@article {pmid38066661, year = {2023}, author = {Salajegheh Tazerji, S and Gharieb, R and Ardestani, MM and Akhtardanesh, B and Kabir, F and Vazir, B and Duarte, PM and Saberi, N and Khaksar, E and Haerian, S and Fawzy, M}, title = {The risk of pet animals in spreading severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and public health importance: An updated review.}, journal = {Veterinary medicine and science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/vms3.1320}, pmid = {38066661}, issn = {2053-1095}, abstract = {Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 was first identified in 2019, it has been reported that the virus could infect a variety of animals either naturally or experimentally. This review discusses the occurrence SARS-CoV-2 in dogs and cats and the role of these animals in transmitting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to their owners. The data were collected from epidemiological studies and case reports that focused on studying the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in pet animals and their owners. Epidemiological studies and case reports indicate that dogs and cats are infected with SARS-CoV-2 either naturally or experimentally; however, the global number of naturally infected animals is far lower than the number of people who have COVID-19. These studies demonstrate that pet animals acquire the infection from direct contact with COVID-19-infected owners. Currently, there are no studies reporting that dogs and cats can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to other animals and humans, under natural conditions. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in companion animals (dogs and cats) in different countries worldwide raises concerns that pets are at higher risk for spreading and transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to humans and other animals, which poses a hazard to the public health. Therefore, investigating the role of dogs and cats in the transmission and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 will help us to design and implement appropriate preventive measures against the further transmission of SARS-CoV-2.}, } @article {pmid38066568, year = {2023}, author = {Towett, G and Snead, RS and Grigoryan, K and Marczika, J}, title = {Geographical and practical challenges in the implementation of digital health passports for cross-border COVID-19 pandemic management: a narrative review and framework for solutions.}, journal = {Globalization and health}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {98}, pmid = {38066568}, issn = {1744-8603}, abstract = {The rapid global spread of infectious diseases, epitomized by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, has highlighted the critical need for effective cross-border pandemic management strategies. Digital health passports (DHPs), which securely store and facilitate the sharing of critical health information, including vaccination records and test results, have emerged as a promising solution to enable safe travel and access to essential services and economic activities during pandemics. However, the implementation of DHPs faces several significant challenges, both related to geographical disparities and practical considerations, necessitating a comprehensive approach for successful global adoption. In this narrative review article, we identify and elaborate on the critical geographical and practical barriers that hinder global adoption and the effective utilization of DHPs. Geographical barriers are complex, encompassing disparities in vaccine access, regulatory inconsistencies, differences across countries in data security and users' privacy policies, challenges related to interoperability and standardization, and inadequacies in technological infrastructure and limited access to digital technologies. Practical challenges include the possibility of vaccine contraindications and breakthrough infections, uncertainties surrounding natural immunity, and limitations of standard tests in assessing infection risk. To address geographical disparities and enhance the functionality and interoperability of DHPs, we propose a framework that emphasizes international collaboration to achieve equitable access to vaccines and testing resources. Furthermore, we recommend international cooperation to establish unified vaccine regulatory frameworks, adopting globally accepted standards for data privacy and protection, implementing interoperability protocols, and taking steps to bridge the digital divide. Addressing practical challenges requires a meticulous approach to assessing individual risk and augmenting DHP implementation with rigorous health screenings and personal infection prevention measures. Collectively, these initiatives contribute to the development of robust and inclusive cross-border pandemic management strategies, ultimately promoting a safer and more interconnected global community in the face of current and future pandemics.}, } @article {pmid38065603, year = {2023}, author = {Qutab, S and Alonzo, S and Crerar-Gilbert, AA and Madden, B}, title = {An ABC approach to cardiothoracic complications and sequelae of COVID-19: a tertiary centre experience.}, journal = {Clinical medicine (London, England)}, volume = {23}, number = {6}, pages = {606-610}, doi = {10.7861/clinmed.2023-0205}, pmid = {38065603}, issn = {1473-4893}, abstract = {The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused unprecedented challenges to healthcare professionals (HCPs) worldwide. HCPs faced an unknown disease causing many complications, including now well-established acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary artery thromboembolic disease, and some not so well known, for instance, tracheobronchomalacia, tracheal tear or dehiscence, granulation tissue formation and pulmonary hypertension. Many of these complications require highly specialist care warranting early recognition of complications and involvement of appropriately trained professionals. Here, we review the complications and sequelae encountered at our tertiary care centre with follow-up data and potential management strategies using the A (Airway), B (Breathing), C (Circulation) approach. This will not only familiarise HCPs with the different complications of COVID-19, but also arm them with a systematic approach to these complications.