = {Clinical Utility of SARS-CoV-2 Serological Testing and Defining a Correlate of Protection.}, journal = {Vaccines}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38005976}, issn = {2076-393X}, support = {75N91019D00024/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U54 CA260591/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Herein, we review established clinical use cases for SARS-CoV-2 antibody measures, which include diagnosis of recent prior infection, isolating high titer convalescent plasma, diagnosing multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), and booster dosing in the immunosuppressed and other populations. We then address whether an antibody correlate of protection (CoP) for SARS-CoV-2 has been successfully defined with the following considerations: Antibody responses in the immunocompetent, vaccine type, variants, use of binding antibody tests vs. neutralization tests, and endpoint measures. In the transition from the COVID-19 pandemic to endemic, there has been much interest in defining an antibody CoP. Due to the high mutability of respiratory viruses and our current knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 variants defining a CoP for prevention of infection is unrealistic. However, a CoP may be defined for prevention of severe disease requiring hospitalization and/or death. Most SARS-CoV-2 CoP research has focused on neutralization measurements. However, there can be significant differences in neutralization test methods, and disparate responses to new variants depending on format. Furthermore, neutralization assays are often impractical for high throughput applications (e.g., assessing humoral immune response in populations or large cohorts). Nevertheless, CoP studies using neutralization measures are reviewed to determine where there is consensus. Alternatively, binding antibody tests could be used to define a CoP. Binding antibody assays tend to be highly automatable, high throughput, and therefore practical for large population applications. Again, we review studies for consensus on binding antibody responses to vaccines, focusing on standardized results. Binding antibodies directed against the S1 receptor binding domain (S1-RBD) of the viral spike protein can provide a practical, indirect measure of neutralization. Initially, a response for S1-RBD antibodies may be selected that reflects the peak response in immunocompetent populations and may serve as a target for booster dosing in the immunocompromised. From existing studies reporting peak S1-RBD responses in standardized units, an approximate range of 1372-2744 BAU/mL for mRNA and recombinant protein vaccines was extracted that could serve as an initial CoP target. This target would need to be confirmed and potentially adjusted for updated vaccines, and almost certainly for other vaccine formats (i.e., viral vector). Alternatively, a threshold or response could be defined based on outcomes over time (i.e., prevention of severe disease). We also discuss the precedent for clinical measurement of antibodies for vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., hepatitis B). Lastly, cellular immunity is briefly addressed for its importance in the nature and durability of protection.}, }
@article {pmid38005881, year = {2023}, author = {Ramasamy, R}, title = {COVID-19 Vaccines for Optimizing Immunity in the Upper Respiratory Tract.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38005881}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Humans ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *Viral Vaccines ; Nose ; }, abstract = {Rapid development and deployment of vaccines greatly reduced mortality and morbidity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most widely used COVID-19 vaccines approved by national regulatory authorities require intramuscular administration. SARS-CoV-2 initially infects the upper respiratory tract, where the infection can be eliminated with little or no symptoms by an effective immune response. Failure to eliminate SARS-CoV-2 in the upper respiratory tract results in lower respiratory tract infections that can lead to severe disease and death. Presently used intramuscularly administered COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing severe disease and mortality, but are not entirely able to prevent asymptomatic and mild infections as well as person-to-person transmission of the virus. Individual and population differences also influence susceptibility to infection and the propensity to develop severe disease. This article provides a perspective on the nature and the mode of delivery of COVID-19 vaccines that can optimize protective immunity in the upper respiratory tract to reduce infections and virus transmission as well as severe disease.}, }
@article {pmid38005828, year = {2023}, author = {Rasmussen, HB and Hansen, PR}, title = {Molnupiravir Revisited-Critical Assessment of Studies in Animal Models of COVID-19.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38005828}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Models, Animal ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {Molnupiravir, a prodrug known for its broad antiviral activity, has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of COVID-19, prompting clinical trials, in which initial results indicated a significant effect against the disease. However, subsequent clinical studies did not confirm these findings, leading to the refusal of molnupiravir for permanent market authorization in many countries. This report critically assessed 22 studies published in 18 reports that investigated the efficacy of molnupiravir in animal models of COVID-19, with the purpose of determining how well the design of these models informed human studies. We found that the administered doses of molnupiravir in most studies involving animal COVID-19 models were disproportionately higher than the dose recommended for human use. Specifically, when adjusted for body surface area, over half of the doses of molnupiravir used in the animal studies exceeded twice the human dose. Direct comparison of reported drug exposure across species after oral administration of molnupiravir indicated that the antiviral efficacy of the dose recommended for human use was underestimated in some animal models and overestimated in others. Frequently, molnupiravir was given prophylactically or shortly after SARS-CoV-2 inoculation in these models, in contrast to clinical trials where such timing is not consistently achieved. Furthermore, the recommended five-day treatment duration for humans was exceeded in several animal studies. Collectively, we suggest that design elements in the animal studies under examination contributed to a preference favoring molnupiravir, and thus inflated expectations for its efficacy against COVID-19. Addressing these elements may offer strategies to enhance the clinical efficacy of molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19. Such strategies include dose increment, early treatment initiation, administration by inhalation, and use of the drug in antiviral combination therapy.}, }
@article {pmid38005826, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, Y and Liang, Q and Chen, F and Zheng, J and Chen, Y and Chen, Z and Li, R and Li, X}, title = {Immune-Cell-Based Therapy for COVID-19: Current Status.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38005826}, issn = {1999-4915}, support = {82173825//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 81973335//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/therapy ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; Immunotherapy ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Immunity, Innate ; }, abstract = {Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global pandemic. The interplay between innate and adaptive immune responses plays a crucial role in managing COVID-19. Cell therapy has recently emerged as a promising strategy to modulate the immune system, offering immense potential for the treatment of COVID-19 due to its customizability and regenerative capabilities. This review provides an overview of the various subsets of immune cell subsets implicated in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and a comprehensive summary of the current status of immune cell therapy in COVID-19 treatment.}, }
@article {pmid38005824, year = {2023}, author = {Tambe, LAM and Mathobo, P and Munzhedzi, M and Bessong, PO and Mavhandu-Ramarumo, LG}, title = {Prevalence and Molecular Epidemiology of Human Coronaviruses in Africa Prior to the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38005824}, issn = {1999-4915}, support = {E613//South African Medical Research Council/ ; I608//University of Venda/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Molecular Epidemiology ; *Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; Disease Outbreaks ; South Africa ; }, abstract = {Coronaviruses, re-emerging in human populations, cause mild or severe acute respiratory diseases, and occasionally epidemics. This study systematically reviewed human coronavirus (HCoVs) infections in Africa prior to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Forty studies on the prevalence or molecular epidemiology of HCoVs were available from 13/54 African countries (24%). The first published data on HCoV was from South Africa in 2008. Eight studies (20%) reported on HCoV molecular epidemiology. Endemic HCoV prevalence ranged from 0.0% to 18.2%. The prevalence of zoonotic MERS-CoV ranged from 0.0% to 83.5%. Two studies investigated SARS-CoV infection, for which a prevalence of 0.0% was reported. There was heterogeneity in the type of tests used in determining HCoV prevalence. Two studies reported that risk factors for HCoV include exposure to infected animals or humans. The quantity of virologic investigations on HCoV on the African continent was scant, and Africa was not prepared for SARS-CoV-2.}, }
@article {pmid38005726, year = {2023}, author = {Wahab, S and Alsayari, A}, title = {Potential Pharmacological Applications of Nigella Seeds with a Focus on Nigella sativa and Its Constituents against Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Progress and Future Opportunities.}, journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38005726}, issn = {2223-7747}, support = {RGP.2/119/44//King Khalid University/ ; }, abstract = {The leading cause of death worldwide has been identified as chronic illnesses, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Chronic inflammatory conditions such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity account for three out of every five deaths. Although many people benefit from using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation relief, there are significant adverse effects to using these medications. Medicinal plants possess anti-inflammatory properties with minimal or no side effects. Nigella sativa (NS), also known as black cumin, is one of the plants used in traditional medicine the most. Many studies on the NS have shown that their therapeutic properties are attributed to the seed, oil, and secondary metabolites. This plant has been studied extensively and has many medical uses, such as anti-inflammatory. NS or its phytochemical compounds, such as thymoquinone, can cause cell apoptosis via oxidative stress, block efflux pumps, enhance membrane permeability, and exert potent biocidal effects. Notwithstanding the extensively documented anti-inflammatory effectiveness observed in the experimental model, the precise mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory effects in diverse chronic inflammatory diseases and its multi-targeting characteristics remain largely unexplored. This review examines NS or its secondary metabolites, a valuable source for the therapeutic development of chronic inflammatory diseases. Most clinical studies were done for diabetes and cardiovascular disease; therefore, more studies are required to examine the NS extracts and phytoconstituents to treat cancer, obesity, diabetes, asthma, neurological disorders, and COVID-19. This study will be a significant resource for clinicians and biologists seeking a pharmaceutical solution for inflammatory diseases.}, }
@article {pmid38005442, year = {2023}, author = {Palavicini, G}, title = {Intelligent Health: Progress and Benefit of Artificial Intelligence in Sensing-Based Monitoring and Disease Diagnosis.}, journal = {Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {23}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38005442}, issn = {1424-8220}, mesh = {Humans ; Artificial Intelligence ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *COVID-19/diagnosis ; *Physicians ; COVID-19 Testing ; }, abstract = {Technology has progressed and allows people to go further in multiple fields related to social issues. Medicine cannot be the exception, especially nowadays, when the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of technology to continue living meaningfully, but mainly in giving consideration to people who remain confined at home with health issues. Our research question is: how can artificial intelligence (AI) translated into technological devices be used to identify health issues, improve people's health, or prevent severe patient damage? Our work hypothesis is that technology has improved so much during the last decades that Medicine cannot remain apart from this progress. It must integrate technology into treatments so proper communication between intelligent devices and human bodies could better prevent health issues and even correct those already manifested. Consequently, we will answer: what has been the progress of Medicine using intelligent sensor-based devices? Which of those devices are the most used in medical practices? Which is the most benefited population, and what do physicians currently use this technology for? Could sensor-based monitoring and disease diagnosis represent a difference in how the medical praxis takes place nowadays, favouring prevention as opposed to healing?}, }
@article {pmid38004770, year = {2023}, author = {Arboleda, M and Mejía-Torres, M and Posada, M and Restrepo, N and Ríos-Tapias, P and Rivera-Pedroza, LA and Calle, D and Sánchez-Jiménez, MM and Marín, K and Agudelo-Flórez, P}, title = {Molecular Diagnosis as an Alternative for Public Health Surveillance of Leptospirosis in Colombia.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004770}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {D43 TW010331/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Leptospirosis represents a public health problem in Colombia. However, the underreporting of the disease is an unfortunate reality, with a clear trend towards a decrease in cases since 2019, when the guidelines for its confirmatory diagnosis changed with the requirement of two paired samples. The purpose of this review is to highlight the importance of leptospirosis. While the access to rapid diagnosis is available at practically all levels of care for dengue and malaria, leptospirosis-a doubly neglected disease-deserves recognition as a serious public health problem in Colombia. In this manner, it is proposed that molecular tests are a viable diagnostic alternative that can improve the targeted treatment of the patient and the timeliness of data and case reporting to SIVIGILA, and reduce the underreporting of the disease. Taking advantage of the strengthened technological infrastructure derived from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic for molecular diagnosis in Colombia, with a network of 227 laboratories distributed throughout the national territory, with an installed capacity for PCR testing, it is proposed that molecular diagnosis can be used as an alternative for early diagnosis. This would allow case confirmation through the public health network in Colombia, and, together with the microagglutination (MAT) technique, the epidemiological surveillance of this disease in this country would be strengthened.}, }
@article {pmid38004725, year = {2023}, author = {Hirani, R and Noruzi, K and Iqbal, A and Hussaini, AS and Khan, RA and Harutyunyan, A and Etienne, M and Tiwari, RK}, title = {A Review of the Past, Present, and Future of the Monkeypox Virus: Challenges, Opportunities, and Lessons from COVID-19 for Global Health Security.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004725}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Monkeypox, a rare but significant zoonotic and orthopoxviral disease, has garnered increasing attention due to its potential for human-to-human transmission and its recent resurgence in multiple countries throughout Europe, North America, and Oceania. The disease has emerged as a novel threat to the global health systems that are still striving to recover from the major shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The unusual manifestation of the illness highlights a substantial knowledge deficit and necessitates the immediate development of a public health action strategy, considering the epidemiological differences observed in the ongoing outbreak and the appearance of cases in non-endemic nations. This literature review aims to synthesize existing knowledge on monkeypox, encompassing its historical context, etiology, epidemiology, surveillance, prevention, transmission, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatments, and recent outbreak. Particular attention is given to both advances and gaps in our understanding of monkeypox, and we point toward future directions for research and intervention efforts as pertains to vaccine development and distribution. Lastly, we will also review the recent outbreak through a sociopolitical lens as relates to decision-making strategies, especially given the lessons learned from COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid38004630, year = {2023}, author = {Han, JJ and Song, HA and Pierson, SL and Shen-Gunther, J and Xia, Q}, title = {Emerging Infectious Diseases Are Virulent Viruses-Are We Prepared? An Overview.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004630}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {The recent pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 affected the global population, resulting in a significant loss of lives and global economic deterioration. COVID-19 highlighted the importance of public awareness and science-based decision making, and exposed global vulnerabilities in preparedness and response systems. Emerging and re-emerging viral outbreaks are becoming more frequent due to increased international travel and global warming. These viral outbreaks impose serious public health threats and have transformed national strategies for pandemic preparedness with global economic consequences. At the molecular level, viral mutations and variations are constantly thwarting vaccine efficacy, as well as diagnostic, therapeutic, and prevention strategies. Here, we discuss viral infectious diseases that were epidemic and pandemic, currently available treatments, and surveillance measures, along with their limitations.}, }
@article {pmid38004277, year = {2023}, author = {Rai, V}, title = {COVID-19 and Kidney: The Importance of Follow-Up and Long-Term Screening.}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004277}, issn = {2075-1729}, abstract = {Renal involvement and kidney injury are common in COVID-19 patients, and the symptoms are more severe if the patient already has renal impairment. Renal involvement in COVID-19 is multifactorial, and the renal tubule is mainly affected, along with podocyte injury during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Inflammation, complement activation, hypercoagulation, and crosstalk between the kidney and lungs, brain, and heart are contributory factors. Kidney injury during the acute phase, termed acute kidney injury (AKI), may proceed to chronic kidney disease if the patient is discharged with renal impairment. Both AKI and chronic kidney disease (CKD) increase mortality in COVID-19 patients. Further, COVID-19 infection in patients suffering from CKD is more severe and increases the mortality rate. Thus, it is important to address both categories of patients, either developing AKI or CKD after COVID-19 or previously having CKD, with proper management and treatment. This review discusses the pathophysiology involved in AKI and CKD in COVID-19 infection, followed by management and treatment of AKI and CKD. This is followed by a discussion of the importance of screening and treatment of CKD patients infected with COVID-19 and future perspectives to improve treatment in such patients.}, }
@article {pmid38004261, year = {2023}, author = {Mohan, A and Iyer, VA and Kumar, D and Batra, L and Dahiya, P}, title = {Navigating the Post-COVID-19 Immunological Era: Understanding Long COVID-19 and Immune Response.}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004261}, issn = {2075-1729}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world unprecedentedly, with both positive and negative impacts. COVID-19 significantly impacted the immune system, and understanding the immunological consequences of COVID-19 is essential for developing effective treatment strategies. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively explore and provide insights into the immunological aspects of long COVID-19, a phenomenon where individuals continue to experience a range of symptoms and complications, even after the acute phase of COVID-19 infection has subsided. The immune system responds to the initial infection by producing various immune cells and molecules, including antibodies, T cells, and cytokines. However, in some patients, this immune response becomes dysregulated, leading to chronic inflammation and persistent symptoms. Long COVID-19 encompasses diverse persistent symptoms affecting multiple organ systems, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal systems. In the post-COVID-19 immunological era, long COVID-19 and its impact on immune response have become a significant concern. Post-COVID-19 immune pathology, including autoimmunity and immune-mediated disorders, has also been reported in some patients. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of long COVID-19, its relationship to immunological responses, and the impact of post-COVID-19 immune pathology on patient outcomes. Additionally, the review addresses the current and potential treatments for long COVID-19, including immunomodulatory therapies, rehabilitation programs, and mental health support, all of which aim to improve the quality of life for individuals with long COVID-19. Understanding the complex interplay between the immune system and long COVID-19 is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic strategies and providing optimal care in the post-COVID-19 era.}, }
@article {pmid38004253, year = {2023}, author = {Militaru, A and Bulai, CA and Ene, C and Popescu, RI and Cozma, C and Mares, C and Balacescu, S and Moldoveanu, C and Georgescu, DA and Geavlete, PA and Geavlete, BF}, title = {Double J Stents and Reno-Ureteral Lithiasis: Dynamic Changes in Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic.}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004253}, issn = {2075-1729}, support = {Publish not Perish 2023//Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy/ ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: To provide an evidence-based review of the use of ureteral stents in managing reno-ureteral lithiasis during the COVID-19 pandemic.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted between 2020 and 2023 using the PubMed and SCOPUS databases. As a part of the search query, we entered "ureteral stents" OR "double J stent" AND "renal colic" OR "ureteral obstruction" OR "reno-ureteral lithiasis" AND "COVID-19 Pandemic" OR "SARS-CoV-2 infection".<br><br>RESULTS: Patients with lithiasis should be categorized into low priority, intermediate priority, high priority, and emergency under the COVID-19 pandemic scenario to manage their delay and save resources, including healthcare professionals, beds, and ventilators. However, immediate interventions are necessary for individuals at risk of life-threatening septic complications. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the feasibility of conducting or resuming elective activity depended on local circumstances, the accessibility of beds and ventilators, and the execution of screening protocols. If lithiasis surgery is delayed, consequences and increased effort will be inevitable. It is possible that teleconsultation could help guide these patients and cut down on unnecessary visits and exposure.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 has shifted treatment options for urinary stones, with ureteral stents being a safe, efficient, and cost-effective option for managing urolithiasis. Decompression is essential in emergency situations, while ureteral stents reduce the risk of infection and hospital visits.}, }
@article {pmid38004213, year = {2023}, author = {Ahmad, AS and Juber, NF and Al-Naseri, H and Heumann, C and Ali, R and Oliver, T}, title = {Association between Average Vitamin D Levels and COVID-19 Mortality in 19 European Countries-A Population-Based Study.}, journal = {Nutrients}, volume = {15}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004213}, issn = {2072-6643}, mesh = {Humans ; Vitamin D ; *COVID-19 ; Vitamins ; *Vitamin D Deficiency/epidemiology ; Research Design ; }, abstract = {Early epidemic reports have linked low average 25(OH) vitamin D levels with increased COVID-19 mortality. However, there has been limited updated research on 25(OH) vitamin D and its impact on COVID-19 mortality. This study aimed to update the initial report studying the link between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 mortality by using multi-country data in 19 European countries up to the middle of June 2023. COVID-19 data for 19 European countries included in this study were downloaded from Our World in Data from 1 March 2020, to 14 June 2023, and were included in the statistical analysis. The 25(OH) vitamin D average data were collected by conducting a literature review. A generalized estimation equation model was used to model the data. Compared to European countries with 25(OH) vitamin D levels of ≤50 nmol/L, European countries with 25(OH) vitamin D average levels greater than 50 nmol/L had lower COVID-19 mortality rates (RR = 0.794, 95% CI: 0.662-0.953). A statistically significant negative Spearman rank correlation was observed between 25(OH) vitamin D average levels and COVID-19 mortality. We also found significantly lower COVID-19 mortality rates in countries with high average 25(OH) vitamin D levels. Randomized trials on vitamin D supplementation are needed. In the meantime, the issue of vitamin D use should be debated in relation to the ongoing discussions of national post-COVID-19 resilience against future pandemics.}, }
@article {pmid38004128, year = {2023}, author = {He, S and Lin, F and Hu, X and Pan, P}, title = {Gut Microbiome-Based Therapeutics in Critically Ill Adult Patients-A Narrative Review.}, journal = {Nutrients}, volume = {15}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004128}, issn = {2072-6643}, support = {z047-02//The national key clinical specialist construction programs of China/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Adult ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; Critical Illness/therapy ; *Microbiota/physiology ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation/adverse effects ; Prognosis ; Dysbiosis/therapy/etiology ; }, abstract = {The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the human microenvironment. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is a common pathophysiological phenomenon in critically ill patients. Therefore, utilizing intestinal microbiota to prevent complications and improve the prognosis of critically ill patients is a possible therapeutic direction. The gut microbiome-based therapeutics approach focuses on improving intestinal microbiota homeostasis by modulating its diversity, or treating critical illness by altering the metabolites of intestinal microbiota. There is growing evidence that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), selective digestive decontamination (SDD), and microbiota-derived therapies are all effective treatments for critical illness. However, different treatments are appropriate for different conditions, and more evidence is needed to support the selection of optimal gut microbiota-related treatments for different diseases. This narrative review summarizes the curative effects and limitations of microbiome-based therapeutics in different critically ill adult patients, aiming to provide possible directions for gut microbiome-based therapeutics for critically ill patients such as ventilator-associated pneumonia, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and COVID-19, etc.}, }
@article {pmid38004113, year = {2023}, author = {Gabbianelli, R and Shahar, E and de Simone, G and Rucci, C and Bordoni, L and Feliziani, G and Zhao, F and Ferrati, M and Maggi, F and Spinozzi, E and Mahajna, J}, title = {Plant-Derived Epi-Nutraceuticals as Potential Broad-Spectrum Anti-Viral Agents.}, journal = {Nutrients}, volume = {15}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004113}, issn = {2072-6643}, mesh = {Humans ; *Pandemics ; Ecosystem ; Plant Breeding ; *COVID-19 ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {Although the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be diminishing, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants represents a threat to humans due to their inherent transmissibility, immunological evasion, virulence, and invulnerability to existing therapies. The COVID-19 pandemic affected more than 500 million people and caused over 6 million deaths. Vaccines are essential, but in circumstances in which vaccination is not accessible or in individuals with compromised immune systems, drugs can provide additional protection. Targeting host signaling pathways is recommended due to their genomic stability and resistance barriers. Moreover, targeting host factors allows us to develop compounds that are effective against different viral variants as well as against newly emerging virus strains. In recent years, the globe has experienced climate change, which may contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases through a variety of factors. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can increase the geographic range of disease-carrying vectors, increasing the risk of diseases spreading to new areas. Climate change may also affect vector behavior, leading to a longer breeding season and more breeding sites for disease vectors. Climate change may also disrupt ecosystems, bringing humans closer to wildlife that transmits zoonotic diseases. All the above factors may accelerate the emergence of new viral epidemics. Plant-derived products, which have been used in traditional medicine for treating pathological conditions, offer structurally novel therapeutic compounds, including those with anti-viral activity. In addition, plant-derived bioactive substances might serve as the ideal basis for developing sustainable/efficient/cost-effective anti-viral alternatives. Interest in herbal antiviral products has increased. More than 50% of approved drugs originate from herbal sources. Plant-derived compounds offer diverse structures and bioactive molecules that are candidates for new drug development. Combining these therapies with conventional drugs could improve patient outcomes. Epigenetics modifications in the genome can affect gene expression without altering DNA sequences. Host cells can use epigenetic gene regulation as a mechanism to silence incoming viral DNA molecules, while viruses recruit cellular epitranscriptomic (covalent modifications of RNAs) modifiers to increase the translational efficiency and transcript stability of viral transcripts to enhance viral gene expression and replication. Moreover, viruses manipulate host cells' epigenetic machinery to ensure productive viral infections. Environmental factors, such as natural products, may influence epigenetic modifications. In this review, we explore the potential of plant-derived substances as epigenetic modifiers for broad-spectrum anti-viral activity, reviewing their modulation processes and anti-viral effects on DNA and RNA viruses, as well as addressing future research objectives in this rapidly emerging field.}, }
@article {pmid38004076, year = {2023}, author = {Mastrolia, MV and De Cillia, C and Orlandi, M and Abu-Rumeileh, S and Maccora, I and Maniscalco, V and Marrani, E and Pagnini, I and Simonini, G}, title = {Clinical Syndromes Related to SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Vaccination in Pediatric Age: A Narrative Review.}, journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)}, volume = {59}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004076}, issn = {1648-9144}, mesh = {Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; *COVID-19/complications/prevention &amp; control ; COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Syndrome ; Vaccination/adverse effects ; }, abstract = {This narrative review aims to report the main clinical manifestations, therapeutic strategies, outcomes, and complications of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in childhood and to summarize the data relating the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination efficacy and safety in pediatric age. SARS-CoV-2 infection mostly occurs asymptomatically in the pediatric population, while multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) represents the most severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related illness, a life-threatening event with a high morbidity rate. After the development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and their subsequent approval in children, the rate of infection as well as the number of its related complications have shown a drastic decrease. Fully vaccinated children are protected from the risk of developing a severe disease and a similar protective role has been observed in the reduction of complications, in particular MIS-C. However, long-lasting immunity has not been demonstrated, booster doses have been required, and reinfection has been observed. With regards to vaccine safety, adverse events were generally mild to moderate in all age groups: local adverse events were the most commonly reported. Nevertheless, a potential association between SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and the subsequent development of inflammatory manifestations has been suggested. Myocarditis has rarely been observed following vaccination; it appeared to be more frequent among adolescent males with a mild clinical course leading to a complete recovery. SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related MIS-C cases have been described, although a univocal definition and an exact time interval with respect to vaccination has not been reported, thus not establishing a direct causal link. Current evidence about COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents suggest that benefits outweigh potential risks. Long-term data collection of the post-authorization safety surveillance programs will better define the real incidence of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related complications in the pediatric population.}, }
@article {pmid38004010, year = {2023}, author = {Paramythiotis, D and Karlafti, E and Didagelos, M and Fafouti, M and Veroplidou, K and Protopapas, AA and Kaiafa, G and Netta, S and Michalopoulos, A and Savopoulos, C}, title = {Post-COVID-19 and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Literature Review.}, journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)}, volume = {59}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38004010}, issn = {1648-9144}, mesh = {Humans ; *Irritable Bowel Syndrome/complications/epidemiology ; Quality of Life ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; *COVID-19/complications ; }, abstract = {The emergence of post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), a complex and multifactorial condition that follows the acute COVID-19 infection, has raised serious concerns within the global medical community. Concurrently, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a widespread chronic gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, is considered to be one of the most common disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) that significantly affects the quality of life and social functioning of patients. PCS presents a wide range of symptoms and GI manifestations, including IBS. This review aims to analyze the GI involvement and the prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 infection as part of PCS, in order to explore the potential development of post-infection IBS (PI-IBS) in COVID-19 patients. Irritating factors such as enteric infection, psychosocial conditions, food antigens, and antibiotics may lead to abnormalities in the physiological function of the GI system and could be involved in the development of PI-IBS. Through the presentation of the pathophysiological mechanisms and epidemiological studies that assessed the prevalence of IBS as part of PCS, we attempted to provide a better understanding of the long-term consequences of COVID-19 and the pathogenesis of PI-IBS. Even though PI-IBS is becoming a global challenge, there are only a few studies about it and therefore limited knowledge. Currently, the majority of the existing treatment options are referred to non-COVID-19-associated DGBIs. Forthcoming studies may shed light on the mechanisms of PI-IBS that could be targeted for treatment development.}, }
@article {pmid38003818, year = {2023}, author = {Yaacoub, C and Wehbe, R and Roufayel, R and Fajloun, Z and Coutard, B}, title = {Bee Venom and Its Two Main Components-Melittin and Phospholipase A2-As Promising Antiviral Drug Candidates.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38003818}, issn = {2076-0817}, abstract = {Viruses are known to infect most types of organisms. In humans, they can cause several diseases that range from mild to severe. Although many antiviral therapies have been developed, viral infections continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, the discovery of new and effective antiviral agents is desperately needed. Animal venoms are a rich source of bioactive molecules found in natural goods that have been used since ancient times in alternative medicine to treat a variety of human diseases. Recently, and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have regained their interest in the possible use of natural products, such as bee venom (BV), as a potential antiviral agent to treat viral infections. BV is known to exert many therapeutic activities such as anti-proliferative, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is limited discussion of the antiviral activity of BV in the literature. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the antiviral properties of BV and its two primary constituents, melittin (MEL) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), against a variety of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Finally, the innovative strategies used to reduce the toxicity of BV and its two compounds for the development of new antiviral treatments are also considered.}, }
@article {pmid38003785, year = {2023}, author = {López-Bielma, MF and Falfán-Valencia, R and Abarca-Rojano, E and Pérez-Rubio, G}, title = {Participation of Single-Nucleotide Variants in IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 in the Immune Response against SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38003785}, issn = {2076-0817}, abstract = {Host genetic factors significantly influence susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Among these genetic factors are single-nucleotide variants (SNVs). IFNAR2 and IFNAR1 genes have been associated with severe COVID-19 in populations from the United Kingdom, Africa, and Latin America. IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 are subunits forming the type I interferon receptor (IFNAR). SNVs in the IFNAR genes impact protein function, affecting antiviral response and disease phenotypes. This systematic review aimed to describe IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 variants associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Accordingly, the current review focused on IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 studies published between January 2021 and February 2023, utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol. The electronic search was conducted in PubMed databases using Boolean operators and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the 170 literature pieces, 11 studies were included. We include case reports of rare SNVs, defined by minor allele frequency (MAF) < 1%, and genome-wide associated studies (GWAS). Variants in IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 could potentially be new targets for therapies that limit the infection and the resulting inflammation by SARS-CoV-2 infection.}, }
@article {pmid38003610, year = {2023}, author = {Aliper, ET and Efremov, RG}, title = {Inconspicuous Yet Indispensable: The Coronavirus Spike Transmembrane Domain.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38003610}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {23-14-00313//Russian Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Membrane Fusion/physiology ; Protein Domains ; *Viral Fusion Proteins/metabolism ; Peptides ; SARS-CoV-2/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Membrane-spanning portions of proteins' polypeptide chains are commonly known as their transmembrane domains (TMDs). The structural organisation and dynamic behaviour of TMDs from proteins of various families, be that receptors, ion channels, enzymes etc., have been under scrutiny on the part of the scientific community for the last few decades. The reason for such attention is that, apart from their obvious role as an "anchor" in ensuring the correct orientation of the protein's extra-membrane domains (in most cases functionally important), TMDs often actively and directly contribute to the operation of "the protein machine". They are capable of transmitting signals across the membrane, interacting with adjacent TMDs and membrane-proximal domains, as well as with various ligands, etc. Structural data on TMD arrangement are still fragmentary at best due to their complex molecular organisation as, most commonly, dynamic oligomers, as well as due to the challenges related to experimental studies thereof. Inter alia, this is especially true for viral fusion proteins, which have been the focus of numerous studies for quite some time, but have provoked unprecedented interest in view of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, despite numerous structure-centred studies of the spike (S) protein effectuating target cell entry in coronaviruses, structural data on the TMD as part of the entire spike protein are still incomplete, whereas this segment is known to be crucial to the spike's fusogenic activity. Therefore, in attempting to bring together currently available data on the structure and dynamics of spike proteins' TMDs, the present review aims to tackle a highly pertinent task and contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying virus-mediated fusion, also offering a rationale for the design of novel efficacious methods for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses.}, }
@article {pmid38003488, year = {2023}, author = {Periferakis, A and Periferakis, AT and Troumpata, L and Periferakis, K and Scheau, AE and Savulescu-Fiedler, I and Caruntu, A and Badarau, IA and Caruntu, C and Scheau, C}, title = {Kaempferol: A Review of Current Evidence of Its Antiviral Potential.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38003488}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {Publish not Perish institutional program//Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy/ ; }, mesh = {Swine ; Animals ; Cats ; Humans ; Mice ; Kaempferols/pharmacology ; *African Swine Fever Virus ; *RNA Viruses ; *Enterovirus ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology ; }, abstract = {Kaempferol and its derivatives are flavonoids found in various plants, and a considerable number of these have been used in various medical applications worldwide. Kaempferol and its compounds have well-known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties among other health benefits. However, the antiviral properties of kaempferol are notable, and there is a significant number of experimental studies on this topic. Kaempferol compounds were effective against DNA viruses such as hepatitis B virus, viruses of the alphaherpesvirinae family, African swine fever virus, and pseudorabies virus; they were also effective against RNA viruses, namely feline SARS coronavirus, dengue fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, influenza virus, enterovirus 71, poliovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human immunodeficiency virus, calicivirus, and chikungunya virus. On the other hand, no effectiveness against murine norovirus and hepatitis A virus could be determined. The antiviral action mechanisms of kaempferol compounds are various, such as the inhibition of viral polymerases and of viral attachment and entry into host cells. Future research should be focused on further elucidating the antiviral properties of kaempferol compounds from different plants and assessing their potential use to complement the action of antiviral drugs.}, }
@article {pmid38003329, year = {2023}, author = {Hambo, S and Harb, H}, title = {Extracellular Vesicles and Their Role in Lung Infections.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38003329}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Humans ; *Extracellular Vesicles ; *Pneumonia ; *Virus Diseases ; Lung ; *COVID-19 ; }, abstract = {Lung infections are one of the most common causes of death and morbidity worldwide. Both bacterial and viral lung infections cause a vast number of infections with varying severities. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced by different cells due to infection in the lung have the ability to modify the immune system, leading to either better immune response or worsening of the disease. It has been shown that both bacteria and viruses have the ability to produce their EVs and stimulate the immune system for that. In this review, we investigate topics from EV biogenesis and types of EVs to lung bacterial and viral infections caused by various bacterial species. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae infections are covered intensively in this review. Moreover, various viral lung infections, including SARS-CoV-2 infections, have been depicted extensively. In this review, we focus on eukaryotic-cell-derived EVs as an important component of disease pathogenesis. Finally, this review holds high novelty in its findings and literature review. It represents the first time to cover all different information on immune-cell-derived EVs in both bacterial and viral lung infections.}, }
@article {pmid38003268, year = {2023}, author = {Carriazo, S and Abasheva, D and Duarte, D and Ortiz, A and Sanchez-Niño, MD}, title = {SCARF Genes in COVID-19 and Kidney Disease: A Path to Comorbidity-Specific Therapies.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38003268}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {PI22/00050, PI21/00251//Instituto de Salud Carlos III/ ; Program for the Promotion of Young Researchers "V Call for Young Researchers Awards of the AstraZeneca Foundation 2020".//AstraZeneca (Spain)/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications/genetics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Comorbidity ; *Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology/genetics/therapy ; *Acute Kidney Injury/etiology/genetics ; }, abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has killed ~7 million persons worldwide. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common risk factor for severe COVID-19 and one that most increases the risk of COVID-19-related death. Moreover, CKD increases the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), and COVID-19 patients with AKI are at an increased risk of death. However, the molecular basis underlying this risk has not been well characterized. CKD patients are at increased risk of death from multiple infections, to which immune deficiency in non-specific host defenses may contribute. However, COVID-19-associated AKI has specific molecular features and CKD modulates the local (kidney) and systemic (lung, aorta) expression of host genes encoding coronavirus-associated receptors and factors (SCARFs), which SARS-CoV-2 hijacks to enter cells and replicate. We review the interaction between kidney disease and COVID-19, including the over 200 host genes that may influence the severity of COVID-19, and provide evidence suggesting that kidney disease may modulate the expression of SCARF genes and other key host genes involved in an effective adaptive defense against coronaviruses. Given the poor response of certain CKD populations (e.g., kidney transplant recipients) to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and their suboptimal outcomes when infected, we propose a research agenda focusing on CKD to develop the concept of comorbidity-specific targeted therapeutic approaches to SARS-CoV-2 infection or to future coronavirus infections.}, }
@article {pmid38003230, year = {2023}, author = {Zaripova, LN and Midgley, A and Christmas, SE and Beresford, MW and Pain, C and Baildam, EM and Oldershaw, RA}, title = {Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38003230}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {097826/z/11/z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Mesenchymal Stem Cells/pathology ; *Autoimmune Diseases/etiology/therapy ; Inflammation/therapy/pathology ; Immune Tolerance ; Immunomodulation ; *Hereditary Autoinflammatory Diseases ; *Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; }, abstract = {Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modulate immune responses and maintain self-tolerance. Their trophic activities and regenerative properties make them potential immunosuppressants for treating autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. MSCs are drawn to sites of injury and inflammation where they can both reduce inflammation and contribute to tissue regeneration. An increased understanding of the role of MSCs in the development and progression of autoimmune disorders has revealed that MSCs are passive targets in the inflammatory process, becoming impaired by it and exhibiting loss of immunomodulatory activity. MSCs have been considered as potential novel cell therapies for severe autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, which at present have only disease modifying rather than curative treatment options. MSCs are emerging as potential therapies for severe autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. Clinical application of MSCs in rare cases of severe disease in which other existing treatment modalities have failed, have demonstrated potential use in treating multiple diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myocardial infarction, liver cirrhosis, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and COVID-19 pneumonia. This review explores the biological mechanisms behind the role of MSCs in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. It also covers their immunomodulatory capabilities, potential therapeutic applications, and the challenges and risks associated with MSC therapy.}, }
@article {pmid38002732, year = {2023}, author = {Bourdin, V and Bigot, W and Vanjak, A and Burlacu, R and Lopes, A and Champion, K and Depond, A and Amador-Borrero, B and Sene, D and Comarmond, C and Mouly, S}, title = {Drug-Drug Interactions Involving Dexamethasone in Clinical Practice: Myth or Reality?.}, journal = {Journal of clinical medicine}, volume = {12}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38002732}, issn = {2077-0383}, abstract = {Concomitant administration of multiple drugs frequently causes severe pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic drug-drug interactions (DDIs) resulting in the possibility of enhanced toxicity and/or treatment failure. The activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a drug efflux pump sharing localization and substrate affinities with CYP3A4, is a critical determinant of drug clearance, interindividual variability in drug disposition and clinical efficacy, and appears to be involved in the mechanism of numerous clinically relevant DDIs, including those involving dexamethasone. The recent increase in the use of high doses of dexamethasone during the COVID-19 pandemic have emphasized the need for better knowledge of the clinical significance of drug-drug interactions involving dexamethasone in the clinical setting. We therefore aimed to review the already published evidence for various DDIs involving dexamethasone in vitro in cell culture systems and in vivo in animal models and humans.}, }
@article {pmid38002643, year = {2023}, author = {Donohue, JK and Hyzny, EJ and Clifford, S and Chan, EG and Coster, JN and Furukawa, M and Sanchez, PG}, title = {Immediate Postoperative COVID-19 Infection after Lung Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Case Series.}, journal = {Journal of clinical medicine}, volume = {12}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38002643}, issn = {2077-0383}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: With new variants challenging the effectiveness of preventive measures, we are beginning to recognize the reality that COVID-19 will continue to pose an endemic threat. The manifestations of COVID-19 in lung transplant recipients during index admission are poorly understood with very few cases reported in recent lung transplant recipients. Optimal management of immunosuppression and antiviral therapy in recent transplant recipients is challenging.<br><br>METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis identifying lung transplant recipients at our institution who contracted COVID-19 in the immediate postoperative period (within index admission). In addition, we performed a systematic review from January 2020 to August 2023 identifying all publications on the PUBMED database regarding COVID-19 infection in lung transplant recipients during index admission.<br><br>RESULTS: We report four cases of COVID-19 pneumonia in lung transplant recipients in the immediate postoperative period and we describe the clinical course, treatment options, and immunosuppression changes to manage this unique clinical problem. All patients made a full recovery and were eventually discharged home. Within our review of the literature, the most prevalent presenting symptoms were cough, dyspnea, and fatigue. Six (75%) patients decreased or held their antimetabolite. The two most common treatments were monoclonal antibodies (38%) and remdesivir (63%).<br><br>CONCLUSION: Although previous literature demonstrates that COVID-19 can be deadly in recent lung transplant recipients, rapid treatment with anti-viral therapy/immunotherapy, deescalating immunosuppression, and treatment of respiratory decompensation with Decadron was effective in our patients.}, }
@article {pmid38002603, year = {2023}, author = {Zakynthinos, GE and Tsolaki, V and Oikonomou, E and Vavouranakis, M and Siasos, G and Zakynthinos, E}, title = {New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in the Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit.}, journal = {Journal of clinical medicine}, volume = {12}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {38002603}, issn = {2077-0383}, abstract = {New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is the most frequently encountered cardiac arrhythmia observed in patients with COVID-19 infection, particularly in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. The purpose of the present review is to delve into the occurrence of NOAF in COVID-19 and thoroughly review recent, pertinent data. However, the causality behind this connection has yet to be thoroughly explored. The proposed mechanisms that could contribute to the development of AF in these patients include myocardial damage resulting from direct virus-induced cardiac injury, potentially leading to perimyocarditis; a cytokine crisis and heightened inflammatory response; hypoxemia due to acute respiratory distress; disturbances in acid-base and electrolyte levels; as well as the frequent use of adrenergic drugs in critically ill patients. Additionally, secondary bacterial sepsis and septic shock have been suggested as primary causes of NOAF in ICU patients. This notion gains strength from the observation of a similar prevalence of NOAF in septic non-COVID ICU patients with ARDS. It is plausible that both myocardial involvement from SARS-CoV-2 and secondary sepsis play pivotal roles in the onset of arrhythmia in ICU patients. Nonetheless, there exists a significant variation in the prevalence of NOAF among studies focused on severe COVID-19 cases with ARDS. This discrepancy could be attributed to the inclusion of mixed populations with varying degrees of illness severity, encompassing not only patients in general wards but also those admitted to the ICU, whether intubated or not. Furthermore, the occurrence of NOAF is linked to increased morbidity and mortality. However, it remains to be determined whether NOAF independently influences outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 ICU patients or if it merely reflects the disease's severity. Lastly, the management of NOAF in these patients has not been extensively studied. Nevertheless, the current guidelines for NOAF in non-COVID ICU patients appear to be effective, while accounting for the specific drugs used in COVID-19 treatment that may prolong the QT interval (although drugs like lopinavir/ritonavir, hydrochlorothiazide, and azithromycin have been discontinued) or induce bradycardia (e.g., remdesivir).}, }
@article {pmid38002267, year = {2023}, author = {Zaa, CA and Espitia, C and Reyes-Barrera, KL and An, Z and Velasco-Velázquez, MA}, title = {Neuroprotective Agents with Therapeutic Potential for COVID-19.}, journal = {Biomolecules}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38002267}, issn = {2218-273X}, support = {PAPIIT UNAM IV200121//Universidad Nacional Aut&#xf3;noma de M&#xe9;xico/ ; PAPIIT UNAM IN206622//Universidad Nacional Aut&#xf3;noma de M&#xe9;xico/ ; AU-0042-20030616//Welch Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; *Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Nervous System Diseases ; *Encephalitis ; }, abstract = {COVID-19 patients can exhibit a wide range of clinical manifestations affecting various organs and systems. Neurological symptoms have been reported in COVID-19 patients, both during the acute phase of the illness and in cases of long-term COVID. Moderate symptoms include ageusia, anosmia, altered mental status, and cognitive impairment, and in more severe cases can manifest as ischemic cerebrovascular disease and encephalitis. In this narrative review, we delve into the reported neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19, as well as the underlying mechanisms contributing to them. These mechanisms include direct damage to neurons, inflammation, oxidative stress, and protein misfolding. We further investigate the potential of small molecules from natural products to offer neuroprotection in models of neurodegenerative diseases. Through our analysis, we discovered that flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and other natural compounds exhibit neuroprotective effects by modulating signaling pathways known to be impacted by COVID-19. Some of these compounds also directly target SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. Therefore, molecules of natural origin show promise as potential agents to prevent or mitigate nervous system damage in COVID-19 patients. Further research and the evaluation of different stages of the disease are warranted to explore their potential benefits.}, }
@article {pmid38002247, year = {2023}, author = {Mathew, DS and Pandya, T and Pandya, H and Vaghela, Y and Subbian, S}, title = {An Overview of SARS-CoV-2 Etiopathogenesis and Recent Developments in COVID-19 Vaccines.}, journal = {Biomolecules}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38002247}, issn = {2218-273X}, mesh = {Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; *Viral Vaccines ; Vaccination ; }, abstract = {The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has significantly impacted the health and socioeconomic status of humans worldwide. Pulmonary infection of SARS-CoV-2 results in exorbitant viral replication and associated onset of inflammatory cytokine storm and disease pathology in various internal organs. However, the etiopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is not fully understood. Currently, there are no targeted therapies available to cure COVID-19, and most patients are treated empirically with anti-inflammatory and/or anti-viral drugs, based on the disease symptoms. Although several types of vaccines are currently implemented to control COVID-19 and prevent viral dissemination, the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 that can evade the vaccine-induced protective immunity poses challenges to current vaccination strategies and highlights the necessity to develop better and improved vaccines. In this review, we summarize the etiopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and elaborately discuss various types of vaccines and vaccination strategies, focusing on those vaccines that are currently in use worldwide to combat COVID-19 or in various stages of clinical development to use in humans.}, }
@article {pmid37856358, year = {2023}, author = {Hartmann-Boyce, J and Rees, K and Onakpoya, I and Otunla, A and Morris, E and Morgan, J and Highton, P and Suklan, J and Curtis, F and Goyder, C and O'Mahoney, L and James, O and Sreejith, N and Seidu, S and Khunti, K}, title = {An Update to the Overview of Reviews: Risks of and From SARS-COV-2 Infection and COVID-19 in People With Diabetes.}, journal = {Diabetes care}, volume = {46}, number = {12}, pages = {e215-e216}, doi = {10.2337/dc23-1365}, pmid = {37856358}, issn = {1935-5548}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; *Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; }, }
@article {pmid37800639, year = {2024}, author = {Ozguler, Y and Esatoglu, SN and Hatemi, G}, title = {Epidemiology of systemic vasculitis.}, journal = {Current opinion in rheumatology}, volume = {36}, number = {1}, pages = {21-26}, doi = {10.1097/BOR.0000000000000983}, pmid = {37800639}, issn = {1531-6963}, mesh = {Humans ; Reproducibility of Results ; *Systemic Vasculitis/epidemiology ; *Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/complications ; *Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis/complications ; *Giant Cell Arteritis/epidemiology/complications ; *Behcet Syndrome/epidemiology/complications ; *Takayasu Arteritis/epidemiology/complications ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Epidemiology of vasculitides exhibit geographic variation and data from some parts of the world are still scarce. Increased recognition of these rare diseases and improvement in diagnosis and patient care may lead to changes in their epidemiology. In this review, we aimed to highlight the most recent work on the epidemiology of systemic vasculitis.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: New data from countries where information on the epidemiology of giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis and Beh&#xe7;et syndrome were limited have revealed that these conditions are not as rare as previously believed. The incidence rates during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic highlight the link between Kawasaki disease and respiratory pathogens. The use of different classification criteria hampers the comparison of true incidence and prevalence rates in antineutophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis and its subtypes between geographies and over time.<br><br>SUMMARY: Recent studies have highlighted the epidemiology of vasculitides in different parts of the world and changing trends. Standardization of study design and disease definitions is needed to improve the reliability and comparability of the results.}, }
@article {pmid37798858, year = {2023}, author = {Amirizad, K and Ghazanfari, M and Javidnia, J and Abastabar, M and Haghi Ashtiani, MT and Sotoudeh Anvari, M and Fathi, M and Espahbodi, A and Badali, H and Hedayati, MT and Haghani, I and Seyedmousavi, S}, title = {Central nervous system Aspergillus quadrilineatus infection in a COVID-19 patient, a case report and literature review.}, journal = {Journal of clinical laboratory analysis}, volume = {37}, number = {19-20}, pages = {e24971}, pmid = {37798858}, issn = {1098-2825}, mesh = {Humans ; Child ; Antifungal Agents/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Caspofungin ; *COVID-19/complications ; Aspergillus ; *Aspergillosis/etiology/microbiology ; *Mycoses/complications ; *Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/complications/drug therapy ; Central Nervous System ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Viral pneumonia such as COVID-19-associated aspergillosis could increase susceptibility to fungal super-infections in critically ill patients.<br><br>METHODS: Here we report a pediatric case of Aspergillus quadrilineatus cerebral infection in a recently diagnosed COVID-19-positive patient underlying acute lymphocytic leukemia. Morphological, molecular methods, and sequencing were used to identify this emerging species.<br><br>RESULTS: Histopathological examination showed a granulomatous necrotic area containing dichotomously branching septate hyphae indicating a presumptive Aspergillus structure. The species-level identity of isolate growing on brain biopsy culture was confirmed by PCR sequencing of the &#x3b2;-tubulin gene as A.&#x2009;quadrilineatus. Using the CLSI M38-A3 broth microdilution methodology, the in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing demonstrated 0.032&#x2009;&#x3bc;g/mL MIC for posaconazole, caspofungin, and anidulafungin and 8&#x2009;&#x3bc;g/mL against amphotericin B. A combination of intravenous liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin therapy for 8&#x2009;days did not improve the patient's condition. The patient gradually continued to deteriorate and expired.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This is the first COVID-19-associated cerebral aspergillosis due to A.&#x2009;quadrilineatus in a pediatric patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia. However, comprehensive screening studies are highly recommended to evaluate its frequency and antifungal susceptibility profiles. Before being recommended as first-line therapy in high-risk patients, more antifungal susceptibility data are needed.}, }
@article {pmid37716502, year = {2023}, author = {Williamson, J and Spicer, AJ}, title = {Review of the impact of the FDA's Fast Track Designation on biotechnology companies' share prices.}, journal = {Drug discovery today}, volume = {28}, number = {11}, pages = {103771}, doi = {10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103771}, pmid = {37716502}, issn = {1878-5832}, mesh = {Humans ; Biotechnology ; *Frontotemporal Dementia ; Pandemics ; }, abstract = {This study examines the effect of the FDA's Fast Track Designation (FTD) on biotech company share prices. Using an event-study approach on 25 FTD announcements between June 2019 and June 2020, notable short- and long-term share price hikes were observed, with a 5-day cumulative average abnormal returns of 21.59%, 30-day at 38.34%, 1-year at 76.64% and 3-year at 111.37% against the XBI benchmark. These surges surpass prior research findings, indicating stronger investor reactions. The role of the COVID-19 pandemic as a confounder is discussed. Although the sample size is limited, the results offer valuable insights for investors and small pharma firms. Further research is recommended to delve into the driving market factors.}, }
@article {pmid38011367, year = {2022}, author = {Farjoud-Kouhanjani, M and Shafie'ei, M and Taghrir, MH and Akbari, Z and Hashemi, SMA and Eghlidos, Z and Borhani-Haghighi, A and Rahimi-Jaberi, A}, title = {Transient global amnesia after COVID-19: A systematic scoping review of case reports.}, journal = {Current journal of neurology}, volume = {21}, number = {4}, pages = {244-250}, pmid = {38011367}, issn = {2717-011X}, abstract = {Background: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a sudden-onset transient memory impairment along with intact neurologic examinations. Even though it is a benign neurologic condition with many differential diagnoses, the incidence rate of TGA is reported to have increased since the onset of the pandemic. Therefore, this systematic scoping review aims to investigate TGA in that context. Methods: MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched for relevant articles with a string of specified keywords. Results: The primary search yielded 90 studies. After all the necessary screening rounds were carried out, we were left with six included studies. One study was also identified through a search in other relatively relevant databases. Finally, seven case reports were accepted including three TGA patients with positive and one with negative test for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), respectively. COVID-19 status was unclear in the others. Conclusion: The reported COVID-19 positive cases had presentations similar to those with TGA before the pandemic. Therefore, we think that TGA might occur concomitantly with the COVID-19 infection or due to the psychological impact of the pandemic. In the confirmed cases of TGA and COVID-19, the abnormal findings may be due to COVID-19 infection. However, the reports were not as complete as desired. Therefore, providing the readers with more detailed reports in future cases is recommended.}, }
@article {pmid38011476, year = {2021}, author = {Zareh-Shahamati, S and Noorbakhsh, M and Digaleh, H and Safarpour-Lima, B}, title = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and seizure: An insight into the pathophysiologic mechanisms.}, journal = {Current journal of neurology}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {43-48}, pmid = {38011476}, issn = {2717-011X}, abstract = {Based on previous studies, seizure has been reported to accompany coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Underlying mechanisms are those leading to the direct central nervous system (CNS) invasion through hematogenous spread or trans-synaptic retrograde invasion, causing meningoencephalitis. On the other hand, there are pathophysiologic mechanisms that seizure would be one of their early consequences, such as cytokine storm, hypoxemia, metabolic derangement, and structural brain lesions. Herein, we focused on available evidence to provide an insight into the pathophysiologic mechanisms that link seizure and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, as a better understanding of pathophysiology would lead to better diagnosis and treatment.}, }
@article {pmid38002070, year = {2023}, author = {Szigetváry, CE and Turan, C and Kovács, EH and Kói, T and Engh, MA and Hegyi, P and Csukly, G and Ruszkai, Z and Molnár, Z}, title = {Hemoadsorption as Adjuvant Therapy in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {Biomedicines}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38002070}, issn = {2227-9059}, support = {K138816//Hungarian National Research, Developement and Innovation Office/ ; NKFIHK120706//Hungarian National Research, Developement and Innovation Office/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is often a consequence of a dysregulated immune response; therefore, immunomodulation by extracorporeal cytokine removal has been increasingly used as an adjuvant therapy, but convincing data are still missing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adjunctive hemoadsorption (HA) on clinical and laboratory outcomes in patients with ARDS.<br><br>METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Web of Science (PROSPERO: CRD42022292176). The population was patients receiving HA therapy for ARDS. The primary outcome was the change in PaO2/FiO2 before and after HA therapy. Secondary outcomes included the before and after values for C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and norepinephrine (NE) doses.<br><br>RESULTS: We included 26 publications, with 243 patients (198 undergoing HA therapy and 45 controls). There was a significant improvement in PaO2/FiO2 ratio following HA therapy (MD = 68.93 [95%-CI: 28.79 to 109.06] mmHg, p = 0.005) and a reduction in CRP levels (MD = -45.02 [95%-CI: -82.64; -7.39] mg/dL, p = 0.026) and NE dose (MD = -0.24 [95%-CI: -0.44 to -0.04] &#x3bc;g/kg/min, p = 0.028).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, HA resulted in a significant improvement in oxygenation and a reduction in NE dose and CRP levels in patients treated with ARDS. Properly designed RCTs are still needed.}, }
@article {pmid38002002, year = {2023}, author = {Hu, Y and Liu, Y and Zheng, H and Liu, L}, title = {Risk Factors for Long COVID in Older Adults.}, journal = {Biomedicines}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38002002}, issn = {2227-9059}, support = {32070923//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022SCP010//The High-level Talent Promotion and Training Project of Kunming/ ; 2021-I2M-1-043//CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences/ ; }, abstract = {As time has passed following the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 have gradually exhibited a variety of symptoms associated with long COVID in the postacute phase of infection. Simultaneously, in many countries worldwide, the process of population aging has been accelerating. Within this context, the elderly population has not only become susceptible and high-risk during the acute phase of COVID-19 but also has considerable risks when confronting long COVID. Elderly individuals possess specific immunological backgrounds, and during the process of aging, their immune systems can enter a state known as "immunosenescence". This further exacerbates "inflammaging" and the development of various comorbidities in elderly individuals, rendering them more susceptible to long COVID. Additionally, long COVID can inflict both physical and mental harm upon elderly people, thereby reducing their overall quality of life. Consequently, the impact of long COVID on elderly people should not be underestimated. This review seeks to summarize the infection characteristics and intrinsic factors of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the physical and mental impact of long COVID. Additionally, it aims to explore potential strategies to mitigate the risk of long COVID or other emerging infectious diseases among older adults in the future.}, }
@article {pmid38001795, year = {2023}, author = {Briassoulis, G and Briassoulis, P and Ilia, S and Miliaraki, M and Briassouli, E}, title = {The Anti-Oxidative, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Apoptotic, and Anti-Necroptotic Role of Zinc in COVID-19 and Sepsis.}, journal = {Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38001795}, issn = {2076-3921}, abstract = {Zinc is a structural component of proteins, functions as a catalytic co-factor in DNA synthesis and transcription of hundreds of enzymes, and has a regulatory role in protein-DNA interactions of zinc-finger proteins. For many years, zinc has been acknowledged for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory functions. Furthermore, zinc is a potent inhibitor of caspases-3, -7, and -8, modulating the caspase-controlled apoptosis and necroptosis. In recent years, the immunomodulatory role of zinc in sepsis and COVID-19 has been investigated. Both sepsis and COVID-19 are related to various regulated cell death (RCD) pathways, including apoptosis and necroptosis. Lack of zinc may have a negative effect on many immune functions, such as oxidative burst, cytokine production, chemotaxis, degranulation, phagocytosis, and RCD. While plasma zinc concentrations decline swiftly during both sepsis and COVID-19, this reduction is primarily attributed to a redistribution process associated with the inflammatory response. In this response, hepatic metallothionein production increases in reaction to cytokine release, which is linked to inflammation, and this protein effectively captures and stores zinc in the liver. Multiple regulatory mechanisms come into play, influencing the uptake of zinc, the binding of zinc to blood albumin and red blood cells, as well as the buffering and modulation of cytosolic zinc levels. Decreased zinc levels are associated with increasing severity of organ dysfunction, prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality in septic and COVID-19 patients. Results of recent studies focusing on these topics are summarized and discussed in this narrative review. Existing evidence currently does not support pharmacological zinc supplementation in patients with sepsis or COVID-19. Complementation and repletion should follow current guidelines for micronutrients in critically ill patients. Further research investigating the pharmacological mechanism of zinc in programmed cell death caused by invasive infections and its therapeutic potential in sepsis and COVID-19 could be worthwhile.}, }
@article {pmid38001483, year = {2023}, author = {Griffore, KA and Bowra, A and Guilcher, SJT and Kohler, J}, title = {Corruption risks in health procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-corruption, transparency and accountability (ACTA) mechanisms to reduce these risks: a rapid review.}, journal = {Globalization and health}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {91}, pmid = {38001483}, issn = {1744-8603}, support = {Connaught Global Challenge Award//Connaught Fund/ ; 430-2021-00340//Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Fraud/prevention &amp; control ; Social Responsibility ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Health systems are often susceptible to corruption risks. Corruption within health systems has been found to negatively affect the efficacy, safety, and, significantly, equitable distribution of health products. Enforcing effective anti-corruption mechanisms is important to reduce the risks of corruption but requires first an understanding of the ways in which corruption manifests. When there are public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, corruption risks can increase due to the need for accelerated rates of resource deployment that may result in the bypassing of standard operating procedures.<br><br>MAIN BODY: A rapid review was conducted to examine factors that increased corruption risks during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as potential anti-corruption, transparency and accountability (ACTA) mechanisms to reduce these risks. A search was conducted including terms related to corruption, COVID-19, and health systems from January 2020 until January 2022. In addition, relevant grey literature websites were hand searched for items. A single reviewer screened the search results removing those that did not meet the inclusion criteria. This reviewer then extracted data relevant to the research objectives from the included articles. 20 academic articles and 17 grey literature pieces were included in this review. Majority of the included articles described cases of substandard and falsified products. Several papers attributed shortages of these products as a major factor for the emergence of falsified versions. Majority of described corruption instances occurred in low- and middle-income countries. The main affected products identified were chloroquine tablets, personal protective equipment, COVID-19 vaccine, and diagnostic tests. Half of the articles were able to offer potential anti-corruption strategies.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Shortages of health products during the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to be associated with increased corruption risks. We found that low- and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable to corruption during global emergencies. Lastly, there is a need for additional research on effective anti-corruption mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid38000342, year = {2023}, author = {Pelton, SI and Hullegie, S and Leach, AJ and Marchisio, P and Marom, T and Sabharwal, V and Shaikh, N and Tähtinen, PA and Venekamp, RP}, title = {ISOM 2023 Research Panel 5: Interventions- Vaccines and prevention, medical and surgical treatment, and impact of COVID-19 pandemic.}, journal = {International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology}, volume = {176}, number = {}, pages = {111782}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111782}, pmid = {38000342}, issn = {1872-8464}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To identify and synthesize key research advances from the literature published between 2019 and 2023 on the advances in preventative measures, and medical and surgical treatment of uncomplicated otitis media (OM) including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on OM management.<br><br>DATA SOURCES: Medline (PubMed), Embase, and the Cochrane Library.<br><br>REVIEW METHODS: All relevant original articles published in English between June 2019 and February 2023 were identified. Studies related to guideline adherence, impact of treatment on immune response and/or microbiology, tympanoplasty, Eustachian tube balloon dilatation, mastoidectomy procedures, and those focusing on children with Down's syndrome or cleft palate were excluded.<br><br>MAIN FINDINGS: Of the 9280 unique records screened, 64 were eligible for inclusion; 23 studies related to medical treatment, 20 to vaccines, 13 to surgical treatment, 6 to prevention (excl. vaccines) and 2 to the impact of COVID-19 on OM management. The level of evidence was judged 2 in 11 studies (17.2&#xa0;%) and 3 or 4 in the remaining 53 studies (82.8&#xa0;%) mainly due to the observational design, study limitations or low sample sizes. Some important advances in OM management have been made in recent years. Video discharge instructions detailing the identification and management of pain and fever for parents of children with acute otitis media (AOM) was more effective than paper instructions in reducing symptomatology; compared to placebo, levofloxacin solution was more effective for treating chronic suppurative otitis media, whereas AOM recurrences during two years of follow-up did not differ between children with recurrent AOM who received tympanostomy tube (TT) insertion or medical management. Further, novel pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) schedules for preventing OM in Aboriginal children appeared ineffective, and a protein-based pneumococcal vaccine had no added value over PCV13 for preventing AOM in native American infants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline in OM and TT case volumes and complications was observed.<br><br>Whether the observed impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on OM management extends to the post-pandemic era is uncertain. Furthermore, the impact of the pandemic on the conduct of urgently needed prospective methodologically rigorous interventional studies aimed at improving OM prevention and treatment remains to be elucidated since the current report consisted of studies predominantly conducted in the pre-pandemic era.}, }
@article {pmid38000119, year = {2023}, author = {Yong, SJ and Halim, A and Liu, S and Halim, M and Alshehri, AA and Alshahrani, MA and Alshahrani, MM and Alfaraj, AH and Alburaiky, LM and Khamis, F and Muzaheed,  and AlShehail, BM and Alfaresi, M and Al Azmi, R and Albayat, H and Al Kaabi, NA and Alhajri, M and Al Amri, KAS and Alsalman, J and Algosaibi, SA and Al Fares, MA and Almanaa, TN and Almutawif, YA and Mohapatra, RK and Rabaan, AA}, title = {Pooled rates and demographics of POTS following SARS-CoV-2 infection versus COVID-19 vaccination: Systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Autonomic neuroscience : basic &amp; clinical}, volume = {250}, number = {}, pages = {103132}, doi = {10.1016/j.autneu.2023.103132}, pmid = {38000119}, issn = {1872-7484}, abstract = {PURPOSE: To address recent concerns of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) occurring after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination.<br><br>METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus as of 1st June 2023. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of pooled POTS rate in SARS-CoV-2-infected and COVID-19-vaccinated groups from epidemiological studies, followed by subgroup analyses by characteristic. Meta-analysis of risk ratio was conducted to compare POTS rate in infected versus uninfected groups. Meta-analysis of demographics was also performed to compare cases of post-infection and post-vaccination POTS from case reports and series.<br><br>RESULTS: We estimated the pooled POTS rate of 107.75 (95&#xa0;% CI: 9.73 to 273.52) and 3.94 (95&#xa0;% CI: 0 to 16.39) cases per 10,000 (i.e., 1.08&#xa0;% and 0.039&#xa0;%) in infected and vaccinated individuals based on 5 and 2 studies, respectively. Meta-regression revealed age as a significant variable influencing 86.2&#xa0;% variance of the pooled POTS rate in infected population (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). Moreover, POTS was 2.12-fold more likely to occur in infected than uninfected individuals (RR&#xa0;=&#xa0;2.12, 95&#xa0;% CI: 1.71 to 2.62, P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001). Meta-analyzed demographics for cases of post-infection (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;43) and post-vaccination (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;17) POTS found no significant differences in several variables between groups, except that the time from exposure to symptom onset was shorter for cases of post-vaccination POTS (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05).<br><br>CONCLUSION: Although evidence is limited for post-vaccination POTS, our study showed that POTS occur more frequently following SARS-CoV-2 infection than COVID-19 vaccination.}, }
@article {pmid38000083, year = {2023}, author = {Brown, T and Zakzanis, KK}, title = {A review of the reliability of remote neuropsychological assessment.}, journal = {Applied neuropsychology. Adult}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-7}, doi = {10.1080/23279095.2023.2279208}, pmid = {38000083}, issn = {2327-9109}, abstract = {The provision of clinical neuropsychological services has predominately been undertaken by way of standardized administration in a face-to-face setting. Interpretation of psychometric findings in this context is dependent on the use of normative comparison. When the standardization in which such psychometric measures are employed deviates from how they were employed in the context of the development of its associated norms, one is left to question the reliability and hence, validity of any such findings and in turn, diagnostic decision making. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and resultant social distancing direction, face-to-face neuropsychological assessment has been challenging to undertake. As such, remote (i.e., virtual) neuropsychological assessment has become an obvious solution. Here, and before the results from remote neuropsychological assessment can be said to stand on firm scientific grounds, it is paramount to ensure that results garnered remotely are reliable and valid. To this end, we undertook a review of the literature and present an overview of the landscape. To date, the literature shows evidence for the reliability of remote administration and the clinical implications are paramount. When and where needed, neuropsychologists, psychometric technicians and examinees may no longer need to be in the same physical space to undergo an assessment. These findings are most relevant given the physical distancing practices because of COVID-19. And whilst remote assessment should never supplant face-to-face neuropsychological assessments, it does serve as a valid alternative when necessary.}, }
@article {pmid38000044, year = {2023}, author = {Ge, X and Zhou, H and Shen, F and Yang, G and Zhang, Y and Zhang, X and Li, H}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic RNA: formation process and rapid molecular diagnostic methods.}, journal = {Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38000044}, issn = {1437-4331}, abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which caused coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is spreading worldwide and posing enormous losses to human health and socio-economic. Due to the limitations of medical and health conditions, it is still a huge challenge to develop appropriate discharge standards for patients with COVID-19 and to use medical resources in a timely and effective manner. Similar to other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 has a very complex discontinuous transcription process to generate subgenomic RNA (sgRNA). Some studies support that sgRNA of SARS-CoV-2 can only exist when the virus is active and is an indicator of virus replication. The results of sgRNA detection in patients can be used to evaluate the condition of hospitalized patients, which is expected to save medical resources, especially personal protective equipment. There have been numerous investigations using different methods, especially molecular methods to detect sgRNA. Here, we introduce the process of SARS-CoV-2 sgRNA formation and the commonly used molecular diagnostic methods to bring a new idea for clinical detection in the future.}, }
@article {pmid37999922, year = {2023}, author = {Lee, S and Bi, L and Chen, H and Lin, D and Mei, R and Wu, Y and Chen, L and Joo, SW and Choo, J}, title = {Recent advances in point-of-care testing of COVID-19.}, journal = {Chemical Society reviews}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1039/d3cs00709j}, pmid = {37999922}, issn = {1460-4744}, abstract = {Advances in microfluidic device miniaturization and system integration contribute to the development of portable, handheld, and smartphone-compatible devices. These advancements in diagnostics have the potential to revolutionize the approach to detect and respond to future pandemics. Accordingly, herein, recent advances in point-of-care testing (POCT) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using various microdevices, including lateral flow assay strips, vertical flow assay strips, microfluidic channels, and paper-based microfluidic devices, are reviewed. However, visual determination of the diagnostic results using only microdevices leads to many false-negative results due to the limited detection sensitivities of these devices. Several POCT systems comprising microdevices integrated with portable optical readers have been developed to address this issue. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, effective POCT strategies for COVID-19 based on optical detection methods have been established. They can be categorized into fluorescence, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, and wearable sensing. We introduced next-generation pandemic sensing methods incorporating artificial intelligence that can be used to meet global health needs in the future. Additionally, we have discussed appropriate responses of various testing devices to emerging infectious diseases and prospective preventive measures for the post-pandemic era. We believe that this review will be helpful for preparing for future infectious disease outbreaks.}, }
@article {pmid37999827, year = {2023}, author = {Jia, DT and Carcamo, PM and Diaz, MM}, title = {Ongoing Healthcare Disparities in neuroHIV: Addressing Gaps in the Care Continuum.}, journal = {Current HIV/AIDS reports}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37999827}, issn = {1548-3576}, support = {1-K23-MH131466-01/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States ; AARGD-22-924896/ALZ/Alzheimer's Association/United States ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We aim to review the neurological complications of HIV and the social, cultural, and economic inequalities that contribute to disparities in neuroHIV care.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: Disparities in diagnostics and care of patients with neurological infections and non-infectious conditions associated with HIV in both high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMIC) are common. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these disparities. Factors, such as HIV-related stigma, may deter people from accessing HIV treatment. First-line recommended treatments for neurological infections are not available in many LMICs, leading to inadequate treatment and exposure to agents with more harmful side effect profiles. Access-related factors, such as lack of transportation, lack of health insurance, and inadequate telehealth access, may increase the risk of HIV-related neurological complications. Further research is needed to increase awareness of neurological complications among providers and PWH, and regional guidelines should be considered to better address these complications.}, }
@article {pmid37998802, year = {2023}, author = {Abubakar, U and Awaisu, A and Khan, AH and Alam, K}, title = {Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37998802}, issn = {2079-6382}, abstract = {This study investigated how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the rate of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched to identify potentially eligible studies published from December 2019 to September 2022. A random effect model was used to determine the changes in the rate of HAIs during the pandemic. Thirty-seven studies, mostly from the United States (n = 13), were included. Fifteen studies described how the pandemic affected the rate of CLABSIs and CAUTIs, and eight of them showed a significant increase in CLABSIs. The risk of CLABSIs and CDIs was 27% (pooled odds ratio [OR]: 0.73; confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.89; p < 0.001) and 20% (pooled OR: 1.20; CI: 1.10-1.31; p < 0.001) higher during the pandemic compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic period, respectively. However, the overall risk of HAIs was unaffected by the pandemic (pooled OR: 1.00; 95 CI: 0.80-1.24; p = 0.990). Furthermore, there were no significant changes in the risk of CAUTIs (pooled OR: 1.01; 95 CI: 0.88-1.16; p = 0.890), and SSIs (pooled OR: 1.27; CI: 0.91-1.76; p = 0.16) between the two periods. The COVID-19 pandemic had no effect on the overall risk of HAIs among hospitalized patients, but an increased risk of CLABSIs and CDI were observed during the pandemic. Therefore, more stringent infection control and prevention measures and prudent interventions to promote the rational use of antibiotics are warranted across all healthcare facilities to reduce the burden of HAIs.}, }
@article {pmid37998480, year = {2023}, author = {Siegrist, J}, title = {Psychosocial Occupational Health-A Priority for Middle-Income Countries?.}, journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {37998480}, issn = {2227-9032}, abstract = {In response to new developments of work and employment in high-income countries (HICs), psychosocial aspects of work and health have received increased attention. In contrast, middle-income countries (MICs) are mainly concerned with severe challenges of noxious- and dangerous-material work environments, poor employment conditions, and deficient social policies, which leaves the psychosocial aspects with a marginal role, at best, in occupational health. More recently, differences between these two worlds were even aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, with economic globalisation and the growing worldwide interconnectivity, the world of work in MICs is being rapidly transformed, starting to share several concerns with the modern Western societies. In this process, psychosocial occupational health will become an increasingly pressing issue. This contribution explores the extent to which psychosocial aspects of work and health are already addressed in research originating from MICs. Using a narrative review approach, a selective focus on recent findings from two regions, Asia Pacific and Latin America, revealed an increasing interest in work stress-related problems, but a restricted impact of the respective research findings. It is hoped that future scientific developments in MICs will enrich the international state of the art in this field.}, }
@article {pmid37998475, year = {2023}, author = {Lieneck, C and McLauchlan, M and Phillips, S}, title = {Healthcare Cybersecurity Ethical Concerns during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic: A Rapid Review.}, journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {37998475}, issn = {2227-9032}, abstract = {BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Healthcare organizations have endured significant challenges and relied upon telehealth and related technological advances during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow for the sustainment of care. The purpose of this study was to systematically identify healthcare cybersecurity ethical concerns experienced during the pandemic to assist with the sustainability of the delivery of care going forward.<br><br>METHODS: This study was guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis protocols for systematic reviews and focused on cybersecurity in healthcare organizations that published articles during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 through October 2022). The articles were accessed using the EBSCOhost and Pub-Med (which queries MEDLINE) platforms, through which the Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE Complete, and Complementary Index databases were accessed. Follow-on supplementary topic modeling allowed for the additional application of ethical principles to the review findings.<br><br>RESULTS: Among the 22 articles that met the inclusion criteria, three ethical concerns were identified by the rapid review: smart and medical technology concerns (73% of occurrences), at-risk population cybersecurity (55% of occurrences), and legal challenges in data protection (73% of occurrences). The research team also conducted a latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) analysis, identifying three topics from the review corpus: robotic and biomedical/clinical care outcomes, diagnostic applications, and public health data usage. These were then mapped to primary ethical healthcare principles.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The sustainment of healthcare technology interoperability and related telehealth initiatives involves the ongoing assessment of cybersecurity threats and adequate knowledge of related ethical stakeholder concerns to promote ongoing care delivery.}, }
@article {pmid37998442, year = {2023}, author = {Maltezou, HC and Ledda, C and Sipsas, NV}, title = {Absenteeism of Healthcare Personnel in the COVID-19 Era: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Implications for the Post-Pandemic Seasons.}, journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {37998442}, issn = {2227-9032}, abstract = {This systematic review aimed to assess COVID-19-associated absenteeism among healthcare personnel (HCP). PubMed was searched on 4 February 2023. Inclusion criteria were the presentation of original data on COVID-19-associated absenteeism among HCP. Exclusion criteria were absenteeism associated with burnout, mental health illness, post-COVID syndrome, or child-care. Nineteen articles were identified; fifteen concerned almost exclusively the first pandemic year. Hospitals accounted for most data. There was heterogeneity across studies in terms of presentation of absenteeism data. Before COVID-19 vaccines became available, COVID-19 was a major driver of HCP absenteeism with excess costs, while the mean duration of absenteeism ranged from 5.82 to 33 days per episode of absence. Determinant factors of absenteeism rates were department of employment, high-risk exposure, age, profession, and work experience of HCP, suspected COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 testing, SARS-CoV-2 positivity, and return-to-work strategy. Two studies demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduced the burden of absenteeism. Routine testing of asymptomatic HCP and use of personal protective equipment also significantly ameliorated absenteeism. In conclusion, COVID-19 has been a major driver of HCP absenteeism. Research is needed to assess how COVID-19 will impact HCP in the next years, considering the new SARS-CoV-2 variants, the co-circulation of other respiratory viruses, and the newer COVID-19 vaccines. Networks are needed to survey morbidity and absenteeism among HCP in real-time and guide vaccination policies.}, }
@article {pmid37998336, year = {2023}, author = {Amadoro, G and Latina, V and Stigliano, E and Micera, A}, title = {COVID-19 and Alzheimer's Disease Share Common Neurological and Ophthalmological Manifestations: A Bidirectional Risk in the Post-Pandemic Future.}, journal = {Cells}, volume = {12}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {37998336}, issn = {2073-4409}, support = {POR FESR Lazio 2014-2020 Project T0002E0001 G04014_13_04_202121//Regione Lazio/ ; Proposal 971925//Alzheimer's Association Research/ ; RF-2021-12374301//Ministry of Health/ ; project MNESYS (PE0000006) - A Multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease (DN. 1553 11.10.2022)//PNRR National Plan for Recovery and Resilience Next Generation/ ; D.M.865/2019//Fondo Ordinario Enti National Research Council/European Brain Research Institute/ ; Fondazione Roma for F. Bietti//Fondazione Roma/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Alzheimer Disease/epidemiology/complications ; Pandemics ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; *Nervous System Diseases/etiology ; }, abstract = {A growing body of evidence indicates that a neuropathological cross-talk takes place between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) -the pandemic severe pneumonia that has had a tremendous impact on the global economy and health since three years after its outbreak in December 2019- and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia among human beings, reaching 139 million by the year 2050. Even though COVID-19 is a primary respiratory disease, its causative agent, the so-called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is also endowed with high neuro-invasive potential (Neurocovid). The neurological complications of COVID-19, resulting from the direct viral entry into the Central Nervous System (CNS) and/or indirect systemic inflammation and dysregulated activation of immune response, encompass memory decline and anosmia which are typically associated with AD symptomatology. In addition, patients diagnosed with AD are more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and are inclined to more severe clinical outcomes. In the present review, we better elucidate the intimate connection between COVID-19 and AD by summarizing the involved risk factors/targets and the underlying biological mechanisms shared by these two disorders with a particular focus on the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, APOlipoprotein E (APOE), aging, neuroinflammation and cellular pathways associated with the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)/Amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau neuropathologies. Finally, the involvement of ophthalmological manifestations, including vitreo-retinal abnormalities and visual deficits, in both COVID-19 and AD are also discussed. Understanding the common physiopathological aspects linking COVID-19 and AD will pave the way to novel management and diagnostic/therapeutic approaches to cope with them in the post-pandemic future.}, }
@article {pmid37998277, year = {2023}, author = {Kotera, Y and Adam, H and Kirkman, A and Aledeh, M and Brooks-Ucheaga, M and Todowede, O and Rennick-Egglestone, S and Jackson, JE}, title = {Positive Mental Health of Migrants in the UK during COVID-19: A Review.}, journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health}, volume = {20}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {37998277}, issn = {1660-4601}, mesh = {Humans ; Mental Health ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; Mental Processes ; United Kingdom/epidemiology ; *Transients and Migrants ; }, abstract = {COVID-19 impacted the mental health of many people in the UK. The negative impact was especially substantial among vulnerable population groups, including migrants. While research has focused on the negative aspects of mental health during the pandemic, the positive mental health of migrants in the UK during COVID-19 remained to be evaluated. This review aimed to identify literature that focused on positive mental health, and thematically synthesise the findings to understand what positive mental health approaches were employed to support specific outcomes during the pandemic for them to survive in this difficult time. Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched using terms including "mental health", "migrants", and "COVID-19". The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist was used to assess the quality of the included studies. There were only two studies examining the positive mental health of UK migrants during this period. They describe approaches such as religious beliefs, passion for and acknowledgement of their job, learning new things, being physically active, social media, and social activities, producing outcomes such as inner peace, confidence, well-being, and a sense of belonging. The quality of the included studies was high. More research about positive mental health in migrants in the UK during the pandemic is needed.}, }
@article {pmid37997876, year = {2023}, author = {Algara, O and Franco, LE and García-Lechuz, JM}, title = {The Magnificent Seven: Seven good publications in infectious disease.}, journal = {Revista espanola de quimioterapia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia}, volume = {36 Suppl 1}, number = {}, pages = {68-70}, doi = {10.37201/req/s01.16.2023}, pmid = {37997876}, issn = {1988-9518}, mesh = {Humans ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Pandemics ; *Communicable Diseases/drug therapy ; *COVID-19 ; *Bacteremia/drug therapy ; *Clostridium Infections/drug therapy ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {The world of infectious diseases, for various reasons, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, capture the attention of the scientific community, either due to the epidemiological data of various microbial agents that are emerging, due to the implementation with successful results of new diagnostic strategies or due to the appearance of new therapeutic options, which encourage healthcare workers to continue on the front line. Topics such as antimicrobial resistance, S. aureus bacteremia, clostridioides difficile, short treatments for tuberculosis, prosthetic joint infection or invasive fungal infections are included. In this article, we want to highlight, among many others, seven recently published articles that deserve our attention, full of useful information to keep us updated.}, }
@article {pmid37997869, year = {2023}, author = {Ramos Amador, JT and Berzosa Sánchez, A and Illán Ramos, M}, title = {Group A Streptococcus invasive infection in children: Epidemiologic changes and implications.}, journal = {Revista espanola de quimioterapia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia}, volume = {36 Suppl 1}, number = {}, pages = {33-36}, doi = {10.37201/req/s01.09.2023}, pmid = {37997869}, issn = {1988-9518}, mesh = {Child ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; *Streptococcal Infections/drug therapy ; Streptococcus pyogenes ; Incidence ; Europe/epidemiology ; *COVID-19/complications ; }, abstract = {Group A Streptococcus (GAS) can cause a broad array of clinical manifestations and complications. Recently, in post COVID-19 postpandemic months, there has been an increased incidence and severity of invasive infections in the pediatric age group in Spain and other European countries with high morbidity, affecting mostly to young children, associated with seasonal peaks in incidence of viral respiratory pathogens. The increased in incidence and severity has not been associated with predominant GAS strains, but rather to the lack of immunity to both GAS and common viral respiratory infections due to isolation measures to prevent COVID-19. Due to the nonspecific initial clinical manifestations a high index of suspicion is necessary in order to initiate a prompt medical and surgical treatment when necessary to improve the outcome. Prevention strategies are needed as well as continuous microbiological surveillance of iGAS strains.}, }
@article {pmid37997867, year = {2023}, author = {Múñez-Rubio, E and Calderón-Parra, J and Gutiérrez-Villanueva, A and Fernández-Cruz, A and Ramos-Martínez, A}, title = {Clinical experience in the treatment of COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies in solid organ transplant recipients.}, journal = {Revista espanola de quimioterapia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia}, volume = {36 Suppl 1}, number = {}, pages = {25-28}, doi = {10.37201/req/s01.07.2023}, pmid = {37997867}, issn = {1988-9518}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Organ Transplantation/adverse effects ; }, abstract = {Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at high risk for complications from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SOT recipients mount lower immunological responses to vaccines than general population and are at high risk for breakthrough COVID-19 infections. Passive immunotherapy in the form of anti-Spike monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) may be an alternative for the prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 in these patients. SARS-CoV-2 has evolved by accumulating resistance mutations that have escaped the neutralizing action of most MoAbs. However, MoAbs directed at more conserved epitopes and that maintain effector functions could maintain efficacy in the treatment of these patients. According to published data, SOT recipients with low anti-spike antibody responses to vaccination could benefit from the use of MoAbs in pre-exposure prophylaxis, in the treatment of COVID-19 mild to moderate and severe COVID-19 with less than 15 days of symptom duration and low oxygen requirements. Combination therapy could be more effective than monotherapy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection.}, }
@article {pmid37997866, year = {2023}, author = {Villamarín, M and Len, O}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 infection in solid organ transplant recipients: Experience with molnupiravir.}, journal = {Revista espanola de quimioterapia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia}, volume = {36 Suppl 1}, number = {}, pages = {22-24}, doi = {10.37201/req/s01.06.2023}, pmid = {37997866}, issn = {1988-9518}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Transplant Recipients ; *Organ Transplantation/adverse effects ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) constitute one of the groups at highest risk for the development of severe COVID-19. However, evidence on the effectiveness of treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infection in this group of patients is scarce. Molnupiravir is an orally administered antiviral drug that has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the risk of progression to severe COVID-19 in high-risk outpatients, mainly in the unvaccinated population. Although its effectiveness is lower than that of other antivirals, on many occasions it is the only therapeutic option in transplant recipients given the absence of pharmacological interactions with immunosuppressive treatment, the oral route of administration and the good safety profile.}, }
@article {pmid37644742, year = {2023}, author = {Zhao, S and Abdurehim, A and Yuan, Y and Yang, T and Li, C and Zhang, Y and Li, Y and Sun, X and Xie, J}, title = {Natural Products: A Potential New Hope to Defeat Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19.}, journal = {Current topics in medicinal chemistry}, volume = {23}, number = {26}, pages = {2436-2451}, doi = {10.2174/1568026623666230829164156}, pmid = {37644742}, issn = {1873-4294}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; *Biological Products/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Pandemics ; Quality of Life ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Disease Progression ; }, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic was the most significant public healthcare crisis worldwide. It was estimated that 80% of infected patients with COVID-19 have not fully recovered and developed one or more long-term symptoms, referred to as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Seeking a treatment strategy for PASC has become a concerning topic since the sequelae can cause irreversible multiple organ damage and can severely compromise quality of life. It is indicated that PASC may be closely related to lung injury-induced hypoxia, excessive immune response, cytokine storm, gut bacteria imbalance, and endothelial dysfunction. Also, more and more research has indicated that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 and vanillin 1 (TRPA1/V1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) can be considered as the targets to treat PASC. There is currently still no proven medication for PASC due to its complexity. Many clinical practices and studies have shown that natural products have great potential in preventing and treating PASC. Therefore, we intended to provide a comprehensive review of the current literature on PASC and the role of natural ingredients in PASC management. Meanwhile, this review provided meaningful insight for further study of natural ingredients to improve PASC and its clinical application.}, }
@article {pmid37622697, year = {2023}, author = {Sabbah, DA and Hajjo, R and Sunoqrot, S}, title = {A Critical Assessment of COVID-19 Genomic Vaccines.}, journal = {Current topics in medicinal chemistry}, volume = {23}, number = {27}, pages = {2552-2589}, doi = {10.2174/1568026623666230825094341}, pmid = {37622697}, issn = {1873-4294}, mesh = {Humans ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; Genomics ; *Viral Vaccines ; Nucleic Acid-Based Vaccines ; mRNA Vaccines ; *Vaccines ; }, abstract = {Vaccines are instrumental tools to fight against novel and re-emerging pathogens and curb pandemics. Vaccination has been an integral part of the multifaceted public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Diverse vaccine platforms have been designed and are currently at different stages of development. Some vaccines are still in early biological testing, while others have been launched after being approved by regulatory agencies worldwide. Genomic vaccines that deliver parts of the viral DNA or RNA to host cells have gained popularity recently due to their high efficiency and fast manufacture. Furthermore, recent clinical studies encouraged the use of different vaccine platforms within the primary vaccination course to enhance the efficacy of vaccination. Herein, we discuss COVID-19 genomic vaccines, which deliver viral genetic material to host cells through diverse biotechnology platforms, including viral vector vaccines, messenger RNA nucleic acid vaccines, and DNA nucleic acid vaccines. We compare and contrast vaccine characteristics, composition, and pros and cons among different genomic vaccine platforms as well as non-genomic vaccines. This review summarizes all current knowledge about COVID-19 genomic vaccines, which could be highly valuable to researchers interested in public health and vaccine development.}, }
@article {pmid37183467, year = {2024}, author = {Sherif, AY and Harisa, GI and Alanazi, FK}, title = {The Chimera of TPGS and Nanoscale Lipid Carriers as Lymphatic Drug Delivery Vehicles to Fight Metastatic Cancers.}, journal = {Current drug delivery}, volume = {21}, number = {4}, pages = {525-543}, doi = {10.2174/1567201820666230512122825}, pmid = {37183467}, issn = {1875-5704}, support = {AG-2022-5//Vice Deanship of Scientific Research Chairs, Kayyali Chair for Pharmaceutical Industry, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy/ ; }, mesh = {Male ; Humans ; Tissue Distribution ; Pandemics ; Lipids ; Drug Delivery Systems ; *Antineoplastic Agents ; *Neoplasms/metabolism ; Lymphatic System/metabolism ; Drug Carriers/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The lymphatic system (LS) plays a crucial role in fluid balance, transportation of macromolecules, and immune response. Moreover, LS is a channel for microbial invasion and cancer metastasis. Particularly, solid tumors, including lung, breast, melanoma, and prostate cancers, are metastasized across highways of LS. Subsequently, the fabrication of chimeric lymphatic drug delivery systems (LDDS) is a promising strategy to fight cancer metastasis and control microbial pandemics. In this regard, LDDS, in terms of PEG-nanoscaled lipid carriers, elicited a revolution during the COVID-19 pandemic as cargoes for mRNA vaccines. The drug delivered by the lymphatic pathway escapes first-pass metabolism and enhances the drug's bioavailability. Ample approaches, including synthesis of prodrugs, trigging of chylomicron biosynthesis, and fabrication of nanocarriers, facilitate lymphatic drug delivery. Specifically, nanoscales lipid cargoes have the propensity to lymphatic trafficking. Interestingly, TPGSengineered nanoscale lipid cargoes enhance lymphatic trafficking, increase tissue permeation, and, specifically, uptake. Moreover, they overcome biological barriers, control biodistribution, and enhance organelles localization. Most anticancer agents are non-specific, have low bioavailability, and induced drug resistance. Therefore, TPGS-engineered nanoscale lipid chimeras improve the therapeutic impact of anticancer agents. This review highlights lymphatic cancer metastasis, nanoscales lipid cargoes as LDDS, and their influence on lymphatic trafficking, besides the methods of LDD studies.}, }
@article {pmid37997865, year = {2023}, author = {Núñez-Orantos, MJ and Julián-Jiménez, A and Candel, FJ and González Del Castillo, J}, title = {Therapeutic strategy in the transplanted patient.}, journal = {Revista espanola de quimioterapia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia}, volume = {36 Suppl 1}, number = {}, pages = {18-21}, doi = {10.37201/req/s01.05.2023}, pmid = {37997865}, issn = {1988-9518}, mesh = {Humans ; *Kidney Transplantation ; *COVID-19 ; Hospitalization ; Vaccination ; }, abstract = {The SARS-CoV-2 infection prognosis has dramatically changed as a result of population vaccination and the surge of omicron. However, there are still specific populations at risk of progression to severe diseases that require hospitalization or even at risk of death. The kidney transplant population is one of them. Consequently, when compatible symptoms appear, an early diagnosis should be sought in order to start specific antiviral treatment as soon as possible to avoid clinical deterioration of the patient. Antivirals have shown, in transplant patients, a decrease in the rate of hospitalization and death, especially with their early administration.}, }
@article {pmid37997864, year = {2023}, author = {Barreiro, P and Candel, FJ and Carretero, MM and San Román, J}, title = {Risk of severe COVID in solid organ transplant recipient.}, journal = {Revista espanola de quimioterapia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia}, volume = {36 Suppl 1}, number = {}, pages = {15-17}, doi = {10.37201/req/s01.04.2023}, pmid = {37997864}, issn = {1988-9518}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Transplant Recipients ; *Organ Transplantation/adverse effects ; }, abstract = {Despite the fact that COVID is today not a life-threat for the general population, recipients of solid organ transplantation should be viewed as a high risk group for severe COVID. Repetitive doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine still fail to protect SOT recipients from infection, disease or even death caused by COVID. A more frequent need for medical care may initially place these patients at greater chances of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunosuppression after engrafting and underlying medical conditions that led to the practice of SOT contribute to more risk of severe infection. Immunosuppression also blunts the intensity of humoral and cellular responses after vaccination, even when several booster doses have been administered. Still, vaccination is the best strategy to prevent a fatal outcome in case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with a particular reduction in mortality. SOT recipients should be considered a high-risk population that need yearly SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.}, }
@article {pmid37997587, year = {2023}, author = {Angawi, K}, title = {Immigrants, health, and the impact of COVID-19: A narrative review.}, journal = {F1000Research}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {176}, pmid = {37997587}, issn = {2046-1402}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *Emigrants and Immigrants ; Health Services Accessibility ; }, abstract = {While the COVID-19 pandemic has gravely challenged health systems globally, countries that host a large number of refugees are finding themselves even more burdened as providing preventive and curative services to refugees, and, migrants has proved to be a challenging task. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the impact COVID-19 pandemic on immigrants, and seek to understand how COVID-19 affects provision of health services, access to health care and the socioeconomic situation. Like any other health challenge, COVID-19 has also left migrants susceptible to adverse outcomes, both directly and indirectly. Several factors limit their ability to avoid infections, access healthcare, and cope with socio-psychological impacts. In addition, undocumented immigrants or people living on short-term visit visas do not have full access to healthcare services in most countries. It is evident that COVID-19 has also influenced these workers leaving them jobless or receiving low wages or no pay, hence, this has hugely impacted the remittance and economic situation in their country. Extending access to healthcare to the entire immigrant population, irrespective of their legal status, is the cornerstone of an effective response to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid37997093, year = {2023}, author = {Hindocha, A and Brennan, L and Brewster, L and Lunn, J and Isba, R}, title = {The wider health and wellbeing needs of those accessing paediatric care in England: engaging with the hidden voices of children and young people.}, journal = {Lancet (London, England)}, volume = {402 Suppl 1}, number = {}, pages = {S50}, doi = {10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02104-9}, pmid = {37997093}, issn = {1474-547X}, mesh = {Adult ; Adolescent ; Humans ; Child ; *Ethnicity ; *Health Status Disparities ; Pandemics ; Minority Groups ; Caregivers ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Health need is inextricably linked with inequalities. Health outcomes are worse for those in lower socio-economic groups, ethnic minority groups, and those with protected characteristics. In the UK, this has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. Children and young people accessing hospitals can have unmet health and wellbeing needs, yet the role of hospitals in addressing these is not clear. We engaged with children and young people and caregivers from under-represented groups, often excluded from patient and public involvement, to understand their experiences, in order to support the co-design of future research and interventions.<br><br>METHODS: A series of virtual and physical engagement events were held in Northwest England between March 9, and May 19, 2023. Community groups in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation, carers of children living with disabilities, adolescent care leavers, and school children were contacted through local websites. The concept of health inequalities was introduced at the start of sessions, and participants were encouraged to reflect on their own experiences. Discussions were co-facilitated with community leaders. Events focused on exploring experiences of health inequalities in relation to health care and views on future research. Ethics approval was not required as this was preparatory work; however, written consent was sought. Financial compensation was provided.<br><br>FINDINGS: A total of 30 participants (aged 10 years and older) participated in four, 90 min events. Themes included: difficulties with transport and navigating services, lack of staff awareness about disabilities, and concerns about transitioning to adult services. Groups expressed varied opinions about research into health inequalities. The topic was considered to be important, and remuneration for participation was felt to be crucial. This is important because of the long-term nature of health inequality outcomes, which result in no immediate benefit to participants themselves.<br><br>INTERPRETATION: Users of health-care services-including rarely heard groups-welcome research into health inequalities, but they identified important future considerations. Limitations of the work include its small scale and its location in a single geographical area. The outputs of this study will be combined with a scoping review and a review of local population data and will be essential in designing future research and producing recommendations for health-care services.<br><br>FUNDING: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Charity.}, }
@article {pmid37996669, year = {2023}, author = {Lakshimi, VI and Kavitha, M}, title = {New Insights into Prospective Health Potential of ω-3 PUFAs.}, journal = {Current nutrition reports}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37996669}, issn = {2161-3311}, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are the two essential long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) promoting human health which are obtained from diet or supplementation. The eicosanoids derived from ω-6 and ω-3 PUFAs have opposite characteristics of pro- and anti-inflammatory activities. The proinflammatory effects of ω-6 PUFAs are behind the pathology of the adverse health conditions of PUFA metabolism like cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and inflammatory diseases. A balanced ω-6 to ω-3 ratio of 1-4:1 is critical to prevent the associated disorders. But due to modern agricultural practices, there is a disastrous shift in this ratio to 10-20:1. This review primarily aims to discuss the myriad health potentials of ω-3 PUFAs uncovered through recent research. It further manifests the importance of maintaining a balanced ω-6 to ω-3 PUFA ratio.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: &#x3c9;-3 PUFAs exhibit protective effects against diabetes mellitus-associated complications including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and proteinuria. COVID-19 is also not an exception to the health benefits of &#x3c9;-3 PUFAs. Supplementation of &#x3c9;-3 PUFAs improved the respiratory and clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients. &#x3c9;-3 PUFAs exhibit a variety of health benefits including anti-inflammatory property and antimicrobial property and are effective in protecting against various health conditions like atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, COVID-19, and neurological disorders. In the present review, various health potentials of &#x3c9;-3 PUFAs are extensively reviewed and summarized. Further, the importance of a balanced &#x3c9;-6 to &#x3c9;-3 PUFA ratio has been emphasized besides stating the diverse sources of &#x3c9;-3 PUFA.}, }
@article {pmid37996327, year = {2023}, author = {Mansoor, A and Mansoor, E and Waheed, Y and Palma, PJ and Chaves, C}, title = {Update on the M-pox virus and safety measures taken against it globally.}, journal = {Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.jfma.2023.10.019}, pmid = {37996327}, issn = {0929-6646}, abstract = {Globally, more than 50 countries have been affected by Monkey pox virus after COVID-19 has subsided. WHO declared "public health emergency of international concern" in year 2022 because of virus affecting 60,000 people in just one month that belonged to clade-IIb. Previously, it had been transmitted by body fluids, lesions and touching items, but fresh transmission is via sexual activity among bisexuals and man to man sex (MSM). New outbreaks reported compromised health status of confirmed cases with rectal pain, bleeding, tenesmus, pus or blood in stool, vomiting, proctitis and abdominal pain, which became alarming for entire world because of complications leading to bacterial skin infections, sepsis, encephalitis, hemorrhagic disease, blindness and pneumonia eventually. This virus has been further deteriorating unstable and unsustainable economy that requires dire attention. Strict preventive measures in terms of personal hygiene, pet and livestock health care, hospital contaminant disposal, good surveillance record, pre and post exposure vaccination, waste and water management could be only possible strategies to eliminate devastatingly dangerous M-pox outbreaks in this epic.}, }
@article {pmid37996257, year = {2023}, author = {Venugopal, N and Armstrong, PA and Wright, TJ and Randolph, KM and Batson, RD and Yuen, KCJ and Masel, B and Sheffield-Moore, M and Pyles, RB and Urban, RJ}, title = {Is there a role for growth hormone replacement in adults to control acute and post-acute COVID-19?.}, journal = {Best practice &amp; research. Clinical endocrinology &amp; metabolism}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {101842}, doi = {10.1016/j.beem.2023.101842}, pmid = {37996257}, issn = {1878-1594}, abstract = {The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic created a multitude of medical crossroads requiring real time adaptations of best practice covering preventative and interventional aspects of care. Among the many discoveries borne from efforts to address the myriad clinical presentations across multiple organ systems was a common impact on tissues with cells that express the ACE-2 receptor. The vast majority of acute infections began and often ended in the respiratory tract, but more recent evaluations have confirmed significant extrapulmonary manifestations including symptom clusters that extend beyond the acute phase of infection collectively referred to as "post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection" (PASC) or more commonly as "long (-haul) COVID". Both acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and PASC are associated with gut microbiome dysbiosis and alterations in the gut-brain and HPA-axis in a subset of the infected. Mounting evidence suggests these extrapulmonary manifestations may ultimately lead to reduced growth hormone (GH) secretion as demonstrated following stimulation tests. Disrupted GH secretion could cause or exacerbate long lasting neuropsychological symptoms as seen in other similar manifesting conditions. Ongoing clinical research has shown promising improvement in PASC patients with fatigue and cognition complaints can be achieved via GH replacement therapy. GH stimulation testing should be considered in PASC workups and future research should delve deeper into the mechanistic effects of GH on acute COVID and PASC.}, }
@article {pmid37995353, year = {2023}, author = {Harris, GH and Adalja, AA}, title = {Innovative approaches to COVID-19 medical countermeasure development.}, journal = {The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy}, volume = {78}, number = {Supplement_2}, pages = {ii18-ii24}, pmid = {37995353}, issn = {1460-2091}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; *Medical Countermeasures ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *Vaccines ; Research Design ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic, while unfortunately notable for immense strain and death throughout the world, has also shown great promise in the development of medical countermeasures. As the global scientific community shifted almost entirely towards vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, new trial designs most significantly adaptive platform trials, began to be used with greater speed and broader reach. These designs allowed for deploying and investigating new therapeutics, repurposing currently existing therapeutics and flexibly removing or adding additional medications as data appeared in real-time. Moreover, public-private sector partnering occurred at a level not seen before, contributing greatly to the rapid development and deployment of vaccines.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: To provide a brief overview of the advances in preventative and therapeutic medical countermeasure development for COVID-19.<br><br>METHODS: A narrative review of relevant major medical countermeasure trials was conducted using the date range February 2020-December 2022, representing the period of greatest productivity in research to investigate COVID-19.<br><br>RESULTS: Among the most influential trial designs are the adaptive platform designs, which have been applied to the development of initial COVID-19 antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, repurposing of existing immunomodulatory therapy and assisted in the disproof of ineffective medical therapies. Some of the most prominent examples include the REMAP-CAP, RECOVERY and TOGETHER trials.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Adaptive platform trial designs hold great promise for utility in future pandemics and mass casualty events. Additionally, public-private sectoring is essential for rapid medical countermeasure development and should be further enhanced for future biopreparedness.}, }
@article {pmid37994758, year = {2023}, author = {Dhuli, K and Micheletti, C and Maltese, PE and Tanzi, B and Benedetti, S and Tezzele, S and Mareso, C and Connelly, ST and Gaffuri, F and Tartaglia, GM and Nodari, S and Arabia, G and Fioretti, F and Calandri, C and Perrone, MA and Bertelli, M}, title = {The Role of Olive Tree Polyphenols In The Prevention of COVID-19: A Scoping Review Part 2.}, journal = {La Clinica terapeutica}, volume = {174}, number = {Suppl 2(6)}, pages = {149-153}, doi = {10.7417/CT.2023.2481}, pmid = {37994758}, issn = {1972-6007}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Olea ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; Polyphenols/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {The recent COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 affected hundreds of millions of people and caused millions of deaths. There are few effective medications against SARS-CoV-2, and several stud-ies attempted to make drugs based on natural components, such as olive leaves. Olive leaves are rich in polyphenolic compounds, which were proposed as a viable co-therapy supplement to treat and improve clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Polyphenols have renown anti-inflammatory and multitarget antiviral effects on several virus families, which could be among the reasons of the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet against COVID-19. This scoping review is focused on the effect of olive tree polyphenols as a natural remedy to inhibit SARS-CoV-2, mainly discussing their influence on the process of viral entry into host cells by endocytosis.}, }
@article {pmid37994757, year = {2023}, author = {Bonetti, G and Donato, K and Medori, MC and Cecchin, S and Marceddu, G and Gadler, M and Guerri, G and Cristofoli, F and Connelly, ST and Gaffuri, F and Tartaglia, GM and Nodari, S and Arabia, G and Fioretti, F and Gregorace, E and Perrone, MA and Bertelli, M}, title = {The Role of Olive Tree Polyphenols in the Prevention of COVID-19: A Scoping Review, part 1.}, journal = {La Clinica terapeutica}, volume = {174}, number = {Suppl 2(6)}, pages = {142-148}, doi = {10.7417/CT.2023.2480}, pmid = {37994757}, issn = {1972-6007}, mesh = {Humans ; *Olea ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Polyphenols/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Phenols ; }, abstract = {The global COVID-19 outbreak, started in December 2019, resulted in severe financial losses and extraordinary health crises. Finding a potent and secure medication candidate to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection and its symptoms is still an urgent global need. After reviewing previous studies, olive leaves, being rich in polyphenolic compounds (a large class of bioactive substances naturally found in plants), were proposed as a viable co-therapy supplement to treat and improve clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients. It has long been known that olive tree polyphenols-such as oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, verbascoside, as well as triterpenoids like maslinic, ursolic, and oleanolic acids-have anti-inflammatory and multitarget antiviral effects on several virus families, and they could be one of the reasons of the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet against COVID-19. Thus, olive tree poly-phenols were tested in silico and in vitro for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, claiming that they have beneficial effects. Nevertheless, there is still a small number of research studies on this topic. The aim of this scoping review is to provide more information and offer an opinion on the feasibility of using olive tree polyphenols as a springboard for the creation of innovative natural remedies against this viral illness, ultimately planning future relevant studies.}, }
@article {pmid37994473, year = {2023}, author = {Anillo, I and Feldman, D and Kennedy, T}, title = {A Global Outlook on Child Sexual Abuse and Sexually Explicit Material Online During COVID-19: Trends and Interdisciplinary Prevention Methods.}, journal = {Journal of child sexual abuse}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-19}, doi = {10.1080/10538712.2023.2285960}, pmid = {37994473}, issn = {1547-0679}, abstract = {This scoping review investigates the impact of COVID-19 on global and national trends in online child sexually explicit material (CSEM) trafficking and production in addition to online child sexual abuse (OCSA). Globally, CSEM consumption increased dramatically during the pandemic, as well as trafficking of self-generated material. The hypothesized reasons for the increase in OCSA and CSEM that guided this review included stay-at-home orders, COVID-19-related precautions, technology use increase, economic instability, and lack of available victim and legal resources. Current global and national law enforcement procedures to prevent the proliferation of online sexual abuse are reviewed with suggestions for preventing further increases in CSEM production, distribution, and consumption at the micro and macro levels.}, }
@article {pmid37993363, year = {2023}, author = {Jaffal, K and Davido, B}, title = {[Early post-exposure and curative therapeutic strategies against COVID-19].}, journal = {Revue des maladies respiratoires}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.rmr.2023.10.007}, pmid = {37993363}, issn = {1776-2588}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: There now exist preventive and curative treatments available for both early and advanced stages of COVID-19 management.<br><br>CURRENT KNOWLEDGE: Antibiotics have no place in the initial therapeutic management of Sars-Cov-2 pneumonia. On the other hand, corticosteroids are recommended for patients requiring oxygen therapy&#x2265;2L/min. According to the latest recommendations, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is indicated as an early treatment for adults not requiring oxygen therapy but at high risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19. In case of contraindication, remdesivir is an alternative therapy.<br><br>PERSPECTIVES: Although there is no indication for convalescent plasma outside of clinical trials, it seems promising for immunocompromised patients, particularly those with B lymphopenia. It is noteworthy that currently, with the predominance of the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant, monoclonal antibodies are no longer recommended as therapy except for sotrovimab, which still has partial efficacy and could be considered after expert opinion as salvage therapy in a previously well-established program.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Despite the evolution of variants, antivirals still appear to have activity and remain the first-line treatment for patients, in addition to vaccination.}, }
@article {pmid37993126, year = {2023}, author = {Buttery, SC and Williams, PJ and Alghamdi, SM and Philip, KEJ and Perkins, A and Kallis, C and Quint, JK and Polkey, MI and Breuls, S and Buekers, J and Chynkiamis, N and Delgado-Ortiz, L and Demeyer, H and Frei, A and Garcia-Aymerich, J and Gimeno-Santos, E and Koch, S and Megaritis, D and Polhemus, A and Troosters, T and Vogiatzis, I and Watz, H and Hopkinson, NS}, title = {Investigating the prognostic value of digital mobility outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society}, volume = {32}, number = {170}, pages = {}, pmid = {37993126}, issn = {1600-0617}, mesh = {Humans ; Prognosis ; *Walking Speed ; *Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis/therapy ; Hospitalization ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Reduced mobility is a central feature of COPD. Assessment of mobility outcomes that can be measured digitally (digital mobility outcomes (DMOs)) in daily life such as gait speed and steps per day is increasingly possible using devices such as pedometers and accelerometers, but the predictive value of these measures remains unclear in relation to key outcomes such as hospital admission and survival.<br><br>METHODS: We conducted a systematic review, nested within a larger scoping review by the MOBILISE-D consortium, addressing DMOs in a range of chronic conditions. Qualitative and quantitative analysis considering steps per day and gait speed and their association with clinical outcomes in COPD patients was performed.<br><br>RESULTS: 21 studies (6076 participants) were included. Nine studies evaluated steps per day and 11 evaluated a measure reflecting gait speed in daily life. Negative associations were demonstrated between mortality risk and steps per day (per 1000 steps) (hazard ratio (HR) 0.81, 95% CI 0.75-0.88, p<0.001), gait speed (<0.80&#x2005;m&#xb7;s[-1]) (HR 3.55, 95% CI 1.72-7.36, p<0.001) and gait speed (per 1.0&#x2005;m&#xb7;s[-1]) (HR 7.55, 95% CI 1.11-51.3, p=0.04). Fewer steps per day (per 1000) and slow gait speed (<0.80&#x2005;m&#xb7;s[-1]) were also associated with increased healthcare utilisation (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.72-0.88, p<0.001; OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.42-7.94, p=0.01, respectively). Available evidence was of low-moderate quality with few studies eligible for meta-analysis.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Daily step count and gait speed are negatively associated with mortality risk and other important outcomes in people with COPD and therefore may have value as prognostic indicators in clinical trials, but the quantity and quality of evidence is limited. Larger studies with consistent methodologies are called for.}, }
@article {pmid37993006, year = {2023}, author = {Kumar, L}, title = {LETTER TO EDITOR: Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: A Nationwide Analysis.}, journal = {Current problems in cardiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {102208}, doi = {10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102208}, pmid = {37993006}, issn = {1535-6280}, }
@article {pmid37992786, year = {2023}, author = {Borsini, A}, title = {The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the role of good hygiene practices as protective factors: A commentary on the 2023 BBI impact award winner.}, journal = {Brain, behavior, and immunity}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.014}, pmid = {37992786}, issn = {1090-2139}, }
@article {pmid37976246, year = {2023}, author = {Schess, J and Bennett-Li, L and Velleman, R and Bhatia, U and Catalano, A and Jambhale, A and Nadkarni, A}, title = {Alcohol policies in India: A scoping review.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {11}, pages = {e0294392}, pmid = {37976246}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Adult ; Humans ; *Health Policy ; *Pandemics ; Public Policy ; Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology ; India/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Globally, alcohol consumption causes significant societal harm and is a leading risk factor for death and disability in adults. In India, 3.7% of all deaths and 3.1% disability adjusted life years (DALYs) can be attributed to alcohol. In the context of rapid economic development and emphasized by the COVID-19 pandemic, India's lack of a consolidated and comprehensive alcohol policy has posed significant challenges to addressing this harm. In this context, the aim of our review was to undertake a comprehensive mapping of the State and national policy environment surrounding alcohol and its use in India, based on an analysis of policy documents. We did this though a scoping review of academic and grey literature, which helped to iteratively identify the websites of 15 international organizations, 21 Indian non-governmental organizations, and eight Indian Federal governmental organizations as well as State/Union Territory government sites, to search for relevant policy documents. We identified 19 Federal policy documents and 36 State level policy documents within which we have identified the specific policy measures which address the 10 categories of the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol. We found that there are major gaps in regulation of marketing and price controls, with much of this controlled by the States. In addition, regulation of availability of alcohol varies widely throughout the country, which is also a policy area controlled locally by States. Through the clear elucidation of the current policy environment surrounding alcohol in India, policy makers, researchers and advocates can create a clearer roadmap for future reform.}, }
@article {pmid37974135, year = {2023}, author = {Chow, BWK and Lim, YD and Poh, RCH and Ko, A and Hong, GH and Zou, SWL and Cheah, J and Ho, S and Lee, VJM and Ho, MZJ}, title = {Use of a digital contact tracing system in Singapore to mitigate COVID-19 spread.}, journal = {BMC public health}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {2253}, pmid = {37974135}, issn = {1471-2458}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; Contact Tracing/methods ; Singapore/epidemiology ; Quarantine ; Public Health ; *Mobile Applications ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Contact tracing has been essential to reducing spread of COVID-19. Singapore leveraged technology to assist with contact tracing efforts using a Bluetooth-based app and token platform called 'TraceTogether'.<br><br>METHODS: We reviewed the impact of this system during the country's Delta and Omicron waves (24 August 2021 to 17 February 2022) to identify differences in number of close contacts and time savings between full automation using TraceTogether alone as compared to manual contact tracing supplemented by TraceTogether. Characteristics of digital contact tracing app or token users were reviewed. Thereafter, the number of close contacts identified by manual and digital contact tracing methods, and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among contacts were analysed. The difference in time taken for identification of close contacts was also determined.<br><br>FINDINGS: Adoption rate for TraceTogether was high, with 93.3% of cases having a registered device. There was a 9.8&#xa0;h (34.9%) reduction in time savings for close contacts to be informed using TraceTogether alone compared to manual contact tracing supplemented by TraceTogether. The proportion of close contacts automatically identified through TraceTogether alone and turned positive was 3.6%. For those identified through manual contact tracing supplemented by TraceTogether, this proportion was 12.5% and 6.2% for those served quarantine orders and health risk warnings respectively.<br><br>INTERPRETATION: The high adoption rate of 'TraceTogether' suggest that digital solutions remain a promising option to improve contact tracing in future epidemics. This may have been through its concurrent use with vaccine differentiated public health measures and policies which engender public trust. There is future potential for utilising such technology in managing communicable diseases to achieve good public health outcomes.}, }
@article {pmid37973026, year = {2023}, author = {Venkatakrishnan, S and Thomas, P}, title = {Vagal nerve stimulation for headache.}, journal = {Current opinion in neurology}, volume = {36}, number = {6}, pages = {603-608}, doi = {10.1097/WCO.0000000000001208}, pmid = {37973026}, issn = {1473-6551}, mesh = {Humans ; *Vagus Nerve Stimulation/methods ; Headache/therapy ; Vagus Nerve/physiology ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is emerging as a probable therapeutic option for headache. Several questions remain on the mechanism of action, device parameters, efficacy, duration of treatment and long-term safety. This review aims at describing findings of recent literature pertaining to VNS for headache, to put these findings into the perspective of our current fund of knowledge and future scope of work on the topic.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: Several studies on functional magnetic resonance imaging patterns following VNS in patients with headache have been published, revealing potential biomarkers of headache and possible treatment effects. A study on post-COVID-19 headache and its management with noninvasive cervical VNS adds to the body of original studies. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews outlining previous work have been published. The collection of these studies adds some data to mechanisms of VNS without adding much insight to differential effects of sub-types of VNS and possible device settings that could prove to be beneficial for headache management.<br><br>SUMMARY: Well designed studies are needed to identify mechanisms of action, elicit differential effects of various stimulation parameters, and to demonstrate long-term therapeutic effects and safety of VNS in headache.}, }
@article {pmid37968691, year = {2023}, author = {Chatterton, B and Ascher, SB and Duan, N and Kravitz, RL}, title = {Does haste make waste? Prevalence and types of errors reported after publication of studies of COVID-19 therapeutics.}, journal = {Systematic reviews}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {216}, pmid = {37968691}, issn = {2046-4053}, support = {UL1 TR001860/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; KL2 TR001859/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; Prevalence ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic spurred publication of a rapid proliferation of studies on potential therapeutic agents. While important for the advancement of clinical care, pressure to collect, analyze, and report data in an expedited manner could potentially increase the rate of important errors, some of which would be captured in published errata. We hypothesized that COVID-19 therapeutic studies published in the early years of the pandemic would be associated with a high rate of published errata and that, within these errata, there would be a high prevalence of serious errors.<br><br>METHODS: We performed a review of published errata associated with empirical studies of COVID-19 treatments. Errata were identified via a MEDLINE and Embase search spanning January 2020 through September 2022. Errors located within each published erratum were characterized by location within publication, error type, and error seriousness.<br><br>RESULTS: Of 47 studies on COVID-19 treatments with published errata, 18 met inclusion criteria. Median time from publication of the original article to publication of the associated erratum was 76&#xa0;days (range, 12-511&#xa0;days). A majority of errata addressed issues with author attribution or conflict of interest disclosures (39.5%) or numerical results (25.6%). Only one erratum contained a serious error: a typographical error which could have misled readers into believing that the treatment in question had serious adverse effects when in fact it did not.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Despite accelerated publication times, we found among studies of COVID-19 treatments the majority of errata (17/18) reported minor errors that did not lead to misinterpretation of the study results. Retractions, an indicator of scientific misdirection even more concerning than errata, were beyond the scope of this review.}, }
@article {pmid37931361, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, L and Zhang, X and Deng, X and Wang, P and Mo, Y and Zhang, Y and Tong, X}, title = {Cytokines as drivers: Unraveling the mechanisms of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in COVID-19 lung fibrosis.}, journal = {Biochemical and biophysical research communications}, volume = {686}, number = {}, pages = {149118}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.10.050}, pmid = {37931361}, issn = {1090-2104}, mesh = {Humans ; *Pulmonary Fibrosis/pathology ; Cytokines/metabolism ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/physiology ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2/metabolism ; Fibrosis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism ; Interleukins ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), like other viruses, can induce proliferation of myofibroblasts and even lead to fibrosis in the lung. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). EMT is originally a critical process that regulates the development of different tissues in the embryo, but in inflammatory situations, EMT tries to be activated again to control inflammation or even heal inflammatory damage. However, in pathological situations, such as chronic viral infections (e.g., COVID-19) or pulmonary fibrosis initiation, this benign healing transforms into sinister nature, pushing the lung into the fibrotic process. Notably, the cytokines released by inflammatory cells and the chronic inflammatory microenvironment shared by fibrotic cells promote each other as critical factors in the induction of pathological EMT. In the induction of SARS-CoV-2 virus, cytokines are an essential mediator of EMT transformation, and a summary of whether COVID-19 patients, during the infection phase, have many persistent inflammatory mediators (cytokines) that are a causative factor of EMT has not yet appeared. The following common signaling drivers, including Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), cytokines, Notch signaling pathway, Wnt and hypoxia signaling pathways, drive the regulation of EMT. In this review, we will focus on 3 key EMT signaling pathways: TGF-β, Leucine zipper transcription factor like 1 (LZTFL1) and the common interleukin family expressed in the lung. TGF-β-induced SNAIL and LZTFL1 were identified as regulatory EMT in COVID-19. For cytokines, the interleukin family is a common inducer of EMT and plays an essential role in the formation of the microenvironment of fibrosis. We sought to demonstrate that cytokines act as "communicators" and build the "microenvironment" of fibrosis together with EMT as a "bridge" to induce EMT in fibrosis. The mechanisms utilized by these two pathways could serve as templates for other mesenchymal transformations and provide new potential therapeutic targets.}, }
@article {pmid37822316, year = {2023}, author = {Alewaidat, H and Bataineh, Z and Bani-Ahmad, M and Alali, M and Almakhadmeh, A}, title = {Investigation of the diagnostic importance and accuracy of CT in the chest compared to the RT-PCR test for suspected COVID-19 patients in Jordan.}, journal = {F1000Research}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {741}, pmid = {37822316}, issn = {2046-1402}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/diagnosis ; COVID-19 Testing ; Jordan ; Orphan Drug Production ; Rare Diseases ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; United States ; }, abstract = {This article aims to synthesize the existing literature on the implementation of public policies to incentivize the development of treatments for rare diseases, (diseases with very low prevalence and therefore with low commercial interest) otherwise known as orphan drugs. The implementation of these incentives in the United States (US), Japan, and in the European Union (EU) seems to be related to a substantial increase in treatments for these diseases, and has influenced the way the pharmaceutical research &amp; development (R&amp;D) system operates beyond this policy area. Despite the success of the Orphan Drug model, the academic literature also highlights the negative implications that these public policies have on affordability and access to orphan drugs, as well as on the prioritization of certain disease rare areas over others. The synthesis focuses mostly on the United States' Orphan Drug Act (ODA) as a model for subsequent policies in other regions and countries. It starts with a historical overview of the creation of the term "rare diseases", continues with a summary of the evidence available on the US ODA's positive and negative impacts, and provides a summary of the different proposals to reform these incentives in light of the negative outcomes described. Finally, it describes some key aspects of the Japanese and European policies, as well as some of the challenges captured in the literature related to their impact in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).}, }
@article {pmid37818584, year = {2023}, author = {Azimi, S and Saghafi, F and Mohammadi, MH and Moghimi, MH and Akhavan, SA and Khataminia, M and Shirvani, M and Sohrevardi, SM and Jamialahmadi, T and Sahebnasagh, A and Sahebkar, A}, title = {The Potential of Cannabidiol for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in COVID-19.}, journal = {Current pharmaceutical design}, volume = {29}, number = {29}, pages = {2291-2296}, doi = {10.2174/0113816128275803230920094909}, pmid = {37818584}, issn = {1873-4286}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; *Cannabidiol/therapeutic use ; Cytokine Release Syndrome ; *Respiratory Distress Syndrome/drug therapy ; Cytokines ; }, abstract = {COVID-19 disease manifests itself in a wide range of signs and symptoms, beginning with mild symptoms, such as fever, cough, and dyspnea, progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death in some cases. The cytokine storm, or an excess of cytokines released locally, is assumed to be the primary cause of ARDS and mortality in COVID-19 patients. To enhance the survival rate of COVID-19 patients, early management of the cytokine storm with immunomodulators is crucial. Although the effectiveness of some immunosuppressants, such as corticosteroids and tocilizumab, has been studied in clinical trials, the administration of these drugs should be exercised cautiously. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid from Cannabis sativa extracts with anti-inflammatory properties. This review is intended to discuss the possible utility of CBD for the management of COVID-19 patients, particularly those with ARDS.}, }
@article {pmid37248660, year = {2024}, author = {Yu, Y and Ozonoff, S and Miller, M}, title = {Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.}, journal = {Assessment}, volume = {31}, number = {1}, pages = {24-41}, pmid = {37248660}, issn = {1552-3489}, mesh = {Humans ; *Autism Spectrum Disorder/diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Cognition ; }, abstract = {Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction and communication and the presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. The importance of early detection of ASD and subsequent early intervention is well documented. Efforts have been made over the years to clarify ASD diagnostic criteria and develop predictive, accurate screening tools and evidence-based, standardized diagnostic instruments to aid in the identification of ASD. In this article, we review the most recent changes in ASD diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision, summarize evidence-based instruments for ASD screening and diagnostic evaluations as well as the assessment of co-occurring conditions in ASD, the impact of COVID-19 on ASD assessment, and directions for future research in the field of ASD assessment.}, }
@article {pmid36943490, year = {2023}, author = {Al-Ahmad, AJ}, title = {Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Model of the Blood-Brain at 10 Years: A Retrospective on Past and Current Disease Models.}, journal = {Handbook of experimental pharmacology}, volume = {281}, number = {}, pages = {141-156}, pmid = {36943490}, issn = {0171-2004}, mesh = {Humans ; *Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Retrospective Studies ; *Neurodegenerative Diseases/therapy ; *Alzheimer Disease ; }, abstract = {The initial discovery and derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by Yamanaka and colleagues in 2006 revolutionized the field of personalized medicine, as it opened the possibility to model diseases using patient-derived stem cells. A decade of adoption of iPSCs within the community of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) significantly opened the door for modeling diseases at the BBB, a task until then considered challenging, if not impossible.In this book chapter, we provided an extensive review of the literature on the use of iPSC-based models of the human BBB to model neurological diseases including infectious diseases (COVID-19, Streptococcus, Neisseria) neurodevelopmental diseases (adrenoleukodystrophy, Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome, Batten's disease, GLUT1 deficiency syndrome), and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, the current findings and observations, but also the challenges and limitations inherent to the use of iPSC-based models in reproducing the human BBB during health and diseases in a Petri dish.}, }
@article {pmid37992438, year = {2023}, author = {Khorram-Manesh, A and Goniewicz, K and Burkle, FM}, title = {Unleashing the global potential of public health: A framework for future pandemic response.}, journal = {Journal of infection and public health}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {82-95}, doi = {10.1016/j.jiph.2023.10.038}, pmid = {37992438}, issn = {1876-035X}, abstract = {Public health emergencies, especially pandemics, need to be managed globally, and on several levels, emphasizing the importance of leadership, communication, and synchronization of measures, data, and management plans in contrast to the management of the Coronavirus-19 pandemic, which illustrated diverse strategies employed by various nations. This paper aims to review and discuss whether globalized diseases in a globalized world should be managed by globalized public health. Using a systematic literature search, followed by a non-systematic literature review, selected studies were grouped into topics, and analyzed, using content analysis to enhance the conclusive results. The results present a roadmap towards a re-envisioned framework highlighting key areas of focus: data-driven decision-making, robust technology infrastructure, global cooperation, and ongoing public health education, as part of a coordinated global response. This article reveals the weaknesses of current pandemic management systems and recommends new steps to further strengthen the management of future pandemics.}, }
@article {pmid37991540, year = {2023}, author = {Rezaei, A and Moqadami, A and Khalaj-Kondori, M}, title = {Minocycline as a prospective therapeutic agent for cancer and non-cancer diseases: a scoping review.}, journal = {Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37991540}, issn = {1432-1912}, abstract = {Minocycline is an FDA-approved secondary-generation tetracycline antibiotic. It is a synthetic antibiotic having many biological effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective functions. This study discusses the pharmacological mechanisms of preventive and therapeutic effects of minocycline. Specifically, it provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular pathways by which minocycline acts on the different cancers, including ovarian, breast, glioma, colorectal, liver, pancreatic, lung, prostate, melanoma, head and neck, leukemia, and non-cancer diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, Huntington, polycystic ovary syndrome, and coronavirus disease 19. Minocycline may be a potential medication for these disorders due to its strong blood-brain barrier penetrance. It is also widely accepted as a specific medication, has a well-known side-effect characteristic, is reasonably priced, making it appropriate for continuous use in managing diseases, and has been demonstrated as an oral approach because it is effectively absorbed and accomplished almost all of the body's parts.}, }
@article {pmid37991468, year = {2023}, author = {Queirós-Reis, L and Mesquita, JR and Brancale, A and Bassetto, M}, title = {Exploring the Fatty Acid Binding Pocket in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein - Confirmed and Potential Ligands.}, journal = {Journal of chemical information and modeling}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00803}, pmid = {37991468}, issn = {1549-960X}, abstract = {Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a respiratory virus responsible for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and the still ongoing and unprecedented global pandemic. The key viral protein for cell infection is the spike glycoprotein, a surface-exposed fusion protein that both recognizes and mediates entry into host cells. Within the spike glycoprotein, a fatty acid binding pocket (FABP) was confirmed, with the crystallization of linoleic acid (LA) occupying a well-defined site. Importantly, when the pocket is occupied by a fatty acid, an inactive conformation is stabilized, and cell recognition is hindered. In this review, we discuss ligands reported so far for this site, correlating their activity predicted through in silico studies with antispike experimental activity, assessed by either binding assays or cell-infection assays. LA was the first confirmed ligand, cocrystallized in a cryo-EM structure of the spike protein, resulting in increased stability of the inactive conformation of the spike protein. The next identified ligand, lifitegrast, was also experimentally confirmed as a ligand with antiviral activity, suggesting the potential for diverse chemical scaffolds to bind this site. Finally, SPC-14 was also confirmed as a ligand, although no inhibition assays were performed. In this review, we identified 20 studies describing small-molecule compounds predicted to bind the pocket in in silico studies and with confirmed binding or in vitro activity, either inhibitory activity against the spike-ACE2 interaction or antiviral activity in cell-based assays. When considering all ligands confirmed with in vitro assays, a good overall occupation of the pocket should be complemented with the ability to make direct interactions, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, with key amino acid residues defining the pocket surface. Among the active compounds, long flexible carbon chains are recurrent, with retinoids capable of binding the FABP, although bulkier systems are also capable of affecting viral fitness. Compounds able to bind this site with high affinity have the potential to stabilize the inactive conformation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and therefore reduce the virus's ability to infect new cells. Since this pocket is conserved in highly pathogenic human coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, this effect could be exploited for the development of new antiviral agents, with broad-spectrum anticoronavirus activity.}, }
@article {pmid37991303, year = {2023}, author = {Samanta, R and Jayaraj, S and Mittal, SK and Kumari, J and Naharwal, A and Agrawal, A}, title = {Post-COVID-19 endogenous endophthalmitis case series and review of literature.}, journal = {Indian journal of ophthalmology}, volume = {71}, number = {12}, pages = {3677-3683}, doi = {10.4103/IJO.IJO_3079_22}, pmid = {37991303}, issn = {1998-3689}, mesh = {Humans ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; *COVID-19 ; *Endophthalmitis/diagnosis/drug therapy/etiology ; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use ; Vitrectomy ; *Eye Infections, Fungal/diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: To describe a series of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) endogenous endophthalmitis (EE) patients from a multispecialty tertiary hospital in North India.<br><br>METHODS: A retrospective chart review including all consecutive cases with EE following confirmed COVID-19 disease from July 2020 to June 2021.<br><br>RESULTS: Seven eyes of four patients (three female and one male) were included. Two patients had confirmed bilateral fungal (Aspergillus sp.) EE and two patients had presumed fungal EE (one bilateral and one unilateral). Three of these four patients received systemic steroids as part of COVID-19 treatment previously. Five eyes were managed with initial intravitreal injection (IVI), followed by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and two eyes were managed with only IVI. All patients received systemic antifungal agents. Intraocular inflammation resolved in all eyes with treatment. One patient of EE also developed voriconazole-induced transient visual hallucination, which resolved on discontinuing the medication.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This case series represents a series of EE cases following COVID-19 disease or its sequelae or as a result of prior treatment for COVID-19. Ophthalmologists and physicians must be vigilant about these complications and initiate prompt management at the earliest.}, }
@article {pmid37991214, year = {2023}, author = {Jyamubandi, I and Aamir, A and Kaur, J and Sylvester, A and Hughes, R and Li, S}, title = {A singlicate immunogenicity method to detect anti-polyethylene glycol antibodies: pre- and post-dose of PEGylated therapies.}, journal = {Bioanalysis}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.4155/bio-2023-0196}, pmid = {37991214}, issn = {1757-6199}, abstract = {Aim: Preexisting anti-polyethylene glycol (PEG) antibodies (APAs) may affect the efficacy and safety of PEGylated compounds. Omontys[®] and Krystexxa[®] withdrawal and SARS-CoV-2 RNA vaccine anaphylaxis have all been linked to APAs. This project aimed to develop and validate a method to detect total antibodies against PEG, pre- and postdose. Materials &amp; methods: The repetitive, linear PEG structure prevented the use of a bridging homogenous format, hence the requirement to use a solid phase extraction and acid dissociation assay coupled with the Meso Scale Discovery[®] platform. Results &amp; conclusion: Using singlicate analysis, the method was validated to successfully detect APA pre- and postdose, with a crucial aspect of the method being the preparation of an appropriate negative control.}, }
@article {pmid37991064, year = {2023}, author = {Silva, JTC and Fonseca Neto, OCLD}, title = {Post-COVID-19 irritable bowel syndrome: an integrative review.}, journal = {Revista do Colegio Brasileiro de Cirurgioes}, volume = {50}, number = {}, pages = {e20233618}, pmid = {37991064}, issn = {1809-4546}, mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Male ; *Irritable Bowel Syndrome/complications/epidemiology ; *COVID-19/complications ; Risk Factors ; Abdominal Pain/etiology ; *Chronic Pain ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: the persistence of long-term symptoms of COVID-19 represents a new challenge for the medical-scientific community, it is the condition called long-term COVID-19. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction and its post-infection development is already validated. According to the Rome IV criteria, it is characterized by the presence of recurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least 1 day a week in the last 3 months with onset of symptoms at least 6 months before diagnosis, associated with 2 or more factors: related to defecation and/or associated with change in stool frequency and/or associated with change in stool form. This study aimed to review data on post-COVID-19 IBS.<br><br>METHODS: this is an integrative review of studies published between January 1, 2020 and April 30, 2023, which presented data on IBS with previously diagnosed COVID-19 disease. The PubMed database was used, the descriptors were "Irritable bowel syndrome" AND "COVID-19"; the reference list of the articles was also retrieved.<br><br>RESULTS: eight studies were reviewed, it was observed that 0.6% to 11.6% of patients had IBS again after a minimum period of 6 months of infection. Risk factors were female gender, severity of COVID-19, presence of acute-phase gastrointestinal symptoms, and depression/anxiety.<br><br>CONCLUSION: the results obtained suggest that COVID-19 may be associated with the emergence of de novo IBS. Further studies are needed to investigate its long-term effects and clinical spectra.}, }
@article {pmid37990907, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, Y and Miller, H and Byazrova, MG and Cndotti, F and Benlagha, K and Camara, NOS and Shi, J and Forsman, H and Lee, P and Yang, L and Filatov, A and Zhai, Z and Liu, C}, title = {The Characterization of CD8+ T-cell Responses in COVID-19.}, journal = {Emerging microbes &amp; infections}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {2287118}, doi = {10.1080/22221751.2023.2287118}, pmid = {37990907}, issn = {2222-1751}, abstract = {This review gives an overview of the protective role of CD8+ T cells in SARS-CoV-2 infection. The cross-reactive responses intermediated by CD8+ T cells in unexposed cohorts are described. Additionally, the relevance of resident CD8+ T cells in the upper and lower airway during infection is discussed, and CD8+ T-cell responses following vaccination, including recent worrisome breakthrough infections and variants of concerns (VOCs). Lastly, we explained the correlation between CD8+ T cells and COVID-19 severity. This review aids in a deeper comprehension of the association between CD8+ T cells and SARS-CoV-2 and broadens a vision for future exploration.}, }
@article {pmid37990813, year = {2023}, author = {Jiang, J and Zheng, Z}, title = {Personal Information Protection and Privacy Policy Compliance of Health Code Apps in China: Scale Development and Content Analysis.}, journal = {JMIR mHealth and uHealth}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e48714}, doi = {10.2196/48714}, pmid = {37990813}, issn = {2291-5222}, mesh = {Humans ; Privacy ; *Mobile Applications ; Guideline Adherence ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; Computer Security ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Digital technologies, especially contact tracing apps, have been crucial in monitoring and tracing the transmission of COVID-19 worldwide. China developed health code apps as an emergency response to the pandemic with plans to use them for broader public health services. However, potential problems within privacy policies may compromise personal information (PI) protection.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the compliance of the privacy policies of 30 health code apps in the mainland of China with the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) and related specifications.<br><br>METHODS: We reviewed and assessed the privacy policies of 30 health code apps between August 26 and September 6, 2023. We used a 3-level indicator scale based on the information life cycle as provided in the PIPL and related specifications. The scale comprised 7 level-1 indicators, 26 level-2 indicators, and 71 level-3 indicators.<br><br>RESULTS: The mean compliance score of the 30 health code apps was 59.9% (SD 22.6%). A total of 13 (43.3%) apps scored below this average, and 6 apps scored below 40%. Level-1 indicator scores included the following: general attributes (mean 85.6%, SD 23.3%); PI collection and use (mean 66.2%, SD 22.7%); PI storage and protection (mean 63.3%, SD 30.8%); PI sharing, transfer, disclosure, and transmission (mean 57.2%, SD 27.3%); PI deletion (mean 52.2%, SD 29.4%); individual rights (mean 59.3%, SD 25.7%); and PI processor duties (mean 43.7%, SD 23.8%). Sensitive PI protection compliance (mean 51.4%, SD 26.0%) lagged behind general PI protection (mean 83.3%, SD 24.3%), with only 1 app requiring separate consent for sensitive PI processing. Additionally, 46.7% (n=14) of the apps needed separate consent for subcontracting activities, while fewer disclosed PI recipient information (n=13, 43.3%), safety precautions (n=11, 36.7%), and rules of PI transfer during specific events (n=10, 33.3%). Most privacy policies specified the PI retention period (n=23, 76.7%) and postperiod deletion or anonymization (n=22, 73.3%), but only 6.7% (n=2) were committed to prompt third-party PI deletion. Most apps delineated various individual rights: the right to inquire (n=25, 83.3%), correct (n=24, 80%), and delete PI (n=24, 80%); cancel their account (n=21, 70%); withdraw consent (n=20, 60%); and request privacy policy explanations (n=24, 80%). Only a fraction addressed the rights to obtain copies (n=4, 13.3%) or refuse advertisement of automated decision-making (n=1, 3.3%). The mean compliance rate of PI processor duties was only 43.7% (SD 23.8%), with significant deficiencies in impact assessments (mean 5.0%, SD 19.8%), PI protection officer appointment (mean 6.7%, SD 24.9%), regular compliance audits (mean 6.7%, SD 24.9%), and complaint management (mean 37.8%, SD 39.2%).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis revealed both strengths and significant shortcomings in the compliance of privacy policies of health code apps with the PIPL and related specifications considering the information life cycle. As China contemplates the future extended use of health code apps, it should articulate the legitimacy of the apps' normalization and ensure that users provide informed consent. Meanwhile, China should raise the compliance level of relevant privacy policies and fortify its enforcement mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid37990647, year = {2023}, author = {Zheng, Y and Li, Y and Li, M and Wang, R and Jiang, Y and Zhao, M and Lu, J and Li, R and Li, X and Shi, S}, title = {COVID-19 cooling: Nanostrategies targeting cytokine storm for controlling severe and critical symptoms.}, journal = {Medicinal research reviews}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/med.21997}, pmid = {37990647}, issn = {1098-1128}, support = {2022JDJQ0052//Outstanding Young Scientific Talent Foundation of Sichuan Province/ ; 2019YFS0113//Science and Technology Department of Sichuan Province/ ; 2018ZY03002//State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China/ ; 2018YY001//Sichuan Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine/ ; 003113014003//The Project of High-level Talents in Sichuan Province/ ; 82073994//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants continue to wreak havoc worldwide, the "Cytokine Storm" (CS, also known as the inflammatory storm) or Cytokine Release Syndrome has reemerged in the public consciousness. CS is a significant contributor to the deterioration of infected individuals. Therefore, CS control is of great significance for the treatment of critically ill patients and the reduction of mortality rates. With the occurrence of variants, concerns regarding the efficacy of vaccines and antiviral drugs with a broad spectrum have grown. We should make an effort to modernize treatment strategies to address the challenges posed by mutations. Thus, in addition to the requirement for additional clinical data to monitor the long-term effects of vaccines and broad-spectrum antiviral drugs, we can use CS as an entry point and therapeutic target to alleviate the severity of the disease in patients. To effectively combat the mutation, new technologies for neutralizing or controlling CS must be developed. In recent years, nanotechnology has been widely applied in the biomedical field, opening up a plethora of opportunities for CS. Here, we put forward the view of cytokine storm as a therapeutic target can be used to treat critically ill patients by expounding the relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and CS and the mechanisms associated with CS. We pay special attention to the representative strategies of nanomaterials in current neutral and CS research, as well as their potential chemical design and principles. We hope that the nanostrategies described in this review provide attractive treatment options for severe and critical COVID-19 caused by CS.}, }
@article {pmid37989714, year = {2023}, author = {Kurniawan, SJ and Kaisar, MMM and Kristin, H and Ali, S}, title = {Comparable performance of antigen-detecting rapid test by healthcare worker-collected and self-collected swabs for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic: A systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Reviews in medical virology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e2492}, doi = {10.1002/rmv.2492}, pmid = {37989714}, issn = {1099-1654}, abstract = {Usage of self-screening tests has become increasingly relevant in public health perspective for early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the transitioning era of the COVID-19 pandemic into an endemic. This study was designed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of self-conducted and health professional-conducted SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (Ag-RDTs) and whether the sample was taken from anterior nasal or nasal mid-turbinate. Eligible comparative Ag-RDTs accuracy studies were retrieved from electronic databases systematically, in accordance with PRISMA. Selected studies were assessed for risk of bias using QUADAS-2 and QUADAS-C. In total, we selected five out of 1952 studies retrieved using the keywords. The overall sensitivity for the self-collected nasal swab method and healthcare worker-collected nasopharyngeal swab method was 79% (95% CI 68-87; I[2] = 62%) and 83% (95% CI 75-89; I[2] = 32%), respectively, which was not statistically different (p = 0.499). Nasal mid-turbinate swabs have a significantly higher sensitivity compared to anterior nasal swabs (p < 0.01). Both sampling methods represent high and comparable specificity values of 98% (95% CI 97-99; I[2] = 0%) and 99% (95% CI 98-99; I[2] = 0%). Positive predictive value (range 90%-99%) and negative predictive value (range 87%-98%) were equivalent for both methods. Our findings indicated the accuracy of self-collected Ag-RDT on nasal swabs was comparable to those performed by healthcare worker-collected on nasopharyngeal swabs. Self-collected Ag-RDT could be considered as a transmission prevention method in the transition of COVID-19 pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid37989708, year = {2023}, author = {Chan, OW and Lee, EP and Chou, CC and Lai, SH and Chung, HT and Lee, J and Lin, JJ and Hsieh, KS and Hsia, SH}, title = {In-hospital care of children with COVID-19.}, journal = {Pediatrics and neonatology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.pedneo.2023.02.009}, pmid = {37989708}, issn = {2212-1692}, abstract = {Children have been reported to be less affected and to have milder severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection than adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, children, and particularly those with underlying disorders, are still likely to develop critical illnesses. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, most previous studies have focused on adult patients. To aid in the knowledge of in-hospital care of children with COVID-19, this study presents an expert review of the literature, including the management of respiratory distress or failure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), hemodynamic and other organ support, pharmaceutical therapies (anti-viral drugs, anti-inflammatory or antithrombotic therapies) and management of cardiopulmonary arrest.}, }
@article {pmid37988819, year = {2023}, author = {Loyd, LA and Stamler, LL and Culross, B}, title = {Early career nurses and moral distress: An integrative review.}, journal = {Nurse education in practice}, volume = {73}, number = {}, pages = {103844}, doi = {10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103844}, pmid = {37988819}, issn = {1873-5223}, abstract = {AIM: The purpose of this integrative review was to evaluate and synthesize literature published in peer-reviewed journals within the past 40 years addressing moral distress in early career nurses (graduation to five years of experience).<br><br>BACKGROUND: Moral distress experienced in nursing education and practice manifests physically and psychologically, leads to workforce burnout and attrition, and compounds the nursing shortage. The transition to practice period is a vulnerable time for student nurses emerging into professional practice. Nurse educators serve a crucial role in the preparation of nurses for the recognition and management of moral distress in their professional nursing practice. A better understanding of the state of the science pertaining to the reports of moral distress in early career nurses is essential.<br><br>DESIGN: Whittemore and Knafl's Integrative Review method and the PRISMA 2020 Checklist were utilized in this integrative review.<br><br>METHODS: Five literature databases (CINAHL, ERIC, PsychInfo, PubMed, and Embase) were searched using 'moral distress' and 'new graduate nurses' as keywords. Studies were included for English language; qualitative and quantitative research; moral distress focus; years of nursing practice experience collected and analyzed in results or discussion; and all areas of clinical nursing practice, geographic locations, and nursing education levels. Studies were excluded for non-peer reviewed publications; moral distress in the academic setting; and the absence of analysis of years of nursing practice experience in the results or discussion.<br><br>RESULTS: Eight primary research reports, published between 2016 and 2022 met eligibility criteria. Research methods were largely quantitative with six countries geographically represented. Acute care healthcare settings had the greatest representation with considerations for the COVID-19 pandemic in two reports. Various formats of four moral distress research instruments were used. Years of nursing practice experience were collected as a mean or category. Inconsistent reports of moral distress in early career nurses were found based on experience, age, or nursing education level.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Research of moral distress prevalence in early career nurses was an identified literature gap. Varied reports of moral distress in early career nurses indicate a need to further understand this topic contextual to academic and clinical education. Nurse educators can prepare students for experiences of moral distress in their professional nursing practice by implementing teaching strategies that draw upon their diverse backgrounds and experiences. A research and education emphasis on moral distress in early career nurses can promote their transition to practice, support their career progression, and uphold nursing occupational commitment.<br><br>TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: An integrative review of moral distress in early career nurses found inconsistent reports of moral distress in this population and a need for further research.}, }
@article {pmid37987399, year = {2023}, author = {Karniadakis, I and Mazonakis, N and Tsioutis, C and Papadakis, M and Markaki, I and Spernovasilis, N}, title = {Oral Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir for the Treatment of COVID-19: A Literature Review with a Focus on Real-World Evidence.}, journal = {Infectious disease reports}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {662-678}, pmid = {37987399}, issn = {2036-7430}, abstract = {Vaccines remain the cornerstone of medical prevention and are highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the context of expanding the therapeutic armamentarium against COVID-19, molnupiravir (Lagevrio) and ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) were developed, constituting the first effective oral treatments against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this narrative review, we retrospectively inquired into the clinical trials and real-world studies investigating the efficacy of these agents. Overall, clinical trials and real-world studies have demonstrated the efficacy of both agents in reducing hospitalization and death rates in COVID-19 patients. As per current recommendations, their use is suggested in patients with mild to moderate symptoms who are at high risk of developing severe disease. Nevertheless, limited data exist regarding their efficacy in specific subpopulations, such as immunocompromised patients, those with severe kidney disease, pregnant women, and children.}, }
@article {pmid37987372, year = {2023}, author = {Debelenko, L}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Late Pregnancy and Childbirth from the Perspective of Perinatal Pathology.}, journal = {Journal of developmental biology}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {37987372}, issn = {2221-3759}, abstract = {This review focuses on SARS-CoV-2 infection in placental and fetal tissues. Viremia is rare in infected pregnant women, and the virus is seldom amplified from placental tissues. Definite and probable placental infection requires the demonstration of viral RNA or proteins using in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Small subsets (1.0-7.9%, median 2.8%) of placentas of SARS-CoV-2-positive women showed definite infection accompanied by a characteristic histopathology named SARS-CoV-2 placentitis (SP). The conventionally accepted histopathological criteria for SP include the triad of intervillositis, perivillous fibrin deposition, and trophoblast necrosis. SP was shown to be independent of the clinical severity of the infection, but associated with stillbirth in cases where destructive lesions affecting more than 75% of the placental tissue resulted in placental insufficiency and severe fetal hypoxic-ischemic injury. An association between maternal thrombophilia and SP was shown in a subset of cases, suggesting a synergy of the infection and deficient coagulation cascade as one of the mechanisms of the pathologic accumulation of fibrin in affected placentas. The virus was amplified from fetal tissues in approximately 40% of SP cases, but definite fetal involvement demonstrated using ISH or IHC is exceptionally rare. The placental pathology in SARS-CoV-2-positive women also includes chronic lesions associated with placental malperfusion in the absence of definite or probable placental infection. The direct viral causation of the vascular malperfusion of the placenta in COVID-19 is debatable, and common predispositions (hypertension, diabetes, and obesity) may play a role.}, }
@article {pmid37987325, year = {2023}, author = {Dushianthan, A and Bracegirdle, L and Cusack, R and Cumpstey, AF and Postle, AD and Grocott, MPW}, title = {Alveolar Hyperoxia and Exacerbation of Lung Injury in Critically Ill SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia.}, journal = {Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {37987325}, issn = {2076-3271}, mesh = {Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *COVID-19 ; Critical Illness ; *Hyperoxia/complications ; *Lung Injury ; Oxygen ; Hypoxia ; *Respiratory Distress Syndrome ; Inflammation ; }, abstract = {Acute hypoxic respiratory failure (AHRF) is a prominent feature of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) critical illness. The severity of gas exchange impairment correlates with worse prognosis, and AHRF requiring mechanical ventilation is associated with substantial mortality. Persistent impaired gas exchange leading to hypoxemia often warrants the prolonged administration of a high fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2). In SARS-CoV-2 AHRF, systemic vasculopathy with lung microthrombosis and microangiopathy further exacerbates poor gas exchange due to alveolar inflammation and oedema. Capillary congestion with microthrombosis is a common autopsy finding in the lungs of patients who die with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. The need for a high FiO2 to normalise arterial hypoxemia and tissue hypoxia can result in alveolar hyperoxia. This in turn can lead to local alveolar oxidative stress with associated inflammation, alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis, surfactant dysfunction, pulmonary vascular abnormalities, resorption atelectasis, and impairment of innate immunity predisposing to secondary bacterial infections. While oxygen is a life-saving treatment, alveolar hyperoxia may exacerbate pre-existing lung injury. In this review, we provide a summary of oxygen toxicity mechanisms, evaluating the consequences of alveolar hyperoxia in COVID-19 and propose established and potential exploratory treatment pathways to minimise alveolar hyperoxia.}, }
@article {pmid37987274, year = {2023}, author = {Sánchez-García, JC and Reinoso-Cobo, A and Piqueras-Sola, B and Cortés-Martín, J and Menor-Rodríguez, MJ and Alabau-Dasi, R and Rodríguez-Blanque, R}, title = {Long COVID and Physical Therapy: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {37987274}, issn = {2079-9721}, abstract = {Prolonged COVID is a persistent condition following the initial COVID-19 infection, which is characterized by a variety of symptoms that may include fatigue, muscle pain, sleep disturbances, "brain fog", respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, neurological and dermatological symptoms. Physical therapy has been identified as a crucial aspect of the management of patients with long COVID, as it can help improve symptoms and overall physical function. The investigation of long COVID poses significant challenges due to the diversity and variability of symptoms, lack of clear diagnostic criteria, and limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of studies conducted in patients with long COVID in conjunction with interventions targeting respiratory function, particularly involving physical activity. To this end, we conducted a systematic review to analyze studies conducted on treatment programs for long COVID based on some form of physical activity. The protocol of the review was registered in the PROSPERO website, and the databases PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and WOS were searched. Of the 62 initial articles, six were included in the review. The results obtained have positive implications for the advancement of physical activity as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with long COVID-19 and the conceptualization of evidence-based treatment protocols. Statistically significant results have been observed in studies of at least 6 weeks duration, in which inspiratory muscle training exercises are proposed. Further research is needed to better understand long COVID and develop effective treatment strategies.}, }
@article {pmid37987268, year = {2023}, author = {Tsagkaris, C and Saeed, H and Laubscher, L and Eleftheriades, A and Stavros, S and Drakaki, E and Potiris, A and Panagiotopoulos, D and Sioutis, D and Panagopoulos, P and Zil-E-Ali, A}, title = {Eco-Friendly and COVID-19 Friendly? Decreasing the Carbon Footprint of the Operating Room in the COVID-19 Era.}, journal = {Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {37987268}, issn = {2079-9721}, abstract = {Surgery is one of the most energy-intensive branches of healthcare. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced surgical volumes, infection control protocols have increased the ecological footprint of surgery owing to the extensive use of personal protective equipment, sanitation, testing and isolation resources. The burden of environmental diseases requiring surgical care, the international commitment towards environmental sustainability and the global efforts to return to the pre-pandemic surgical workflow call for action towards climate-friendly surgery. The authors have searched the peer-reviewed and gray literature for clinical studies, reports and guidelines related to the ecological footprint of surgical care and the available solutions and frameworks to reduce it. Numerous studies concede that surgery is associated with a high rate of energy utilization and waste generation that is comparable to major non-medical sources of pollution. Recommendations and research questions outlining environmentally sustainable models of surgical practices span from sanitation and air quality improvement systems to the allocation of non-recyclable consumables and energy-efficient surgical planning. The latter are particularly relevant to infection control protocols for COVID-19. Paving the way towards climate-friendly surgery is a worthy endeavor with a major potential to improve surgical practice and outcomes in the long term.}, }
@article {pmid37986086, year = {2023}, author = {Garcia, B and Zarbock, A and Bellomo, R and Legrand, M}, title = {The alternative renin-angiotensin system in critically ill patients: pathophysiology and therapeutic implications.}, journal = {Critical care (London, England)}, volume = {27}, number = {1}, pages = {453}, pmid = {37986086}, issn = {1466-609X}, mesh = {Humans ; *Renin-Angiotensin System/physiology ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 ; Critical Illness/therapy ; Angiotensin II/metabolism ; *Acute Lung Injury ; }, abstract = {The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and the cardio-renal system. The classical RAS, mainly mediated by angiotensin I, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and angiotensin II, has been reported to be altered in critically ill patients, such as those in vasodilatory shock. However, recent research has highlighted the role of some components of the counterregulatory axis of the classical RAS, termed the alternative RAS, such as angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and angiotensin-(1-7), or peptidases which can modulate the RAS like dipeptidyl-peptidase 3, in many critical situations. In cases of shock, dipeptidyl-peptidase 3, an enzyme involved in the degradation of angiotensin and opioid peptides, has been associated with acute kidney injury and mortality and preclinical studies have tested its neutralization. Angiotensin-(1-7) has been shown to prevent septic shock development and improve outcomes in experimental models of sepsis. In the context of experimental acute lung injury, ACE2 activity has demonstrated a protective role, and its inactivation has been associated with worsened lung function, leading to the use of active recombinant human ACE2, in preclinical and human studies. Angiotensin-(1-7) has been tested in experimental models of acute lung injury and in a recent randomized controlled trial for patients with COVID-19 related hypoxemia. Overall, the alternative RAS appears to have a role in the pathogenesis of disease in critically ill patients, and modulation of the alternative RAS may improve outcomes. Here, we review the available evidence regarding the methods of analysis of the RAS, pathophysiological disturbances of this system, and discuss how therapeutic manipulation may improve outcomes in the critically ill.}, }
@article {pmid37985854, year = {2023}, author = {Sievers, BL and Cheng, MTK and Csiba, K and Meng, B and Gupta, RK}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 and innate immunity: the good, the bad, and the "goldilocks".}, journal = {Cellular &amp; molecular immunology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37985854}, issn = {2042-0226}, abstract = {An ancient conflict between hosts and pathogens has driven the innate and adaptive arms of immunity. Knowledge about this interplay can not only help us identify biological mechanisms but also reveal pathogen vulnerabilities that can be leveraged therapeutically. The humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection has been the focus of intense research, and the role of the innate immune system has received significantly less attention. Here, we review current knowledge of the innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the various means SARS-CoV-2 employs to evade innate defense systems. We also consider the role of innate immunity in SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and in the phenomenon of long COVID.}, }
@article {pmid37985781, year = {2023}, author = {Williams, BA and Jones, CH and Welch, V and True, JM}, title = {Outlook of pandemic preparedness in a post-COVID-19 world.}, journal = {NPJ vaccines}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {178}, pmid = {37985781}, issn = {2059-0105}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic was met with rapid, unprecedented global collaboration and action. Even still, the public health, societal, and economic impact may be felt for years to come. The risk of another pandemic occurring in the next few decades is ever-present and potentially increasing due to trends such as urbanization and climate change. While it is difficult to predict the next pandemic pathogen threat, making reasonable assumptions today and evaluating prior efforts to plan for and respond to disease outbreaks and pandemics may enable a more proactive, effective response in the future. Lessons from the COVID-19 response and pandemic influenza preparedness underscore the importance of strengthening surveillance systems, investing in early-stage research on pandemic pathogens and development of platform technologies, and diversifying response plans across a range of tactics to enable earlier access to safe and effective interventions in the next pandemic. Further, sustaining the robust vaccine manufacturing capacity built because of COVID-19 will keep it ready for rapid response in the future. These actions will not be successful without improved global coordination and collaboration. Everyone, including the biopharmaceutical industry, has a role to play in pandemic preparedness, and working together will ensure that the most lives are saved in the next pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid37985671, year = {2023}, author = {Harms, MB and Garrett-Ruffin, SD}, title = {Disrupting links between poverty, chronic stress, and educational inequality.}, journal = {NPJ science of learning}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {50}, pmid = {37985671}, issn = {2056-7936}, abstract = {The income-achievement gap is a significant and stubborn problem in the United States, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. In this article, we link two emerging literatures that have historically been disparate: the neurobiology of poverty as a form of early life stress, and research on educational policies with the potential to reduce SES-based disparities in academic achievement. In doing so, we (1) integrate the literature on poverty-related mechanisms that contribute to early life stress, alter neurobiology, and lead to educational inequities, and (2) based on this research, highlight policies and practices at the school/classroom level and broader structural level that have the potential to address the problem of inequity in our educational systems. We emphasize that educational inequity is a systemic issue, and its resolution will require coordination of local, state, and national policies.}, }
@article {pmid37985559, year = {2023}, author = {Wong, KW and Wu, X and Dong, Y}, title = {Interventions to reduce burnout and improve the mental health of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials with meta-analysis.}, journal = {International journal of mental health nursing}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/inm.13251}, pmid = {37985559}, issn = {1447-0349}, abstract = {This systematic review aims to investigate and determine the effectiveness of interventions on improving mental health (anxiety, depression, stress or mental well-being) and/or reducing burnout of nurses working in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. A search was conducted on studies from conception to December 2022 in databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science and in ProQuest Thesis &amp; Dissertations Global Database, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov. A total of 17 randomised controlled trials that evaluated different interventions were included. The outcomes were anxiety (n = 11), depression (n = 5), stress (n = 13) mental well-being (n = 7) and burnout (n = 7). Not all interventions led to positive outcomes. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) appraisal and risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane tool for randomised controlled trials (RoB 2.0) revealed poor quality of currently available literature, with low to very low certainty. Meta-analysis showed high heterogeneity among the five different outcomes, with subgroup analysis showing greater success in interventions conducted on nurses involved in the care of COVID-19 patients. More well-designed trials are necessary to reinforce current evidence to improve the mental health of nurses, to not only protect their quality of life but also to ensure the quality of patient care.}, }
@article {pmid37985207, year = {2023}, author = {Pascual-Reguant, A and Kroh, S and Hauser, AE}, title = {Tissue niches and immunopathology through the lens of spatial tissue profiling techniques.}, journal = {European journal of immunology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e2350484}, doi = {10.1002/eji.202350484}, pmid = {37985207}, issn = {1521-4141}, abstract = {Spatial organization plays a fundamental role in biology, influencing the function of biological structures at various levels. The immune system, in particular, relies on the orchestrated interactions of immune cells with their microenvironment to mount protective or pathogenic immune responses. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the significance of studying immunity within target organs to understand disease progression and severity. To achieve this, multiplex histology and spatial transcriptomics have proven indispensable in providing spatial context to protein and gene expression patterns. By combining these techniques, researchers gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions at the cellular and molecular level in distinct tissue niches, key functional units modulating health and disease. In this review, we discuss recent advances in spatial tissue profiling techniques, highlighting their advantages over traditional histopathology studies. The insights gained from these approaches have the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases. However, we also acknowledge their challenges and limitations. Despite these, spatial tissue profiling offers promising opportunities to improve our understanding of how tissue niches direct regional immunity, and their relevance in tissue immunopathology, as a basis for novel therapeutic strategies and personalized medicine. Spatial tissue profiling techniques identify high numbers of proteins and/or genes within tissues, enabling in situ cell type and cell state identification and cell communication analysis. From a Spatial Immunology perspective, these techniques may reveal the role of distinct tissue niches in modulating local immune responses and directing tissue immunopathology.}, }
@article {pmid37985155, year = {2023}, author = {Fan, H and Ge, X and Zhou, X and Li, Y and Wang, A and Hu, Y}, title = {[Research Progress of Lung Cancer Vaccines].}, journal = {Zhongguo fei ai za zhi = Chinese journal of lung cancer}, volume = {26}, number = {9}, pages = {692-700}, pmid = {37985155}, issn = {1999-6187}, mesh = {Humans ; *Cancer Vaccines/therapeutic use ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; *Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy ; *Neoplasms/genetics ; Computational Biology ; Immunotherapy/methods ; Lung ; }, abstract = {With the development of medical technology, tumor vaccines as a novel precise immunotherapy approach have gradually received attention in clinical applications. Against the backdrop of the global corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, vaccine technology has further advanced. Depending on the types of antigens, tumor vaccines can be divided into whole-cell vaccines, peptide vaccines, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, recombinant virus vaccines, etc. Although some tumor vaccines have been marketed and achieved certain therapeutic effects, the results of tumor vaccines in clinical trials have been unsatisfactory in the past period. With the maturation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology and the continuous development of bioinformatics, dynamic monitoring of the entire process of tumor subpopulation development has become a reality, which has laid a solid foundation for personalized, neoantigen-centered therapeutic tumor vaccines. This article reviews the recent developments of tumor vaccines of different types, starts with lung cancer and summarizes the achievements of tumor vaccines in clinical applications, and provides an outlook for the future development of antigen-centered tumor vaccines. .}, }
@article {pmid37983580, year = {2023}, author = {Burns, HR and Yim, NH and Dibbs, RP and Ferry, AM and Belfort, MA and Buchanan, EP}, title = {A Unique Case of Intrauterine Pressure Injury.}, journal = {Advances in skin &amp; wound care}, volume = {36}, number = {12}, pages = {667-671}, doi = {10.1097/ASW.0000000000000063}, pmid = {37983580}, issn = {1538-8654}, mesh = {Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Cesarean Section ; *Pressure Ulcer/diagnosis/etiology ; Infant, Premature ; Gestational Age ; *Pre-Eclampsia ; }, abstract = {The authors present a review of the literature regarding pressure injuries (PIs) in neonates and a case of a newborn who developed a PI following a prolonged labor process and fetal malposition. A girl born at 35 weeks' gestation to a 34-year-old gravida 7 para 6 mother with a medical history of untreated gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and COVID-19 was delivered via cesarean section after failure to progress through labor. The premature infant was found to have a 3.2 × 2.3-cm PI at the nape of the posterior neck. Premature infants have a histologically proven, age-dependent decreased thickness of their stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis, which places them at increased risk of developing PIs that can be painful and lead to infection. In the present case, the neonate's congenital PI was successfully treated with medical-grade honey for approximately a month.}, }
@article {pmid37983384, year = {2023}, author = {Babu, M and Lautman, Z and Lin, X and Sobota, MHB and Snyder, MP}, title = {Wearable Devices: Implications for Precision Medicine and the Future of Health Care.}, journal = {Annual review of medicine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-med-052422-020437}, pmid = {37983384}, issn = {1545-326X}, abstract = {Wearable devices are integrated analytical units equipped with sensitive physical, chemical, and biological sensors capable of noninvasive and continuous monitoring of vital physiological parameters. Recent advances in disciplines including electronics, computation, and material science have resulted in affordable and highly sensitive wearable devices that are routinely used for tracking and managing health and well-being. Combined with longitudinal monitoring of physiological parameters, wearables are poised to transform the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment/management of a range of clinical conditions. Smartwatches are the most commonly used wearable devices and have already demonstrated valuable biomedical potential in detecting clinical conditions such as arrhythmias, Lyme disease, inflammation, and, more recently, COVID-19 infection. Despite significant clinical promise shown in research settings, there remain major hurdles in translating the medical uses of wearables to the clinic. There is a clear need for more effective collaboration among stakeholders, including users, data scientists, clinicians, payers, and governments, to improve device security, user privacy, data standardization, regulatory approval, and clinical validity. This review examines the potential of wearables to offer affordable and reliable measures of physiological status that are on par with FDA-approved specialized medical devices. We briefly examine studies where wearables proved critical for the early detection of acute and chronic clinical conditions with a particular focus on cardiovascular disease, viral infections, and mental health. Finally, we discuss current obstacles to the clinical implementation of wearables and provide perspectives on their potential to deliver increasingly personalized proactive health care across a wide variety of conditions. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Medicine, Volume 75 is January 2024. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.}, }
@article {pmid37982427, year = {2023}, author = {Szafran, A and Dahms, K and Ansems, K and Skoetz, N and Monsef, I and Breuer, T and Benstoem, C}, title = {Early versus late tracheostomy in critically ill COVID-19 patients.}, journal = {The Cochrane database of systematic reviews}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {CD015532}, pmid = {37982427}, issn = {1469-493X}, mesh = {Adult ; Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Critical Illness ; *Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Tracheostomy/adverse effects ; Multicenter Studies as Topic ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The role of early tracheostomy as an intervention for critically ill COVID-19 patients is unclear. Previous reports have described prolonged intensive care stays and difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation in critically ill COVID-19 patients, particularly in those developing acute respiratory distress syndrome. Pre-pandemic evidence on the benefits of early tracheostomy is conflicting but suggests shorter hospital stays and lower mortality rates compared to late tracheostomy.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of early tracheostomy compared to late tracheostomy in critically ill COVID-19 patients.<br><br>SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, which comprises CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and medRxiv, as well as Web of Science (Science Citation Index Expanded and Emerging Sources Citation Index) and WHO COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease to identify completed and ongoing studies without language restrictions. We conducted the searches on 14 June 2022.<br><br>SELECTION CRITERIA: We followed standard Cochrane methodology. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies of interventions (NRSI) evaluating early tracheostomy compared to late tracheostomy during SARS-CoV-2 infection in critically ill adults irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or setting.<br><br>DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We followed standard Cochrane methodology. To assess risk of bias in included studies, we used the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for RCTs and the ROBINS-I tool for NRSIs. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence for outcomes of our prioritized categories: mortality, clinical status, and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay. As the timing of tracheostomy was very heterogeneous among the included studies, we applied GRADE only to studies that defined early tracheostomy as 10 days or less, which was chosen according to clinical relevance.<br><br>MAIN RESULTS: We included one RCT with 150 participants diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 24 NRSIs with 6372 participants diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. All participants were admitted to the ICU, orally intubated and mechanically ventilated. The RCT was a multicenter, parallel, single-blinded study conducted in Sweden. Of the 24 NRSIs, which were mostly conducted in high- and middle-income countries, eight had a prospective design and 16 a retrospective design. We did not find any ongoing studies. RCT-based evidence We judged risk of bias for the RCT to be of low or some concerns regarding randomization and measurement of the outcome. Early tracheostomy may result in little to no difference in overall mortality (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.29; RD 67 fewer per 1000, 95% CI 178 fewer to 108 more; 1 study, 150 participants; low-certainty evidence). As an indicator of improvement of clinical status, early tracheostomy may result in little to no difference in duration to liberation from invasive mechanical ventilation (MD 1.50 days fewer, 95%, CI 5.74 days fewer to 2.74 days more; 1 study, 150 participants; low-certainty evidence). As an indicator of worsening clinical status, early tracheostomy may result in little to no difference in the incidence of adverse events of any grade (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.13; RD 47 fewer per 1000, 95% CI 164 fewer to 102 more; 1 study, 150 participants; low-certainty evidence); little to no difference in the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.23 to 5.20; RD 3 more per 1000, 95% CI 30 fewer to 162 more; 1 study, 150 participants; low-certainty evidence). None of the studies reported need for renal replacement therapy. Early tracheostomy may result in little benefit to no difference in ICU length of stay (MD 0.5 days fewer, 95% CI 5.34 days fewer to 4.34 days more; 1 study, 150 participants; low-certainty evidence). NRSI-based evidence We considered risk of bias for NRSIs to be critical because of possible confounding, study participant enrollment into the studies, intervention classification and potentially systematic errors in the measurement of outcomes. We are uncertain whether early tracheostomy (&#x2264; 10 days) increases or decreases overall mortality (RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.43 to 5.00; RD 143 more per 1000, 95% CI 174 less to 1218 more; I[2] = 79%; 2 studies, 719 participants) or duration to liberation from mechanical ventilation (MD 1.98 days fewer, 95% CI 0.16 days fewer to 4.12 more; 1 study, 50 participants), because we graded the certainty of evidence as very low. Three NRSIs reported ICU length of stay for 519 patients with early tracheostomy (&#x2264; 10 days) as a median value, which we could not include in the meta-analyses. We are uncertain whether early tracheostomy (&#x2264; 10 days) increases or decreases the ICU length of stay, because we graded the certainty of evidence as very low.<br><br>AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found low-certainty evidence that early tracheostomy may result in little to no difference in overall mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation compared with late tracheostomy. In terms of clinical improvement, early tracheostomy may result in little to no difference in duration to liberation from mechanical ventilation compared with late tracheostomy. We are not certain about the impact of early tracheostomy on clinical worsening in terms of the incidence of adverse events, need for renal replacement therapy, ventilator-associated pneumonia, or the length of stay in the ICU. Future RCTs should provide additional data on the benefits and harms of early tracheostomy for defined main outcomes of COVID-19 research, as well as of comparable diseases, especially for different population subgroups to reduce clinical heterogeneity, and report a longer observation period. Then it would be possible to draw conclusions regarding which patient groups might benefit from early intervention. Furthermore, validated scoring systems for more accurate predictions of the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation should be developed and used in new RCTs to ensure safer indication and patient safety. High-quality (prospectively registered) NRSIs should be conducted in the future to provide valuable answers to clinical questions. This could enable us to draw more reliable conclusions about the potential benefits and harms of early tracheostomy in critically ill COVID-19 patients.}, }
@article {pmid37982237, year = {2023}, author = {Uddin, M and Bashir, NZ and Kahan, BC}, title = {Evaluating whether the proportional odds models to analyse ordinal outcomes in COVID-19 clinical trials is providing clinically interpretable treatment effects: A systematic review.}, journal = {Clinical trials (London, England)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {17407745231211272}, doi = {10.1177/17407745231211272}, pmid = {37982237}, issn = {1740-7753}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: After an initial recommendation from the World Health Organisation, trials of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 often include an ordinal clinical status outcome, which comprises a series of ordered categorical variables, typically ranging from 'Alive and discharged from hospital' to 'Dead'. These ordinal outcomes are often analysed using a proportional odds model, which provides a common odds ratio as an overall measure of effect, which is generally interpreted as the odds ratio for being in a higher category. The common odds ratio relies on the assumption of proportional odds, which implies an identical odds ratio across all ordinal categories; however, there is generally no statistical or biological basis for which this assumption should hold; and when violated, the common odds ratio may be a biased representation of the odds ratios for particular categories within the ordinal outcome. In this study, we aimed to evaluate to what extent the common odds ratio in published COVID-19 trials differed to simple binary odds ratios for clinically important outcomes.<br><br>METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of randomised trials evaluating interventions for patients hospitalised with COVID-19, which used a proportional odds model to analyse an ordinal clinical status outcome, published between January 2020 and May 2021. We assessed agreement between the common odds ratio and the odds ratio from a standard logistic regression model for three clinically important binary outcomes: 'Alive', 'Alive without mechanical ventilation', and 'Alive and discharged from hospital'.<br><br>RESULTS: Sixteen randomised clinical trials, comprising 38 individual comparisons, were included in this study; of these, only 6 trials (38%) formally assessed the proportional odds assumption. The common odds ratio differed by more than 25% compared to the binary odds ratios in 55% of comparisons for the outcome 'Alive', 37% for 'Alive without mechanical ventilation', and 24% for 'Alive and discharged from hospital'. In addition, the common odds ratio systematically underestimated the odds ratio for the outcome 'Alive' by -16.8% (95% confidence interval: -28.7% to -2.9%, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.02), though differences for the other outcomes were smaller and not statistically significant (-8.4% for 'Alive without mechanical ventilation' and 3.6% for 'Alive and discharged from hospital'). The common odds ratio was statistically significant for 18% of comparisons, while the binary odds ratio was significant in 5%, 16%, and 3% of comparisons for the outcomes 'Alive', 'Alive without mechanical ventilation', and 'Alive and discharged from hospital', respectively.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The common odds ratio from proportional odds models often differs substantially to odds ratios from clinically important binary outcomes, and similar to composite outcomes, a beneficial common OR from a proportional odds model does not necessarily indicate a beneficial effect on the most important categories within the ordinal outcome.}, }
@article {pmid37982191, year = {2023}, author = {Banerjee, S and Baidya, SK and Adhikari, N and Jha, T}, title = {An updated patent review of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors (2021-present).}, journal = {Expert opinion on therapeutic patents}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-19}, doi = {10.1080/13543776.2023.2284935}, pmid = {37982191}, issn = {1744-7674}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are strongly interlinked with the progression and mechanisms of several life-threatening diseases including cancer. Thus, novel MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) as promising drug candidates can be effective in combating these diseases. However, no MMPIs are marketed to date due to poor pharmacokinetics and lower selectivity. Therefore, this review was performed to study the newer MMPIs patented after the COVID-19 period for an updated perspective on MMPIs.<br><br>AREAS COVERED: This review highlights patents related to MMPIs, and their therapeutic implications published between January 2021 and August 2023 available in the Google Patents, Patentscope, and Espacenet databases.<br><br>EXPERT OPINION: Despite various MMP-related patents disclosed up to 2020, newer patent applications in the post-COVID-19 period decreased a lot. Besides major MMPs, other isoforms (i.e. MMP-3 and MMP-7) have gained attention recently for drug development. This may open up newer dimensions targeting these MMPs for therapeutic advancements. The isoform selectivity and bioavailability are major concerns for effective MMPI development. Thus, adopting theoretical approaches and experimental methodologies can unveil the development of novel MMPIs with improved pharmacokinetic profiles. Nevertheless, the involvement of MMPs in cancer, and the mechanisms of such MMPs in other diseases should be extensively studied for novel MMPI development.}, }
@article {pmid37981443, year = {2023}, author = {Wu, A and Shi, K and Wang, J and Zhang, R and Wang, Y}, title = {Targeting SARS-CoV-2 entry processes: The promising potential and future of host-targeted small-molecule inhibitors.}, journal = {European journal of medicinal chemistry}, volume = {263}, number = {}, pages = {115923}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115923}, pmid = {37981443}, issn = {1768-3254}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a huge impact on global health. To respond to rapidly mutating viruses and to prepare for the next pandemic, there is an urgent need to develop small molecule therapies that target critical stages of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Inhibiting the entry process of the virus can effectively control viral infection and play a role in prevention and treatment. Host factors involved in this process, such as ACE2, TMPRSS2, ADAM17, furin, PIKfyve, TPC2, CTSL, AAK1, V-ATPase, HSPG, and NRP1, have been found to be potentially good targets with stability. Through further exploration of the cell entry process of SARS-CoV-2, small-molecule drugs targeting these host factors have been developed. This review focuses on the structural functions of potential host cell targets during the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. The research progress, chemical structure, structure-activity relationship, and clinical value of small-molecule inhibitors against COVID-19 are reviewed to provide a reference for the development of small-molecule drugs against COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37981340, year = {2024}, author = {Reese, JB and Ramtekkar, U}, title = {Telebehavioral Health: Workforce, Access, and Future Implications.}, journal = {Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America}, volume = {33}, number = {1}, pages = {87-93}, doi = {10.1016/j.chc.2023.06.010}, pmid = {37981340}, issn = {1558-0490}, abstract = {Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, telebehavioral health (TBH) was proving itself to be a valuable, effective tool for service delivery. The widespread adoption of its use over the past 2 years for continuity of care should be considered one of the silver linings of the pandemic. It has the potential to be a particularly powerful tool for providing more equitable access to care for those in rural communities if barriers to broadband access can be addressed. In addition to providing an attractive, flexible method of service delivery for patients and families, TBH holds appeal to the workforce as well.}, }
@article {pmid37981337, year = {2024}, author = {Hubbard, A and Sudler, A and Alves-Bradford, JE and Trinh, NH and Emmerich, AD and Mangurian, C}, title = {Building a Diverse Psychiatric Workforce for the Future and Helping Them Thrive: Recommendations for Psychiatry Training Directors.}, journal = {Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America}, volume = {33}, number = {1}, pages = {57-69}, doi = {10.1016/j.chc.2023.06.007}, pmid = {37981337}, issn = {1558-0490}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic and murder of Mr George Floyd served as catalysts for examining antiracism efforts in psychiatry training programs and health care systems. Our recruitment and retention of Black, Indigenous, and other racial/ethnic minority psychiatry trainees has not met the demand for care and does not represent the communities served. Training directors at a critical juncture in creating systemic changes to recruitment, retention, policies, and curricular competencies to address ongoing inequities and disparities in health care. We describe several strategies and considerations for training directors in supporting a diverse psychiatric workforce.}, }
@article {pmid37981094, year = {2023}, author = {Pavithra, S and Aich, A and Chanda, A and Zohra, IF and Gawade, P and Das, RK}, title = {PER2 gene and its association with sleep-related disorders: A review.}, journal = {Physiology &amp; behavior}, volume = {273}, number = {}, pages = {114411}, doi = {10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114411}, pmid = {37981094}, issn = {1873-507X}, abstract = {The natural circadian rhythm in an individual governs the sleep-wake cycle over 24 h. Disruptions in this internal cycle can lead to major health hazards and sleep disorders. Reports suggest that at least 50 % of people worldwide suffer from sleep-related disorders. An increase in screen time, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, is one of the external causative factors for this condition. While many factors govern the circadian clock and its aberrance, the PER2 gene has been strongly linked to chronotypes by many researchers. The current paper provides an extensive examination of key Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms within the PER2 gene and their potential connection to four major types of sleep disorders. This study investigates whether these SNPs play a causative role in sleep disorders or if they are solely associated with these conditions. Additionally, we explore whether these genetic variations exert a lifelong influence on these sleep patterns or if external triggers contribute to the development of sleep disorders. This gene is a crucial regulator of the circadian cycle responsible for the transcription of other clock genes. It regulates a variety of physiological systems such as metabolism, sleep, body temperature, blood pressure, endocrine, immunological, cardiovascular, and renal function. We aim to establish some clarity to the multifaceted nature of this gene, which is often overlooked, and seek to establish the mechanistic role of PER2 gene mutations in sleep disorders. This will improve further understanding, assessment, and treatment of these conditions in future.}, }