}, } @article {pmid38065419, year = {2023}, author = {Dessain, A and Parlatini, V and Singh, A and De Bruin, M and Cortese, S and Sonuga-Barke, E and Serrano, JV}, title = {Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents with ADHD: a systematic review of controlled longitudinal cohort studies.}, journal = {Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {105502}, doi = {10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105502}, pmid = {38065419}, issn = {1873-7528}, abstract = {Prior studies reported mixed effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents with ADHD, but they were mainly cross-sectional and without controls. To clarify the impact, we searched Web of Science, EMBASE, Medline, and PsychINFO until 18/11/2023 and conducted a systematic review of controlled longitudinal cohort studies (Prospero: CRD42022308166). The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess quality. We identified 6 studies. Worsening of mental health symptoms was more evident in ADHD or control group according to symptom considered and context. However, those with ADHD had more persistent elevated symptoms and remained an at-risk population. Sleep problems deteriorated more significantly in those with ADHD. Lower pre-COVID emotion regulation skills and greater rumination were associated with worse mental health outcomes, and longer screen time with poorer sleep. Quality was rated as low in most studies, mainly due to self-report outcome measures and no information on attrition rates. Despite these limitations, results suggest a predominantly negative impact on youths with ADHD and may guide clinical practice and policy.}, } @article {pmid38065276, year = {2023}, author = {Meulewaeter, S and Zhang, Y and Wadhwa, A and Fox, K and Lentacker, I and Harder, KW and Cullis, PR and De Smedt, SC and H Y Cheng, M and Verbeke, R}, title = {Considerations on the design of lipid-based mRNA vaccines against cancer.}, journal = {Journal of molecular biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {168385}, doi = {10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168385}, pmid = {38065276}, issn = {1089-8638}, abstract = {Throughout the last decades, mRNA vaccines have been developed as a cancer immunotherapeutic and the technology recently gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent promising results obtained from clinical trials investigating lipid-based mRNA vaccines in cancer therapy further highlighted the potential of this therapy. Interestingly, while the technologies being used in authorized mRNA vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19 are relatively similar, mRNA vaccines in clinical development for cancer vaccination show marked differences in mRNA modification, lipid carrier, and administration route. In this review, we describe findings on how these factors can impact the potency of mRNA vaccines in cancer therapy and provide insights into the complex interplay between them. We discuss how lipid carrier composition can affect passive targeting to immune cells to improve the efficacy and safety of mRNA vaccines. Finally, we summarize strategies that are established or still being explored to improve the efficacy of mRNA cancer vaccines and include next-generation vaccines that are on the horizon in clinical development.}, } @article {pmid38063895, year = {2023}, author = {Shil, RSK and Hughes, TW and Sargent, BF and Huang, Y and Tamborska, AA and Frank, B and Ellul, MA and Michael, BD}, title = {A clinical approach to the investigation and management of long COVID associated neuropathic pain.}, journal = {European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38063895}, issn = {1433-8491}, support = {MR/V03605X/1/MRF/MRF/United Kingdom ; MC_PC_19059/MRF/MRF/United Kingdom ; MR/V007181/1/MRF/MRF/United Kingdom ; MR/T028750/1/MRF/MRF/United Kingdom ; MRF-CPP-R2-2022-100003/MRF/MRF/United Kingdom ; MRF-CPP-R2-2022-100003/MRF/MRF/United Kingdom ; ISSF201902/3/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {COVID-19 has been associated with a wide range of ongoing symptoms following recovery from the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Around one in three people with COVID-19 develop neurological symptoms with many reporting neuropathic pain and associated symptoms, including paraesthesia, numbness, and dysesthesia. Whilst the pathophysiology of long COVID-19-associated neuropathic pain remains unclear, it is likely to be multifactorial. Early identification, exclusion of common alternative causes, and a biopsychosocial approach to the management of the symptoms can help in relieving the burden of disease and improving the quality of life for patients.}, } @article {pmid38063756, year = {2023}, author = {Viafara Garcia, SM and Khan, MS and Haidar, ZS and Acevedo Cox, JP}, title = {NanoBubble-Mediated Oxygenation: Elucidating the Underlying Molecular Mechanisms in Hypoxia and Mitochondrial-Related Pathologies.