@article {pmid37981054, year = {2023}, author = {Amrapala, A and Sabé, M and Solmi, M and Maes, M}, title = {Neuropsychiatric Disturbances in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Scientometric Analysis.}, journal = {Ageing research reviews}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {102129}, doi = {10.1016/j.arr.2023.102129}, pmid = {37981054}, issn = {1872-9649}, abstract = {Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) have been extensively studied in dementia than its prodromal stage, known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A scientometric study on BPSD in MCI would be valuable in synthesizing the existing body of research and providing insights into the trends, networks, and influencers within this area. We searched for related literature in the Web of Science database and extracted complete text and citation records of each publication. The primary objective was to map the research evolution of BPSD in MCI and highlight dominant research themes. The secondary objective was to identify research network characteristics (authors, journals, countries, and institutions) and abundances. A total of 12,369 studies published between 1980 to 2022 were included in the analysis. We found 51 distinct clusters from the co-cited reference network that were highly credible with significant modularity (Q = 0.856) and silhouette scores (S = 0.932). Five major research domains were identified: symptoms, diagnosis, brain substrates, biochemical pathways, and interventions. In recent years, the research focus in this area has been on gut microbiota, e-health, COVID-19, cognition, and delirium. Collectively, findings from this scientometric analysis can help clarify the scope and direction of future research and clinical practices.}, }
@article {pmid37980897, year = {2023}, author = {Javaid, MM and Ekladious, A and Khan, BA}, title = {Is it time to give peritoneal dialysis its due place in managing acute kidney injury: Lessons learnt from COVID-19 pandemic.}, journal = {Blood purification}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1159/000535243}, pmid = {37980897}, issn = {1421-9735}, abstract = {Despite comparable outcomes with the extracorporeal dialysis modalities, peritoneal dialysis (PD) is seldom considered a viable option for managing acute kidney injury (AKI) in developed and resource-rich countries, where continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) are the mainstay of treating AKI. PD has fewer infrastructure requirements and has been shown to save lives during conflicts, natural disasters, and pandemics. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the developed world was confronted with a sudden surge in critically ill AKI patients requiring renal replacement therapy. There were acute shortages of CRRT machines and the trained staff to deliver those treatments. Some centres developed acute peritoneal dialysis programmes to circumvent these issues with good results. This experience reemphasised the suitability of PD for managing AKI. It also highlighted the need to review the current management strategies for AKI in developed countries and consider incorporating PD as a viable tool for suitable patients. This article reviews the current evidence of using PD in AKI, attempts to clarify some misconceptions about PD in AKI, and argues in favour of developing acute PD programmes.}, }
@article {pmid37980161, year = {2023}, author = {Le Guen, C and Leroy, E and Pennetier, M and Launay, &#xc9; and Bichali, S and Prot-Labarthe, S}, title = {[Illustrated case study of a patient with pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome].}, journal = {Soins. Pediatrie, puericulture}, volume = {44}, number = {335}, pages = {42-47}, doi = {10.1016/j.spp.2023.10.010}, pmid = {37980161}, issn = {1259-4792}, mesh = {Child ; Humans ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19 ; France ; }, abstract = {Between November 2020 and June 2021, twelve children were treated at a university hospital in western France for pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome (PIMS). While the clinical presentation may have been reminiscent of Kawasaki disease, PIMS, a new nosological entity, was mentioned in the media in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, research into this syndrome will continue in France and Europe.}, }
@article {pmid37980121, year = {2024}, author = {Krett, JD and Salter, A and Newsome, SD}, title = {Era of COVID-19 in Multiple Sclerosis Care.}, journal = {Neurologic clinics}, volume = {42}, number = {1}, pages = {319-340}, pmid = {37980121}, issn = {1557-9875}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; *Multiple Sclerosis/complications/therapy ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *Telemedicine ; }, abstract = {The unprecedented scope of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in numerous disruptions to daily life, including for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). This article reviews how disruptions in multiple sclerosis (MS) care prompted innovations in delivery of care (eg, via telemedicine) and mobilized the global MS community to rapidly adopt safe and effective practices. We discuss how our understanding of the risks of COVID-19 in PwMS has evolved along with recommendations pertaining to disease-modifying therapies and vaccines. With lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, we examine potential questions for future research in this new era of MS care.}, }
@article {pmid37979798, year = {2023}, author = {Liang, N and Harsch, BA and Zhou, S and Borkowska, A and Shearer, GC and Kaddurah-Daouk, R and Newman, JW and Borkowski, K}, title = {Oxylipin transport by lipoprotein particles and its functional implications for cardiometabolic and neurological disorders.}, journal = {Progress in lipid research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {101265}, doi = {10.1016/j.plipres.2023.101265}, pmid = {37979798}, issn = {1873-2194}, abstract = {Lipoprotein metabolism is critical to inflammation. While the periphery and central nervous system (CNS) have separate yet connected lipoprotein systems, impaired lipoprotein metabolism is implicated in both cardiometabolic and neurological disorders. Despite the substantial investigation into the composition, structure and function of lipoproteins, the lipoprotein oxylipin profiles, their influence on lipoprotein functions, and their potential biological implications are unclear. Lipoproteins carry most of the circulating oxylipins. Importantly, lipoprotein-mediated oxylipin transport allows for endocrine signaling by these lipid mediators, long considered to have only autocrine and paracrine functions. Alterations in plasma lipoprotein oxylipin composition can directly impact inflammatory responses of lipoprotein metabolizing cells. Similar investigations of CNS lipoprotein oxylipins are non-existent to date. However, as APOE4 is associated with Alzheimer's disease-related microglia dysfunction and oxylipin dysregulation, ApoE4-dependent lipoprotein oxylipin modulation in neurological pathologies is suggested. Such investigations are crucial to bridge knowledge gaps linking oxylipin- and lipoprotein-related disorders in both periphery and CNS. Here, after providing a summary of existent literatures on lipoprotein oxylipin analysis methods, we emphasize the importance of lipoproteins in oxylipin transport and argue that understanding the compartmentalization and distribution of lipoprotein oxylipins may fundamentally alter our consideration of the roles of lipoprotein in cardiometabolic and neurological disorders.}, }
@article {pmid37979408, year = {2023}, author = {Aghajanian, S and Shafiee, A and Akhondi, A and Abadi, SRF and Mohammadi, I and Ehsan, M and Mohammadifard, F}, title = {The effect of COVID-19 on Multiple Sclerosis relapse: A systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Multiple sclerosis and related disorders}, volume = {81}, number = {}, pages = {105128}, doi = {10.1016/j.msard.2023.105128}, pmid = {37979408}, issn = {2211-0356}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease, affecting over 2.5 million people worldwide. There has been growing concern about the impact of COVID-19 on the clinical course of MS. However, these findings remain controversial, and there is a lack of high-quality evidence to establish the relationship between COVID-19 and MS.<br><br>METHODS: A comprehensive search was done to identify relevant studies reporting relapse rate in patients with MS (pwMS), those comparing the relapse rate of COVID-19 pwMS and MS controls, and studies investigating the effect of COVID-19 on relapse rate of pwMS. The results were presented as proportion of COVID-19 pwMS experiencing relapse and odds ratio determining the impact of COVID-19 on relapse rate.<br><br>RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included in the analyses. The proportion of COVID-19 positive pwMS with relapse was 7.71 per 100 cases (95&#xa0;% confidence interval, CI: 4.41-13.89, I[2]=96&#xa0;%). Quantitative evaluation of studies with pwMS without COVID-19 did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in relapse rate of patients with COVID-19 (OR: 0.75, 95&#xa0;%CI: 0.44-1.29, I[2]= 54&#xa0;%). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses did not alter the lack of significance of association between COVID-19 and MS relapse. Sensitivity analysis excluding the outlying study was largely in favor of no difference between the groups (OR:1.00, 95&#xa0;%CI: 0.72-1.38, I[2]=34&#xa0;%) CONCLUSION: The results of this review does not suggest that COVID-19 influences the relapse rate in pwMS. While the findings alleviate the concerns regarding the co-occurrence of the diseases, further studies are needed to investigate the effects of confounding factors.}, }
@article {pmid37979169, year = {2023}, author = {Parsons, RJ and Acharya, P}, title = {Evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike.}, journal = {Cell reports}, volume = {42}, number = {12}, pages = {113444}, doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113444}, pmid = {37979169}, issn = {2211-1247}, abstract = {The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant of concern, first identified in November 2021, rapidly spread worldwide and diversified into several subvariants. The Omicron spike (S) protein accumulated an unprecedented number of sequence changes relative to previous variants. In this review, we discuss how Omicron S protein structural features modulate host cell receptor binding, virus entry, and immune evasion and highlight how these structural features differentiate Omicron from previous variants. We also examine how key structural properties track across the still-evolving Omicron subvariants and the importance of continuing surveillance of the S protein sequence evolution over time.}, }
@article {pmid37978542, year = {2023}, author = {Lin, F and Lin, EZ and Anekoji, M and Ichim, TE and Hu, J and Marincola, FM and Jones, LD and Kesari, S and Ashili, S}, title = {Advancing personalized medicine in brain cancer: exploring the role of mRNA vaccines.}, journal = {Journal of translational medicine}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {830}, pmid = {37978542}, issn = {1479-5876}, abstract = {Advancing personalized medicine in brain cancer relies on innovative strategies, with mRNA vaccines emerging as a promising avenue. While the initial use of mRNA vaccines was in oncology, their stunning success in COVID-19 resulted in widespread attention, both positive and negative. Regardless of politically biased opinions, which relate more to the antigenic source than form of delivery, we feel it is important to objectively review this modality as relates to brain cancer. This class of vaccines trigger robust immune responses through MHC-I and MHC-II pathways, in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings. The mRNA platform offers advantages of rapid development, high potency, cost-effectiveness, and safety. This review provides an overview of mRNA vaccine delivery technologies, tumor antigen identification, combination therapies, and recent therapeutic outcomes, with a particular focus on brain cancer. Combinatorial approaches are vital to maximizing mRNA cancer vaccine efficacy, with ongoing clinical trials exploring combinations with adjuvants and checkpoint inhibitors and even adoptive cell therapy. Efficient delivery, neoantigen identification, preclinical studies, and clinical trial results are highlighted, underscoring mRNA vaccines' potential in advancing personalized medicine for brain cancer. Synergistic combinatorial therapies play a crucial role, emphasizing the need for continued research and collaboration in this area.}, }
@article {pmid37978472, year = {2023}, author = {Natalia, YA and Delporte, M and De Witte, D and Beutels, P and Dewatripont, M and Molenberghs, G}, title = {Assessing the impact of COVID-19 passes and mandates on disease transmission, vaccination intention, and uptake: a scoping review.}, journal = {BMC public health}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {2279}, pmid = {37978472}, issn = {1471-2458}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Intention ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Vaccination ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: Policymakers have struggled to maintain SARS-CoV-2 transmission at levels that are manageable to contain the COVID-19 disease burden while enabling a maximum of societal and economic activities. One of the tools that have been used to facilitate this is the so-called "COVID-19 pass". We aimed to document current evidence on the effectiveness of COVID-19 passes, distinguishing their indirect effects by improving vaccination intention and uptake from their direct effects on COVID-19 transmission measured by the incidence of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.<br><br>METHODS: We performed a scoping review on the scientific literature of the proposed topic covering the period January 2021 to September 2022, in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines for scoping reviews.<br><br>RESULTS: Out of a yield of 4,693 publications, 45 studies from multiple countries were retained for full-text review. The results suggest that implementing COVID-19 passes tends to reduce the incidence of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths due to COVID-19. The use of COVID-19 passes was also shown to improve overall vaccination uptake and intention, but not in people who hold strong anti-COVID-19 vaccine beliefs.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The evidence from the literature we reviewed tends to indicate positive direct and indirect effects from the use of COVID-19 passes. A major limitation to establishing this firmly is the entanglement of individual effects of multiple measures being implemented simultaneously.}, }
@article {pmid37978386, year = {2023}, author = {Hu, B and Gong, M and Xiang, Y and Qu, S and Zhu, H and Ye, D}, title = {Mechanism and treatment of olfactory dysfunction caused by coronavirus disease 2019.}, journal = {Journal of translational medicine}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {829}, pmid = {37978386}, issn = {1479-5876}, support = {2022L005//Ningbo Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngology Head and Neck Disease/ ; 2020Z097//the Ningbo "Technology Innovation 2025" Major Special Project/ ; 2023J213//Ningbo Natural Science Foundation/ ; LQ21H130001//Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province/ ; PPXK2018-02//Ningbo Health Branding Subject Fund/ ; 2022ZD003//Key Project of Huili Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Quality of Life ; *Olfaction Disorders/complications/therapy ; Smell ; }, abstract = {Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the start of the pandemic, olfactory dysfunction (OD) has been reported as a common symptom of COVID-19. In some asymptomatic carriers, OD is often the first and even the only symptom. At the same time, persistent OD is also a long-term sequela seen after COVID-19 that can have a serious impact on the quality of life of patients. However, the pathogenesis of post-COVID-19 OD is still unclear, and there is no specific treatment for its patients. The aim of this paper was to review the research on OD caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and to summarize the mechanism of action, the pathogenesis, and current treatments.}, }
@article {pmid37977285, year = {2023}, author = {Li, X and Song, Y}, title = {Targeting SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 3: Function, structure, inhibition, and perspective in drug discovery.}, journal = {Drug discovery today}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {103832}, doi = {10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103832}, pmid = {37977285}, issn = {1878-5832}, abstract = {As a highly contagious human pathogen, severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected billions of people worldwide with more than 6 million deaths. With several effective vaccines and antiviral drugs now available, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic been brought under control. However, a new pathogenic coronavirus could emerge in the future, given the zoonotic nature of this virus. Natural evolution and drug-induced mutations of SARS-CoV-2 also require continued efforts for new anti-coronavirus drugs. Nonstructural protein (nsp) 3 of CoVs is a large, multifunctional protein, containing a papain-like protease (PLpro) and a macrodomain (Mac1), which are essential for viral replication. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the function, structure, and inhibition of SARS-CoV/-CoV-2 PLpro and Mac1. We also discuss advances in, and challenges to, the discovery of drugs against these targets.}, }
@article {pmid37977167, year = {2023}, author = {Aggarwal, A and Choudhury, A and Fearnhead, N and Kearns, P and Kirby, A and Lawler, M and Quinlan, S and Palmieri, C and Roques, T and Simcock, R and Walter, FM and Price, P and Sullivan, R}, title = {The future of cancer care in the UK-time for a radical and sustainable National Cancer Plan.}, journal = {The Lancet. Oncology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/S1470-2045(23)00511-9}, pmid = {37977167}, issn = {1474-5488}, abstract = {Cancer affects one in two people in the UK and the incidence is set to increase. The UK National Health Service is facing major workforce deficits and cancer services have struggled to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic, with waiting times for cancer care becoming the worst on record. There are severe and widening disparities across the country and survival rates remain unacceptably poor for many cancers. This is at a time when cancer care has become increasingly complex, specialised, and expensive. The current crisis has deep historic roots, and to be reversed, the scale of the challenge must be acknowledged and a fundamental reset is required. The loss of a dedicated National Cancer Control Plan in England and Wales, poor operationalisation of plans elsewhere in the UK, and the closure of the National Cancer Research Institute have all added to a sense of strategic misdirection. The UK finds itself at a crossroads, where the political decisions of governments, the cancer community, and research funders will determine whether we can, together, achieve equitable, affordable, and high-quality cancer care for patients that is commensurate with our wealth, and position our outcomes among the best in the world. In this Policy Review, we describe the challenges and opportunities that are needed to develop radical, yet sustainable plans, which are comprehensive, evidence-based, integrated, patient-outcome focused, and deliver value for money.}, }
@article {pmid37976767, year = {2023}, author = {Zhu, S and Luan, C and Zhang, S and Wang, X and Long, F and Zhang, Q and Yan, J}, title = {Effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine on ovarian reserve: A systematic review.}, journal = {European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology}, volume = {292}, number = {}, pages = {63-70}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.10.029}, pmid = {37976767}, issn = {1872-7654}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination on ovarian reserve.<br><br>METHODS: Relevant articles were identified in the EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases from January 2020 to May 2023. Available clinical indicators of ovarian reserve, such as anti-M&#xfc;llerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2), as well as the time interval from infection or vaccination to measurements, were assessed.<br><br>RESULTS: Only 2 studies provided evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection could damage ovarian function. In a comparison of the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, although 1 prospective cohort study observed the transient statistically significant decrease on serum AMH levels at 3 or 6&#xa0;months of follow-up, serum AMH levels remained within the normal reserve range (>1.1&#xa0;ng/dl) throughout the study period.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Overall, whether ovarian reserve may be affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection remains controversial and further investigations are warranted to clarify this issue. Based on the current evidence, it is safe to assume that COVID-19 vaccination does not exert any adverse effect on ovarian reserve parameters such as AMH, AFC, FSH, and E2, which will provide reassurance for women attempting to fall pregnant.}, }
@article {pmid37976760, year = {2023}, author = {Champendal, M and Müller, H and Prior, JO and Dos Reis, CS}, title = {A scoping review of interpretability and explainability concerning artificial intelligence methods in medical imaging.}, journal = {European journal of radiology}, volume = {169}, number = {}, pages = {111159}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111159}, pmid = {37976760}, issn = {1872-7727}, abstract = {PURPOSE: To review eXplainable Artificial Intelligence/(XAI) methods available for medical imaging/(MI).<br><br>METHOD: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology. The search was performed on Pubmed, Embase, Cinhal, Web of Science, BioRxiv, MedRxiv, and Google Scholar. Studies published in French and English after 2017 were included. Keyword combinations and descriptors related to explainability, and MI modalities were employed. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts, titles and full text, resolving differences through discussion.<br><br>RESULTS: 228 studies met the criteria. XAI publications are increasing, targeting MRI (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;73), radiography (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;47), CT (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;46). Lung (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;82) and brain (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;74) pathologies, Covid-19 (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;48), Alzheimer's disease (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;25), brain tumors (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;15) are the main pathologies explained. Explanations are presented visually (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;186), numerically (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;67), rule-based (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;11), textually (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;11), and example-based (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;6). Commonly explained tasks include classification (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;89), prediction (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;47), diagnosis (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;39), detection (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;29), segmentation (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;13), and image quality improvement (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;6). The most frequently provided explanations were local (78.1&#xa0;%), 5.7&#xa0;% were global, and 16.2&#xa0;% combined both local and global approaches. Post-hoc approaches were predominantly employed. The used terminology varied, sometimes indistinctively using explainable (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;207), interpretable (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;187), understandable (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;112), transparent (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;61), reliable (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;31), and intelligible (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;3).<br><br>CONCLUSION: The number of XAI publications in medical imaging is increasing, primarily focusing on applying XAI techniques to MRI, CT, and radiography for classifying and predicting lung and brain pathologies. Visual and numerical output formats are predominantly used. Terminology standardisation remains a challenge, as terms like "explainable" and "interpretable" are sometimes being used indistinctively. Future XAI development should consider user needs and perspectives.}, }
@article {pmid37976701, year = {2023}, author = {Qidwai, T}, title = {Cytokine storm in COVID-19 and malaria: Annals of pro-inflammatory cytokines.}, journal = {Cytokine}, volume = {173}, number = {}, pages = {156420}, doi = {10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156420}, pmid = {37976701}, issn = {1096-0023}, abstract = {Infectious diseases are affecting the people worldwide. Mostly, infectious agents activate excessive production of cytokines so called cytokine storm. Among the infectious diseases COVID-19 is one of the deadliest diseases affecting individuals all over the world, moreover, Plasmodium falciparum malaria and HIV are major killers. An excessive pro-inflammatory response is one of the major causes of pathological conditions in these diseases. It is important to investigate the pathophysiology in the infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria and HIV as there is no concrete therapy against them so far. Exploration of excessive pro-inflammation could be important for therapeutic intervention. In this article, an attempt has been made to analyze the pathological conditions arise due to excessive inflammatory response in COVID-19, malaria and other infectious diseases. Targeting excessive pro-inflammatory response/cytokine storm in infectious diseases could be a useful strategy.}, }
@article {pmid37976100, year = {2023}, author = {Byambasuren, O and Greenwood, H and Bakhit, M and Atkins, T and Clark, J and Scott, AM and Glasziou, P}, title = {Comparison of Telephone and Video Telehealth Consultations: Systematic Review.}, journal = {Journal of medical Internet research}, volume = {25}, number = {}, pages = {e49942}, doi = {10.2196/49942}, pmid = {37976100}, issn = {1438-8871}, mesh = {Humans ; *Telephone ; *Telemedicine/methods ; Personal Satisfaction ; Australia ; Canada ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Telehealth has been used for health care delivery for decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic greatly accelerated the uptake of telehealth in many care settings globally. However, few studies have carried out a direct comparison among different telehealth modalities, with very few studies having compared the effectiveness of telephone and video telehealth modalities.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify and synthesize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing synchronous telehealth consultations delivered by telephone and those conducted by video with outcomes such as clinical effectiveness, patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and patient and clinician satisfaction with care.<br><br>METHODS: PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and CENTRAL were searched via the Cochrane Library from inception until February 10, 2023, for RCTs without any language restriction. Forward and backward citation searches were conducted on included RCTs. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. We included studies carried out in any health setting-involving all types of outpatient cohorts and all types of health care providers-that compared synchronous video consultations directly with telephone consultations and reported outcomes specified in the objective. We excluded studies of clinician-to-clinician telehealth consults, hospitalized patients, and asynchronous consultations.<br><br>RESULTS: Sixteen RCTs-10 in the United States, 3 in the United Kingdom, 2 in Canada, and 1 in Australia involving 1719 participants-were included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses. Most of the telehealth interventions were for hospital-based outpatient follow-ups, monitoring, and rehabilitation (n=13). The 3 studies that were conducted in the community all focused on smoking cessation. In half of the studies, nurses delivered the care (n=8). Almost all included studies had high or unclear risk of bias, mainly due to bias in the randomization process and selection of reported results. The trials found no substantial differences between telephone and video telehealth consultations with regard to clinical effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and health care use (cost-effectiveness) outcomes. None of the studies reported on patient safety or adverse events. We did not find any study on telehealth interventions for diagnosis, initiating new treatment, or those conducted in a primary care setting.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Based on a small set of diverse trials, we found no notable differences between telephone and video consultations for the management of patients with an established diagnosis. There is also a significant lack of telehealth research in primary care settings despite its high uptake.}, }
@article {pmid37974992, year = {2023}, author = {Kosenko, M and Onkhonova, G and Susloparov, I and Ryzhikov, A}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 proteins structural studies using synchrotron radiation.}, journal = {Biophysical reviews}, volume = {15}, number = {5}, pages = {1185-1194}, pmid = {37974992}, issn = {1867-2450}, abstract = {In the process of the development of structural biology, both the size and the complexity of the determined macromolecular structures have grown significantly. As a result, the range of application areas for the results of structural studies of biological macromolecules has expanded. Significant progress in the development of structural biology methods has been largely achieved through the use of synchrotron radiation. Modern sources of synchrotron radiation allow to conduct high-performance structural studies with high temporal and spatial resolution. Thus, modern techniques make it possible to obtain not only static structures, but also to study dynamic processes, which play a key role in understanding biological mechanisms. One of the key directions in the development of structural research is the drug design based on the structures of biomolecules. Synchrotron radiation offers insights into the three-dimensional time-resolved structure of individual viral proteins and their complexes at atomic resolution. The rapid and accurate determination of protein structures is crucial for understanding viral pathogenicity and designing targeted therapeutics. Through the application of experimental techniques, including X-ray crystallography and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), it is possible to elucidate the structural details of SARS-CoV-2 virion containing 4 structural, 16 nonstructural proteins (nsp), and several accessory proteins. The most studied potential targets for vaccines and drugs are the structural spike (S) protein, which is responsible for entering the host cell, as well as nonstructural proteins essential for replication and transcription, such as main protease (Mpro), papain-like protease (PL[pro]), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). This article provides a brief overview of structural analysis techniques, with focus on synchrotron radiation-based methods applied to the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 proteins.}, }
@article {pmid37974990, year = {2023}, author = {Orlov, YL and Orlova, NG}, title = {Bioinformatics tools for the sequence complexity estimates.}, journal = {Biophysical reviews}, volume = {15}, number = {5}, pages = {1367-1378}, pmid = {37974990}, issn = {1867-2450}, abstract = {We review current methods and bioinformatics tools for the text complexity estimates (information and entropy measures). The search DNA regions with extreme statistical characteristics such as low complexity regions are important for biophysical models of chromosome function and gene transcription regulation in genome scale. We discuss the complexity profiling for segmentation and delineation of genome sequences, search for genome repeats and transposable elements, and applications to next-generation sequencing reads. We review the complexity methods and new applications fields: analysis of mutation hotspots loci, analysis of short sequencing reads with quality control, and alignment-free genome comparisons. The algorithms implementing various numerical measures of text complexity estimates including combinatorial and linguistic measures have been developed before genome sequencing era. The series of tools to estimate sequence complexity use compression approaches, mainly by modification of Lempel-Ziv compression. Most of the tools are available online providing large-scale service for whole genome analysis. Novel machine learning applications for classification of complete genome sequences also include sequence compression and complexity algorithms. We present comparison of the complexity methods on the different sequence sets, the applications for gene transcription regulatory regions analysis. Furthermore, we discuss approaches and application of sequence complexity for proteins. The complexity measures for amino acid sequences could be calculated by the same entropy and compression-based algorithms. But the functional and evolutionary roles of low complexity regions in protein have specific features differing from DNA. The tools for protein sequence complexity aimed for protein structural constraints. It was shown that low complexity regions in protein sequences are conservative in evolution and have important biological and structural functions. Finally, we summarize recent findings in large scale genome complexity comparison and applications for coronavirus genome analysis.}, }
@article {pmid37974625, year = {2023}, author = {Pozzi, D and Caracciolo, G}, title = {Looking Back, Moving Forward: Lipid Nanoparticles as a Promising Frontier in Gene Delivery.}, journal = {ACS pharmacology &amp; translational science}, volume = {6}, number = {11}, pages = {1561-1573}, pmid = {37974625}, issn = {2575-9108}, abstract = {Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have shown remarkable success in delivering genetic materials like COVID-19 LNP vaccines, such as mRNA-1273/SpikeVax by Moderna and BNT162b2/Comirnaty by BioNTech/Pfizer, as well as siRNA for rare inherited diseases, such as Onpattro from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. These LNPs are advantageous since they minimize side effects, target specific cells, and regulate payload delivery. There has been a surge of interest in these particles due to their success stories; however, we still do not know much about how they work. This perspective will recapitulate the evolution of lipid-based gene delivery, starting with Felgner's pioneering 1987 PNAS paper, which introduced the initial DNA-transfection method utilizing a synthetic cationic lipid. Our journey takes us to the early 2020s, a time when advancements in bionano interactions enabled us to create biomimetic lipoplexes characterized by a remarkable ability to evade capture by immune cells in vivo. Through this overview, we propose leveraging previous achievements to assist us in formulating improved research goals when optimizing LNPs for medical conditions such as infectious diseases, cancer, and heritable disorders.}, }
@article {pmid37974620, year = {2023}, author = {Thakur, M and Singh, M and Kumar, S and Dwivedi, VP and Dakal, TC and Yadav, V}, title = {A Reappraisal of the Antiviral Properties of and Immune Regulation through Dietary Phytochemicals.}, journal = {ACS pharmacology &amp; translational science}, volume = {6}, number = {11}, pages = {1600-1615}, pmid = {37974620}, issn = {2575-9108}, abstract = {In the present era of the COVID-19 pandemic, viral infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this day and age, viral infections are rampant and spreading rapidly. Among the most aggressive viral infections are ebola, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), influenza, and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). Even though there are few treatment options for viral diseases, most of the antiviral therapies are ineffective owing to frequent mutations, the development of more aggressive strains, drug resistance, and possible side effects. Traditionally, herbal remedies have been used by healers, including for dietary and medicinal purposes. Many clinical and scientific studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of plant-derived natural compounds. Because of unsafe practices like blood transfusions and organ transplants from infected patients, medical supply contamination. Our antiviral therapies cannot achieve sterile immunity, and we have yet to find a cure for these pernicious infections. Herbs have been shown to improve therapeutic efficacy against a wide variety of viral diseases because of their high concentration of immunomodulatory phytochemicals (both immunoinhibitory and anti-inflammatory). Combined with biotechnology, this folk medicine system can lead to the development of novel antiviral drugs and therapies. In this Review, we will summarize some selected bioactive compounds with probable mechanisms of their antiviral actions, focusing on the immunological axis of these compounds.}, }
@article {pmid37974364, year = {2023}, author = {Gluckstein, JA and Chwalisz, BK and Gilbert, AL and Bouffard, MA}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 Parainfectious Optic Neuropathy: 3 Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.}, journal = {Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society}, volume = {43}, number = {4}, pages = {491-498}, pmid = {37974364}, issn = {1536-5166}, mesh = {Humans ; *Papilledema/etiology/complications ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Retrospective Studies ; *COVID-19/complications ; *Optic Nerve Diseases/etiology/complications ; *Optic Neuritis/diagnosis/drug therapy/etiology ; Vision Disorders/diagnosis/etiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Parainfectious optic neuritis is an inflammatory reaction that occurs shortly after an infection without direct invasion by a pathogen. The clinical profile depends on the infectious organism. Cases of SARS-CoV-2 parainfectious optic neuritis have been reported in the literature, but there are no reviews that have applied strict inclusion criteria to more definitively establish the clinical profile associated with SARS-CoV-2.<br><br>METHODS: We present 3 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 parainfectious optic neuritis. We also review the literature for definite cases by selecting only those with unambiguous clinical features and MRI findings of optic neuritis, positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction or serology, and the absence of myelin oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein or aquaporin-4 antibodies or other diseases associated with optic neuritis.<br><br>RESULTS: We report 2 cases of monophasic, unilateral SARS-CoV-2 parainfectious optic neuritis with optic disc edema and nadir visual acuities of finger counting. We report 1 case of mild SARS-CoV-2 parainfectious optic neuritis that featured cotton wool spots, peripapillary wrinkles and hemorrhages, and recurrence after an initial steroid taper. We identified 6 cases of unambiguous SARS-CoV-2 parainfectious optic neuritis from the literature. Combining our case series with the case reports in the literature, the average age was 42.8 years, 3/9 had bilateral disease, 6/8 had optic disc edema, 8/9 had nadir visual acuity of finger counting or worse, and all recovered visual acuity to 20/40 or better after therapy with steroids.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 parainfectious optic neuritis has a clinical profile that is atypical for idiopathic optic neuritis but fairly typical of parainfectious forms of optic neuritis with a severely reduced nadir visual acuity, high likelihood of bilaterality, high incidence of optic disc edema, and prompt and significant response to corticosteroids. Further study with long-term follow-up and epidemiologic investigation will be needed to further characterize this clinical entity.}, }
@article {pmid37973637, year = {2023}, author = {Abdul-Kareem, HH and Al-Maqtoofi, MY and Burghal, AA}, title = {Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on saliva immune barriers: IgA, lysozyme, and lactoferrin.}, journal = {Archives of virology}, volume = {168}, number = {12}, pages = {293}, pmid = {37973637}, issn = {1432-8798}, support = {2023//University of Basrah/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Muramidase/analysis/metabolism ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Lactoferrin/metabolism ; Saliva ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; SARS-CoV-2/metabolism ; Immunoglobulin A ; Vaccination ; Antibodies, Viral ; }, abstract = {Understanding the role of salivary constituents, such as lactoferrin, lysozyme, and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), in immune protection and defense mechanisms against microbial invasion and colonization of the airways is important in light of the ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. The salivary immune barrier in individuals affected by COVID-19 may contribute to disease prognosis. Thus, the aim of the present review is to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccines on the immunological composition of saliva. IgA antibodies generated by vaccination can neutralize the virus at mucosal surfaces, whereas antimicrobial peptides, such as lysozyme and lactoferrin, have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Collectively, these components contribute to the protective immune response of the oral cavity and may help minimize viral transmission as well as the severity of COVID-19. Measuring the levels of these components in the saliva of COVID-19-vaccinated individuals can help in evaluating the vaccine's ability to induce mucosal immunity, and it might also provide insights into whether saliva can be used in diagnostics or surveillance for monitoring immune responses following vaccination. This also has implications for viral transmission.}, }
@article {pmid37973257, year = {2024}, author = {Peden, DB}, title = {Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollutants.}, journal = {Immunology and allergy clinics of North America}, volume = {44}, number = {1}, pages = {15-33}, doi = {10.1016/j.iac.2023.07.004}, pmid = {37973257}, issn = {1557-8607}, mesh = {Humans ; *Air Pollutants/adverse effects ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects ; *Air Pollution/adverse effects ; *Asthma/epidemiology/etiology/prevention &amp; control ; *Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology/etiology ; }, abstract = {Air pollution is a risk factor for asthma and respiratory infection. Avoidance of air pollution is the best approach to mitigating the impacts of pollution. Personal preventive strategies are possible, but policy interventions are the most effective ways to prevent pollution and its effect on asthma and respiratory infection.}, }
@article {pmid37972669, year = {2023}, author = {Newby, ML and Allen, JD and Crispin, M}, title = {Influence of glycosylation on the immunogenicity and antigenicity of viral immunogens.}, journal = {Biotechnology advances}, volume = {70}, number = {}, pages = {108283}, doi = {10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108283}, pmid = {37972669}, issn = {1873-1899}, abstract = {A key aspect of successful viral vaccine design is the elicitation of neutralizing antibodies targeting viral attachment and fusion glycoproteins that embellish viral particles. This observation has catalyzed the development of numerous viral glycoprotein mimetics as vaccines. Glycans can dominate the surface of viral glycoproteins and as such, the viral glycome can influence the antigenicity and immunogenicity of a candidate vaccine. In one extreme, glycans can form an integral part of epitopes targeted by neutralizing antibodies and are therefore considered to be an important feature of key immunogens within an immunization regimen. In the other extreme, the existence of peptide and bacterially expressed protein vaccines shows that viral glycosylation can be dispensable in some cases. However, native-like glycosylation can indicate native-like protein folding and the presence of conformational epitopes. Furthermore, going beyond native glycan mimicry, in either occupancy of glycosylation sites or the glycan processing state, may offer opportunities for enhancing the immunogenicity and associated protection elicited by an immunogen. Here, we review key determinants of viral glycosylation and how recombinant immunogens can recapitulate these signatures across a range of enveloped viruses, including HIV-1, Ebola virus, SARS-CoV-2, Influenza and Lassa virus. The emerging understanding of immunogen glycosylation and its control will help guide the development of future vaccines in both recombinant protein- and nucleic acid-based vaccine technologies.}, }
@article {pmid37972355, year = {2023}, author = {Rahman, MR and Akter, R and Neelotpol, S and Mayesha, II and Afrose, A}, title = {The Neuropathological Impacts of COVID-19: Challenges and Alternative Treatment Options for Alzheimer's Like Brain Changes on Severely SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients.}, journal = {American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias}, volume = {38}, number = {}, pages = {15333175231214974}, doi = {10.1177/15333175231214974}, pmid = {37972355}, issn = {1938-2731}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *COVID-19 ; *Alzheimer Disease/therapy ; Brain ; }, abstract = {Recently, some researchers claimed neuropathological changes lead to Alzheimer's-like brains after severe infection of SARS-CoV-2. Several mechanisms have been postulated on how SARS-CoV-2 neurological damage leads to Alzheimer's disease (AD) development. Neurobiochemical changes during infection may significantly induce Alzheimer's disease in severely COVID-19 infected people. The immune system is also compromised while infected by this novel coronavirus. However, recent studies are insufficient to conclude the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and COVID-19. This review demonstrates the possible pathways of neuropathological changes induced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in AD patients or leading to AD in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, this study delineates the challenges for COVID-19 infected AD patients and the mechanism of actions of natural compounds and alternative treatments to overcome those. Furthermore, animal studies and a large cohort of COVID-19 survivors who showed neuroinflammation and neurological changes may augment the research to discover the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37972143, year = {2023}, author = {Abdul Rehman, M and Naeem, U and Rani, A and Banatwala, UESS and Salman, A and Abdullah Khalid, M and Ikram, A and Tahir, E}, title = {How well does the virtual format of oncology multidisciplinary team meetings work? An assessment of participants' perspectives and limitations: A scoping review.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {11}, pages = {e0294635}, pmid = {37972143}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Humans ; *Pandemics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Patient Care Team ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Virtual multidisciplinary team meetings (VMDTM) provide a standard of care that is not limited by physical distance or social restrictions. And so, when the COVID-19 pandemic imposed irrefutable social restrictions and made in-person meetings impossible, many hospitals switched to the VMDTMs. Although the pandemic might have highlighted the ease of VMDTMs, these virtual meetings have existed over the past decade, albeit less in importance. Despite their recent importance, no review has previously assessed the feasibility of VMDTMs through the eyes of the participants, the barriers participants face, nor their comparison with the in-person format. We undertook this scoping review to map existing literature and assess the perspectives of VMDTM participants.<br><br>MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar from inception till July 1st, 2023 to select studies that evaluated the perspectives of participants of VMDTMs regarding the core components that make up a VMDMT. Four authors, independently, extracted data from all included studies. Two authors separated data into major themes and sub-themes.<br><br>RESULTS: We identified six core, intrinsic aspects of a VMDTM that are essential to its structure: (1) organization, (2) case discussion and decision-making, (3) teamwork and communication, (4) training and education, (5) technology, and (6) patient-related aspect. VMDTMs have a high overall satisfaction rating amongst participants. The preference, however, is for a hybrid model of multidisciplinary teams. VMDTMs offer support to isolated physicians, help address complex cases, and offer information that may not be available elsewhere. The periodical nature of VMDTMs is appropriate for their consideration as CMEs. Adequate technology is paramount to the sustenance of the format.<br><br>CONCLUSION: VMDTMs are efficient and offer a multidisciplinary consensus without geographical limitations. Despite certain technical and social limitations, VMDTM participants are highly satisfied with the format, although the preference lies with a hybrid model.}, }
@article {pmid37971581, year = {2023}, author = {Yamamoto, S and Yoshida, A and Gono, T and Kuwana, M}, title = {The Role of Environmental Factors in the Development of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies: a Narrative Review.}, journal = {Current rheumatology reports}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37971581}, issn = {1534-6307}, support = {22ek0109531h0002//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; 23FC1017//Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare/ ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to evaluate recent findings on the role of environmental factors in the development and clinical presentation of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs).<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: A targeted literature review was conducted to identify reports relevant to the association between environmental factors and IIMs published over the past three years. There has been an increasing number of publications dealing with the association of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or vaccination with the development of IIMs, highlighting the significant role of the antiviral immune response in the pathogenesis of the disease. Traditional environmental factors associated with the pathogenic process of IIM subclassifications included drugs such as statins and immune checkpoint inhibitors, ultraviolet radiation, smoking, air pollutants, and vitamin D deficiency. Correlations of seasonality and residence with the onset of certain IIM subtypes suggest a potential role of environmental triggers in the pathogenic process. An interplay between genetic predisposition and various environmental factors might contribute to the development of IIMs as well as the heterogeneous clinical and serological presentation of IIMs. The growing evidence on the role of environmental factors in the development of IIMs provides important clues to elucidate the pathophysiology of these disease entities. The mechanisms underlying the interactions between genetic predisposition and environmental factors should be investigated in the future.}, }
@article {pmid37971481, year = {2023}, author = {Markun, S and Jäger, L}, title = {[Vaccination against the Infodemic].}, journal = {Praxis}, volume = {112}, number = {12}, pages = {589-592}, pmid = {37971481}, issn = {1661-8157}, abstract = {Misinformation about vaccination leads to vaccination hesitancy. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, different patterns were observed in how misinformation spread on social media, which coined the term "infodemic." There are different approaches to counter misinformation in vaccination, some of which can be implemented in medical practice. This article is an introduction and overview of the phenomenon of misinformation in social media. The article also aims to uncover individual mechanisms that make misinformation appear credible and thus the article aims to function as an "inoculation against the infodemic."}, }
@article {pmid37970864, year = {2023}, author = {Vallejo-Feria, R and Gómez-Salgado, J and Romero Ruiz, A and Romero-Serrano, R and Cruz-Salgado, &#xd3; and Guillén-Gestoso, C and García-Iglesias, JJ}, title = {[Impacto de la covid-19 en el estrés, la ansiedad y la depresión en personas con Trastorno Obsesivo Compulsivo: una revisión sistemática.].}, journal = {Revista espanola de salud publica}, volume = {97}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37970864}, issn = {2173-9110}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; Spain ; Anxiety/epidemiology ; Mental Health ; Retrospective Studies ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The population's mental health has been compromised by a global pandemic, especially in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of stress, anxiety and depression in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder during COVID-19 pandemic.<br><br>METHODS: A systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA format in the electronic databases Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Dialnet and Medline between the months of January and May 2023. Method quality was assessed based on the critical evaluation tools for studies of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI).<br><br>RESULTS: A total of twelve studies were included in this review. The mental health of the population has been compromised by the COVID-19 pandemic, with patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder being especially affected. Although there was a wide variability of results, it was observed that the level of stress and anxiety increased during the pandemic.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The mental health of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, especially washing machine patients, is compromised in times of pandemic, presenting medium-high levels of stress, anxiety and depression.}, }
@article {pmid37970658, year = {2023}, author = {Plasse, TF and Fathi, R and Fehrmann, C and McComsey, GA}, title = {Upamostat: a serine protease inhibitor for antiviral, gastrointestinal, and anticancer indications.}, journal = {Expert opinion on investigational drugs}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-9}, doi = {10.1080/13543784.2023.2284385}, pmid = {37970658}, issn = {1744-7658}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Serine proteases are involved in many normal metabolic processes but also contribute to diseases of several organ systems, including viral and gastrointestinal diseases and oncology. Upamostat is an orally bioavailable prodrug of WX-UK1, which is most active against trypsins and closely related enzymes.<br><br>AREAS COVERED: Research over the past two decades suggests several diseases in the three areas noted above which upamostat may be active. Upamostat has been studied clinically against several cancers and for outpatient treatment of COVID-19. Preclinical and clinical pharmacokinetic and metabolism studies demonstrate good bioavailability, sustained tissue levels, and high concentrations of the active moiety, WX-UK1, in stool, potentially important for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Clinical studies suggest activity against SARS-CoV-2; results against pancreatic cancer are also encouraging, though studies in both indications are not definitive. The drug was very well tolerated for periods of 2 weeks to several months.<br><br>EXPERT OPINION: Upamostat is an orally bioavailable serine protease inhibitor with an excellent safety profile and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. It has demonstrated preliminary evidence of efficacy against COVID-19, and nonclinical data suggest potential applicability against other viral illnesses, gastrointestinal diseases, and cancer.}, }
@article {pmid37970169, year = {2023}, author = {Dhawan, V and Dhandore, S and Chakraborty, AB and Dhalaria, P and Jethwaney, J and Singh, AK}, title = {Exploring Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake during COVID-19: A Review of PM's Mann Ki Baat Dialogue.}, journal = {Indian journal of community medicine : official publication of Indian Association of Preventive &amp; Social Medicine}, volume = {48}, number = {5}, pages = {644-647}, pmid = {37970169}, issn = {0970-0218}, abstract = {Public health programmes are interlinked and intertwined with communication, advocacy and social mobilisation for their success. The unprecedented situation created by COVID-19 brought a medical emergency all over the world, the like of which was probably not seen after the Spanish Flu outbreak, a century ago. First there seemed no solution in sight when tens of thousands of people lost their lives to the coronavirus in various countries, but when the vaccine arrived, there were, in general, doubts about its efficacy and safety. Indian scenario was not any different. When the government launched the vaccine in a campaign mode in January 2021, it was also battling with misperceptions and vaccine hesitancy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took it upon himself to address the issue through his various addresses to the nation and his signature programme Mann ki Baat (MKB) on the radio. This review paper examines the empirical research on MKB coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, the media multiplier impact of the MKB, people's voices through their engagement with various social media platforms, and what is the impact on vaccine uptake.}, }
@article {pmid37970101, year = {2023}, author = {Rezler, ZV and Ko, E and Jin, E and Ishtiaq, M and Papaioannou, C and Kim, H and Hwang, K and Lin, YS and Colautti, J and Davison, KM and Thakkar, V}, title = {The Impact of COVID-19 on the Cardiovascular Health of Emerging Adults Aged 18-25: Findings From a Scoping Review.}, journal = {CJC pediatric and congenital heart disease}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {33-50}, pmid = {37970101}, issn = {2772-8129}, abstract = {There is limited knowledge regarding the cardiovascular impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on emerging adults aged 18-25, a group that disproportionately contracts COVID-19. To guide future cardiovascular disease (CVD) research, policy, and practice, a scoping review was conducted to: (i) examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cardiovascular health of emerging adults; and (ii) identify strategies to screen for and manage COVID-19-related cardiovascular complications in this age group. A comprehensive search strategy was applied to several academic databases and grey literature sources. An updated search yielded 6738 articles, 147 of which were extracted and synthesized. Reports identified COVID-19-associated cardiac abnormalities, vascular alterations, and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in emerging adults; based on data from student-athlete samples, prevalence estimates of myocarditis and cardiac abnormalities were 0.5%-3% and 0%-7%, respectively. Obesity, hypertension, CVD, congenital heart disease, and marginalization are potential risk factors for severe COVID-19, related cardiovascular complications, and mortality in this age group. As a screening modality for COVID-19-associated cardiac involvement, it is recommended that cardiac magnetic resonance imaging be indicated by a positive cardiac history and/or abnormal "triad" testing (cardiac troponin, electrocardiogram, and transthoracic echocardiogram) to improve diagnostic utility. To foster long-term cardiovascular health among emerging adults, cardiorespiratory fitness, health literacy and education, and telehealth accessibility should be priorities of health policy and clinical practice. Ultimately, surveillance data from the broader emerging adult population will be crucial to assess the long-term cardiovascular impact of both COVID-19 infection and vaccination, guide screening and management protocols, and inform CVD prevention efforts.}, }
@article {pmid37970095, year = {2023}, author = {Goswami, S and Chowdhury, JP}, title = {Antiviral attributes of bee venom as a possible therapeutic approach against SARS-CoV-2 infection.}, journal = {Future virology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37970095}, issn = {1746-0794}, abstract = {The unprecedented scale of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has driven considerable investigation into novel antiviral treatments since effective vaccination strategies cannot completely eradicate the virus. Apitherapy describes the medicinal use of bee venom, which may be an effective treatment against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Bee venom contains chemicals that are antimicrobial and stimulate the immune system to counteract viral load. The present review focuses on the use of bee venom as a possible treatment for COVID-19 and reviews studies on the pharmacodynamics of bee venom.}, }
@article {pmid35767238, year = {2023}, author = {Al-Maimoony, T and Al-Sageer, N and Bahaj, S and Al-Motarreb, A and Agati, L}, title = {Behavior of Coronavirus pandemic in Yemen: practical experience review.}, journal = {Minerva cardiology and angiology}, volume = {71}, number = {6}, pages = {653-658}, doi = {10.23736/S2724-5683.22.06109-9}, pmid = {35767238}, issn = {2724-5772}, mesh = {Humans ; Aged ; Pandemics ; Yemen/epidemiology ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics ; *Virus Diseases ; }, abstract = {COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, which spread, all over the world. The virus is spreading very easily and sustainably between people. Information from the ongoing pandemic disease suggests that this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Coronavirus constantly changes through mutation. When a virus has one or more new mutation, it has called a variant of concern. There is no data from Yemen to show what type of coronavirus variant is spread in Yemen. We believe it is a unique situation where almost all people have been affected by the coronavirus. We tested the cardiac center workers and we found all of them have positive results. No severe symptoms among our staff were reported and many of them suffered from mild to moderate symptoms, which does not need admission to the hospital. Young age among this worker sample may explain the mild severity of COVID-19 infection detected; another explanation is the frequent exposure to viral infection in Yemen and the type of coronavirus variant in Yemen. We conducted this review to describe the current situation and our experience during the pandemic and further studies are needed to identify the exact variant in Yemen and the immunity response for this coronavirus variant in the Yemeni Society.}, }
@article {pmid34772689, year = {2023}, author = {Routledge, M and Lyon, J and Vincent, C and Gordon Clarke, A and Shawcross, K and Turpin, C and Cormack, H and Robson, SC and Beckett, A and Glaysher, S and Cook, K and Fearn, C and Goudarzi, S and Hutley, EJ and Ross, D}, title = {Management of a large outbreak of COVID-19 at a British Army training centre: lessons for the future.}, journal = {BMJ military health}, volume = {169}, number = {6}, pages = {488-492}, doi = {10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-001976}, pmid = {34772689}, issn = {2633-3775}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Military Personnel ; Pandemics ; Disease Outbreaks ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed major challenges for infection control within training centres, both civilian and military. Here we present a narrative review of an outbreak that occurred at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in January-March 2021, in the context of the circulating, highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7.<br><br>METHODS: Testing for SARS-CoV-2 was performed using a combination of reverse transcriptase PCR and Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs). Testing and isolation procedures were conducted in line with a pre-established symptom stratification system. Genomic sequencing was performed on 10 sample isolates.<br><br>RESULTS: By the end of the outbreak, 185 cases (153 Officer Cadets, 32 permanent staff) had contracted confirmed COVID-19. This represented 15% of the total RMAS population. This resulted in 0 deaths and 0 hospitalisations, but due to necessary isolation procedures did represent an estimated 12&#x2009;959 person-days of lost training. 9 of 10 (90%) of sequenced isolates had a reportable lineage. All of those reported were found to be the Alpha lineage B.1.1.7.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We discuss the key lessons learnt from the after-action review by the Incident Management Team. These include the importance of multidisciplinary working, the utility of sync matrices to monitor outbreaks in real time, issues around Officer Cadets reporting symptoms, timing of high-risk training activities, infrastructure and use of LFDs. COVID-19 represents a vital learning opportunity to minimise the impact of potential future pandemics, which may produce considerably higher morbidity and mortality in military populations.}, }
@article {pmid37969814, year = {2023}, author = {Tan, HYT and Yau, JWK and Toh, MPHS and Vasoo, S and Leo, YS}, title = {Coronavirus disease and home recovery: a Singapore perspective.}, journal = {Western Pacific surveillance and response journal : WPSAR}, volume = {14}, number = {5 Spec edition}, pages = {1-7}, pmid = {37969814}, issn = {2094-7313}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Singapore/epidemiology ; Delivery of Health Care/methods ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention &amp; control ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: At the beginning of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Singapore, the strategy initially involved aggressive ring-fencing of infections, before pivoting towards managing recurrent local interspersed outbreaks of COVID-19. A key feature of Singapore's efforts to preserve health-care capacity was the implementation of the nationwide Home Recovery Programme (HRP), whereby patients were allowed to recover at home as long as they met certain criteria. The programme was centrally coordinated by Singapore's Ministry of Health and was supported by telemedicine providers, primary care physicians and government agencies. This report aims to highlight Singapore's experience in coordinating and implementing the HRP, the challenges faced and the outcomes.<br><br>METHODS: Published and internal data from the Ministry of Health in Singapore, along with policy documents, were reviewed together with a brief literature review of similar programmes conducted globally.<br><br>RESULTS: Implementation of the HRP led to the majority of patients (98%) recovering from COVID-19 in the outpatient setting, with similar mortality rates to inpatient settings. Hospitalization rates for COVID-19 cases were reduced as compared to previously, alleviating strain on the health-care system.<br><br>DISCUSSION: The HRP was largely successful at preventing health-care capacities from being overwhelmed, while keeping fatalities to a minimum. Nonetheless, the risks of emergent variants of concern remain present, and heightened vigilance and potential modification of existing protocols based on fluctuations in virulence and infectivity are still needed.}, }
@article {pmid37969632, year = {2023}, author = {Parillo, M and van der Molen, AJ and Asbach, P and Elsholtz, FHJ and Laghi, A and Ronot, M and Wu, JS and Mallio, CA and Quattrocchi, CC}, title = {The role of iodinated contrast media in computed tomography structured Reporting and Data Systems (RADS): a narrative review.}, journal = {Quantitative imaging in medicine and surgery}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {7621-7631}, pmid = {37969632}, issn = {2223-4292}, abstract = {BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In recent years, there has been a large-scale dissemination of guidelines in radiology in the form of Reporting &amp; Data Systems (RADS). The use of iodinated contrast media (ICM) has a fundamental role in enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of computed tomography (CT) but poses certain risks. The scope of the present review is to summarize the current role of ICM only in clinical reporting guidelines for CT that have adopted the "RADS" approach, focusing on three specific questions per each RADS: (I) what is the scope of the scoring system; (II) how is ICM used in the scoring system; (III) what is the impact of ICM enhancement on the scoring.<br><br>METHODS: We analyzed the original articles for each of the latest versions of RADS that can be used in CT [PubMed articles between January, 2005 and March, 2023 in English and American College of Radiology (ACR) official website].<br><br>KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: We found 14 RADS suitable for use in CT out of 28 RADS described in the literature. Four RADS were validated by the ACR: Colonography-RADS (C-RADS), Liver Imaging-RADS (LI-RADS), Lung CT Screening-RADS (Lung-RADS), and Neck Imaging-RADS (NI-RADS). One RADS was validated by the ACR in collaboration with other cardiovascular scientific societies: Coronary Artery Disease-RADS 2.0 (CAD-RADS). Nine RADS were proposed by other scientific groups: Bone Tumor Imaging-RADS (BTI-RADS), Bone&#x2011;RADS, Coronary Artery Calcium Data &amp; Reporting System (CAC-DRS), Coronavirus Disease 2019 Imaging-RADS (COVID-RADS), COVID-19-RADS (CO-RADS), Interstitial Lung Fibrosis Imaging-RADS (ILF-RADS), Lung-RADS (LU-RADS), Node-RADS, and Viral Pneumonia Imaging-RADS (VP-RADS).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This overview suggests that ICM is not strictly necessary for the study of bones and calcifications (CAC-DRS, BTI-RADS, Bone-RADS), lung parenchyma (Lung-RADS, LU-RADS, COVID-RADS, CO-RADS, VP-RADS and ILF-RADS), and in CT colonography (C-RADS). On the other hand, ICM plays a key role in CT angiography (CAD-RADS), in the study of liver parenchyma (LI-RADS), and in the evaluation of soft tissues and lymph nodes (NI-RADS, Node-RADS). Future studies are needed in order to evaluate the impact of the new iodinated and non-iodinate contrast media, artificial intelligence tools and dual energy CT in the assignment of RADS scores.}, }
@article {pmid37969468, year = {2023}, author = {Flanagan, P and Dowling, M and Sezgin, D and Mereckiene, J and Murphy, L and Giltenane, M and Carr, P and Gethin, G}, title = {The effectiveness of interventions to improve the seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses: A systematic review.}, journal = {Journal of infection prevention}, volume = {24}, number = {6}, pages = {268-277}, pmid = {37969468}, issn = {1757-1774}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Seasonal influenza is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite annual recommendations, influenza vaccination uptake rates are disproportionately lower among nurses compared to other health care professionals, especially when compared to physicians. Nurses have an additional risk of exposure to influenza infection due to the nature of their work.<br><br>AIM: To determine the effectiveness of interventions in increasing seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses.<br><br>METHODS: Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to improve seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses was systematically reviewed. A comprehensive search of six electronic databases and grey literature was undertaken. A minimum of two reviewers completed study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment independently.<br><br>RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four studies were identified of which one cluster randomised trial met the inclusion criteria. The results of the included study found the implementation of an intervention with multiple components increased nurses' seasonal influenza vaccination rates during a single influenza season in geriatric healthcare settings in France. As the evidence in this review was very limited, it was not possible to make recommendations regarding which interventions were effective at increasing the seasonal influenza vaccination rate for nurses.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This systematic review highlights a lack of high-quality studies that assessed interventions to improve the seasonal influenza vaccination of nurses. In view of the likelihood of influenza and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic occurring together, it is imperative to have evidence on effective interventions for the nursing workforce and for policy decision makers.}, }
@article {pmid37969311, year = {2023}, author = {Dai, Q and Zhu, X and Zhang, J and Dong, Z and Pompeo, E and Zheng, J and Shi, J}, title = {The utility of quantitative computed tomography in cohort studies of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review.}, journal = {Journal of thoracic disease}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {5784-5800}, pmid = {37969311}, issn = {2072-1439}, abstract = {BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT), a non-invasive imaging modality, offers the potential to assess lung structure and function in COPD patients. Amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, chest computed tomography (CT) scans have emerged as a viable alternative for assessing pulmonary function (e.g., spirometry), minimizing the risk of aerosolized virus transmission. However, the clinical application of QCT measurements is not yet widespread enough, necessitating broader validation to determine its usefulness in COPD management.<br><br>METHODS: We conducted a search in the PubMed database in English from January 1, 2013 to April 20, 2023, using keywords and controlled vocabulary related to QCT, COPD, and cohort studies.<br><br>KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: Existing studies have demonstrated the potential of QCT in providing valuable information on lung volume, airway geometry, airway wall thickness, emphysema, and lung tissue density in COPD patients. Moreover, QCT values have shown robust correlations with pulmonary function tests, and can predict exacerbation risk and mortality in patients with COPD. QCT can even discern COPD subtypes based on phenotypic characteristics such as emphysema predominance, supporting targeted management and interventions.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: QCT has shown promise in cohort studies related to COPD, since it can provide critical insights into the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. Further research is necessary to determine the clinical significance of QCT measurements for COPD management.}, }
@article {pmid37968996, year = {2023}, author = {Farizi, SA and Setyowati, D and Fatmaningrum, DA and Azyanti, AF}, title = {Telehealth and telemedicine prenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review with a narrative synthesis.}, journal = {Hospital practice (1995)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-14}, doi = {10.1080/21548331.2023.2284635}, pmid = {37968996}, issn = {2154-8331}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 epidemic has restricted the use of maternal health services, including prenatal care. Telehealth and telemedicine are remote services that can help in the event of a COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we examined the use of telehealth and telemedicine in prenatal care in various countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.<br><br>METHODS: Relevant titles were searched in five e-book databases from 31 December 2019 to 31 July 2021: PUBMED, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar. Articles were chosen based on the following criteria: a focus on pregnant women, a connection to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a focus on telehealth and telemedicine. A narrative synthesis was used to synthesize the data.<br><br>RESULTS: Telehealth and telemedicine reduced the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to pregnant women and health workers. The implementation process encountered various challenges, such as the absence of service composition, limited technological accessibility, communication difficulties, and disparities in access.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative for the government and health organizations to have a comprehensive policy and legislation that effectively regulates the provision of services. It is also important to emphasize the importance of reducing inequality, such as by equalizing access to technology and infrastructure.}, }
@article {pmid37968481, year = {2023}, author = {Ghosh, S and Dave, V and Sharma, P and Patel, A and Kuila, A}, title = {Protective face mask: an effective weapon against SARS-CoV-2 with controlled environmental pollution.}, journal = {Environmental science and pollution research international}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37968481}, issn = {1614-7499}, abstract = {Masks are face coverings that give protection from infectious agents, airborne pathogens, bacteria, viruses, surgical fog, dust, and other chemical hazards by acting as a barrier between the wearer and the environment. In the COVID-19 pandemic, this major personal protective equipment's became essential part of our daily life. The aim of this review is to analyze and discuss the different types of masks with their pros and cons, manufacturing procedures, evaluation criteria, and application with some of the sterilization process for reuse and smart mask. The review used a thorough examination of the literature to analyze the preventive effects of surgical, N95, smart mask, and potential environmental damage from those masks. Several studies and evidence were also examined to understand the efficiency of different mask on different environment. N95 respirators are capable of filtering out non-oil-based 95% air-born particles, and surgical masks act as a protective barrier between the wearer and the environment. The application of spoon bond and melt blown techniques in the fabrication process of those masks improves their protective nature and makes them lightweight and comfortable. But the high demand and low supply forced users to reuse and extend their use after sterilizations, even though those masks are recommended to be used once. Universal masking in the SARS-COV-2 pandemic increased the chance of environmental pollution, so the application of smart masks became essential because of their high protection power and self-sterilizing and reusing capabilities.}, }
@article {pmid37968055, year = {2023}, author = {Kar, S and Menberu, M and Priyadarshini, P and Sahu, KS and Behera, MR}, title = {Community-friendly tool to assess patient satisfaction in tuberculosis programme in the covid pandemic period; Bhubaneswar; India.}, journal = {The Indian journal of tuberculosis}, volume = {70}, number = {4}, pages = {483-488}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijtb.2023.04.015}, pmid = {37968055}, issn = {0019-5707}, mesh = {Adult ; Humans ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Directly Observed Therapy ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Tuberculosis/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; India/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is a priority programme for India, given that India is one of the 20 countries with high burden of TB. Odisha (a state in Eastern India) in 2017 reported 159/lakh/year cases as against a national average incidence of 138.33/lakh/year. Thus, the state, under an encouraging political milieu went to vigorously implement the newer initiatives outlined in the National Strategic Plan 2020-25, the result of which in 2021 Odisha was ranked second in the country for its efforts on TB elimination. The current article attempts to take community feedback on the programmatic endeavours, by using a tool for client satisfaction. 350 consecutive subjects, adults aged 18 years and above consented among the 465 who were diagnosed and started on treatment between 5/4/21 to 5/4/22. The selected subjects were interviewed after confirmation of diagnosis at one DOTS centre in an urban city, using a pre-designed and pretested tool after taking requisite ethical permission from the institute as well as after consent from the participating subjects. The tool had 10 items on structure; 10 items on the process and 3 on outcome each rated on a Likert scale of 1-5 (very satisfied to very dissatisfied) and lastly a score on 10 scale for overall satisfaction. For all the 24 items; alpha Cronbach coefficient was 0.928 (bootstrap 95% CI); for subscales infrastructure, process and outcome isolatedly was 0.931, 0.912 and 0.959 respectively. This shows that the questionnaire had very good reliability. Infrastructure mean score for all 10 questions was above 4.5; for processes, it was <4.05 for a few questions and mainly these referred to Out of pocket expenditures and waiting time; outcome again for all three questions mean score was near or above 4.4. The overall score was between 5 and 10; maximally at 8. This simple tool gave clear-cut hints at the best picture scenario, as the study was done at a single DOTS service centre in the capital city of the state, which ran effectively even during the pandemic. However, it brings out the weak points in the processes like the cost incurred to come to the centre and communication with ancillary staff. No difference in satisfaction levels was reported among pulmonary and extrapulmonary cases (ratio 8.4:1.5) in this study in the covid period; with overall satisfaction being 4.45 ± 0.44 and 4.41 ± 0.25 respectively. The promptness in the programmatic services at the DOTS centre under study is encouraging but warrants conformity with DOTS centres in rural and far-to-reach areas. Best evaluation of achievements of programme can be determined by word of mouth of the beneficiaries. Hence, this tool if replicated at all service centres can help programme managers plug any disconnects in service delivery and assure good satisfaction from all quarters.}, }
@article {pmid37968042, year = {2023}, author = {Arora, VK and Jindal, SK and Katiyar, SK and Behra, D and Talwar, D and Sarin, R and Dhar, R and Mehta, P and Bhargava, S and Singhal, P and Joshi, S and Tiwaskar, M and Nikam, C and Chatterjee, A and Vora, A}, title = {Genomic revolution: Transforming tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment with the use of Whole Genome Sequencing - A consensus statement.}, journal = {The Indian journal of tuberculosis}, volume = {70}, number = {4}, pages = {383-389}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijtb.2023.10.002}, pmid = {37968042}, issn = {0019-5707}, abstract = {Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable, treatable, and curable disease. However, in 2020, 9∙9 million people were estimated to have developed tuberculosis, and 1.5 million people were estimated to have died from it. Whereas in India, 2.6 million were diagnosed with TB and 436,000 succumbed to TB in 2019. India (26%) is the major contributor to the global drop in TB cases. The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially reduced access to services for the diagnosis and treatment of TB, resulting in an increase in deaths and a reversal in global progress. [1] Presently, TB incidence is falling at a rate of 2% per year, obstructed mainly by the rearing pandemic of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB). Particularly concerning is multi-drug resistant TB (MDRTB), defined as resistance towards isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). [2] The World Health Organization (WHO) targeted to reduce worldwide TB incidence by 90% until 2035. (1) Early initiation of effective treatment based on susceptibility patterns of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is considered key to successful TB control in countries with high DRTB incidence. Worldwide MDRTB treatment outcomes are poor, with cure rates less than 60% (2) due to the lack of comprehensive Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) in most high MDRTB burden countries. This is leading to the inadequate anti-TB activity of the provided regimens (3-5), unlike regimens advised for DST assure optimal results. (6) In addition to resistances to the established regimens, the resistance to the newer DRTB drugs is increasing. On World TB Day 2022, Academy of Advanced Medical Education, Thyrocare Technologies Limited and HyastackAnalytics - IITB along with expert pulmonologist and renowned physicians from India convened for an advisory board meeting in Delhi on 20th March 2022 to discuss the role of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in the diagnosis and management of TB. Objectives and specific topics relating to WGS in MDRTB were discussed, each expert shared their views, which led to a group discussion with a commitment to putting the patient first, and increasing their collective efforts, the organizations recognized that it is possible to make this goal a reality. The organizations involved in the discussion have declared their commitment to engaging in collaborative efforts to tackle DRTB detection efficiently. They advocate for strengthening access to WGS TB services, controlling and preventing TB, improving surveillance and drug resistance management, and investing in research and development. This Round Table serves as a framework to build on and ensure that the goal of ending TB is achievable with WGS services wherever needed. Post discussion, a uniform consensus was said to be arrived if more than 80% board members agreed to the statement. The present paper is the outcome of aspects presented and discussed in the advisory board meeting.}, }
@article {pmid37968021, year = {2023}, author = {Kusumoto, FM and Bittl, JA and Creager, MA and Dauerman, HL and Lala, A and McDermott, MM and Turco, JV and Taqueti, VR and Fuster, V and , }, title = {Challenges and Controversies in Peer Review: JACC Review Topic of the Week.}, journal = {Journal of the American College of Cardiology}, volume = {82}, number = {21}, pages = {2054-2062}, doi = {10.1016/j.jacc.2023.08.056}, pmid = {37968021}, issn = {1558-3597}, mesh = {Humans ; *Pandemics ; Peer Review/methods ; *Medicine ; Communication ; Data Accuracy ; Peer Review, Research ; }, abstract = {The process of peer review has been the gold standard for evaluating medical science, but significant pressures from the recent COVID-19 pandemic, new methods of communication, larger amounts of research, and an evolving publication landscape have placed significant pressures on this system. A task force convened by the American College of Cardiology identified the 5 most significant controversies associated with the current peer-review process: the effect of preprints, reviewer blinding, reviewer selection, reviewer incentivization, and publication of peer reviewer comments. Although specific solutions to these issues will vary, regardless of how scientific communication evolves, peer review must remain an essential process for ensuring scientific integrity, timely dissemination of information, and better patient care. In medicine, the peer-review process is crucial because harm can occur if poor-quality data or incorrect conclusions are published. With the dramatic increase in scientific publications and new methods of communication, high-quality peer review is more important now than ever.}, }
@article {pmid37967881, year = {2023}, author = {Wie, SH and Jung, J and Kim, WJ}, title = {Effective Vaccination and Education Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases Such as COVID-19.}, journal = {Journal of Korean medical science}, volume = {38}, number = {44}, pages = {e371}, pmid = {37967881}, issn = {1598-6357}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; *Communicable Diseases, Emerging/prevention &amp; control ; Vaccination ; *Influenza Vaccines ; }, abstract = {Social isolation and control owing to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are easing; however, concerns regarding new infectious diseases have not disappeared. Given epidemic experiences such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the influenza pandemic, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and COVID-19, it is necessary to prepare for the outbreak of new infectious diseases and situations in which large-scale vaccinations are required. Although the development of vaccines against COVID-19 has contributed greatly to overcoming the pandemic, concerning vaccine side effects from the general public, including medical personnel, and decreased confidence in vaccine efficacy and side effects, present many challenges in promoting and educating vaccinations for new infectious diseases in the future. In addition to plans to develop vaccines for the outbreak of new infectious diseases, education and promotion plans are necessary to administer the latest developments of vaccines to the general public. Moreover, efforts are needed to secure the necessity, legitimacy, and evidence for rapid vaccination on a large scale at the national level. It is also necessary to carefully prepare scientific bases and explanatory statements so that the general public can easily understand them. This study aimed to establish vaccine strategies and vaccination education plans for new infectious diseases that may occur in the future. Many ways to promote vaccination to the general public and healthcare workers should be prepared to ensure that the latest vaccines against new infectious diseases are administered safely. Thus, education and promotion of vaccine efficacy and safety based on specific data from clinical studies are necessary.}, }
@article {pmid37967735, year = {2023}, author = {Kim, YM and Mun, SJ}, title = {Evaluating an Oral Health Education Program for Korean Soldiers during the COVID-19 Era: Applying Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescent Technology- A pilot study.}, journal = {Photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {103877}, doi = {10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103877}, pmid = {37967735}, issn = {1873-1597}, abstract = {PURPOSE: This study aimed to provide a basis for the development of a remote oral health education program for soldiers enlisted during the COVID-19 era(August-September, 2021) by conducting oral health education using quantitative light-induced fluorescent technology and then comparing Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (QHPI) and oral health knowledge, awareness, and behavior.<br><br>METHODS: Thirty soldiers serving in a military hospital in South Korea were classified into two groups using simple random sampling. The experimental group implemented oral health education and self-managed using quantitative light-induced fluorescent technology, whereas the control group implemented oral health education alone. It was performed for 8 weeks at 2-week intervals. Thereafter, oral health knowledge, awareness, and behavior were surveyed, and QHPI was measured. Changes between and within groups over time were analyzed.<br><br>RESULTS: QHPI was statistically significantly reduced in the experimental group over time. Oral health knowledge, awareness, and behavior scores were higher in the experimental group than in the control group, with statistically significant differences. Oral health education considering the characteristics of soldiers, who utilized quantitative light-induced fluorescent technology, was shown to be effective, and this effect requires further research through a longitudinal study.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that oral health education based on quantitative light-induced fluorescent technology should be a useful tool for improving the oral hygiene status, oral health knowledge, awareness, and behavior of Korean soldiers.}, }
@article {pmid37967722, year = {2023}, author = {Wash, A and Moczygemba, LR and Brown, CM and Crismon, ML and Whittaker, TA}, title = {A Narrative Review of the Well-being and Burnout of U.S. Community Pharmacists.}, journal = {Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.japh.2023.11.017}, pmid = {37967722}, issn = {1544-3450}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the literature on well-being and burnout among community pharmacists in the U.S. and provide recommendations for future research.<br><br>METHODS: Relevant literature was identified by searching PubMed for combinations of keywords such as "burnout" and "well-being" combined with "pharmacists." Titles and abstracts were reviewed for relevancy, and full text articles were reviewed when applicable.<br><br>RESULTS: While burnout is defined by its three core symptoms of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment, well-being is more challenging to define and measure, which has led to it being less studied. Community pharmacists faced high rates of burnout, low quality of life, and extreme fatigue prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a situation that has likely only worsened. Factors such as workload, the type of community pharmacy, the level of education or training of the pharmacist, and stress may be some of the contributors to high rates of burnout. Clinician burnout may be related to high rates of mental health disorders seen in pharmacists, may impact patient safety and satisfaction, and may affect productivity and costs to employers and the healthcare system overall. There has been no research into interventions or strategies to support well-being and reduce burnout among community pharmacists, but having a workplace that is perceived as supporting well-being may have some impact. Recommendations for future research include: (1) define well-being, (2) explore why various factors support well-being or contribute to burnout, (3) determine the impact of community pharmacists experiencing well-being or burnout, and (4) develop strategies to support well-being and reduce burnout that are specific to community pharmacy.<br><br>CONCLUSION: There is a sparsity of evidence regarding community pharmacist well-being and burnout. Further research is needed to generate the evidence needed to support interventions that are specific to the unique work setting of community pharmacists.}, }
@article {pmid37967534, year = {2023}, author = {Bosire, EN and Cho, A and Kamau, LW and Bosire, V and Mendenhall, E}, title = {Views on COVID-19 vaccination among residents of Eldoret, Kenya during the 2021 vaccine rollout.}, journal = {Global public health}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {2278877}, doi = {10.1080/17441692.2023.2278877}, pmid = {37967534}, issn = {1744-1706}, mesh = {Pregnancy ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Kenya/epidemiology ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; *Vaccines ; Vaccination ; }, abstract = {The Government of Kenya initiated COVID-19 vaccination program in March 2021. However, vaccine uptake remains low, especially in rural areas in Kenya. We interviewed 40 residents of Eldoret town to explore the knowledge, beliefs, and meanings they attach towards vaccines generally, and why they chose to vaccinate or not. Two-thirds of our participants perceived themselves to be at risk of COVID-19 infections. About half demonstrated willingness to be vaccinated and about a third had been vaccinated. All participants were knowledgeable about the broader benefits of vaccination. Yet, widespread beliefs that vaccination programmes target children and pregnant women decreased vaccine acceptance. Also, we found that concerns about vaccine safety, lack of knowledge, misinformation from social media, and conspiracy theories contributed to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Eldoret. Low COVID-19 vaccination rates and hesitancy - even when the vaccines are accessible and free in Kenya - cannot be ignored. The current COVID-19 vaccination prioritisation schedule (distinct from the usual structure where children, childbearing women are prioritised) and beliefs that older people are targeted to test vaccines efficacy must be addressed through improved communication and mass education. More research is needed to investigate the socio-economic, political, and historical factors that influence vaccine hesitancy in Kenya.}, }
@article {pmid37966624, year = {2023}, author = {Cyril, AC and Ali, NM and Nelliyulla Parambath, A and Vazhappilly, CG and Jan, RK and Karuvantevida, N and Aburamadan, H and Lozon, Y and Radhakrishnan, R}, title = {Nigella sativa and its chemical constituents: pre-clinical and clinical evidence for their potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects.}, journal = {Inflammopharmacology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37966624}, issn = {1568-5608}, support = {ALM20-0075//MBRU AL MAHMEED Research Grant/ ; }, abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over 500 million reported cases of COVID-19 worldwide with relatively high morbidity and mortality. Although global vaccination drive has helped control the pandemic, the newer variant of the virus still holds the world in ransom. Several medicinal herbs with antiviral properties have been reported, and one such promising herb is Nigella sativa (NS). Recent molecular docking, pre-clinical, and clinical studies have shown that NS extracts may have the potential to prevent the entry of coronaviruses into the host cell as well as to treat and manage COVID-19 symptoms. Several active compounds from NS, such as nigelledine, α-hederin, dithymoquinone (DTQ), and thymoquinone (TQ), have been proposed as excellent ligands to target angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2 receptors) and other targets on host cells as well as the spike protein (S protein) on SARS-CoV-2. By binding to these target proteins, these ligands could potentially prevent the binding between ACE2 and S protein. Though several articles have been published on the promising therapeutic role of NS and its constituents against SARS-CoV-2 infection, in this review, we consolidate the published information on NS and SARS-CoV-2, focusing on pre-clinical in silico studies as well as clinical trials reported between 2012 and 2023.}, }
@article {pmid37966587, year = {2023}, author = {Sourani, A and Vahdat, N and Son, C and Hariri, OR and Rezvani, M and Foroughi, M and Mirza, R and Sourani, A and Baradaran Mahdavi, S}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 infection and spontaneous spinal hemorrhage: a systematic review.}, journal = {Neurosurgical review}, volume = {46}, number = {1}, pages = {300}, pmid = {37966587}, issn = {1437-2320}, abstract = {The neurological manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, including spontaneous spinal hemorrhage (SSH), are diverse. SSH is a detrimental neurosurgical event requiring immediate medical attention. We aimed to investigate the association between SARS-CoV-2 and SSH and delineate a rational clinical approach. The authors searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published up to January 25, 2023, on SSH and SARS-CoV-2 infection. For each dataset, the authors performed pooled estimates examining three outcomes of interest: (1) early post-intervention neurological status, (2) mortality, and (3) post-intervention neurological rehabilitation outcomes. After reviewing 1341 results, seven datasets were identified for the final analysis. Fifty-seven percent of patients were females. Twenty-eight percent of the patients experienced severe systemic infection. The mean interval between the SARS-CoV-2 infection and neurological presentation was 18 days. Pain and sensorimotor deficits were the most common (57%). Spinal epidural hematoma (EDH) was the most common presentation (71.4%). Three patients were treated conservatively, while 4 received neurosurgical intervention. Pain and sensorimotor deficits had the best treatment response (100%), while the sphincter had the worst response (0%). Long-term follow-up showed that 71% of patients had good recovery. SARS-CoV-2-associated SSH is a rare complication of infection, with an often insidious presentation that requires high clinical suspicion. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and new neurological symptoms or disproportionate neck or back pain require a neuroaxis evaluation. Neurosurgical intervention and conservative management are both viable options to treat SSH following COVID-19. Still, a homogenous approach to the treatment paradigm of SSH cannot be obtained, but lesions with space-occupying effects are suitable for neurosurgical evacuation-decompression while more indolent lesions could be treated conservatively. These options should be tailored individually until larger studies provide a consensus.}, }
@article {pmid37966529, year = {2023}, author = {Giamarellos-Bourboulis, EJ}, title = {Adjunctive treatment in COVID-19 and sepsis-What did we learn?.}, journal = {Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37966529}, issn = {2193-6226}, abstract = {The introduction of anakinra, baricitinib and tocilizumab into the treatment armamentarium of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reinforced the concept of immunotherapy for bacterial sepsis. The current review investigates how the example of COVID-19 may be extrapolated to sepsis using a three-step approach. In the first step, the clinical evidence on how the immunotherapy of COVID-19 assisted viral clearance is presented. In a second step, the indications acquired from human and animal studies on the need to employ strategies with primary effective phagocytosis in sepsis are presented. In a final step, lessons learnt from COVID-19 immunotherapy are applied for sepsis. The end result is that sepsis immunotherapy should rely on the use of biomarkers which provide information on the activation of a specific prevailing mechanism in order to enable the selection of the appropriate drug.}, }
@article {pmid37966386, year = {2023}, author = {Jarota, M}, title = {[Health and safety challenges in medical entities and the powers of the social labor inspector: Lessons related to the COVID-19 outbreak in the context of internal control of employee health and safety].}, journal = {Medycyna pracy}, volume = {74}, number = {4}, pages = {301-316}, doi = {10.13075/mp.5893.01347}, pmid = {37966386}, issn = {2353-1339}, abstract = {Employees in the medical profession in a situation where the life of a patient is at risk cannot refrain from working due to unsafe working conditions. Therefore, enforcing the right to safe and hygienic working conditions is particularly important so that employees can provide health care services without additional burdens. The purpose of the study is to determine how the social labour inspector can respond to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards and whether the current powers of the social labor inspectorate as the employer's internal OHS control body are sufficient. The study conducted a regulatory analysis and used relevant literature, including recent studies on law enforcement. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted among trade union representatives of medical professionals on the evaluation of social labour inspector activities and OHS hazards during the COVID-19 epidemic period. In this period characterized by many OHS risks in medical entities, the difficulties faced by employers in carrying out their duty to protect the health of their employees became apparent. The system of internal control with the participation of the social labour inspection in this context needs changes, due to the fact that it is used in an inefficient manner. The reasons for this are primarily incomplete legal regulations. The legislator should guarantee the social labour inspector the right to use both methods of rewarding the employer as an incentive for the proper performance of duties and measures to deter violations of the law. Despite the fact that Polish labour law guarantees mechanisms for OHS control by the social labour inspector, it would be appropriate to expand the catalog of measures used by him to effectively motivate employers to protect worker health. This study is a prelude to a broader discussion of OHS monitoring in the context of OHS hazards occurring in healthcare entities. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(4):301-16.}, }
@article {pmid37966199, year = {2023}, author = {Ahmad, F and Deshmukh, N and Webel, A and Johnson, S and Suleiman, A and Mohan, RR and Fraunfelder, F and Singh, PK}, title = {Viral infections and pathogenesis of glaucoma: a comprehensive review.}, journal = {Clinical microbiology reviews}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e0005723}, doi = {10.1128/cmr.00057-23}, pmid = {37966199}, issn = {1098-6618}, support = {R01 EY032495/EY/NEI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {SUMMARYGlaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, caused by the gradual degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and their axons. While glaucoma is primarily considered a genetic and age-related disease, some inflammatory conditions, such as uveitis and viral-induced anterior segment inflammation, cause secondary or uveitic glaucoma. Viruses are predominant ocular pathogens and can impose both acute and chronic pathological insults to the human eye. Many viruses, including herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, rubella virus, dengue virus, chikungunya virus, Ebola virus, and, more recently, Zika virus (ZIKV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), have been associated with sequela of either primary or secondary glaucoma. Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest the association between these viruses and subsequent glaucoma development. Despite this, the ocular manifestation and sequela of viral infections are not well understood. In fact, the association of viruses with glaucoma is considered relatively uncommon in part due to underreporting and/or lack of long-term follow-up studies. In recent years, literature on the pathological spectrum of emerging viral infections, such as ZIKV and SARS-CoV-2, has strengthened this proposition and renewed research activity in this area. Clinical studies from endemic regions as well as laboratory and preclinical investigations demonstrate a strong link between an infectious trigger and development of glaucomatous pathology. In this article, we review the current understanding of the field with a particular focus on viruses and their association with the pathogenesis of glaucoma.}, }
@article {pmid37965793, year = {2023}, author = {Nyasulu, PS and Tamuzi, JL}, title = {Epidemiology, clinical profiles, and prognostic value of COVID-19-related cutaneous manifestations in African populations: a rapid narrative review.}, journal = {International journal of dermatology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/ijd.16872}, pmid = {37965793}, issn = {1365-4632}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Skin manifestations' true prognostic value, and clinical and epidemiological pictures in SARS-CoV-2 infection in African populations are poorly described and understudied. More familiarity with COVID-19 cutaneous manifestations may aid in early clinical diagnosis or guide prognosis.<br><br>METHODS: In this literature review, we looked for potential studies published from December 2019 to March 2023 on COVID-19 cutaneous lesions in African populations. Our key questions were focused on the prognostic values of cutaneous manifestations related to COVID-19.<br><br>RESULTS: Our findings show that cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 vary by country and severity of COVID-19, primarily multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). Significant differences were also found between various dermatological lesions, primarily MIS, erythema multiforme-like, livedoid, vesicular, or varicella-like rashes, urticarial, maculopapular or morbilliform rashes, and chilblain-like or pernio-like rashes. There were 47.5% (115/242) of MIS cases reported in nine published African studies. Our findings also revealed that MIS may be diagnosed in 2-7&#x2009;days due to early onset rash. Advanced age, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, HIV, tuberculosis, asthma, atopic disease, underweight, malnutrition, and malignancy were found to be associated with COVID-19 cutaneous manifestations in African populations.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19-related skin manifestations in African populations are important as a driving force in COVID-19 prognosis.}, }
@article {pmid37965564, year = {2023}, author = {Ferreira, BL and Ferreira, DP and Borges, SF and Ferreira, AM and Holanda, FH and Ucella-Filho, JGM and Cruz, RAS and Birolli, WG and Luque, R and Ferreira, IM}, title = {Diclofenac, ibuprofen, and paracetamol biodegradation: overconsumed non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drugs at COVID-19 pandemic.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1207664}, pmid = {37965564}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have increased significantly in the last years (2020-2022), especially for patients in COVID-19 treatment. NSAIDs such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, and paracetamol are often available without restrictions, being employed without medical supervision for basic symptoms of inflammatory processes. Furthermore, these compounds are increasingly present in nature constituting complex mixtures discarded at domestic and hospital sewage/wastewater. Therefore, this review emphasizes the biodegradation of diclofenac, ibuprofen, and paracetamol by pure cultures or consortia of fungi and bacteria at in vitro, in situ, and ex situ processes. Considering the influence of different factors (inoculum dose, pH, temperature, co-factors, reaction time, and microbial isolation medium) relevant for the identification of highly efficient alternatives for pharmaceuticals decontamination, since biologically active micropollutants became a worldwide issue that should be carefully addressed. In addition, we present a quantitative bibliometric survey, which reinforces that the consumption of these drugs and consequently their impact on the environment goes beyond the epidemiological control of COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37638680, year = {2023}, author = {Witucki, A and Rudge, DW and Pleasants, B and Dai, P and Beane, WS}, title = {Redesigning a course based undergraduate research experience for online delivery.}, journal = {Biochemistry and molecular biology education : a bimonthly publication of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology}, volume = {51}, number = {6}, pages = {670-677}, doi = {10.1002/bmb.21780}, pmid = {37638680}, issn = {1539-3429}, support = {1652312//National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Pandemics ; *Students ; Learning ; }, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic forced educators to teach in an online environment. This was particularly challenging for those teaching courses that are intended to support bench science research. This practitioner article tells the story of how an instructor transformed their Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) using the Backwards Design Method into a synchronous online course. Research objectives in this transformed course included: conducting a literature review, identifying research questions and hypotheses based on literature, and developing practical and appropriate research methodologies to test these hypotheses. We provide details on how assignments were created to walk students through the process of research study design and conclude with recommendations for the implementation of an online CURE. Recommendations made by the instructor include scaffolding the design, building opportunities for collaboration, and allowing students to fail in order to teach the value of iteration. The Backwards Design framework naturally lends itself to a scaffolded instructional approach. By identifying the learning objectives and final assessment, the learning activities can be designed to help students overcome difficult concepts by filling in the gaps with purposeful instruction and collaborative opportunities. This present course also practiced iteration through the extensive feedback offered by the instructor and opportunities for students to revise their work as their understanding deepened. Anecdotally, based on end of course reviews, students overall had a positive experience with this course. Future work will examine the efficacy of student learning in this online environment and is forthcoming.}, }
@article {pmid37558650, year = {2023}, author = {Noble, CCA and Messina, NL and Pittet, LF and Curtis, N}, title = {Interpreting the Results of Trials of BCG Vaccination for Protection Against COVID-19.}, journal = {The Journal of infectious diseases}, volume = {228}, number = {10}, pages = {1467-1478}, pmid = {37558650}, issn = {1537-6613}, mesh = {Humans ; BCG Vaccine ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; Vaccination ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; }, abstract = {BCG vaccination has beneficial off-target ("nonspecific") effects on nonmycobacterial infections. On this premise, trials set out to investigate whether BCG provides off-target protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A literature search identified 11 randomized "BCG COVID-19" trials, with conflicting results. These trials and the differences in their study design are discussed using the PICOT (participants, intervention, control, outcome, and timing) framework to highlight the factors that likely explain their inconsistent findings. These include participant age, sex and comorbid conditions, BCG vaccination strain and dose, outcome measure and duration of follow-up. Understanding how to control these factors to best exploit BCG's off-target effects will be important in designing future trials and intervention strategies.}, }