}, journal = {Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {23}, pages = {}, pmid = {38063756}, issn = {2079-4991}, support = {21200641//Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo/ ; FB210024//Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy/ ; }, abstract = {Worldwide, hypoxia-related conditions, including cancer, COVID-19, and neuro-degenerative diseases, often lead to multi-organ failure and significant mortality. Oxygen, crucial for cellular function, becomes scarce as levels drop below 10 mmHg (<2% O2), triggering mitochondrial dysregulation and activating hypoxia-induced factors (HiFs). Herein, oxygen nanobubbles (OnB), an emerging versatile oxygen delivery platform, offer a novel approach to address hypoxia-related pathologies. This review explores OnB oxygen delivery strategies and systems, including diffusion, ultrasound, photodynamic, and pH-responsive nanobubbles. It delves into the nanoscale mechanisms of OnB, elucidating their role in mitochondrial metabolism (TFAM, PGC1alpha), hypoxic responses (HiF-1alpha), and their interplay in chronic pathologies including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, amongst others. By understanding these dynamics and underlying mechanisms, this article aims to contribute to our accruing knowledge of OnB and the developing potential in ameliorating hypoxia- and metabolic stress-related conditions and fostering innovative therapies.}, } @article {pmid38063663, year = {2023}, author = {Mlinar Reljić, N and Drešček Dolinar, M and Štiglic, G and Kmetec, S and Fekonja, Z and Donik, B}, title = {E-Learning in Nursing and Midwifery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.}, journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {23}, pages = {}, pmid = {38063663}, issn = {2227-9032}, abstract = {As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, e-learning has increased. This is a challenge for nursing and midwifery students, as clinical training is an essential part of their education. The aim of this review was to identify the advantages and limitations of e-learning for nursing and midwifery students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review of the literature was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The international databases PubMed, CINAHL/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect were searched. Articles were critically appraised. Thematic analysis was used to synthesise the data. The search resulted in 91 hits. Thirteen studies were included in the final analysis. Three main themes were identified: (1) the benefits of e-learning; (2) the challenges/limitations of e-learning; and (3) recommendations for e-learning. E-learning in nursing and midwifery is an effective alternative learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students perceive several benefits and challenges related to internet access, technical equipment, financial aspects, and work and family commitments.}, } @article {pmid38063654, year = {2023}, author = {Železnik, U and Kokol, P and Starc, J and Železnik, D and Završnik, J and Vošner, HB}, title = {Research Trends in Motivation and Weight Loss: A Bibliometric-Based Review.}, journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {23}, pages = {}, pmid = {38063654}, issn = {2227-9032}, abstract = {Obesity is a complex disease that, like COVID-19, has reached pandemic proportions. Consequently, it has become a rapidly growing scientific field, represented by an extensive body of research publications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present the research trends in the scientific literature on motivation and weight loss. Because traditional knowledge synthesis approaches are not appropriate for analyzing large corpora of research evidence, we utilized a novel knowledge synthesis approach called synthetic knowledge synthesis (SKS) to generate new holistic insights into obesity research focusing on motivation. SKS is a triangulation of bibliometric analysis, bibliometric mapping, and content analysis. Using it, we analyzed the corpus of publications retrieved from the Scopus database, using the search string TITLE-ABS-KEY((obesity or overweight) and "weight loss" and motiv*) in titles, keywords, and abstracts, without any additional inclusion or exclusion criteria. The search resulted in a corpus of 2301 publications. The United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Australia were the most productive countries. Four themes emerged, namely, weight loss and weight-loss maintenance through motivational interventions, lifestyle changes supported by smart ICT, maintaining sustainable weight with a healthier lifestyle, and weight management on the level of primary healthcare and bariatric surgery. Further, we established that the volume of research literature is growing, as is the scope of the research. However, we observed a regional concentration of research and its funding in developed countries and almost nonexistent research cooperation between developed and less-developed countries.}, } @article {pmid38063525, year = {2023}, author = {Luginaah, NA and Batung, ES and Ziegler, BR and Amoak, D and Trudell, JP and Arku, G and Luginaah, I}, title = {The Parallel Pandemic: A Systematic Review on the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on OCD among Children and Adolescents.}, journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health}, volume = {20}, number = {23}, pages = {}, pmid = {38063525}, issn = {1660-4601}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying social changes severely impacted mental health globally. Children and adolescents may have been vulnerable to adverse mental health outcomes, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), due to their underdeveloped resilience and coping skills stemming from their progressing physical and psychological development. Few studies have explored the parallels between the pandemic and OCD trends in this population. This systematic review aims to identify the impacts of COVID-19 on OCD among children and adolescents. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of eight databases for studies that assessed OCD outcomes independently or as part of other psychiatric diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. The search was limited to studies on humans and those written in English and published between January 2020 and May 2023. We identified 788 articles, out of which 71 were selected for a full-text review. Twenty-two papers were synthesized from 10 countries for the final analysis. We found that 77% of our studies suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on OCD among children and adolescents. We also found a complex interplay of individual, household, and socio-structural factors associated with the aggravation of OCD. Conversely, a few studies revealed that the pandemic strengthened relationships and resilience. The findings of this study emphasize the need for mental health screening and support for this population, especially during pandemic periods.}, } @article {pmid38063421, year = {2023}, author = {Xiao, Y and Chang, L and Ji, H and Sun, H and Song, S and Feng, K and Nuermaimaiti, A and Halemubieke, S and Mei, L and Lu, Z and Yan, Y and Wang, L}, title = {Posttranslational modifications of ACE2 protein: Implications for SARS-CoV-2 infection and beyond.}, journal = {Journal of medical virology}, volume = {95}, number = {12}, pages = {e29304}, doi = {10.1002/jmv.29304}, pmid = {38063421}, issn = {1096-9071}, support = {7232143//General Projects of Beijing Natural Science Foundation/ ; L212012//Beijing Natural Science Foundation-Haidian Original Innovation Joint Fund/ ; }, abstract = {The present worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has highlighted the important function of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry. A deeper understanding of ACE2 could offer insights into the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. While ACE2 is subject to regulation by various factors in vivo, current research in this area is insufficient to fully elucidate the corresponding pathways of control. Posttranslational modification (PTM) is a powerful tool for broadening the variety of proteins. The PTM study of ACE2 will help us to make up for the deficiency in the regulation of protein synthesis and translation. However, research on PTM-related aspects of ACE2 remains limited, mostly focused on glycosylation. Accordingly, a comprehensive review of ACE2 PTMs could help us better understand the infection process and provide a basis for the treatment of COVID-19 and beyond.}, } @article {pmid38063359, year = {2023}, author = {Ghram, A and Latiri, I and Methnani, J and Souissi, A and Benzarti, W and Toulgui, E and Ben Saad, H}, title = {Effects of cardiorespiratory rehabilitation program on submaximal exercise in patients with long-COVID-19 conditions: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and recommendations for future studies.}, journal = {Expert review of respiratory medicine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1080/17476348.2023.2293226}, pmid = {38063359}, issn = {1747-6356}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: . Long-COVID-19 patients (LC19Ps) often experience cardiovascular and respiratory complications. Cardiorespiratory rehabilitation programs (CRRPs) have emerged as promising interventions to enhance exercise capacity in this population. This systematic review aimed to assess the impact of CRRPs on submaximal exercise performance, specifically the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) outcomes, in LC19Ps through an analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/Medline and Scopus to identify relevant RCTs. Six RCTs meeting inclusion criteria were included in this review, investigating the effects of CRRPs on 6MWT outcomes in LC19Ps.

RESULTS: The findings from the included RCTs provide compelling evidence supporting the effectiveness of CRRPs in improving submaximal exercise performance in LC19Ps. These results underscore the potential of CRRPs to enhance submaximal exercise capacity and overall functional well-being in this population. However, future research is imperative to determine optimal CRRPs, including duration, intensity, and specific intervention components. Additionally, the long-term sustainability and durability of CRRP-induced improvements warrant further exploration. Future studies should prioritize patient-centric outcomes and address potential implementation barriers.

CONCLUSION: CRRPs show promise in ameliorating submaximal exercise performance among LC19Ps. Further research is needed to refine these programs and ensure their lasting impact on this patient group.

: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HMN38.}, } @article {pmid38063059, year = {2023}, author = {Belyakov, IM and Kisakov, DN and Kisakova, LA and Yakovlev, VA and Tigeeva, EV and Karpenko, LI}, title = {The use of electroporation to deliver DNA-based vaccines.}, journal = {Expert review of vaccines}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1080/14760584.2023.2292772}, pmid = {38063059}, issn = {1744-8395}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Nucleic acids represent a promising platform for creating vaccines, including against COVID-19. One disadvantage of this approach is its relatively low immunogenicity. Electroporation (EP) is an effective way to increase the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. However, due to the different configurations of devices used for EP, optimization of EP protocols is required not only to enhance immunogenicity, but also to ensure greater safety and tolerability of the EP procedure.

AREA COVERED: An analysis of data for recent years on the delivery of DNA vaccines against viral and parasitic infections using EP was carried out. The study of various physical characteristics of EP, such as frequency, pulse duration, pulse interval, should be considered along with the design of the immunogenic construct and the site of delivery of the vaccine, through the study of the immunogenic and protective characteristics of the latter.