@article {pmid37965386, year = {2023}, author = {Mehta, D and Kelkar, R and Patel, N and Trivedi, PD and Dawoodi, S and Patel, D and Solanki, D and Hussain, A and Nagaraj, S and Khayat, A and Samala Venkata, V and Mansuri, U and Patel, UK and Sacks, H and Atreja, A}, title = {Gastrointestinal Manifestations and Outcomes of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e47028}, pmid = {37965386}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {Introduction Pulmonary symptoms are the most prominent manifestations of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have been reported widely as well. Literature describing the relation of these symptoms with outcomes of COVID-19 patients is limited in terms of sample size, geographic diversity, and the spectrum of GI symptoms included. We aim to evaluate the association of GI symptoms with outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies assessing GI symptoms and outcomes in COVID-19 patients were undertaken using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria and the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) checklist. Details on outcomes included ICU vs. non-ICU admission, severe vs. non-severe disease, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) vs. no-IMV use, oxygen saturation <90% vs. >90%, in-hospital mortality vs. discharged alive and survivors. We obtained the odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (95%CI), and forest plots. Sensitivity analysis was used to analyze publication bias and heterogeneity. Results In 35 studies with 7931 confirmed COVID-19 patients, we found that anorexia (pooled OR:2.05; 95%CI: 1.36-3.09, p=0.0006) and abdominal pain (OR 2.80; 95%CI: 1.41-5.54, p=0.003) were associated with a higher risk of poor outcomes and no such association was found for diarrhea (OR 1.04; 95%CI: 0.85-1.26, p=0.71), nausea (OR 0.73; 95%CI: 0.38-1.39, p=0.34) and vomiting (OR 1.24; 95%CI 0.86-1.79, p=0.25). Conclusion The meta-analysis concludes that anorexia and abdominal pain are associated with poor outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, while diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting have no association. Future research should focus on whether detecting GI invasion in conjunction with fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing can aid in the early triage of high-risk individuals and improve outcomes.}, }
@article {pmid37965276, year = {2023}, author = {Gyu Choi, H and Woong Kwon, K and Jae Shin, S}, title = {Importance of adjuvant selection in tuberculosis vaccine development: Exploring basic mechanisms and clinical implications.}, journal = {Vaccine: X}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {100400}, pmid = {37965276}, issn = {2590-1362}, abstract = {The global emergency of unexpected pathogens, exemplified by SARS-CoV-2, has emphasized the importance of vaccines in thwarting infection and curtailing the progression of severe disease. The scourge of tuberculosis (TB), emanating from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) complex, has inflicted a more profound toll in terms of mortality and morbidity than any other infectious agents prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Despite the existence of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the only licensed vaccine developed a century ago, its efficacy against TB remains unsatisfactory, particularly in preventing pulmonary Mtb infections in adolescents and adults. However, collaborations between academic and industrial entities have led to a renewed impetus in the development of TB vaccines, with numerous candidates, particularly subunit vaccines with specialized adjuvants, exhibiting promising outcomes in recent clinical studies. Adjuvants are crucial in modulating optimal immunological responses, by endowing immune cells with sufficient antigen and immune signals. As exemplified by the COVID-19 vaccine landscape, the interplay between vaccine efficacy and adverse effects is of paramount importance, particularly for the elderly and individuals with underlying ailments such as diabetes and concurrent infections. In this regard, adjuvants hold the key to optimizing vaccine efficacy and safety. This review accentuates the pivotal roles of adjuvants and their underlying mechanisms in the development of TB vaccines. Furthermore, we expound on the prospects for the development of more efficacious adjuvants and their synergistic combinations for individuals in diverse states, such as aging, HIV co-infection, and diabetes, by examining the immunological alterations that arise with aging and comparing them with those observed in younger cohorts.}, }
@article {pmid37965069, year = {2023}, author = {Koraishy, FM and Mallipattu, SK}, title = {Dialysis resource allocation in critical care: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the promise of big data analytics.}, journal = {Frontiers in nephrology}, volume = {3}, number = {}, pages = {1266967}, pmid = {37965069}, issn = {2813-0626}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an unprecedented burden on intensive care units (ICUs). With increased demands and limited supply, critical care resources, including dialysis machines, became scarce, leading to the undertaking of value-based cost-effectiveness analyses and the rationing of resources to deliver patient care of the highest quality. A high proportion of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU required dialysis, resulting in a major burden on resources such as dialysis machines, nursing staff, technicians, and consumables such as dialysis filters and solutions and anticoagulation medications. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based big data analytics are now being utilized in multiple data-driven healthcare services, including the optimization of healthcare system utilization. Numerous factors can impact dialysis resource allocation to critically ill patients, especially during public health emergencies, but currently, resource allocation is determined using a small number of traditional factors. Smart analytics that take into account all the relevant healthcare information in the hospital system and patient outcomes can lead to improved resource allocation, cost-effectiveness, and quality of care. In this review, we discuss dialysis resource utilization in critical care, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how AI can improve resource utilization in future public health emergencies. Research in this area should be an important priority.}, }
@article {pmid37964895, year = {2023}, author = {Waite, E and Ahmed, Z}, title = {How safe and effective are paediatric virtual fracture clinics? A systematic review.}, journal = {Frontiers in digital health}, volume = {5}, number = {}, pages = {1261035}, pmid = {37964895}, issn = {2673-253X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Virtual fracture clinics (VFC) involve a consultant-led multidisciplinary team meeting where cases are reviewed before a telephone consultation with the patient. VFCs have the advantages of reducing waiting times, outpatient appointments and time off school compared to face-to-face (F2F) fracture clinics. There has been a surge in VFC use since the COVID-19 pandemic but there are still concerns over safety in the paediatric population. Fractures make up a large burden of paediatric injuries, therefore research is required on the safety and efficacy of paediatric VFCs. This systematic review will look at the safety and effectiveness of paediatric VFCs, as well as determine the cost-effectiveness and parent preferences.<br><br>METHODS: As per the PRISMA guidelines two independent reviewers searched the following databases: Medline, Embase and Web of Science. Studies were included if children under 18 years old presented to A&amp;E with a suspected or confirmed simple un-displaced fracture and were referred to a VFC. The primary outcomes assessed were effectiveness and safety, with the secondary outcomes of cost-effectiveness and parent satisfaction.<br><br>RESULTS: Six studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. There was a high rate of direct discharge from the VFC leading to reduced outpatient appointments. All patients were seen within 72&#x2005;h of presentation. There were limited incidences of missed fractures and the rates of re-presentation were similar to that of F2F orthopaedic clinics. There were significant cost savings for the hospitals and high parent satisfaction.<br><br>DISCUSSION: VFCs have shown to be safe and effective at managing most stable, low operative risk paediatric fractures. Safety must be ensured with a telephone helpline and an open return to fracture clinic policy. More research is needed into specific paediatric fracture types to be managed in the VFC.<br><br>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#searchadvanced, identifier: CRD42023423795.}, }
@article {pmid37964554, year = {2023}, author = {Pierre, V and Draica, F and Di Fusco, M and Yang, J and Nunez-Gonzalez, S and Kamar, J and Lopez, S and Moran, MM and Nguyen, J and Alvarez, P and Cha-Silva, A and Gavaghan, M and Yehoshua, A and Stapleton, N and Burnett, H}, title = {The impact of vaccination and outpatient treatment on the economic burden of covid-19 in the United States omicron era: a systematic literature review.}, journal = {Journal of medical economics}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-39}, doi = {10.1080/13696998.2023.2281882}, pmid = {37964554}, issn = {1941-837X}, abstract = {AIMS: To identify and synthesize evidence regarding how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) interventions, including vaccines and outpatient treatments, have impacted healthcare resource use (HCRU) and costs in the United States (US) during the Omicron era.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed to identify articles published between 1 January 2021 and 10 March 2023 that assessed the impact of vaccination and outpatient treatment on costs and HCRU outcomes associated with COVID-19. Screening was performed by two independent researchers using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria.<br><br>RESULTS: Fifty-eight unique studies were included in the SLR, of which all reported HCRU outcomes, and one reported costs. Overall, there was a significant reduction in the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization for patients who received an original monovalent primary series vaccine plus booster dose vs. no vaccination. Moreover, receipt of a booster vaccine was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization vs. primary series vaccination. Evidence also indicated a significantly reduced risk of hospitalizations among recipients of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r), remdesivir, sotrovimab, and molnupiravir compared to non-recipients. Treated and/or vaccinated patients also experienced reductions in ICU admissions, length of stay, and emergency department (ED)/urgent care clinic encounters.<br><br>LIMITATIONS: The identified studies may not represent unique patient populations as many utilized the same regional/national data sources. Synthesis of the evidence was also limited by differences in populations, outcome definitions, and varying duration of follow-up across studies. Additionally, significant gaps, including HCRU associated with long COVID and various high-risk populations and cost data, were observed.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Despite evidence gaps, findings from the SLR highlight the significant positive impact that vaccination and outpatient treatment have had on HCRU in the US, including periods of Omicron predominance. Continued research is needed to inform clinical and policy decision-making in the US as COVID-19 continues to evolve as an endemic disease.}, }
@article {pmid37964122, year = {2023}, author = {Fumagalli, V and Iannacone, M}, title = {The interplay of drug therapeutics and immune responses to SARS-CoV-2.}, journal = {Cellular &amp; molecular immunology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37964122}, issn = {2042-0226}, support = {725038, 957502, 101138728//EC | EC Seventh Framework Programm | FP7 Ideas: European Research Council (FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific Programme: "Ideas" Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007 to 2013))/ ; 19891, 22737//Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (Italian Association for Cancer Research)/ ; PE00000007 (INF-ACT), PRIN 2022FMESXL//Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Universit&#xe0; e della Ricerca (Ministry of Education, University and Research)/ ; }, abstract = {The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has necessitated rapid therapeutic and preventative responses. While vaccines form the frontline of defense, antiviral treatments such as nirmatrelvir have emerged as vital adjunctive measures, particularly for those unable or unwilling to be vaccinated. This review delves into the potential influence of nirmatrelvir on enduring immunity. In parallel, the potential of drug repurposing is explored, with bisphosphonates being examined for their possible effects against COVID-19 due to their immunomodulatory properties. The importance of rigorous clinical trials and careful interpretation of preliminary data is emphasized.}, }
@article {pmid37962085, year = {2023}, author = {de Melo Santana, B and Raffin Moura, J and Martins de Toledo, A and Burke, TN and Fernandes Probst, L and Pasinato, F and Luiz Carregaro, R}, title = {Efficacy of mHealth Interventions for Improving the Pain and Disability of Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {JMIR mHealth and uHealth}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e48204}, doi = {10.2196/48204}, pmid = {37962085}, issn = {2291-5222}, mesh = {Humans ; *Low Back Pain/therapy ; Quality of Life ; Pandemics ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; *Telemedicine ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Low back pain is one of the main causes of disability worldwide. Individuals with chronic conditions have been widely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, mobile health (mHealth) has become popular, mostly due to the widespread use of smartphones. Despite the considerable number of apps for low back pain available in app stores, the effectiveness of these technologies is not established, and there is a lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness of the isolated use of mobile apps in the self-management of low back pain.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: We summarized the evidence on the effectiveness of mHealth interventions on pain and disability for individuals with chronic low back pain.<br><br>METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing mHealth to usual care or no intervention. The search terms used were related to low back pain and mHealth. Only randomized controlled trials were included. The primary outcomes were pain intensity and disability, and the secondary outcome was quality of life. Searches were carried out in the following databases, without date or language restriction: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), the Cochrane Library, and OpenGrey, in addition to article references. The risk of bias was analyzed using the PEDro scale. Data were summarized descriptively and through meta-analysis (pain intensity and disability). In the meta-analysis, eligible studies were combined while considering clinical and methodological homogeneity. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) criteria.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 5 randomized controlled trials were included, totaling 894 participants (447 allocated to the mHealth group and 445 to the usual care group), and they had similar methodological structure and interventions. Follow-up ranged from 6 weeks to 12 months. The studies did not demonstrate significant differences for pain intensity (mean difference -0.86, 95% CI -2.29 to 0.58; P=.15) and disability (standardized mean difference -0.24, 95% CI -0.69 to 0.20; P=.14) when comparing mHealth and usual care. All studies showed biases, with emphasis on nonconcealed allocation and nonblinding of the outcome evaluator. The certainty of evidence was rated as low for the analyzed outcomes.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: mHealth alone was no more effective than usual care or no treatment in improving pain intensity and disability in individuals with low back pain. Due to the biases found and the low certainty of evidence, the evidence remains inconclusive, and future quality clinical trials are needed.}, }
@article {pmid37962075, year = {2023}, author = {Helm, M and Bohnsack, MT and Carell, T and Dalpke, A and Entian, KD and Ehrenhofer-Murray, A and Ficner, R and Hammann, C and Höbartner, C and Jäschke, A and Jeltsch, A and Kaiser, S and Klassen, R and Leidel, SA and Marx, A and Mörl, M and Meier, JC and Meister, G and Rentmeister, A and Rodnina, M and Roignant, JY and Schaffrath, R and Stadler, P and Stafforst, T}, title = {Experience with German Research Consortia in the Field of Chemical Biology of Native Nucleic Acid Modifications.}, journal = {ACS chemical biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1021/acschembio.3c00586}, pmid = {37962075}, issn = {1554-8937}, abstract = {The chemical biology of native nucleic acid modifications has seen an intense upswing, first concerning DNA modifications in the field of epigenetics and then concerning RNA modifications in a field that was correspondingly rebaptized epitranscriptomics by analogy. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has funded several consortia with a scientific focus in these fields, strengthening the traditionally well-developed nucleic acid chemistry community and inciting it to team up with colleagues from the life sciences and data science to tackle interdisciplinary challenges. This Perspective focuses on the genesis, scientific outcome, and downstream impact of the DFG priority program SPP1784 and offers insight into how it fecundated further consortia in the field. Pertinent research was funded from mid-2015 to 2022, including an extension related to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite being a detriment to research activity in general, the pandemic has resulted in tremendously boosted interest in the field of RNA and RNA modifications as a consequence of their widespread and successful use in vaccination campaigns against SARS-CoV-2. Funded principal investigators published over 250 pertinent papers with a very substantial impact on the field. The program also helped to redirect numerous laboratories toward this dynamic field. Finally, SPP1784 spawned initiatives for several funded consortia that continue to drive the fields of nucleic acid modification.}, }
@article {pmid36723915, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, X and Claggett, BL and Tian, L and Malachias, MVB and Pfeffer, MA and Wei, LJ}, title = {Quantifying and Interpreting the Prediction Accuracy of Models for the Time of a Cardiovascular Event-Moving Beyond C Statistic: A Review.}, journal = {JAMA cardiology}, volume = {8}, number = {3}, pages = {290-295}, pmid = {36723915}, issn = {2380-6591}, support = {R01 HL089778/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Reproducibility of Results ; *Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {IMPORTANCE: For personalized or stratified medicine, it is critical to establish a reliable and efficient prediction model for a clinical outcome of interest. The goal is to develop a parsimonious model with fewer predictors for broad future application without compromising predictability. A general approach is to construct various empirical models via individual patients' specific baseline characteristics/biomarkers and then evaluate their relative merits. When the outcome of interest is the timing of a cardiovascular event, a commonly used metric to assess the adequacy of the fitted models is based on C statistics. These measures quantify a model's ability to separate those who develop events earlier from those who develop them later or not at all (discrimination), but they do not measure how closely model estimates match observed outcomes (prediction accuracy). Metrics that provide clinically interpretable measures to quantify prediction accuracy are needed.<br><br>OBSERVATIONS: C statistics measure the concordance between the risk scores derived from the model and the observed event time observations. However, C statistics do not quantify the model prediction accuracy. The integrated Brier Score, which calculates the mean squared distance between the empirical cumulative event-free curve and its individual patient's counterparts, estimates the prediction accuracy, but it is not clinically intuitive. A simple alternative measure is the average distance between the observed and predicted event times over the entire study population. This metric directly quantifies the model prediction accuracy and has often been used to evaluate the goodness of fit of the assumed models in settings other than survival data. This time-scale measure is easier to interpret than the C statistics or the Brier score.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This article enhances our understanding of the model selection/evaluation process with respect to prediction accuracy. A simple, intuitive measure for quantifying such accuracy beyond C statistics can improve the reliability and efficiency of the selected model for personalized and stratified medicine.}, }
@article {pmid37961978, year = {2023}, author = {Xie, D and Xue, X and Qiao, W and Wang, J and Meng, L and Ye, Z and Li, D and Sun, Y}, title = {Thrombotic events and prophylactic anticoagulation in pediatric patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Hematology (Amsterdam, Netherlands)}, volume = {28}, number = {1}, pages = {2275912}, doi = {10.1080/16078454.2023.2275912}, pmid = {37961978}, issn = {1607-8454}, mesh = {Humans ; Child ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight/adverse effects ; *COVID-19/complications ; *Venous Thromboembolism/epidemiology/etiology/prevention &amp; control ; Anticoagulants/adverse effects ; *Thrombosis/epidemiology/etiology/prevention &amp; control ; Heparin/adverse effects ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) can occur in children with COVID-19, and the efficacy and safety of prophylactic anticoagulant therapy are uncertain. This study aimed to assess the incidence of VTE in pediatric patients with COVID-19, the association of D-dimer with thrombus formation, and the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic anticoagulation treatment.<br><br>METHODS: We systematically searched databases from January 2020 to February 2023. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the incidence of VTE in children and evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic anticoagulant therapy.<br><br>RESULTS: Thirteen cohort studies and one clinical trial were included. The pooled incidence rate of VTE in affected children was 1.5% (95% CI 0.4-2.9%). Children with D-dimer levels five times higher than normal had a higher risk of VTE (OR 4.92, 95% CI 1.60-15.11). Prophylactic anticoagulant therapy did not significantly reduce the risk of VTE (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.74-2.49). The safety of prophylactic anticoagulant therapy was relatively high, with major bleeding and all-cause mortality rates below 0.1% (95% CI 0.0-0.2%).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of VTE in children with COVID-19 is low, and prophylaxis based on ISTH standards is reasonable. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for VTE prevention has a high level of safety. However, more high-quality studies are needed to understand the impact of anticoagulant therapy on VTE incidence in pediatric patients with COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37960464, year = {2023}, author = {Liang, QH and Cao, BP and Xiao, Q and Wei, D}, title = {The Application of Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Biosensors in COVID-19 Detection Technology: A Review.}, journal = {Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {23}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37960464}, issn = {1424-8220}, support = {22066011, 51773041//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; GJJ211105//Department of Education of Jiangxi Province/ ; 2021QNBJRC002//Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/diagnosis ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Graphite ; Technology ; *Biosensing Techniques ; }, abstract = {Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by the infectious agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The primary method of diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 is nucleic acid detection, but this method requires specialized equipment and is time consuming. Therefore, a sensitive, simple, rapid, and low-cost diagnostic test is needed. Graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) biosensors have become the most promising diagnostic technology for detecting SARS-CoV-2 due to their advantages of high sensitivity, fast-detection speed, label-free operation, and low detection limit. This review mainly focus on three types of GFET biosensors to detect SARS-CoV-2. GFET biosensors can quickly identify SARS-CoV-2 within ultra-low detection limits. Finally, we will outline the pros and cons of the diagnostic approaches as well as future directions.}, }
@article {pmid37959288, year = {2023}, author = {Paglialonga, L and Aurelio, C and Principi, N and Esposito, S}, title = {Return to Play after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Focus on the Pediatric Population with Potential Heart Involvement.}, journal = {Journal of clinical medicine}, volume = {12}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37959288}, issn = {2077-0383}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has entailed consequences on any type of physical activities, mainly due to the social restriction measures applied to reduce the spreading of SARS-CoV-2. When public health policies progressively reduced limitations and resuming a normal life was possible, the return to previous physical activity and sports was not only requested by people who had deeply suffered from limitations, but was also recommended by experts as a means of reducing the physical and psychological consequences induced by the pandemic. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the available evidence on the return to play in children after SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting an algorithm for clinical practice and highlighting priorities for future studies. Criteria to identify subjects requiring laboratory and radiological tests before returning to physical activity are severity of COVID-19 and existence of underlying disease. Children of any age with asymptomatic infection or mild disease severity, i.e., the great majority of children with previous COVID-19, do not need a cardiologic test before resumption of previous physical activity. Only a visit or a telephonic contact with the primary care pediatricians should be established. On the contrary, children with moderate COVID-19 should not exercise until they are cleared by a physician and evaluated for resting electrocardiogram, exercise testing, and echocardiogram. Finally, in those with severe COVID-19, return to play should be delayed for several months, should be gradual and should be performed only after a cardiologist's clearance. Further studies are needed to assess the risks of returning to sports activity in pediatric age, including careful age-adjusted risk stratification, in order to improve the cost-benefit ratio of specific screenings.}, }
@article {pmid37959166, year = {2023}, author = {Valle-Palomino, N and Fernández-Mantilla, MM and Talledo-Sebedón, DL and Guzmán-González, OV and Carguachinchay-Huanca, VH and Sosa-Lizama, AA and Orlandini-Valle, B and Vela-Miranda, &#xd3;M}, title = {Suicidal Ideation and Death by Suicide as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spanish-Speaking Countries: Systematic Review.}, journal = {Journal of clinical medicine}, volume = {12}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37959166}, issn = {2077-0383}, abstract = {Suicidal behaviors and constructs are putting at risk the accomplishment of Objective 3 of Agenda 2030 for sustainable development in Spanish-speaking countries. The current study's principal objective is to explain the presence of suicidal ideation and deaths by suicide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spanish-speaking countries based on a review of the scientific literature. The PRISMA model was used as the main method while considering the criteria of periodicity, language, typology, and country in order to choose the 28 articles that were analyzed from the following three databases: SCOPUS, Web of Science, and ProQuest Coronavirus Research Database. Suicidal ideation and death by suicide exhibited a growth trend during the COVID-19 pandemic, including post-pandemic, especially in kids, adolescents, and young women of university age belonging to lower socioeconomic strata and presenting risk factors like living in rural areas, poor mental health, unemployment, and family death due to COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37958980, year = {2023}, author = {Rakoczy, K and Kaczor, J and Sołtyk, A and Szymańska, N and Stecko, J and Sleziak, J and Kulbacka, J and Baczyńska, D}, title = {Application of Luteolin in Neoplasms and Nonneoplastic Diseases.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37958980}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {SUBZ.D260.23.018//Statutory Subsidy Funds/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Luteolin/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; *Neoplasms/metabolism ; *Lung Neoplasms ; Antioxidants/pharmacology ; Chemoprevention ; Apoptosis ; }, abstract = {Researchers are amazed at the multitude of biological effects of 3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone, more commonly known as luteolin, as it simultaneously has antioxidant and pro-oxidant, as well as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cancer-preventive, properties. The anticancer properties of luteolin constitute a mosaic of pathways due to which this flavonoid influences cancer cells. Not only is it able to induce apoptosis and inhibit cancer cell proliferation, but it also suppresses angiogenesis and metastasis. Moreover, luteolin succeeds in cancer cell sensitization to therapeutically induced cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, apart from its promising role in chemoprevention, luteolin exhibits numerous potential utilizations in patients with conditions other than neoplasms, which include inflammatory skin diseases, diabetes mellitus, and COVID-19. This review aims to present the multidimensionality of the luteolin's impact on both neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases. When it comes to neoplasms, we intend to describe the complexity of the molecular mechanisms that underlay luteolin's anticancer effectiveness, as well as to prove the usefulness of integrating this flavonoid in cancer therapy via the analysis of recent research on breast, colon, and lung cancer. Regarding nonneoplastic diseases, this review aims to emphasize the importance of researching the potential of luteolin in areas such as diabetology, virology, and dermatology as it summarizes the most important discoveries in those fields regarding its application.}, }
@article {pmid37958788, year = {2023}, author = {Islam, MM and Takeyama, N}, title = {Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Health and Disease Pathophysiology: Recent Insights and Advances.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37958788}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Humans ; *Extracellular Traps/metabolism ; Neutrophils/metabolism ; Histones/metabolism ; *Sepsis/metabolism ; Peroxidase/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Neutrophils are the principal trouper of the innate immune system. Activated neutrophils undergo a noble cell death termed NETosis and release a mesh-like structure called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) as a part of their defensive strategy against microbial pathogen attack. This web-like architecture includes a DNA backbone embedded with antimicrobial proteins like myeloperoxidase (MPO), neutrophil elastase (NE), histones and deploys in the entrapment and clearance of encountered pathogens. Thus NETs play an inevitable beneficial role in the host's protection. However, recent accumulated evidence shows that dysregulated and enhanced NET formation has various pathological aspects including the promotion of sepsis, pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, nephrological, thrombotic, autoimmune, pregnancy, and cancer diseases, and the list is increasing gradually. In this review, we summarize the NET-mediated pathophysiology of different diseases and focus on some updated potential therapeutic approaches against NETs.}, }
@article {pmid37958730, year = {2023}, author = {Viebahn-Haensler, R and León Fernández, OS}, title = {Ozone as Redox Bioregulator in Preventive Medicine: The Molecular and Pharmacological Basis of the Low-Dose Ozone Concept-A Review.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37958730}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Humans ; *Ozone/pharmacology ; *Drinking Water ; Disinfection/methods ; Wastewater ; Oxidation-Reduction ; }, abstract = {The best form of prevention against human infection through bacteria, viruses, and other parasites is ozone disinfection of wastewater and drinking water as a highly effective, well-known method. Various preclinical studies showed promising results, which are being revisited and reconsidered in times of pandemics and led to interesting results in recent clinical trials and reports, as presented by the example of protective measures against COVID-19 in particularly vulnerable clinical personnel. The application of ozone in the form of the low-dose concept induces its regulation by interference of ozone or its peroxides into the redox equilibrium of the biological system, which finally results in the restoration of the glutathione equilibrium. The antioxidant system is activated, the immune system is modulated, and thus the defense mechanisms are improved. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, repeated ozone treatments have led to new findings in "immunomodulation" through ozone. The more effective immune response is discussed as the response of innate immune memory and opens interesting aspects for complementary treatment of autoimmune diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37958721, year = {2023}, author = {Huang, Z and Haile, K and Gedefaw, L and Lau, BW and Jin, L and Yip, SP and Huang, CL}, title = {Blood Biomarkers as Prognostic Indicators for Neurological Injury in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37958721}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {COVID1903007//Health and Medical Research Fund Commissioned Research on COVID-19/ ; RiFood, 1-CD55//internal funding for Research Institute/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Prognosis ; *COVID-19/complications ; Biomarkers ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Neurofilament Proteins ; Intermediate Filaments/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been linked to various neurological complications. This meta-analysis assessed the relationship between glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in the blood and neurological injury in COVID-19 patients. A comprehensive search of various databases was conducted until 18 August 2023, to find studies reporting GFAP and NfL blood levels in COVID-19 patients with neurological complications. GFAP and NfL levels were estimated between COVID-19 patients and healthy controls, and meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 software for analysis. In the 21 collected studies, it was found that COVID-19 patients had significantly higher levels of pooled GFAP (SMD = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.73; p ≤ 0.001) and NfL (SMD = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.82; p ≤ 0.001) when compared to the healthy controls. The pooled GFAP (SMD = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.26, 1.45; p ≤ 0.01) and NfL (SMD = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.48, 1.26; p ≤ 0.001) were significantly higher in non-survivors. These findings indicate a significant association between COVID-19 severity and elevated levels of GFAP and NfL, suggesting that GFAP and NfL could serve as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers for the early detection and monitoring of COVID-19-related neurological injuries.}, }
@article {pmid37958618, year = {2023}, author = {Del Valle, E and Rubio-Sardón, N and Menéndez-Pérez, C and Martínez-Pinilla, E and Navarro, A}, title = {Apolipoprotein D as a Potential Biomarker in Neuropsychiatric Disorders.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37958618}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Humans ; Apolipoproteins D/metabolism ; *Oxidative Stress ; *Aging/metabolism ; Lipoproteins/metabolism ; Biomarkers/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Neuropsychiatric disorders (NDs) are a diverse group of pathologies, including schizophrenia or bipolar disorders, that directly affect the mental and physical health of those who suffer from them, with an incidence that is increasing worldwide. Most NDs result from a complex interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors such as stress or traumatic events, including the recent Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition to diverse clinical presentations, these diseases are heterogeneous in their pathogenesis, brain regions affected, and clinical symptoms, making diagnosis difficult. Therefore, finding new biomarkers is essential for the detection, prognosis, response prediction, and development of new treatments for NDs. Among the most promising candidates is the apolipoprotein D (Apo D), a component of lipoproteins implicated in lipid metabolism. Evidence suggests an increase in Apo D expression in association with aging and in the presence of neuropathological processes. As a part of the cellular neuroprotective defense machinery against oxidative stress and inflammation, changes in Apo D levels have been demonstrated in neuropsychiatric conditions like schizophrenia (SZ) or bipolar disorders (BPD), not only in some brain areas but in corporal fluids, i.e., blood or serum of patients. What is not clear is whether variation in Apo D quantity could be used as an indicator to detect NDs and their progression. This review aims to provide an updated view of the clinical potential of Apo D as a possible biomarker for NDs.}, }
@article {pmid37958586, year = {2023}, author = {Khristoforova, Y and Bratchenko, L and Bratchenko, I}, title = {Raman-Based Techniques in Medical Applications for Diagnostic Tasks: A Review.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37958586}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {21-75-10097//Russian Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Biomarkers ; *Neoplasms/diagnosis ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods ; *Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis ; }, abstract = {Raman spectroscopy is a widely developing approach for noninvasive analysis that can provide information on chemical composition and molecular structure. High chemical specificity calls for developing different medical diagnostic applications based on Raman spectroscopy. This review focuses on the Raman-based techniques used in medical diagnostics and provides an overview of such techniques, possible areas of their application, and current limitations. We have reviewed recent studies proposing conventional Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for rapid measuring of specific biomarkers of such diseases as cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurogenerative disease, and coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As a result, we have discovered several most promising Raman-based applications to identify affected persons by detecting some significant spectral features. We have analyzed these approaches in terms of their potentially diagnostic power and highlighted the remaining challenges and limitations preventing their translation into clinical settings.}, }
@article {pmid37958503, year = {2023}, author = {Mushebenge, AG and Ugbaja, SC and Mbatha, NA and B Khan, R and Kumalo, HM}, title = {Assessing the Potential Contribution of In Silico Studies in Discovering Drug Candidates That Interact with Various SARS-CoV-2 Receptors.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37958503}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {CHS Scholarship//University of KwaZulu-Natal/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *SARS-CoV-2/metabolism ; *COVID-19 ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology/therapeutic use/metabolism ; Pandemics ; Peptide Hydrolases/pharmacology ; }, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred intense research efforts to identify effective treatments for SARS-CoV-2. In silico studies have emerged as a powerful tool in the drug discovery process, particularly in the search for drug candidates that interact with various SARS-CoV-2 receptors. These studies involve the use of computer simulations and computational algorithms to predict the potential interaction of drug candidates with target receptors. The primary receptors targeted by drug candidates include the RNA polymerase, main protease, spike protein, ACE2 receptor, and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). In silico studies have identified several promising drug candidates, including Remdesivir, Favipiravir, Ribavirin, Ivermectin, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, and Camostat Mesylate, among others. The use of in silico studies offers several advantages, including the ability to screen a large number of drug candidates in a relatively short amount of time, thereby reducing the time and cost involved in traditional drug discovery methods. Additionally, in silico studies allow for the prediction of the binding affinity of the drug candidates to target receptors, providing insight into their potential efficacy. This study is aimed at assessing the useful contributions of the application of computational instruments in the discovery of receptors targeted in SARS-CoV-2. It further highlights some identified advantages and limitations of these studies, thereby revealing some complementary experimental validation to ensure the efficacy and safety of identified drug candidates.}, }
@article {pmid37958264, year = {2023}, author = {Luchian, ML and Higny, J and Benoit, M and Robaye, B and Berners, Y and Henry, JP and Colle, B and Xhaët, O and Blommaert, D and Droogmans, S and Motoc, AI and Cosyns, B and Gabriel, L and Guedes, A and Demeure, F}, title = {Unmasking Pandemic Echoes: An In-Depth Review of Long COVID's Unabated Cardiovascular Consequences beyond 2020.}, journal = {Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37958264}, issn = {2075-4418}, abstract = {At the beginning of 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged as a new pandemic, leading to a worldwide health crisis and overwhelming healthcare systems due to high numbers of hospital admissions, insufficient resources, and a lack of standardized therapeutic protocols. Multiple genetic variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been detected since its first public declaration in 2020, some of them being considered variants of concern (VOCs) corresponding to several pandemic waves. Nevertheless, a growing number of COVID-19 patients are continuously discharged from hospitals, remaining symptomatic even months after their first episode of COVID-19 infection. Long COVID-19 or 'post-acute COVID-19 syndrome' emerged as the new pandemic, being characterized by a high variability of clinical manifestations ranging from cardiorespiratory and neurological symptoms such as chest pain, exertional dyspnoea or cognitive disturbance to psychological disturbances, e.g., depression, anxiety or sleep disturbance with a crucial impact on patients' quality of life. Moreover, Long COVID is viewed as a new cardiovascular risk factor capable of modifying the trajectory of current and future cardiovascular diseases, altering the patients' prognosis. Therefore, in this review we address the current definitions of Long COVID and its pathophysiology, with a focus on cardiovascular manifestations. Furthermore, we aim to review the mechanisms of acute and chronic cardiac injury and the variety of cardiovascular sequelae observed in recovered COVID-19 patients, in addition to the potential role of Long COVID clinics in the medical management of this new condition. We will further address the role of future research for a better understanding of the actual impact of Long COVID and future therapeutic directions.}, }
@article {pmid37958046, year = {2023}, author = {Boutros, P and Kassem, N and Nieder, J and Jaramillo, C and von Petersdorff, J and Walsh, FJ and Bärnighausen, T and Barteit, S}, title = {Education and Training Adaptations for Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of Lessons Learned and Innovations.}, journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {37958046}, issn = {2227-9032}, abstract = {Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably impacted the clinical education and training of health workers globally, causing severe disruptions to learning environments in healthcare facilities and limiting the acquisition of new clinical skills. Consequently, urgent adaptation measures, including simulation training and e-learning, have been implemented to mitigate the adverse effects of clinical education. This scoping review aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical education and training, examine the implemented adaptation measures, and evaluate their effectiveness in improving health workers' education and training during the pandemic. Methods: Employing the PRISMA-ScR framework and Arksey and O'Malley's methodological guidance, we conducted a scoping review, systematically searching PubMed, medRxiv, Google, and DuckDuckGo databases to account for the grey literature. The search included studies published between 1 December 2019 and 13 October 2021, yielding 10,323 results. Of these, 88 studies focused on health worker education and training during the pandemic. Results: Our review incorporated 31,268 participants, including physicians, medical trainees, nurses, paramedics, students, and health educators. Most studies (71/88, 81%) were conducted in high-income and lower-middle-income countries. The pandemic's effects on health workers' clinical skills and abilities have necessitated training period extensions in some cases. We identified several positive outcomes from the implementation of simulation training and e-learning as adaptation strategies, such as enhanced technical and clinical performance, increased confidence and comfort, and an expanded global educational outreach. Conclusions: Despite challenges like insufficient practical experience, limited interpersonal interaction opportunities, and internet connectivity issues, simulation training, e-learning, and virtual training have proven effective in improving clinical education and training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is required to bolster preparedness for future pandemics or similar situations.}, }
@article {pmid37914599, year = {2023}, author = {Madhok, DY and Nardone, A and Caceres, EU and Wong, AHK and Zhang, L and Rodriguez, RM}, title = {The Impact of the COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place Order on Traumatic Brain Injuries in San Francisco, California.}, journal = {The Journal of emergency medicine}, volume = {65}, number = {6}, pages = {e479-e486}, doi = {10.1016/j.jemermed.2023.07.002}, pmid = {37914599}, issn = {0736-4679}, mesh = {Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; San Francisco/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; Emergency Shelter ; Communicable Disease Control ; *Brain Injuries, Traumatic/epidemiology/etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco, California issued a shelter-in-place (SIP) order in March 2020, during which emergency physicians noted a drop in trauma cases, as well as a change in traditional mechanisms of trauma.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine the epidemiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) pre- and post-COVID-19 SIP.<br><br>METHODS: We reviewed the electronic medical record of the only trauma center in the city of San Francisco, to determine the number of and characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of head injury presenting to the emergency department between December 16, 2019 and June 16, 2020. Using chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests when appropriate, we compared pre- and post- COVID-19 lockdown epidemiology.<br><br>RESULTS: There were 1246 TBI-related visits during the 6-month study period. Bi-weekly TBI cases decreased by 36.64% 2 weeks after the COVID-19 SIP and then increased to near baseline levels by June 2020. TBI patients during SIP were older (mean age: 53.3 years pre-SIP vs. 58.2 post-SIP; p < 0.001), more likely to be male (odds ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.14-1.81), and less likely to be 17 or younger (8.9% vs. 0.5%, pre- to post-SIP respectively, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.003). Patients were less likely to be Hispanic (27.2% vs. 21.7% pre- to post-SIP, respectively, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.029). The proportion of TBI visits attributable to cycling accidents increased (14.1% to 52.7%, p < 0.001), whereas those attributable to pedestrians involved in road traffic accidents decreased (37.2% to 12.7%, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.003).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the changing epidemiology of TBI during the COVID-19 pandemic can aid in immediate and future disaster resource planning.}, }
@article {pmid37890225, year = {2023}, author = {Bush, M and Bouchoucha, SL and Hutchinson, A and Bennett, CM}, title = {Forecasting pandemic quarantine in New Zealand and Australia: A scoping review of quarantine characteristics and capabilities within preparedness plans and pandemic exercise reports from 2002 to 2019.}, journal = {Journal of infection and public health}, volume = {16}, number = {12}, pages = {2017-2025}, doi = {10.1016/j.jiph.2023.10.017}, pmid = {37890225}, issn = {1876-035X}, mesh = {Humans ; *Quarantine ; *Influenza, Human/epidemiology ; Australia ; New Zealand/epidemiology ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: This scoping review aims to identify and critically review quarantine preparedness in New Zealand and Australia pre-COVID-19 by categorising, comparing, and evaluating quarantine information contained within pandemic plans and exercises from both countries.<br><br>METHODS: Parliamentary websites, including Archives New Zealand, ParlInfo and Google Scholar, were searched for publicly available plans and exercise reports from 2002 to 2019. Data were extracted from documents meeting the inclusion criteria and analysed using directive content analysis based on the Australian Disaster Preparedness Framework categories. This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews, which guided the data extraction, analysis, and presentation of results.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 16 documents mentioned quarantine and were included in this scoping review. The emphasis and level of detail regarding quarantine characteristics and capabilities varied between New Zealand's five documents (one plan and four exercise reports) and Australia's 11 documents (one Influenza pandemic plan, eight state plans and two exercise reports). New Zealand's plan forecasted the need for both voluntary quarantine at home and involuntary quarantine in facilities for incoming travellers, whilst the Australian Influenza pandemic plan and state plans primarily considered voluntary quarantine within private residences. Capability gaps identified during exercises were not consistently incorporated into revised plans. Some government documents containing information on quarantine may not be publicly available, limiting the available evidence for this review.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This scoping review highlights the need to incorporate a range of possible quarantine options into plans and preparation activities to test and identify gaps in government and responsible agencies' capabilities. Pandemic preparedness will be strengthened by incorporating quarantine scale and duration variables into exercise scenarios.}, }
@article {pmid37866138, year = {2023}, author = {Martinez-Valderrama, A and Myers, KA}, title = {Electroencephalographic Patterns in Pediatric Patients With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Coinfection.}, journal = {Pediatric neurology}, volume = {149}, number = {}, pages = {114-119}, doi = {10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.09.014}, pmid = {37866138}, issn = {1873-5150}, mesh = {Humans ; Child ; *COVID-19/complications ; *Coinfection ; Seizures/etiology ; *Brain Diseases/complications ; *Connective Tissue Diseases ; Electroencephalography ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Children with recent or acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections are susceptible to a number of neurological complications, including encephalopathy and seizures. Within the phenomenon of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), patients may be encephalopathic or have other nervous system sequelae. The electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns accompanying neurological complications of COVID-19 infection have been reported but primarily in case reports or small case series.<br><br>METHODS: In this study, we reviewed all reports of EEG patterns seen in pediatric patients with presentations attributed to COVID-19 infection.<br><br>RESULTS: Fifty patient reports were identified, drawn from 27 articles. We separately analyzed patients whose primary neurological concern was (1) encephalopathy, (2) seizures, or (3) other neurological abnormalities. Patients with acute encephalopathy tend to have EEG showing diffusely slow background, often in the delta range; however, the pattern of slowing is sometimes anterior or posterior predominant and may evolve over the course of illness.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 infection presenting with seizures may have focal or bilateral semiologies, but postictal EEG rarely shows interictal epileptiform discharges and is more likely to also show diffuse slowing. However, subclinical seizures and nonconvulsive status epilepticus have been reported, so prolonged EEG monitoring may still be indicated.}, }
@article {pmid37865841, year = {2023}, author = {Aiyegbusi, OL}, title = {COVID-19 related headaches: epidemiology, pathophysiology, impacts, and management.}, journal = {Current opinion in neurology}, volume = {36}, number = {6}, pages = {609-614}, doi = {10.1097/WCO.0000000000001219}, pmid = {37865841}, issn = {1473-6551}, mesh = {Humans ; Female ; *COVID-19/complications/epidemiology ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Quality of Life ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Headache/epidemiology/therapy/diagnosis ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This is an expert overview of the recent literature on the nature, epidemiology, pathophysiology, impact, and management of COVID-19 related headache, in the acute phase of infection and in post-COVID-19 syndrome.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: Headache is one of the commonest symptoms of COVID-19 during acute infection and it is often experienced by individuals who go on to develop long COVID. There is a higher prevalence of headache in individuals with long COVID who contracted the Delta variant than in those who were infected with the Wuhan or Alpha variants. Headaches related to COVID-19 infection are commoner and may be more intense in women.There are indications that presence of headache might indicate a more benign COVID-19 infection and a better chance of survival. However, the impact of COVID-19 related headache could be substantial leading to poor quality of life in individuals affected. Headache that changes in its nature in terms of frequency and severity should be investigated to exclude cerebrovascular complications. There are promising new therapies for its treatment, but further research is needed.<br><br>SUMMARY: The findings of this review can promote a better understanding of COVID-19 related headache and guide clinicians in the management of patients.}, }
@article {pmid37490213, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, V and Kragstrup, TW and McMaster, C and Reid, P and Singh, N and Haysen, SR and Robinson, PC and Liew, DFL}, title = {Managing Cardiovascular and Cancer Risk Associated with JAK Inhibitors.}, journal = {Drug safety}, volume = {46}, number = {11}, pages = {1049-1071}, pmid = {37490213}, issn = {1179-1942}, mesh = {Humans ; *Janus Kinase Inhibitors/adverse effects ; *Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications/drug therapy ; *Arthritis, Psoriatic/drug therapy ; *Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy ; *Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects ; *Neoplasms/chemically induced/epidemiology/drug therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic ; }, abstract = {Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) have enormous appeal as immune-modulating therapies across many chronic inflammatory diseases, but recently this promise has been overshadowed by questions regarding associated cardiovascular and cancer risk emerging from the ORAL Surveillance phase 3b/4 post-marketing requirement randomized controlled trial. In that study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with existing cardiovascular risk, tofacitinib, the first JAKi registered for chronic inflammatory disease, failed to meet non-inferiority thresholds when compared with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for both incident major adverse cardiovascular events and incident cancer. While this result was unexpected by many, subsequently published observational data have also supported this finding. Notably, however, such a risk has largely not yet been demonstrated in patients outside the specific clinical situation examined in the trial, even in the face of many studies examining this. Nevertheless, this signal has practically re-aligned approaches to both tofacitinib and other JAKi to varying extents, in other patient populations and contexts: within rheumatoid arthritis, but also in psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, and beyond. Application to individual patients can be more challenging but remains important to harness the substantive potential of JAKi to the maximum extent safely possible. This review not only explores the evolution of the regulatory response to the signal, its informing data, biological plausibility, and its impact on guidelines, but also the many factors that clinicians must consider in navigating cardiovascular and cancer risk for their patients considering JAKi as immune-modulating therapy.}, }
@article {pmid37293890, year = {2023}, author = {Wahid, M and Jawed, A and Mandal, RK and Areeshi, MY and El-Shall, NA and Mohapatra, RK and Tuli, HS and Dhama, K and Pellicano, R and Fagoonee, S and Haque, S}, title = {Role of available COVID-19 vaccines in reducing deaths and perspective for next generation vaccines and therapies to counter emerging viral variants: an update.}, journal = {Minerva medica}, volume = {114}, number = {5}, pages = {683-697}, doi = {10.23736/S0026-4806.23.08509-9}, pmid = {37293890}, issn = {1827-1669}, mesh = {Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use ; Ad26COVS1 ; BNT162 Vaccine ; ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 ; 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273 ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Vaccines ; }, abstract = {The COVID-19 disease wreaked havoc all over the world causing more than 6 million deaths out of over 519 million confirmed cases. It not only disturbed the human race health-wise but also caused huge economic losses and social disturbances. The utmost urgency to counter pandemic was to develop effective vaccines as well as treatments that could reduce the incidences of infection, hospitalization and deaths. The most known vaccines that could help in managing these parameters are Oxford-AstraZeneca (AZD1222), Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2), Moderna (mRNA-1273) and Johnson &amp; Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S). The effectiveness of AZD1222 vaccine in reducing deaths is 88% in the age group 40-59 years, touching 100% in the age group 16-44 years &amp; 65-84 years. BNT162b2 vaccine also did well in reducing deaths due to COVID-19 (95% in the age group 40-49 years and 100% in the age group 16-44 years. Similarly, mRNA-1273 vaccine showed potential in reducing COVID-19 deaths with effectiveness ranging from 80.3 to 100% depending upon age group of the vaccinated individuals. Ad26.COV2.S vaccine was also 100% effective in reducing COVID-19 deaths. The SARS-CoV-2 emerging variants have emphasized the need of booster vaccine doses to enhance protective immunity in vaccinated individuals. Additionally, therapeutic effectiveness of Molnupiravir, Paxlovid and Evusheld are also providing resistance against the spread of COVID-19 disease as well as may be effective against emerging variants. This review highlights the progress in developing COVID-19 vaccines, their protective efficacies, advances being made to design more efficacious vaccines, and presents an overview on advancements in developing potent drugs and monoclonal antibodies for countering COVID-19 and emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 including the most recently emerged and highly mutated Omicron variant.}, }
@article {pmid37156504, year = {2023}, author = {Schweckendiek, D and Pauli, D and Scharl, M}, title = {[Eating disorders - what the gastroenterologist needs to know].}, journal = {Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie}, volume = {61}, number = {11}, pages = {1484-1493}, doi = {10.1055/a-2010-3883}, pmid = {37156504}, issn = {1439-7803}, mesh = {Humans ; *Anorexia Nervosa/diagnosis/epidemiology/therapy ; *Binge-Eating Disorder/diagnosis/epidemiology/therapy ; *Bulimia Nervosa/diagnosis/epidemiology/psychology ; *Feeding and Eating Disorders/diagnosis/epidemiology/therapy ; *Gastroenterologists ; Pandemics ; }, abstract = {Eating disorders are potentially life-threatening disorders that go along with severe psychiatric and somatic comorbidities. It is expected that the number of patients will dramatically increase in the post COVID-19 pandemic era.Four main eating disorders are mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases 11 (ICD-11): anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED) und avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Many traditional assumptions in eating disorders are currently challenged due to recent research results. The gastroenterologist is usually not the first point of contact for patients with eating disorders. However, he is crucial, especially in the management of gastroenterologic complications of eating disorders.Focus of the overview will be on relevant gastroenterologic aspects and less on the psychiatric treatment. Basics of the most common eating disorders will be repeated, opportunities in diagnosing an eating disorder and the most relevant gastroenterologic complications will be described. Obesity and its management, an entity that often goes along with an eating disorder, is not in the spotlight of the review.}, }
@article {pmid35427246, year = {2023}, author = {Brossard-Barbosa, N and Donaldson, L and Margolin, E}, title = {Seropositive Ocular Myasthenia Gravis Developing Shortly After COVID-19 Infection: Report and Review of the Literature.}, journal = {Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society}, volume = {43}, number = {4}, pages = {e235-e236}, doi = {10.1097/WNO.0000000000001586}, pmid = {35427246}, issn = {1536-5166}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications ; *Myasthenia Gravis/complications/diagnosis ; Thymectomy ; }, }
@article {pmid37957647, year = {2023}, author = {Vitiello, A and Sabbatucci, M and Silenzi, A and Capuano, A and Rossi, F and Zovi, A and Blasi, F and Rezza, G}, title = {The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with cystic fibrosis undergoing CFTR channel modulators treatment: a literature review.}, journal = {Respiratory research}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {278}, pmid = {37957647}, issn = {1465-993X}, support = {RC 260/01 2022//Ministero della Salute/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Cystic Fibrosis/drug therapy/metabolism ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator/genetics ; *COVID-19 ; RNA, Viral ; SARS-CoV-2 ; }, abstract = {Several risk factors for Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) disease have been highlighted in clinical evidence. Among the various risk factors are advanced age, metabolic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, and diseases of the respiratory system. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a rare disease with autosomal recessive transmission, characterised by a lack of synthesis of the CFTR channel protein, and multi-organ clinical symptoms mainly affecting the respiratory tract with recurrent pulmonary exacerbations. In view of the pathophysiological mechanisms, CF disease should be in theory considered a risk factor for SARS-CoV2 or severe COVID-19. However, recent clinical evidence seems to point in the opposite direction, suggesting that CF could be a protective factor against severe COVID-19. Possibly, the lack of presence or function of the CFTR channel protein could be linked to the expression of the membrane glycoprotein ACE-2, a key enzyme for the endocellular penetration of SARS-CoV-2 and related to the pathophysiology of COVID-19 disease. Furthermore, CFTR channel modulating agents could indirectly influence the expression of ACE-2, playing an important role in restoring the proper functioning of mucociliary clearance and the pulmonary microbiome in the host response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this review, the authors attempt to shed light on these important associations of issues that are not yet fully elucidated.}, }
@article {pmid37957515, year = {2023}, author = {Gomaa, AA and Abdel-Wadood, YA and Thabet, RH and Gomaa, GA}, title = {Pharmacological evaluation of vitamin D in COVID-19 and long COVID-19: recent studies confirm clinical validation and highlight metformin to improve VDR sensitivity and efficacy.}, journal = {Inflammopharmacology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37957515}, issn = {1568-5608}, abstract = {Nearly four years after its first appearance, and having gone from pandemic to endemic, the SARS-CoV-2 remains out of control globally. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of vitamin D (VD) in COVID-19 and long COVID-19, explain the discrepancy in clinical outcomes and highlight the potential impact of metformin on VD efficacy in recent articles. Articles from January 2022 to August 2023 were selected for this review. The objective of this study was achieved by reviewing, analyzing, and discussing articles demonstrating (1) the mechanism of action of VD (2) observational or randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that support or not the beneficial clinical effects of VD in COVID-19 or long COVID. (3) genetic and non-genetic reasons for the variation in the effects of VD. Articles were collected from electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Egyptian Knowledge Bank, Science Direct, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Twenty three studies conducted in vitro or in animal models indicated that VD may act in COVID-19 through protecting the respiratory system by antimicrobial peptide cathelicidins, reducing lung inflammation, regulating innate and adaptive immune functions and up regulation of autophagy gene activity. Our review identified 58 clinical studies that met the criteria. The number of publications supporting a beneficial clinical activity of VD in treating COVID-19 was 49 (86%), including 12 meta-analyses. Although the total patients included in all articles was 14,071,273, patients included in publications supporting a beneficial role of VD in COVID-19 were 14,029,411 (99.7%). Collectively, extensive observational studies indicated a decisive relationship between low VD levels and the severity of COVID-19 and mortality outcomes. Importantly, evidence from intervention studies has demonstrated the effectiveness of VD supplements in treating COVID-19. Furthermore, the results of 4 observational studies supported the beneficial role of VD in alleviating symptoms of long COVID-19 disease. However, eight RCTs and one meta-analysis of RCTs may contain low-grade evidence against a beneficial role of VD in COVID-19. Twenty-five articles have addressed the association between VDR and DBP genetic polymorphisms and treatment failure of VD in COVID-19. Impaired VDR signaling may underlie the variability of VD effects as non-genetic mechanisms. Interestingly, in recent studies, metformin has a beneficial therapeutic role in COVID-19 and long COVID-19, possibly by improving AMPK signaling of the VDR and enhancing the efficacy of the VD. In conclusion, evidence has been significantly strengthened over the past 18 months, with several meta-analyses and RCTs reporting conclusive beneficial effects of VD supplementation against COVID-19 and highlighting metformin to improve VDR sensitivity and efficacy in treating COVID-19 and long COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37957479, year = {2023}, author = {Raza, SHA and Zhong, R and Yu, X and Zhao, G and Wei, X and Lei, H}, title = {Advances of Predicting Allosteric Mechanisms Through Protein Contact in New Technologies and Their Application.}, journal = {Molecular biotechnology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37957479}, issn = {1559-0305}, support = {LNSYSZX001//This work was financially supported by the Generic Technique Innovation Team Construction of Modern Agriculture of Guangdong Province (nos. 2022KJ130 and 2023KJ130), 2023 Guangdong Marine Economic Development Program for Six Categories of Marine Industries/ ; P20211154-0102-02).//This work was financially supported by the Generic Technique Innovation Team Construction of Modern Agriculture of Guangdong Province (nos. 2022KJ130 and 2023KJ130), 2023 Guangdong Marine Economic Development Program for Six Categories of Marine Industries/ ; }, abstract = {Allostery is an intriguing phenomenon wherein the binding activity of a biological macromolecule is modulated via non-canonical binding site, resulting in synchronized functional changes. The mechanics underlying allostery are relatively complex and this review is focused on common methodologies used to study allostery, such as X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and HDXMS. Different methodological approaches are used to generate data in different scenarios. For example, X-ray crystallography provides high-resolution structural information, NMR spectroscopy offers dynamic insights into allosteric interactions in solution, and HDXMS provides information on protein dynamics. The residue transition state (RTS) approach has emerged as a critical tool in understanding the energetics and conformational changes associated with allosteric regulation. Allostery has significant implications in drug discovery, gene transcription, disease diagnosis, and enzyme catalysis. Enzymes' catalytic activity can be modulated by allosteric regulation, offering opportunities to develop novel therapeutic alternatives. Understanding allosteric mechanisms associated with infectious organisms like SARS-CoV and bacterial pathogens can aid in the development of new antiviral drugs and antibiotics. Allosteric mechanisms are crucial in the regulation of a variety of signal transduction and cell metabolism pathways, which in turn govern various cellular processes. Despite progress, challenges remain in identifying allosteric sites and characterizing their contribution to a variety of biological processes. Increased understanding of these mechanisms can help develop allosteric systems specifically designed to modulate key biological mechanisms, providing novel opportunities for the development of targeted therapeutics. Therefore, the current review aims to summarize common methodologies that are used to further our understanding of allosteric mechanisms. In conclusion, this review provides insights into the methodologies used for the study of allostery, its applications in in silico modeling, the mechanisms underlying antibody allostery, and the ongoing challenges and prospects in advancing our comprehension of this intriguing phenomenon.}, }
@article {pmid37957452, year = {2023}, author = {Pfefferbaum, B and Tucker, P and Ekambaram, V and Van Horn, RL}, title = {Children's Sleep and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic.}, journal = {Current psychiatry reports}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37957452}, issn = {1535-1645}, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The COVID-19 pandemic and protracted home confinement required adjustments to schedules and routines generating concern about children's sleep. This review describes general considerations regarding children's sleep, changes and disturbances in their sleep during the pandemic, and the association of sleep measures with health and psychological outcomes in general and in the context of the pandemic.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: A number of studies found an increase in the duration of children's sleep with later bedtimes and waketimes for some children. The research also documented sleep disturbances and associations between children's sleep and psychological outcomes. The extent to which increased sleep duration and changed sleep behaviors translated into improved sleep quality and/or a change in sleep disturbances remains unclear. This review suggests the importance of considering children's sleep in other mass trauma situations including, for example, natural and man-made disasters, as well as pandemics.}, }
@article {pmid37957424, year = {2023}, author = {Sandeep,  and Subba, R and Mondal, AC}, title = {Does COVID-19 Trigger the Risk for the Development of Parkinson's Disease? Therapeutic Potential of Vitamin C.}, journal = {Molecular neurobiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37957424}, issn = {1559-1182}, support = {BT/PR32907/MED/122/227/2019//Department of Biotechnology, Government of West Bengal/ ; }, abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was proclaimed a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. There is mounting evidence that older patients with multimorbidity are more susceptible to COVID-19 complications than are younger, healthy people. Having neuroinvasive potential, SARS-CoV-2 infection may increase susceptibility toward the development of Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with extensive motor deficits. PD is characterized by the aggregation of α-synuclein in the form of Lewy bodies and the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the dorsal striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of the nigrostriatal pathway in the brain. Increasing reports suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection is linked with the worsening of motor and non-motor symptoms with high rates of hospitalization and mortality in PD patients. Common pathological changes in both diseases involve oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. COVID-19 exacerbates the damage ensuing from the dysregulation of those processes, furthering neurological complications, and increasing the severity of PD symptomatology. Phytochemicals have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. Vitamin C supplementation is found to ameliorate the common pathological changes in both diseases to some extent. This review aims to present the available evidence on the association between COVID-19 and PD, and discusses the therapeutic potential of vitamin C for its better management.}, }
@article {pmid37957107, year = {2023}, author = {López, V and Mazuecos, A and Villanego, F and López-Oliva, M and Alonso, A and Beneyto, I and Crespo, M and Díaz-Corte, C and Franco, A and González-Roncero, F and Guirado, L and Jiménez, C and Juega, J and Llorente, S and Paul, J and Rodríguez-Benot, A and Ruiz, JC and Sánchez-Fructuoso, A and Torregrosa, V and Zárraga, S and Rodrigo, E and Hernández, D and , }, title = {Update of the recommendations on the management of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in kidney transplant patients.}, journal = {Nefrologia}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.nefroe.2023.10.007}, pmid = {37957107}, issn = {2013-2514}, abstract = {SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on transplant activity in our country. Mortality and the risk of complications associated with COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients (KT) were expected to be higher due to their immunosuppressed condition and the frequent associated comorbidities. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 we have rapidly improved our knowledge about the epidemiology, clinical features and management of COVID-19 post-transplant, resulting in a better prognosis for our patients. KT units have been able to adapt their programs to this new reality, normalizing both donation and transplantation activity in our country. This manuscript presents a proposal to update the general recommendations for the prevention and treatment of infection in this highly vulnerable population such as KT.}, }
@article {pmid37956729, year = {2023}, author = {Sun, Z and Bai, R and Bai, Z}, title = {The Application of Simulation Methods During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.}, journal = {Journal of biomedical informatics}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {104543}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbi.2023.104543}, pmid = {37956729}, issn = {1532-0480}, abstract = {With the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, simulation modelling approaches have become effective tools to simulate the potential effects of different intervention measures and predict the dynamic COVID-19 trends. In this scoping review, Studies published between February 2020 and May 2022 that investigated the spread of COVID-19 using four common simulation modeling methods were systematically reported and summarized. Publication trend, characteristics, software, and code availability of included articles were analyzed. Among the included 340 studies, most articles used agent-based model (ABM; n = 258; 75.9%), followed by the models of system dynamics (n = 42; 12.4%), discrete event simulation (n = 25; 7.4%), and hybrid simulation (n = 15; 4.4%). Furthermore, our review emphasized the purposes and sample time period of included articles. We classified the purpose of the 340 included studies into five categories, most studies mainly analyzed the spread of COVID-19 under policy interventions. For the sample time period analysis, most included studies analyzed the COVID-19 spread in the second wave. Our findings play a crucial role for policymakers to make evidence-based decisions in preventing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and help in providing scientific decision-makings resilient to similar events and infectious diseases in the future.}, }
@article {pmid37956269, year = {2023}, author = {Lusiki, Z and Blom, D and Soko, ND and Malema, S and Jones, E and Rayner, B and Blackburn, J and Sinxadi, P and Dandara, MT and Dandara, C}, title = {Major Genetic Drivers of Statin Treatment Response in African Populations and Pharmacogenetics of Dyslipidemia Through a One Health Lens.}, journal = {Omics : a journal of integrative biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1089/omi.2023.0122}, pmid = {37956269}, issn = {1557-8100}, abstract = {A One Health lens is increasingly significant to address the intertwined challenges in planetary health concerned with the health of humans, nonhuman animals, plants, and ecosystems. A One Health approach can benefit the public health systems in Africa that are overburdened by noncommunicable, infectious, and environmental diseases. Notably, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the previously overlooked two-fold importance of pharmacogenetics (PGx), for individually tailored treatment of noncommunicable diseases and environmental pathogens. For example, dyslipidemia, a common cardiometabolic risk factor, has been identified as an independent COVID-19 severity risk factor. Observational data suggest that patients with COVID-19 infection receiving lipid-lowering therapy may have better outcomes. However, among African patients, the response to these drugs varies from patient to patient, pointing to the possible contribution of genetic variation in important pharmacogenes. The PGx of lipid-lowering therapies may underlie differences in treatment responses observed among dyslipidemia patients as well as patients comorbid with COVID-19 and dyslipidemia. Genetic variations in APOE, ABCB1, CETP, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, HMGCR, LDLR, NPC1L1, and SLCO1B1 genes affect the pharmacogenomics of statins, and they have individually been linked to differential responses to dyslipidemia and COVID-19 treatment. African populations are underrepresented in PGx research. This leads to poor accounting of additional diverse genetic variants that could be important in understanding interindividual and between-population variations in therapeutic responses to dyslipidemia and COVID-19. This expert review examines and synthesizes the salient and priority PGx variations, as seen through a One Health lens in Africa, to improve and inform personalized medicine in both dyslipidemia and COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37955800, year = {2023}, author = {Mahmoud, H and Naal, H and Mitchell, B and Arenivar, L}, title = {Presenting a Framework for Telebehavioral Health Implementation.}, journal = {Current psychiatry reports}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37955800}, issn = {1535-1645}, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper presents OPTIC as a framework to guide the conceptualization and implementation of telebehavioral health (TBH) in a comprehensive, structured, and accessible manner.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: There is a need for comprehensive frameworks for TBH implementation, yet current models and frameworks described in the literature have limitations. Many studies highlight favorable outcomes of TBH during COVID-19, along with increased adoption. However, despite the plethora of publications on general telehealth implementation, knowledge is disparate, inconsistent, not comprehensive, and not TBH-specific. The framework incorporates five components: Originating site, Patient population, Teleclinician, Information and communication technologies, and Cultural and regulatory context. These components, abbreviated using the acronym OPTIC, are discussed, with examples of implementation considerations under each component throughout the project cycle. The value and larger implications of OPTIC are discussed as a foundation for stakeholders involved with TBH, in addition to key performance indicators, and considerations for quality enhancement.}, }
@article {pmid37955449, year = {2023}, author = {Sanito, RC and Mujiyanti, DR and You, SJ and Wang, YF}, title = {A review on medical waste treatment in COVID-19 pandemics: Technologies, managements and future strategies.}, journal = {Journal of the Air &amp; Waste Management Association (1995)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1080/10962247.2023.2282011}, pmid = {37955449}, issn = {2162-2906}, abstract = {Journal of the air and waste management association may consider our review paper to be published. In this review, we give important information related to the technologies, managements and strategies for handling the medical waste and control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus, starting from proper technology to control the high number of medical waste, their pollutants and many strategies for controlling the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Moreover, this review also describes some strategies associated with control the transmission not only the SARS-CoV-2 virus but also the outbreak of new viruses near the future.}, }
@article {pmid37955299, year = {2023}, author = {Yuan, YH and Mao, ND and Duan, JL and Zhang, H and Garrido, C and Lirussi, F and Gao, Y and Xie, T and Ye, XY}, title = {Recent progress in discovery of novel AAK1 inhibitors: from pain therapy to potential anti-viral agents.}, journal = {Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry}, volume = {38}, number = {1}, pages = {2279906}, pmid = {37955299}, issn = {1475-6374}, mesh = {Humans ; *Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases ; *Antiviral Agents/pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Pain ; }, abstract = {Adaptor associated kinase 1 (AAK1), a member of the Ark1/Prk1 family of Ser/Thr kinases, is a specific key kinase regulating Thr156 phosphorylation at the μ2 subunit of the adapter complex-2 (AP-2) protein. Due to their important biological functions, AAK1 systems have been validated in clinics for neuropathic pain therapy, and are being explored as potential therapeutic targets for diseases caused by various viruses such as Hepatitis C (HCV), Dengue, Ebola, and COVID-19 viruses and for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Centreing on the advances of drug discovery programs in this field up to 2023, AAK1 inhibitors are discussed from the aspects of the structure-based rational molecular design, pharmacology, toxicology and synthetic routes for the compounds of interest in this review. The aim is to provide the medicinal chemistry community with up-to-date information and to accelerate the drug discovery programs in the field of AAK1 small molecule inhibitors.}, }
@article {pmid37954764, year = {2023}, author = {Albanji, MH and Baghafar, AA and Alghanmi, YA and Shaaban, MM and Alkashlan, EA and Sende, HH and Alzahrani, MS and Filfilan, NN}, title = {Clinical Presentation and Management of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children With COVID-19: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e46918}, pmid = {37954764}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a relatively new syndrome associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that is characterized by a severe clinical course compared to pediatric COVID-19. This review aimed to compile the available evidence on the clinical presentation and management of MIS-C in children with COVID-19. During this systematic review, a comprehensive search was performed in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Medline, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Scopus, using predetermined search terms, such as Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords to find relevant studies on the MIS-C. Relevant data were extracted, and the quality of the studies was evaluated using suitable methods. The collected findings were synthesized and discussed in the study. The World Health Organization's (WHO) definition of MIS-C was the most favored due to its precision and inclusiveness. MIS-C primarily affected children aged 6-12 years, with male predominance. MIS-C involves a range of systems, including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hematologic, mucocutaneous, and respiratory. Radiographic findings revealed cardiovascular abnormalities, solid visceral organ involvement, and bowel abnormalities, reflecting a systemic inflammatory process. Laboratory investigations unveiled elevated inflammatory markers, neutrophil activation, release of extracellular traps in vessels, elevated procalcitonin, hyponatremia, hypoalbuminemia, low hemoglobin, and thrombocytopenia. The inflammatory markers and autoantibody profiles are essential in differentiating MIS-C from COVID-19. The preferred treatment primarily involves immunomodulatory therapies like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), glucocorticoids, and interleukin-6 or 1RA inhibitors or a combination of those. In severe cases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and mechanical ventilation are necessary, leading to reduced mortality and quick recovery. This review found that the average hospital stay was seven days, and most discharged children fully recovered within seven days. MIS-C is a life-threatening post-COVID-19 condition and involves multiple systems due to systemic inflammation, with elevated inflammation markers. Recognition of multisystem involvement is crucial, and prompt identification and multidisciplinary treatment are vital for optimal outcomes.}, }
@article {pmid37954715, year = {2023}, author = {Yeh, MY and Aggarwal, S and Carrig, M and Azeem, A and Nguyen, A and Devries, S and Destache, C and Nguyen, T and Velagapudi, M}, title = {Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Humans: A Narrative Review of the Most Neglected Parasitic Disease.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e46908}, pmid = {37954715}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {Strongyloidiasis is a helminth infection affecting 613.9 million people annually, mainly in the tropics and subtropics. The reported seroprevalence in the United States is 4% with most of the cases reported in immigrants. Human T-lympho-tropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) infections, hypogammaglobulinemia, immunosuppressant use - particularly steroid use, alcoholism, and malnutrition have been associated with an increased risk of strongyloidiasis. Recently, cases of strongyloidiasis hyperinfection syndrome have been described in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients treated with steroids as well. This brief review discusses the epidemiology, clinical features, management, and prevention of strongyloidiasis including some facts about the infection in pregnancy, transplant recipients, and COVID-19 patients. We conducted an online search using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Strongyloidiasis can be asymptomatic or present with mild symptoms. Strongyloides stercoralis is known to cause autoinfection. In immunocompromised individuals, it can present with severe symptoms, hyperinfection, or disseminated disease. Reported mortality in cases of disseminated Strongyloidiasis is 87.1%. Serology and detection of larvae in stool by direct microscopy are the most commonly used methods to diagnose strongyloidiasis. The drug of choice for the treatment is ivermectin. However, the use of ivermectin in human pregnancy is not well studied, and its teratogenic risks are unknown. Proactive screening of strongyloidiasis is necessary in immunocompromised individuals to prevent severe disease.}, }
@article {pmid37954278, year = {2023}, author = {Li, Y and Ji, Y and Li, F}, title = {A review: Mechanism and prospect of gastrodin in prevention and treatment of T2DM and COVID-19.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {9}, number = {11}, pages = {e21218}, pmid = {37954278}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {Gastrodin is an extract from the dried tuber of the Chinese herb Gastrodia elata (Tian ma), with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. Recent studies have shown that, compared to commonly used diabetes drugs, gastrodin has antidiabetic effects in multiple ways, with characteristics of low cost, high safety, less side effects, protection of β-cell function, relieving insulin resistance and alleviating multiple complications. In addition, it is confirmed that gastrodin can protect the function of lung and other organs, enhance antiviral activity via upregulating the type I interferon (IFN-I), and inhibit angiotensin II (AngII), a key factor in "cytokine storm" caused by COVID-19. Therefore, we reviewed the effect and mechanism of gastrodin on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and speculated other potential mechanisms of gastrodin in alleviating insulin resistance from insulin signal pathway, inflammation, mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum and its potential in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. We hope to provide new direction and treatment strategy for basic research and clinical work: gastrodin is considered as a drug for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37954052, year = {2023}, author = {Olawade, DB and Wada, OJ and David-Olawade, AC and Kunonga, E and Abaire, O and Ling, J}, title = {Using artificial intelligence to improve public health: a narrative review.}, journal = {Frontiers in public health}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1196397}, pmid = {37954052}, issn = {2296-2565}, mesh = {Humans ; *Artificial Intelligence ; Public Health ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; Delivery of Health Care ; }, abstract = {Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving tool revolutionizing many aspects of healthcare. AI has been predominantly employed in medicine and healthcare administration. However, in public health, the widespread employment of AI only began recently, with the advent of COVID-19. This review examines the advances of AI in public health and the potential challenges that lie ahead. Some of the ways AI has aided public health delivery are via spatial modeling, risk prediction, misinformation control, public health surveillance, disease forecasting, pandemic/epidemic modeling, and health diagnosis. However, the implementation of AI in public health is not universal due to factors including limited infrastructure, lack of technical understanding, data paucity, and ethical/privacy issues.}, }
@article {pmid37953993, year = {2023}, author = {Rehm, J and Badaras, R and Ferreira-Borges, C and Galkus, L and Gostautaite Midttun, N and Gobiņa, I and Janik-Koncewicz, K and Jasilionis, D and Jiang, H and Kim, KV and Lange, S and Liutkutė-Gumarov, V and Manthey, J and Miščikienė, L and Neufeld, M and Petkevičienė, J and Radišauskas, R and Reile, R and Room, R and Stoppel, R and Tamutienė, I and Tran, A and Trišauskė, J and Zatoński, M and Zatoński, WA and Zurlytė, I and Štelemėkas, M}, title = {Impact of the WHO "best buys" for alcohol policy on consumption and health in the Baltic countries and Poland 2000-2020.}, journal = {The Lancet regional health. Europe}, volume = {33}, number = {}, pages = {100704}, pmid = {37953993}, issn = {2666-7762}, abstract = {Alcohol use is a major risk factor for burden of disease. This narrative review aims to document the effects of major alcohol control policies, in particular taxation increases and availability restrictions in the three Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) between 2000 and 2020. These measures have been successful in curbing alcohol sales, in general without increasing consumption of alcoholic beverages from unrecorded sources; although for more recent changes this may have been partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, findings from time-series analyses suggest improved health, measured as reductions in all-cause and alcohol-attributable mortality, as well as narrowing absolute mortality inequalities between lower and higher educated groups. For most outcomes, there were sex differences observed, with alcohol control policies more strongly affecting males. In contrast to this successful path, alcohol control policies were mostly dismantled in the neighbouring country of Poland, resulting in a rising death toll due to liver cirrhosis and other alcohol-attributable deaths. The natural experiment in this region of high-income European countries with high consumption levels highlights the importance of effective alcohol control policies for improving population health.}, }
@article {pmid37953801, year = {2023}, author = {Marwaha, B}, title = {Role of Tau protein in long COVID and potential therapeutic targets.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1280600}, pmid = {37953801}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Rats ; *COVID-19 ; *Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; *tau Proteins/metabolism ; Tauopathies/diagnosis/drug therapy/metabolism ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Long COVID is an emerging public health burden and has been defined as a syndrome with common symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction, and others impacting day-to-day life, fluctuating or relapsing over, occurring for at least two months in patients with a history of probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection; usually three months from the onset of illness and cannot be explained by an alternate diagnosis. The actual prevalence of long-term COVID-19 is unknown, but it is believed that more than 17 million patients in Europe may have suffered from it during pandemic.<br><br>PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Currently, there is limited understanding of the pathophysiology of this syndrome, and multiple hypotheses have been proposed. Our literature review has shown studies reporting tau deposits in tissue samples of the brain from autopsies of COVID-19 patients compared to the control group, and the in-vitro human brain organoid model has shown aberrant phosphorylation of tau protein in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Tauopathies, a group of neurodegenerative disorders with the salient features of tau deposits, can manifest different symptoms based on the anatomical region of brain involvement and have been shown to affect the peripheral nervous system as well and explained even in rat model studies. Long COVID has more than 203 symptoms, with predominant symptoms of fatigue, dyspnea, and cognitive dysfunction, which tauopathy-induced CNS and peripheral nervous system dysfunction can explain. There have been no studies up till now to reveal the pathophysiology of long COVID. Based on our literature review, aberrant tau phosphorylation is a promising hypothesis that can be explored in future studies. Therapeutic approaches for tauopathies have multidimensional aspects, including targeting post-translational modifications, tau aggregation, and tau clearance through the autophagy process with the help of lysosomes, which can be potential targets for developing therapeutic interventions for the long COVID. In addition, future studies can attempt to find the tau proteins in CSF and use those as biomarkers for the long COVID.}, }
@article {pmid37953736, year = {2023}, author = {Saravanan, V and Chagaleti, BK and Narayanan, PL and Anandan, VB and Manoharan, H and Anjana, GV and Peraman, R and Namasivayam, SKR and Kavisri, M and Arockiaraj, J and Muthu Kumaradoss, K and Moovendhan, M}, title = {Discovery and development of COVID-19 vaccine from laboratory to clinic.}, journal = {Chemical biology &amp; drug design}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/cbdd.14383}, pmid = {37953736}, issn = {1747-0285}, abstract = {The world has recently experienced one of the biggest and most severe public health disasters with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) which is one of the most widespread and powerful infections affecting human lungs. Current figures show that the epidemic had reached 216 nations, where it had killed about 6,438,926 individuals and infected 590,405,710. WHO proclaimed the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD), in 2014 that killed hundreds of people in West Africa. The development of vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 becomes more difficult due to the viral mutation in its non-structural proteins (NSPs) especially NSP2 and NSP3, S protein, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Continuous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2, dynamics of the genomic sequence, and spike protein mutations are very important for the successful development of vaccines with good efficacy. Hence, the vaccine development for SARS-CoV-2 faces specific challenges starting from viral mutation. The requirement of long-term immunity development, safety, efficacy, stability, vaccine allocation, distribution, and finally, its cost is discussed in detail. Currently, 169 vaccines are in the clinical development stage, while 198 vaccines are in the preclinical development stage. The majority of these vaccines belong to the Ps-Protein subunit type which has 54, and the minor BacAg-SPV (Bacterial antigen-spore expression vector) type, at least 1 vaccination. The use of computational methods and models for vaccine development has revolutionized the traditional methods of vaccine development. Further, this updated review highlights the upcoming vaccine development strategies in response to the current pandemic and post-pandemic era, in the field of vaccine development.}, }
@article {pmid37953593, year = {2023}, author = {Soriano-Martín, A and Muñoz, P and García-Rodríguez, J and Cantón, R and Vena, A and Bassetti, M and Bouza, E}, title = {Unresolved issues in the diagnosis of catheter related candidemia: A position paper.}, journal = {Revista espanola de quimioterapia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.37201/req/112.2023}, pmid = {37953593}, issn = {1988-9518}, abstract = {The incidence and recent trends of candidemia and the contribution of the COVID-19 pandemic to its evolution are not well documented. The catheter is a major focus of Candida spp. infections, but the methods used to confirm the origin of candidemia are still based on the data generated for bacterial infection. The presence of Candida spp. on the tip of a removed catheter is the gold standard for confirmation but it is not always possible to remove it. Conservative methods, without catheter removal, have not been specifically studied for microorganisms whose times of growth are different from those of bacteria and therefore these results are not applicable to candidemia. The different Candida species do not have a particular tropism for catheter colonization and fungal biomarkers have not yet been able to contribute to the determination of the origin of candidemia. Techniques such Candida T2 Magnetic Resonance (T2MR) has not yet been applied for this purpose. Finally, there is not yet a consensus of how to proceed when Candida spp. is isolated from an extracted catheter and blood cultures obtained from simultaneous peripheral veins are negative. In this lack of firm data, a group of experts has formulated a series of questions trying to answer them based on the literature, indicating the current deficiencies and offering their own opinion. All authors agree with the conclusions of the manuscript and offer it as a position and discussion paper.}, }
@article {pmid37953169, year = {2023}, author = {Ripoll, JG and ElSaban, M and Nabzdyk, CS and Balakrishna, A and Villavicencio, MA and Calderon-Rojas, RD and Ortoleva, J and Chang, MG and Bittner, EA and Ramakrishna, H}, title = {Obesity and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): Analysis of Outcomes.}, journal = {Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1053/j.jvca.2023.10.025}, pmid = {37953169}, issn = {1532-8422}, abstract = {Traditionally, patients with obesity have been deemed ineligible for extracorporeal life support (ELS) therapies such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), given the association of obesity with chronic health conditions that contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, a growing body of literature suggests the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of ECMO in the obese population. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the current literature assessing the effects of obesity on outcomes among patients supported with ECMO (venovenous [VV] ECMO in noncoronavirus disease 2019 and coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome, venoarterial [VA] ECMO, and combined VV and VA ECMO), offer a possible explanation of the current findings on the basis of the obesity paradox phenomenon, provides a framework for future studies addressing the use of ELS therapies in the obese patient population, and provides guidance from the literature for many of the challenges related to initiating, maintaining, and weaning ELS therapy in patients with obesity.}, }
@article {pmid37952828, year = {2023}, author = {Moniruzzaman, M and Janjua, TI and Martin, JH and Begun, J and Popat, A}, title = {Cannabidiol - Help and hype in targeting mucosal diseases.}, journal = {Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.11.010}, pmid = {37952828}, issn = {1873-4995}, abstract = {Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most commonly utilised phytocannabinoids due to its non-psychoactive and multiple potential therapeutic properties and its non-selective pharmacology. Recent studies have demonstrated efficacy of CBD in some types of drug resistant epilepsies in combination with other therapies; comparative efficacy to other agents or placebo has been hoped for anxiety, chronic pain, and inflammatory disorders based on animal data. Although CBD products are generally treated as a restricted substance, these are being eased, partially in response to significant growth in CBD product usage and increased production but more due to emerging evidence about its safety and pharmacological properties. Currently, only one CBD product (Epidiolex®) has been approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration and US Food and Drug Administration. CBD has demonstrated promise in alleviating gut and lung diseases in vitro; however, its physicochemical properties pose a significant barrier to achieving pharmacological effects in in vivo and clinical trials. Improving CBD formulations and delivery methods using technologies including self-emulsifying emulsion, nano and micro particles could overcome these shortfalls and improve its efficacy. This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of CBD in gastrointestinal and lung diseases from the available in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research. We report on identified research gaps and obstacles in the development of CBD-based therapeutics, including novel delivery methods.}, }
@article {pmid37952705, year = {2023}, author = {McCarlie, SJ and du Preez, LL and Hernandez, JC and Boucher, CE and Bragg, RR}, title = {Transcriptomic signature of bacteria exposed to benzalkonium chloride.}, journal = {Research in microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {104151}, doi = {10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104151}, pmid = {37952705}, issn = {1769-7123}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted our reliance on biocides, the increasing prevalence of resistance to biocides is a risk to public health. Bacterial exposure to the biocide, benzalkonium chloride (BAC), resulted in a unique transcriptomic profile, characterised by both a short and long-term response. Differential gene expression was observed in four main areas: motility, membrane composition, proteostasis, and the stress response. A metabolism shift to protect the proteome and the stress response were prioritised suggesting these are main resistance mechanisms. Whereas "well-established" mechanisms, such as biofilm formation, were not found to be differentially expressed after exposure to BAC.}, }
@article {pmid37952583, year = {2023}, author = {Isabel Valverde-Merino, M and Gomez-Guzman, M and Piquer-Martinez, C and Dolores Cabezas Lopez, M and Jose Zarzuelo, M}, title = {The importance of COVID-19 vaccination during lactation.}, journal = {Infectious diseases now}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {104831}, doi = {10.1016/j.idnow.2023.104831}, pmid = {37952583}, issn = {2666-9919}, abstract = {The World Health Organization strongly supports breastfeeding as the main source of infant feeding to ensure maternal and child health. Since its emergence, COVID-19 has become a disease affecting the health of the world's population, and vaccines have been developed to prevent it. However, the decision to license COVID-19 vaccines for infants under 6 months of age has been delayed. Different studies have shown that during the breastfeeding period, the benefit-risk balance is much higher in favor of the benefit, at the immunological level for the infant, due to its low perception of adverse effects and the low transmission of products such as mRNA from the mother to the child. Different organizations and societies recommend vaccination in breastfeeding women. COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective.}, }
@article {pmid37952417, year = {2023}, author = {Wanigasinghe, J and Thisarani Weeraratne, C and Niroshika Dolapihilla, B and Mahen Elapatha, D}, title = {Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers of persons with epilepsy - A systematic review.}, journal = {Epilepsy &amp; behavior : E&amp;B}, volume = {149}, number = {}, pages = {109516}, doi = {10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109516}, pmid = {37952417}, issn = {1525-5069}, abstract = {PURPOSE: To describe the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers of persons with epilepsy.<br><br>METHODS: This systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting in Systematic Review &amp; Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The PECO (Patient, Exposure, Comparison, Outcome) framework criteria were as follows: caregivers of persons with epilepsy; exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic; and outcomes, evaluated under 4 domains- Difficulties faced by caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, physical, emotional and behavioural impacts, diagnosed health conditions, and impact on clinical management and follow-up). Literature was searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Medline, and Cochrane Library Databases. Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) was used to assess the methodological quality of studies.<br><br>RESULTS: Data were extracted from 21 eligible articles from 199 and included 5810 caregivers of persons with epilepsy. In the domain of difficulties faced by caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the most significant effect was related to difficulties in obtaining and affording anti-seizure medications. Appointment cancellations also affected most caregivers (4/7 studies). Seizure exacerbation was not a major concern to them. Anxiety, reported by most caregivers in 5/7 studies, depression in 2/5 studies, stress by majority of caregivers in 4/6 studies, and increased substance use in one study were other significant bad experiences. Social isolation increased for the majority in 2/7 studies. Financial difficulties were described in two studies. Under caregivers' health conditions, there was only one study to review. Emotional issues affected majority in 3/7 studies, physical issues in 2/4 studies, and worsened behavior in one. With regards to clinical management and follow-up, most caregivers (4/5 studies) adopted self-management strategies, but 3/8 studies reported difficulties in accessing medications and healthcare services. Additionally, 4/8 studies highlighted communication and coordination difficulties with healthcare providers. Caregivers' attitude towards telemedicine varied across studies.<br><br>SIGNIFICANCE: COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on caregivers of persons with epilepsy, affecting their emotional, physical, and behavioral health. It limited their access to healthcare and impacted financial stability. Caregivers of persons with epilepsy need comprehensive support and resources during crisis situations.}, }
@article {pmid37952296, year = {2023}, author = {Vaishya, R and Gupta, BM and Misra, A and Mamdapur, GMN and Walke, R and Vaish, A}, title = {Top 100 highly cited papers from India on COVID-19 research: A bibliometric analysis of the core literature.}, journal = {Diabetes &amp; metabolic syndrome}, volume = {17}, number = {11}, pages = {102898}, doi = {10.1016/j.dsx.2023.102898}, pmid = {37952296}, issn = {1878-0334}, abstract = {BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study aimed to assess the current status of India's COVID-19 research from the top 100 most cited papers, using bibliometrics methods and indicators and suggest strengths and weaknesses.<br><br>METHODOLOGY: Publications on COVID-19 research from India between December 2019 and 22 August 2023 were retrieved from the Scopus database. From 37101 studies retrieved, the first top 100 Highly Cited Papers (HCPs) having received 270 to 2931 citations, were identified.<br><br>RESULTS: The top 100 most cited Indian papers were published from 2020 to 2023, with the majority (75) in the year 2021, followed by 24 in 2022. They were cited a total of 56661 times (average&#xa0;-&#xa0;566.61 times). The 242 authors of these HCPs were from 159 Indian organizations, and the articles were published in 60 journals. 29&#xa0;% and 59&#xa0;% of these HCPs received external funding support and were involved in international collaborations, respectively. There was poor collaboration among Indian research institutions and a dearth of funding from India. None of the Indian HCPs figured in the global 100 HCPs.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Although citations of research papers published from India increased during COVID-19, limited collaboration, inadequate funding, and subpar publications hindered Indian scientists. To enhance India's research landscape, we propose dismantling barriers, nurturing collaboration, and encouraging knowledge exchange among domestic institutions.}, }
@article {pmid37951763, year = {2023}, author = {Salois, M}, title = {The Economics of Small Animal Veterinary Practice.}, journal = {The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.10.001}, pmid = {37951763}, issn = {1878-1306}, abstract = {Recent economic cycles and unique factors like the COVID-19 pandemic have all affected small animal veterinary practice, changing both demand and supply-side factors. One-time events exacerbated cyclical macroeconomic factors, increasing the highs and worsening the lows. Behind the perceived labor shortage, the mental health concerns, and the challenges of staff turnover in the profession's daily work to meet client expectations and provide the best possible medical care lurks a productivity problem. The good news is that veterinary practices can take steps to improve productivity and resilience in the face of these challenging trends.}, }
@article {pmid37950846, year = {2023}, author = {Ocampo, FF and Promsena, P and Chan, P}, title = {Update on Central Nervous System Effects of the Intersection of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.}, journal = {Current HIV/AIDS reports}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37950846}, issn = {1548-3576}, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Research has shown myriad neurologic and mental health manifestations during the acute and subsequent stages of COVID-19 in people with HIV (PWH). This review summarizes the updates on central nervous system (CNS) outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection in PWH and highlight the existing knowledge gaps in this area.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: Studies leveraging electronic record systems have highlighted the excess risk of developing acute and lingering neurological complications of COVID-19 in PWH compared to people without HIV (PWoH). However, there is a notable scarcity of neuroimaging as well as blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) marker studies that can confirm the potential synergy between these two infections, particularly in PWH receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy. Considering the unclear potential interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and HIV, clinicians should remain vigilant regarding new-onset or worsening neurological symptoms in PWH following COVID-19, as they could be linked to either infection.}, }