EXPERT OPINION: Future research should focus on regulating the humoral and cellular response required for protection against infectious agents by modifying the EP protocol. Significant efforts will be directed to establishing the possibility of redirecting the immune response toward the Th1 or Th2 response by changing the physical parameters of EP. It will allow for an individual selective approach during EP, depending on the type of pathogen of an infectious disease.}, } @article {pmid38062845, year = {2023}, author = {Lee, N and Ko, R and Lee, SY}, title = {Differential Expression Patterns of Toll-like Receptors in COVID-19 Patients.}, journal = {Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition)}, volume = {28}, number = {11}, pages = {307}, doi = {10.31083/j.fbl2811307}, pmid = {38062845}, issn = {2768-6698}, support = {RS-2023-00217798//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; 2021R1A2C3003675//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; RS-2023-00242577//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; 2019R1A6C1010020//Korea Basic Science Institute National Research Facilities & Equipment Center/ ; }, abstract = {Since Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize the earliest signs of infection or cell damage, they play fundamental roles in innate immunity. This review summarizes the numerous studies on the expression of TLRs in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We show that infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can stimulate at least six of the ten TLRs in humans and that this can shape the severity of COVID-19. Specifically, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 appear to play pathogenic roles while TLR3, TLR7, and TLR8 may be protective. Most have mutations that could partly explain the susceptibility phenotypes of COVID-19. Further understanding the roles of TLRs in COVID-19 immunopathogenesis could reveal prognostic biomarkers and help drive the development of novel and effective therapeutics for COVID-19.}, } @article {pmid38062434, year = {2023}, author = {Jeindl, R and Hofer, V and Bachmann, C and Zechmeister-Koss, I}, title = {Optimising child and adolescent mental health care - a scoping review of international best-practice strategies and service models.}, journal = {Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {135}, pmid = {38062434}, issn = {1753-2000}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Psychiatric disorders are among the most common health problems in children and adolescents, with a recent prevalence rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The increasing demand for service provision in this patient population, together with infrastructural, financial and staff limitations in child and adolescent mental health services, calls for an adaptation/advancement of current models of service provision. This review offers an internationally informed overview of best-practice child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) strategies and care models, with the aim of assisting decision-makers in implementing topical CAMH care models.

METHODS: Using a pre-defined structured search strategy, we aimed to identify core topics within published CAMH strategies and care model documents from seven countries within the Global North, which represented a range of differing healthcare systems, geographical regions, and public health traditions. From the retrieved documents, we then systematically extracted data in an iterative process, and summarised these narratively by applying qualitative content analyses.

RESULTS: Our search retrieved the following key components of CAMH strategies: awareness-raising activities, prevention/promotion, detection, treatment, telemedicine, care pathways, transitional psychiatry, vulnerable patient groups, user participation, infrastructure, workforce development, implementation, digital case management tools, and data acquisition/research. Recommendations for CAMH care organisation often followed a public mental health approach, with a focus on mental health promotion, cross-sectional organisation, and funding of CAMH care services. As key principles of best-practice CAMH care models, we identified increased flexibility of care settings, early intervention, and a strengths-oriented approach, with overarching mental health services research alongside.

CONCLUSION: In order to design robust models of CAMH care and to mitigate current shortcomings, actions on the policy level (e.g., CAMH strategy development with a focus on mental health promotion, installation of cross-sectoral governance), at the organisational level (e.g., re-organisation of treatment settings and pathways of care) and at the individual level (e.g., user involvement, workforce development) are recommended. To this purpose, we strongly advocate the use of cross-sectoral and participatory approaches for CAMH care structures with accompanying health services research.}, } @article {pmid38062323, year = {2023}, author = {Gasenzer, ER and Nakamura, M}, title = {[The sound and musical preferences of tympanic chord].}, journal = {MMW Fortschritte der Medizin}, volume = {165}, number = {Suppl 5}, pages = {11-15}, doi = {10.1007/s15006-023-3159-6}, pmid = {38062323}, issn = {1613-3560}, abstract = {The tympanic chord is a part of the 7th cranial nerve (facial nerve), from which it branches off, runs through the middle ear and then joins the lingual nerve, a part of the 5th cranial nerve (mandibular nerve/trigeminal nerve). Despite its course through the ear, the tympanic chord does not carry auditory fibers, but rather sensory and parasympathetic fibers to the front part of the tongue and to the salivary glands.The cranial nerves V and VII have a common phylogenetic origin, establishing a close relationship between auditory and gustative sense.In German language "Geschmack" means both gustative sense and the preference for different ways of thinking or styles in music, art or fashion. "Musikgeschmack" is the preference for special music styles or composers. "Musikgeschmack" therefore forms an interface between the anatomy of the tympanic chord and music preferences.The effect of parallel processing of music and taste is used, for example, in music therapy or as part of marketing strategies. But it could also be used to treat Covid-19 patients who suffer from a loss of sense of smell and taste. However, there are still no studies on this specific question.