@article {pmid37950845, year = {2023}, author = {Scarlata, S and Okoye, C and Zotti, S and Lauretani, F and Nouvenne, A and Cerundolo, N and Bruni, AA and Torrini, M and Finazzi, A and Mazzarone, T and Lunian, M and Zucchini, I and Maccioni, L and Guarino, D and Fabbri Della Faggiola, S and Capacci, M and Bianco, MG and Guarona, G and Bellelli, G and Monzani, F and Virdis, A and Antonelli Incalzi, R and Ungar, A and Ticinesi, A and , }, title = {Advancing healthcare through thoracic ultrasound research in older patients.}, journal = {Aging clinical and experimental research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37950845}, issn = {1720-8319}, abstract = {This paper reports the proceedings of a meeting convened by the Research Group on Thoracic Ultrasound in Older People of the Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics, to discuss the current state-of-the-art of clinical research in the field of geriatric thoracic ultrasound and identify unmet research needs and potential areas of development. In the last decade, point-of-care thoracic ultrasound has entered clinical practice for diagnosis and management of several respiratory illnesses, such as bacterial and viral pneumonia, pleural effusion, acute heart failure, and pneumothorax, especially in the emergency-urgency setting. Very few studies, however, have been specifically focused on older patients with frailty and multi-morbidity, who frequently exhibit complex clinical pictures needing multidimensional evaluation. At the present state of knowledge, there is still uncertainty on the best requirements of ultrasound equipment, methodology of examination, and reporting needed to optimize the advantages of thoracic ultrasound implementation in the care of geriatric patients. Other issues regard differential diagnosis between bacterial and aspiration pneumonia, objective grading of interstitial syndrome severity, quantification and monitoring of pleural effusions and solid pleural lesions, significance of ultrasonographic assessment of post-COVID-19 sequelae, and prognostic value of assessment of diaphragmatic thickness and motility. Finally, application of remote ultrasound diagnostics in the community and nursing home setting is still poorly investigated by the current literature. Overall, the presence of several open questions on geriatric applications of thoracic ultrasound represents a strong call to implement clinical research in this field.}, }
@article {pmid37949477, year = {2023}, author = {Turan, JM and Vinikoor, MJ and Su, AY and Rangel-Gomez, M and Sweetland, A and Verhey, R and Chibanda, D and Paulino-Ramírez, R and Best, C and Masquillier, C and van Olmen, J and Gaist, P and Kohrt, BA}, title = {Global health reciprocal innovation to address mental health and well-being: strategies used and lessons learnt.}, journal = {BMJ global health}, volume = {8}, number = {Suppl 7}, pages = {}, pmid = {37949477}, issn = {2059-7908}, mesh = {Humans ; *Mental Health ; *Developing Countries ; Global Health ; Income ; }, abstract = {Over the past two decades there have been major advances in the development of interventions promoting mental health and well-being in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), including delivery of care by non-specialist providers, incorporation of mobile technologies and development of multilevel community-based interventions. Growing inequities in mental health have led to calls to adopt similar strategies in high-income countries (HIC), learning from LMIC. To overcome shared challenges, it is crucial for projects implementing these strategies in different global settings to learn from one another. Our objective was to examine cases in which mental health and well-being interventions originating in or conceived for LMIC were implemented in the USA. The cases included delivery of psychological interventions by non-specialists, HIV-related stigma reduction programmes, substance use mitigation strategies and interventions to promote parenting skills and family functioning. We summarise commonly used strategies, barriers, benefits and lessons learnt for the transfer of these innovative practices among LMIC and HIC. Common strategies included intervention delivery by non-specialists and use of digital modalities to facilitate training and increase reach. Common barriers included lack of reimbursement mechanisms for care delivered by non-specialists and resistance from professional societies. Despite US investigators' involvement in most of the original research in LMIC, only a few cases directly involved LMIC researchers in US implementation. In order to achieve greater equity in global mental health and well-being, more efforts and targeted funding are needed to develop best practices for global health reciprocal innovation and iterative learning in HIC and LMIC.}, }
@article {pmid37948194, year = {2023}, author = {Grand, RJ}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 and the DNA damage response.}, journal = {The Journal of general virology}, volume = {104}, number = {11}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1099/jgv.0.001918}, pmid = {37948194}, issn = {1465-2099}, mesh = {Humans ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; *COVID-19 ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Genomic Instability ; DNA Damage ; }, abstract = {The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is characterized by respiratory distress, multiorgan dysfunction and, in some cases, death. The virus is also responsible for post-COVID-19 condition (commonly referred to as 'long COVID'). SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus with a genome of approximately 30 kb, which encodes 26 proteins. It has been reported to affect multiple pathways in infected cells, resulting, in many cases, in the induction of a 'cytokine storm' and cellular senescence. Perhaps because it is an RNA virus, replicating largely in the cytoplasm, the effect of SARS-Cov-2 on genome stability and DNA damage responses (DDRs) has received relatively little attention. However, it is now becoming clear that the virus causes damage to cellular DNA, as shown by the presence of micronuclei, DNA repair foci and increased comet tails in infected cells. This review considers recent evidence indicating how SARS-CoV-2 causes genome instability, deregulates the cell cycle and targets specific components of DDR pathways. The significance of the virus's ability to cause cellular senescence is also considered, as are the implications of genome instability for patients suffering from long COVID.}, }
@article {pmid37947962, year = {2023}, author = {Hira, R and Karalasingham, K and Baker, JR and Raj, SR}, title = {Autonomic Manifestations of Long-COVID Syndrome.}, journal = {Current neurology and neuroscience reports}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37947962}, issn = {1534-6293}, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Long-COVID is a novel condition emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Long-COVID is characterized by symptoms commonly seen in autonomic disorders including fatigue, brain fog, light-headedness, and palpitations. This article will critically evaluate recent findings and studies on Long-COVID and its physiological autonomic manifestations.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: Studies have reported on the prevalence of different symptoms and autonomic disorders in Long-COVID cohorts. Autonomic nervous system function, including both the parasympathetic and sympathetic limbs, has been studied using different testing techniques in Long-COVID patients. While numerous mechanisms may contribute to Long-COVID autonomic pathophysiology, it is currently unclear which ones lead to a Long-COVID presentation. To date, studies have not tested treatment options for autonomic disorders in Long-COVID patients. Long-COVID is associated with autonomic abnormalities. There is a high prevalence of clinical autonomic disorders among Long-COVID patients, with limited knowledge of the underlying mechanisms and the effectiveness of treatment options.}, }
@article {pmid37643654, year = {2023}, author = {Reddy, A and González, JB and Rizvi, A and Nortje, N and Dalal, S and Haider, A and Amaram-Davila, JS and Bramati, P and Chen, M and Hui, D and Bruera, E}, title = {Impact of an Institution-Wide Goals of Care Program on the Timing of Referrals to Outpatient Palliative Care.}, journal = {Journal of pain and symptom management}, volume = {66}, number = {6}, pages = {e666-e671}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.08.019}, pmid = {37643654}, issn = {1873-6513}, mesh = {Humans ; *Palliative Care ; Outpatients ; Pandemics ; *Neoplasms/diagnosis ; Referral and Consultation ; Patient Care Planning ; }, abstract = {CONTEXT: Palliative care has received increased interest since the COVID-19 pandemic due to its role in guiding goals of care (GOC) discussions.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: We assessed the change in the timing of outpatient palliative care referrals before and after implementing an institution-wide multicomponent interdisciplinary GOC (myGOC) program.<br><br>METHODS: We reviewed 200 random supportive care center (SCC) consult visits each from June to November 2019 (before myGOC) and June to November 2020 (after myGOC). Data regarding Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) scores, time from hospital registration to SCC visit, SCC visit until death/last follow-up, and advance care planning (ACP) notes were collected. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate overall survival (OS).<br><br>RESULTS: The median OS from the SCC consult visit was 15.2 months (95% CI:11.7-19.7) before and 14.0 months (95% CI:10.8-17.9) after the myGOC program (P&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.646). There were no significant differences in the median time between the SCC consult visit to death/last follow-up (11.95 vs. 12.0 months after myGOC; P&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.841) and the first visits to our cancer center and SCC (6.1 vs. 5.29 months after myGOC; P&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.689). Patients seen after myGOC had significantly lower ESAS symptom scores, better performance status (2 [1-2] vs. 2 [1-3]; P&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.018], and more ACP notes composed by medical oncology teams (25.5% vs. 4.5%; P < 0.001).<br><br>CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in OS among patients seen in the SCC before and after myGOC, likely related to a ceiling effect. More oncologists had ACP discussions with patients, and patients had lower symptom scores on ESAS after myGOC, likely indicating that more patients were referred for GOC discussions and ACP rather than for symptom distress.}, }
@article {pmid37947953, year = {2023}, author = {Rabin, Y and Kohler, RE}, title = {COVID-19 Vaccination Messengers, Communication Channels, and Messages Trusted Among Black Communities in the USA: a Review.}, journal = {Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37947953}, issn = {2196-8837}, support = {K22 CA258675/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Black and African American adults exhibited higher levels of mistrust and vaccine hesitancy and lower levels of vaccination throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination and booster uptake remains disproportionately low among Black adults. We conducted a systematic review of empirical research published between February 2021 and July 2022 from five electronic databases and the grey literature. We screened studies that assessed COVID-19 vaccination information needs and preferences as well as communication strategies among Black adults in the USA. We extracted data, then analyzed and synthesized results narratively. Twenty-two articles were included: 2 interventions, 3 experimental surveys, 7 observational surveys, 8 qualitative inquiries, and 2 mixed methods studies. Studies reported credible and preferred COVID-19 vaccination information sources/messengers, channels, and content. Commonly trusted messengers included personal health care providers, social network connections, and church/faith leaders. Electronic outreach (e.g., email, text messages), community events (e.g., forums, canvassing), and social media were popular. Black communities wanted hopeful, fact-based messages that address racism and mistrust; persuasive messages using collective appeals about protecting others may be more influential in changing behavior. Future communication strategies aiming to increase vaccine confidence and encourage COVID-19 booster vaccination among Black communities should be developed in partnership with community leaders and local health care providers to disseminate trauma-informed messages with transparent facts and collective action appeals across multiple in-person and electronic channels.}, }
@article {pmid37947913, year = {2023}, author = {Wu, Z and Zhang, T and Ma, X and Guo, S and Zhou, Q and Zahoor, A and Deng, G}, title = {Recent advances in anti-inflammatory active components and action mechanisms of natural medicines.}, journal = {Inflammopharmacology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37947913}, issn = {1568-5608}, support = {30972744//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {Inflammation is a series of reactions caused by the body's resistance to external biological stimuli. Inflammation affects the occurrence and development of many diseases. Anti-inflammatory drugs have been used widely to treat inflammatory diseases, but long-term use can cause toxic side-effects and affect human functions. As immunomodulators with long-term conditioning effects and no drug residues, natural products are being investigated increasingly for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this review, we focus on the inflammatory process and cellular mechanisms in the development of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, and coronavirus disease-2019. Also, we focus on three signaling pathways (Nuclear factor-kappa B, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3) to explain the anti-inflammatory effect of natural products. In addition, we also classified common natural products based on secondary metabolites and explained the association between current bidirectional prediction progress of natural product targets and inflammatory diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37947373, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, Y and Shen, M and Li, Y and Shao, J and Zhang, F and Guo, M and Zhang, Z and Zheng, S}, title = {COVID-19-associated liver injury: Adding fuel to the flame.}, journal = {Cell biochemistry and function}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/cbf.3883}, pmid = {37947373}, issn = {1099-0844}, support = {BK20220467//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; BK20200840//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; 82000572//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82073914//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82173874//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82305046//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82304902//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; SJCX22_0792//Jiangsu Graduate Research and Practice Innovation Program/ ; 22KJB310013//General Projects of the Natural Science Research of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions/ ; 2022-QNRC2-B15//Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CACM/ ; JSSCBS20220452//Jiangsu Provincial Double-Innovation Doctor Program/ ; JSSCBS20220472//Jiangsu Provincial Double-Innovation Doctor Program/ ; NZY82000572//The Natural Science Foundation of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine/ ; NZY82305046//The Natural Science Foundation of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine/ ; 2023QB0124//Outstanding Young Doctoral Training Program/ ; }, abstract = {COVID-19 is mainly characterized by respiratory disorders and progresses to multiple organ involvement in severe cases. With expansion of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 research, correlative liver injury has been revealed. It is speculated that COVID-19 patients exhibited abnormal liver function, as previously observed in the SARS and MERS pandemics. Furthermore, patients with underlying diseases such as chronic liver disease are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and indicate a poor prognosis accompanied by respiratory symptoms, systemic inflammation, or metabolic diseases. Therefore, COVID-19 has the potential to impair liver function, while individuals with preexisting liver disease suffer from much worse infected conditions. COVID-19 related liver injury may be owing to direct cytopathic effect, immune dysfunction, gut-liver axis interaction, and inappropriate medication use. However, discussions on these issues are infancy. Expanding research have revealed that angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression mediated the combination of virus and target cells, iron metabolism participated in the virus life cycle and the fate of target cells, and amino acid metabolism regulated immune response in the host cells, which are all closely related to liver health. Further exploration holds great significance in elucidating the pathogenesis, facilitating drug development, and advancing clinical treatment of COVID-19-related liver injury. This article provides a review of the clinical and laboratory hepatic characteristics in COVID-19 patients, describes the etiology and impact of liver injury, and discusses potential pathophysiological mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid37947227, year = {2023}, author = {Noureldine, HA and Chedid, G and Abdessamad, H and Costanian, C and Maamari, J and Al Nakib, M and Maatook, I and Farra, A and Husni, R and Mokhbat, J}, title = {COVID-19 among people living with HIV in Lebanon.}, journal = {Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit}, volume = {29}, number = {10}, pages = {775-782}, doi = {10.26719/emhj.23.107}, pmid = {37947227}, issn = {1687-1634}, mesh = {Humans ; *HIV Infections/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Lebanon/epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: There are conflicting reports of the interaction between COVID-19 and HIV infection among coinfected individuals, and there is a particular dearth of evidence among populations in the Middle East.<br><br>AIM: To determine if living with HIV and use of antiretroviral therapy increases susceptibility to, and severity of, COVID-19.<br><br>METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on telephone survey of COVID-19 symptoms duration and clinical course among 200 people living with HIV (PLWHs) and a review of medical records in Beirut, Lebanon, during Spring 2021. Data were collected from consenting patients using standardized forms. The laboratory and medical characteristics of PLWHs with and without COVID-19 were compared and the outcomes of COVID-19 were described. A binary logistic regression model for contracting COVID-19 was constructed based on clinically relevant covariates consistently associated with COVID-19. Significance level was set at 0.05 and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.0. The Lebanese American University Institutional Review Board approved the study protocol.<br><br>RESULTS: Fifty-two of 200 PLWHs contracted COVID-19 but only 4 progressed to severe COVID-19. No significant differences were found with respect to gender, time since HIV diagnosis, most recent CD4 count, viral load, substance use, comorbidities, or use of antiretroviral therapy. Older PLWHs were at lower risk of contracting COVID-19; COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with younger age.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 infection was associated with younger age among PLWHs in Lebanon, possibly due to behavioural and socioeconomic factors.}, }
@article {pmid37947070, year = {2024}, author = {Sharma, N and Sharma, G and Toor, D}, title = {Plausible Influence of HLA Class I and Class II Diversity on SARS-CoV-2 Vulnerability.}, journal = {Critical reviews in immunology}, volume = {44}, number = {1}, pages = {31-40}, doi = {10.1615/CritRevImmunol.2023049920}, pmid = {37947070}, issn = {1040-8401}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/genetics ; HLA Antigens/genetics ; }, abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which adversely affected almost all aspects of human life and resulted in the loss of millions of lives, while affecting nearly 0.67 billion people worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 still poses a challenge to the healthcare system as there are more than 200,000 active cases of COVID-19 around the globe. Epidemiological data suggests that the magnitude of morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 was low in a few geographical regions and was unpredictably higher in a few regions. The genetic diversity of different geographical regions might explain the sporadic prevalence of the disease. In this context, human leukocyte antigens (HLA) represent the most polymorphic gene-dense region of the human genome and serve as an excellent mini-genome model for evaluating population genetic diversity in the context of susceptibility and progression of various diseases. In this review, we highlight the plausible influence of HLA in susceptibility, severity, immune response, and designing of epitope-based vaccines for COVID-19. Further, there is a need for extensive investigations for illustration and clarification of the functional impact of HLA class I and II alleles in the pathogenesis and progression of SARS-CoV-2.}, }
@article {pmid37946767, year = {2023}, author = {Tomov, L and Chervenkov, L and Miteva, DG and Batselova, H and Velikova, T}, title = {Applications of time series analysis in epidemiology: Literature review and our experience during COVID-19 pandemic.}, journal = {World journal of clinical cases}, volume = {11}, number = {29}, pages = {6974-6983}, pmid = {37946767}, issn = {2307-8960}, abstract = {Time series analysis is a valuable tool in epidemiology that complements the classical epidemiological models in two different ways: Prediction and forecast. Prediction is related to explaining past and current data based on various internal and external influences that may or may not have a causative role. Forecasting is an exploration of the possible future values based on the predictive ability of the model and hypothesized future values of the external and/or internal influences. The time series analysis approach has the advantage of being easier to use (in the cases of more straightforward and linear models such as Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average). Still, it is limited in forecasting time, unlike the classical models such as Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed. Its applicability in forecasting comes from its better accuracy for short-term prediction. In its basic form, it does not assume much theoretical knowledge of the mechanisms of spreading and mutating pathogens or the reaction of people and regulatory structures (governments, companies, etc.). Instead, it estimates from the data directly. Its predictive ability allows testing hypotheses for different factors that positively or negatively contribute to the pandemic spread; be it school closures, emerging variants, etc. It can be used in mortality or hospital risk estimation from new cases, seroprevalence studies, assessing properties of emerging variants, and estimating excess mortality and its relationship with a pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid37946717, year = {2023}, author = {O'Neill, GK and Taylor, J and Kok, J and Dwyer, DE and Dilcher, M and Hua, H and Levy, A and Smith, D and Minney-Smith, CA and Wood, T and Jelley, L and Huang, QS and Trenholme, A and McAuliffe, G and Barr, I and Sullivan, SG}, title = {Circulation of influenza and other respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand, 2020-2021.}, journal = {Western Pacific surveillance and response journal : WPSAR}, volume = {14}, number = {3}, pages = {1-9}, pmid = {37946717}, issn = {2094-7313}, mesh = {Humans ; *Influenza, Human/epidemiology ; New Zealand/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Australia/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Circulation patterns of influenza and other respiratory viruses have been globally disrupted since the emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the introduction of public health and social measures (PHSMs) aimed at reducing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission.<br><br>METHODS: We reviewed respiratory virus laboratory data, Google mobility data and PHSMs in five geographically diverse regions in Australia and New Zealand. We also described respiratory virus activity from January 2017 to August 2021.<br><br>RESULTS: We observed a change in the prevalence of circulating respiratory viruses following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in early 2020. Influenza activity levels were very low in all regions, lower than those recorded in 2017-2019, with less than 1% of laboratory samples testing positive for influenza virus. In contrast, rates of human rhinovirus infection were increased. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity was delayed; however, once it returned, most regions experienced activity levels well above those seen in 2017-2019. The timing of the resurgence in the circulation of both rhinovirus and RSV differed within and between the two countries.<br><br>DISCUSSION: The findings of this study suggest that as domestic and international borders are opened up and other COVID-19 PHSMs are lifted, clinicians and public health professionals should be prepared for resurgences in influenza and other respiratory viruses. Recent patterns in RSV activity suggest that these resurgences in non-COVID-19 viruses have the potential to occur out of season and with increased impact.}, }
@article {pmid37946023, year = {2023}, author = {Franke, A and Lehmann, W and Wurmb, T}, title = {[Inpatient surgical treatment in mass casualty situations and disasters-Principles, targets, concepts, preparation].}, journal = {Chirurgie (Heidelberg, Germany)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37946023}, issn = {2731-698X}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The war in Ukraine and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic have moved the resilience of the healthcare system in Germany into the focus of a broad discussion. The preparation for such a damage situation is characterized by the relationship between the available treatment capacity and needs which go far beyond the norm. The aim of a resilient healthcare system must be to adequately react to such exceptional situations. Particularly in acute disaster and mass casualty situations, medical standards and an individualized surgical treatment must be maintained for as long as possible.<br><br>The aim of this article is to elucidate the current terminology on medical treatment of patients in disasters from a surgical perspective, to further develop available concepts and possible concepts of crisis management based on three schematically presented scenarios. Furthermore, the general reaction possibilities for mobilization of treatment capacities are described.<br><br>RESULTS: In order to uniformly collate the quality of medical treatment in a damage situation, it is meaningful to include the stages of individualized treatment, compensated crisis care and decompensated crisis care. Within the framework of a mass casualty situation or a disaster, traumatological and surgical patients are predominant and the aim must be to maintain or restore the stage of a compensated crisis management. Depending on the extent of the damage situation, this can only be realized in a timely manner independent of state boundaries and by a superordinate central management structure. For a comprehensive provision of surgical treatment capacities, the depiction of a continuous overview of the situation with current resources and structural data of the hospitals in the affected region is necessary.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The aim of all efforts and preparations must therefore be to durably strengthen hospitals and to train and develop this with respect to coping with a damage situation in disaster medicine. In this respect it is important to establish a consensus on terminology, the type of treatment and the tactical strategic principles of surgical treatment to cope with a disaster or damage situation.}, }
@article {pmid37945737, year = {2023}, author = {Lapuente, D and Winkler, TH and Tenbusch, M}, title = {B-cell and antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2: infection, vaccination, and hybrid immunity.}, journal = {Cellular &amp; molecular immunology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37945737}, issn = {2042-0226}, support = {Projektnummer 215346292//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; }, abstract = {The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019 prompted scientific, medical, and biotech communities to investigate infection- and vaccine-induced immune responses in the context of this pathogen. B-cell and antibody responses are at the center of these investigations, as neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) are an important correlate of protection (COP) from infection and the primary target of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine modalities. In addition to absolute levels, nAb longevity, neutralization breadth, immunoglobulin isotype and subtype composition, and presence at mucosal sites have become important topics for scientists and health policy makers. The recent pandemic was and still is a unique setting in which to study de novo and memory B-cell (MBC) and antibody responses in the dynamic interplay of infection- and vaccine-induced immunity. It also provided an opportunity to explore new vaccine platforms, such as mRNA or adenoviral vector vaccines, in unprecedented cohort sizes. Combined with the technological advances of recent years, this situation has provided detailed mechanistic insights into the development of B-cell and antibody responses but also revealed some unexpected findings. In this review, we summarize the key findings of the last 2.5 years regarding infection- and vaccine-induced B-cell immunity, which we believe are of significant value not only in the context of SARS-CoV-2 but also for future vaccination approaches in endemic and pandemic settings.}, }
@article {pmid37681938, year = {2024}, author = {Liu, J and Ouyang, N and Mizrahi, A and Kornides, ML}, title = {Social Distancing in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associated Factors, Health Outcomes, and Implications.}, journal = {Family &amp; community health}, volume = {47}, number = {1}, pages = {80-94}, doi = {10.1097/FCH.0000000000000367}, pmid = {37681938}, issn = {1550-5057}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control/epidemiology ; Physical Distancing ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; Outcome Assessment, Health Care ; }, abstract = {Social distancing has reemerged as a public health measure for containing the spread of COVID-19. This integrative review aims to analyze the historical use of social distancing, the current application during COVID-19, individual factors that affect social distancing practices, and consequential health outcomes. We analyzed relevant literature from searches conducted on Scopus, PubMed, and PsycINFO. We found that resources, culture, age, gender, and personality are associated with the degree to which people practice social distancing. Furthermore, social distancing changes our lifestyles and behavior and results in multifaceted health outcomes, including decreased physical activity and sunlight exposure, increased weight gain, and impaired sleep quality. On the positive side, social distancing has been linked to reduced crime rates and environmental damage, as well as better social and family ties. Future interventions may be utilized to increase adherence to social distancing practices and to mitigate the negative health effects of social distancing.}, }
@article {pmid37526023, year = {2023}, author = {Miller, AE and Zhang, D and Shields, BE and Borghesi, A and Benincaso, AR and Bernardo, L and Ramien, M and Lara-Corrales, I and Kirkorian, AY and Maguiness, S and Drolet, B}, title = {COVID-19 associated severe mucocutaneous blistering eruptions: A case series.}, journal = {Pediatric dermatology}, volume = {40}, number = {6}, pages = {990-995}, doi = {10.1111/pde.15407}, pmid = {37526023}, issn = {1525-1470}, abstract = {Mucocutaneous eruptions are associated with numerous infectious processes and can present as erythema multiforme (EM), reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (RIME), Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS), or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Limited reports have detailed the association of these eruptions with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We present a series of eight cases of severe mucocutaneous blistering eruptions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A retrospective case series was performed at six tertiary medical centers from March 1, 2020 to August 1, 2022. Inclusion criteria were met with a clinical diagnosis of EM, RIME, SJS, or TEN and a positive SARS-CoV-2 test (rapid antigen or polymerase chain reaction) less than 4 weeks prior to onset of dermatologic manifestation. Data was collected at time of each patient encounter. Eight patients met criteria with six pediatric patients (<18 years of age) having a median age of 15 years and two adult patients (>18 years of age) having a median age of 36 years. Patients were found to have a clinical diagnosis of RIME in 85.7% of cases. Oral mucosal involvement was the most common clinical finding (100%), followed by ocular (50.0%), urogenital (50.0%), and skin (37.5%) involvement. Evaluation did not reveal any additional infectious triggers in four patients. Evidence of possible concurrent or previous infectious triggers were identified in four patients. This case series highlights the development of severe mucocutaneous eruptions in association with COVID-19 infection, as well as the potential contributing role of concurrent or prior infections.}, }
@article {pmid36097815, year = {2023}, author = {Parenteau, AM and Boyer, CJ and Campos, LJ and Carranza, AF and Deer, LK and Hartman, DT and Bidwell, JT and Hostinar, CE}, title = {A review of mental health disparities during COVID-19: Evidence, mechanisms, and policy recommendations for promoting societal resilience.}, journal = {Development and psychopathology}, volume = {35}, number = {4}, pages = {1821-1842}, pmid = {36097815}, issn = {1469-2198}, support = {KL2 TR001859/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HD104185/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR001860/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Child ; Humans ; Female ; United States ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; Mental Health ; Pandemics ; Sexual Behavior ; Policy ; }, abstract = {Social and economic inequality are chronic stressors that continually erode the mental and physical health of marginalized groups, undermining overall societal resilience. In this comprehensive review, we synthesize evidence of greater increases in mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among socially or economically marginalized groups in the United States, including (a) people who are low income or experiencing homelessness, (b) racial and ethnic minorities, (c) women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) communities, (d) immigrants and migrants, (e) children and people with a history of childhood adversity, and (f) the socially isolated and lonely. Based on this evidence, we propose that reducing social and economic inequality would promote population mental health and societal resilience to future crises. Specifically, we propose concrete, actionable recommendations for policy, intervention, and practice that would bolster five "pillars" of societal resilience: (1) economic safety and equity, (2) accessible healthcare, including mental health services, (3) combating racial injustice and promoting respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion, (4) child and family protection services, and (5) social cohesion. Although the recent pandemic exposed and accentuated steep inequalities within our society, efforts to rebuild offer the opportunity to re-envision societal resilience and policy to reduce multiple forms of inequality for our collective benefit.}, }
@article {pmid34550814, year = {2023}, author = {MacNeil, A and Findlay, B and Bimman, R and Hocking, T and Barclay, T and Ho, J}, title = {Exploring the Use of Virtual Funerals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.}, journal = {Omega}, volume = {88}, number = {2}, pages = {425-448}, pmid = {34550814}, issn = {1541-3764}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; Funeral Rites ; Grief ; Adaptation, Psychological ; }, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing limitations have had a profound impact on funeral practices and associated grieving processes. The purpose of the present scoping review is to summarize the existing literature on the emerging use of virtual funerals. Five medical databases, five social science databases, and five grey literature databases were searched, identifying 1,351 titles and abstracts, of which 62 met inclusion criteria. Four themes, each with various subthemes emerged: (a) Impact of virtual funerals on coping with death; (b) Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the funeral industry; (c) Benefits and disadvantages of virtual funerals; and (d) Future implications for health and social work practitioners. Virtual funerals are an evolving resource for individuals, families, and communities to mourn in response to the interruptions to traditional grieving practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid34210176, year = {2023}, author = {McDuffie, DL and Kouchi, K and Dorman, H and Bownes, E and Condon, SE and Crowther, MR}, title = {Grief, COVID-19, and the South: Considerations and Recommendations.}, journal = {Omega}, volume = {88}, number = {2}, pages = {398-409}, pmid = {34210176}, issn = {1541-3764}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Grief ; *Bereavement ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: COVID-19 has devastated the United States (U.S.). One of the more notably impacted areas is the South. Compared to the rest of the U.S., the South is characterized by increased rurality, lowered access to healthcare, older populations, and higher religiosity, all of which might predispose its residents to more detrimental effects of COVID-19, including COVID-related fatalities. As such, this paper provides important considerations for individuals engaging in work with Southern, rural Americans dealing with COVID-related grief and loss.<br><br>METHODS: A review of the literature addressing the impact of Southern legislature, rurality, cross-country factors, and faith on COVID-related grief among Southerners was conducted, with applicable considerations expressed.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Care should be taken by providers working with rural, Southern residents to attend to tangible and intangible losses experienced as a result of COVID-19. These considerations can help inform work with rural Southerners dealing with grief during the pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid37944405, year = {2023}, author = {Azam, JM and Pang, X and Are, EB and Pulliam, JRC and Ferrari, MJ}, title = {Modelling outbreak response impact in human vaccine-preventable diseases: A systematic review of differences in practices between collaboration types before COVID-19.}, journal = {Epidemics}, volume = {45}, number = {}, pages = {100720}, doi = {10.1016/j.epidem.2023.100720}, pmid = {37944405}, issn = {1878-0067}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Outbreak response modelling often involves collaboration among academics, and experts from governmental and non-governmental organizations. We conducted a systematic review of modelling studies on human vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks to identify patterns in modelling practices between two collaboration types. We complemented this with a mini comparison of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a veterinary disease that is controllable by vaccination.<br><br>METHODS: We searched three databases for modelling studies that assessed the impact of an outbreak response. We extracted data on author affiliation type (academic institution, governmental, and non-governmental organizations), location studied, and whether at least one author was affiliated to the studied location. We also extracted the outcomes and interventions studied, and model characteristics. Included studies were grouped into two collaboration types: purely academic (papers with only academic affiliations), and mixed (all other combinations) to help investigate differences in modelling patterns between collaboration types in the human disease literature and overall differences with FMD collaboration practices.<br><br>RESULTS: Human VPDs formed 227 of 252 included studies. Purely academic collaborations dominated the human disease studies (56%). Notably, mixed collaborations increased in the last seven years (2013-2019). Most studies had an author affiliated to an institution in the country studied (75.2%) but this was more likely among the mixed collaborations. Contrasted to the human VPDs, mixed collaborations dominated the FMD literature (56%). Furthermore, FMD studies more often had an author with an affiliation to the country studied (92%) and used complex model design, including stochasticity, and model parametrization and validation.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The increase in mixed collaboration studies over the past seven years could suggest an increase in the uptake of modelling for outbreak response decision-making. We encourage more mixed collaborations between academic and non-academic institutions and the involvement of locally affiliated authors to help ensure that the studies suit local contexts.}, }
@article {pmid37943302, year = {2023}, author = {Bhattacharjee, N and Sarkar, P and Sarkar, T}, title = {Beyond the acute illness: Exploring long COVID and its impact on multiple organ systems.}, journal = {Physiology international}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1556/2060.2023.00256}, pmid = {37943302}, issn = {2498-602X}, abstract = {Unprecedented worldwide health catastrophe due to the COVID-19 pandemic has ended up resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. Even though many people recover from acute infection, there is rising concern regarding post-COVID-19 conditions (PCCs), often referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or "long COVID." The respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and endocrine systems are just a few of the many organ systems that can be impacted by this multifarious, complicated illness. The clinical manifestations of long COVID can vary among individuals and may include fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, cognitive impairment, and new-onset diabetes, among others. Although the underlying processes of long COVID are not fully understood, they probably involve unregulated immune response, persistent generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (chronic inflammation), autoimmune-like reactions, persistent viral replication, and micro-clot formation. To create successful treatments and care plans, it is essential to comprehend the immunological mechanisms causing these difficulties. The pathogenesis of long COVID should be clarified and potential biomarkers to help with diagnosis and treatment should be sought after. To reduce the burden of long COVID on people and healthcare systems around the world, the need for long-term monitoring and management of long COVID problems should be emphasized. It also underscores the significance of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. The goal of this review is to carefully evaluate the clinical signs and symptoms of long COVID, their underlying causes, and any potential immunological implications.}, }
@article {pmid37942943, year = {2023}, author = {Marongiu, L and Burkard, M and Helling, T and Biendl, M and Venturelli, S}, title = {Modulation of the replication of positive-sense RNA viruses by the natural plant metabolite xanthohumol and its derivatives.}, journal = {Critical reviews in food science and nutrition}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-15}, doi = {10.1080/10408398.2023.2275169}, pmid = {37942943}, issn = {1549-7852}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of identifying new potent antiviral agents. Nutrients as well as plant-derived substances are promising candidates because they are usually well tolerated by the human body and readily available in nature, and consequently mostly cheap to produce. A variety of antiviral effects have recently been described for the hop chalcone xanthohumol (XN), and to a lesser extent for its derivatives, making these hop compounds particularly attractive for further investigation. Noteworthy, mounting evidence indicated that XN can suppress a wide range of viruses belonging to several virus families, all of which share a common reproductive cycle. As a result, the purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent research on the antiviral properties of XN and its derivatives, with a particular emphasis on the positive-sense RNA viruses human hepatitis C virus (HCV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (SARS-CoV-2).}, }
@article {pmid37942601, year = {2023}, author = {Loskutov, IA and Korsakova, NV and Lyakhova, EA and Poromov, AA and Pshenichnaya, NY and Maleev, VV}, title = {[Ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19].}, journal = {Vestnik oftalmologii}, volume = {139}, number = {5}, pages = {81-88}, doi = {10.17116/oftalma202313905181}, pmid = {37942601}, issn = {0042-465X}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Eye ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {In March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 respiratory virus. The high spread rate of the virus and the severity of the course of the disease are of great clinical and epidemiological significance, making it relevant for ophthalmologists to study the mechanisms of how SARS-CoV-2 infects ocular structures, as well as possible clinical manifestations of the infection in the organ of vision. This review contains analysis, systematization, and generalization of epidemiological and clinical data on SARS-CoV-2 ocular lesions and was carried out with the data found in scientific abstract databases. The article presents main clinical ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19, lists the utilized schemes of etiotropic and symptomatic therapy, recommended preventive measures, and considers the possible ophthalmic complications after vaccination against COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37942323, year = {2023}, author = {Müller, L and Di Benedetto, S}, title = {From aging to long COVID: exploring the convergence of immunosenescence, inflammaging, and autoimmunity.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1298004}, pmid = {37942323}, issn = {1664-3224}, mesh = {Humans ; Aged ; *Immunosenescence ; Autoimmunity ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; *COVID-19 ; Aging ; *Autoimmune Diseases ; Inflammation ; }, abstract = {The process of aging is accompanied by a dynamic restructuring of the immune response, a phenomenon known as immunosenescence. This mini-review navigates through the complex landscape of age-associated immune changes, chronic inflammation, age-related autoimmune tendencies, and their potential links with immunopathology of Long COVID. Immunosenescence serves as an introductory departure point, elucidating alterations in immune cell profiles and their functional dynamics, changes in T-cell receptor signaling, cytokine network dysregulation, and compromised regulatory T-cell function. Subsequent scrutiny of chronic inflammation, or "inflammaging," highlights its roles in age-related autoimmune susceptibilities and its potential as a mediator of the immune perturbations observed in Long COVID patients. The introduction of epigenetic facets further amplifies the potential interconnections. In this compact review, we consider the dynamic interactions between immunosenescence, inflammation, and autoimmunity. We aim to explore the multifaceted relationships that link these processes and shed light on the underlying mechanisms that drive their interconnectedness. With a focus on understanding the immunological changes in the context of aging, we seek to provide insights into how immunosenescence and inflammation contribute to the emergence and progression of autoimmune disorders in the elderly and may serve as potential mediator for Long COVID disturbances.}, }
@article {pmid37942208, year = {2023}, author = {Puntmann, VO and Shchendrygina, A and Bolanos, CR and Madjiguène Ka, M and Valbuena, S and Rolf, A and Escher, F and Nagel, E}, title = {Cardiac Involvement Due to COVID-19: Insights from Imaging and Histopathology.}, journal = {European cardiology}, volume = {18}, number = {}, pages = {e58}, pmid = {37942208}, issn = {1758-3764}, abstract = {Lingering cardiac symptoms are increasingly recognised complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, now referred to as post-acute cardiovascular sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). In the acute phase, cardiac injury is driven by cytokine release and stems from ischaemic and thrombotic complications, resulting in myocardial necrosis. Patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions are particularly vulnerable. Myocarditis due to a direct viral infection is rare. Chronic symptoms relate to either worsening of pre-existing heart disease (PASC - cardiovascular disease) or delayed chronic inflammatory condition due to heterogenous immune dysregulation (PASC - cardiovascular syndrome), the latter affecting a broad segment of previously well people. Both PASC presentations are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, long-term disability and reduced quality of life. The recognition and management of PASC in clinical settings remains a considerable challenge. Sensitive diagnostic methods are needed to detect subtler inflammatory changes that underlie the persistent symptoms in PASC - cardiovascular syndrome, alongside considerable clinical experience in inflammatory cardiac conditions.}, }
@article {pmid37942195, year = {2023}, author = {Vasei, M and Jafari, E and Falah Azad, V and Safavi, M and Sotoudeh, M}, title = {Molecular Diagnosis of COVID-19; Biosafety and Pre-analytical Recommendations.}, journal = {Iranian journal of pathology}, volume = {18}, number = {3}, pages = {244-256}, pmid = {37942195}, issn = {1735-5303}, abstract = {From the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, clinical laboratories around the world have been involved with tests for detection of SARS-CoV-2. At present, RT-PCR (real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay) is seen as the gold standard for identifying the virus. Many factors are involved in achieving the highest accuracy in this test, including parameters related to the pre-analysis stage. Having instructions on the type of sample, how to take the sample, and its storage and transportation help control the interfering factors at this stage. Studies have shown that pre-analytical factors might be the cause of the high SARS-CoV-2 test false-negative rates. Also, the safety of personnel in molecular laboratories is of utmost importance, and it requires strict guidelines to ensure the safety of exposed individuals and prevent the virus from spreading. Since the onset of the outbreak, various instructions and guidelines have been developed in this field by the institutions and the Ministry of Health of each country; these guidelines are seriously in need of integration and operation. In this study, we try to collect all the information and research done from the beginning of this pandemic in December 2019 - August 2022 concerning biosafety and protective measures, sample types, sampling methods, container, and storage solutions, sampling equipment, and sample storage and transportation for molecular testing of SARS-CoV-2.}, }
@article {pmid37942056, year = {2023}, author = {Nelson, O and Greenwood, E and Simpao, AF and Matava, CT}, title = {Refocusing on work-based hazards for the anaesthesiologist in a post-pandemic era.}, journal = {BJA open}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {100234}, pmid = {37942056}, issn = {2772-6096}, abstract = {The coronavirus pandemic has raised public awareness of one of the many hazards that healthcare workers face daily: exposure to harmful pathogens. The anaesthesia workplace encompasses the operating room, interventional radiology suite, and other sites that contain many other potential occupational and environmental hazards. This review article highlights the work-based hazards that anaesthesiologists and other clinicians may encounter in the anaesthesia workplace: ergonomic design, physical, chemical, fire, biological, or psychological hazards. As the anaesthesia work environment enters a post-COVID-19 pandemic phase, anaesthesiologists will do well to review and consider these hazards. The current review includes proposed solutions to some hazards and identifies opportunities for future research.}, }
@article {pmid37941927, year = {2023}, author = {de Alba, P and Garro, C and Florin-Christensen, M and Schnittger, L}, title = {Prevalence, risk factors and molecular epidemiology of neonatal cryptosporidiosis in calves: The Argentine perspective.}, journal = {Current research in parasitology &amp; vector-borne diseases}, volume = {4}, number = {}, pages = {100147}, pmid = {37941927}, issn = {2667-114X}, abstract = {Cryptosporidium spp. are enteroparasitic protozoans that cause cryptosporidiosis in newborn calves. Clinical signs of the infection are diarrhoea and dehydration leading to decreased productivity and economic losses in cattle farms around the world. Additionally, cryptosporidiosis is a relevant zoonotic disease since the ingestion of oocysts can be fatal for children under five years of age, the elderly, and/or immunocompromised adults. This review aims to integrate existing knowledge on the epidemiological situation of calf cryptosporidiosis and associated risk factors in Argentina. In addition, the GP60 subtype diversity of the pathogen was analysed and related with the global distribution of corresponding GP60 subtypes. Depending on the study region and applied diagnostics, prevalence among calves up to 20 days of age varied between 25.2% and 42.5%, while a prevalence of 16.3-25.5% was observed at the age of 1-90 days. So far, molecular studies have determined exclusively Cryptosporidium parvum in preweaned calves. In addition, C. parvum infection was reported as the major cause of calf diarrhoea, followed by rotavirus A (RVA), while enteropathogens such as coronavirus, Escherichiacoli, and Salmonella sp. played a negligible role. Calf age of 20 days or less, incidence of diarrhoea, poorly drained soils, and large farm size were identified as risk factors for C. parvum-infection in Argentina. A total of nine GP60 subtypes (IIaAxxG1R1, xx = 16 to 24) were identified, showing a stepwise increase of the trinucleotide motif TCA, and including the zoonotic subtypes IIaA16G1R1, IIaA17G1R1, IIaA18G1R1, IIaA19G1R1, and IIaA20G1R1. We found that an increase in the A16→A24 trinucleotide repeat was accompanied by a gradual decrease in the global distribution of GP60 alleles, strongly suggesting that IIaA16G1R1 represents the primordial allelic variant of this group. Since identified GP60 alleles have a similar genetic background, we hypothesize that the continuous trinucleotide repeat array has been generated by stepwise repeat expansion of A16. The information gathered and integrated in this study contributes to an improved understanding of the epidemiological characteristics of bovine cryptosporidiosis in and beyond Argentina, which in turn can help to develop control strategies for this parasitosis of veterinary and medical relevance.}, }
@article {pmid37941839, year = {2023}, author = {Escobar, C and Bover Freire, R and García-Moll Marimón, X and González-Juanatey, C and Morillas, M and Valle Muñoz, A and Gómez Doblas, JJ}, title = {A Delphi consensus on the management of anticoagulation in the COVID-19 pandemic: the MONACO study.}, journal = {Cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy}, volume = {13}, number = {5}, pages = {777-791}, pmid = {37941839}, issn = {2223-3652}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, guideline documents on the management of anticoagulation were rapidly published. However, these documents did not follow a structured methodology, and significant differences existed between the guidelines. The aim of this expert consensus was to provide recommendations on the clinical management of oral anticoagulation in patients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.<br><br>METHODS: A two-round Delphi study was conducted using an online survey. In the first round, panellists expressed their level of agreement with the items on a 9-point Likert scale. Items were selected if they received approval from &#x2265;66.6% of panellists and if they were agreed by the scientific committee. In the second round, panellists revaluated those items that did not meet consensus in the first round.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 147 panellists completed the first round, and 144 of them completed the second round. Consensus was reached on 161 items included in five dimensions. These dimensions addressed: (I) management of anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) without mechanical valves or moderate/severe mitral stenosis during COVID-19 infection; (II) thromboprophylaxis in patients hospitalised for COVID-19; (III) management of anticoagulation at hospital discharge/after COVID-19; (IV) anticoagulation monitoring in the COVID-19 pandemic setting; and (V) role of telemedicine in the management and follow-up of patients with AF in the COVID-19 pandemic setting.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These areas of collective agreement could specially guide clinicians in making decisions regarding anticoagulation in patients with COVID-19 during hospitalisation and at discharge, where results from clinical trials are still limited and, in some cases, conflicting.}, }
@article {pmid37941699, year = {2023}, author = {Ushimoto, T and Murasaka, K and Sakurai, M and Ishizaki, M and Wato, Y and Kanda, T and Kasamaki, Y}, title = {Physicians' Resilience as a Positive Effect of COVID-19.}, journal = {JMA journal}, volume = {6}, number = {4}, pages = {365-370}, pmid = {37941699}, issn = {2433-3298}, abstract = {People devoid of COVID-19 may exhibit mental health problems, such as anxiety disorders, depression, panic attack, insomnia, emotional disorder, and suicidal actions. Healthcare workers (HCWs) may also exhibit these problems. Physicians should be careful an "at-risk" population. Physicians revealed higher levels of resilience than the popular workers. Humans with stronger resilience have lower feeling of anxiety and depression. We investigated the risk to physicians from an infected environment to infected patients during the pandemic. The social and psychological support of all HCWs, particularly physicians, is significant in the fight against this pandemic. Physicians working with patients with COVID-19 should set enough time to relax, sleep, and spend time with family. Resilience in physicians facing COVID-19 can induce post-traumatic growth in the future.}, }
@article {pmid37941525, year = {2023}, author = {Yao, Y and Zeng, Q and Wang, Y and Shi, H and Zeng, Y}, title = {Experiences and perspectives of nurses infected with COVID-19: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis.}, journal = {Nursing &amp; health sciences}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/nhs.13065}, pmid = {37941525}, issn = {1442-2018}, support = {XSGG2019002//Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/ ; ZRYY1904//Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/ ; SWFZ23-Z-16//The Primary Health Development Research Center of Sichuan Province Program/ ; }, abstract = {This qualitative systematic review aims to comprehensively understand the experiences and perspectives of nurses infected with COVID-19, addressing a significant gap in the current literature. Following the JBI meta-synthesis approach, a rigorous search was conducted across nine electronic databases and references until January 16, 2023. Seventeen eligible studies underwent quality assessment using the JBI critical checklist. Data were synthesized using standardized tools, and the ConQual tool evaluated confidence in the findings. Seven key findings emerged, providing valuable insights into emotional experiences, adaptation to COVID-19 challenges, influence of support systems, coping strategies, posttraumatic growth perceptions, and effects on professional identity and career advancement. The findings highlight emotional toll, adaptive strategies, and professional implications for nurses. Moreover, they emphasize the importance of support systems, coping mechanisms, and posttraumatic growth in promoting nurses' well-being and resilience. These insights have practical implications for targeted interventions and support mechanisms to enhance infected nurses' well-being and improve healthcare outcomes.}, }
@article {pmid37940663, year = {2023}, author = {Hoffman, SA and Maldonado, YA}, title = {Emerging and re-emerging pediatric viral diseases: a continuing global challenge.}, journal = {Pediatric research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37940663}, issn = {1530-0447}, support = {T32 AI007502/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The twenty-first century has been marked by a surge in viral epidemics and pandemics, highlighting the global health challenge posed by emerging and re-emerging pediatric viral diseases. This review article explores the complex dynamics contributing to this challenge, including climate change, globalization, socio-economic interconnectedness, geopolitical tensions, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and disparities in access to healthcare resources. Understanding the interactions between the environment, socioeconomics, and health is crucial for effectively addressing current and future outbreaks. This scoping review focuses on emerging and re-emerging viral infectious diseases, with an emphasis on pediatric vulnerability. It highlights the urgent need for prevention, preparedness, and response efforts, particularly in resource-limited communities disproportionately affected by climate change and spillover events. Adopting a One Health/Planetary Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and ecosystem health, can enhance equity and resilience in global communities. IMPACT: We provide a scoping review of emerging and re-emerging viral threats to global pediatric populations This review provides an update on current pediatric viral threats in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic This review aims to sensitize clinicians, epidemiologists, public health practitioners, and policy stakeholders/decision-makers to the role these viral diseases have in persistent pediatric morbidity and mortality.}, }
@article {pmid37940584, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, K and Ayala-Grosso, C and Bhattarai, JP and Sheriff, A and Takahashi, T and Cristino, AS and Zelano, C and Ma, M}, title = {Unraveling the Link between Olfactory Deficits and Neuropsychiatric Disorders.}, journal = {The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience}, volume = {43}, number = {45}, pages = {7501-7510}, pmid = {37940584}, issn = {1529-2401}, mesh = {Humans ; Smell/physiology ; *Olfaction Disorders/etiology ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19/complications ; Olfactory Mucosa ; }, abstract = {Smell loss has caught public attention during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Research on olfactory function in health and disease gains new momentum. Smell deficits have long been recognized as an early clinical sign associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we review research on the associations between olfactory deficits and neuropathological conditions, focusing on recent progress in four areas: (1) human clinical studies of the correlations between smell deficits and neuropsychiatric disorders; (2) development of olfactory mucosa-derived tissue and cell models for studying the molecular pathologic mechanisms; (3) recent findings in brain imaging studies of structural and functional connectivity changes in olfactory pathways in neuropsychiatric disorders; and (4) application of preclinical animal models to validate and extend the findings from human subjects. Together, these studies have provided strong evidence of the link between the olfactory system and neuropsychiatric disorders, highlighting the relevance of deepening our understanding of the role of the olfactory system in pathophysiological processes. Following the lead of studies reviewed here, future research in this field may open the door to the early detection of neuropsychiatric disorders, personalized treatment approaches, and potential therapeutic interventions through nasal administration techniques, such as nasal brush or nasal spray.}, }
@article {pmid37940467, year = {2023}, author = {Nikaido, M and Arai, S and Hayashi, S and Fujino, K}, title = {JCOA The Japanese Clinical Orthopaedic Association the questionnaire survey on the physical changes after the self-restraint of outdoor activities with the COVID-19 crisis (2nd report).}, journal = {Journal of orthopaedic science : official journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.jos.2023.08.023}, pmid = {37940467}, issn = {1436-2023}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: In March 2021, the 3rd wave of COVID-19 pandemic had ended and the second emergency declaration in January in Tokyo and 3 other prefectures had been lifted. The restrictions on the social activities imposed on the Japanese people and it had become established as "the new lifestyle norm" for each age group. Following our first survey, we conducted a questionnaire survey again to determine the physical changes in all age groups and compared the findings.<br><br>METHODS: The 1st survey was conducted after the initial emergency declaration lifted in July 2020, and the 2nd survey was 10 months after the first survey March 2021. And the analysis was conducted by simple and cross tabulation.<br><br>RESULTS: The number of valid responses were obtained over 12,000 samples for the both surveys. One year later, "Corona locomo" decreased from the previous year in all age groups, especially school students, while it increased in "80s&#x223c;". "Corona stress" decreased sharply among children, especially elementary school students, while it increased slightly in 20s, 30s, and "80s&#x223c;". The physical condition was closely related to the proportion of exercising population and duration in each age group.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: "The new lifestyle norm" as a countermeasure against COVID-19 crisis had a significant influence on physical condition in each age group as "the secondary health damage". Forcusing on "With Corona era", it is considered necessary for preventing "locomo-frail", to improve the exercise lifestyles by selecting tailor-made training methods.}, }
@article {pmid37940394, year = {2023}, author = {Rodríguez-Morales, P and Franklin, RA}, title = {Macrophage phenotypes and functions: resolving inflammation and restoring homeostasis.}, journal = {Trends in immunology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.it.2023.10.004}, pmid = {37940394}, issn = {1471-4981}, abstract = {Inflammation must be tightly regulated to both defend against pathogens and restore tissue homeostasis. The resolution of inflammatory responses is a dynamic process orchestrated by cells of the immune system. Macrophages, tissue-resident innate immune cells, are key players in modulating inflammation. Here, we review recent work highlighting the importance of macrophages in tissue resolution and the return to homeostasis. We propose that enhancing macrophage pro-resolution functions represents a novel and widely applicable therapeutic strategy to dampen inflammation, promote repair, and restore tissue integrity and function.}, }
@article {pmid37938873, year = {2023}, author = {Alsahli, S and Hor, SY and Lam, M}, title = {Factors Influencing the Acceptance and Adoption of Mobile Health Apps by Physicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review.}, journal = {JMIR mHealth and uHealth}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e50419}, doi = {10.2196/50419}, pmid = {37938873}, issn = {2291-5222}, mesh = {Humans ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19 ; Communicable Disease Control ; *Telemedicine/methods ; *Physicians ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the provision of and access to health care have been uniquely challenging, particularly during lockdowns or when dealing with COVID-19 cases. Health care professionals have had to provide patients with the necessary health care. However, delivering health care services while reducing face-to-face interaction puts an immense strain on health systems that are already overburdened. Against this backdrop, it is now more critical than ever to ensure the accessibility of health care services. Such access has been made increasingly available through mobile health (mHealth) apps. These apps have the potential to significantly improve health care outcomes and expectations and address some of the challenges confronting health care systems worldwide. Despite the advantages of mHealth, its acceptance and adoption remain low. Hence, health care organizations must consider the perceptions and opinions of physicians if the technology is to be successfully implemented.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to explore and synthesize the scientific literature on the factors influencing the acceptance and adoption of mHealth among physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.<br><br>METHODS: A systematic review of the studies published between March 2020 and December 2022 was conducted using the MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and ProQuest databases. The database search yielded an initial sample of 455 potential publications for analysis, of which 9 (2%) met the inclusion criteria. The methodology of this review was based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses).<br><br>RESULTS: The factors influencing mHealth acceptance and adoption by physicians were divided into perceived barriers and perceived facilitators, which were further grouped into the following 3 major thematic categories: technological, individual, and organizational barriers and facilitators, respectively. The technological barriers were accessibility, technical issues, usefulness, and data management; individual barriers were perceived patient barriers, time and workload pressure, technical literacy, knowledge of mHealth, and peer support; and organizational barriers were financial factors, management support and engagement, data security, telemonitoring policy, and collaboration. The technological facilitators of uptake were technical factors, clinical usefulness, and data management; individual facilitators were patient-related care, intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and data sharing (individual); and organizational facilitators were workflow-related determinants, organizational financial support, recommendation of mHealth services, and evidence-based guidelines.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This review summarized the evidence on the factors influencing mHealth acceptance and adoption by physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main findings highlighted the importance of addressing organizational readiness to support physicians with adequate resources, shifting the focus from technological to patient-centered factors, and the seamless integration of mHealth into routine practice during and beyond the pandemic.<br><br>TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022356125; https://tinyurl.com/2mmhn5yu.}, }
@article {pmid37938797, year = {2023}, author = {Narayanan, SA and Jamison, DA and Guarnieri, JW and Zaksas, V and Topper, M and Koutnik, AP and Park, J and Clark, KB and Enguita, FJ and Leitão, AL and Das, S and Moraes-Vieira, PM and Galeano, D and Mason, CE and Trovão, NS and Schwartz, RE and Schisler, JC and Coelho-Dos-Reis, JGA and Wurtele, ES and Beheshti, A}, title = {A comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 review, Part 2: host extracellular to systemic effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection.}, journal = {European journal of human genetics : EJHG}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37938797}, issn = {1476-5438}, support = {80NSSC19K1322//National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/ ; }, abstract = {COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The betacoronavirus continues to evolve with global health implications as we race to learn more to curb its transmission, evolution, and sequelae. The focus of this review, the second of a three-part series, is on the biological effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on post-acute disease in the context of tissue and organ adaptations and damage. We highlight the current knowledge and describe how virological, animal, and clinical studies have shed light on the mechanisms driving the varied clinical diagnoses and observations of COVID-19 patients. Moreover, we describe how investigations into SARS-CoV-2 effects have informed the understanding of viral pathogenesis and provide innovative pathways for future research on the mechanisms of viral diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37647250, year = {2023}, author = {Wiseman, L and Isbel, S and Boag, A and Halpin-Healy, C and Gibson, D and Bail, K and Noble, JM and D'Cunha, NM}, title = {Online gallery facilitated art activities for people with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A narrative review.}, journal = {Dementia (London, England)}, volume = {22}, number = {8}, pages = {1950-1976}, pmid = {37647250}, issn = {1741-2684}, mesh = {Humans ; *Dementia/psychology ; Pandemics ; Quality of Life/psychology ; *COVID-19 ; *Art Therapy ; }, abstract = {Art activities for people with dementia have a range of therapeutic benefits including psychosocial wellbeing and enhanced quality of life. Successful art programs promote social engagement, are inclusive and empowering, and enable opportunity for people with dementia to express themselves verbally and non-verbally. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing precautions have impacted the capacity of art galleries and museums to deliver in-person programs. However, they have also provided a new opportunity. This paper explores the potential benefits, challenges, and future directions for research relating to the online delivery of gallery-facilitated art activities for people with dementia. The evidence revealed that increased digitisation of programs increased access for participants, however, the majority of the research was published before the pandemic. Nevertheless, COVID-19 has necessitated many museums and galleries to engage with people with dementia online. Future research is needed to improve the usability of online delivery platforms and a comparison of online and onsite delivery is recommended, particularly to evaluate benefits to people living in rural and remote areas where access to museums and galleries may be limited.}, }
@article {pmid37515407, year = {2023}, author = {Amoretti, MC and Lalumera, E}, title = {Unveiling the interplay between evidence, values and cognitive biases. The case of the failure of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.}, journal = {Journal of evaluation in clinical practice}, volume = {29}, number = {8}, pages = {1294-1301}, doi = {10.1111/jep.13903}, pmid = {37515407}, issn = {1365-2753}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines ; ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; Bias ; Cognition ; }, abstract = {This paper depicts a Covid science case, that of the AstraZeneca Vaxzevria vaccine, with specific focus on what happened in Italy. Given that we believe acknowledging the role of non-evidential factors in medicine is an important insight into the recent philosophy of science, we illustrate how in the case of Vaxzevria, the interplay between facts, values (both epistemic and non-epistemic) and cognitive biases may have possibly led to different institutional decisions based on the same evidence. The structure of the paper is as follows. First, we provide a glossary of the relevant terms involved, that is to say, epistemic values, non-epistemic values and cognitive biases. Second, we sketch a timeline of Vaxzevria's approvals and suspensions by relevant institutional healthcare authorities with special focus on Italy and the Italian Medicines Agency. Then we show the interplay between the evidence base, epistemic as well as non-epistemic values and cognitive biases using a narrative review of political decisions along with newspaper and social media content pertaining to Vaxzevria. We briefly compare Italy with other European countries to show that different political decisions were made on the basis of the same evidence.}, }
@article {pmid35704899, year = {2023}, author = {Wan, MM and Kelemen, TK and Zhang, Y and Matthews, SH}, title = {An island of sanity during COVID-19 pandemic: Does pet attachment support buffer employees' stress due to job insecurity?.}, journal = {Psychological reports}, volume = {126}, number = {6}, pages = {2621-2647}, pmid = {35704899}, issn = {1558-691X}, abstract = {Drawing on the transactional theory of stress, the current study investigates whether employee job insecurity triggers employee behavioral strain reactions (i.e., alcohol use, marijuana use, and cigarette use) and psychological strain reactions (i.e., emotional exhaustion and depression) through stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we integrate social support theory and expect the moderating role of pet attachment support in the above relationships. By collecting two-wave data from 187 employees with pets in the United States, we found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, stress mediated the relationships between job insecurity and predicted behavioral and psychological reactions. Moreover, pet attachment support buffered the relationships between stress and these behavioral and psychological strain reactions (all except cigarette use). Pet attachment support also alleviated the conditional indirect effects job insecurity had on the two types of strain reactions via stress. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of this study.}, }
@article {pmid37938750, year = {2022}, author = {Leifels, M and Khalilur Rahman, O and Sam, IC and Cheng, D and Chua, FJD and Nainani, D and Kim, SY and Ng, WJ and Kwok, WC and Sirikanchana, K and Wuertz, S and Thompson, J and Chan, YF}, title = {The one health perspective to improve environmental surveillance of zoonotic viruses: lessons from COVID-19 and outlook beyond.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {107}, pmid = {37938750}, issn = {2730-6151}, abstract = {The human population has doubled in the last 50 years from about 3.7 billion to approximately 7.8 billion. With this rapid expansion, more people live in close contact with wildlife, livestock, and pets, which in turn creates increasing opportunities for zoonotic diseases to pass between animals and people. At present an estimated 75% of all emerging virus-associated infectious diseases possess a zoonotic origin, and outbreaks of Zika, Ebola and COVID-19 in the past decade showed their huge disruptive potential on the global economy. Here, we describe how One Health inspired environmental surveillance campaigns have emerged as the preferred tools to monitor human-adjacent environments for known and yet to be discovered infectious diseases, and how they can complement classical clinical diagnostics. We highlight the importance of environmental factors concerning interactions between animals, pathogens and/or humans that drive the emergence of zoonoses, and the methodologies currently proposed to monitor them-the surveillance of wastewater, for example, was identified as one of the main tools to assess the spread of SARS-CoV-2 by public health professionals and policy makers during the COVID-19 pandemic. One-Health driven approaches that facilitate surveillance, thus harbour the potential of preparing humanity for future pandemics caused by aetiological agents with environmental reservoirs. Via the example of COVID-19 and other viral diseases, we propose that wastewater surveillance is a useful complement to clinical diagnosis as it is centralized, robust, cost-effective, and relatively easy to implement.}, }
@article {pmid37938085, year = {2023}, author = {Nijs, K and Ruette, J and Van de Velde, M and Stessel, B}, title = {Regional anaesthesia for ambulatory surgery.}, journal = {Best practice &amp; research. Clinical anaesthesiology}, volume = {37}, number = {3}, pages = {397-408}, doi = {10.1016/j.bpa.2022.12.001}, pmid = {37938085}, issn = {1878-1608}, mesh = {Humans ; Child ; *Anesthetics, Local ; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures ; *Anesthesia, Conduction ; Anesthesia, Local ; Administration, Intravenous ; }, abstract = {Regional anaesthesia (RA) has an important and ever-expanding role in ambulatory surgery. Specific practices vary depending on the preferences and resources of the anaesthesia team and hospital setting. It is used for various purposes, including as primary anaesthetic technique for surgery but also as postoperative analgesic modality. The limited duration of action of currently available local anaesthetics limits their application in postoperative pain control and enhanced recovery. The search for the holy grail of regional anaesthetics continues. Current evidence suggests that a peripheral nerve block performed with long-acting local anaesthetics in combination with intravenous or perineural dexamethasone gives the longest and most optimal sensory block. In this review, we outline some possible blocks for ambulatory surgery and additives to perform RA. Moreover, we give an update on local anaesthesia drugs and adjuvants, paediatric RA in ambulatory care and discuss the impact of RA by COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37938078, year = {2023}, author = {Vicente Rodriguez, L and Aaron Bloomstone, J}, title = {COVID-19 infection and ambulatory surgery: Decision making based on known knowns.}, journal = {Best practice &amp; research. Clinical anaesthesiology}, volume = {37}, number = {3}, pages = {305-315}, pmid = {37938078}, issn = {1878-1608}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures ; Personal Protective Equipment ; Workforce ; Decision Making ; }, abstract = {During the spring of 2020, as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections rapidly spread across the globe, all sectors of healthcare, everywhere, would change in ways that were unimaginable. Early on, the ambulatory surgery space, being no exception, would suffer deep and impactful reductions in patient volume and revenue. Though actual care stoppages were short-lived, decreased ambulatory surgical patient volumes continued for a myriad of reasons, though in some cases, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) provided surgical care in limited numbers to patients who were "offloaded" from inpatient lists. Released on March 24, 2020, herein, we address the key perioperative issues as they relate to COVID-19 and ambulatory surgery including the many complexities and challenges of a new and rapidly changing virus, the impact of viral infection and vaccine development on perioperative outcomes, key ambulatory surgical approaches to COVID-19-related patient and staff safety, and finally, managing issues related to both supply chain (personal protective equipment (PPE) and other necessary equipment) and facility staffing.}, }
@article {pmid37938037, year = {2023}, author = {Li, J and Deacon, C and Keezer, MR}, title = {The performance of bibliometric analyses in the health sciences.}, journal = {Current medical research and opinion}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-11}, doi = {10.1080/03007995.2023.2281503}, pmid = {37938037}, issn = {1473-4877}, abstract = {A bibliometric analysis (BA) is a knowledge synthesis methodology aimed at quantitively summarizing large amounts of bibliometric data. We aimed to summarize the performance of BAs in the health sciences. We searched Scopus for BAs in the health sciences published prior to May 10[th], 2023. All identified studies were included. We performed a BA on these studies in two steps: performance analysis and science mapping. For the performance analysis, various indicators of scientific production were calculated using the bibliometrix R package. For the science mapping, VOSviewer was used to generate a co-authorship network and a keyword co-occurrence network. In total, 5828 BAs were analyzed. Scientific production has exploded in the last years, with more than 1500 BAs published in 2022 alone. Scientific impact (i.e., citations) has also been rising, although at a lesser pace. The mean number of citations per year per BA was 1.78. China was the most productive country, publishing more BAs than the nine other most productive countries combined. China paradoxically had a lower number of citations per publication compared with the nine other most productive countries. International collaborations were rare. Common BA themes included oncology, public health, neurosciences, mental health, artificial intelligence, and COVID-19. BAs are increasingly common in the health sciences, but their performance remains limited. More international collaborations and standardized guidelines could help improve their performance, notably the frequency at which they are cited.}, }
@article {pmid37937701, year = {2023}, author = {Colson, P and Bader, W and Fantini, J and Dudouet, P and Levasseur, A and Pontarotti, P and Devaux, C and Raoult, D}, title = {From viral democratic genomes to viral wild bunch of quasispecies.}, journal = {Journal of medical virology}, volume = {95}, number = {11}, pages = {e29209}, doi = {10.1002/jmv.29209}, pmid = {37937701}, issn = {1096-9071}, support = {//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Quasispecies ; *Viruses/genetics ; *RNA Viruses/genetics ; *COVID-19/genetics ; Genome, Viral ; Viral Proteins/genetics ; }, abstract = {The tremendous majority of RNA genomes from pathogenic viruses analyzed and deposited in databases are consensus or "democratic" genomes. They represent the genomes most frequently found in the clinical samples of patients but do not account for the huge genetic diversity of coexisting genomes, which is better described as quasispecies. A viral quasispecies is defined as the dynamic distribution of nonidentical but closely related mutants, variants, recombinant, or reassortant viral genomes. Viral quasispecies have collective behavior and dynamics and are the subject of internal interactions that comprise interference, complementation, or cooperation. In the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection, intrahost SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity was recently notably reported for immunocompromised, chronically infected patients, for patients treated with monoclonal antibodies targeting the viral spike protein, and for different body compartments of a single patient. A question that deserves attention is whether such diversity is generated postinfection from a clonal genome in response to selection pressure or is already present at the time of infection as a quasispecies. In the present review, we summarize the data supporting that hosts are infected by a "wild bunch" of viruses rather than by multiple virions sharing the same genome. Each virion in the "wild bunch" may have different virulence and tissue tropisms. As the number of viruses replicated during host infections is huge, a viral quasispecies at any time of infection is wide and is also influenced by host-specific selection pressure after infection, which accounts for the difficulty in deciphering and predicting the appearance of more fit variants and the evolution of epidemics of novel RNA viruses.}, }
@article {pmid37937246, year = {2023}, author = {Pallavi, P and Harini, K and Elboughdiri, N and Gowtham, P and Girigoswami, K and Girigoswami, A}, title = {Infections associated with SARS-CoV-2 exploited via nanoformulated photodynamic therapy.}, journal = {ADMET &amp; DMPK}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {513-531}, pmid = {37937246}, issn = {1848-7718}, abstract = {BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The pandemic of COVID-19 has highlighted the need for managing infectious diseases, which spreads by airborne transmission leading to serious health, social, and economic issues. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus with a 60-140 nm diameter and particle-like features, which majorly accounts for this disease. Expanding diagnostic capabilities, developing safe vaccinations with long-lasting immunity, and formulating effective medications are the strategies to be investigated.<br><br>EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: For the literature search, electronic databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were used as the source. Search terms like 'Nano-mediated PDT,' 'PDT for SARS-CoV-2', and 'Nanotechnology in treatment for SARS-CoV-2' were used. Out of 275 initially selected articles, 198 were chosen after the abstract screening. During the full-text screening, 80 papers were excluded, and 18 were eliminated during data extraction. Preference was given to articles published from 2018 onwards, but a few older references were cited for their valuable information.<br><br>KEY RESULTS: Synthetic nanoparticles (NPs) have a close structural resemblance to viruses and interact greatly with their proteins due to their similarities in the configurations. NPs had previously been reported to be effective against a variety of viruses. In this way, with nanoparticles, photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be a viable alternative to antibiotics in fighting against microbial infections. The protocol of PDT includes the activation of photosensitizers using specific light to destroy microorganisms in the presence of oxygen, treating several respiratory diseases.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The use of PDT in treating COVID-19 requires intensive investigations, which has been reviewed in this manuscript, including a computational approach to formulating effective photosensitizers.}, }
@article {pmid37937239, year = {2023}, author = {Grygorieva, G and Pylypenko, D and Krasnopolsky, Y}, title = {Liposomes: from August Wassermann to vaccines against COVID-19.}, journal = {ADMET &amp; DMPK}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {487-497}, pmid = {37937239}, issn = {1848-7718}, abstract = {BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The development of vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus has become a big challenge for many countries in 2020-2022. mRNA vaccines were shown to be effective and safe and have been widely used worldwide in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The fundamental factor in creating mRNA vaccines, which ensures effective delivery of mRNA to the host cells, is the composition of lipid nanoparticles, namely the presence of ionized charged lipids, which ensures the binding of mRNA molecules. However, the significant role of liposomes in the development of liposomal vaccines and identification of immunochemical reactions involving lipids should be assessed in the context of the development of the pioneering idea of August Wassermann about the use of liposomal antigens in the diagnosis and immunoprophylaxis of serious human diseases.<br><br>EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The review is devoted to the use of liposomal antigens as antigen-delivery systems for diagnosis and immunoprophylaxis.<br><br>KEY RESULTS: Studies of cardiolipin antigen in serodiagnosis of syphilis became the foundation of antibodies in diagnosing various infectious diseases and pathological conditions, such as tuberculosis, lupus erythematosus, COVID-19, borreliosis, etc. Identification of antiphospholipid antibodies (mainly anticardiolipin) and today is the most important diagnostic tool for antiphospholipid syndrome.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The liposomal system first proposed in 1906 for the diagnosis of syphilis evolved more than a century later into mRNA vaccines, which are used today in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid37937112, year = {2023}, author = {Marlicz, W and Koulaouzidis, A and Charisopoulou, D and Jankowski, J and Marlicz, M and Skonieczna-Zydecka, K and Krynicka, P and Loniewski, I and Samochowiec, J and Rydzewska, G and Koulaouzidis, G}, title = {Burnout in healthcare - the Emperor's New Clothes.}, journal = {Przeglad gastroenterologiczny}, volume = {18}, number = {3}, pages = {274-280}, pmid = {37937112}, issn = {1895-5770}, abstract = {Burnout is common among physicians; it severely alters their health and has a negative impact on functioning of healthcare systems. Hypertension, increased cortisol levels, maladaptive behaviors with negative social consequences, and suboptimal quality of care have been associated with healthcare providers' burnout. As the number of patients with cancers, psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders will rise, we need new solutions to maintain physicians' health and, therefore, quality of care. Coping strategies before the COVID-19 pandemic seem ineffective in scaling all the deficits of the global healthcare systems. Examples of new initiatives include new collaborative projects, such as COH-FIT (The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times - https://www.coh-fit.com), which aims to collect global data and understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health in order to identify various coping strategies for patients and healthcare workers during infection times, or MEMO (Minimizing Error, Maximizing Outcome), funded by the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Others: i) Rome Foundation GastroPsych undertake efforts dedicated to the science and practice of psychogastroenterology, a burgeoning field with roots in behavioral intervention, cognitive science and experimental psychology focused on fostering the professional growth and collaboration of those engaged in medical practices, or ii) World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), Train The Trainers (TTT) program including a new topic of the impact of burnout on career longevity in order to foster strategies for staying healthy and increasing career satisfaction. There is a need for continuous development of digital technologies (e.g. training simulators, telemedicine, robots and artificial intelligence). Their implementation into medical practice is inevitable. Now more than ever, there is a need for a new spirit in healthcare. Together with others in the field, we believe this article is a desperate call for maximizing the use of novel technologies supported by collaborative interactions among healthcare providers and medical professionals of diverse medical fields.}, }
@article {pmid37936830, year = {2023}, author = {Guo, M and Xiong, M and Peng, J and Guan, T and Su, H and Huang, Y and Yang, CG and Li, Y and Boraschi, D and Pillaiyar, T and Wang, G and Yi, C and Xu, Y and Chen, C}, title = {Multi-omics for COVID-19: driving development of therapeutics and vaccines.}, journal = {National science review}, volume = {10}, number = {9}, pages = {nwad161}, pmid = {37936830}, issn = {2053-714X}, abstract = {The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has raised global concern for public health and economy. The development of therapeutics and vaccines to combat this virus is continuously progressing. Multi-omics approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics and metallomics, have helped understand the structural and molecular features of the virus, thereby assisting in the design of potential therapeutics and accelerating vaccine development for COVID-19. Here, we provide an up-to-date overview of the latest applications of multi-omics technologies in strategies addressing COVID-19, in order to provide suggestions towards the development of highly effective knowledge-based therapeutics and vaccines.}, }
@article {pmid37936701, year = {2023}, author = {Hu, C and Liu, J and Cheng, F and Bai, Y and Mao, Q and Xu, M and Liang, Z}, title = {Amplifying mRNA vaccines: potential versatile magicians for oncotherapy.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1261243}, pmid = {37936701}, issn = {1664-3224}, mesh = {RNA, Messenger ; *Immunity, Cellular ; Antigens/genetics ; *Cancer Vaccines ; }, abstract = {Cancer vaccines drive the activation and proliferation of tumor-reactive immune cells, thereby eliciting tumor-specific immunity that kills tumor cells. Accordingly, they possess immense potential in cancer treatment. However, such vaccines are also faced with challenges related to their design and considerable differences among individual tumors. The success of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 has prompted the application of mRNA vaccine technology platforms to the field of oncotherapy. These platforms include linear, circular, and amplifying mRNA vaccines. In particular, amplifying mRNA vaccines are characterized by high-level and prolonged antigen gene expression at low doses. They can also stimulate specific cellular immunity, making them highly promising in cancer vaccine research. In this review, we summarize the research progress in amplifying mRNA vaccines and provide an outlook of their prospects and future directions in oncotherapy.}, }
@article {pmid37936547, year = {2023}, author = {Wolff, D and Drewitz, KP and Ulrich, A and Siegels, D and Deckert, S and Sprenger, AA and Kuper, PR and Schmitt, J and Munblit, D and Apfelbacher, C}, title = {Allergic diseases as risk factors for Long-COVID symptoms: Systematic review of prospective cohort studies.}, journal = {Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology}, volume = {53}, number = {11}, pages = {1162-1176}, doi = {10.1111/cea.14391}, pmid = {37936547}, issn = {1365-2222}, support = {//Bundesministerium f&#xfc;r Bildung und Forschung/ ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The role of allergy as a risk factor for Long-COVID (LC) is unclear and has not been thoroughly examined yet. We aimed to systematically review and appraise the epidemiological evidence on allergic diseases as risk factors for LC.<br><br>DESIGN: This is an initial systematic review. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection and data extraction using Covidence. Risk of bias (RoB) and certainty of evidence (GRADE) were assessed. Random effects meta-analyses were used to pool unadjusted ORs within homogeneous data subsets.<br><br>DATA SOURCES: We retrieved articles published between January 1st, 2020 and January 19th, 2023 from MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, the WHO-COVID-19 database and the LOVE platform (Epistemonikos Foundation). In addition, citations and reference lists were searched.<br><br>ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included prospective cohort studies recruiting individuals of all ages with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection that were followed up for at least 12&#x2009;months for LC symptoms where information on pre-existing allergic diseases was available. We excluded all study designs that were not prospective cohort studies and all publication types that were not original articles.<br><br>RESULTS: We identified 13 studies (9967 participants, range 39-1950 per study), all assessed as high RoB, due to population selection and methods used to ascertain the exposures and the outcome. Four studies did not provide sufficient data to calculate Odds Ratios. The evidence supported a possible relationship between LC and allergy, but was very uncertain. For example, pre-existing asthma measured in hospital-based populations (6 studies, 4019 participants) may be associated with increased risk of LC (Odds Ratio 1.94, 95% CI 1.08, 3.50) and findings were similar for pre-existing rhinitis (3 studies, 1141 participants; Odds Ratio 1.96, 95% CI 1.61, 2.39), both very low certainty evidence.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Pre-existing asthma or rhinitis may increase the risk of LC.}, }
@article {pmid37934891, year = {2023}, author = {Davoutis, E and Panou, C and Stachika, N and Dalla, C and Kokras, N}, title = {Drug-drug interactions between COVID-19 drug therapies and antidepressants.}, journal = {Expert opinion on drug metabolism &amp; toxicology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1080/17425255.2023.2280750}, pmid = {37934891}, issn = {1744-7607}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Antidepressants are widely used for the pharmacological treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. Since the eruption of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic and the later development of targeted treatments against COVID-19, inevitably many patients receive antidepressants as well as those targeted treatments. Co-administration of antidepressant with COVID-19 therapeutics has the potential of drug-drug interactions, of varying severity and clinical significance.<br><br>AREAS COVERED: This is a curated narrative review of the current state of the art regarding drug-drug interactions between COVID-19 therapeutics and medications licensed for the pharmacotherapy of depression. A systematic search of electronic databases using as keywords the international nonproprietaty names of currently approved COVID-19 therapeutics and antidepressants was performed and additionally online interaction checker tools were consulted. Derived data were synthesized for each COVID-19 therapeutic and presented with up-to-date guidance.<br><br>EXPERT OPINION: Several COVID-19 therapeutics have potential for drug-drug interactions with antidepressants. Remdesivir and Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir have the higher risk, whereas several monoclonal antibodies appear safer. The most serious drug-drug interactions (serotonin syndrome and QTc prolongation) require close monitoring, however DDI toward reducing the efficacy of antidepressants may be difficult to recognize. As COVID-19 treatment protocols take precedence, psychiatrists should exert flexibility in antidepressant use and proactively monitor treatment progress.}, }
@article {pmid37934361, year = {2023}, author = {Cooley-Strickland, M and Wyatt, GE and Loeb, TB and Nicholas, LA and Smith-Clapham, A and Hamman, A and Abraham, M and Scott, EN and Albarran, G}, title = {Need for Sexual, Reproductive, and Mental Health Promotion Among Diverse College Students in a COVID-19 Era.}, journal = {Clinical child and family psychology review}, volume = {26}, number = {4}, pages = {1077-1096}, pmid = {37934361}, issn = {1573-2827}, mesh = {Male ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Adolescent ; Humans ; Young Adult ; *Pandemics ; *COVID-19 ; Sexual Behavior ; Students/psychology ; Health Promotion ; }, abstract = {In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced unprecedented disruptions in higher education operations. While the adverse mental health effects experienced by college students due to these changes are well documented, less is known about the impact on their sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and the reciprocal relationships between SRH and mental health among adolescents and emerging adults. This position paper reviews existing literature on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on SRH, sexual violence, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted illness and human immunodeficiency virus rates and highlights issues specific to college-aged males, females, racial/ethnic and sexual minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The need to conceptualize SRH as an integral component of normal development, overall health, and well-being in the context of COVID-19 is discussed. The need to prioritize the design and implementation of developmentally appropriate, evidence-based SRH interventions specifically targeting college students is identified. Furthermore, an intergenerational approach to SRH that includes parents/caregivers and/or college faculty and staff (e.g., coaches, trainers) could facilitate comprehensive SRH prevention programming that enhances sexual violence prevention training programs currently mandated by many colleges. Policies and programs designed to mitigate adverse pandemic-related exacerbations in negative SRH outcomes are urgently needed and should be included in mainstream clinical psychology, not only focused on preventing unwanted outcomes but also in promoting rewarding interpersonal relationships and overall well-being. Recommendations for clinical psychologists and mental health researchers are made.}, }
@article {pmid37934324, year = {2023}, author = {Mitoma, M and Fukushima, M and Azuma, M and Ishigaki, K and Nishimura, H}, title = {Analysis of the status and content of consultations with a Cancer Consultation and Support Centre during the COVID-19 pandemic.}, journal = {Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer}, volume = {31}, number = {12}, pages = {678}, pmid = {37934324}, issn = {1433-7339}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; *Neoplasms ; Cancer Care Facilities ; Referral and Consultation ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: Cancer Consultation and Support Centres (CCSCs) in Japan have been established at designated cancer hospitals nationwide and these centres provide information and consultation support for cancer care. The purpose of this study is to analyse the status and content of consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic using consultation record data from the Cancer Consultation Support Centre (CCSC) database from January 2020 to March 2021.<br><br>METHODS: First, we examined the number and percentage of cases involving and not involving COVID-19 and compared the items of the entry forms between the groups. The comparison between the two groups suggests that the traditional consultation items used before the COVID-19 pandemic did not adequately cover the consultation content during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we categorised the content of consultation records related to COVID-19.<br><br>RESULTS: As a result, the content was consolidated into 16 categories, which were appropriately captured from five different aspects.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Using the resulting categories, we were able to create a complementary consultation entry form that could be operational during the COVID epidemic and consult consultants for the support they needed.<br><br>TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.}, }
@article {pmid37934111, year = {2023}, author = {Macauslane, KL and Pegg, CL and Short, KR and Schulz, BL}, title = {Modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathways by respiratory viruses.}, journal = {Critical reviews in microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-19}, doi = {10.1080/1040841X.2023.2274840}, pmid = {37934111}, issn = {1549-7828}, abstract = {Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are amongst the leading causes of death and disability, and the greatest burden of disease impacts children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Respiratory viruses account for the majority of ARIs. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a host homeostatic defence mechanism primarily activated in response to aberrant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident protein accumulation in cell stresses including viral infection. The UPR has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several respiratory diseases, as the respiratory system is particularly vulnerable to chronic and acute activation of the ER stress response pathway. Many respiratory viruses therefore employ strategies to modulate the UPR during infection, with varying effects on the host and the pathogens. Here, we review the specific means by which respiratory viruses affect the host UPR, particularly in association with the high production of viral glycoproteins, and the impact of UPR activation and subversion on viral replication and disease pathogenesis. We further review the activation of UPR in common co-morbidities of ARIs and discuss the therapeutic potential of modulating the UPR in virally induced respiratory diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37933550, year = {2023}, author = {Aljuwaiser, S and Brazzelli, M and Arain, I and Poobalan, A}, title = {Common mental health problems in medical students and junior doctors - an overview of systematic reviews.}, journal = {Journal of mental health (Abingdon, England)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-37}, doi = {10.1080/09638237.2023.2278095}, pmid = {37933550}, issn = {1360-0567}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Common mental health problems (CMHP) are prevalent among junior doctors and medical students, and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenging situations with education disruptions, early graduations, and front-line work. CMHPs can have detrimental consequences on clinical safety and healthcare colleagues; thus, it is vital to assess the overall prevalence and available interventions to provide institutional-level support.<br><br>AIMS: This overview summarises the prevalence of CMHPs from existing published systematic reviews and informs public health prevention and early intervention practice.<br><br>METHODS: Four electronic databases were searched from 2012 to identify systematic reviews on the prevalence of CMHPs and/or interventions to tackle them.<br><br>RESULTS: Thirty-six reviews were included: 25 assessing prevalence and 11 assessing interventions. Across systematic reviews, the prevalence of anxiety ranged from 7.04 to 88.30%, burnout from 7.0 to 86.0%, depression from 11.0 to 66.5%, stress from 29.6 to 49.9%, suicidal ideation from 3.0 to 53.9% and one obsessive-compulsive disorder review reported a prevalence of 3.8%. Mindfulness-based interventions were included in all reviews, with mixed findings for each CMHP.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CMHPs is high among junior doctors and medical students, with anxiety remaining relatively stable and depression slightly increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research on mindfulness-based interventions is required for a resilient and healthy future workforce.<br><br>PRISMA/PROSPERO: the researchers have followed PRISMA guidance. This overview was not registered with PROSPERO as it was conducted as part of an MSc research project.}, }
@article {pmid37933389, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, H and Chen, J and Shao, W and Yan, S and Ding, S}, title = {Efficacy and Safety of Novel Oral Antivirals in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.}, journal = {Clinical epidemiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1041-1053}, pmid = {37933389}, issn = {1179-1349}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Numerous pharmacological interventions are now under investigation for the treatment of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), and the evidence is rapidly evolving. Our aim is to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of these drugs.<br><br>METHODS: We searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the efficacy and safety of novel oral antivirals for the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients until November 30, 2022, including baricitinib, ivermectin (IVM), favipiravir (FVP), chloroquine (CQ), lopinavir and ritonavir (LPV/RTV), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin (HCQ+AZT). The main outcomes of this network meta-analysis (NMA) were in-hospital mortality, adverse event (AE), recovery time, and improvement in peripheral capillary&#xa0;oxygen&#xa0;saturation (SpO2). For dichotomous results, the odds ratio (OR) was used, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined. We also used meta-regression to explore whether different treatments affected efficacy and safety. STATA 15.0 was used to conduct the NMA. The research protocol was registered with PROSPERO (#CRD 42023415743).<br><br>RESULTS: Thirty-six RCTs, with 33,555 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, were included in this analysis. First, we compared the efficacy of different novel oral antivirals. Baricitinib (OR 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.90) showed the highest probability of being the optimal probiotic species in reducing in-hospital mortality and suggested that none of the interventions reduced AE better than placebo. In terms of safety outcomes, IVM ranked first in improving the recovery time of hospitalized COVID-19 patients (mean difference (MD) -1.36, 95% CI: -2.32 to -0.39). In addition, patients were most likely to increase SpO2 (OR 1.77, 95% CI: 0.09 to 3.45). The meta-regression revealed no significant differences between participants using different novel oral antivirals in all outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Currently, baricitinib has reduced in-hospital mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with moderate certainty of evidence. IVM appeared to be a safer option than placebo in improving recovery time, while FVP was associated with increased SpO2 safety outcomes. These preliminary evidence-based observations should guide clinical practice until more data are made public.}, }
@article {pmid37877293, year = {2023}, author = {Esmaeili, A and Niazkhani, Z and Makhdoomi, K and Mohebbi, I and Aghazadeh-Attari, J and Hassani, E and Mousavi, SJ and Gharebaghi, N and Nejadrahim, R and Mirza-Aghzadeh, M and Esmaeili, A and Cheshmekaboodi, M and Nader-Babaei, Y and Pirnejad, H}, title = {Potential drug-drug interactions in a multi-center study of death cases of COVID-19: The significance of appropriate drug choice.}, journal = {International journal of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics}, volume = {61}, number = {12}, pages = {531-542}, doi = {10.5414/CP204469}, pmid = {37877293}, issn = {0946-1965}, mesh = {Humans ; Male ; Aged ; Female ; *COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; Drug Interactions ; *Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Polypharmacy ; Multicenter Studies as Topic ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: The prevalence, types, severity, risk ratings, and common pairs of involved drugs, and the most important potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) in coronavirus disease 2019 (-COVID-19) deceased cases were evaluated.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 157 confirmed COVID-19 deceased cases hospitalized in 27 province-wide hospitals. Patients' demographics and clinical data (including comorbidities, vital signs, length of in-hospital survival, electrocardiograms (ECGs), medications, and lab test results) were extracted. The online Lexi-interact database and Stockley's drug interactions reference were used to detect pDDIs retrospectively. The QTc interval and total Tisdale risk score were also calculated. Descriptive analysis, analysis of variance, Fisher exact test, and multivariate analysis were conducted for data analysis.<br><br>RESULTS: Of 157 study cases, 63% were male, had a mean age of 68 years, and 55.7% had one or more underlying diseases. All patients had polypharmacy, with 69.2% having &#x2265;&#xa0;15 drugs/day. We detected 2,416 pDDIs in patients' records, of which 658 (27.2%) were interactions with COVID drugs. Lopinavir/ritonavir among -COVID drugs and fentanyl among non-COVID drugs were commonly involved in the interactions. pDDIs was significantly higher in the polypharmacy group of &#x2265;&#xa0;15 medications (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001). A majority (83%) had received drug(s) with the QTc prolongation effect, of whom 67% had actual QTc prolongations in their ECGs. The regression analysis showed that by increasing 6.7% in polypharmacy, one day increase in-hospital survival can be expected. Moreover, an increase of 2.3% in white blood cells or 10.5% in serum potassium level decreased in-hospital survival by 1%.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The findings underscored the importance of careful drug choice, especially in the hectic search for early treatments in pandemics of novel diseases. Close monitoring of patients' drug choice is warranted for reducing pDDIs and their adverse effects in any new disease outbreak.}, }
@article {pmid37820372, year = {2023}, author = {Sanches, CA and Silva, GA and Librantz, AFH and Sampaio, LMM and Belan, PA}, title = {Wearable Devices to Diagnose and Monitor the Progression of COVID-19 Through Heart Rate Variability Measurement: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {Journal of medical Internet research}, volume = {25}, number = {}, pages = {e47112}, doi = {10.2196/47112}, pmid = {37820372}, issn = {1438-8871}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Recent studies have linked low heart rate variability (HRV) with COVID-19, indicating that this parameter can be a marker of the onset of the disease and its severity and a predictor of mortality in infected people. Given the large number of wearable devices that capture physiological signals of the human body easily and noninvasively, several studies have used this equipment to measure the HRV of individuals and related these measures to COVID-19.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the utility of HRV measurements obtained from wearable devices as predictive indicators of COVID-19, as well as the onset and worsening of symptoms in affected individuals.<br><br>METHODS: A systematic review was conducted searching the following databases up to the end of January 2023: Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore. Studies had to include (1) measures of HRV in patients with COVID-19 and (2) measurements involving the use of wearable devices. We also conducted a meta-analysis of these measures to reduce possible biases and increase the statistical power of the primary research.<br><br>RESULTS: The main finding was the association between low HRV and the onset and worsening of COVID-19 symptoms. In some cases, it was possible to predict the onset of COVID-19 before a positive clinical test. The meta-analysis of studies reported that a reduction in HRV parameters is associated with COVID-19. Individuals with COVID-19 presented a reduction in the SD of the normal-to-normal interbeat intervals and root mean square of the successive differences compared with healthy individuals. The decrease in the SD of the normal-to-normal interbeat intervals was 3.25 ms (95% CI -5.34 to -1.16 ms), and the decrease in the root mean square of the successive differences was 1.24 ms (95% CI -3.71 to 1.23 ms).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Wearable devices that measure changes in HRV, such as smartwatches, rings, and bracelets, provide information that allows for the identification of COVID-19 during the presymptomatic period as well as its worsening through an indirect and noninvasive self-diagnosis.}, }
@article {pmid37797216, year = {2023}, author = {Asghari, F and Asghary, A and Majidi Zolbanin, N and Faraji, F and Jafari, R}, title = {Immunosenescence and Inflammaging in COVID-19.}, journal = {Viral immunology}, volume = {36}, number = {9}, pages = {579-592}, doi = {10.1089/vim.2023.0045}, pmid = {37797216}, issn = {1557-8976}, abstract = {Despite knowledge gaps in understanding the full spectrum of the hyperinflammatory phase caused by SARS-CoV-2, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 is still the leading cause of death worldwide. Susceptible people to severe COVID-19 are those with underlying medical conditions or those with dysregulated and senescence-associated immune responses. As the immune system undergoes aging in the elderly, such drastic changes predispose them to various diseases and affect their responsiveness to infections, as seen in COVID-19. At-risk groups experience poor prognosis in terms of disease recovery. Changes in the quantity and quality of immune cell function have been described in numerous literature sites. Impaired immune cell function along with age-related metabolic changes can lead to features such as hyperinflammatory response, immunosenescence, and inflammaging in COVID-19. Inflammaging is related to the increased activity of the most inflammatory factors and is the main cause of age-related diseases and tissue failure in the elderly. Since hyperinflammation is a common feature of most severe cases of COVID-19, this pathway, which is not fully understood, leads to immunosenescence and inflammaging in some individuals, especially in the elderly and those with comorbidities. In this review, we shed some light on the age-related abnormalities of innate and adaptive immune cells and how hyperinflammatory immune responses contribute to the inflammaging process, leading to clinical deterioration. Further, we provide insights into immunomodulation-based therapeutic approaches, which are potentially important considerations in vaccine design for elderly populations.}, }
@article {pmid37933233, year = {2023}, author = {Moldovan, L and Song, CH and Chen, YC and Wang, HJ and Ju, LA}, title = {Biomembrane force probe (BFP): Design, advancements, and recent applications to live-cell mechanobiology.}, journal = {Exploration (Beijing, China)}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {20230004}, pmid = {37933233}, issn = {2766-2098}, abstract = {Mechanical forces play a vital role in biological processes at molecular and cellular levels, significantly impacting various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and COVID-19. Recent advancements in dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) techniques have enabled the application and measurement of forces and displacements with high resolutions, providing crucial insights into the mechanical pathways underlying these diseases. Among DFS techniques, the biomembrane force probe (BFP) stands out for its ability to measure bond kinetics and cellular mechanosensing with pico-newton and nano-meter resolutions. Here, a comprehensive overview of the classical BFP-DFS setup is presented and key advancements are emphasized, including the development of dual biomembrane force probe (dBFP) and fluorescence biomembrane force probe (fBFP). BFP-DFS allows us to investigate dynamic bond behaviors on living cells and significantly enhances the understanding of specific ligand-receptor axes mediated cell mechanosensing. The contributions of BFP-DFS to the fields of cancer biology, thrombosis, and inflammation are delved into, exploring its potential to elucidate novel therapeutic discoveries. Furthermore, future BFP upgrades aimed at improving output and feasibility are anticipated, emphasizing its growing importance in the field of cell mechanobiology. Although BFP-DFS remains a niche research modality, its impact on the expanding field of cell mechanobiology is immense.}, }
@article {pmid37933071, year = {2023}, author = {Li, LZ and Zhou, C and Wang, P and Ke, QH and Zhang, J and Lei, SS and Li, ZQ}, title = {Molecular mechanism of the effect of Gegen Qinlian decoction on COVID-19 comorbid with diabetes mellitus based on network pharmacology and molecular docking: A review.}, journal = {Medicine}, volume = {102}, number = {44}, pages = {e34683}, pmid = {37933071}, issn = {1536-5964}, mesh = {Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Network Pharmacology ; *COVID-19 ; *Diabetes Mellitus ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; *Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; }, abstract = {To explore the potential mechanism of Gegen Qinlian decoction (GGQL) in the treatment of COVID-19 comorbid with diabetes mellitus (DM) through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to provide theoretical guidance for clinical transformation research. Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform was used to screen the active compounds and targets of GGQL, the targets of COVID-19 comorbid with DM were searched based on Genecards database. Protein-protein interaction network was constructed using String data platform for the intersection of compounds and disease targets, the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis of the intersection targets was performed using DAVID database. Cytoscape software was used to construct the "compound target-pathway (C-T-P)" of GGQL in the treatment of COVID-19 comorbid with DM, the molecular docking platform was used to complete the simulated docking of key compounds and targets. We obtained 141 compounds from GGQL, revealed 127 bioactive compounds and 283 potential targets of GGQL. Quercetin, kaempferol and formononetin in GGQL play a role by modulating the targets (including AR, GSK3B, DPP4, F2, and NOS3). GGQL might affect diverse signaling pathways related to the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease - COVID-19, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, IL-17 signaling pathway, human cytomegalovirus infection and Th17 cell differentiation. Meanwhile, molecular docking showed that the selected GGQL core active components had strong binding activity with the key targets. This study revealed that GGQL play a role in the treatment of COVID-19 comorbid with DM through multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway mode of action, which provided good theoretical basis for further verification research.}, }
@article {pmid37932355, year = {2023}, author = {Huang, CQ and Vishwanath, S and Carnell, GW and Chan, ACY and Heeney, JL}, title = {Immune imprinting and next-generation coronavirus vaccines.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {1971-1985}, pmid = {37932355}, issn = {2058-5276}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Vaccination ; *Orthomyxoviridae ; }, abstract = {Vaccines based on historical virus isolates provide limited protection from continuously evolving RNA viruses, such as influenza viruses or coronaviruses, which occasionally spill over between animals and humans. Despite repeated booster immunizations, population-wide declines in the neutralization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants have occurred. This has been compared to seasonal influenza vaccinations in humans, where the breadth of immune responses induced by repeat exposures to antigenically distinct influenza viruses is confounded by pre-existing immunity-a mechanism known as imprinting. Since its emergence, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved in a population with partial immunity, acquired by infection, vaccination or both. Here we critically examine the evidence for and against immune imprinting in host humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 and its implications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) booster vaccine programmes.}, }
@article {pmid37931937, year = {2023}, author = {Hanbali, L and Hannon, E and Lehtimaki, S and McNab, C and Schwalbe, NR}, title = {Independent monitoring and the new pandemic agreement.}, journal = {BMJ global health}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37931937}, issn = {2059-7908}, mesh = {Humans ; *Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *International Health Regulations ; }, abstract = {Negotiations are underway at the WHO for a legally binding instrument for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. As seen in the International Health Regulations, however, countries signing up to an agreement is no guarantee of its effective implementation. We, therefore, investigated the potential design features of an accountability framework for the proposed pandemic agreement that could promote countries' compliance with it. We reviewed the governance of a number of international institutions and conducted over 40 interviews with stakeholders and experts to investigate how the pandemic agreement could be governed.We found that enforcement mechanisms are a key feature for promoting the compliance of countries with the obligations they sign up for under international agreements but that they are inconsistently applied. It is difficult to design enforcement mechanisms that successfully avoid inflicting unintended harm and, so, we found that enforcement mechanisms generally rely on soft political levers rather than hard legal ones to promote compliance. Identifying reliable information on states' behaviour with regard to their legal obligations requires using a diverse range of information, including civil society and intergovernmental organisations, and maintaining legal, financial, and political independence.We, therefore, propose that there should be an independent mechanism to monitor states' compliance with and reporting on the pandemic agreement. It would mainly triangulate a diverse range of pre-existing information and have the authority to receive confidential reports and seek further information from states. It would report to a high-level political body to promote compliance with the pandemic agreement.}, }
@article {pmid37931841, year = {2023}, author = {Borczuk, AC}, title = {Pathogenesis of pulmonary long COVID-19.}, journal = {Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {100378}, doi = {10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100378}, pmid = {37931841}, issn = {1530-0285}, abstract = {COVID-19 Is characterized by an acute respiratory illness that in some patients progresses to respiratory failure, largely demonstrating a pattern of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Excluding fatal cases, the outcome of this severe illness ranges from complete resolution to persistent respiratory dysfunction. This subacute to chronic respiratory illness has different manifestations, collectively called "long-COVID." The pathogenesis of organ dysfunction in acute injury stems from exaggerated innate immune response, complement activation and monocyte influx with a shift towards an organ injury state with abnormalities in cellular maturation. While the increased rate of thrombosis seen in acute COVID-19 does not appear to persist, interestingly, ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 and post-COVID pathogenesis appear to reflect persistence of the immune and cellular disturbance triggered by the acute and subacute period.}, }
@article {pmid37931236, year = {2023}, author = {Spence, C and Shah, OA and Cebula, A and Tucker, K and Sochart, D and Kader, D and Asopa, V}, title = {Machine learning models to predict surgical case duration compared to current industry standards: scoping review.}, journal = {BJS open}, volume = {7}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {37931236}, issn = {2474-9842}, mesh = {Humans ; *Artificial Intelligence ; Pandemics ; Machine Learning ; Benchmarking ; *COVID-19 ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Surgical waiting lists have risen dramatically across the UK as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The effective use of operating theatres by optimal scheduling could help mitigate this, but this requires accurate case duration predictions. Current standards for predicting the duration of surgery are inaccurate. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers the potential for greater accuracy in predicting surgical case duration. This study aimed to investigate whether there is evidence to support that AI is more accurate than current industry standards at predicting surgical case duration, with a secondary aim of analysing whether the implementation of the models used produced efficiency savings.<br><br>METHOD: PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE libraries were searched through to July 2023 to identify appropriate articles. PRISMA extension for scoping reviews and the Arksey and O'Malley framework were followed. Study quality was assessed using a modified version of the reporting guidelines for surgical AI papers by Farrow et al. Algorithm performance was reported using evaluation metrics.<br><br>RESULTS: The search identified 2593 articles: 14 were suitable for inclusion and 13 reported on the accuracy of AI algorithms against industry standards, with seven demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in prediction accuracy (P < 0.05). The larger studies demonstrated the superiority of neural networks over other machine learning techniques. Efficiency savings were identified in a RCT. Significant methodological limitations were identified across most studies.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The studies suggest that machine learning and deep learning models are more accurate at predicting the duration of surgery; however, further research is required to determine the best way to implement this technology.}, }
@article {pmid37931210, year = {2023}, author = {Evans, JP and Liu, SL}, title = {Challenges and Prospects in Developing Future SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Overcoming Original Antigenic Sin and Inducing Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies.}, journal = {Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)}, volume = {211}, number = {10}, pages = {1459-1467}, doi = {10.4049/jimmunol.2300315}, pmid = {37931210}, issn = {1550-6606}, support = {U54CA260582//National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health/ ; //The Ohio State University, Distinguished University Fellowship/ ; //The Ohio State University, A Private Donor's Gift/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines ; Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ; *COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Antibodies, Viral ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; }, abstract = {The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the development of several effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. However, waning vaccine efficacy as well as the antigenic drift of SARS-CoV-2 variants has diminished vaccine efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection and may threaten public health. Increasing interest has been given to the development of a next generation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines with increased breadth and effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this Brief Review, we discuss recent work on the development of these next-generation vaccines and on the nature of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. We examine recent work to develop pan-coronavirus vaccines as well as to develop mucosal vaccines. We further discuss challenges associated with the development of novel vaccines including the need to overcome "original antigenic sin" and highlight areas requiring further investigation. We place this work in the context of SARS-CoV-2 evolution to inform how the implementation of future vaccine platforms may impact human health.}, }
@article {pmid37930464, year = {2023}, author = {Banjongjit, A and Thammathiwat, T and Townamchai, N and Kanjanabuch, T}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN): a systematic review and two case reports.}, journal = {Journal of nephrology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37930464}, issn = {1724-6059}, support = {CU_FRB65_hea (19)_026_30_07//Chulalongkorn University/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: It has been observed that SARS-CoV-2 infections are associated with the development of various de-novo autoimmune diseases; little is known on new-onset antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) after SARS-CoV-2 infections.<br><br>METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of previously reported cases with a presumed association of new-onset antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN).&#xa0;No language restrictions were applied during the search. The eligible articles included reports of biopsy-proven pauci-immune glomerulonephritis that occurred following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The review was registered in&#xa0;PROSPERO database (CRD42023407786).&#xa0;Two further cases are reported.<br><br>RESULTS: The mean age of SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated ANCA-GN was 48&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;19&#xa0;years. Fifty-six percent of patients showed positivity for myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA. Among tested patients, 36% had concomitantly positive antinuclear antibodies, and 100% had positive rheumatoid factor. Eleven out of the 21 cases (55%) were diagnosed with ANCA-GN during hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The remaining cases were diagnosed&#xa0;after a median of 2.1&#xa0;months following COVID-19.&#xa0;Seventy-one percent of patients showed improvement in kidney function following different&#xa0;treatments.<br><br>CASE REPORTS: one patient had positive p-ANCA and cryoglobulin. Another case had positive MPO-ANCA, c-ANCA, cryoglobulinemia, and&#xa0;rheumatoid factor.<br><br>CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated ANCA-GN patients are&#xa0;younger than primary ANCA-GN patients. The presence of atypical ANCA along with co-positivity with other autoantibodies can raise suspicion for&#xa0;SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated ANCA-GN.}, }
@article {pmid37929845, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, HY and Li, X and Wang, ZG and Liu, SL}, title = {Virus-mimicking nanosystems: from design to biomedical applications.}, journal = {Chemical Society reviews}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1039/d3cs00138e}, pmid = {37929845}, issn = {1460-4744}, abstract = {Nanomedicine, as an interdisciplinary discipline involving the development and application of nanoscale materials and technologies, is rapidly developing under the impetus of bionanotechnology and has attracted a great deal of attention from researchers. Especially, with the global outbreak of COVID-19, the in-depth investigation of the infection mechanism of the viruses has made the study of virus-mimicking nanosystems (VMNs) a popular research topic. In this review, we initiate with a brief historical perspective on the emergence and development of VMNs for providing a comprehensive view of the field. Next, we present emerging design principles and functionalization strategies for fabricating VMNs in light of viral infection mechanisms. Then, we describe recent advances in VMNs in biology, with a major emphasis on representative examples. Finally, we summarize the opportunities and challenges that exist in this field, hoping to provide new insights and inspiration to develop VMNs for disease diagnosis and treatment and to attract the interest of more researchers from different fields.}, }
@article {pmid37929787, year = {2023}, author = {Görlitz, M and Justen, L and Rochette, PJ and Buonanno, M and Welch, D and Kleiman, NJ and Eadie, E and Kaidzu, S and Bradshaw, WJ and Javorsky, E and Cridland, N and Galor, A and Guttmann, M and Meinke, MC and Schleusener, J and Jensen, P and Söderberg, P and Yamano, N and Nishigori, C and O'Mahoney, P and Manstein, D and Croft, R and Cole, C and de Gruijl, FR and Forbes, PD and Trokel, S and Marshall, J and Brenner, DJ and Sliney, D and Esvelt, K}, title = {Assessing the safety of new germicidal far-UVC technologies.}, journal = {Photochemistry and photobiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/php.13866}, pmid = {37929787}, issn = {1751-1097}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the crucial importance of enhanced indoor air quality control measures to mitigate the spread of respiratory pathogens. Far-UVC is a type of germicidal ultraviolet technology, with wavelengths between 200 and 235 nm, that has emerged as a highly promising approach for indoor air disinfection. Due to its enhanced safety compared to conventional 254 nm upper-room germicidal systems, far-UVC allows for whole-room direct exposure of occupied spaces, potentially offering greater efficacy, since the total room air is constantly treated. While current evidence supports using far-UVC systems within existing guidelines, understanding the upper safety limit is critical to maximizing its effectiveness, particularly for the acute phase of a pandemic or epidemic when greater protection may be needed. This review article summarizes the substantial present knowledge on far-UVC safety regarding skin and eye exposure and highlights research priorities to discern the maximum exposure levels that avoid adverse effects. We advocate for comprehensive safety studies that explore potential mechanisms of harm, generate action spectra for crucial biological effects and conduct high-dose, long-term exposure trials. Such rigorous scientific investigation will be key to determining safe and effective levels for far-UVC deployment in indoor environments, contributing significantly to future pandemic preparedness and response.}, }
@article {pmid37929506, year = {2024}, author = {Zhang, H and Zhang, C and Hua, W and Chen, J}, title = {Saying no to SARS-CoV-2: the potential of nitric oxide in the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia.}, journal = {Medical gas research}, volume = {14}, number = {2}, pages = {39-47}, doi = {10.4103/2045-9912.385414}, pmid = {37929506}, issn = {2045-9912}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Nitric Oxide/therapeutic use ; Lung ; Nitric Oxide Donors ; }, abstract = {Nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous free radical produced from L-arginine catalyzed by NO synthase, functions as an important signaling molecule in the human body. Its antiviral activity was confirmed in the 1990s, and has been studied more extensively since the outbreak of the SARS pandemic in 2003. In the fight against the ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, some recent studies have revealed the potential of NO in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The progress in this field, including several noteworthy clinical trials of inhaled NO for the treatment of COVID-19 and the emergency approval of NO nasal spray by the regulatory agencies of Israel, Bahrain, Thailand and Indonesia for the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia, offers a new perspective for addressing the raging coronavirus infection and greatly broadens the clinical application of NO therapy. This review aims to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of NO-based therapy against SARS-CoV-2, including direct viral inhibition, immune regulation, and protection against pulmonary and cardiovascular symptoms. Furthermore, the potential therapeutic applications of inhaled NO, NO donors and drugs involved in the NO pathway are discussed. In the context of a global vaccination campaign and newly proposed strategy of "coexistence with COVID-19," the advantages of NO therapies as symptomatic and adjuvant treatments are expected to deliver breakthroughs in the treatment of COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37929289, year = {2023}, author = {Khalafalla, AI}, title = {Zoonotic diseases transmitted from the camels.}, journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1244833}, pmid = {37929289}, issn = {2297-1769}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Zoonotic diseases, infections transmitted naturally from animals to humans, pose a significant public health challenge worldwide. After MERS-CoV was discovered, interest in camels was raised as potential intermediate hosts for zoonotic viruses. Most published review studies pay little attention to case reports or zoonotic epidemics where there is epidemiological proof of transmission from camels to humans. Accordingly, any pathogen found in camels known to cause zoonotic disease in other animals or humans is reported.<br><br>METHODS: Here, zoonotic diseases linked to camels are reviewed in the literature, focusing on those with epidemiological or molecular evidence of spreading from camels to humans. This review examines the risks posed by camel diseases to human health, emphasizing the need for knowledge and awareness in mitigating these risks.<br><br>RESULTS: A search of the literature revealed that eight (36.4%) of the 22 investigations that offered convincing evidence of camel-to-human transmission involved MERS, five (22.7%) Brucellosis, four (18.2%) plague caused by Yersinia pestis, three (13.6%) camelpox, one (4.5%) hepatitis E, and one (4.5%) anthrax. The reporting of these zoonotic diseases has been steadily increasing, with the most recent period, from 2010 to the present, accounting for 59% of the reports. Additionally, camels have been associated with several other zoonotic diseases, including toxoplasmosis, Rift Valley fever, TB, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Q fever, despite having no evidence of a transmission event. Transmission of human zoonotic diseases primarily occurs through camel milk, meat, and direct or indirect contact with camels. The above-mentioned diseases were discussed to determine risks to human health.<br><br>CONCLUSION: MERS, Brucellosis, plague caused by Y. pestis, camelpox, hepatitis E, and anthrax are the main zoonotic diseases associated with human disease events or outbreaks. Transmission to humans primarily occurs through camel milk, meat, and direct contact with camels. There is a need for comprehensive surveillance, preventive measures, and public health interventions based on a one-health approach to mitigate the risks of zoonotic infections linked to camels.}, }
@article {pmid37928775, year = {2023}, author = {Leng, L and Bian, XW}, title = {Injury mechanism of COVID-19-induced cardiac complications.}, journal = {Cardiology plus}, volume = {8}, number = {3}, pages = {159-166}, pmid = {37928775}, issn = {2470-752X}, abstract = {Heart dysfunction is one of the most life-threatening organ dysfunctions caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Myocardial or cardiovascular damage is the most common extrapulmonary organ complication in critically ill patients. Understanding the pathogenesis and pathological characteristics of myocardial and vascular injury is important for improving clinical diagnosis and treatment approach. Herein, the mechanism of direct damage caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 to the heart and secondary damage caused by virus-driven inflammation was reviewed. The pathological mechanism of ischemia and hypoxia due to microthrombosis and inflammatory injury as well as the injury mechanism of tissue inflammation and single myocardial cell necrosis triggered by the viral infection of pericytes or macrophages, hypoxia, and energy metabolism disorders were described. The latter can provide a novel diagnosis, treatment, and investigation strategy for heart dysfunctions caused by COVID-19 or the Omicron variant.}, }
@article {pmid37928543, year = {2023}, author = {Bjorgen, JC and Dick, JK and Cromarty, R and Hart, GT and Rhein, J}, title = {NK cell subsets and dysfunction during viral infection: a new avenue for therapeutics?.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1267774}, pmid = {37928543}, issn = {1664-3224}, support = {UL1 TR002494/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Killer Cells, Natural ; *Virus Diseases/therapy ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; }, abstract = {In the setting of viral challenge, natural killer (NK) cells play an important role as an early immune responder against infection. During this response, significant changes in the NK cell population occur, particularly in terms of their frequency, location, and subtype prevalence. In this review, changes in the NK cell repertoire associated with several pathogenic viral infections are summarized, with a particular focus placed on changes that contribute to NK cell dysregulation in these settings. This dysregulation, in turn, can contribute to host pathology either by causing NK cells to be hyperresponsive or hyporesponsive. Hyperresponsive NK cells mediate significant host cell death and contribute to generating a hyperinflammatory environment. Hyporesponsive NK cell populations shift toward exhaustion and often fail to limit viral pathogenesis, possibly enabling viral persistence. Several emerging therapeutic approaches aimed at addressing NK cell dysregulation have arisen in the last three decades in the setting of cancer and may prove to hold promise in treating viral diseases. However, the application of such therapeutics to treat viral infections remains critically underexplored. This review briefly explores several therapeutic approaches, including the administration of TGF-β inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive NK cell therapies, CAR NK cells, and NK cell engagers among other therapeutics.}, }
@article {pmid37928529, year = {2023}, author = {Jang, H and Matsuoka, M and Freire, M}, title = {Oral mucosa immunity: ultimate strategy to stop spreading of pandemic viruses.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1220610}, pmid = {37928529}, issn = {1664-3224}, mesh = {Humans ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; Mouth Mucosa ; *COVID-19 ; *Vaccines ; *Viruses ; }, abstract = {Global pandemics are most likely initiated via zoonotic transmission to humans in which respiratory viruses infect airways with relevance to mucosal systems. Out of the known pandemics, five were initiated by respiratory viruses including current ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Striking progress in vaccine development and therapeutics has helped ameliorate the mortality and morbidity by infectious agents. Yet, organism replication and virus spread through mucosal tissues cannot be directly controlled by parenteral vaccines. A novel mitigation strategy is needed to elicit robust mucosal protection and broadly neutralizing activities to hamper virus entry mechanisms and inhibit transmission. This review focuses on the oral mucosa, which is a critical site of viral transmission and promising target to elicit sterile immunity. In addition to reviewing historic pandemics initiated by the zoonotic respiratory RNA viruses and the oral mucosal tissues, we discuss unique features of the oral immune responses. We address barriers and new prospects related to developing novel therapeutics to elicit protective immunity at the mucosal level to ultimately control transmission.}, }
@article {pmid37928188, year = {2023}, author = {Guo, W and Zheng, Y and Feng, S}, title = {Omicron related COVID-19 prevention and treatment measures for patients with hematological malignancy and strategies for modifying hematologic treatment regimes.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1207225}, pmid = {37928188}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Humans ; *Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy ; *COVID-19/therapy ; *Receptors, Chimeric Antigen ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 Serotherapy ; *Hematologic Neoplasms/complications/therapy ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Viral ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; }, abstract = {The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly become the dominant strain worldwide due to its high transmissibility, although it appears to be less pathogenic than previous strains. However, individuals with hematological malignancy (HM) and COVID-19 remain susceptible to severe infection and mortality, especially those with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and those undergoing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) treatment. Hematologists should thoroughly assess the severity of the patient's hematological disease and the potential risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection before initiating chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment. Vaccination and booster doses are strongly recommended and patients with a poor vaccine response may benefit from long-acting COVID-19 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (such as Evusheld). Early use of small molecule antiviral drugs is recommended for managing mild COVID-19 in HM patients and those with severe immunodeficiency may benefit from SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody therapy and high-titer COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). For moderate to severe cases, low-dose glucocorticoids in combination with early antiviral treatment can be administered, with cytokine receptor antagonists or JAK inhibitors added if the condition persists or worsens. In the treatment of hematological malignancies, delaying chemotherapy is preferable for CLL, acute leukemia (AL), and low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), but if the disease progresses, appropriate adjustments in dosage and frequency of treatment are required, with the avoidance of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, CAR-T and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) can continue current treatment. What's more, non-drug protective measures, the development of new vaccines and antiviral drugs, and monitoring of mutations in immunocompromised populations are particularly important.}, }
@article {pmid37927889, year = {2023}, author = {Staruszkiewicz, M and Pituch-Noworolska, A and Skoczen, S}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 and thyroid diseases.}, journal = {Journal of translational autoimmunity}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {100214}, pmid = {37927889}, issn = {2589-9090}, abstract = {SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for acute respiratory disease affected other organs leading to co-existence symptoms or complications. Thyroid gland was one of them due to expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the protein facilitating viral binding to the host cells. Moreover, thyroid gland, important for regulation of hormonal network, is extremely sensitive to any changes in homeostasis and metabolism. It was shown, that COVID-19 was associated with induction of thyroid disease or increasing existing functional disturbances or autoimmune process. Thyroid diseases are mainly based on immunological pathomechanism although the relation between immune system and thyroid function is bidirectional e.g. thyroid hormones modulate specific immune responses, including cell-mediated immunity, NK cell activity, the production of antiviral interferon (IFN) and proliferation of T- and B-lymphocytes. The effects of COVID-19 and mRNA vaccine on thyroid function and diseases are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid37927887, year = {2023}, author = {Vallée, A}, title = {Geoepidemiological perspective on COVID-19 pandemic review, an insight into the global impact.}, journal = {Frontiers in public health}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1242891}, pmid = {37927887}, issn = {2296-2565}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Travel ; Public Health ; }, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic showed major impacts, on societies worldwide, challenging healthcare systems, economies, and daily life of people. Geoepidemiology, an emerging field that combines geography and epidemiology, has played a vital role in understanding and combatting the spread of the virus. This interdisciplinary approach has provided insights into the spatial patterns, risk factors, and transmission dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic at different scales, from local communities to global populations. Spatial patterns have revealed variations in incidence rates, with urban-rural divides and regional hotspots playing significant roles. Cross-border transmission has highlighted the importance of travel restrictions and coordinated public health responses. Risk factors such as age, underlying health conditions, socioeconomic factors, occupation, demographics, and behavior have influenced vulnerability and outcomes. Geoepidemiology has also provided insights into the transmissibility and spread of COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, super-spreading events, and the impact of variants. Geoepidemiology should be vital in understanding and responding to evolving new viral challenges of this and future pandemics.}, }
@article {pmid37927870, year = {2023}, author = {Kojom Foko, LP and Singh, V}, title = {Malaria in pregnancy in India: a 50-year bird's eye.}, journal = {Frontiers in public health}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1150466}, pmid = {37927870}, issn = {2296-2565}, mesh = {Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; *Abortion, Spontaneous ; *Anemia ; India/epidemiology ; *Malaria/epidemiology/drug therapy ; *Malaria, Vivax/epidemiology ; Placenta ; *Thrombocytopenia ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: In 2021, India contributed for ~79% of malaria cases and ~ 83% of deaths in the South East Asia region. Here, we systematically and critically analyzed data published on malaria in pregnancy (MiP) in India.<br><br>METHODS: Epidemiological, clinical, parasitological, preventive and therapeutic aspects of MiP and its consequences on both mother and child were reviewed and critically analyzed. Knowledge gaps and solution ways are also presented and discussed. Several electronic databases including Google scholar, Google, PubMed, Scopus, Wiley Online library, the Malaria in Pregnancy Consortium library, the World Malaria Report, The WHO regional websites, and ClinicalTrials.gov were used to identify articles dealing with MiP in India. The archives of local scientific associations/journals and website of national programs were also consulted.<br><br>RESULTS: Malaria in pregnancy is mainly due to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and P. vivax (Pv), and on rare occasions to P. ovale spp. and P. malariae too. The overall prevalence of MiP is ~0.1-57.7% for peripheral malaria and&#x2009;~&#x2009;0-29.3% for placental malaria. Peripheral Pf infection at antenatal care (ANC) visits decreased from ~13% in 1991 to ~7% in 1995-1996 in Madhya Pradesh, while placental Pf infection at delivery unit slightly decreased from ~1.5% in 2006-2007 to ~1% in 2012-2015 in Jharkhand. In contrast, the prevalence of peripheral Pv infection at ANC increased from ~1% in 2006-2007 to ~5% in 2015 in Jharkhand, and from ~0.5% in 1984-1985 to ~1.5% in 2007-2008 in Chhattisgarh. Clinical presentation of MiP is diverse ranging from asymptomatic carriage of parasites to severe malaria, and associated with comorbidities and concurrent infections such as malnutrition, COVID-19, dengue, and cardiovascular disorders. Severe anemia, cerebral malaria, severe thrombocytopenia, and hypoglycemia are commonly seen in severe MiP, and are strongly associated with tragic consequences such as abortion and stillbirth. Congenital malaria is seen at prevalence of ~0-12.9%. Infected babies are generally small-for-gestational age, premature with low birthweight, and suffer mainly from anemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and clinical jaundice. Main challenges and knowledge gaps to MiP control included diagnosis, relapsing malaria, mixed Plasmodium infection treatment, self-medication, low density infections and utility of artemisinin-based combination therapies.<br><br>CONCLUSION: All taken together, the findings could be immensely helpful to control MiP in malaria endemic areas.}, }
@article {pmid37927841, year = {2023}, author = {Indriani, S and Amshar, M and Nugraha, RA and Siddiq, T and Adiarto, S}, title = {Acute Limb Ischemia in COVID-19: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {The International journal of angiology : official publication of the International College of Angiology, Inc}, volume = {32}, number = {4}, pages = {215-226}, pmid = {37927841}, issn = {1061-1711}, abstract = {Numerous studies have reported cases of acute limb ischemia (ALI) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), along with a sharp increase of ALI incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical features, treatment strategies, and outcomes in COVID-19 patients who developed ALI. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane to identify relevant articles. Variables of interest included ALI location, ALI and COVID-19 severity, concomitant thrombosis, comorbidities/risk factors, coagulation and inflammatory parameters, therapy, outcome, and cause of death. Data extraction and pooling were conducted by two reviewers. Fifty-six articles with a total of 191 subjects were included in the analysis; 78.5% of the subjects were male; mean age was 64.2 years; 94.2% of cases were ALI de novo; 41.1% of the subjects had ALI stage IIB; 82.7% of ALI occurred in the lower limb. The popliteal artery was the most commonly affected artery (48.2% of subjects); 38.1% of the subjects had severe COVID-19; 11.1% had asymptomatic COVID-19, and 15.9% were post-COVID-19; 50.7% of the subjects had hypertension; 12.0% of the subjects had concomitant thrombosis; 98.1% of the subjects had elevated D-dimer, and 83.3% of the subjects had elevated C-reactive protein; 61.9% of the subjects underwent surgical thromboembolectomy, 21.3% underwent conservative treatment, and 8.1% underwent amputation initially. The overall mortality rate and limb amputation rate were 39.3 and 22.4%, respectively; 67.6% of deaths were due to respiratory failure. Our study supports that COVID-19 is associated with hypercoagulability that may trigger the development of ALI, and that ALI is a possible predictor of poor outcome in COVID-19 patients.}, }
@article {pmid37927339, year = {2023}, author = {Matveeva, N and Kiselev, I and Baulina, N and Semina, E and Kakotkin, V and Agapov, M and Kulakova, O and Favorova, O}, title = {Shared genetic architecture of COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease.}, journal = {Frontiers in aging neuroscience}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1287322}, pmid = {37927339}, issn = {1663-4365}, abstract = {The severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the сoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have become a global health threat. At the height of the pandemic, major efforts were focused on reducing COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality. Now is the time to study the long-term effects of the pandemic, particularly cognitive impairment associated with long COVID. In recent years much attention has been paid to the possible relationship between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, which is considered a main cause of age-related cognitive impairment. Genetic predisposition was shown for both COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease. However, the analysis of the similarity of the genetic architecture of these diseases is usually limited to indicating a positive genetic correlation between them. In this review, we have described intrinsic linkages between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, pointed out shared susceptibility genes that were previously identified in genome-wide association studies of both COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, and highlighted a panel of SNPs that includes candidate genetic risk markers of the long COVID-associated cognitive impairment.}, }
@article {pmid37927085, year = {2023}, author = {Mahroum, N and Elsalti, A and Ozkan, MF and Shoenfeld, Y}, title = {COVID-19 and SLE: Infection and autoimmunity at its best.}, journal = {Lupus}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {9612033231213914}, doi = {10.1177/09612033231213914}, pmid = {37927085}, issn = {1477-0962}, abstract = {If one had any doubts before the pandemic regarding the correlation between infections and autoimmunity, COVID-19 left us fascinated on the strong bond between the two entities. The immune and autoimmune reactions seen in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have served as a base for this assumption. Later on, the use of immunosuppressants such as systemic glucocorticoids, among other biological agents, turned this assumption to a fact. This was no different when it comes to the vaccines against COVID-19. Through several postulated mechanisms these vaccines, although generally considered safe, are thought to have the potential to result in autoimmune reactions making them not more innocent than the infection itself. When systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is viewed as a classical autoimmune multisystemic disorder, the connection with SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination is of extreme importance. This is because early reports during the pandemic have shown increased rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients known previously to have SLE and much more interestingly, cases of new-onset SLE after COVID-19 have been documented in the literature. Subsequently vaccines against COVID-19, those mRNA-based and adenovirus-vector based, were reported to induce new SLE cases, trigger immune thrombocytopenia or lupus nephritis, two common presentations of SLE, or exacerbate flares. In our paper, we concluded various aspects of available and recent data regarding SLE and COVID-19 as both an infection and vaccination.}, }
@article {pmid37927083, year = {2023}, author = {Abrha, FH and Wondimu, TH and Kahsay, MH and Fufa Bakare, F and Andoshe, DM and Kim, JY}, title = {Graphene-based biosensors for detecting coronavirus: a brief review.}, journal = {Nanoscale}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1039/d3nr04583h}, pmid = {37927083}, issn = {2040-3372}, abstract = {The coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease has affected the globe with 770 437 327 confirmed cases, including about 6 956 900 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) as of September 2023. Hence, it is imperative to develop diagnostic technologies, such as a rapid cost-effective SARS-CoV-2 detection method. A typical biosensor enables biomolecule detection with an appropriate transducer by generating a measurable signal from the sample. Graphene can be employed as a component for ultrasensitive and selective biosensors based on its physical, optical, and electrochemical properties. Herein, we briefly review graphene-based electrochemical, field-effect transistor (FET), and surface plasmon biosensors for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 target. In addition, details on the surface modification, immobilization, sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) of all three sensors with regard to SARS-CoV-2 were reported. Finally, the point-of-care (POC) detection of SARS-CoV-2 using a portable smartphone and a wearable watch is a current topic of interest.}, }
@article {pmid37774781, year = {2023}, author = {Bellanti, JA and Novak, P and Faitelson, Y and Bernstein, JA and Castells, MC}, title = {The Long Road of Long COVID: Specific Considerations for the Allergist/Immunologist.}, journal = {The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {3335-3345}, doi = {10.1016/j.jaip.2023.09.014}, pmid = {37774781}, issn = {2213-2201}, mesh = {Humans ; Allergists ; *COVID-19 ; *Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; *Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Quality of Life ; RNA, Viral ; SARS-CoV-2 ; }, abstract = {Long COVID (coronavirus disease 2019) syndrome, also known as post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, is a new disorder that can develop after an acute infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The condition is characterized by multiorgan system involvement with a wide range of symptoms that can vary in severity from mild to debilitating. Some of the common symptoms associated with long COVID syndrome include cardiovascular issues such as heart palpitations and chest pain; thrombotic events (eg, blood clotting disorders); metabolic problems (eg, type 2 diabetes); dysautonomia; paroxysmal orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus; the presence of autoantibodies; chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives); and connective tissue diseases. Whereas long COVID syndrome can affect individuals from various backgrounds, certain populations may be at higher risk such as individuals of Hispanic and Latino heritage, as well as those with low socioeconomic status, although approximately one-third of affected patients have no known risk factors or preexisting conditions. Many survivors of COVID-19 struggle with multiple symptoms, increased disability, reduced function, and poor quality of life. Whereas vaccination has been the most significant intervention able to decrease the severity of acute SARS-Cov2 infection and curtail deaths, limited data are available related to its modulating effect on long COVID necessitating the need for further investigation. Furthermore, several inflammatory pathways have been proposed for the pathogenesis of long COVID that are the targets for ongoing clinical studies evaluating novel pharmacological agents. The purpose of the present report is to review the many factors associated with long COVID with a focus on those aspects that have relevance to the allergist-immunologist.}, }
@article {pmid37741909, year = {2023}, author = {Baffsky, R and Ivers, R and Cullen, P and McGillivray, L and Werner-Seidler, A and Calear, AL and Batterham, PJ and Toumbourou, JW and Stokes, R and Kotselas, P and Prendergast, T and Torok, M}, title = {Co-design and Development of Implementation Strategies: Enhancing the PAX Good Behaviour Game in Australian Schools.}, journal = {Journal of prevention (2022)}, volume = {44}, number = {6}, pages = {679-704}, pmid = {37741909}, issn = {2731-5541}, support = {1134894//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 1136430//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 1158223//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 1122544//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 1173146//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 1158707//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 1138710//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Australia ; *Schools ; New South Wales ; *Learning ; Focus Groups ; }, abstract = {Effective implementation strategies are important for take-up of programs in schools. However, to date, few implementation strategies have been co-designed with teachers and support staff (including principals) in Australia. The aim of this study was to iteratively co-design multiple implementation strategies to enhance the delivery of mental health prevention program, PAX Good Behaviour Game, in New South Wales primary schools. The secondary aim was to evaluate the acceptability of the implementation strategies from the perspective of school staff. Twenty-nine educational staff (including principals) informed the co-design of the implementation strategies across three phases. Phase 1 involved a rapid review of the literature and stakeholder meetings to agree upon potential evidence-based strategies. Phase 2 involved focus group discussions with educational staff to co-design implementation strategies. Phase 3 involved semi-structured interviews with school staff to assess strategy acceptability after implementation at 6-months post-baseline. Data were analysed using deductive, framework analysis. The final co-designed intervention included nine implementation strategies accessible through a toolkit delivered to the school's leadership team. These strategies were deemed acceptable in school settings that experienced periods of both face-to-face and remote learning due to the changing COVID-19 situation in 2021. This paper contributes to the implementation literature by transparently reporting how educational staff-informed implementation strategies were iteratively co-designed. This will provide a roadmap for other researchers to co-design implementation strategies to further support the delivery of evidence-based prevention programs in schools.}, }
@article {pmid37558163, year = {2023}, author = {Mustafa, SS and Stern, RA and Patel, PC and Chu, DK}, title = {COVID-19 Treatments: Then and Now.}, journal = {The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {3321-3333}, doi = {10.1016/j.jaip.2023.07.045}, pmid = {37558163}, issn = {2213-2201}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; Delivery of Health Care ; }, abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has evolved over the past 3+ years, and strategies to prevent illness and treat infection have changed over time. As COVID-19 transitions from a pandemic to an endemic infection, widespread nonpharmaceutical interventions such as mask mandates and governmental policies requiring social distancing have given way to more selective strategies for risk mitigation. Monoclonal antibody therapies used for disease prevention and treatment lost utility owing to the emergence of resistant viral variants. Oral antiviral medications have become the mainstay of treatment in nonhospitalized individuals, whereas systemic corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of therapy in those requiring supplemental oxygen. Emerging literature also supports the use of additional immune-modulating therapies in select admitted patients. Importantly, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both unprecedented research and development of medical interventions while also drawing attention to significant pitfalls in the global response. This review provides a comprehensive update in prevention and management of COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37536500, year = {2023}, author = {Ramirez, LG and Wickner, PG and Cline, NB and Rehman, N and Wu, AC and Pien, LC and Stukus, D}, title = {How Likes and Retweets Impacted Our Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic.}, journal = {The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {3356-3364}, doi = {10.1016/j.jaip.2023.07.033}, pmid = {37536500}, issn = {2213-2201}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; Emotions ; Clinical Decision-Making ; Communication ; *Social Media ; }, abstract = {The growing dependence on social media for health-related information boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, posing unprecedented challenges in navigating the vast amounts of information available right at our fingertips. Social media had a major impact on clinical decision-making affecting individuals, communities, and societies at large. In this review, we discuss the role of social media in amplifying information and misinformation as well as factors contributing to its reliance and prevalence. We review how medical providers have been impacted by this changing landscape, useful communication strategies to employ with in-office patient encounters, and how we can be active players in using social media as a tool for health promotion, correcting misinformation, and preparing for future pandemics.}, }
@article {pmid37364580, year = {2023}, author = {Bhasin, S and Seals, D and Migaud, M and Musi, N and Baur, JA}, title = {Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide in Aging Biology: Potential Applications and Many Unknowns.}, journal = {Endocrine reviews}, volume = {44}, number = {6}, pages = {1047-1073}, doi = {10.1210/endrev/bnad019}, pmid = {37364580}, issn = {1945-7189}, mesh = {Humans ; Aged ; NAD/metabolism/therapeutic use ; Aging/metabolism ; *Fatty Liver ; *Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism ; Biology ; }, abstract = {Recent research has unveiled an expansive role of NAD+ in cellular energy generation, redox reactions, and as a substrate or cosubstrate in signaling pathways that regulate health span and aging. This review provides a critical appraisal of the clinical pharmacology and the preclinical and clinical evidence for therapeutic effects of NAD+ precursors for age-related conditions, with a particular focus on cardiometabolic disorders, and discusses gaps in current knowledge. NAD+ levels decrease throughout life; age-related decline in NAD+ bioavailability has been postulated to be a contributor to many age-related diseases. Raising NAD+ levels in model organisms by administration of NAD+ precursors improves glucose and lipid metabolism; attenuates diet-induced weight gain, diabetes, diabetic kidney disease, and hepatic steatosis; reduces endothelial dysfunction; protects heart from ischemic injury; improves left ventricular function in models of heart failure; attenuates cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative disorders; and increases health span. Early human studies show that NAD+ levels can be raised safely in blood and some tissues by oral NAD+ precursors and suggest benefit in preventing nonmelanotic skin cancer, modestly reducing blood pressure and improving lipid profile in older adults with obesity or overweight; preventing kidney injury in at-risk patients; and suppressing inflammation in Parkinson disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical pharmacology, metabolism, and therapeutic mechanisms of NAD+ precursors remain incompletely understood. We suggest that these early findings provide the rationale for adequately powered randomized trials to evaluate the efficacy of NAD+ augmentation as a therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat metabolic disorders and age-related conditions.}, }
@article {pmid37218705, year = {2023}, author = {Windpessl, M and Kostopoulou, M and Conway, R and Berke, I and Bruchfeld, A and Soler, MJ and Sester, M and Kronbichler, A}, title = {Preventing infections in immunocompromised patients with kidney diseases: vaccines and antimicrobial prophylaxis.}, journal = {Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association}, volume = {38}, number = {Supplement_2}, pages = {ii40-ii49}, doi = {10.1093/ndt/gfad080}, pmid = {37218705}, issn = {1460-2385}, support = {215/C/2021//Marat&#xf3;/ ; }, mesh = {Aged ; Humans ; Anti-Infective Agents ; COVID-19/complications/prevention &amp; control ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; *Immunocompromised Host ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use ; *Kidney Diseases/complications ; Vaccines ; }, abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic revealed that our understanding of infectious complications and strategies to mitigate severe infections in patients with glomerular diseases is limited. Beyond COVID-19, there are several infections that specifically impact care of patients receiving immunosuppressive measures. This review will provide an overview of six different infectious complications frequently encountered in patients with glomerular diseases, and will focus on recent achievements in terms of vaccine developments and understanding of the use of specific antimicrobial prophylaxis. These include influenza virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, reactivation of a chronic or past infection with hepatitis B virus in cases receiving B-cell depletion, reactivation of cytomegalovirus, and cases of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. Varicella zoster virus infections are particularly frequent in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and an inactivated vaccine is available to use as an alternative to the attenuated vaccine in patients receiving immunosuppressants. As with COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine responses are generally impaired in older patients, and after recent administration of B-cell depleting agents, and high doses of mycophenolate mofetil and other immunosuppressants. Strategies to curb infectious complications are manifold and will be outlined in this review.}, }
@article {pmid37102680, year = {2023}, author = {Bradbury, J and Wilkinson, S and Schloss, J}, title = {Nutritional Support During Long COVID: A Systematic Scoping Review.}, journal = {Journal of integrative and complementary medicine}, volume = {29}, number = {11}, pages = {695-704}, doi = {10.1089/jicm.2022.0821}, pmid = {37102680}, issn = {2768-3613}, abstract = {Introduction: Long COVID is a term that encompasses a range of signs, symptoms, and sequalae that continue or develop after an acute COVID-19 infection. The lack of early recognition of the condition contributed to delays in identifying factors that may contribute toward its development and prevention. The aim of this study was to scope the available literature to identify potential nutritional interventions to support people with symptoms associated with long COVID. Methods: This study was designed as a systematic scoping review of the literature (registration PROSPERO CRD42022306051). Studies with participants aged 18 years or older, with long COVID and who underwent a nutritional intervention were included in the review. Results: A total of 285 citations were initially identified, with five papers eligible for inclusion: two were pilot studies of nutritional supplements in the community, and three were nutritional interventions as part of inpatient or outpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs. There were two broad categories of interventions: those that focused on compositions of nutrients (including micronutrients such as vitamin and mineral supplements) and those that were incorporated as part of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs. Nutrients included in more than one study were multiple B group vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, and acetyl-l-carnitine. Discussion: Two studies trialed nutritional supplements for long COVID in community samples. Although these initial reports were positive, they are based on poorly designed studies and therefore cannot provide conclusive evidence. Nutritional rehabilitation was an important aspect of recovery from severe inflammation, malnutrition, and sarcopenia in hospital rehabilitation programs. Current gaps in the literature include a potential role for anti-inflammatory nutrients such as the omega 3 fatty acids, which are currently undergoing clinical trials, glutathione-boosting treatments such as N-acetylcysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, or liposomal glutathione in long COVID, and a possible adjunctive role for anti-inflammatory dietary interventions. This review provides preliminary evidence that nutritional interventions may be an important part of a rehabilitation program for people with severe long COVID symptomatology, including severe inflammation, malnutrition, and sarcopenia. For those in the general population with long COVID symptoms, the role of specific nutrients has not yet been studied well enough to recommend any particular nutrient or dietary intervention as a treatment or adjunctive treatment. Clinical trials of single nutrients are currently being conducted, and future systematic reviews could focus on single nutrient or dietary interventions to identify their nuanced mechanisms of action. Further clinical studies incorporating complex nutritional interventions are also warranted to strengthen the evidence base for using nutrition as a useful adjunctive treatment for people living with long COVID.}, }
@article {pmid37926103, year = {2023}, author = {Gorst, SL and Seylanova, N and Dodd, SR and Harman, NL and O'Hara, M and Terwee, CB and Williamson, PR and Needham, DM and Munblit, D and Nicholson, TR and , }, title = {Core outcome measurement instruments for use in clinical and research settings for adults with post-COVID-19 condition: an international Delphi consensus study.}, journal = {The Lancet. Respiratory medicine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00370-3}, pmid = {37926103}, issn = {2213-2619}, abstract = {Post-COVID-19 condition (also known as long COVID) is a new, complex, and poorly understood disorder. A core outcome set (COS) for post-COVID-19 condition in adults has been developed and agreement is now required on the most appropriate measurement instruments for these core outcomes. We conducted an international consensus study involving multidisciplinary experts and people with lived experience of long COVID. The study comprised a literature review to identify measurement instruments for the core outcomes, a three-round online modified Delphi process, and an online consensus meeting to generate a core outcome measurement set (COMS). 594 individuals from 58 countries participated. The number of potential instruments for the 12 core outcomes was reduced from 319 to 19. Consensus was reached for inclusion of the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale for respiratory outcomes. Measures for two relevant outcomes from a previously published COS for acute COVID-19 were also included: time until death, for survival, and the Recovery Scale for COVID-19, for recovery. Instruments were suggested for consideration for the remaining nine core outcomes: fatigue or exhaustion, pain, post-exertion symptoms, work or occupational and study changes, and cardiovascular, nervous system, cognitive, mental health, and physical outcomes; however, consensus was not achieved for instruments for these outcomes. The recommended COMS and instruments for consideration provide a foundation for the evaluation of post-COVID-19 condition in adults, which should help to optimise clinical care and accelerate research worldwide. Further assessment of this COMS is warranted as new data emerge on existing and novel measurement instruments.}, }
@article {pmid37926001, year = {2023}, author = {Sahranavard-Pirbazari, P and Khoshghiafeh, A and Kamali, MJ and Esfandiar, H and Bakhtiari, M and Ahmadifard, M}, title = {A comprehensive review of ACE2, ACE1, TMPRSS2 and IFITM3 gene polymorphisms and their effect on the severity of COVID-19.}, journal = {Advances in medical sciences}, volume = {68}, number = {2}, pages = {450-463}, doi = {10.1016/j.advms.2023.10.010}, pmid = {37926001}, issn = {1898-4002}, abstract = {Recent events have raised concerns about the outbreak of a pandemic by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). An infection caused by a virus can provoke an inflammatory reaction, which can result in severe lung damage, failure of several organs, and death. The unique genetic makeup of each individual may be a component in the development of each of these responses. In this context, genetic variants of the genes linked to the invasion of the virus into the host's body can be analyzed. Various elements have a function in viral entry. ACE2 is used by SARS-CoV-2 as a receptor to enter the cell. TMPRSS2 is then responsible for cutting the virus into its components. In addition, lung damage occurs when there is an imbalance between ACE1 and ACE2. Another component that plays a significant role in virus penetration is called IFITM3, which is created as a reaction to interferon. This protein prevents viruses in the Coronaviridae family from entering cells. This study aimed to analyze DNA polymorphisms in the ACE2, ACE1, TMPRSS2, and IFITM3 genes. Findings showed certain polymorphisms appear to be associated with the severity of the disease, including respiratory, coronary, and neurological disorders. The results also indicated that certain polymorphisms were protective against this virus. Varying populations have a different frequency of high-risk polymorphisms, so different treatment and preventative techniques must be implemented. Additional population studies should be conducted in this region to reduce the incidence of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality.}, }
@article {pmid37925645, year = {2023}, author = {Takizawa, T and Ihara, K and Uno, S and Ohtani, S and Watanabe, N and Imai, N and Nakahara, J and Hori, S and Garcia-Azorin, D and Martelletti, P}, title = {Metabolic and toxicological considerations regarding CGRP mAbs and CGRP antagonists to treat migraine in Covid-19 patients: a narrative review.}, journal = {Expert opinion on drug metabolism &amp; toxicology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1080/17425255.2023.2280221}, pmid = {37925645}, issn = {1744-7607}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Migraine pharmacological therapies targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), including monoclonal antibodies and gepants, have shown clinical effect and optimal tolerability. Interactions between treatments of Covid-19 and CGRP-related drugs have not been reviewed.<br><br>AREAS COVERED: An overview of CGRP, a description of the characteristics of each CGRP-related drug and its response predictors, Covid-19 and its treatment, the interactions between CGRP-related drugs and Covid-19 treatment, Covid-19 and vaccination-induced headache, and the neurological consequences of Covid-19.<br><br>EXPERT OPINION: Clinicians should be careful about using gepants for Covid-19 patients, due to the potential drug interactions with drugs metabolized via CYP3A4 cytochrome. In particular, Covid-19 treatment (especially nirmatrelvir packaged with ritonavir, as Paxlovid) should be considered cautiously. It is advisable to stop or adjust the dose (10&#x2009;mg atogepant when used for episodic migraine) of gepants when using Paxlovid (except for zavegepant). CGRP moncolconal antibodies (CGRP-mAbs) do not have drug - drug interactions, but a few days' interval between a Covid-19 vaccination and the use of CGRP mAbs is recommended to allow the accurate identification of the possible adverse effects, such as injection site reaction. Covid-19- and vaccination-related headache are known to occur. Whether CGRP-related drugs would be of benefit in these circumstances is not yet known.}, }
@article {pmid37925466, year = {2023}, author = {Elsaid, M and Nune, A and Hesham, D and Fouad, FM and Hassan, H and Hamouda, H and Sherif, H and Abdelwahab, MM and Hegazi, N and El-Rahman, YA}, title = {Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS) following SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations; a systematic review.}, journal = {Tropical diseases, travel medicine and vaccines}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {19}, pmid = {37925466}, issn = {2055-0936}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Although SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are generally safe, there are growing concerns about their link to a potentially life-threatening multi-system inflammatory syndrome following vaccination (MIS-V). We conducted this systematic review to elucidate the prevalence of MIS, severity, treatment, and outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.<br><br>METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for articles and case reports about MIS-V. We performed a qualitative analysis of individual cases from the included studies.<br><br>RESULTS: Of the 1366 studies identified by database search, we retrieved twenty-six case reports and two cohort studies. We analyzed the data of 37 individual cases extracted from 27 articles. The average age of the cases included in this review was 18 (1-67) years, with the most being male (M: F 3.1:1). Of the 37 included cases, the cardiovascular system was the most affected system by MIS (36, 97.3%), followed by the gastrointestinal tract (32, 86.5%).<br><br>CONCLUSION: MIS after SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations can be fatal, but the incidence is low. Prompt recognition of MIS and ruling out the mimickers are critical in the patient's early recovery.}, }
@article {pmid37924975, year = {2023}, author = {Desikan, R and Germani, M and van der Graaf, PH and Magee, M}, title = {A quantitative clinical pharmacology-based framework for model-informed vaccine development.}, journal = {Journal of pharmaceutical sciences}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.xphs.2023.10.043}, pmid = {37924975}, issn = {1520-6017}, abstract = {Historically, vaccine development and dose optimization have followed mostly empirical approaches without clinical pharmacology and model-informed approaches playing a major role, in contrast to conventional drug development. This is attributed to the complex cascade of immunobiological mechanisms associated with vaccines and a lack of quantitative frameworks for extracting dose-exposure-efficacy-toxicity relationships. However, the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the lack of sufficient immunogenicity due to suboptimal vaccine dosing regimen and the need for well-designed, model-informed clinical trials which allow for the selection of optimal vaccine dosing regimens. In this perspective, we attempt to develop a quantitative clinical pharmacology-based approach that integrates vaccine dose-efficacy-toxicity across various stages of vaccine development into a unified framework that we term as model-informed vaccine dose-optimization and development (MIVD). We highlight scenarios where the adoption of MIVD approaches may have a strategic advantage compared to conventional practices for vaccines.}, }
@article {pmid37924827, year = {2023}, author = {Poespoprodjo, JR and Douglas, NM and Ansong, D and Kho, S and Anstey, NM}, title = {Malaria.}, journal = {Lancet (London, England)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01249-7}, pmid = {37924827}, issn = {1474-547X}, abstract = {Malaria is resurging in many African and South American countries, exacerbated by COVID-19-related health service disruption. In 2021, there were an estimated 247 million malaria cases and 619 000 deaths in 84 endemic countries. Plasmodium falciparum strains partly resistant to artemisinins are entrenched in the Greater Mekong region and have emerged in Africa, while Anopheles mosquito vectors continue to evolve physiological and behavioural resistance to insecticides. Elimination of Plasmodium vivax malaria is hindered by impractical and potentially toxic antirelapse regimens. Parasitological diagnosis and treatment with oral or parenteral artemisinin-based therapy is the mainstay of patient management. Timely blood transfusion, renal replacement therapy, and restrictive fluid therapy can improve survival in severe malaria. Rigorous use of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy and infancy and seasonal chemoprevention, potentially combined with pre-erythrocytic vaccines endorsed by WHO in 2021 and 2023, can substantially reduce malaria morbidity. Improved surveillance, better access to effective treatment, more labour-efficient vector control, continued drug development, targeted mass drug administration, and sustained political commitment are required to achieve targets for malaria reduction by the end of this decade.}, }
@article {pmid37924726, year = {2023}, author = {de la Fuente-Nunez, C and Cesaro, A and Hancock, REW}, title = {Antibiotic failure: Beyond antimicrobial resistance.}, journal = {Drug resistance updates : reviews and commentaries in antimicrobial and anticancer chemotherapy}, volume = {71}, number = {}, pages = {101012}, doi = {10.1016/j.drup.2023.101012}, pmid = {37924726}, issn = {1532-2084}, abstract = {Despite significant progress in antibiotic discovery, millions of lives are lost annually to infections. Surprisingly, the failure of antimicrobial treatments to effectively eliminate pathogens frequently cannot be attributed to genetically-encoded antibiotic resistance. This review aims to shed light on the fundamental mechanisms contributing to clinical scenarios where antimicrobial therapies are ineffective (i.e., antibiotic failure), emphasizing critical factors impacting this under-recognized issue. Explored aspects include biofilm formation and sepsis, as well as the underlying microbiome. Therapeutic strategies beyond antibiotics, are examined to address the dimensions and resolution of antibiotic failure, actively contributing to this persistent but escalating crisis. We discuss the clinical relevance of antibiotic failure beyond resistance, limited availability of therapies, potential of new antibiotics to be ineffective, and the urgent need for novel anti-infectives or host-directed therapies directly addressing antibiotic failure. Particularly noteworthy is multidrug adaptive resistance in biofilms that represent 65 % of infections, due to the lack of approved therapies. Sepsis, responsible for 19.7 % of all deaths (as well as severe COVID-19 deaths), is a further manifestation of this issue, since antibiotics are the primary frontline therapy, and yet 23 % of patients succumb to this condition.}, }
@article {pmid37924674, year = {2023}, author = {Quek, LH and Tan, AJQ and Sim, MJJ and Ignacio, J and Harder, N and Lamb, A and Chua, WL and Lau, ST and Liaw, SY}, title = {Educational escape rooms for healthcare students: A systematic review.}, journal = {Nurse education today}, volume = {132}, number = {}, pages = {106004}, doi = {10.1016/j.nedt.2023.106004}, pmid = {37924674}, issn = {1532-2793}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To synthesize evidence on the implementation and evaluation of educational escape rooms for healthcare students.<br><br>DESIGN: A systematic review.<br><br>DATA SOURCES: A search of seven databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Education Resources Information Center was conducted for published studies from inception to January 2023. The selected articles were assessed by two independent researchers for meeting the inclusion criteria and methodological quality. The data was narratively synthesised.<br><br>RESULTS: Fifty-two studies were included in the review. Escape rooms were employed as learning and assessment strategies for the delivery of diverse topics within dentistry, medical, nursing, pharmacy and physiotherapy pre-registration healthcare education. Most were conducted on nursing students with learning topics focusing on the development of knowledge related to patient care management. Virtual escape rooms became more prevalent following the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific design features of escape rooms were based on the elements of game-based learning including team learning with appropriate size, time limit and sequential path-design of puzzles. Applying the experiential learning approach, the facilitators played a pivotal role in pre-briefing, facilitating the gameplay, and debriefing. Escape rooms were evaluated to be enjoyable and have an impact on students' cognitive, psychomotor, non-technical and affective skills learning outcomes. However, the learning outcomes compared with conventional learning strategies were inconclusive due to lack of randomised controlled trials.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Escape rooms are increasingly being used as experiential and game-based learning in healthcare education. It will continue to evolve with virtual technology advancement and is a promising tool to provide virtual team training within interprofessional education for the development of teamwork and communication skills. While more rigorous research using a randomised controlled trial design is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of escape rooms and their design features, qualitative studies, particularly on the perspective of facilitators are needed to unravel the learning process.}, }
@article {pmid37924167, year = {2023}, author = {Andrei, JV and Zaharia, A and Graci, G and Chivu, L}, title = {Energy transition or energy diversification? Assessing the complexity of energy ecosystem towards transiting a climate neutral society.}, journal = {Environmental science and pollution research international}, volume = {30}, number = {50}, pages = {108477-108511}, pmid = {37924167}, issn = {1614-7499}, mesh = {*Ecosystem ; *Climate ; Renewable Energy ; Carbon ; Climate Change ; }, abstract = {The recent shift in the global energy paradigm and the expansion of renewable energy, spurred by the global COVID-19 epidemic and as a consequence of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, require assessing the complexity of the energy ecosystem to transition to a low-carbon economy. While the most of the literature is centered on analyzing the energy sector and the transformation determined by the energy transition to renewables or investigating the need for energy diversification, there has been less attention focused to assessing the complexity of energy ecosystems toward transiting a climate neutral society, despite determinant potential of policy implications. The main aim of this study is to analyze the complexity behavior and the resilience of the Romanian energy system in the period 2015 to 2020 and to compare the complexity situations in 2015, 2016 and 2020. The study is based on the quantitative complexity management approach developed by Ontonix™ (2022) and it is carried out using the OntoSpace™ software. The results indicate higher complexity of the Romanian energy ecosystem since 2016, which highlights a higher difficulty of governing it.}, }
@article {pmid37923550, year = {2023}, author = {Brown, TR and Xu, KY and Glowinski, AL}, title = {Structural Racism and Lessons Not Heard: A Rapid Review of the Telepsychiatry Literature During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.}, journal = {The primary care companion for CNS disorders}, volume = {25}, number = {6}, pages = {}, doi = {10.4088/PCC.23r03563}, pmid = {37923550}, issn = {2155-7780}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; *Telemedicine/methods ; *Psychiatry/methods ; Public Health ; Pandemics ; Systemic Racism ; }, abstract = {Objective: To assess the extent to which articles examining telepsychiatry after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic provided racial and sociodemographic characteristics for people receiving audiovisual (video) versus audio-only telepsychiatry. Data Sources, Study Selection, and Data Extraction: We employed the keyword telepsychiatry and screened all peer-reviewed articles in PubMed published from March 1, 2020, until November 23, 2022, prior to the federal government's announcement of the impending end to the COVID-19 public health emergency. We retrieved and reviewed the full-text articles of 553 results for potential inclusion, of which 266 were original research articles. Results: We found that 106 of 553 articles had any mention of differences between audio-only and audiovisual telepsychiatry. Twenty-nine of 553 articles described potential socioeconomic differences in the distribution of people receiving audio-only versus audiovisual telepsychiatry, and 20 of 553 described potential racial/ethnic differences. Among research articles, most (213/266) did not differentiate between videoconferencing and audio-only/telephone-based telehealth services. A total of 4 research articles provided racial and sociodemographic characteristics of individuals who received audio-only versus audiovisual telepsychiatry services during the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which were conducted in relatively small regional samples that could not be generalized to the US as a whole. Conclusions: Overall, this analysis underscores that empirical data are lacking on racial and sociodemographic distribution of audio-only versus audiovisual telepsychiatry services since the COVID-19 pandemic. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2023;25(6):23r03563. Author affiliations are listed at the end of this article.}, }
@article {pmid37923366, year = {2023}, author = {Bonelli, M and Kerschbaumer, A and Kastrati, K and Ghoreschi, K and Gadina, M and Heinz, LX and Smolen, JS and Aletaha, D and O'Shea, J and Laurence, A}, title = {Selectivity, efficacy and safety of JAKinibs: new evidence for a still evolving story.}, journal = {Annals of the rheumatic diseases}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1136/ard-2023-223850}, pmid = {37923366}, issn = {1468-2060}, abstract = {Fundamental insight gained over the last decades led to the discovery of cytokines as pivotal drivers of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis/psoriasis arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, atopic dermatitis and spondylarthritis. A deeper understanding of the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of various cytokines has prompted new cytokine-targeting therapies, which revolutionised the treatment options in the last years for patients with inflammatory disorders. Disease-associated immune responses typically involve a complex interplay of multiple cytokines. Therefore, blockade of one single cytokine does not necessarily lead to a persistent remission in all patients with inflammatory disorders and fostered new therapeutic strategies targeting intracellular pathways shared by multiple cytokines. By inhibiting JAK-STAT signalling pathways common to families of cytokines, JAK-inhibitors (JAKinibs) have created a new paradigm for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Multiple agents have been approved for various disorders and more are being investigated for several new indications. Second-generation selective JAKinibs have been devised with the aim to achieve an increased selectivity and a possible reduced risk of side effects. In the current review, we will summarise the current body of evidence of pan versus selective JAKinibs and the most recent insights on new side effects and indications, including COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37924074, year = {2023}, author = {Mac-Seing, M and Gidey, M and Ruggiero, ED}, title = {COVID-19-related global health governance and population health priorities for health equity in G20 countries: a scoping review.}, journal = {International journal for equity in health}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {232}, pmid = {37924074}, issn = {1475-9276}, support = {MFE-176556/CAPMC/CIHR/Canada ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Health Priorities ; Global Health ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Health Equity ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *Population Health ; }, abstract = {Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the promotion of health equity including the health of various population sub-groups has been compromised, human rights jeopardised, and social inequities further exacerbated. Citizens worldwide, including in the Group of 20 (G20) countries, were affected by both global health governance (GHG) processes and decisions and public health measures taken by governments to respond to COVID-19. While it is critical to swiftly respond to COVID-19, little is known about how and to what extent the GHG is affecting population health priorities for health equity in global economies such as the G20 countries. This scoping review synthesised and identified knowledge gaps on how the COVID-19-related GHG is affecting population health priorities for policy, programme, and research in G20 countries. We followed the five-stage scoping review methodology promoted by Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. We searched four bibliographic databases for references conducted in G20 countries and regions and published in English and French, between January 2020 and April 2023. Out of 4,625 references and after two phases of screening, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. G20 countries included in the review were Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union. We found insufficient collaboration and coordination and misalignment among governance actors at multiple levels. In most cases, equity considerations were not prioritised while unequal consequences of COVID-19 public health measures on population groups were widely reported. COVID-19-related population health priorities mainly focused on upstream and midstream determinants of health. Our scoping review showed the stark inequities of COVID-19 public health outcomes, coupled with a prevalent lack of coherent collaboration and coordination among governance actors. Moreover, governance as an object of empirical study is still emerging when examining its intersection with global health and population health policy, programme, and research. An urgent shift is required to effectively act upon structural health determinants that include transformative and comprehensive policies for prevention, equity, resilience, and sustainable health.}, }
@article {pmid37924029, year = {2023}, author = {Masoumian Hosseini, M and Masoumian Hosseini, ST and Qayumi, K and Hosseinzadeh, S and Sajadi Tabar, SS}, title = {Smartwatches in healthcare medicine: assistance and monitoring; a scoping review.}, journal = {BMC medical informatics and decision making}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {248}, pmid = {37924029}, issn = {1472-6947}, mesh = {Humans ; Reproducibility of Results ; *Medicine ; Health Facilities ; Hospitals ; *Heart Diseases ; *Movement Disorders ; }, abstract = {Smartwatches have become increasingly popular in recent times because of their capacity to track different health indicators, including heart rate, patterns of sleep, and physical movements. This scoping review aims to explore the utilisation of smartwatches within the healthcare sector. According to Arksey and O'Malley's methodology, an organised search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, ERIC and Google Scholar. In our search strategy, 761 articles were returned. The exclusion/inclusion criteria were applied. Finally, 35 articles were selected for extracting data. These included six studies on stress monitoring, six on movement disorders, three on sleep tracking, three on blood pressure, two on heart disease, six on covid pandemic, three on safety and six on validation. The use of smartwatches has been found to be effective in diagnosing the symptoms of various diseases. In particular, smartwatches have shown promise in detecting heart diseases, movement disorders, and even early signs of COVID-19. Nevertheless, it should be emphasised that there is an ongoing discussion concerning the reliability of smartwatch diagnoses within healthcare systems. Despite the potential advantages offered by utilising smartwatches for disease detection, it is imperative to approach their data interpretation with prudence. The discrepancies in detection between smartwatches and their algorithms have important implications for healthcare use. The accuracy and reliability of the algorithms used are crucial, as well as high accuracy in detecting changes in health status by the smartwatches themselves. This calls for the development of medical watches and the creation of AI-hospital assistants. These assistants will be designed to help with patient monitoring, appointment scheduling, and medication management tasks. They can educate patients and answer common questions, freeing healthcare providers to focus on more complex tasks.}, }
@article {pmid37922367, year = {2023}, author = {Moreno Guillén, S and Rodríguez-Artalejo, FJ and Ruiz-Galiana, J and Cantón, R and De Lucas Ramos, P and García-Botella, A and García-Lledó, A and Hernández-Sampelayo, T and Gómez-Pavón, J and González Del Castillo, J and Martín-Delgado, MC and Martín Sánchez, FJ and Martínez-Sellés, M and Molero García, JM and Santiago, B and Caminero, JA and Barros, C and García de Viedma, D and Martín, C and Bouza, E}, title = {Tuberculosis in Spain: An opinion paper.}, journal = {Revista espanola de quimioterapia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.37201/req/115.2023}, pmid = {37922367}, issn = {1988-9518}, abstract = {This document is the result of the deliberations of the Committee on Emerging Pathogens and COVID-19 of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) regarding the current situation of tuberculosis, particularly in Spain. We have reviewed aspects such as the evolution of its incidence, the populations currently most exposed and the health care circuits for the care of these patients in Spain. We have also discussed latent tuberculosis, the reality of extrapulmonary disease in the XXI century and the means available in daily practice for the diagnosis of both latent and active forms. The contribution of molecular biology, which has changed the perspective of this disease, was another topic of discussion. The paper tries to put into perspective both the classical drugs and their resistance figures and the availability and indications of the new ones. In addition, the reality of direct observation in the administration of antituberculosis drugs has been discussed. All this revolution is making it possible to shorten the treatment time for tuberculosis, a subject that has also been reviewed. If everything is done well, the risk of relapse of tuberculosis is small but it exists. On the other hand, many special situations have been discussed in this paper, such as tuberculosis in pediatric age and tuberculosis as a cause for concern in surgery and intensive care. The status of the BCG vaccine and its present indications as well as the future of new vaccines to achieve the old dream of eradicating this disease have been discussed. Finally, the ethical and medicolegal implications of this disease are not a minor issue and our situation in this regard has been reviewed.}, }
@article {pmid37921863, year = {2023}, author = {Dhaliwal, R and Yap, S and Talarico, F and Al-Shamali, H and Mcweeny, R and Reeson, M and Shalaby, R and Chen, T and Spronk, E and Snodgrass, R and Tu, E and Erick, T and Marshall, T and Kennedy, M and Greenshaw, AJ and Winkler, O and Burback, L}, title = {Synchronous Web-Based Psychotherapy for Mental Disorders From a Health Quality Perspective: Scoping Review.}, journal = {Journal of medical Internet research}, volume = {25}, number = {}, pages = {e40710}, doi = {10.2196/40710}, pmid = {37921863}, issn = {1438-8871}, mesh = {Adult ; Humans ; *Pandemics ; Psychotherapy/methods ; Anxiety Disorders/therapy ; *Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology ; Internet ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid changes to health care delivery, including a shift from in-person to digitally delivered psychotherapy. While these changes helped ensure timely psychotherapy provision, many concerns exist, including clinical, cultural, practical, privacy, and security issues.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: This scoping review systematically mapped existing peer-reviewed research on synchronous, therapist-delivered web-based psychotherapy for individuals with a diagnosed mental illness. Data were analyzed through the lens of the Alberta Quality Matrix for Health (AQMH) to assess to what degree this literature addresses key indicators of health care quality. This analysis aided in the identification and organization of knowledge gaps with regard to web-based psychotherapies, highlighting potential disparities between previously prioritized dimensions of care and those requiring further attention.<br><br>METHODS: This review adhered to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. We included peer-reviewed primary research studies in the English language investigating synchronous, therapist-delivered remote psychotherapy delivered to adults (aged 18 years and older) with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or International Statistical Classification of Diseases diagnosed mental illness. All other citations were excluded. Relevant studies were identified through MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Embase (OVID), Web of Science: Core Collection (Clarivate), Cochrane Library (Wiley), and Scopus (Elsevier) databases. Databases were searched on March 18, 2021. For every publication that was taken into consideration, the data were charted independently by 2 reviewers, and in the event of a discrepancy, the principal investigator validated the choice of either extractor. Results were thematically described according to the 6 AQMH dimensions: acceptability, accessibility, appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, and safety.<br><br>RESULTS: From 13,209 publications, 48 articles were included, largely from North American studies. Most studies measured treatment effectiveness (n=48, 100%) and acceptability (n=29, 60%) health quality dimensions. Over 80% (40/48) of studies investigated either a cognitive or exposure intervention for either posttraumatic stress disorder or a mood or anxiety disorder, generally indicating comparable results to in-person therapy. Safety (n=5, 10%) was measured in fewer studies, while treatment accessibility, appropriateness, and efficiency were not explicitly measured in any study, although these dimensions were mentioned as a future direction, hypothesis, or potential outcome.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: In relation to web-based therapist-delivered psychotherapies for those with a diagnosed mental illness, important aspects of health care quality (accessibility, appropriateness, efficiency, and safety) have received little scientific examination, underscoring a need to address these gaps. There are also significant issues related to the generalizability of this literature, including the underrepresentation of many geographic regions, cultures, populations, clinical contexts, and psychotherapy modalities. Qualitative research in underrepresented populations and settings may uncover important patient and contextual factors important for the future implementation of quality web-based psychotherapy.}, }
@article {pmid37921610, year = {2023}, author = {Al-Eitan, L and Mihyar, A and Zhang, L and Bisht, P and Jaenisch, R}, title = {Genomic and biological variation in bat IFNs: An antiviral treatment approach.}, journal = {Reviews in medical virology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e2488}, doi = {10.1002/rmv.2488}, pmid = {37921610}, issn = {1099-1654}, abstract = {Bat-borne viruses have attracted considerable research, especially in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although bats can carry multiple zoonotic viruses that are lethal to many mammalian species, they appear to be asymptomatic to viral infection despite the high viral loads contained in their bodies. There are several differences between bats and other mammals. One of the major differences between bats and other mammals is the bats' ability to fly, which is believed to have induced evolutionary changes. It may have also favoured them as suitable hosts for viruses. This is related to their tolerance to viral infection. Innate immunity is the first line of defence against viral infection, but bats have metamorphosed the type of responses induced by innate immunity factors such as interferons. The expression patterns of interferons differ, as do those of interferon-related genes such as interferon regulatory factors and interferon-stimulated genes that contribute to the antiviral response of infected cells. In addition, the signalling pathways related to viral infection and immune responses have been subject to evolutionary changes, including mutations compared to their homologues in other mammals and gene selection. This article discusses the differences in the interferon-mediated antiviral response in bats compared to that of other mammals and how these differences are correlated to viral tolerance in bats. The effect of bat interferons related genes on human antiviral response against bat-borne viruses is also discussed.}, }
@article {pmid36217607, year = {2023}, author = {Cruz-Ausejo, L and Copez-Lonzoy, A and Vilela-Estrada, AL and Valverde, JJ and Bohórquez, M and Moscoso-Porras, M}, title = {Can working at home be a hazard? Ergonomic factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among teleworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.}, journal = {International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE}, volume = {29}, number = {4}, pages = {1335-1344}, doi = {10.1080/10803548.2022.2127246}, pmid = {36217607}, issn = {2376-9130}, mesh = {Humans ; Teleworking ; Pandemics ; *Occupational Diseases/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Ergonomics/methods ; *Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {Objectives. The improvised and massive adoption of remote work in the context of COVID-19 has forced us to adapt homes as workspaces, which could promote development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This review explores the evidence for ergonomic factors associated with MSDs in teleworkers. Methods. A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, SciELO and EBSCO. We included observational studies published between March 2020 and October 2021 that included teleworking personnel due to the restrictions of the pandemic. Results. A total of 212 studies were identified, 14 were chosen for complete review. Associated factors were change of work modality (on-site work to telework), use of home environments as workspaces (areas not adapted for work and with low lighting), working furniture (non-ergonomic chairs and desks), use of electronic devices (tablets, cell phones and laptops), organizational factors (working hours, active breaks, sitting time) and individual factors (physical activity practice). Conclusion. Various ergonomic home factors and the characteristics of teleworking - mainly furniture, the environment of work and physical activity - are associated with MSDs. This evidence suggests that the norms and regulation of telework can consider the adaptation of workspace and conditions at home to prevent health problems in the medium and long term.}, }
@article {pmid34615619, year = {2021}, author = {Shin, J and Toyoda, S and Nishitani, S and Fukuhara, A and Kita, S and Otsuki, M and Shimomura, I}, title = {Possible Involvement of Adipose Tissue in Patients With Older Age, Obesity, and Diabetes With SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID-19) via GRP78 (BIP/HSPA5): Significance of Hyperinsulinemia Management in COVID-19.}, journal = {Diabetes}, volume = {70}, number = {12}, pages = {2745-2755}, pmid = {34615619}, issn = {1939-327X}, mesh = {Adipose Tissue/metabolism ; Adrenergic beta-3 Receptor Agonists/pharmacology ; Aged ; Aging ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism ; Animals ; COVID-19/*complications/*pathology ; Cell Line ; *Diabetes Mellitus ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP/genetics/*metabolism ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism/complications/drug therapy ; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology ; Metformin/therapeutic use ; Mice ; Obesity/*complications ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; Virus Internalization ; }, abstract = {Aging, obesity, and diabetes are major risk factors for the severe progression and outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]), but the underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood. In this study, we found that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein physically interacts with cell surface GRP78, which promotes the binding to and accumulation in ACE2-expressing cells. GRP78 was highly expressed in adipose tissue and increased in humans and mice with older age, obesity, and diabetes. The overexpression of GRP78 was attributed to hyperinsulinemia in adipocytes, which was in part mediated by the stress-responsive transcription factor XBP-1s. Management of hyperinsulinemia by pharmacological approaches, including metformin, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, or β3-adrenergic receptor agonist, decreased GRP78 gene expression in adipose tissue. Environmental interventions, including exercise, calorie restriction, fasting, or cold exposure, reduced the gene expression of GRP78 in adipose tissue. This study provides scientific evidence for the role of GRP78 as a binding partner of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2, which might be related to the severe progression and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with older age, obesity, and diabetes. The management of hyperinsulinemia and the related GRP78 expression could be a therapeutic or preventative target.}, }
@article {pmid33632743, year = {2021}, author = {Haller, MJ and Jacobsen, LM and Posgai, AL and Schatz, DA}, title = {How Do We Move Type 1 Diabetes Immunotherapies Forward During the Current COVID-19 Pandemic?.}, journal = {Diabetes}, volume = {70}, number = {5}, pages = {1021-1028}, pmid = {33632743}, issn = {1939-327X}, support = {P01 AI042288/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; U01 DK106993/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use ; COVID-19/epidemiology/mortality/*prevention &amp; control ; Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic ; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/*drug therapy ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/*therapeutic use ; Immunotherapy ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy ; Leukemia/drug therapy ; Risk Assessment ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {Research-based immunotherapy trials seeking to prevent or reverse a number of autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, have seen near universal suspension due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Diabetes and hyperglycemia are now appreciated as significant risk factors for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality; however, the vast majority of studies have reported on adults. Recent data in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes suggest no increased risk of COVID-19. Even with immense appreciation for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, we believe compelling arguments exist to carefully and thoughtfully resume certain type 1 diabetes phase 2-3 immunotherapy trials. In this Perspective, we consider the experience of trials that never halted or have resumed in the oncology and rheumatology fields, and advocate for staged type 1 diabetes immunotherapy trial resumption. With this, we present recommendations to achieve equipoise and mitigate risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the weeks surrounding infusion. Given the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to persist for some time, it is in the best interest of our patients that we find ways to safely move our field forward.}, }
@article {pmid37921380, year = {2023}, author = {Warner, BK and Durrant, FG and Nguyen, SA and Meyer, TA}, title = {Global Otitis Media Incidence Changes During the COVID Pandemic: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {The Laryngoscope}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/lary.31125}, pmid = {37921380}, issn = {1531-4995}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The aim was to analyze the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdowns on the incidence of otitis media (OM), a common otolaryngologic disease.<br><br>DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL.<br><br>REVIEW METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using PRISMA reporting guidelines. OM incidence (measured as newly diagnosed OM cases over total patients seen over a time period), OM antibiotic prescriptions (OM cases for which antibiotics were prescribed over total OM cases), and tympanostomy tube surgeries (all tympanostomy tube surgeries over total surgical cases) were extracted. Meta-analysis of proportions and comparison of proportions were performed.<br><br>RESULTS: Of 1004 studies screened, 26 studies in 11 countries met inclusion criteria. The percentages of OM cases pre- and during-lockdown were 6.67%, 95% CI [4.68%, 8.99%], and 2.63% [2.02%, 3.31%], respectively, with an OR of 0.31 favoring during-lockdown [0.25, 0.39] (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.00001). Antibiotic prescriptions per all OM episodes pre- and during-lockdown were 1.61% [0.17%, 8.46%] and 0.62% [0.07%, 3.32%], with an OR of 0.37 favoring during-lockdown ([0.35, 0.40], p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.00001). Tympanostomy tube surgery proportions pre- and during-lockdown were 31.64% [6.85%, 64.26%] and 29.99% [4.14%, 66.55%], with an OR of 0.94 favoring neither during- nor pre-lockdown [0.45, 2.00] (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.88).<br><br>CONCLUSION: The incidence of OM decreased significantly following international lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with antibiotic prescriptions for OM episodes showing a corresponding decrease. Despite these reductions, numbers of tympanostomy tube procedures did not change significantly. These reductions are likely due to social distancing, decreased exposure through high transmission facilities such as day cares, decreased health care utilization, and even possibly decreased air pollution. Laryngoscope, 2023.}, }
@article {pmid37920796, year = {2023}, author = {Satta, G and Rawson, TM and Moore, LSP}, title = {Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact on central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI): a systematic review.}, journal = {Infection prevention in practice}, volume = {5}, number = {4}, pages = {100313}, pmid = {37920796}, issn = {2590-0889}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are an important clinical and public health issue, impacted by the purported increase in healthcare-associated infections (including CLABSI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review evaluates the impact of COVID-19 on CLABSI at a global level, to determine risk factors, effective preventive measures and microbiological epidemiology.<br><br>METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed using a PECO framework, with COVID-19 infection as the exposure measure and CLABSI rates as the main outcome of interest, pre- and during the pandemic.<br><br>RESULTS: Overall, most studies (17 of N=21) found a significant increase in CLABSI incidence/rates during the pandemic. Four studies showed a reduction (N=1) or no increase (N=3). High workload, redeployment, and 'overwhelmed' healthcare staff were recurrent risk-factor themes, likely to have negatively influenced basic infection control practices, including compliance with hand hygiene and line care bundles. Microbiological epidemiology was also impacted, with an increase in enterococcal infections and other pathogens.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted CLABSI incidence/rates. Observations from the different studies highlight significant gaps in healthcare associated infections (HCAI) knowledge and practice during the pandemic, and the importance of identifying preventive measures effective in reducing CLABSI, essential to health system resilience for future pandemics. Central to this are changes to CLABSI surveillance, as reporting is not mandatory in many healthcare systems. An audit tool combined with regular assessments of the compliance with infection control measures and line care bundles also remains an essential step in the prevention of CLABSI.}, }
@article {pmid37920525, year = {2023}, author = {Srivastava, R and Singh, N and Kanda, T and Yadav, S and Yadav, S and Choudhary, P and Atri, N}, title = {Promising role of Vitamin D and plant metabolites against COVID-19: Clinical trials review.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {9}, number = {11}, pages = {e21205}, pmid = {37920525}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {Vitamin D possesses immunomodulatory qualities and is protective against respiratory infections. Additionally, it strengthens adaptive and cellular immunity and boosts the expression of genes involved in oxidation. Experts suggested taking vitamin D supplements to avoid and treat viral infection and also COVID-19, on the other hand, since the beginning of time, the use of plants as medicines have been vital to human wellbeing. The WHO estimates that 80 % of people worldwide use plants or herbs for therapeutic purposes. Secondary metabolites from medicinal plants are thought to be useful in lowering infections from pathogenic microorganisms due to their ability to inhibit viral protein and enzyme activity by binding with them. As a result, this manuscript seeks to describe the role of vitamin D and probable plant metabolites that have antiviral activities and may be complementary to the alternative strategy against COVID-19 in a single manuscript through reviewing various case studies.}, }