}, } @article {pmid38061554, year = {2023}, author = {Aisenbrey, C and Bechinger, B}, title = {Multimerization of the heptad repeat regions of the SARS-CoV 2 spike protein.}, journal = {Biochimica et biophysica acta. Biomembranes}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {184259}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184259}, pmid = {38061554}, issn = {1879-2642}, abstract = {The heptad repeat 1 and 2 (HR1, HR2) regions in the spike protein of SARS-CoV 2 play a key role in the fusogenic mechanism of the virus with the host cell. During the fusion process they are thought to rearrange into an interdomain multimer. Functional fragments of the heptad repeat 1 and 2 regions in the spike protein of SARS-CoV 2 were chemically synthesized, labeled with nitrofurazone (NBD) and their interactions investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Steady state emission, fluorescence quenching, anisotropy and lifetime measurements in combination with a fluorophore dilution scheme were used to dissect multimer formation of HR1 and HR2 in quantitative detail. In addition, the investigation of the multimers by homo-FRET (via anisotropy) and lifetime measurements reveals new insights into the mechanism of fluorophore-fluorophore interactions in biological samples.}, } @article {pmid38061417, year = {2023}, author = {Clark, CR and Khalil, RA}, title = {Regulation of vascular angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptor and angiotensin-(1-7)/MasR signaling in normal and hypertensive pregnancy.}, journal = {Biochemical pharmacology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {115963}, doi = {10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115963}, pmid = {38061417}, issn = {1873-2968}, abstract = {Normal pregnancy (Norm-Preg) is associated with a slight reduction in blood pressure (BP) and decreased BP response to vasoconstrictor stimuli such as angiotensin II (Ang II), although the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is upregulated. Preeclampsia (PE) is a complication of pregnancy manifested as hypertension-in-pregnancy (HTN-Preg), and dysregulation of angiotensin biosynthesis and signaling have been implicated. Ang II activates vascular Ang II type-1 receptor (AT1R) and Ang II type-2 receptor (AT2R), while angiotensin-(1-7) promotes Ang-(1-7)/MasR signaling. The role of AT1R in vasoconstriction and the activated cellular mechanisms are well-characterized. The sensitivity of vascular AT1R to Ang II and consequent activation of vasoconstrictor mechanisms decrease during Norm-Preg, but dramatically increase in HTN-Preg. Placental ischemia in late pregnancy could also initiate the release of AT1R agonistic autoantibodies (AT1AA) with significant impact on endothelial dysfunction and activation of contraction pathways in vascular smooth muscle including [Ca[2+]]c and protein kinase C. On the other hand, the role of AT2R and Ang-(1-7)/MasR in vascular relaxation, particularly during Norm-Preg and PE, is less clear. During Norm-Preg, increases in the expression/activity of vascular AT2R and Ang-(1-7)/MasR promote the production of endothelium-derived relaxing factors such as nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor leading to generalized vasodilation. Aortic segments of Preg rats show prominent endothelial AT2R staining and increased relaxation and NO production in response to AT2R agonist CGP42112A, and treatment with AT2R antagonist PD123319 enhances phenylephrine-induced contraction. Decreased vascular AT2R and Ang-(1-7)/MasR expression and receptor-mediated mechanisms of vascular relaxation have been suggested in HTN-Preg animal models, but their role in human PE needs further testing. Changes in angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) have been observed in COVID-19 patients, and whether ACE2 influences the course of COVID-19 viral infection/immunity in Norm-Preg and PE is an intriguing area for research.}, } @article {pmid38060740, year = {2023}, author = {Alkhonezan, SM and Alkhonezan, MM and Alshayea, Y and Bukhari, H and Almhizai, R}, title = {Factors Influencing the Lives of Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Review.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {11}, pages = {e48325}, pmid = {38060740}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder globally, presenting with core deficits in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and communication abilities. This systematic review examined the factors influencing parents' experiences raising children with ASD in Saudi Arabia. Derived from a pool of 14 studies, eight were selected based on their focus on the impact of autism on family life. Results showed that mothers of children with ASD frequently reported heightened anxiety, self-stigmatization, and diminished quality of life. The quality of the parents' marital relationship and the caregiver's sex played crucial roles in determining emotional and behavioral outcomes in children with ASD. Additionally, societal reactions, feelings of embarrassment within families, and access to resources significantly influenced caregivers' experiences. Financial strains were common, with income inconsistencies affecting perceived quality of life. The severity of ASD and its duration also emerged as pivotal factors affecting families. Furthermore, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic intensified stress levels among parents, particularly mothers, emphasizing the need for psychological support. Our review findings highlight the importance of enhanced social support and recognition of stressed parents with autistic children in healthcare settings.}, } @article {pmid38059658, year = {2023}, author = {Murthy, SS and Are, C}, title = {Cancer surgery on the global stage: Updates and progress.}, journal = {Journal of surgical oncology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/jso.27548}, pmid = {38059658}, issn = {1096-9098}, abstract = {Over 5 billion people lack access to basic surgical procedures, and it is estimated, the number of surgical procedures needed for cancer care will increase by 5 million from 2018 to 2040. The greatest increase in demand will occur in low- and middle-income countries. In this article, we highlight progress made in surgical cancer care globally and gaps that still needs to be addressed. We highlight political support, workforce progress and shortages, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of high value cancer care.