@article {pmid37920454, year = {2023}, author = {Fleerackers, A and Chtena, N and Pinfield, S and Alperin, JP and Barata, G and Oliveira, M and Peters, I}, title = {Making science public: a review of journalists' use of Open Science research.}, journal = {F1000Research}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {512}, pmid = {37920454}, issn = {2046-1402}, mesh = {Humans ; United States ; *Pandemics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Knowledge ; }, abstract = {Science journalists are uniquely positioned to increase the societal impact of open science by contextualizing and communicating research findings in ways that highlight their relevance and implications for non-specialist audiences. Through engagement with and coverage of open research outputs, journalists can help align the ideals of openness, transparency, and accountability with the wider public sphere and its democratic potential. Yet, it is unclear to what degree journalists use open research outputs in their reporting, what factors motivate or constrain this use, and how the recent surge in openly available research seen during the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the relationship between open science and science journalism. This literature review thus examines journalists' use of open research outputs, specifically open access publications and preprints. We focus on literature published from 2018 onwards-particularly literature relating to the COVID-19 pandemic-but also include seminal articles outside the search dates. We find that, despite journalists' potential to act as critical brokers of open access knowledge, their use of open research outputs is hampered by an overreliance on traditional criteria for evaluating scientific quality; concerns about the trustworthiness of open research outputs; and challenges using and verifying the findings. We also find that, while the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged journalists to explore open research outputs such as preprints, the extent to which these explorations will become established journalistic practices remains unclear. Furthermore, we note that current research is overwhelmingly authored and focused on the Global North, and the United States specifically. Finally, given the dearth of research in this area, we conclude with recommendations for future research that attend to issues of equity and diversity, and more explicitly examine the intersections of open science and science journalism.}, }
@article {pmid37920322, year = {2023}, author = {Babazadeh, Z}, title = {Involvement of NLRP3 Inflammasome in SARS-Cov-2-Induced Multiorgan Dysfunction in Patients with COVID-19: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms.}, journal = {Tanaffos}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {40-52}, pmid = {37920322}, issn = {1735-0344}, abstract = {Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein- 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a critical component of the innate immune system. The inflammasome activation is correlated with the COVID- 19 severity. Furthermore, the underlying conditions are accompanied by hyperactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome and poor outcomes. Herein, we presented the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenies of SARS-CoV-2-induced multiorgan dysfunction and potential therapeutics. Overexpression of NLRP3 inflammasome components and subsequently increased levels of cytokines following viral infection leads to the cytokine storm and indirectly affects the organ functions. Besides, invading host cells via SARS-CoV-2 further activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and induces pyroptosis in immune cells, resulting in the secretion of higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines into the extracellular matrix. These events continued by induction of fibrosis and organ dysfunction following infection with SARS-CoV-2 in critically ill patients. This condition can be observed in individuals with comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, obesity, etc.) due to a primed state of immunity, which can cause severe disease or death in this population. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying host-SARS-CoV-2 interaction may help to clarify the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2- induced multiorgan dysfunction and introduce potential therapeutic strategies.}, }
@article {pmid37920320, year = {2023}, author = {Mokhtari, T and Azizi, M and Sheikhbahaei, F and Sharifi, H and Sadr, M}, title = {Plant-Derived Antioxidants for Management of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review of Molecular Mechanisms.}, journal = {Tanaffos}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {27-39}, pmid = {37920320}, issn = {1735-0344}, abstract = {We aimed to review the literature to introduce some effective plant-derived antioxidants to prevent and treat COVID-19. Natural products from plants are excellent sources to be used for such discoveries. Among different plant-derived bioactive substances, components including luteolin, quercetin, glycyrrhizin, andrographolide, patchouli alcohol, baicalin, and baicalein were investigated for several viral infections as well as SARS-COV-2. The mechanisms of effects detected for these agents were related to their antiviral activity through inhibition of viral entry and/or suppuration of virus function. Also, the majority of components exert anti-inflammatory effects and reduce the cytokine storm induced by virus infection. The data from different studies confirmed that these agents may play a critical role against SARS-COVID-2 via direct (antiviral activity) and indirect (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) mechanisms, suggesting that natural products are a potential option for management of patients with COVID-19 due to the lower side effects and high efficiency.}, }
@article {pmid37920316, year = {2023}, author = {Shatizadeh Malekshahi, S and Farahmand, M and Choobin, H}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 Related Viral Respiratory Co-Infections: A Narrative Review.}, journal = {Tanaffos}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {19-26}, pmid = {37920316}, issn = {1735-0344}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the new coronavirus originating from Wuhan, China, responsible for the illness known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Early experience and the recent literature have shown that co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 with another respiratory virus might occur. Similar symptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and COVID-19 represent a challenge for diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy and may modify COVID-19 outcomes.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the literature on the epidemic pattern and major learning points on important aspects of SARS-CoV-2-related viral respiratory co-infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were used to conduct a comprehensive search.<br><br>RESULTS: The circulation of respiratory viruses changed as the COVID-19 epidemic continues. Phenomena like viral interference, resource competition, and differences in virus-host range might explain why simultaneous viral respiratory infections have seemed to vanish with the spread of SARS-CoV-2.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Key research to be conducted during this pandemic should include the simultaneous screening of other respiratory pathogens with many available commercial platforms for transmission containment and appropriate clinical management.}, }
@article {pmid37919074, year = {2023}, author = {Marschalek, R}, title = {SARS-CoV-2: The Virus, Its Biology and COVID-19 Disease-Counteracting Possibilities.}, journal = {Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition)}, volume = {28}, number = {10}, pages = {273}, doi = {10.31083/j.fbl2810273}, pmid = {37919074}, issn = {2768-6698}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Biology ; }, abstract = {Since the end of 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus started to spread in different countries, leading to a world-wide pandemia, with today's infection numbers of more than 690 million and with a case fatality rate of more than 6.9 million. In addition, about 65 million patients suffer from post/long-Covid syndromes after having infections with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or variants thereof. This review highlights the biology of the virus, summarizes our knowledge of some of the viral mechanisms that counteract our immune responses, and finally also discusses the different vaccines and their specific safety profiles. Also, the possibility to fight this virus with recently available drugs (Veklury, Lagevrio and Paxlovid) will be discussed. All these data clearly argue that SARS-CoV-2 variants still exhibit a dangerous potential-although with a lower case fatality rate-and that vaccination in combination with drug intake upon infection may help to lower the risk of developing chronic or temporary autoimmune diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37918871, year = {2023}, author = {Mercuri, M and Hackett, K and Upshur, R and Emerson, CI}, title = {Expediting approval for medical countermeasures to address high burden disease: an ethical justification to move beyond emergency use authorisation.}, journal = {BMJ global health}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37918871}, issn = {2059-7908}, support = {INV-003448/GATES/Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Medical Countermeasures ; *Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola ; *Vaccines ; *Health Equity ; Global Health ; }, abstract = {Addressing global health crises requires a receptive and expedient policy environment to minimise delays in making available potentially life-saving technologies. Over time, the policy environment has adapted to ensure that communities have expedited access to promising technologies, such as vaccines, that can mitigate morbidity and mortality. Emergency authorisations are one such policy mechanism. While these have been employed successfully for several diseases, such as influenza, Ebola and COVID-19, the policy mechanism is tied to contexts where key bodies have designated the disease an 'emergency', whereas no equivalent mechanism exists for those failing to acquire the designation (eg, malaria and tuberculosis). In this paper, we examine ethical issues associated with emergency authorisations. We argue that there is no moral difference between those diseases considered emergencies and many that fail to be designated as such with respect to impact on affected communities. Thus, tying access to an expedient policy mechanism for approval to an emergency designation is ethically unjustified-it should be based on considerations of risks and benefits, the disease burden and the values of the communities that carry those risks and not contingent on if the disease is designated an emergency. We suggest the need to further enhance the policy environment to ensure access to similar expedited approval programmes irrespective of if a disease is an emergency. Levelling the field for access to expedited approval programmes across diseases can help in moving towards achieving global health equity but is not a panacea.}, }
@article {pmid37918869, year = {2023}, author = {English, M and Oliwa, J and Khalid, K and Onyango, O and Willows, TM and Mazhar, R and Mkumbo, E and Guinness, L and Schell, CO and Baker, T and McKnight, J}, title = {Hospital care for critical illness in low-resource settings: lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.}, journal = {BMJ global health}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37918869}, issn = {2059-7908}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 207522/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 092654/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 221571/Z/20/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Critical Illness/therapy ; Pandemics ; Critical Care ; Hospitals ; }, abstract = {Care for the critically ill patients is often considered synonymous with a hospital having an intensive care unit. However, a focus on Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) may obviate the need for much intensive care. Severe COVID-19 presented a specific critical care challenge while also being an exemplar of critical illness in general. Our multidisciplinary team conducted research in Kenya and Tanzania on hospitals' ability to provide EECC as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. Important basic inputs were often lacking, especially sufficient numbers of skilled health workers. However, we learnt that higher scores on resource readiness scales were often misleading, as resources were often insufficient or not functional in all the clinical areas they are needed. By following patient journeys, through interviews and group discussions, we revealed gaps in timeliness, continuity and delivery of care. Generic challenges in transitions between departments were identified in the receipt of critically ill patients, the ability to sustain monitoring and treatment and preparation for any subsequent transition. While the global response to COVID-19 focused initially on providing technologies and training, first ventilators and later oxygen, organisational and procedural challenges seemed largely ignored. Yet, they may even be exacerbated by new technologies. Efforts to improve care for the critically ill patients, which is a complex process, must include a whole system and whole facility view spanning all areas of patients' care and their transitions and not be focused on a single location providing 'critical care'. We propose a five-part strategy to support the system changes needed.}, }
@article {pmid37918182, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, EY and Sarmadi, M and Ying, B and Jaklenec, A and Langer, R}, title = {Recent advances in nano- and micro-scale carrier systems for controlled delivery of vaccines.}, journal = {Biomaterials}, volume = {303}, number = {}, pages = {122345}, doi = {10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122345}, pmid = {37918182}, issn = {1878-5905}, abstract = {Vaccines provide substantial safety against infectious diseases, saving millions of lives each year. The recent COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of vaccination in providing mass-scale immunization against outbreaks. However, the delivery of vaccines imposes a unique set of challenges due to their large molecular size and low room temperature stability. Advanced biomaterials and delivery systems such as nano- and mciro-scale carriers are becoming critical components for successful vaccine development. In this review, we provide an updated overview of recent advances in the development of nano- and micro-scale carriers for controlled delivery of vaccines, focusing on carriers compatible with nucleic acid-based vaccines and therapeutics that emerged amid the recent pandemic. We start by detailing nano-scale delivery systems, focusing on nanoparticles, then move on to microscale systems including hydrogels, microparticles, and 3D printed microneedle patches. Additionally, we delve into emerging methods that move beyond traditional needle-based applications utilizing innovative delivery systems. Future challenges for clinical translation and manufacturing in this rapidly advancing field are also discussed.}, }
@article {pmid37917370, year = {2023}, author = {Bhat, AA and Gupta, G and Goyal, A and Thapa, R and Almalki, WH and Kazmi, I and Alzarea, SI and Kukreti, N and Sekar, M and Meenakshi, DU and Singh, SK and MacLoughlin, R and Dua, K}, title = {Unwinding circular RNA's role in inflammatory pulmonary diseases.}, journal = {Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37917370}, issn = {1432-1912}, abstract = {Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as pivotal regulators of gene expression and cellular processes in various physiological and pathological conditions. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in investigating the role of circRNAs in inflammatory lung diseases, owing to their potential to modulate inflammation-associated pathways and contribute to disease pathogenesis. Inflammatory lung diseases, like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and COVID-19, pose significant global health challenges. The dysregulation of inflammatory responses demonstrates a pivotal function in advancing these diseases. CircRNAs have been identified as important players in regulating inflammation by functioning as miRNA sponges, engaging with RNA-binding proteins, and participating in intricate ceRNA networks. These interactions enable circRNAs to regulate the manifestation of key inflammatory genes and signaling pathways. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that specific circRNAs are differentially expressed in response to inflammatory stimuli and exhibit distinct patterns in various lung diseases. Their involvement in immune cell activation, cytokine production, and tissue remodeling processes underscores their possible capabilities as therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers. Harnessing the knowledge of circRNA-mediated regulation in inflammatory lung diseases could lead to the development of innovative strategies for disease management and intervention. This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of circRNAs in inflammatory lung diseases, focusing on their regulatory mechanisms and functional implications.}, }
@article {pmid37916701, year = {2023}, author = {Bopape, PG and Wagenaar, C and Poka, M and Bronkhorst, E}, title = {Vitamin D supplementation in a post-pandemic era: A narrative review.}, journal = {South African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care}, volume = {65}, number = {1}, pages = {e1-e6}, pmid = {37916701}, issn = {2078-6204}, mesh = {Humans ; Calcifediol ; Ergocalciferols/therapeutic use ; Pandemics ; Vitamin D/therapeutic use ; Vitamins/therapeutic use ; Dietary Supplements ; *Cholestanes ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {Vitamin D is a fat-soluble molecule referring to the different isoforms, ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). Its physiological functions include increasing calcium serum concentrations. 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) (Calcifediol), a non-active, circulating instant precursor is seen as a pre-hormone. Studies have shown that a deficiency in calcifediol is related to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, immune system, neurological, and anti-neoplastic functions. Vitamin D supplementation has shown its benefit as prophylaxis and treatment during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and an increase in the prescribing of vitamin D supplementation has been observed. The intention of this review article is to provide guidance on the recommended dosage regimen as a prophylactic measure during COVID-19 and its use as a supplement in general. From this review article, it is clear that vitamin D has an important role to play not only in COVID-19 but also in various other health aspects of the human body.Contribution: This review article highlighted the role of vitamin D in managing vitamin D deficiency and its role as a supplement in the management of respiratory tract infections, especially COVID-19. This overview can assist physicians in optimising healthcare by optimised dosing recommendations and indications.}, }
@article {pmid37596826, year = {2023}, author = {Cojocaru, L and Noe, M and Pahlavan, A and Werzen, A and Seung, H and Yoo, YCJ and Tyson, P and Narayanan, S and Turan, S and Turan, OM and Chua, JV}, title = {Increased risk of severe COVID-19 in pregnancy in a multicenter propensity score-matched study.}, journal = {Journal of perinatal medicine}, volume = {51}, number = {9}, pages = {1171-1178}, pmid = {37596826}, issn = {1619-3997}, mesh = {Adult ; Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; *COVID-19/complications ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Retrospective Studies ; Cohort Studies ; COVID-19 Testing ; Propensity Score ; *Pregnancy Complications ; Disease Progression ; *Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/diagnosis/epidemiology/therapy ; Multicenter Studies as Topic ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between COVID-19 severity and pregnancy using measures such as COVID-19 ordinal scale severity score, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, oxygen supplementation, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death.<br><br>METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter cohort study to understand the association between COVID-19 severity and pregnancy. We reviewed consecutive charts of adult females, ages 18-45, with laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020. Cases were patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy, whereas controls were not pregnant at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis. Primary endpoints were the COVID-19 severity score at presentation (within four hours) and the nadir of the clinical course. The secondary endpoints were the proportion of patients requiring hospitalization, ICU admission, oxygen supplementation, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death.<br><br>RESULTS: A higher proportion of pregnant women had moderate to severe COVID-19 disease at the nadir of the clinical course than non-pregnant women (25 vs. 16.1&#x202f;%, p=0.04, respectively). There was a higher rate of hospitalization (25.6 vs. 17.2&#x202f;%), ICU admission (8.9 vs. 4.4&#x202f;%), need for vasoactive substances (5.0 vs. 2.8&#x202f;%), and invasive mechanical ventilation (5.6 vs. 2.8&#x202f;%) in the pregnant cohort. These differences were not significant after applying propensity score matching.We found a high rate of pregnancy complications in our population (40.7&#x202f;%). The most worrisome is the rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (20.1&#x202f;%).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: In our propensity score-matched study, COVID-19 in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of disease severity and pregnancy complications.}, }
@article {pmid37478892, year = {2023}, author = {Kumar, S and Roy, V}, title = {Repurposing Drugs: An Empowering Approach to Drug Discovery and Development.}, journal = {Drug research}, volume = {73}, number = {9}, pages = {481-490}, doi = {10.1055/a-2095-0826}, pmid = {37478892}, issn = {2194-9387}, mesh = {Humans ; *Drug Repositioning/methods ; *Pandemics ; Drug Discovery/methods ; Drug Development ; Power, Psychological ; }, abstract = {Drug discovery and development is a time-consuming and costly procedure that necessitates a substantial effort. Drug repurposing has been suggested as a method for developing medicines that takes less time than developing brand new medications and will be less expensive. Also known as drug repositioning or re-profiling, this strategy has been in use from the time of serendipitous drug discoveries to the modern computer aided drug designing and use of computational chemistry. In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic too, drug repurposing emerged as a ray of hope in the dearth of available medicines. Data availability by electronic recording, libraries, and improvements in computational techniques offer a vital substrate for systemic evaluation of repurposing candidates. In the not-too-distant future, it could be possible to create a global research archive for us to access, thus accelerating the process of drug development and repurposing. This review aims to present the evolution, benefits and drawbacks including current approaches, key players and the legal and regulatory hurdles in the field of drug repurposing. The vast quantities of available data secured in multiple drug databases, assisting in drug repurposing is also discussed.}, }
@article {pmid37203285, year = {2023}, author = {Doleman, G and De Leo, A and Bloxsome, D}, title = {The impact of pandemics on healthcare providers' workloads: A scoping review.}, journal = {Journal of advanced nursing}, volume = {79}, number = {12}, pages = {4434-4454}, doi = {10.1111/jan.15690}, pmid = {37203285}, issn = {1365-2648}, abstract = {AIMS: To review and synthesize available evidence exploring the impact of pandemics on direct healthcare providers' workloads in the acute care setting.<br><br>DESIGN: Scoping review.<br><br>DATA SOURCES: A review of English research articles published up to August 2022 that examined the impact of pandemics on healthcare providers' workloads was undertaken. Studies were identified by searching four electronic databases: Medline (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), Web of Science and PsychInfo (EBSCO). Fifty-five studies met the inclusion criteria.<br><br>REVIEW METHODS: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Scoping Review checklist.<br><br>RESULTS: Healthcare workers experience an increase in workload pressures during a pandemic. This included patients requiring more care, undertaking non-normal work activities, increase in work content including changes to documentation, increase in demand and skills required, an increase in overtime and hours of work per week and higher patient-to-nurse ratios. The review also highlighted changes to the work environment and worsened work environments, including staffing shortages.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Focused efforts from health organizations to prioritize supportive conditions, policies focused on improved work environments, staffing adequacy and fair and reasonable workloads will enhance retention of the current workforce and future planning for pandemics.<br><br>IMPACT: Understanding workload challenges faced by frontline health professionals during the pandemic can improve planning, including policies and procedures, and resource allocation for future pandemic or emergency situations. In addition, extended periods of high workloads can impact staff retention. As many countries return to life after COVID-19, it is important that healthcare organizations examine staff pressures and identify ways to support staff moving forward. This will be vital for the future sustainability of the workforce.<br><br>No patient or public contribution.}, }
@article {pmid37916253, year = {2023}, author = {Unoki, T and Sakuramoto, H and Ouchi, A and Inagaki, N and Kitayama, M and Kawai, Y and Furumaya, T and Tsukada, Y}, title = {Return-to-Work Prevalence Among COVID-19 Patients After Receiving Intensive Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e46315}, pmid = {37916253}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {Returning to work can be a serious issue for patients who have undergone intensive care. Previous studies have reported a relatively low return-to-work prevalence among such patients. Some patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experience severe pneumonia and require intensive care, including mechanical ventilation. However, little is known about the return-to-work prevalence among such patients. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature describing the return-to-work prevalence among COVID-19 patients who received intensive care. The eligibility criteria were determined based on the medical condition, context, and population framework of each study, as follows: (1) full-text observational studies, (2) context: COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU, (3) condition: return-to-work prevalence after ICU discharge, and (4) population: critically ill patients who are 18 years and older. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Review articles, case reports, letters to the editor, and comments without data involving return-to-work prevalence were excluded. We searched the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE, via PubMed), the Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL, via EBSCOhost), and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) databases from their inception till July 26, 2022, and updated the search on June 14, 2023. Specifically, we collected studies reporting data on the return-to-work prevalence among COVID-19 patients after receiving intensive care. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence Studies. Pre-developed standard forms were used for data collection, and pooled prevalence for return-to-work was calculated. Out of the 2221 available records, 42 full texts were reviewed, 20 of which were included in the qualitative synthesis. The number of return-to-work cases reported at 0-3 months, 4-6 months, and 7-12 months were three, 11, and nine, respectively. At 0-3 months, the pooled prevalence was 0.49 (three trials; n = 73; 95% CI: 0.15-0.84; I[2] = 82%). At 4-6 months, the pooled prevalence was 0.57 (11 trials; n = 900; 95% CI: 0.40-0.73; I[2] = 92%). Finally, at 7-12 months, the pooled prevalence was 0.64 (nine trials; n = 281; 95% CI: 0.50-0.77; I[2] = 80%). However, the overall quality of the included studies was low. Based on the results, approximately one-third of COVID-19 patients did not return to work 12 months after receiving intensive care. Given the quality and limitations of the studies, a more detailed and extensive cohort study is required; also, concerned authorities should implement adequate measures in terms of providing integrated job support for this patient population.}, }
@article {pmid37916248, year = {2023}, author = {Naik, R and Avula, S and Palleti, SK and Gummadi, J and Ramachandran, R and Chandramohan, D and Dhillon, G and Gill, AS and Paiwal, K and Shaik, B and Balachandran, M and Patel, B and Gurugubelli, S and Mariswamy Arun Kumar, AK and Nanjundappa, A and Bellamkonda, M and Rathi, K and Sakhamuri, PL and Nassar, M and Bali, A}, title = {From Emergence to Endemicity: A Comprehensive Review of COVID-19.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e48046}, pmid = {37916248}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), later renamed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was first identified in Wuhan, China, in early December 2019. Initially, the China office of the World Health Organization was informed of numerous cases of pneumonia of unidentified etiology in Wuhan, Hubei Province at the end of 2019. This would subsequently result in a global pandemic with millions of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and millions of deaths reported to the WHO. We have analyzed most of the data published since the beginning of the pandemic to compile this comprehensive review of SARS-CoV-2. We looked at the core ideas, such as the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnostics, histopathologic findings, consequences, therapies, and vaccines. We have also included the long-term effects and myths associated with some therapeutics of COVID-19. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 virology, vaccines, medicines, and significant variants identified during the course of the pandemic. Our review article is intended to provide medical practitioners with a better understanding of the fundamental sciences, clinical treatment, and prevention of COVID-19. As of May 2023, this paper contains the most recent data made accessible.}, }
@article {pmid37916210, year = {2023}, author = {Barakat, GM and Assi, G and El Khoury, NB}, title = {Mental Health: Pandemics, Epidemics and Tau Protein.}, journal = {Clinical practice and epidemiology in mental health : CP &amp; EMH}, volume = {19}, number = {}, pages = {e174501792305020}, pmid = {37916210}, issn = {1745-0179}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: It is well established that a wide range of psychological disorders are influenced by the way people live, with lifestyle-related factors playing a substantial role. During the past decade, the effects of major disasters on mental health have drawn a lot of attention.<br><br>AIM: In this review, we compare clinical studies reporting a link between COVID-19 and other pandemics and mental health. Importantly, we also shed light on Tau protein and neurotransmitters as neurobiological factors that might explain this link.<br><br>METHODS: A thorough PubMed search was done to gather and summarize published data on the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on mental health. Additionally, these studies were compared to previous research published on PubMed, triggering other pandemic and epidemic impacts on mental health.<br><br>RESULTS: The COVID-19 epidemic has had the biggest impact on raising awareness about mental health. Moreover, the past century has seen an increase in the frequency of disease outbreaks like MERS-CoV, Ebola, and Influenza, which all had an impact on mental health. However, the exact role of these epidemics on mental health and brain functions is poorly understood.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Future research on the underlying pathways may yield essential information for the treatment and prevention of prospective mental diseases in light of the ongoing decline in mental health during the past 10 years.}, }
@article {pmid37915987, year = {2023}, author = {Jain, S and Allen, IE and Song, D and Piao, X}, title = {Cytokine responses to SARS-COV2 infection in mother-infant dyads: a systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Frontiers in pediatrics}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1277697}, pmid = {37915987}, issn = {2296-2360}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected a significant number of pregnant women worldwide, but studies on immune responses have presented conflicting results. This study aims to systematically review cytokine profiles in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection and their infants to evaluate immune responses and potential transplacental transfer of cytokines.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search of 4 databases was conducted to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria included studies measuring individual cytokines in pregnant women and/or their neonates. Studies were evaluated for quality, and data were extracted for analysis. Meta-analyses were performed using the random-effects model.<br><br>RESULTS: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria, including data from 748 pregnant women and 287 infants. More than three of these studies evaluated data of 20 cytokines in maternal serum, and data of 10 cytokines was available from cord blood samples. Only the serum level of CXCL10 was significantly up-regulated in SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;339) compared to SARS-CoV-2 negative pregnant women (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;409). Subset analysis of maternal samples (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;183) collected during the acute phase of COVID-19 infection showed elevated CXCL10 and IFN-&#x3b3;. No significant differences in cytokine levels were found between cord blood samples collected from infants born to mothers with (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;97) and without (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;190) COVID-19 during gestation. Subset analysis of cord blood samples collected during the acute phase of maternal infection was limited by insufficient data. The heterogeneity among the studies was substantial.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that maternal cytokines responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy are not significantly dysregulated, except for CXCL10 and IFN-&#x3b3; during the acute phase of illness. No evidence of increased cytokine levels in cord blood samples was observed, although this could be impacted by the time period between initial maternal infection and cord blood collection. These results provide some reassurance to parents and healthcare providers but should be interpreted cautiously due to study variations and limitations.}, }
@article {pmid37915153, year = {2023}, author = {Harjianti, T and Benyamin, F and Minhajat, R and Saleh, S and Bayu, D and Pababbari, W}, title = {COVID-19 Infection in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Receiving Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in Makassar, Indonesia: A Six-Case Report and Literature Review.}, journal = {Acta medica Indonesiana}, volume = {55}, number = {3}, pages = {332-338}, pmid = {37915153}, issn = {0125-9326}, mesh = {Humans ; Tyrosine Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; *COVID-19 ; Indonesia ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; *Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/complications/drug therapy ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/adverse effects ; }, abstract = {Management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in patients who are infected with COVID-19 is a challenging task due to disease-related or treatment-related factors that place such patients at a higher risk of complications. However, a low-infectivity-rate mechanism has been proposed by some researchers. In CML patients with COVID-19 infection, the most important treatment-related factor involves tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In this case report, six patients with chronic-phase CML who experienced COVID-19 of mild-moderate severity all continued to receive TKI treatment for CML concurrently with COVID-19 treatment. All patients fully recovered. In the present study, we also review four other cases of COVID-19 infection in CML patients. Outcomes for TKI-treated CML patients who contract COVID-19 are influenced by many factors. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy may benefit CML patients due to its antiviral effect, but the interaction between TKIs and drugs used for COVID-19 treatment requires careful monitoring. An individual approach is needed in every case.}, }
@article {pmid37915021, year = {2023}, author = {Mehra, K and Rup, J and Wiese, JL and Watson, TM and Bonato, S and Rueda, S}, title = {Changes in self-reported cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.}, journal = {BMC public health}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {2139}, pmid = {37915021}, issn = {1471-2458}, mesh = {Humans ; *Cannabis ; Pandemics ; Self Report ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Medical Marijuana ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting mental health and substance use (MHSU) issues worldwide. The purpose of this study was to characterize the literature on changes in cannabis use during the pandemic and the factors associated with such changes.<br><br>METHODS: We conducted a scoping review by searching peer-reviewed databases and grey literature from January 2020 to May 2022 using the Arksey and O'Malley Framework. Two independent reviewers screened a total of 4235 documents. We extracted data from 129 documents onto a data extraction form and collated results using content analytical techniques.<br><br>RESULTS: Nearly half (48%) of the studies reported an increase/initiation of cannabis use, while 36% studies reported no change, and 16% reported a decrease/cessation of cannabis use during the pandemic. Factors associated with increased cannabis use included socio-demographic factors (e.g., younger age), health related factors (e.g., increased symptom burden), MHSU factors (e.g., anxiety, depression), pandemic-specific reactions (e.g., stress, boredom, social isolation), cannabis-related factors (e.g., dependence), and policy-related factors (e.g., legalization of medical/recreational cannabis).<br><br>CONCLUSION: Public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic have the potential to significantly impact cannabis use. The pandemic has placed urgency on improving coping mechanisms and supports that help populations adapt to major and sudden life changes. To better prepare health care systems for future pandemics, wide-reaching education on how pandemic-related change impacts cannabis use is needed.}, }
@article {pmid37914585, year = {2023}, author = {Nedkoff, L and Briffa, T and Zemedikun, D and Herrington, S and Wright, FL}, title = {Global Trends in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.}, journal = {Clinical therapeutics}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.09.020}, pmid = {37914585}, issn = {1879-114X}, abstract = {PURPOSE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting over 523 million people globally. Atherosclerotic diseases, particularly ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, are the primary mediators of CVD burden and trends, with half of CVD deaths attributed to IHD, and another quarter to ischemic stroke. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of world-wide trends in the burden of atherosclerotic CVD.<br><br>METHODS: A literature review of published studies reporting regional or global trends or burden of CVD was undertaken, with a specific focus on atherosclerotic-mediated CVDs.<br><br>FINDINGS: While long-term trends in age-standardized rates of CVD mortality and incidence indicate substantial declines in disease burden, the impact of population growth and ageing has contributed to a continued increase in the absolute number of people living with CVD. Additionally, when data are restricted to the most recent decade, there are indications that even declines in age-standardized CVD rates may have attenuated. Trends are also heterogeneous across countries and regions, with a relative increase in CVD burden in developing countries and differing trends within countries. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in substantial short-term reductions in hospitalization rates for major atherosclerotic CVDs including acute coronary syndromes and heart failure in some countries.<br><br>IMPLICATIONS: Recent attenuation of declines in atherosclerotic CVDs with increasing absolute burden has significant implications for health systems and resource availability, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on longer-term trends in CVD yet to be clearly established.}, }
@article {pmid37914200, year = {2023}, author = {Bash, K and Sacha, G and Latifi, M}, title = {COVID-19: A management update.}, journal = {Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine}, volume = {90}, number = {11}, pages = {677-683}, doi = {10.3949/ccjm.90a.22102}, pmid = {37914200}, issn = {1939-2869}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/therapy ; Pandemics ; Disease Progression ; Inpatients ; }, abstract = {The management of COVID-19 has evolved through the course of the pandemic to now include options for outpatients, inpatients with life-threatening critical illness, and everyone in between. The goals of therapy include preventing disease progression and preventing worsening disease in those admitted to the hospital, with the hopes of preserving resources and improving patient outcomes. The Infectious Diseases Society of America and the National Institutes of Health have issued guidelines on treating COVID-19, which the authors review here.}, }
@article {pmid37914040, year = {2023}, author = {Wani, AK and Chopra, C and Dhanjal, DS and Akhtar, N and Singh, H and Bhau, P and Singh, A and Sharma, V and Pinheiro, RSB and Américo-Pinheiro, JHP and Singh, R}, title = {Metagenomics in the Fight Against Zoonotic Viral Infections: A Focus on SARS-CoV-2 Analogues.}, journal = {Journal of virological methods}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {114837}, doi = {10.1016/j.jviromet.2023.114837}, pmid = {37914040}, issn = {1879-0984}, abstract = {Zoonotic viral infections continue to pose significant threats to global public health, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 served as a stark reminder of the potential for zoonotic transmission of viruses from animals to humans. Understanding the origins and dynamics of zoonotic viruses is critical for early detection, prevention, and effective management of future outbreaks. Metagenomics has emerged as a powerful tool for investigating the virome of diverse ecosystems, shedding light on the diversity of viral populations, their hosts, and potential zoonotic spillover events. We provide an in-depth examination of metagenomic approaches, including, NGS metagenomics, shotgun metagenomics, viral metagenomics, and single-virus metagenomics, highlighting their strengths and limitations in identifying and characterizing zoonotic viral pathogens. This review underscores the pivotal role of metagenomics in enhancing our ability to detect, monitor, and mitigate zoonotic viral infections, using SARS-CoV-2 analogues as a case study. We emphasize the need for continued interdisciplinary collaboration among virologists, ecologists, and bioinformaticians to harness the full potential of metagenomic approaches in safeguarding public health against emerging zoonotic threats.}, }
@article {pmid37913932, year = {2023}, author = {Abdul-Rahman, T and Roy, P and Bliss, ZSB and Mohammad, A and Corriero, AC and Patel, NT and Wireko, AA and Shaikh, R and Faith, OE and Arevalo-Rios, ECE and Dupuis, L and Ulusan, S and Erbay, MI and Cedeño, MV and Sood, A and Gupta, R}, title = {The Impact of Air Quality on Cardiovascular Health: A State of the Art Review.}, journal = {Current problems in cardiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {102174}, doi = {10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102174}, pmid = {37913932}, issn = {1535-6280}, abstract = {Air pollution is a global health challenge, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and arrhythmias. Particulate matter (PM), particularly PM2.5 and ultrafine particles (UFP), is a key contributor to the adverse effects of air pollution on cardiovascular health. PM exposure can lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, atherosclerosis, vascular dysfunction, cardiac arrhythmias, and myocardial injury. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in mediating these effects. PM exposure can also lead to hypertension, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant reduction of air pollutants, leading to a decline in the incidence of heart attacks and premature deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases. This review highlights the relationship between environmental air quality and cardiovascular health, elucidating the pathways through which air pollutants affect the cardiovascular system. It also emphasizes the need for increased awareness, collective efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution, and strategic policies for long-term air quality improvement to prevent the devastating effects of air pollution on global cardiovascular health.}, }
@article {pmid37913921, year = {2023}, author = {Bonnet, G and Pearson, CAB and Torres-Rueda, S and Ruiz, F and Lines, J and Jit, M and Vassall, A and Sweeney, S}, title = {A scoping review &amp; taxonomy of epidemiological-macroeconomic models of COVID-19.}, journal = {Value in health : the journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.jval.2023.10.008}, pmid = {37913921}, issn = {1524-4733}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic placed significant strain on many health systems and economies. Mitigation policies decreased health impacts but had major macroeconomic impact. This paper reviews models combining epidemiological and macroeconomic projections to enable policymakers to consider both macroeconomic and health objectives.<br><br>METHODS: A scoping review of epidemiological-macroeconomic models of COVID-19 was conducted, covering preprints, working papers and journal publications. We assessed model methodologies, scope, and application to empirical data.<br><br>RESULTS: We found 80 papers modelling both the epidemiological and macroeconomic outcomes of COVID-19. Model scope is often limited to the impact of lockdown on health and total gross domestic product or aggregate consumption, and to high income countries. Just 14% of models assess disparities or poverty. Most models fall under four categories: compartmental-utility-maximization models, epidemiological models with stylized macroeconomic projections, epidemiological models linked to computable general equilibrium or input-output models, and epi-econ-ABMs. We propose a taxonomy comparing these approaches to guide future model development.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological-macroeconomic models of COVID-19 identified have varying complexity and meet different modelling needs. Priorities for future modelling include increasing developing country applications, assessing disparities and poverty, and estimating of long-run impacts. This may require better integration between epidemiologists and economists.}, }
@article {pmid37909926, year = {2023}, author = {Lo, CKL and Kumar, D}, title = {Respiratory viral infections including COVID-19 in solid organ transplantation.}, journal = {Current opinion in organ transplantation}, volume = {28}, number = {6}, pages = {471-482}, pmid = {37909926}, issn = {1531-7013}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Organ Transplantation/adverse effects ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplant Recipients ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Respiratory viral infections are prevalent and contribute to significant morbidity and mortality among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We review updates from literature on respiratory viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in the SOT recipient.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: With the wider availability and use of molecular diagnostic tests, our understanding of the epidemiology and impact of respiratory viruses in the SOT population continues to expand. While considerable attention has been given to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the advances in prevention and treatment strategies of SARS-CoV-2 offered valuable insights into the development of new therapeutic options for managing other respiratory viruses in both the general and SOT population.<br><br>SUMMARY: Respiratory viruses can present with a diverse range of symptoms in SOT recipients, with potentially associated acute rejection and chronic lung allograft dysfunction in lung transplant recipients. The epidemiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and treatment and preventive strategies for clinically significant RNA and DNA respiratory viruses in SOT recipients are reviewed. This review also covers novel antivirals, immunologic therapies, and vaccines in development for various community-acquired respiratory viruses.}, }
@article {pmid37909255, year = {2023}, author = {Rask, CU and Duholm, CS and Poulsen, CM and Rimvall, MK and Wright, KD}, title = {Annual Research Review: Health anxiety in children and adolescents-developmental aspects and cross-generational influences.}, journal = {Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/jcpp.13912}, pmid = {37909255}, issn = {1469-7610}, abstract = {Health anxiety involves excessive worries about one's health along with beliefs one has an illness or may contract a serious disease. Concerning evidence suggests that health anxiety is on the rise in society, possibly further fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent classification systems acknowledge that impairing health-related worries and beliefs can emerge in early childhood with significant levels of symptoms persisting throughout childhood, and possibly continuous with diagnostic considerations in adulthood. This narrative review summarizes recent research advances in health anxiety in children and adolescents, focusing on various developmental aspects of health anxiety and related concepts in youths. Findings suggest that health anxiety symptoms in young age groups are associated with impairment, distress, and increased healthcare use, as well as substantial comorbidity with mainly other emotional problems and disorders. Furthermore, longitudinal studies suggest that childhood health anxiety can persist across adolescence, perhaps with links to chronic courses in adulthood. The growing literature was further reviewed, thus extending our understanding of early risk factors, including the potential role of exposure to serious illness and transgenerational transmission of health anxiety. Learning more about developmental trajectories will be highly relevant to inform strategies for early detection and prevention. While modified cognitive behavioral therapies in adults are successful in treating health anxiety, specific interventions have not yet been tested in youths. Given substantial overlaps with other psychopathology, it could be important to develop and explore more transdiagnostic and scalable approaches that take advantage of common factors in psychotherapy, while also including a wider perspective on potential familiar maladaptive illness cognitions and behaviors.}, }
@article {pmid37909212, year = {2023}, author = {Masterson Creber, R and Dodson, JA and Bidwell, J and Breathett, K and Lyles, C and Harmon Still, C and Ooi, SY and Yancy, C and Kitsiou, S and , }, title = {Telehealth and Health Equity in Older Adults With Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.}, journal = {Circulation. Cardiovascular quality and outcomes}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e000123}, doi = {10.1161/HCQ.0000000000000123}, pmid = {37909212}, issn = {1941-7705}, abstract = {Enhancing access to care using telehealth is a priority for improving outcomes among older adults with heart failure, increasing quality of care, and decreasing costs. Telehealth has the potential to increase access to care for patients who live in underresourced geographic regions, have physical disabilities or poor access to transportation, and may not otherwise have access to cardiologists with expertise in heart failure. During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to telehealth expanded, and yet barriers to access, including broadband inequality, low digital literacy, and structural barriers, prevented many of the disadvantaged patients from getting equitable access. Using a health equity lens, this scientific statement reviews the literature on telehealth for older adults with heart failure; provides an overview of structural, organizational, and personal barriers to telehealth; and presents novel interventions that pair telemedicine with in-person services to mitigate existing barriers and structural inequities.}, }
@article {pmid37909097, year = {2023}, author = {Gordhan, BG and Liebenberg, D and Scarlatti, G and Herrera, C and Chiodi, F and Martinson, N and Fox, J and Kana, BD}, title = {Ex vivo challenge models for infectious diseases.}, journal = {Critical reviews in microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-20}, doi = {10.1080/1040841X.2023.2274855}, pmid = {37909097}, issn = {1549-7828}, abstract = {Traditionally, molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis for infectious agents were studied in cell culture or animal models but have limitations on the extent to which the resulting data reflect natural infection in humans. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to rapidly develop laboratory models that enable the study of host-pathogen interactions, particularly the relative efficacy of preventive measures. Recently, human and animal ex vivo tissue challenge models have emerged as a promising avenue to study immune responses, screen potential therapies and triage vaccine candidates. This approach offers the opportunity to closely approximate human disease from the perspective of pathology and immune response. It has advantages compared to animal models which are expensive, lengthy and often require containment facilities. Herein, we summarize some recent advances in the development of ex vivo tissue challenge models for COVID-19, HIV-1 and other pathogens. We focus on the contribution of these models to enhancing knowledge of host-pathogen interactions, immune modulation, and their value in testing therapeutic agents. We further highlight the advantages and limitations of using ex vivo challenge models and briefly summarize how the use of organoids provides a useful advancement over current approaches. Collectively, these developments have enormous potential for the study of infectious diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37908368, year = {2023}, author = {Duman, H and Karav, S}, title = {Bovine colostrum and its potential contributions for treatment and prevention of COVID-19.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1214514}, pmid = {37908368}, issn = {1664-3224}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; Cattle ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Colostrum ; Immunologic Factors ; Immunoglobulins ; }, abstract = {Bovine colostrum (BC) is the initial milk an animal produces after giving birth, particularly in the first few days. Numerous bioactive substances found in BC, including proteins, enzymes, growth factors, immunoglobulins, etc., are beneficial to human health. BC has a significant role to play as part of a healthy diet, with well-documented health and nutritional advantages for people. Therefore, the use of BC and its crucial derivatives in the development of functional food and pharmaceuticals for the prevention of several diseases such as gastrointestinal and respiratory system disorders is becoming increasingly popular around the world. A novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases that is called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. After the first SARS-CoV-2 virus-related fatality was announced, the illness quickly spread throughout China and to other continents, causing a pandemic. Since then, numerous studies have been initiated to develop safe and efficient treatments. To prevent viral infection and potential lingering effects, it is important to investigate alternative treatments for COVID-19. Due to its effective bioactive profile and its immunomodulatory roles in biological processes, BC might be considered a promising approach to assist in combating people affected by the SARS-CoV-2 or prevention from the virus. BC has immunomodulatory effects because to its high concentration of bioactive components such as immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, cytokines, and growth factors, etc., which might help control immunological responses, potentially fostering a balanced immune response. Furthermore, its bioactive components have a potential cross-reactivity against SARS-CoV-2, aiding in virus neutralization and its comprehensive food profile also supplies important vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, fostering a healthy immune system. Hence, the possible contributions of BC to the management of COVID-19 were reviewed in this article based on the most recent research on the subject. Additionally, the key BC components that influence immune system modulation were evaluated. These components may serve as potential mediators or therapeutic advantages in COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37907968, year = {2023}, author = {da Silva, RE and Novaes, MRCG and de Oliveira, C and Guilhem, DB}, title = {National governance and excess mortality due to COVID-19 in 213 countries: a retrospective analysis and perspectives on future pandemics.}, journal = {Globalization and health}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {80}, pmid = {37907968}, issn = {1744-8603}, support = {ES/T008822/1//Economic and Social Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Pandemics ; Retrospective Studies ; Government ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: National governance may have influenced the response of institutions to the Covid-19 pandemic, being a key factor in preparing for the next pandemics. The objective was to analyze the association between excess mortality due to COVID-19 (daily and cumulative per 100 thousand people) and national governance indicators in 213 countries.<br><br>METHOD: Multiple linear regression models using secondary data from large international datasets that are in the public domain were performed. Governance indicators corresponded to six dimensions: (i) Voice and Accountability; (ii) Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism; (iii) Government Effectiveness; (iv) Regulatory Quality; (v) Rule of Law and (vi) Control of Corruption. The statistical analysis consisted of adjusting a multiple linear regression model. Excess mortality due to COVID-19 was adjusted for potential confounding factors (demographic, environmental, health, economic, and ethnic variables).<br><br>RESULTS: The indicators Control of Corruption, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality and Rule of Law had a significant inverse association (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.0001) with the estimated excess mortality in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Furthermore, the governance indicators had a direct significant association (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.0001) with the vaccination variables (People_fully_vaccinated; Delivered population; The total number of vaccination doses administered per 100 people at the country level), except for the variables Vaccination policies and Administration of first dose, which were inversely associated. In countries with better governance, COVID-19 vaccination was initiated earlier.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Better national governance indicators were associated with lower excess mortality due to COVID-19 and faster administration of the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.}, }
@article {pmid37907497, year = {2023}, author = {Li, J and Zhou, Y and Ma, J and Zhang, Q and Shao, J and Liang, S and Yu, Y and Li, W and Wang, C}, title = {The long-term health outcomes, pathophysiological mechanisms and multidisciplinary management of long COVID.}, journal = {Signal transduction and targeted therapy}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {416}, pmid = {37907497}, issn = {2059-3635}, support = {2021M692309, 2022T150451//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; 2020HXBH084, CGZH21009//Sichuan University (SCU)/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Outcome Assessment, Health Care ; }, abstract = {There have been hundreds of millions of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). With the growing population of recovered patients, it is crucial to understand the long-term consequences of the disease and management strategies. Although COVID-19 was initially considered an acute respiratory illness, recent evidence suggests that manifestations including but not limited to those of the cardiovascular, respiratory, neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and musculoskeletal systems may persist long after the acute phase. These persistent manifestations, also referred to as long COVID, could impact all patients with COVID-19 across the full spectrum of illness severity. Herein, we comprehensively review the current literature on long COVID, highlighting its epidemiological understanding, the impact of vaccinations, organ-specific sequelae, pathophysiological mechanisms, and multidisciplinary management strategies. In addition, the impact of psychological and psychosomatic factors is also underscored. Despite these crucial findings on long COVID, the current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on previous experience and pilot studies remain inadequate, and well-designed clinical trials should be prioritized to validate existing hypotheses. Thus, we propose the primary challenges concerning biological knowledge gaps and efficient remedies as well as discuss the corresponding recommendations.}, }
@article {pmid37907292, year = {2023}, author = {Rhys, GH and Wakeling, T and Moore, JP and Subbe, CP}, title = {Exercise testing to guide safe discharge from hospital in COVID-19: a scoping review to identify candidate tests.}, journal = {BMJ open}, volume = {13}, number = {10}, pages = {e068169}, pmid = {37907292}, issn = {2044-6055}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/diagnosis ; Patient Discharge ; Exercise Test ; Reproducibility of Results ; Hospitals ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify exercise tests that have been validated to support a safe discharge to home in patients with or without COVID-19.<br><br>STUDY DESIGN: Scoping review, using PRISMA-ScR reporting standards. Medline, PubMed, AMED, Embase, CINAHL and LitCovid databases were searched between 16 and 22 February 2021, with studies included from any publication date up to and including the search date.<br><br>INTERVENTION: Short exercise tests.<br><br>PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Safe discharge from hospital, readmission rate, length of hospital stay, mortality. Secondary outcomes measures: safety, feasibility and reliability.<br><br>RESULTS: Of 1612 original records screened, 19 studies were included in the analysis. These used a variety of exercise tests in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, suspected pulmonary embolism and pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, heart failure or critical illness. Only six studies had examined patients with COVID-19, of these two were still recruiting to evaluate the 1&#x2009;min sit-to-stand test and the 40-steps test. There was heterogeneity in patient populations, tests used and outcome measures. Few exercise tests have been validated to support discharge decisions. There is currently no support for short exercise tests for triage of care in patients with COVID-19.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to aid clinical decision-making at discharge from hospital.}, }
@article {pmid37695516, year = {2023}, author = {Hunn, A and Vavrinchik, J}, title = {Observations in the Field Concerning Infection Control Practices in Dialysis.}, journal = {Nephrology nursing journal : journal of the American Nephrology Nurses' Association}, volume = {50}, number = {4}, pages = {305-332}, pmid = {37695516}, issn = {1526-744X}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Infection Control ; *Renal Dialysis ; }, abstract = {This article describes observations and findings related to infection prevention and control in dialysis facilities. Ensuring infection control best practices is critical for patient safety. Survey findings related to hand hygiene, disinfection practices, medication preparation and administration, central venous catheter management, and hepatitis B surveillance are reviewed. Implications for nephrology nursing in each scenario are discussed, including survey guidance for COVID-19 post-pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid37263232, year = {2023}, author = {Ma, Y and Li, B and Cui, Y and Zhang, Z and Jiang, S and Yan, X and He, J and Du, Y}, title = {The Top 100 Cited Articles on Acupuncture in the Last 20 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis.}, journal = {Complementary medicine research}, volume = {30}, number = {5}, pages = {393-407}, doi = {10.1159/000530778}, pmid = {37263232}, issn = {2504-2106}, mesh = {Humans ; *Acupuncture Therapy ; Bibliometrics ; *COVID-19/therapy ; *Osteoarthritis ; Pain ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has gained increasing international attention in recent decades. The act of incorporating acupuncture treatment into the routine treatment of COVID-19 in China drove us to review the 100 most influential articles of the last 20 years to learn about the current status and trends of acupuncture.<br><br>METHOD: Articles related to acupuncture from January 1, 2001, to July 4, 2022, were searched in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection database. The top 100 most cited publications were selected, and information was extracted. Software such as VOSviewer, GraphPad Prism, Scimago Graphica, and CiteSpace were used to visualize and analyze the extracted data.<br><br>RESULT: The 100 most cited articles were identified, with an average of 218 citations (range: 131-625). The majority of the top 100 articles were from the USA (n = 53). The institution that published the most highly cited papers was Harvard University (n = 16). The most influential team was Klaus Linde's group. Pain was the top-ranked journal in terms of the number of publications. The largest clusters for co-occurrence keyword analysis focused on acupuncture and electroacupuncture analgesia and brain imaging responses to acupuncture stimulation via functional MRI. The two highest strength burst keywords were "randomized controlled trials" and "osteoarthritis," with "randomized controlled trials" being a consistent burst keyword from 2011 to the present.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study provides insight into articles of historical significance in the field of acupuncture through bibliometric analysis. These data should provide clinicians and researchers with insight into future directions related to acupuncture.<br><br>UNLABELLED: <title>Hintergrund</title>Die Akupunktur hat in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten zunehmend die internationale Aufmerksamkeit auf sich gezogen. Die Einbeziehung der Akupunktur in die Routinebehandlung von COVID-19 in China hat uns dazu veranlasst, die 100 einflussreichsten Artikel der letzten 20 Jahre zu &#xfc;berpr&#xfc;fen, um etwas &#xfc;ber den aktuellen Stand und die Trends in der Akupunktur zu erfahren.<title>Methode</title>Artikel mit Bezug zu Akupunktur vom 1. Januar 2001 bis 4. Juli 2022 wurden in der Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection Datenbank gesucht. Die 100 am h&#xe4;ufigsten zitierten Ver&#xf6;ffentlichungen wurden ausgew&#xe4;hlt und die Informationen wurden extrahiert. Visualisierung und Analyse der extrahierten Daten erfolgten mithilfe der Software VOSviewer, GraphPad Prism, Scimago Graphica und CiteSpace.<title>Ergebnis</title>Es wurden die 100 am h&#xe4;ufigsten zitierten Artikel ermittelt mit durchschnittlich 218 Zitierungen (Spanne: 131 bis 625). Der Gro&#xdf;teil der 100 meistzitierten Artikel stammte aus den Vereinigten Staaten (<italic>n</italic> = 53). Die Institution, die die meisten zitierten Artikel ver&#xf6;ffentlichte, war die Harvard-Universit&#xe4;t (<italic>n</italic> = 16). Das einflussreichste Team war die Gruppe von Klaus Linde. Was die Zahl der Ver&#xf6;ffentlichungen betrifft, war Pain die am h&#xe4;ufigsten zitierte Zeitschrift. Bei der Analyse der Koinzidenz von Schl&#xfc;sselw&#xf6;rtern lag der Fokus der gr&#xf6;&#xdf;ten Cluster auf Akupunktur-und Elektroakupunktur-Analgesie sowie auf den Reaktionen auf Akupunkturstimulation in den bildgebenden Untersuchungen des Gehirns mittels funktioneller MRT. Die beiden st&#xe4;rksten Burst-Schl&#xfc;sselw&#xf6;rter waren &#x201c;randomisierte kontrollierte Studien&#x201d; und &#x201c;Osteoarthritis,&#x201d; wobei &#x201c;randomisierte kontrollierte Studien&#x201d; von 2011 bis heute durchg&#xe4;ngig ein Burst-Schl&#xfc;sselwort ist.<title>Schlussfolgerung</title>Diese Studie bietet einen Einblick in historisch bedeutsame Artikel auf dem Gebiet der Akupunktur mittels bibliometrischer analyse. Diese Daten sollen Klinikern und Forschern einen Einblick in zuk&#xfc;nftige Richtungen im Zusammenhang mit Akupunktur geben.}, }
@article {pmid37204018, year = {2023}, author = {Luo, F and Ye, Q}, title = {Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus patient with COVID-19: Case report and review.}, journal = {International journal of rheumatic diseases}, volume = {26}, number = {11}, pages = {2301-2303}, doi = {10.1111/1756-185X.14738}, pmid = {37204018}, issn = {1756-185X}, mesh = {Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; *COVID-19/complications/diagnosis ; *Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications/diagnosis/drug therapy ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; }, abstract = {Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is considered a rare and serious complication of coronavirus disease 2019, which more frequently occurs in young, male, and either non-Hispanic black or Hispanic persons. Here we present a Chinese woman aged 50 years with systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosed with MIS-A. She experienced unexpected sudden cardiac and liver injuries and hemodynamic collapse, and her platelet count dropped sharply on hospital day 2. Unfortunately, the patient's condition gradually deteriorated despite maximum support and she died on day 3. We present this rare case to emphasize that MIS-A in autoimmune diseases may be more severe and its management may be more difficult.}, }
@article {pmid37186783, year = {2023}, author = {Madu, AC and Osborne, K}, title = {Healthcare Financing in Nigeria: A Policy Review.}, journal = {International journal of social determinants of health and health services}, volume = {53}, number = {4}, pages = {434-443}, doi = {10.1177/27551938231173611}, pmid = {37186783}, issn = {2755-1946}, mesh = {Humans ; *Healthcare Financing ; Nigeria ; *Pandemics ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Policy ; }, abstract = {A good health financing system is crucial for the effective performance of a country's health system. Many health systems around the world, especially in lower- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria, grapple with perennial challenges such as chronic underfunding, wastefulness, and lack of accountability rendering these systems inefficient. Nigeria's health system faces additional extraneous challenges such as a huge and rapidly growing population, a stagnant economy, and worsening insecurity of lives and property. Furthermore, recent disease outbreaks such as the Ebola epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic and an evolving disease demography evidenced by an increasing prevalence of chronic, noncommunicable diseases asphyxiate an already floundering health system. To address these challenges and to bolster its efforts in attaining universal health coverage (UHC) and meeting the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Nigerian government launched a new health policy in 2017. A review of the health financing section of this policy shows a focus on improving funding for health care by all levels of government and guaranteeing affordable and equitable access to health services by all Nigerians, albeit with insufficient clarity on how these will be achieved. A more critical review of the country's health financing system also reveals deep-seated systemic issues. Its out-of-pocket payments for funding health care are among the highest in the world, with abysmally low government contributions to health. Successive governments seem to lack the political will to address these shortfalls. Critical gaps exist in the country's health laws, making it difficult to implement the strategies proposed in the new policy. Nigeria must strengthen its health laws to, among other things, mandate health insurance and provide adequate funding for the health system by the government. It should also formulate a dedicated, more precise health financing policy with specific, measurable aims targeting identified problems to enable it to attain universal health coverage.}, }
@article {pmid35728076, year = {2023}, author = {Chudow, MB and Condeni, MS and Dhar, S and Heavner, MS and Nei, AM and Bissell, BD}, title = {Current Practice Review in the Management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.}, journal = {Journal of pharmacy practice}, volume = {36}, number = {6}, pages = {1454-1471}, doi = {10.1177/08971900221108713}, pmid = {35728076}, issn = {1531-1937}, mesh = {Humans ; *Pandemics ; *Respiratory Distress Syndrome/therapy ; Lung ; Respiration, Artificial ; Intensive Care Units ; }, abstract = {Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) presents as an acute inflammatory lung injury characterized by refractory hypoxemia and non-cardiac pulmonary edema. An estimated 10% of patients in the intensive care unit and 25% of those who are mechanically ventilated are diagnosed with ARDS. Increased awareness is warranted as mortality rates remain high and delays in diagnosing ARDS are common. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of understanding ARDS management. Treatment of ARDS can be challenging due to the complexity of the disease state and conflicting existing evidence. Therefore, it is imperative that pharmacists understand both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment strategies to optimize patient care. This narrative review provides a critical evaluation of current literature describing management practices for ARDS. A review of treatment modalities and supportive care strategies will be presented.}, }
@article {pmid37907185, year = {2023}, author = {Ashraf, H and Ashfaq, H and Ashraf, A}, title = {Gender and Racial Disparities in Obesity-Related Cardiovascular-Induced Mortality in the USA, 1999-2020.}, journal = {Current problems in cardiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {102178}, doi = {10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102178}, pmid = {37907185}, issn = {1535-6280}, abstract = {Obesity is closely linked to various cardiovascular diseases, leading to increased mortality rates. This study examines the trends in cardiovascular-induced obesityassociated mortality among individuals aged 15 years and older in the United States. Data were sourced from the CDC WONDER for the years 1999-2020, encompassing fatalities where cardiovascular disease was the underlying cause of death and obesity was a contributing factor. The dataset was analyzed, considering annual patterns, gender, and ethnic origins. A total of 280,992 deaths were reported, with 56.35% attributed to males and 43.64% to females. The age-adjusted mortality rate was 10.5 for males and 4 for females. Non-Hispanic white individuals accounted for 71.049% of total deaths, while non-Hispanic Black individuals contributed 19.510%. The highest mortality rate was observed among non-Hispanic Black individuals, with non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native individuals following. Non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander individuals had the lowest mortality rate. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) was 6.1 for males and 4.4 for females. A significant increase in the overall mortality rate was observed from 2018 to 2020, with Hispanics/Latinos exhibiting the highest increase. The elevated AAMR among males may be attributed to the cardio-protective properties of estrogen in women. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced unfavorable lifestyle changes, including weight gain and reduced exercise, potentially exacerbating CVD mortality trends after 2019. Further timely and targeted efforts are needed to control obesity and cardiovascular-related mortality in the USA.}, }
@article {pmid37906499, year = {2023}, author = {Kubrova, E and Hallo-Carrasco, AJ and Klasova, J and Pagan Rosado, RD and Prusinski, CC and Trofymenko, O and Schappell, JB and Prokop, LJ and Yuh, CI and Gupta, S and Hunt, CL}, title = {Persistent Chest Pain Following COVID-19 Infection - A Scoping Review.}, journal = {PM &amp; R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/pmrj.13098}, pmid = {37906499}, issn = {1934-1563}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Persistent chest pain (PCP) following acute COVID-19 infection is a commonly reported symptom with an unclear etiology, making its management challenging. This scoping review aims to address the knowledge gap surrounding the characteristics of PCP following COVID-19, its causes, and potential treatments.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, causes, and potential treatments of PCP following COVID-19 infection.<br><br>DESIGN: A scoping review of 64 studies, including observational (prospective, retrospective, cross-sectional, case series, and case-control) and one quasi-experimental study, from databases including Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Google Scholar, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus.<br><br>SETTING: Studies on patients with PCP following mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 infection.<br><br>PATIENTS: Studies that included patients of any age, with chest pain that persisted following acute COVID-19 disease, irrespective of etiology or duration.<br><br>INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.<br><br>MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Prevalence, causes, and potential treatments of PCP following COVID-19 infection.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 35 studies reported PCP symptoms following COVID-19 (0.24-76.6%) at an average follow-up of three months or longer, 12 studies at 1-3 months and 17 studies at less than one month follow-up or not specified. PCP was common following mild - severe COVID-19 infection, and etiology was mostly not reported. Fourteen studies proposed potential etiologies including endothelial dysfunction, cardiac ischemia, vasospasm, myocarditis, cardiac arrhythmia, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), or noted cardiac MRI (cMRI) changes. Evaluation methods included common cardiopulmonary tests, as well as less common tests such as flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), cMRI, single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI), and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Only one study reported a specific treatment (sulodexide).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: PCP is a prevalent symptom following COVID-19 infection, with various proposed etiologies. Further research is needed to establish a better understanding of the causes and to develop targeted treatments for PCP following COVID-19. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.}, }
@article {pmid37905626, year = {2023}, author = {Mitamura, M and Kase, S and Hirooka, K and Endo, H and Ito, Y and Ishida, S}, title = {Choroidal Circulatory and Vascular Morphological Changes in Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy After Infection With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Case Report With Literature Review.}, journal = {In vivo (Athens, Greece)}, volume = {37}, number = {6}, pages = {2869-2876}, pmid = {37905626}, issn = {1791-7549}, mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Fluorescein Angiography/methods ; *COVID-19/complications ; Choroid/pathology ; *White Dot Syndromes/pathology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze choroidal circulatory and structural changes using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), respectively.<br><br>CASE REPORT: A 24-year-old woman complained of distorted vision after SARS-CoV-2 infection oculi uterque (OU) and referred to our hospital because of ellipsoid zones (EZ) disruption on OCT. Her best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.2 OU. Color fundus photographs revealed dark red lesions in the macula, and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy infrared images showed hypointensity consistent with dark red lesions OU. We diagnosed the patient with AMN after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and posterior sub-Tenon injections of triamcinolone acetonide were performed OU. Five months after the initial visit, her BCVA was 1.2 OU, and EZ disruption improved. The rate of change in macular blood flow assessed by the mean blur rate on LSFG was 20.4% and 29.6% increase oculus dexter (OD) and oculus sinister (OS) 5 months after the initial visit, respectively. The central choroidal thickness showed 13.5% increase OD and 16.1% increase OS. The binarization technique demonstrated that the ratio of luminal areas in choroidal area increased by 12.6% OD and 14.2% OS, and stromal areas increased by 7.3% OD and 16.9% OS.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Before and after treatment for AMN, the luminal component may have increased with improvement of acute choroidal circulatory disturbance caused by SARS-CoV-2, and increased stromal components may be due to chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling of the stroma.}, }
@article {pmid37904701, year = {2023}, author = {Zarpoosh, M and Amirian, P}, title = {COVID-associated arthritis after severe and non-severe COVID-19: A systematic review.}, journal = {Immunity, inflammation and disease}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {e1035}, pmid = {37904701}, issn = {2050-4527}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications ; *Arthritis/epidemiology/etiology/drug therapy ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {AIM: Since the coronavirus outbreak became a global health emergency in 2020, various immune-based effects, such as inflammatory arthritis (IA), have been recorded. This study aimed to determine the role of COVID-19 severity on post-COVID arthritis.<br><br>METHODS: We systematically reviewed 95 patients who developed arthritis after severe and non-severe COVID-19 infection by searching the databases, including PubMed, SCOPUS, and EMBASE. We used the term "COVID-associated arthritis" because there was no definite diagnostic method for classifying arthritides after COVID-19 infection, and the diagnosed arthritis types were based on the authors'&#xa0;viewpoints.<br><br>RESULTS: After evaluating the data between the two severe and non-severe COVID-19-infected groups of patients, the results showed that the COVID-19 severity may affect the pattern of joint involvement in IA. In both groups, combination therapy, including oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with different types of corticosteroids, was the most common treatment. In addition, the mean age and comorbidities rate was higher in the severe COVID-19 group. Even though the patients in the severe COVID-19 group developed more serious COVID-19 symptoms, they experienced milder arthritis with better outcomes and more delayed onsets that required less aggressive therapy.<br><br>CONCLUSION: We conclude that there may be an inverse relationship between COVID-19 severity and arthritis severity, possibly due to weaker immunity conditions following immunosuppressant treatments in patients with severe COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37904656, year = {2023}, author = {Gong, W and Du, J}, title = {Excluding Participants With Mycobacteria Infections From Clinical Trials: A Critical Consideration in Evaluating the Efficacy of BCG Against COVID-19.}, journal = {Journal of Korean medical science}, volume = {38}, number = {42}, pages = {e343}, pmid = {37904656}, issn = {1598-6357}, support = {22FYFH02//Special Research on Health and Epidemic Prevention/Korea ; }, mesh = {Humans ; BCG Vaccine/therapeutic use ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; *Latent Tuberculosis/drug therapy/prevention &amp; control ; Reproducibility of Results ; *Tuberculosis/drug therapy/prevention &amp; control ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; }, abstract = {In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, has been investigated for its potential to prevent COVID-19 with conflicting outcomes. Currently, over 50 clinical trials have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of BCG in preventing COVID-19, but the results have shown considerable variations. After scrutinizing the data, it was discovered that some trials had enrolled individuals with active TB, latent TB infection, or a history of TB. This finding raises concerns about the reliability and validity of the trial outcomes. In this study, we explore the potential consequences of including these participants in clinical trials, including impaired host immunity, immune exhaustion, and the potential masking of the BCG vaccine's protective efficacy against COVID-19 by persistent mycobacterial infections. We also put forth several suggestions for future clinical trials. Our study underscores the criticality of excluding individuals with active or latent TB from clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of BCG in preventing COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37903740, year = {2023}, author = {Cheng, X and Zhao, Y and Liao, SS}, title = {Key topics in social science research on COVID-19: An automated literature analysis.}, journal = {Health information and libraries journal}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/hir.12508}, pmid = {37903740}, issn = {1471-1842}, support = {71701172//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 11501520//Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China/ ; 2021HX001//City University of Hong Kong Chengdu Research Institute, Chengdu, Sichuan, China/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a significant increase in academic research in the realm of social sciences. As such, there is an increasing need for the scientific community to adopt effective and efficient methods to examine the potential role and contribution of social sciences in the fight against COVID-19.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the key topics and explore publishing trends in social science research pertaining to COVID-19 via automated literature analysis.<br><br>METHODS: The automated literature analysis employed utilizes keyword analysis and topic modelling technique, specifically Latent Dirichlet Allocation, to highlight the most relevant research terms, overarching research themes and research trends within the realm of social science research on COVID-19.<br><br>RESULTS: The focus of research and topics were derived from 9733 full-text academic papers. The bulk of social science research on COVID-19 centres on the following themes: 'Clinical Treatment', 'Epidemic Crisis', 'Mental Influence', 'Impact on Students', 'Lockdown Influence' and 'Impact on Children'.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study adds to our understanding of key topics in social science research on COVID-19. The automated literature analysis presented is particularly useful for librarians and information specialists keen to explore the role and contributions of social science topics in the context of pandemics.}, }
@article {pmid37903681, year = {2023}, author = {Salloum, M and Paviotti, A and Bastiaens, H and Van Geertruyden, JP}, title = {The inclusion of pregnant women in vaccine clinical trials: An overview of late-stage clinical trials' records between 2018 and 2023.}, journal = {Vaccine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.10.057}, pmid = {37903681}, issn = {1873-2518}, abstract = {Pregnant women are generally excluded from clinical research over safety concerns. However, demands to include them in clinical vaccine development have intensified after recent COVID-19, Ebola, and Lassa fever outbreaks given the disproportionate effect of these diseases on pregnant women and/or their foetuses. Numerous studies highlighted the scarcity of safety data for therapeutic interventions in pregnant women. Nevertheless, only a small number have assessed the number of vaccine trials including this population. Therefore, we searched for phase 3 and 4 vaccine clinical trials in healthy populations registered between 2018 and 2023 in clinicaltrials.gov and the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform. Out of 400 registered vaccine trials matching our inclusion criteria, 217 (54 %) were industry-sponsored, and 222 (56 %) had COVID-19 as a target. We found 22 studies (6 %) that either were designed for pregnant women or included them as part of a larger population. Out of these 22 trials, 13 were designed specifically for pregnant women; seven of these were maternal vaccines aiming at protecting the foetus, namely pertussis (3), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (3), and meningitis plus tetanus (1) vaccines, and six others targeted either flu (3), COVID-19 (2) or Ebola (1). Only the RSV and Ebola vaccine trials were industry-sponsored. We also found that nine studies targeting the general population included pregnant women. These focused on COVID-19 (3), flu (2), COVID-19 + flu (2), Ebola (1), and Hepatitis B (1). None of these studies was industry-sponsored. Our findings show that a gap still exists in terms of pregnant women's inclusion in vaccine trials. Such a gap needs to be tackled urgently to minimise the devastating effects that a future infectious disease outbreak could have on this population. This study can inform future demands for increased inclusion, especially in industry-sponsored trials, as it provides an overview of the current vaccine trials scene.}, }
@article {pmid37903650, year = {2023}, author = {Bell, KJ and Li, Y and Medcalf, E and Ackermann, D}, title = {COVID-19 rapid antigen tests approved for self-testing in Australia: published diagnostic test accuracy studies and manufacturer-supplied information. A systematic review.}, journal = {The Medical journal of Australia}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.5694/mja2.52151}, pmid = {37903650}, issn = {1326-5377}, support = {1174523//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 2022279//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 2014163//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 2021/CBG0002//Cancer Institute NSW/ ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To review evaluations of the diagnostic accuracy of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapid antigen tests (RATs) approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for self-testing by ambulatory people in Australia; to compare these estimates with values reported by test manufacturers.<br><br>STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of publications in any language that reported cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies in which the participants were ambulatory people in the community or health care workers in hospitals in whom severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was suspected, and the results of testing self-collected biological samples with a TGA-approved COVID-19 RAT were compared with those of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2. Estimates of diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity) were checked and compared with manufacturer estimates published on the TGA website.<br><br>DATA SOURCES: Publications (to 1 September 2022) identified in the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register and the World Health Organization COVID-19 research database. Information on manufacturer diagnostic accuracy evaluations was obtained from the TGA website.<br><br>DATA SYNTHESIS: Twelve publications that reported a total of eighteen evaluations of eight RATs approved by the TGA for self-testing (manufacturers: All Test, Roche, Flowflex, MP Biomedicals, Clungene, Panbio, V-Chek, Whistling) were identified. Five studies were undertaken in the Netherlands, two each in Germany and the United States, and one each in Denmark, Belgium, and Canada; test sample collection was unsupervised in twelve studies, and supervised by health care workers or researchers in six. Estimated sensitivity with unsupervised sample collection ranged from 20.9% (MP Biomedicals) to 74.3% (Roche), and with supervised collection from 7.7% (V-Chek) to 84.4% (Panbio); the estimates were between 8.2 and 88 percentage points lower than the values reported by the manufacturers. Test specificity was high for all RATs (97.9-100%).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The risk of false negative results when using COVID-19 RATs for self-testing may be considerably higher than apparent in manufacturer reports on the TGA website, with implications for the reliability of these tests for ruling out infection.}, }
@article {pmid37830952, year = {2023}, author = {Rice, E and Oakes, DB and Holland, C and Moore, HC and Blyth, CC}, title = {Respiratory syncytial virus in children: epidemiology and clinical impact post-COVID-19.}, journal = {Current opinion in infectious diseases}, volume = {36}, number = {6}, pages = {522-528}, doi = {10.1097/QCO.0000000000000967}, pmid = {37830952}, issn = {1473-6527}, mesh = {Child ; Humans ; Infant ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/genetics ; *Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Hospitalization ; Molecular Epidemiology ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. RSV seasonality was disrupted by COVID-19-associated nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). We review RSV seasonality, molecular epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and community awareness to inform future prevention strategies.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: An initial reduction of RSV disease observed with NPIs, and subsequent global resurgence was associated with a collapse in genetic diversity. A lack of immunity is suggested to have contributed to the resurgence of RSV cases experienced post COVID-19. The median age of children admitted with RSV increased during the resurgence, likely secondary to the expanded cohort of RSV-immune naive children. The pandemic also played a role in increased community awareness, which can be utilized as part of a coordinated public health effort to introduce prevention strategies. Further education on signs and symptoms of RSV is still required.<br><br>SUMMARY: mAbs and maternal vaccines targeting RSV have the potential to reduce paediatric morbidity, however this new era of RSV prevention will require ongoing research to facilitate community awareness and engagement, and better respiratory surveillance. Tackling the global burden of RSV will require a coordinated effort and measures to ensure access and affordability of new prevention strategies.}, }
@article {pmid37732771, year = {2023}, author = {Dailey Garnes, NJM and Kontoyiannis, DP}, title = {Mucormycosis: update on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.}, journal = {Current opinion in infectious diseases}, volume = {36}, number = {6}, pages = {427-435}, pmid = {37732771}, issn = {1473-6527}, mesh = {Humans ; *Mucormycosis/diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Secondary Prevention ; *Mucorales ; *COVID-19/diagnosis ; *Opportunistic Infections ; COVID-19 Testing ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mucormycosis (MCR) is a common opportunistic mold infection, and Mucorales were recently designated by WHO as priority pathogens. The interest in this infection has risen significantly since the major outbreak of MCR in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in India. Herein, we summarize recently (last 24 months) published information regarding clinical aspects of MCR.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: The disease remains protean in its clinical presentation, difficult to diagnose, and challenging to treat. In 2021, cases of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) exploded in India during COVID-19 and manifested primarily as sino-orbital or sino-cerebral disease. Its classic risk factors included the triad of COVID-19, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and use of corticosteroids. Despite difficulties in the timely diagnosis of MCR, significant progress has been made with the use of molecular techniques in blood to assist with earlier diagnosis, which can facilitate earlier appropriate therapy and improve outcomes. In addition, advances have been made in the use of imaging to stage the disease, determining what types of multimodal therapy are required depending on staging, and tissue-based identification of Mucorales.<br><br>SUMMARY: Although the outlook for MCR has improved, effective new antifungals, risk stratification, and the optimal multimodality approaches remain an unmet need.}, }
@article {pmid37902108, year = {2023}, author = {Morgan, SP and Visovsky, C and Thomas, B and Klein, AB}, title = {Respiratory Muscle Strength Training in Patients Post-COVID-19: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Clinical nursing research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {10547738231201994}, doi = {10.1177/10547738231201994}, pmid = {37902108}, issn = {1552-3799}, abstract = {Estimates of 10-49% of patients may experience ongoing symptoms after COVID-19, including dyspnea. Respiratory muscle strength training has been used to reduce dyspnea in other respiratory diseases, thus, it may be a viable option for individuals with post-COVID-19 symptoms. The objective of this review was to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of respiratory muscle strength training for individuals with post-COVID-19 dyspnea. A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were searched from 2020-2023. Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria. Pulmonary measures were improved in all but one study, and dyspnea, physical capacity and quality of life measures achieved statistical significance. Outcomes improved following respiratory muscle strength training as a standalone intervention, or with aerobic and peripheral muscle strength training.}, }
@article {pmid37901695, year = {2023}, author = {Deoliveira, M and Sikri, H and Yu, SM and He, JC}, title = {Viral Glomerulopathy.}, journal = {Glomerular diseases}, volume = {3}, number = {1}, pages = {148-154}, pmid = {37901695}, issn = {2673-3633}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The association between viral infections and glomerular diseases, commonly known as "viral glomerulopathies," has been described in various clinical scenarios for decades. Despite advancements in diagnostic tools, it remains challenging to establish a causative link fully.<br><br>SUMMARY: Data from mouse models have substantiated clinical observations and implicate direct viral infection in the pathogenesis of viral glomerulopathy, particularly in human immunodeficiency virus-associated nephropathy. In addition to the traditional concept of direct viral effects on kidneys, other factors such as APOL1 risk alleles can further modify the clinical outcomes or presentations of different viral glomerulopathies. Newly developed antiviral drugs are now applicable to a wider range of patients with lower kidney function and fewer side effects.<br><br>KEY MESSAGE: Efforts focusing on vaccines and antiviral treatments have significantly reduced the incidence of viral glomerulopathies. However, the most recent pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection complicated by COVID-associated nephropathy illustrates our susceptibility to novel viruses. Ongoing research is pivotal to deciphering the mechanisms behind viral glomerulopathies and discovering therapeutics in a collaborative approach.}, }
@article {pmid37901413, year = {2023}, author = {Marks, ME and Botta, RK and Abe, R and Beachkofsky, TM and Boothman, I and Carleton, BC and Chung, WH and Cibotti, RR and Dodiuk-Gad, RP and Grimstein, C and Hasegawa, A and Hoofnagle, JH and Hung, SI and Kaffenberger, B and Kroshinsky, D and Lehloenya, RJ and Martin-Pozo, M and Micheletti, RG and Mockenhaupt, M and Nagao, K and Pakala, S and Palubinsky, A and Pasieka, HB and Peter, J and Pirmohamed, M and Reyes, M and Saeed, HN and Shupp, J and Sukasem, C and Syu, JY and Ueta, M and Zhou, L and Chang, WC and Becker, P and Bellon, T and Bonnet, K and Cavalleri, G and Chodosh, J and Dewan, AK and Dominguez, A and Dong, X and Ezhkova, E and Fuchs, E and Goldman, J and Himed, S and Mallal, S and Markova, A and McCawley, K and Norton, AE and Ostrov, D and Phan, M and Sanford, A and Schlundt, D and Schneider, D and Shear, N and Shinkai, K and Tkaczyk, E and Trubiano, JA and Volpi, S and Bouchard, CS and Divito, SJ and Phillips, EJ}, title = {Updates in SJS/TEN: collaboration, innovation, and community.}, journal = {Frontiers in medicine}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1213889}, pmid = {37901413}, issn = {2296-858X}, abstract = {Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS/TEN) is a predominantly drug-induced disease, with a mortality rate of 15-20%, that engages the expertise of multiple disciplines: dermatology, allergy, immunology, clinical pharmacology, burn surgery, ophthalmology, urogynecology, and psychiatry. SJS/TEN has an incidence of 1-5/million persons per year in the United States, with even higher rates globally. One of the challenges of SJS/TEN has been developing the research infrastructure and coordination to answer questions capable of transforming clinical care and leading to improved patient outcomes. SJS/TEN 2021, the third research meeting of its kind, was held as a virtual meeting on August 28-29, 2021. The meeting brought together 428 international scientists, in addition to a community of 140 SJS/TEN survivors and family members. The goal of the meeting was to brainstorm strategies to support the continued growth of an international SJS/TEN research network, bridging science and the community. The community workshop section of the meeting focused on eight primary themes: mental health, eye care, SJS/TEN in children, non-drug induced SJS/TEN, long-term health complications, new advances in mechanisms and basic science, managing long-term scarring, considerations for skin of color, and COVID-19 vaccines. The meeting featured several important updates and identified areas of unmet research and clinical need that will be highlighted in this white paper.}, }
@article {pmid37901157, year = {2023}, author = {Benko, A and Webster, TJ}, title = {How to fix a broken heart-designing biofunctional cues for effective, environmentally-friendly cardiac tissue engineering.}, journal = {Frontiers in chemistry}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1267018}, pmid = {37901157}, issn = {2296-2646}, abstract = {Cardiovascular diseases bear strong socioeconomic and ecological impact on the worldwide healthcare system. A large consumption of goods, use of polymer-based cardiovascular biomaterials, and long hospitalization times add up to an extensive carbon footprint on the environment often turning out to be ineffective at healing such cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, cardiac cell toxicity is among the most severe but common side effect of drugs used to treat numerous diseases from COVID-19 to diabetes, often resulting in the withdrawal of such pharmaceuticals from the market. Currently, most patients that have suffered from cardiovascular disease will never fully recover. All of these factors further contribute to the extensive negative toll pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and biomedical companies have on the environment. Hence, there is a dire need to develop new environmentally-friendly strategies that on the one hand would promise cardiac tissue regeneration after damage and on the other hand would offer solutions for the fast screening of drugs to ensure that they do not cause cardiovascular toxicity. Importantly, both require one thing-a mature, functioning cardiac tissue that can be fabricated in a fast, reliable, and repeatable manner from environmentally friendly biomaterials in the lab. This is not an easy task to complete as numerous approaches have been undertaken, separately and combined, to achieve it. This review gathers such strategies and provides insights into which succeed or fail and what is needed for the field of environmentally-friendly cardiac tissue engineering to prosper.}, }
@article {pmid37901070, year = {2023}, author = {Maringgele, VE and Scherr, M and Aichhorn, W and Kaiser, AK}, title = {Helper Syndrome and Pathological Altruism in nurses - a study in times of the COVID-19 pandemic.}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1150150}, pmid = {37901070}, issn = {1664-1078}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Pathological Altruism and the concept of Helper Syndrome are comparable. We focused on Schmidbauer's description because it provides a comprehensive and testable definition. Nevertheless, this concept of Helper Syndrome has not yet been empirically investigated in a sample of helping professionals.<br><br>AIM: To investigate whether nurses working with covid-19 patients are more likely to have Helper Syndrome compared with individuals from non-helper professions.<br><br>METHODS: The online survey took place between April 2021 and February 2022, in urban and rural regions of Salzburg, during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;447) and controls (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;295) were compared regarding Helper Syndrome characteristics. To measure characteristics of Helper Syndrome the following questionnaires were used: WHO-Five (WHO-5), selected scales of the Personality, Style and Disorder Inventory (PSSI) and the Freiburg Personality Inventory-Revised (FPI-R), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Insecure gender identity and self-assessment of having a Helper Syndrome was measured by a Likert scale.<br><br>RESULTS: In both groups, Helper Syndrome was detected (nurses 29.5%, controls 30.5%). Participants with Helper Syndrome showed significant differences in personality styles and traits, namely significantly higher scores for Foreboding-Schizotypical Personality Style, Spontaneous-Borderline Personality Style, Amiable-Histrionic Personality Style, Ambitious-Narcissistic Personality Style, Loyal-Dependent Personality Style, Helpful-Selfless Personality Style, Carefully-Obsessive Personality Style, Optimistic-Rhapsodic Personality Style, Social Orientation, Strain, Emotionality and lower well-being. The only difference between nurses and controls was that nurses were significantly less open aggressive.<br><br>CONCLUSION: For the first time, we were able to demonstrate Schmidbauer's concept of Helper Syndrome. According to our data, we found a subgroup of individuals similar to Schmidbauer's description of Helper Syndrome, but this sample was independent of helping or non-helping profession. These individuals seem to be at higher risk for psychiatric disorders.}, }
@article {pmid37900459, year = {2023}, author = {Khalid, OB and Qazi, M and Khattak, AF and Khattak, M and Wazir, MNK and Gilani, H}, title = {COVID-19 Pandemic Lessons for Creating Effective Mental Health Safety Nets in Lower Middle-Income Countries.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {e45980}, pmid = {37900459}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to mental health globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Pakistan. This narrative review aims to synthesize the literature on the impact of the pandemic on mental health in LMICs, the challenges and opportunities for mental health system reform, and the role of safety nets in promoting mental health. A comprehensive search was conducted in several electronic databases, resulting in 35 articles being included for review. Data were extracted and analyzed to identify key themes and trends. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in the prevalence of mental health problems in LMICs, particularly anxiety and depression. This burden is disproportionately borne by vulnerable populations, including women, front-line workers, and those living in poverty. The pandemic has highlighted pre-existing weaknesses in mental health systems in LMICs, including inadequate funding, lack of trained mental health professionals, and stigmatization of mental illness. However, it has also presented opportunities for reform, such as increased awareness and political will, and the use of technology to expand access to mental health services. Building effective safety nets, including social protection programs and community-based interventions, can promote mental health and address social determinants of mental illness. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for mental health system reform and the development of effective safety nets in LMICs. Policymakers should prioritize investment in mental health and address the social determinants of mental illness to build more resilient societies.}, }
@article {pmid37900412, year = {2023}, author = {Tiwari, AV and Dangore-Khasbage, S}, title = {Vitamin D and COVID-19: An Update on Evidence and Potential Therapeutic Implications.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {e46121}, pmid = {37900412}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic created havoc in the whole world since 2019. It is an explosively spreading infectious disease in which the infectious agent enters the body through sneezing coughing touching etc. The primary site of infection is the respiratory system, and the various common symptoms are dry cough, fever, dyspnea, sore throat, nasal congestion, and loss of taste sensation. A majority of the patients experience diarrhea, vomiting, severe headache, and muscle pain. Many research have been undertaken to study the therapeutic implications of different elements in coronavirus infection. One such element of interest is vitamin D. There is evidence in the literature regarding the usefulness of vitamin D in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and several respiratory diseases. As the site of infection in coronavirus infection is primarily the respiratory system, reviewing in detail the correlation of this vitamin with SARS-CoV-2 infection, is an area of keen interest. Thus, the aim of this article is to explore and describe in detail the relation between the two, with reference to levels of this vitamin in diagnosed subjects and a need for its supplementation in the management of coronavirus infection and also in the prevention of post-COVID-19 complications. The review concluded that Vitamin D has an immunomodulating function. Its deficiency may lead to severe respiratory illnesses including ARDS. Vitamin D levels affect the disease course in COVID-19 infection and proper blood concentration can reduce the severity of the symptoms as well as post-COVID-19 complications.}, }
@article {pmid37900061, year = {2023}, author = {Malkawi, L and Hassan, R and Alshrouf, MA and Al-Ryalat, N and AlRyalat, SA}, title = {The impact of COVID-19 on open access publishing in radiology and nuclear medicine: an in-depth analysis.}, journal = {Journal of medicine and life}, volume = {16}, number = {7}, pages = {967-973}, pmid = {37900061}, issn = {1844-3117}, mesh = {Humans ; *Open Access Publishing ; Publishing ; *Nuclear Medicine ; *COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; }, abstract = {In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous initiatives have been implemented to ensure open access availability of COVID-19-related articles to make published articles accessible for anyone. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on open-access publishing in radiology and nuclear medicine. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of articles and reviews published in these fields during the COVID-19 publishing era using the Web of Science database. We analyzed several indicators between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related articles, including the number and percentage of open-access articles, the top ten cited articles, and the number of reviews. In total, 67,100 articles were published in radiology and nuclear medicine between January 2020 and June 2022. Among those, more than half (51.1%) were open-access articles. Among these publications, 2,336 were COVID-19-related, and 64,764 were non-COVID-19-related. However, articles related to COVID-19 had an open access rate of 91.5%, compared to only 49.6% of the non-COVID-19-related articles. Moreover, COVID-19-related articles had a higher percentage of highly cited and hot papers compared to articles not related to COVID-19. Moreover, most highly cited studies were related to chest computerized tomography (CT) scan findings in COVID-19 patients. The findings emphasize the significant proportion of open access COVID-19-related publications in radiology and nuclear medicine, facilitating widespread and timely access to everyone.}, }
@article {pmid37899546, year = {2023}, author = {Dasgupta, A and Gangai, S and Narayan, R and Kapoor, S}, title = {Mapping the Lipid Signatures in COVID-19 Infection: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Solutions.}, journal = {Journal of medicinal chemistry}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01238}, pmid = {37899546}, issn = {1520-4804}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic ignited research centered around the identification of robust biomarkers and therapeutic targets. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible, hijacks the metabolic machinery of the host cells. It relies on lipids and lipoproteins of host cells for entry, trafficking, immune evasion, viral replication, and exocytosis. The infection causes host cell lipid metabolic remodelling. Targeting lipid-based processes is thus a promising strategy for countering COVID-19. Here, we review the role of lipids in the different steps of the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and identify lipid-centric targetable avenues. We discuss lipidome changes in infected patients and their relevance as potential clinical diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. We summarize the emerging direct and indirect therapeutic approaches for targeting COVID-19 using lipid-inspired approaches. Given that viral protein-targeted therapies may become less effective due to mutations in emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, lipid-inspired interventions may provide additional and perhaps better means of combating this and future pandemics.}, }
@article {pmid37898999, year = {2023}, author = {Peterson, M and Akearok, GH and Cueva, K and Lavoie, JG and Larsen, CV and Jóhannsdóttir, L and Cook, D and Nilsson, LM and Rautio, A and Timlin, U and San Sebastián, M and Gladun, E and Rink, E and Broderstadt, AR and Dagsvold, I and Siri, S and Ottendahl, CB and Olesen, I and Zatseva, L and Young, RI and Chaliak, AJ and Ophus, E and Stoor, JPA}, title = {Public health restrictions, directives, and measures in Arctic countries in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.}, journal = {International journal of circumpolar health}, volume = {82}, number = {1}, pages = {2271211}, doi = {10.1080/22423982.2023.2271211}, pmid = {37898999}, issn = {2242-3982}, mesh = {United States ; Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Public Health ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; Arctic Regions ; Canada/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Beginning January of 2020, COVID-19 cases detected in Arctic countries triggered government policy responses to stop transmission and limit caseloads beneath levels that would overwhelm existing healthcare systems. This review details the various restrictions, health mandates, and transmission mitigation strategies imposed by governments in eight Arctic countries (the United States, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, and Russia) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, through 31 January 2021s31 January 2021. We highlight formal protocols and informal initiatives adopted by local communities in each country, beyond what was mandated by regional or national governments. This review documents travel restrictions, communications, testing strategies, and use of health technology to track and monitor COVID-19 cases. We provide geographical and sociocultural background and draw on local media and communications to contextualise the impact of COVID-19 emergence and prevention measures in Indigenous communities in the Arctic. Countries saw varied case rates associated with local protocols, governance, and population. Still, almost all regions maintained low COVID-19 case rates until November of 2020. This review was produced as part of an international collaboration to identify community-driven, evidence-based promising practices and recommendations to inform pan-Arctic collaboration and decision making in public health during global emergencies.}, }
@article {pmid37898952, year = {2023}, author = {Vygivska, LA and Galchenko, TV and Guz, IA and Merenkova, IM and Kachailo, IA}, title = {FEATURES OF THE PROCESS OF TRAINING IN EDUCATIONAL MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS OF UKRAINE AT THE PRESENT STAGE. PART І. ATTITUDES OF STUDENTS AND UNIVERSITY TEACHERS TOWARDS DISTANCE LEARNING.}, journal = {Wiadomosci lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)}, volume = {76}, number = {9}, pages = {2112-2120}, doi = {10.36740/WLek202309130}, pmid = {37898952}, issn = {0043-5147}, mesh = {Humans ; *Education, Distance ; Ukraine ; Universities ; Pandemics ; Students ; }, abstract = {The review article reflects the results of the assessment of data from individual research papers and personal observations, as well as data from domestic and foreign literature, as well as own opinion about the features of the training process in educational medical institutions of Ukraine at the present stage. First, the COVID-19 pandemic, and then martial law in the state, caused distance learning to become an inseparable component of modern education and contrib¬uting to the effective implementation of the educational process in general and the achievement of high quality results in medical educational institutions in particular. For the successful implementation of the e-learning system, all participants in the educational process need the help and assistance of special technical support services. Therefore, universities need to pay more attention to improving technical support of platforms and academic interaction between teachers and students [1]. Universities that have been able to provide such support have avoided many problems in the transition to distance learning. Practical and clinical skills are essential in the field of medicine, and the lack of opportunities to master and practice these skills could potentially lead to a generation of insecure doctors with limited experience of meeting and examining real patients [2]. Therefore, the task of teachers at the present stage is to do everything possible to prepare competent specialists adapted to the realities of life.}, }
@article {pmid37898798, year = {2023}, author = {Hwang, JH and Lee, JS and Oh, HM and Lee, EJ and Lim, EJ and Son, CG}, title = {Evaluation of viral infection as an etiology of ME/CFS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Journal of translational medicine}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {763}, pmid = {37898798}, issn = {1479-5876}, mesh = {Humans ; *Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/diagnosis ; Pandemics ; *Virus Diseases/complications ; *Fibromyalgia ; *Encephalitis/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a long-term disabling illness without a medically explained cause. Recently during COVID-19 pandemic, many studies have confirmed the symptoms similar to ME/CFS in the recovered individuals. To investigate the virus-related etiopathogenesis of ME/CFS, we conducted a systematic assessment of viral infection frequency in ME/CFS patients.<br><br>METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed and the Cochrane Library from their inception through December 31, 2022, using selection criteria of viral infection prevalence in ME/CFS patients and controls. Subsequently, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the extent of viral infections' contribution to ME/CFS by comparing the odds ratio between ME/CFS patients and controls (healthy and/or diseased).<br><br>RESULTS: Finally, 64 studies met our eligibility criteria regarding 18 species of viruses, including a total of 4971 ME/CFS patients and 9221 control subjects. The participants included healthy subjects and individuals with one of 10 diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia. Two DNA viruses (human herpes virus (HHV)-7 and parvovirus B19, including their co-infection) and 3 RNA viruses (borna disease virus (BDV), enterovirus and coxsackie B virus) showed odds ratios greater than 2.0 compared with healthy and/or diseased subjects. Specifically, BDV exceeded the cutoff with an odds ratio of&#x2009;&#x2265;&#x2009;3.47 (indicating a "moderate association" by Cohen's d test) compared to both healthy and diseased controls.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study comprehensively evaluated the risk of viral infections associated with ME/CFS, and identified BDV. These results provide valuable reference data for future studies investigating the role of viruses in the causation of ME/CFS.}, }
@article {pmid37898790, year = {2023}, author = {Utheim, MN and Gawad, M and Nygård, K and Macdonald, E and Falk, M}, title = {Assessing public health preparedness and response in the European Union- a review of regional simulation exercises and after action reviews.}, journal = {Globalization and health}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {79}, pmid = {37898790}, issn = {1744-8603}, mesh = {Humans ; *Public Health ; European Union ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; Exercise ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Improving response capacities in the EU requires a good overview of capacities at both country and Union level. The International Health Regulations (2005) Monitoring and Evaluation framework assesses capacities in countries. It includes semi-quantitative tools such as State Parties Annual Report (SPAR) and Joint External Evaluation (JEE). After Action Reviews (AAR) and Simulation Exercises (SimEx) were included to identify weaknesses in the functionality of capacities which are not addressed bySPAR and JEE. This study presents an analysis of the use of qualitative tools at regional level, in Europe. It aims to identify their added value by comparing them to standardised monitoring tools and lessons learned from COVID-19, and considers ways to improve their use in assessing capacities in the EU.<br><br>METHODS: We included 17 SimEx and 2 AAR organised by the European Commission between 2005 and 2018. We categorised a total of 357 recommendations according to the IHR (2005) core capacities and to the target audience of the recommendation. We analysed the data using language analysis software. Recommendations to countries were compared to SPAR and JEE indicators. Recommendations to EU agencies were compared to the current mandates of the EU agencies, and to lessons learnt during COVID-19.<br><br>RESULTS: Of all extracted recommendations from the exercises, 59% (211/357) targeted EU agencies, 18% (64/357) targeted countries, and 16% (57/357) targeted both. Recommendations mainly addressed areas of IHR coordination (C2), heath emergency management (C7) and risk communication (C10), and not low scoring areas. Recommendations complement SPAR indicators by identifying gaps in functionality. Eight out of ten early lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic had been raised earlier as recommendations from exercises. Exercise reports did not include or result in action plans for implementation, but COVID-19 has accelerated implementation of some recommendations.<br><br>CONCLUSION: SimEx/AAR provide valuable insight into public health preparedness at EU level, as they assess functionality of preparedness and response mechanisms, point out gaps, and provide training and awareness on for participants, who often have key roles in public health emergencies. Better follow-up and implementation of recommendations is key to improve the regional preparedness for international public health incidents such as pandemics.}, }
@article {pmid37898125, year = {2023}, author = {Botha, S and Fromme, P}, title = {Review of serial femtosecond crystallography including the COVID-19 pandemic impact and future outlook.}, journal = {Structure (London, England : 1993)}, volume = {31}, number = {11}, pages = {1306-1319}, doi = {10.1016/j.str.2023.10.005}, pmid = {37898125}, issn = {1878-4186}, mesh = {Humans ; Crystallography/methods ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; *Pandemics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; X-Ray Diffraction ; Macromolecular Substances/chemistry ; }, abstract = {Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) revolutionized macromolecular crystallography over the past decade by enabling the collection of X-ray diffraction data from nano- or micrometer sized crystals while outrunning structure-altering radiation damage effects at room temperature. The serial manner of data collection from millions of individual crystals coupled with the femtosecond duration of the ultrabright X-ray pulses enables time-resolved studies of macromolecules under near-physiological conditions to unprecedented temporal resolution. In 2020 the rapid spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 resulted in a global pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019. This led to a shift in how serial femtosecond experiments were performed, along with rapid funding and free electron laser beamtime availability dedicated to SARS-CoV-2-related studies. This review outlines the current state of SFX research, the milestones that were achieved, the impact of the global pandemic on this field as well as an outlook into exciting future directions.}, }
@article {pmid37897542, year = {2023}, author = {Gong, T and Huang, Q and Zhang, Q and Cui, Y}, title = {Postoperative outcomes of pediatric patients with perioperative COVID-19 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.}, journal = {Journal of anesthesia}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37897542}, issn = {1438-8359}, support = {No. 2023NSFSC1626//Sichuan Province Science and Technology Support Program/ ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To quantify the risk of adverse postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection.<br><br>METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library from December 2019 to 21 April 2023. Observational cohort studies that reported postoperative early mortality and pulmonary complications of pediatric patients with confirmed COVID-19-positive compared with COVID-19-negative were eligible for inclusion. We excluded pediatric patients underwent organ transplantation or cardiac surgery. Reviews, case reports, letters, and editorials were also excluded. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess the methodological quality and risk of bias for each included study. The primary outcome was postoperative early mortality, defined as mortality within 30&#xa0;days after surgery or during hospitalization. The random-effects model was performed to assess the pooled estimates, which were expressed as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).<br><br>RESULTS: 9 studies involving 23,031 pediatric patients were included, and all studies were rated as high quality. Compared with pediatric patients without COVID-19, pediatric patients with COVID-19 showed a significantly increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) (RR&#x2009;=&#x2009;4.24; 95% CI 2.08-8.64). No clear evidence was found for differences in postoperative early mortality (RR&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.84; 95% CI 0.34-2.06), postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admission (RR&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.80; 95% CI 0.39-1.68), and length of hospital stay (MD&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.35, 95% CI -1.81-2.51) between pediatric patients with and without COVID-19.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Perioperative COVID-19 infection was strongly associated with increased risk of PPCs, but it did not increase the risk of postoperative early mortality, the rate of postoperative ICU admission, and the length of hospital stay in pediatric patients. Our preplanned sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of our study findings.}, }
@article {pmid37897520, year = {2023}, author = {Mendes, SG and Combo, SI and Allain, T and Domingues, S and Buret, AG and Da Silva, GJ}, title = {Co-regulation of biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii: from mechanisms to therapeutic strategies.}, journal = {European journal of clinical microbiology &amp; infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37897520}, issn = {1435-4373}, support = {2021.06289.BD//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e a Tecnologia/ ; }, abstract = {In recent years, multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged globally as a major threat to the healthcare system. It is now listed by the World Health Organization as a priority one for the need of new therapeutic agents. A. baumannii has the capacity to develop robust biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces. Biofilm development allows these bacteria to resist various environmental stressors, including antibiotics and lack of nutrients or water, which in turn allows the persistence of A. baumannii in the hospital environment and further outbreaks. Investigation into therapeutic alternatives that will act on both biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is sorely needed. The aim of the present review is to critically discuss the various mechanisms by which AMR and biofilm formation may be co-regulated in A. baumannii in an attempt to shed light on paths towards novel therapeutic opportunities. After discussing the clinical importance of A. baumannii, this critical review highlights biofilm-formation genes that may be associated with the co-regulation of AMR. Particularly worthy of consideration are genes regulating the quorum sensing system AbaI/AbaR, AbOmpA (OmpA protein), Bap (biofilm-associated protein), the two-component regulatory system BfmRS, the PER-1 β-lactamase, EpsA, and PTK. Finally, this review discusses ongoing experimental therapeutic strategies to fight A. baumannii infections, namely vaccine development, quorum sensing interference, nanoparticles, metal ions, natural products, antimicrobial peptides, and phage therapy. A better understanding of the mechanisms that co-regulate biofilm formation and AMR will help identify new therapeutic targets, as combined approaches may confer synergistic benefits for effective and safer treatments.}, }
@article {pmid37897160, year = {2023}, author = {Wahab, AA and Nurazizah, SMA and Ding, CH and Muttaqillah, NAS and Nordashima, AS and Kori, N and Periyasamy, P}, title = {Non-bacteremia liver abscess caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei from a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia: a case report and literature review.}, journal = {Tropical biomedicine}, volume = {40}, number = {3}, pages = {290-294}, doi = {10.47665/tb.40.3.003}, pmid = {37897160}, issn = {2521-9855}, mesh = {Male ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; *Burkholderia pseudomallei ; *Melioidosis/diagnosis/drug therapy/complications ; Malaysia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; *Liver Abscess/drug therapy/complications ; Hospitals, Teaching ; *Bacteremia/complications/drug therapy ; }, abstract = {Melioidosis is endemic in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. Liver abscess is not uncommon in melioidosis, but it is usually associated with bacteremia. We presented a case of a 55-year-old gentleman with underlying end-stage renal failure who presented with non-specific abdominal pain for three months. Initial blood investigations showed leukocytosis and increased C-reactive protein. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed multiple hypodense lesions in the liver and spleen. The culture of the liver specimen obtained through the ultrasound-guided isolated Burkholderia pseudomallei. He was given an adjusted dose of intravenous ceftazidime due to underlying renal failure. Melioidosis serology also returned positive for IgM with titer >1:1280. His blood cultures were reported negative three times. Despite on antibiotics for five weeks, there was no significant improvement of the liver abscesses was observed. He was unfortunately infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus during his admission and passed away due to severe COVID-19 pneumonia.}, }
@article {pmid37897120, year = {2023}, author = {Mailer, J and Ward, K and Aspinall, C}, title = {The impact of visiting restrictions in intensive care units for families during the COVID-19 pandemic: An integrative review.}, journal = {Journal of advanced nursing}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/jan.15915}, pmid = {37897120}, issn = {1365-2648}, abstract = {AIM: To synthesize current evidence about the impact visiting restrictions in adult intensive care units have on family members during the COVID-19 pandemic.<br><br>DESIGN: Integrative literature review.<br><br>METHODS: A total of 104 articles were retrieved. Screening yielded a total of 23 articles which were appraised for quality. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to synthesize findings and extract themes.<br><br>DATA SOURCES: CINAHL Plus, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed and ProQuest databases were searched for articles between January 2020 and November 2022.<br><br>RESULTS: The findings were grouped into two main themes with six subthemes. Theme 1: not being present at the bedside, and Theme 2: altered communication added to family members' distress. Findings indicate that visiting restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic had negative consequences for family members.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The patient and their family are inherently connected, prioritizing family presence with the return of flexible, open visitation policies in ICU must be a priority to mitigate further harm and adverse outcomes for all.<br><br>REPORTING METHOD: The review complies with the PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews.<br><br>IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSION: Nursing leaders must be included in the development of future pandemic policies that advocate family-centred care.<br><br>No patient or public contribution was included in this review.}, }
@article {pmid37897034, year = {2023}, author = {Koleničová, V and Vňuková, MS and Anders, M and Fišerová, M and Raboch, J and Ptáček, R}, title = {A Review Article on Exercise Intolerance in Long COVID: Unmasking the Causes and Optimizing Treatment Strategies.}, journal = {Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research}, volume = {29}, number = {}, pages = {e941079}, pmid = {37897034}, issn = {1643-3750}, mesh = {Humans ; *Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; *COVID-19 ; Quality of Life ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Cognitive Training ; Fatigue/etiology/therapy ; }, abstract = {There is a growing body of research on SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), previously known as the post-COVID syndrome, a chronic condition characterized by symptoms that persist after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among these symptoms, feelings of physical exhaustion and prolonged fatigue are particularly prevalent and can significantly impact patients' quality of life. These symptoms are associated with reduced overall physical capacity, decreased daily physical activity, malaise after intense training, and intolerance to physical activity (IFA). IFA, described as a reduced ability to perform physical activities typical for the patient's age, can often lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Prolonged physical inactivity can cause deterioration in the overall physical condition and disrupt mitochondrial function, triggering a vicious cycle of gradual symptom worsening. The underlying causes of PASC remain unclear; however, several biochemical mechanisms have been discussed to explain the body's energy depletion, and a multidisciplinary approach that combines physical and cognitive rehabilitation and lifestyle interventions such as exercise and diet modifications has been suggested to improve the overall health and well-being of PASC patients. This critical review aims to review the existing research on the possible causes and links among chronic fatigue, reduced physical activity, and exercise intolerance in patients with PASC. Further research into the underlying causes and treatment of PASC and the importance of developing individualized treatment is needed to address each patient's unique health requirements.}, }
@article {pmid37897003, year = {2023}, author = {Perenkov, AD and Sergeeva, AD and Vedunova, MV and Krysko, DV}, title = {In Vitro Transcribed RNA-Based Platform Vaccines: Past, Present, and Future.}, journal = {Vaccines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37897003}, issn = {2076-393X}, support = {H-210-2-2022-2024//Russian Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {mRNA was discovered in 1961, but it was not used as a vaccine until after three decades. Recently, the development of mRNA vaccine technology gained great impetus from the pursuit of vaccines against COVID-19. To improve the properties of RNA vaccines, and primarily their circulation time, self-amplifying mRNA and trans-amplifying mRNA were developed. A separate branch of mRNA technology is circular RNA vaccines, which were developed with the discovery of the possibility of translation on their protein matrix. Circular RNA has several advantages over mRNA vaccines and is considered a fairly promising platform, as is trans-amplifying mRNA. This review presents an overview of the mRNA platform and a critical discussion of the more modern self-amplifying mRNA, trans-amplifying mRNA, and circular RNA platforms created on its basis. Finally, the main features, advantages, and disadvantages of each of the presented mRNA platforms are discussed. This discussion will facilitate the decision-making process in selecting the most appropriate platform for creating RNA vaccines against cancer or viral diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37727886, year = {2023}, author = {DesChâtelets, JR and Khowaja, AR and Mechelse, K and Koning, H and Ventresca, D}, title = {Exploring the Access and Use of Social Technologies by Older Adults in Support of Their Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review.}, journal = {Canadian journal on aging = La revue canadienne du vieillissement}, volume = {42}, number = {4}, pages = {728-743}, doi = {10.1017/S0714980823000259}, pmid = {37727886}, issn = {1710-1107}, mesh = {Humans ; Aged ; Mental Health ; *Frailty ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19 ; Communicable Disease Control ; Social Isolation ; }, abstract = {Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdowns disproportionately affect older people where most suffer from social isolation and loneliness, which translate into higher rates of depression and anxiety. This study aimed to explore the accessibility, outcomes, and challenges of social technology use among community-dwelling older adults, older adults in long-term care, older adults with neurocognitive disorder, and older adults with pre-frailty and frailty, to help guide future research in this area. A rapid review was conducted, and articles were retrieved from four online databases, including Medline, AgeLine, EconLit and CINAHL, and grey literature from Google Scholar. Of the 131 articles retrieved, 24 were included in this review. The positive outcomes of social technology use include improved mental and physical health, reduced health disparities, and increased autonomy. Adverse outcomes include furthering the digital divide. More research surrounding the economic impacts of social technologies is warranted.}, }
@article {pmid37604206, year = {2023}, author = {Zhu, K and Tsai, O and Chahal, D and Hussaini, T and Yoshida, EM}, title = {COVID-19 and Liver Disease: An Evolving Landscape.}, journal = {Seminars in liver disease}, volume = {43}, number = {3}, pages = {351-366}, doi = {10.1055/a-2157-3318}, pmid = {37604206}, issn = {1098-8971}, mesh = {Humans ; *Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19 ; *Liver Diseases/complications/therapy ; Syndrome ; }, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant worldwide morbidity and mortality. In this review, we examine the intricate relationships between COVID-19 and liver diseases. While respiratory manifestations of COVID-19 are well known, its impact and consequences in patients with liver diseases remain an area of ongoing investigation. COVID-19 can induce liver injury through various mechanisms and is associated with higher mortality in individuals with preexisting chronic liver disease. Mortality increases with the severity of chronic liver disease and the level of care required. The outcomes in patients with autoimmune hepatitis remain unclear, whereas liver transplant recipients are more likely to experience symptomatic COVID-19 but have comparable outcomes to the general population. Despite suboptimal immunological response, COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective in liver disease, although cases of autoimmune hepatitis-like syndrome have been reported. In conclusion, COVID-19 has significant implications in liver diseases; early recognition and treatments are important for improving patient outcomes.}, }
@article {pmid37602770, year = {2023}, author = {Nii-Trebi, NI and Mughogho, TS and Abdulai, A and Tetteh, F and Ofosu, PM and Osei, MM and Yalley, AK}, title = {Dynamics of viral disease outbreaks: A hundred years (1918/19-2019/20) in retrospect - Loses, lessons and emerging issues.}, journal = {Reviews in medical virology}, volume = {33}, number = {6}, pages = {e2475}, doi = {10.1002/rmv.2475}, pmid = {37602770}, issn = {1099-1654}, mesh = {Humans ; Disease Outbreaks ; *Communicable Diseases ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Virus Diseases/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; }, abstract = {Infectious diseases continue to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and a formidable obstacle to the development and well-being of people worldwide. Viruses account for more than half of infectious disease outbreaks that have plagued the world. The past century (1918/19-2019/20) has witnessed some of the worst viral disease outbreaks the world has recorded, with overwhelming impact especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The frequency of viral disease outbreak appears to be increasing. Generally, although infectious diseases have afflicted the world for centuries and humankind has had opportunities to examine the nature of their emergence and mode of spread, almost every new outbreak poses a formidable challenge to humankind, beating the existing pandemic preparedness systems, if any, and causing significant losses. These underscore inadequacy in our understanding of the dynamics and preparedness against viral disease outbreaks that lead to epidemics and pandemics. Despite these challenges, the past 100 years of increasing frequencies of viral disease outbreaks have engendered significant improvements in response to epidemics and pandemics, and offered lessons to inform preparedness. Hence, the increasing frequency of emergence of viral outbreaks and the challenges these outbreaks pose to humankind, call for the continued search for effective ways to tackle viral disease outbreaks in real time. Through a PRISMA-based approach, this systematic review examines the outbreak of viral diseases in retrospect to decipher the outbreak patterns, losses inflicted on humanity and highlights lessons these offer for meaningful preparation against future viral disease outbreaks and pandemics.}, }
@article {pmid37147241, year = {2023}, author = {Chuang, GT and Lin, WC and Chang, LY and Tsai, IJ and Tsau, YK}, title = {Pediatric glomerulopathy after COVID-19 vaccination: A case series and review of the literature.}, journal = {Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi}, volume = {122}, number = {11}, pages = {1125-1131}, pmid = {37147241}, issn = {0929-6646}, mesh = {Adult ; Adolescent ; Humans ; Child ; *Nephrotic Syndrome/etiology ; COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects ; Hematuria/etiology ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control/complications ; *Kidney Diseases ; Vaccination/adverse effects ; Recurrence ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cases of glomerulopathy after COVID-19 vaccination have been reported in the adult population, while only a few cases have been reported in children and adolescents. For better understanding of this association in pediatric population, we aimed to describe clinical course of patients with glomerulopathy within 60 days of COVID-19 vaccination who were under followed up in the pediatric nephrology department of National Taiwan University Children's Hospital.<br><br>METHODS: We reviewed the clinical characteristics, vaccine types, and outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed glomerular diseases or relapse of underlying glomerulopathy within 60 days after COVID-19 vaccination at our facility between January 2021 and July 2022.<br><br>RESULTS: Thirteen pediatric patients were found to have newly diagnosed glomerular diseases or relapse from their underlying glomerulopathy after receiving their first, second, or third COVID-19 vaccines in our facility. Of the five pediatric patients with newly diagnosed glomerulopathy after vaccination, thin basement membrane nephropathy, idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, and hematuria have been identified. Seven patients had relapse episodes of underlying nephrotic syndrome and one patient with underlying isolated microscopic hematuria developed subnephrotic proteinuria after COVID-19 vaccination. All patients experienced remission or improvement with either immunosuppressive or conservative treatment during the follow-up period.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest case series to date of pediatric glomerulopathy after COVID-19 vaccination. From our report, patients with either newly diagnosed or relapse of glomerulopathy after vaccination had good outcomes, and receiving vaccination to prevent COVID-19 infection or complications should be encouraged in pandemic era under close monitoring kidney manifestations.}, }
@article {pmid34218707, year = {2023}, author = {Landeen, KC and Esianor, B and Stevens, MN and Fernando, S and Merriam, J and Kreth, K and Whigham, AS and Haynes, D and Eavey, R}, title = {Online Otolaryngology: A Comprehensive Model for Medical Student Engagement in the Virtual Era and Beyond.}, journal = {Ear, nose, &amp; throat journal}, volume = {102}, number = {11}, pages = {739-741}, doi = {10.1177/01455613211029748}, pmid = {34218707}, issn = {1942-7522}, mesh = {Humans ; Pandemics ; *Students, Medical ; *COVID-19 ; *Internship and Residency ; *Otolaryngology ; }, abstract = {When in-person experiences were taken away from medical students and residency applicants during the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions had to pivot to virtual experiences. We present here a comprehensive overview of virtual engagement for medical students. As we increasingly embrace virtual opportunities, it may be possible to continue utilizing these programs for many years to come.}, }
@article {pmid37897001, year = {2023}, author = {Ni, L}, title = {Advances in mRNA-Based Cancer Vaccines.}, journal = {Vaccines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37897001}, issn = {2076-393X}, support = {2021YFC2302403//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; }, abstract = {Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for millions of deaths every year. Immunotherapy is a groundbreaking approach for treating cancer through harnessing the power of the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. Cancer vaccines, one immunotherapy approach, have shown promise in preclinical settings, but researchers have struggled to reproduce these results in clinical settings. However, with the maturity of mRNA technology and its success in tackling the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, cancer vaccines are expected to regain attention. In this review, we focused on the recent progress made in mRNA-based cancer vaccines over the past five years. The mechanism of action of mRNA vaccines, advancements in neoantigen discovery, adjuvant identification, and delivery materials are summarized and reviewed. In addition, we also provide a detailed overview of current clinical trials involving mRNA cancer vaccines. Lastly, we offer an insight into future considerations for the application of mRNA vaccines in cancer immunotherapy. This review will help researchers to understand the advances in mRNA-based cancer vaccines and explore new dimensions for potential immunotherapy approaches.}, }
@article {pmid37896988, year = {2023}, author = {Dotiwala, F and Upadhyay, AK}, title = {Next Generation Mucosal Vaccine Strategy for Respiratory Pathogens.}, journal = {Vaccines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896988}, issn = {2076-393X}, abstract = {Inducing humoral and cytotoxic mucosal immunity at the sites of pathogen entry has the potential to prevent the infection from getting established. This is different from systemic vaccination, which protects against the development of systemic symptoms. The field of mucosal vaccination has seen fewer technological advances compared to nucleic acid and subunit vaccine advances for injectable vaccine platforms. The advent of the next-generation adenoviral vectors has given a boost to mucosal vaccine research. Basic research into the mechanisms regulating innate and adaptive mucosal immunity and the discovery of effective and safe mucosal vaccine adjuvants will continue to improve mucosal vaccine design. The results from clinical trials of inhaled COVID-19 vaccines demonstrate their ability to induce the proliferation of cytotoxic T cells and the production of secreted IgA and IgG antibodies locally, unlike intramuscular vaccinations. However, these mucosal vaccines induce systemic immune responses at par with systemic vaccinations. This review summarizes the function of the respiratory mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and the advantages that the adenoviral vectors provide as inhaled vaccine platforms.}, }
@article {pmid37896974, year = {2023}, author = {Nune, A and Durkowski, V and Pillay, SS and Barman, B and Elwell, H and Bora, K and Bilgrami, S and Mahmood, S and Babajan, N and Venkatachalam, S and Ottewell, L and Manzo, C}, title = {New-Onset Rheumatic Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases Following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations until May 2023: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Vaccines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896974}, issn = {2076-393X}, abstract = {A comprehensive, up-to-date systematic review (SR) of the new-onset rheumatic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (R-IMIDs) following COVID-19 vaccinations is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the demographics, management, and prognosis of new R-IMIDs in adults following SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. A systematic literature search of Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, LitCovid, and Cochrane was conducted. We included any English-language study that reported new-onset R-IMID in adults following the post-COVID-19 vaccination. A total of 271 cases were reported from 39 countries between January 2021 and May 2023. The mean age of patients was 56 (range 18-90), and most were females (170, 62.5%). Most (153, 56.5%) received the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly 50% of patients developed R-IMID after the second dose of the vaccine. Vasculitis was the most prevalent clinical presentation (86, 31.7%), followed by connective tissue disease (66, 24.3%). The mean duration between the vaccine's 'trigger' dose and R-IMID was 11 days. Most (220, 81.2%) received corticosteroids; however, 42% (115) received DMARDs such as methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, tocilizumab, anakinra, IV immunoglobulins, plasma exchange, or rituximab. Complete remission was achieved in 75 patients (27.7%), and 137 (50.6%) improved following the treatment. Two patients died due to myositis. This SR highlights that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines may trigger R-IMID; however, further epidemiology studies are required.}, }
@article {pmid37896959, year = {2023}, author = {Iqbal, MS and Khan, SU and Qamer, S and Vohra, S}, title = {Vaccine Hesitancy of COVID-19 among Parents for Their Children in Middle Eastern Countries-A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Vaccines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896959}, issn = {2076-393X}, abstract = {The current systematic review presents COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among parents for their children in Middle Eastern countries. Moreover, the vaccine acceptance rate of parents from the Middle East and the factors effecting the acceptance rate were reviewed and summarized. For this systematic review, basic electronic academic databases (Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, Web of Science and PubMed) were used for the search, along with a manual search on Google Scholar. This systematic review was conducted by following the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)" guidelines. Moreover, utilizing the framework of the PECO-S (Population Exposure Comparison Outcome Study design), various observational studies were recruited for this review. Out of 2123 studies, 25 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the current review. All of the included studies were about parental vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 in Middle Eastern countries and published during 2020-2022. Overall, 25 research papers comprising 10 different Middle Eastern countries with 33,558 parents were included. The average age of parents was 39.13 (range: 18-70) years, while the mean age of children was 7.95 (range: 0-18) years. The overall hesitancy rate was 44.2% with a SD of ± 19.7. The included studies presented enhanced COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among parents in Middle Eastern countries. The lower vaccine acceptance rate among parents was mainly because of a fear of the potential side effects. Furthermore, the lack of information regarding vaccine safety and efficacy, the fear of unreported side effects and concerns about the authenticity of vaccine development and preparation were the predictors of parental COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Middle Eastern countries.}, }
@article {pmid37896927, year = {2023}, author = {Bianchi, FP and Donghia, R and Tatoli, R and Bonfiglio, C}, title = {COVID-19 Immunization Rates in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Worldwide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {Vaccines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896927}, issn = {2076-393X}, support = {RC2023//Ministero della Salute/ ; }, abstract = {Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are characterized by an increased vulnerability to complications stemming from infectious diseases. While these patients do not inherently face a heightened risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general population, their vulnerability to severe COVID-19 complications and subsequent hospitalization is notably increased. The objective of our study is to quantitatively assess the global coverage of COVID-19 vaccination among individuals with IBD, achieved through a comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review. Thirteen studies were systematically selected from scientific articles available in the MEDLINE/PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases, spanning from 1 January 2021 to 25 July 2023. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine uptake was estimated at 72% (95%CI = 59-83%) for at least one dose, 81% (95%CI = 68-91%) for the complete vaccination regimen, and 71% (95%CI = 46-91%) for the third dose. Analysis of the determinants influencing vaccination uptake revealed several significant associations. These encompassed Caucasian ethnicity, female sex, absence of immunosuppressive therapy, advanced age, prior receipt of the anti-influenza vaccine, absence of a history of COVID-19 infection, and the provision of advice from gastroenterologists, all linked to improved compliance. Our study underscores a noteworthy yet not entirely optimal COVID-19 vaccination coverage among individuals with IBD. A multifaceted approach is warranted to enhance vaccination rates. Within this context, the role of gastroenterologists extends beyond direct patient care, encompassing a pivotal responsibility in preventing complications stemming from post-infectious diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37896907, year = {2023}, author = {da Silva, MK and Campos, DMO and Akash, S and Akter, S and Yee, LC and Fulco, UL and Oliveira, JIN}, title = {Advances of Reverse Vaccinology for mRNA Vaccine Design against SARS-CoV-2: A Review of Methods and Tools.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896907}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Humans ; *SARS-CoV-2/genetics ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Vaccinology/methods ; Proteomics ; mRNA Vaccines ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; }, abstract = {mRNA vaccines are a new class of vaccine that can induce potent and specific immune responses against various pathogens. However, the design of mRNA vaccines requires the identification and optimization of suitable antigens, which can be challenging and time consuming. Reverse vaccinology is a computational approach that can accelerate the discovery and development of mRNA vaccines by using genomic and proteomic data of the target pathogen. In this article, we review the advances of reverse vaccinology for mRNA vaccine design against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. We describe the steps of reverse vaccinology and compare the in silico tools used by different studies to design mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. We also discuss the challenges and limitations of reverse vaccinology and suggest future directions for its improvement. We conclude that reverse vaccinology is a promising and powerful approach to designing mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid37896856, year = {2023}, author = {Baghaie, L and Leroy, F and Sheikhi, M and Jafarzadeh, A and Szewczuk, MR and Sheikhi, A}, title = {Contemporaneous SARS-CoV-2-Neutralizing Antibodies Mediated by N-glycan Shields.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896856}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Humans ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; Antibodies, Viral ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Epitopes ; Polysaccharides ; *Vaccines ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics ; }, abstract = {Mutations and the glycosylation of epitopes can convert immunogenic epitopes into non-immunogenic ones via natural selection or evolutionary pressure, thereby decreasing their sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. Based on Thomas Francis's theory, memory B and T cells induced during primary infections or vaccination will freeze the new mutated epitopes specific to naïve B and T cells from the repertoire. On this basis, some researchers argue that the current vaccines derived from the previous strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus do not increase immunity and may also prevent the immune response against new epitopes. However, evidence shows that even if the binding affinity is reduced, the previous antibodies or T cell receptors (TCRs) can still bind to this new epitope of the Beta, Gamma, and Delta variant if their concentration is high enough (from a booster injection) and neutralize the virus. This paper presents some convincing immunological reasons that may challenge this theory and argue for the continuation of universal vaccination to prevent further mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Simultaneously, the information presented can be used to develop vaccines that target novel epitopes or create new recombinant drugs that do not lose their effectiveness when the virus mutates.}, }
@article {pmid37896820, year = {2023}, author = {Zeng, J and Jaijyan, DK and Yang, S and Pei, S and Tang, Q and Zhu, H}, title = {Exploring the Potential of Cytomegalovirus-Based Vectors: A Review.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896820}, issn = {1999-4915}, support = {G12 MD007597/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; Cytomegalovirus/genetics ; *Neoplasms ; *Cytomegalovirus Infections ; *Tuberculosis ; *Malaria ; Genetic Vectors/genetics ; }, abstract = {Viral vectors have emerged as powerful tools for delivering and expressing foreign genes, playing a pivotal role in gene therapy. Among these vectors, cytomegalovirus (CMV) stands out as a promising viral vector due to its distinctive attributes including large packaging capacity, ability to achieve superinfection, broad host range, capacity to induce CD8+ T cell responses, lack of integration into the host genome, and other qualities that make it an appealing vector candidate. Engineered attenuated CMV strains such as Towne and AD169 that have a ~15 kb genomic DNA deletion caused by virus passage guarantee human safety. CMV's large genome enables the efficient incorporation of substantial foreign genes as demonstrated by CMV vector-based therapies for SIV, tuberculosis, cancer, malaria, aging, COVID-19, and more. CMV is capable of reinfecting hosts regardless of prior infection or immunity, making it highly suitable for multiple vector administrations. In addition to its broad cellular tropism and sustained high-level gene expression, CMV triggers robust, virus-specific CD8[+] T cell responses, offering a significant advantage as a vaccine vector. To date, successful development and testing of murine CMV (MCMV) and rhesus CMV (RhCMV) vectors in animal models have demonstrated the efficacy of CMV-based vectors. These investigations have explored the potential of CMV vectors for vaccines against HIV, cancer, tuberculosis, malaria, and other infectious pathogens, as well as for other gene therapy applications. Moreover, the generation of single-cycle replication CMV vectors, produced by deleting essential genes, ensures robust safety in an immunocompromised population. The results of these studies emphasize CMV's effectiveness as a gene delivery vehicle and shed light on the future applications of a CMV vector. While challenges such as production complexities and storage limitations need to be addressed, ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between animal models and human translation continue to fuel the optimism surrounding CMV-based vectors. This review will outline the properties of CMV vectors and discuss their future applications as well as possible limitations.}, }
@article {pmid37896800, year = {2023}, author = {Dufour, I and Fougère, Y and Goetghebuer, T and Hainaut, M and Mbiya, B and Kakkar, F and Yombi, JC and Van der Linden, D}, title = {Gen Z and HIV-Strategies for Optimizing the Care of the Next Generation of Adolescents Living with HIV.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896800}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Humans ; Adolescent ; *HIV Infections/drug therapy ; Pandemics ; Medication Adherence ; }, abstract = {The management of adolescents living with HIV represents a particular challenge in the global response to HIV. The challenges specific to this age group include difficulties engaging and maintaining them in care, challenges with transition to adult care, and limited therapeutic options for treatment-experienced patients, all of which have been jeopardized by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper summarizes some of the challenges in managing adolescents living with HIV, as well as some of the most recent and innovative therapeutic approaches in this population.}, }
@article {pmid37896780, year = {2023}, author = {Jiang, H and Wang, T and Kong, L and Li, B and Peng, Q}, title = {Reverse Genetics Systems for Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Coronaviruses and Applications.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896780}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Animals ; Swine ; *Coronavirus/genetics ; Reverse Genetics ; *Coronavirus Infections/prevention &amp; control/veterinary ; *Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus/genetics ; RNA ; Diarrhea ; *Swine Diseases ; }, abstract = {Emerging and re-emerging swine coronaviruses (CoVs), including porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), and swine acute diarrhea syndrome-CoV (SADS-CoV), cause severe diarrhea in neonatal piglets, and CoV infection is associated with significant economic losses for the swine industry worldwide. Reverse genetics systems realize the manipulation of RNA virus genome and facilitate the development of new vaccines. Thus far, five reverse genetics approaches have been successfully applied to engineer the swine CoV genome: targeted RNA recombination, in vitro ligation, bacterial artificial chromosome-based ligation, vaccinia virus -based recombination, and yeast-based method. This review summarizes the advantages and limitations of these approaches; it also discusses the latest research progress in terms of their use for virus-related pathogenesis elucidation, vaccine candidate development, antiviral drug screening, and virus replication mechanism determination.}, }
@article {pmid37896776, year = {2023}, author = {Agac, A and Kolbe, SM and Ludlow, M and Osterhaus, ADME and Meineke, R and Rimmelzwaan, GF}, title = {Host Responses to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896776}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Infant ; Child ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Aged ; *Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; Reinfection ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Immunity ; *Vaccines ; *Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines ; *Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human ; }, abstract = {Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are a constant public health problem, especially in infants and older adults. Virtually all children will have been infected with RSV by the age of two, and reinfections are common throughout life. Since antigenic variation, which is frequently observed among other respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 or influenza viruses, can only be observed for RSV to a limited extent, reinfections may result from short-term or incomplete immunity. After decades of research, two RSV vaccines were approved to prevent lower respiratory tract infections in older adults. Recently, the FDA approved a vaccine for active vaccination of pregnant women to prevent severe RSV disease in infants during their first RSV season. This review focuses on the host response to RSV infections mediated by epithelial cells as the first physical barrier, followed by responses of the innate and adaptive immune systems. We address possible RSV-mediated immunomodulatory and pathogenic mechanisms during infections and discuss the current vaccine candidates and alternative treatment options.}, }
@article {pmid37896770, year = {2023}, author = {Yuan, Z and Shao, Z and Ma, L and Guo, R}, title = {Clinical Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Variants during COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896770}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Adult ; Humans ; *SARS-CoV-2/genetics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention &amp; control ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Vaccination ; }, abstract = {Due to the variation in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, COVID-19 exhibits significant variability in severity. This presents challenges for governments in managing the allocation of healthcare resources and prioritizing health interventions. Clinical severity is also a critical statistical parameter for researchers to quantify the risks of infectious disease, model the transmission of COVID-19, and provide some targeted measures to control the pandemic. To obtain more accurate severity estimates, including confirmed case-hospitalization risk, confirmed case-fatality risk, hospitalization-fatality risk, and hospitalization-ICU risk, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the clinical severity (including hospitalization, ICU, and fatality risks) of different variants during the period of COVID-19 mass vaccination and provided pooled estimates for each clinical severity metric. All searches were carried out on 1 February 2022 in PubMed for articles published from 1 January 2020 to 1 February 2022. After identifying a total of 3536 studies and excluding 3523 irrelevant studies, 13 studies were included. The severity results show that the Delta and Omicron variants have the highest (6.56%, 0.46%, 19.63%, and 9.06%) and lowest severities (1.51%, 0.04%, 6.01%, and 3.18%), respectively, according to the four clinical severity metrics. Adults over 65 have higher severity levels for all four clinical severity metrics.}, }
@article {pmid37896761, year = {2023}, author = {Li, Z and Hasson, A and Daggumati, L and Zhang, H and Thorek, DLJ}, title = {Molecular Imaging of ACE2 Expression in Infectious Disease and Cancer.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896761}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Humans ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/metabolism ; *COVID-19/diagnostic imaging ; *Communicable Diseases/diagnostic imaging ; *Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging ; Molecular Imaging ; }, abstract = {Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a cell-surface receptor that plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Through the use of ligands engineered for the receptor, ACE2 imaging has emerged as a valuable tool for preclinical and clinical research. These can be used to visualize the expression and distribution of ACE2 in tissues and cells. A variety of techniques including optical, magnetic resonance, and nuclear medicine contrast agents have been developed and employed in the preclinical setting. Positron-emitting radiotracers for highly sensitive and quantitative tomography have also been translated in the context of SARS-CoV-2-infected and control patients. Together this information can be used to better understand the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the potential roles of ACE2 in homeostasis and disease, and to identify potential therapeutic modulators in infectious disease and cancer. This review summarizes the tools and techniques to detect and delineate ACE2 in this rapidly expanding field.}, }
@article {pmid37896755, year = {2023}, author = {Serretiello, E and Ballini, A and Smimmo, A and Acunzo, M and Raimo, M and Cantore, S and Di Domenico, M}, title = {Extracellular Vesicles as a Translational Approach for the Treatment of COVID-19 Disease: An Updated Overview.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37896755}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/therapy/metabolism ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; *Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism ; *Exosomes/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic in the years 2020-2022. With a high prevalence, an easy route of transmission, and a long incubation time, SARS-CoV-2 spread quickly and affected public health and socioeconomic conditions. Several points need to be elucidated about its mechanisms of infection, in particular, its capability to evade the immune system and escape from neutralizing antibodies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are phospholipid bilayer-delimited particles that are involved in cell-to-cell communication; they contain biological information such as miRNAs, proteins, nucleic acids, and viral components. Abundantly released from biological fluids, their dimensions are highly variable, which are used to divide them into exosomes (40 to 150 nm), microvesicles (40 to 10,000 nm), and apoptotic bodies (100-5000 nm). EVs are involved in many physiological and pathological processes. In this article, we report the latest evidence about EVs' roles in viral infections, focusing on the dual role of exosomes in promoting and inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection. The involvement of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived EVs in COVID-19 treatment, such as the use of translational exosomes as a diagnostical/therapeutic approach, is also investigated. These elucidations could be useful to better direct the discovery of future diagnostical tools and new exosome-derived COVID-19 biomarkers, which can help achieve optimal therapeutic interventions and implement future vaccine strategies.}, }
@article {pmid37895475, year = {2023}, author = {Chen, SY and Lin, CY and Chi, H and Weng, SL and Li, ST and Tai, YL and Huang, YN and Huang, H and Lin, CH and Chiu, NC}, title = {The Effectiveness of Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccination: A Preliminary Report.}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37895475}, issn = {2075-1729}, abstract = {Vaccination has been a game-changer in the long battle against COVID-19. However, waning vaccine-induced immunity and the immune evasion of emerging variants create challenges. The rapid-fire development of bivalent vaccines (BVs), comprising ancestral strains and a new variant, was authorized to prevent COVID-19, but the effectiveness of the updated vaccines remains largely unclear. Electronic databases were searched to investigate the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of BVs in humans. As of March 2023, 20 trials were identified. Compared with monovalent vaccination, the induced immunogenicity against ancestral strains was similar. The BVs demonstrated approximately 33-50% higher immunogenicity values against additional variant strains. An observational cohort study showed the additional clinical effectiveness of the BVs. The adverse events were similar. In conclusion, our systematic review found that the BVs had equal immunogenicity against ancestral strains without safety concerns. Approximately 33-50% increased additional antibody titers and clinical effectiveness against additional variant strains were observed in subjects with a BV vaccine with moderate heterogeneity, especially for BA.1-containing BVs.}, }
@article {pmid37895129, year = {2023}, author = {Tsuge, M and Uda, K and Eitoku, T and Matsumoto, N and Yorifuji, T and Tsukahara, H}, title = {Roles of Oxidative Injury and Nitric Oxide System Derangements in Kawasaki Disease Pathogenesis: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {37895129}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Child ; Humans ; *Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/complications ; Nitric Oxide/therapeutic use ; *Vasculitis ; Inflammation/complications ; Oxidative Stress ; }, abstract = {Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile vasculitis that occurs mostly in children younger than five years. KD involves multiple intricately connected inflammatory reactions activated by a cytokine cascade. Despite therapeutic advances, coronary artery damage may develop in some patients, who will be at risk of clinical cardiovascular events and even sudden death. The etiology of KD remains unclear; however, it may involve both genetic and environmental factors leading to aberrant inflammatory responses. Given the young age of onset, prenatal or perinatal exposure may be etiologically relevant. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a post-infectious hyper-inflammatory disorder associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has features that overlap with those of KD. Available evidence indicates that vascular endothelial dysfunction is a critical step in the sequence of events leading to the development of cardiovascular lesions in KD. Oxidative stress and the dysregulation of the nitric oxide (NO) system contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory responses related to this disease. This review provides current evidence and concepts highlighting the adverse effects of oxidative injury and NO system derangements on the initiation and progression of KD and potential therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular pathologies in affected children.}, }
@article {pmid37895022, year = {2023}, author = {Chen, S and Jiang, J and Li, T and Huang, L}, title = {PANoptosis: Mechanism and Role in Pulmonary Diseases.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {37895022}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {82270082//China National Natural Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Apoptosis ; Cell Death ; *Acute Lung Injury ; Homeostasis ; Inflammation ; Pyroptosis ; }, abstract = {PANoptosis is a newly defined programmed cell death (PCD) triggered by a series of stimuli, and it engages three well-learned PCD forms (pyroptosis, apoptosis, necroptosis) concomitantly. Normally, cell death is recognized as a strategy to eliminate unnecessary cells, inhibit the proliferation of invaded pathogens and maintain homeostasis; however, vigorous cell death can cause excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Acute lung injury (ALI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary syndrome (COPD) exacerbation is related to several pathogens (e.g., influenza A virus, SARS-CoV-2) known to cause PANoptosis. An understanding of the mechanism and specific regulators may help to address the pathological systems of these diseases. This review presents our understanding of the potential mechanism of PANoptosis and the role of PANoptosis in different pulmonary diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37894911, year = {2023}, author = {Mashima, R and Takada, S and Miyamoto, Y}, title = {RNA-Based Therapeutic Technology.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {37894911}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {23ae0201004s0106//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; 22K07927//Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology/ ; FY2023//Sanofi LSD grant/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *RNA ; RNA, Small Nuclear/genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; DNA ; *Neoplasms/genetics/therapy ; }, abstract = {RNA-based therapy has been an expanding area of clinical research since the COVID-19 outbreak. Often, its comparison has been made to DNA-based gene therapy, such as adeno-associated virus- and lentivirus-mediated therapy. These DNA-based therapies show persistent expression, with maximized therapeutic efficacy. However, accumulating data indicate that proper control of gene expression is occasionally required. For example, in cancer immunotherapy, cytokine response syndrome is detrimental for host animals, while excess activation of the immune system induces supraphysiological cytokines. RNA-based therapy seems to be a rather mild therapy, and it has room to fit unmet medical needs, whereas current DNA-based therapy has unclear issues. This review focused on RNA-based therapy for cancer immunotherapy, hematopoietic disorders, and inherited disorders, which have received attention for possible clinical applications.}, }
@article {pmid37894850, year = {2023}, author = {Brandenburg, K and Ferrer-Espada, R and Martinez-de-Tejada, G and Nehls, C and Fukuoka, S and Mauss, K and Weindl, G and Garidel, P}, title = {A Comparison between SARS-CoV-2 and Gram-Negative Bacteria-Induced Hyperinflammation and Sepsis.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {37894850}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {CNE-2022-104/1-1//C.N. Phospholipid Research Center/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Aged ; SARS-CoV-2/metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; *COVID-19/complications ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism ; *Sepsis/metabolism ; Endotoxins ; Inflammation/complications ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/metabolism ; Cytokines/metabolism ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; }, abstract = {Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's overwhelming response to an infection, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infection. It occurs when the immune system releases cytokines into the bloodstream, triggering widespread inflammation. If not treated, it can lead to organ failure and death. Unfortunately, sepsis has a high mortality rate, with studies reporting rates ranging from 20% to over 50%, depending on the severity and promptness of treatment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the annual death toll in the world is about 11 million. One of the main toxins responsible for inflammation induction are lipopolysaccharides (LPS, endotoxin) from Gram-negative bacteria, which rank among the most potent immunostimulants found in nature. Antibiotics are consistently prescribed as a part of anti-sepsis-therapy. However, antibiotic therapy (i) is increasingly ineffective due to resistance development and (ii) most antibiotics are unable to bind and neutralize LPS, a prerequisite to inhibit the interaction of endotoxin with its cellular receptor complex, namely Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/MD-2, responsible for the intracellular cascade leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. The pandemic virus SARS-CoV-2 has infected hundreds of millions of humans worldwide since its emergence in 2019. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-19) caused by this virus is associated with high lethality, particularly for elderly and immunocompromised people. As of August 2023, nearly 7 million deaths were reported worldwide due to this disease. According to some reported studies, upregulation of TLR4 and the subsequent inflammatory signaling detected in COVID-19 patients "mimics bacterial sepsis". Furthermore, the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 was described by others as "mirror image of sepsis". Similarly, the cytokine profile in sera from severe COVID-19 patients was very similar to those suffering from the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis. Finally, the severe COVID-19 infection is frequently accompanied by bacterial co-infections, as well as by the presence of significant LPS concentrations. In the present review, we will analyze similarities and differences between COVID-19 and sepsis at the pathophysiological, epidemiological, and molecular levels.}, }
@article {pmid37894169, year = {2023}, author = {Ahmed, W and Feng, J and Zhang, Y and Chen, L}, title = {SARS-CoV-2 and Brain Health: New Challenges in the Era of the Pandemic.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37894169}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {(2022YFA1104900 and 2022YFA1104904)//National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; 2021A1515010013//Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province/ ; 2021ZDZX2011//Department of Education of Guangdong Province/ ; 202201011760//Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Project/ ; 1202101003//President Foundation of the Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Southern Medical University/ ; }, abstract = {Respiratory viral infections have been found to have a negative impact on neurological functions, potentially leading to significant neurological impairment. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has precipitated a worldwide pandemic, posing a substantial threat to human lives. Growing evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may severely affect the CNS and respiratory system. The current prevalence of clinical neurological issues associated with SARS-CoV-2 has raised significant concerns. However, there needs to be a more comprehensive understanding of the specific pathways by which SARS-CoV-2 enters the nervous system. Based on the available evidence, this review focuses on the clinical neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 and the possible mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 invades the brain.}, }
@article {pmid37894116, year = {2023}, author = {Tziolos, NR and Ioannou, P and Baliou, S and Kofteridis, DP}, title = {Long COVID-19 Pathophysiology: What Do We Know So Far?.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37894116}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Long COVID-19 is a recognized entity that affects millions of people worldwide. Its broad clinical symptoms include thrombotic events, brain fog, myocarditis, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle pains, and others. Due to the binding of the virus with ACE-2 receptors, expressed in many organs, it can potentially affect any system; however, it most often affects the cardiovascular, central nervous, respiratory, and immune systems. Age, high body mass index, female sex, previous hospitalization, and smoking are some of its risk factors. Despite great efforts to define its pathophysiology, gaps remain to be explained. The main mechanisms described in the literature involve viral persistence, hypercoagulopathy, immune dysregulation, autoimmunity, hyperinflammation, or a combination of these. The exact mechanisms may differ from system to system, but some share the same pathways. This review aims to describe the most prevalent pathophysiological pathways explaining this syndrome.}, }
@article {pmid37894018, year = {2023}, author = {Brooks, SK and Greenberg, N}, title = {The Well-Being of Companion Animal Caregivers and Their Companion Animals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review.}, journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI}, volume = {13}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {37894018}, issn = {2076-2615}, support = {NIHR200890//National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Emergency Preparedness and Response/ ; }, abstract = {It is important to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal caregivers and their companion animals in order to inform responses to future crises. Prior research is inconsistent, with the benefits of animal companionship believed to be overstated. In this scoping review, we searched four electronic databases and hand-searched reference lists of included studies. Over 4000 citations were found, and 122 were included in the review. Reflecting on the pre-COVID literature, quantitative evidence of the association between psychological well-being and animal companionship during the pandemic was mixed, with numerous positive, negative, and null findings reported. Studies highlighted the benefits of animal companionship during the pandemic, with animals reported to provide their caregivers with a routine, a sense of greater purpose, a positive distraction from COVID-19, companionship, and emotional support. However, participants also reported concerns about meeting animals' needs, fears of animals catching or spreading the virus, and financial worries. Concerns about what would happen to animals if caregivers were hospitalized led some to delay COVID-19 testing or treatment. Animals also experienced benefits (such as increased companionship and calmer mood) and negative impacts (such as increased clinginess and separation anxiety). Companion animals should be a key consideration in emergency preparedness plans.}, }
@article {pmid37893855, year = {2023}, author = {Moraes, MC and Duarte, I and Nunes, R}, title = {Assistance and Delivery of COVID-19 Vaccinations to Patients with Rare Diseases.}, journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893855}, issn = {2227-9032}, abstract = {The COVID-19 vaccination campaign has been fortified by the positive effects of immunization: data from official government organizations and communication channels show that infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths have continued to fall since its implementation. In Brazil, the effective and free National Vaccination Program has failed to prioritize patients with rare diseases, who have extreme comorbidities, and who adhere to the calendar prepared by the government. The question is why these "rare people" were not considered priorities during the vaccination program. This study aims to understand the reasoning behind this decision and to resume the debate around the rights of patients with rare diseases based on regular descriptors issued by official government agencies and by critics of rare disease issues in scientific articles. The objectives of this study were as follows: to analyze the dispensed care of rare disease patients in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign; to identify the procedures implemented by the National Vaccination Plan for the Brazilian population over 18 years of age and to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan implemented from the perspective of a "rare person".}, }
@article {pmid37893569, year = {2023}, author = {Kim, J and Ryu, B and Kim, Y and Choi, Y and Lee, E}, title = {Comparative Analysis of the Prevalence of Dysphagia in Patients with Mild COVID-19 and Those with Aspiration Pneumonia Alone: Findings of the Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study.}, journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)}, volume = {59}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893569}, issn = {1648-9144}, mesh = {Humans ; *Deglutition Disorders/diagnostic imaging/epidemiology/etiology ; Deglutition ; Retrospective Studies ; Prevalence ; *COVID-19/complications/epidemiology ; *Pneumonia, Aspiration/epidemiology/etiology ; }, abstract = {Background and Objectives: Patients recovering from mild coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reportedly have dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing. We compared the prevalence of dysphagia between patients diagnosed with mild COVID-19 and those diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia alone. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2020 to June 2023 in 160 patients referred for a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) to assess for dysphagia. The cohort included 24 patients with mild COVID-19 and aspiration pneumonia, 30 with mild COVID-19 without aspiration pneumonia, and 106 with aspiration pneumonia alone. We reviewed the demographic data, comorbidities, and VFSS results using the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) and functional dysphagia scale (FDS). Results: In a study comparing patients with mild COVID-19 (Group A) and those with aspiration pneumonia alone (Group B), no significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics, including the prevalence of dysphagia-related comorbidities between the groups. Group A showed milder dysphagia, as evidenced by lower PAS and FDS scores, shorter oral and pharyngeal transit times (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), and fewer residues in the vallecula and pyriform sinuses (p < 0.001 and p < 0.03, respectively). When Group A was subdivided into those with COVID-19 with (Group A1) and without aspiration pneumonia (Group A2), both subgroups outperformed Group B in terms of specific VFSS metrics, such as oral transit time (p = 0.01), pharyngeal transit time (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively), and residue in the vallecula (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). However, Group B showed improved triggering of the pharyngeal swallowing reflex compared with Group A2 (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Mild COVID-19 patients showed less severe dysphagia than those with aspiration pneumonia alone. This finding was consistent across VFSS parameters, even when the COVID-19 group was subdivided based on the status of aspiration pneumonia.}, }
@article {pmid37820281, year = {2023}, author = {Quintanilla-Dieck, L}, title = {The management of pediatric Graves' disease.}, journal = {Current opinion in otolaryngology &amp; head and neck surgery}, volume = {31}, number = {6}, pages = {419-423}, doi = {10.1097/MOO.0000000000000933}, pmid = {37820281}, issn = {1531-6998}, mesh = {Adolescent ; Humans ; Child ; Antithyroid Agents/therapeutic use ; Iodine Radioisotopes/therapeutic use ; Pandemics ; *Thyroid Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; *Graves Disease/therapy/drug therapy ; Recurrence ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Graves' disease (GD) constitutes a significant proportion of thyroid disorders seen during childhood. Several specialties may be closely involved in the management of pediatric patients with GD and emerging research in each field contributes to variations in the approach over time. Here we review the recent literature on the management of the disease, with the hope that this can be a valuable resource for treating specialists who need to be continuously updated on new data obtained in relevant fields.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: Genetic, postinfectious and environmental factors may play a role in the immunological pathophysiology of GD. Research performed during the COVID-19 pandemic supports that viral-induced immune dysregulation may be a possible trigger for the disease. The various current treatment options all have positive and negative factors to consider. Antithyroidal drug therapy (ATD) is generally recommended as the initial treatment, although remission rates are only 20-30% at 2&#x200a;years and 75% at 9&#x200a;years. Unfortunately, about half of patients will relapse within 1&#x200a;year of discontinuing therapy. Radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) is an effective treatment option and can be considered in certain pediatric patients. There continues to be no definitive evidence that the doses used for GD lead to a higher risk of cancer. Surgical treatment via thyroidectomy is effective and safe when performed by a high-volume surgeon. Recent studies show improvement in quality-of-life after surgery in adolescents and young adults. Future medical treatment options for GD currently being studied include antigen-specific immunotherapy and monoclonal antibodies.<br><br>SUMMARY: Although the future holds promising new therapeutic options for autoimmune diseases including GD, the current choices continue to be ATD, usually first-line, and definitive treatments including RAI and surgery. While all three offer the possibility of remission or cure, drug therapy and RAI have a possibility of relapse. Risks of each approach should be broached in detail with patients and their families, and the nuances of treating this disease specifically in children should be familiar to all treating providers.}, }
@article {pmid37567514, year = {2023}, author = {Assaf, S and Stenberg, H and Jesenak, M and Tarasevych, SP and Hanania, NA and Diamant, Z}, title = {Asthma in the era of COVID-19.}, journal = {Respiratory medicine}, volume = {218}, number = {}, pages = {107373}, doi = {10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107373}, pmid = {37567514}, issn = {1532-3064}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/complications ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Asthma/diagnosis ; Comorbidity ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {Since its global invasion in 2019, COVID-19 has affected several aspects of patients' lives and posed a significant impact on the health care system. Several patient populations were identified to be at high risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or developing severe COVID-19-related sequelae. Conversely, anyone who has contracted SARS-CoV-2 is at risk to experience symptoms and signs consistent with post-COVID manifestations. Patients with asthma were initially thought to be at increased risk and severity for SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, accumulating evidence demonstrates that asthma endotypes/phenotypes and comorbidities influence the risk stratification in this population. Furthermore, initial concerns about the potentially increased risk of poor outcomes with asthma treatments such as inhaled corticosteroids and biologics have not been substantiated. In this review, we provide an update on COVID-19 and asthma, including risk of susceptibility, clinical manifestations and course in this population as well as discuss recommendations for management.}, }
@article {pmid37893528, year = {2023}, author = {Gonikman, D and Kustovs, D}, title = {Antidiabetic Drug Efficacy in Reduction of Mortality during the COVID-19 Pandemic.}, journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)}, volume = {59}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893528}, issn = {1648-9144}, mesh = {Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use ; *Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors ; }, abstract = {Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is a complex challenge for the existing scientific and medical landscape. It is an ongoing public health crisis, with over 245,373,039 confirmed cases globally, including 4,979,421 deaths as of 29 October 2021. Exploring molecular mechanisms correlated with the disease's severity has demonstrated significant factors of immune compromise, noted in diabetic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections. Among diabetics, the altered function of the immune system allows for better penetration of the virus into epithelial cells, increased viral binding affinity due to hyperglycemia, reduced T cell function, decreased viral clearance, high risks of cytokine storm, and hyper-inflammatory responses, altogether increasing the susceptibility of these patients to an extreme COVID-19 disease course. Materials and Methods: This research involved a systematic literature search among various databases comprising PubMed and Google Scholar in determining credible studies about the effects of antidiabetic drugs on the high mortality rates among diabetic patients infected with COVID-19. The primary search found 103 results. Duplicated results, non-pertinent articles, and the unavailability of full text were excluded. Finally, we included 74 articles in our review. The inclusion criteria included articles published during 2020-2023, studies that reported a low risk of bias, and articles published in English. Exclusion criteria included studies published in non-peer-reviewed sources, such as conference abstracts, thesis papers, or non-academic publications. Results: Among the studied anti-diabetic drugs, Metformin, the Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), and Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) have demonstrated decreased mortality rates among diabetic patients infected with COVID-19. Insulin and Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) have demonstrated increased mortality rates, while Sulfonylureas, Thiazolidinedione (TZD), and Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGI) have demonstrated mortality-neutral results.}, }
@article {pmid37893490, year = {2023}, author = {Yu, L and Guo, S and Ji, W and Sun, H and Lee, S and Zhang, D}, title = {Intervention Effects of Physical Activity on Type 2 Diabetic Patients Potentially Infected with COVID-19.}, journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)}, volume = {59}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893490}, issn = {1648-9144}, mesh = {Humans ; Aged ; *COVID-19 ; *Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications/therapy ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Mental Disorders/epidemiology ; Exercise ; }, abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has clearly had a great influence on the lifestyles of the population, especially on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. During the COVID-19 outbreak, many countries/regions implemented social-isolation measures, leading to an increase in negative behaviors and impairing the capability of diabetic patients to resist COVID-19, ultimately causing severe prognoses. Moreover, as the epidemic progressed, multiple studies emphasized the significance of physical exercise in the management of type 2 diabetic patients infected with COVID-19. In this study, we selected research from 1 December 2019 to 9 August 2023 that focused on COVID-19-infected diabetic patients to investigate the impact of type 2 diabetes on the immune functions, inflammation factor levels, lung injuries, and mental disorders of such patients, as well as to assess the risk of novel coronavirus pneumonia in these patients. Additionally, the effects of high-intensity, moderate-intensity, and low-intensity exercises on novel coronavirus pneumonia infection in type 2 diabetic patients and the mechanisms of the effects of such exercise were considered. We concluded that elderly diabetic patients with COVID-19 should perform low-intensity exercises to facilitate their recoveries. This study offers guidance for a proper understanding of the dangers of diabetes and the use of appropriate measures to reduce the risk of novel coronavirus pneumonia infections in type 2 diabetic patients.}, }
@article {pmid37893474, year = {2023}, author = {Degirmenci, Y and Angelopoulou, E and Georgakopoulou, VE and Bougea, A}, title = {Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease: An Updated Overview Focusing on Emerging Pharmaceutical Treatment Approaches.}, journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)}, volume = {59}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893474}, issn = {1648-9144}, mesh = {Humans ; *Parkinson Disease/complications/drug therapy ; Quality of Life ; *Cognitive Dysfunction/drug therapy/etiology ; *Neuroprotective Agents ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Neuropsychological Tests ; }, abstract = {Cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the commonest and most disabling non-motor manifestations during the course of the disease. The clinical spectrum of PD-related cognitive impairment includes subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and PD dementia (PDD). As the disease progresses, cognitive decline creates a significant burden for the family members and/or caregivers of patients with PD, and has a great impact on quality of life. Current pharmacological treatments have demonstrated partial efficacy and failed to halt disease progression, and novel, effective, and safe therapeutic strategies are required. Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence shows that several agents may provide beneficial effects on patients with PD and cognitive impairment, including ceftriaxone, ambroxol, intranasal insulin, nilotinib, atomoxetine, mevidalen, blarcamesine, prasinezumab, SYN120, ENT-01, NYX-458, GRF6021, fosgonimeton, INT-777, Neuropeptide S, silibinin, osmotin, cordycepin, huperzine A, fibroblast growth factor 21, Poloxamer 188, ginsenoside Rb1, thioredoxin-1, tangeretin, istradefylline and Eugenia uniflora. Potential underlying mechanisms include the inhibition of a-synuclein aggregation, the improvement of mitochondrial function, the regulation of synaptic plasticity, an impact on the gut-brain axis, the modulation of neuroinflammation and the upregulation of neurotrophic factors, as well as cholinergic, dopaminergic, serotoninergic and norepinephrine neurotransmission. In this updated overview, we aim to cover the clinical aspects of the spectrum of PD-related cognitive impairment and discuss recent evidence on emerging treatment approaches that are under investigation at a preclinical and clinical level. Finally, we aim to provide additional insights and propose new ideas for investigation that may be feasible and effective for the spectrum of PD-related cognitive impairment.}, }
@article {pmid37893462, year = {2023}, author = {Milionis, C and Ilias, I and Tselebis, A and Pachi, A}, title = {Psychological and Social Aspects of Vaccination Hesitancy-Implications for Travel Medicine in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Crisis: A Narrative Review.}, journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)}, volume = {59}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893462}, issn = {1648-9144}, mesh = {Humans ; Travel Medicine ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; Pandemics/prevention &amp; control ; Vaccination Hesitancy ; *Vaccines ; }, abstract = {Vaccines are an important tool of preventive medicine. Although organized vaccination programs have saved large populations from serious infectious diseases, there is a considerable part of the population who oppose vaccinations. In particular, anti-vaccination perceptions, among travelers to countries with endemic diseases, are a major public health concern. Although hesitancy towards vaccinations is not a novel phenomenon, it came back to the forefront during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This review explores the etiology of anti-vaccination beliefs among travelers and draws conclusions about their impact on public health and society in general. For this purpose, a purposeful search for data on the causative factors of vaccine hesitancy and their impact on people's health was conducted. A descriptive analysis of the findings and conclusions regarding possible implications in health policy and clinical practice are presented. A fear of side effects, lack of credence in the necessity of vaccines, and mistrust of medical authorities are important causative factors. Their interplay shapes hesitancy towards vaccines. However, anti-vaccination beliefs can also be an aspect of a more general unconventional stance of life. Health care professionals and organizations must be ready to tackle vaccine hesitancy by making the necessary interventions. Correcting misconceptions about vaccinations is a prerequisite for ensuring personal and public health, especially in the context of a pandemic or epidemic. Moreover, ensuring the efficacy and safety of vaccines, especially in cases of modern technology applications, is a fundamental factor in addressing people's concerns about vaccines. For this purpose, medical authorities and organizations must provide accurate and clear information on vaccines so as to eliminate misinformation. Furthermore, clinicians should cultivate their communication skills in order to convey the appropriate messages to prospective recipients of vaccinations.}, }
@article {pmid37893427, year = {2023}, author = {Vernia, F and Ashktorab, H and Cesaro, N and Monaco, S and Faenza, S and Sgamma, E and Viscido, A and Latella, G}, title = {COVID-19 and Gastrointestinal Tract: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Manifestations.}, journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)}, volume = {59}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893427}, issn = {1648-9144}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; *Gastrointestinal Diseases/epidemiology ; *Liver Diseases ; }, abstract = {Background: Since its first report in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, COVID-19 has become a pandemic, affecting millions of people worldwide. Although the virus primarily affects the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal symptoms are also common. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a systematic electronic search of English literature up to January 2023 using Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, focusing on papers that analyzed the role of SARS-CoV-2 in the gastrointestinal tract. Results: Our review highlights that SARS-CoV-2 directly infects the gastrointestinal tract and can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, loss of taste, and increased liver enzymes. These symptoms result from mucosal barrier damage, inflammation, and changes in the microbiota composition. The exact mechanism of how the virus overcomes the acid gastric environment and leads to the intestinal damage is still being studied. Conclusions: Although vaccination has increased the prevalence of less severe symptoms, the long-term interaction with SARS-CoV-2 remains a concern. Understanding the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and the gastrointestinal tract is essential for future management of the virus.}, }
@article {pmid37893186, year = {2023}, author = {Sekulovski, M and Mileva, N and Vasilev, GV and Miteva, D and Gulinac, M and Peshevska-Sekulovska, M and Chervenkov, L and Batselova, H and Vasilev, GH and Tomov, L and Lazova, S and Vassilev, D and Velikova, T}, title = {Blood Coagulation and Thrombotic Disorders following SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Vaccination.}, journal = {Biomedicines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893186}, issn = {2227-9059}, support = {BG-RRP-2.004-0008//European Union-NextGenerationEU, through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria/ ; }, abstract = {Although abundant data confirm the efficacy and safety profile of the developed vaccines against COVID-19, there are still some concerns regarding vaccination in high-risk populations. This is especially valid for patients susceptible to thrombotic or bleeding events and hesitant people due to the fear of thrombotic incidents following vaccination. This narrative review focuses on various inherited and acquired thrombotic and coagulation disorders and the possible pathophysiologic mechanisms interacting with the coagulation system during immunization in view of the currently available safety data regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Inherited blood coagulation disorders and inherited thrombotic disorders in the light of COVID-19, as well as blood coagulation and thrombotic disorders and bleeding complications following COVID-19 vaccines, along with the possible pathogenesis hypotheses, therapeutic interventions, and imaging for diagnosing are discussed in detail. Lastly, the lack of causality between the bleeding and thrombotic events and COVID-19 vaccines is debated, but still emphasizes the importance of vaccination against COVID-19, outweighing the minimal risk of potential rare adverse events associated with coagulation.}, }
@article {pmid37893162, year = {2023}, author = {Lin, EC and Chiang, YC and Lin, HY and Tseng, SY and Hsieh, YT and Shieh, JA and Huang, YH and Tsai, HT and Feng, SW and Peng, TY and Lee, IT}, title = {Unraveling the Link between Periodontitis and Coronavirus Disease 2019: Exploring Pathogenic Pathways and Clinical Implications.}, journal = {Biomedicines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893162}, issn = {2227-9059}, support = {TMUCOM202202//College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan/ ; }, abstract = {Periodontitis involves the inflammation of the periodontal tissue, leading to tissue loss, while coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly transmissible respiratory disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is amplified by poor systemic health. Key facilitators of SARS-CoV-2's entry into host cells are angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). This review reveals that periodontal pockets can serve as a hotspot for virus accumulation, rendering surrounding epithelia more susceptible to infection. Given that ACE2 is expressed in oral mucosa, it is reasonable to suggest that poor periodontal health could increase the risk of COVID-19 infection. However, recent studies have not provided sufficient evidence to imply a significant effect of COVID-19 on periodontal health, necessitating further and more long-term investigations. Nevertheless, there are hypotheses linking the mechanisms of the two diseases, such as the involvement of interleukin-17 (IL-17). Elevated IL-17 levels are observed in both COVID-19 and periodontitis, leading to increased osteoclast activity and bone resorption. Lastly, bidirectional relationships between periodontitis and systemic diseases like diabetes are acknowledged. Given that COVID-19 symptoms may worsen with these conditions, maintaining good oral health and managing systemic diseases are suggested as potential ways to protect against COVID-19.}, }
@article {pmid37893117, year = {2023}, author = {Tsikas, D and Tsikas, SA and Mikuteit, M and Ückert, S}, title = {Circulating and Urinary Concentrations of Malondialdehyde in Aging Humans in Health and Disease: Review and Discussion.}, journal = {Biomedicines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893117}, issn = {2227-9059}, abstract = {(1) Background: Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a major and stable product of oxidative stress. MDA circulates in the blood and is excreted in the urine in its free and conjugated forms, notably with L-lysine and L-serine. MDA is the most frequently measured biomarker of oxidative stress, namely lipid peroxidation. Oxidative stress is generally assumed to be associated with disease and to increase with age. Here, we review and discuss the literature concerning circulating and excretory MDA as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation in aging subjects with regard to health and disease, such as kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, and COVID-19. (2) Methods: Scientific articles, notably those reporting on circulating (plasma, serum) and urinary MDA, which concern health and disease, and which appeared in PubMed were considered; they formed the basis for evaluating the potential increase in oxidative stress, particularly lipid peroxidation, as humans age. (3) Results and Conclusions: The results reported in the literature thus far are contradictory. The articles considered in the present study are not supportive of the general view that oxidative stress increases with aging. Many functions of several organs, including the filtration efficiency of the kidneys, are physiologically reduced in men and women as they age. This effect is likely to result in the apparent "accumulation" of biomarkers of oxidative stress, concomitantly with the "accumulation" of biomarkers of an organ's function, such as creatinine. How free and conjugated MDA forms are transported in various organs (including the brain) and how they are excreted in the urine via the kidney is not known, and investigating these questions should be the objective of forthcoming studies. The age- and gender-related increase in circulating creatinine might be a useful factor to be taken into consideration when investigating oxidative stress and aging.}, }
@article {pmid37893004, year = {2023}, author = {Leinen, ZJ and Mohan, R and Premadasa, LS and Acharya, A and Mohan, M and Byrareddy, SN}, title = {Therapeutic Potential of Cannabis: A Comprehensive Review of Current and Future Applications.}, journal = {Biomedicines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37893004}, issn = {2227-9059}, support = {R01DA052845/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Historically, cannabis has been valued for its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and calming properties. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese medicines recognized their therapeutic potential. The discovery of the endocannabinoid system, which interacts with cannabis phytoconstituents, has scientifically explained how cannabis affects the human immune system, including the central nervous system (CNS). This review explores the evolving world of cannabis-based treatments, spotlighting its diverse applications. By researching current research and clinical studies, we probe into how cannabinoids like Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) help to manage conditions ranging from chronic pain, persistent inflammation, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and neurological disorders to even viral diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), SARS-CoV-2. and the emerging monkeypox. The long-term recreational use of cannabis can develop into cannabis use disorder (CUD), and therefore, understanding the factors contributing to the development and maintenance of cannabis addiction, including genetic predisposition, neurobiological mechanisms, and environmental influences, will be timely. Shedding light on the adverse impacts of CUD underscores the importance of early intervention, effective treatment approaches, and public health initiatives to address this complex issue in an evolving landscape of cannabis policies and perceptions.}, }
@article {pmid37892993, year = {2023}, author = {Di Sotto, A and Valipour, M and Azari, A and Di Giacomo, S and Irannejad, H}, title = {Benzoindolizidine Alkaloids Tylophorine and Lycorine and Their Analogues with Antiviral, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anticancer Properties: Promises and Challenges.}, journal = {Biomedicines}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37892993}, issn = {2227-9059}, abstract = {Ongoing viral research, essential for public health due to evolving viruses, gains significance owing to emerging viral infections such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Marine and plant alkaloids show promise as novel potential pharmacological strategies. In this narrative review, we elucidated the potential of tylophorine and lycorine, two naturally occurring plant-derived alkaloids with a shared benzoindolizidine scaffold, as antiviral agents to be potentially harnessed against respiratory viral infections. Possible structure-activity relationships have also been highlighted. The substances and their derivatives were found to be endowed with powerful and broad-spectrum antiviral properties; moreover, they were able to counteract inflammation, which often underpins the complications of viral diseases. At last, their anticancer properties hold promise not only for advancing cancer research but also for mitigating the oncogenic effects of viruses. This evidence suggests that tylophorine and lycorine could effectively counteract the pathogenesis of respiratory viral disease and its harmful effects. Although common issues about the pharmacologic development of natural substances remain to be addressed, the collected evidence highlights a possible interest in tylophorine and lycorine as antiviral and/or adjuvant strategies and encourages future more in-depth pre-clinical and clinical investigations to overcome their drawbacks and harness their power for therapeutic purposes.}, }
@article {pmid37892741, year = {2023}, author = {Kwasnik, M and Rola, J and Rozek, W}, title = {Tick-Borne Encephalitis-Review of the Current Status.}, journal = {Journal of clinical medicine}, volume = {12}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {37892741}, issn = {2077-0383}, abstract = {The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the arboviral etiological agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), considered to be one of the most important tick-borne viral diseases in Europe and Asia. In recent years, an increase in the incidence of TBE as well as an increasing geographical range of the disease have been noted. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposition of restrictions that it necessitated, the incidence of TBE is rising in more than half of the European countries analyzed in recent studies. The virus is transmitted between ticks, animals, and humans. It seems that ticks and small mammals play a role in maintaining TBEV in nature. The disease can also affect dogs, horses, cattle, and small ruminants. Humans are incidental hosts, infected through the bite of an infected tick or by the alimentary route, through the consumption of unpasteurized milk or milk products from TBEV-infected animals. TBEV infections in humans may be asymptomatic, but the symptoms can range from mild flu-like to severe neurological. In Europe, cases of TBE are reported every year. While there is currently no effective treatment for TBE, immunization and protection against tick bites are critical in preventing this disease.}, }
@article {pmid37873986, year = {2023}, author = {Perner, A and Kjær, MN and Thorsen-Meyer, HC and Kaas-Hansen, BS and Munch, MW and Collet, MO and Bruun, CR and Jensen, AK and Lange, T and Albertsen, T and Pedersen, CD and Poulsen, LM and Mathiesen, O and Brøchner, AC and Strøm, T and Andersen, LW and Christensen, S and Rasmussen, BS and Schjørring, OL and Maagaard, M and Møller, MH and Granholm, A}, title = {[Not Available].}, journal = {Ugeskrift for laeger}, volume = {185}, number = {41}, pages = {}, pmid = {37873986}, issn = {1603-6824}, mesh = {Humans ; *Pandemics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Platform trials focus on the perpetual testing of many interventions in a disease or a setting. These trials have lasting organizational, administrative, data, analytic, and operational frameworks making them highly efficient. The use of adaptation often increases the probabilities of allocating participants to better interventions and obtaining conclusive results. The COVID-19 pandemic showed the potential of platform trials as a fast and valid way to improved treatments. This review gives an overview of key concepts and elements using the Intensive Care Platform Trial (INCEPT) as an example.}, }
@article {pmid37840178, year = {2023}, author = {Zheng, Y and Li, WX}, title = {[Current challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of filamentous mycosis in critically ill patients].}, journal = {Zhonghua yi xue za zhi}, volume = {103}, number = {39}, pages = {3077-3082}, doi = {10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20230616-01024}, pmid = {37840178}, issn = {0376-2491}, support = {2020-2-1061//Capital Health Research and Development Special Program/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Critical Illness ; *Mycoses/diagnosis/therapy ; Risk Factors ; Intensive Care Units ; Early Diagnosis ; }, abstract = {Influenza and coronavirus disease 2019 are independent risk factors for the development of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit. IFD, particularly mold infections, have a high mortality rate. The diagnosis and treatment of mold infections is challenging, and early detection and timely treatment are crucial in reducing the mortality of IFD. This review will summarize the latest epidemiology and risk factors for the development of mold infections in critically ill patients, current diagnostic criteria and challenges, as well as the treatment strategies recommended by the international clinical guidelines, aiming to provide some references for the diagnosis and treatment of mold infections in critically ill patients in clinical practice.}, }
@article {pmid37816180, year = {2023}, author = {Riepl, M and Kaiser, J}, title = {Compounding for the Treatment of COVID-19 and Long COVID, Part 5: Associated Conditions, Prophylaxis, and Effective Treatment.}, journal = {International journal of pharmaceutical compounding}, volume = {27}, number = {5}, pages = {368-380}, pmid = {37816180}, issn = {1092-4221}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention &amp; control ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; }, abstract = {The effects of infection with the highly transmissible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the coronavirus- disease-2019 (COVID-19) it engenders continue to demonstrate that worldwide, the detection, prediction, and control of novel-pathogen pandemics remain largely unattained achievements. Key to successfully meeting those goals is a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of evolving causative agents and effective prophylaxis against them. In this article, we review common conditions that afflict people with COVID-19 or long COVID, examine the effectiveness of vaccines designed to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2 and mitigate its sequelae, and provide formulations for 2 compounded preparations that can assist recovery from acute and chronic conditions caused by that virus when manufactured drugs are unavailable in required dosages or dosage forms or cannot be tolerated by the patient.}, }
@article {pmid37807944, year = {2023}, author = {Lee Mendoza, R}, title = {Emergent challenges and opportunities in drug discovery and commercialization.}, journal = {Journal of medical economics}, volume = {26}, number = {1}, pages = {1214-1218}, doi = {10.1080/13696998.2023.2262840}, pmid = {37807944}, issn = {1941-837X}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines ; Economics, Pharmaceutical ; Health Policy ; Drug Discovery ; *Biological Products ; }, abstract = {We review medical economics literature presented at the 2023 annual AEA-ASSA convention, the largest gathering of economists worldwide. Pharmacoeconomic papers addressed a wide range of issues, including gender and racial gaps in clinical trials, hospital credit financing, drug rebates, covid-19 vaccine equality, and the opioid epidemic. Yet, they had some common identifiable themes. We examine them in the context of the "twin towers" of biopharmaceutical innovation: discovery and commercialization. Implementation outcomes and relative success of innovative solutions - whether in terms of products and services, structural design and arrangements, or policies - depend on how adequately they respond to questions and challenges that arise in drug discovery and commercialization, and who gains from them. That innovation's beneficiaries might not equally gain from its intended advantages is another unifying theme in the reviewed literature. Against this backdrop, biopharmaceutical innovation can breed new challenges and opportunities. And health policy can perform a critical, leveling function that reduces cost, increases access, and ensures quality of biopharmaceutical solutions.}, }
@article {pmid37805875, year = {2023}, author = {De Vitis, R and Passiatore, M and Cilli, V and Apicella, M and Taccardo, G}, title = {SARS-COV-2 INFECTION AND INVOLVEMENT OF PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: A CASE SERIES OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME AGGRAVATION OR NEW ONSET WITH COVID-19 DISEASE AND A REVIEW OF LITERATURE.}, journal = {Georgian medical news}, volume = {}, number = {340-341}, pages = {61-66}, pmid = {37805875}, issn = {1512-0112}, mesh = {Humans ; *Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; *COVID-19/complications ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Median Nerve ; *Median Neuropathy/complications ; }, abstract = {COVID-19 may be asymptomatic or have a typical presentation with fever, cough, anosmia, lymphocytopenia. In some cases, it occurs with a "chimeric" presentation, with more subtle and ambiguous symptoms which may be initially misdiagnosed and are referred to in long covid condition. A possible central and peripheral nervous system involvement has been recognized. We present our experience and review the literature about association between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and hand's arthritis presenting a case series of patients who firmly state that their condition of CTS arised or got worse during a typical presentation of COVID-19. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in significant global healthcare implications. While the respiratory manifestations of COVID-19 have been widely studied, there is emerging evidence suggesting potential associations between COVID-19 and various other health conditions. This review of the literature aims to investigate the potential relationship between COVID-19 and the development or exacerbation of CTS. By synthesizing the available literature on this topic, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and enhance our understanding of the potential implications of COVID-19 on CTS. Case series: In this article we report 13 cases of typical presentations of COVID-19 with fever, myalgia, and respiratory system involvement, with a simultaneous aggravation of the median nerve pre-existing neuralgia and some cases that developed a median nerve neuralgia during COVID-19, which came to the attention of the hand surgeon. Some cases had stable symptomatic CTS and were on waiting list for surgical carpal tunnel release, some cases were previously asymptomatic and developed a median nerve neuralgia during COVID-19. All patients referred to a rapid worsening of acral paraesthesia and neuralgic pain of the same quality of CTS and in the median nerve topography. Some patients developed typical COVID-19 symptoms and died; the others