}, } @article {pmid38059541, year = {2023}, author = {Hernández-Bojorge, S and Campos, A and Parikh, J and Beckstead, J and Lajeunesse, M and Wildman, D}, title = {The prevalence and risk factors of PTSD symptoms among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic-A systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {International journal of mental health nursing}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/inm.13257}, pmid = {38059541}, issn = {1447-0349}, abstract = {Since the first reported outbreak in China, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has raised serious concerns globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a severe psychological impact on healthcare workers (HCWs), and especially nurses, who are the most numerous and exposed frontline group. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to summarise extant literature on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological health of nurses, particularly concerning the prevalence and risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo from March 2020 to July 2023. Articles were included/excluded on predetermined eligibility criteria. A random-effect meta-analysis was performed using proportions to determine the pooled prevalence for PTSD among nurses. Subgroup analyses were also performed, and heterogeneity across studies was analysed using meta-regression. Relatively high prevalence rates of PTSD were reported among nurse populations during the COVID-19 pandemic in twenty-six different countries, globally. Risk factors associated with PTSD include having prior mental health co-morbidities, being a female, having high exposure/contact with COVID-19 patients, having insufficient protective conditions and having intensive workloads. The overall pooled prevalence was 29.1% (95% C.I. = 23.5%, 35.5%) using a random-effects model in 55 studies. The regression test of funnel plot asymmetry indicated a significant level of publication bias among studies. The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with significant levels of PTSD among frontline nurses globally. A high level of heterogeneity was observed across studies. Psychological, social and administrative interventions should be implemented to mitigate heavy psychological distress in nurses.}, } @article {pmid38059434, year = {2023}, author = {Liang, Y and Sun, Y}, title = {Awareness of and attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination among individuals with COPD and the strategies to overcome vaccine hesitation: A mini review.}, journal = {Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics}, volume = {19}, number = {3}, pages = {2286686}, doi = {10.1080/21645515.2023.2286686}, pmid = {38059434}, issn = {2164-554X}, abstract = {Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have a protective effect on individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), preventing them from developing severe illnesses and reducing the risk of hospitalization and mortality. However, the coverage rate of COVID-19 vaccination among this population is not satisfactory, which is associated with their lack of awareness of and negative attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination, that is, vaccine hesitancy. We reviewed recent literatures on the vaccination status of COPD patients and vaccine hesitancy, described the factors related to vaccine hesitancy among COPD patients, and proposed strategies to improve the vaccine coverage, such as providing accurate and consistent vaccine information to the public, patient health education program, improving self-management capabilities, easy access to vaccination service, etc., which can hopefully help to improve patients' ability to cope with SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduce the COVID-19 related mortality.}, } @article {pmid38058790, year = {2023}, author = {Alrajhi, NN}, title = {Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis: An ongoing concern.}, journal = {Annals of thoracic medicine}, volume = {18}, number = {4}, pages = {173-181}, pmid = {38058790}, issn = {1817-1737}, abstract = {Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 rapidly spread across the globe causing over 6 million deaths and major compromization of health facilities. The vast majority of survivors post-COVID-19 are left with variable degrees of health sequelae including pulmonary, neurological, psychological, and cardiovascular complications. Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis is one of the major concerns arising after the recovery from this pandemic. Risk factors for post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis include age, male sex, and the severity of COVID-19 disease. High-resolution computed tomography provides diagnostic utility to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis as it provides more details regarding the pattern and the extent of pulmonary fibrosis. Emerging data showing similarities between post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, finding that needs further exploration. The management of post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis depends on many factors but largely relies on excluding other causes of pulmonary fibrosis, the extent of fibrosis, and physiological impairment. Treatment includes immunosuppressants versus antifibrotics or both.}, } @article {pmid38058785, year = {2023}, author = {Guri, A and Groner, L and Escalon, J and Saleh, A}, title = {Algorithmic approach in the management of COVID-19 patients with residual pulmonary symptoms.}, journal = {Annals of thoracic medicine}, volume = {18}, number = {4}, pages = {167-172}, pmid = {38058785}, issn = {1817-1737}, abstract = {Coronavirus-19 emerged about 3 years ago and has proven to be a devastating disease, crippling communities worldwide and accounting for more than 6.31 million deaths. The true disease burden of COVID-19 will come to light in the upcoming years as we care for COVID-19 survivors with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) with residual long-term symptoms affecting every organ system. Pulmonary fibrosis is the most severe long-term pulmonary manifestation of PCS, and due to the high incidence of COVID-19 infection rates, PCS-pulmonary fibrosis has the potential of becoming the next large-scale respiratory health crisis. To confront the potentially devastating effects of emerging post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis, dedicated research efforts are needed to focus on surveillance, understanding pathophysiologic mechanisms, and most importantly, an algorithmic approach to managing these patients. We have performed a thorough literature review on post-COVID-19 pulmonary symptoms/imaging/physiology and present an algorithmic approach to these patients based on the best available data and extensive clinical experience.}, } @article {pmid38058320, year = {2023}, author = {Shelke, A and Shelke, S and Acharya, S and Shukla, S}, title = {Synergistic Epidemic or Syndemic: An Emerging Pattern of Human Diseases.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {11}, pages = {e48286}, pmid = {38058320}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {Synergistic epidemics refer to the phenomenon where the occurrence and interaction of multiple diseases or health conditions exacerbate their individual impact, leading to complex health challenges and increased vulnerability in populations. Syndemics are a complex, multilevel phenomenon. In a population with biological interactions, a syndemic is the accumulation of two or more concurrent or sequential epidemics, which significantly worsens the situation. Disease concentration, disease interaction, and their underlying social forces, such as poverty and social inequality, are the fundamental concepts. Extensive political, economic, and cultural factors have contributed to cluster epidemics of several infectious diseases, particularly HIV and tuberculosis. Concerning the SAVA (substance abuse, violence, AIDS) syndemic, this narrative review article explores the complex interactions between substance abuse, violence, and HIV/AIDS. Further, it describes in-depth interactions between the COVID-19 syndemic's health conditions, societal factors, biological factors, and global dynamics. The review also emphasizes how infectious and non-communicable diseases interact, emphasizing how having one condition can make the severity and outcomes of another worse. It investigates the causes of synergistic epidemics and the impact of environmental factors. Syndemics acknowledge that the presence of one condition can worsen the severity and progression of others and take into account the intricate relationships between diseases. We can create more efficient plans to enhance health outcomes, lessen disparities, and promote healthier communities by understanding the connections between disorders and the underlying social determinants. This narrative review provides insights into the emerging patterns of human diseases within synergistic epidemics.}, } @article {pmid38057641, year = {2023}, author = {Mohebalizadeh, M and Babapour, G and Maleki Aghdam, M and Mohammadi, T and Jafari, R and Shafiei-Irannejad, V}, title = {Role of Maternal Immune Factors in Neuroimmunology of Brain Development.}, journal = {Molecular neurobiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38057641}, issn = {1559-1182}, abstract = {Inflammation during pregnancy may occur due to various factors. This condition, in which maternal immune system activation occurs, can affect fetal brain development and be related to neurodevelopmental diseases. MIA interacts with the fetus's brain development through maternal antibodies, cytokines, chemokines, and microglial cells. Antibodies are associated with the development of the nervous system by two mechanisms: direct binding to brain inflammatory factors and binding to brain antigens. Cytokines and chemokines have an active presence in inflammatory processes. Additionally, glial cells, defenders of the nervous system, play an essential role in synaptic modulation and neurogenesis. Maternal infections during pregnancy are the most critical factors related to MIA; however, several studies show the relation between these infections and neurodevelopmental diseases. Infection with specific viruses, such as Zika, cytomegalovirus, influenza A, and SARS-CoV-2, has revealed effects on neurodevelopment and the onset of diseases such as schizophrenia and autism. We review the relationship between maternal infections during pregnancy and their impact on neurodevelopmental processes.}, } @article {pmid37550438, year = {2024}, author = {Lenze, E and Torous, J and Arean, P}, title = {Digital and precision clinical trials: innovations for testing mental health medications, devices, and psychosocial treatments.}, journal = {Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology}, volume = {49}, number = {1}, pages = {205-214}, pmid = {37550438}, issn = {1740-634X}, support = {UL1TR002345//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)/ ; }, abstract = {Mental health treatment advances - including neuropsychiatric medications and devices, psychotherapies, and cognitive treatments - lag behind other fields of clinical medicine such as cardiovascular care. One reason for this gap is the traditional techniques used in mental health clinical trials, which slow the pace of progress, produce inequities in care, and undermine precision medicine goals. Newer techniques and methodologies, which we term digital and precision trials, offer solutions. These techniques consist of (1) decentralized (i.e., fully-remote) trials which improve the speed and quality of clinical trials and increase equity of access to research, (2) precision measurement which improves success rate and is essential for precision medicine, and (3) digital interventions, which offer increased reach of, and equity of access to, evidence-based treatments. These techniques and their rationales are described in detail, along with challenges and solutions for their utilization. We conclude with a vignette of a depression clinical trial using these techniques.}, } @article {pmid38057599, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, HC and Zhou, X and Zheng, D}, title = {Dermal Filler Hypersensitivity Post-COVID-19 Illness: Case Series and Literature Review.}, journal = {Aesthetic plastic surgery}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38057599}, issn = {1432-5241}, support = {82272295//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 20ZR1432300//Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai/ ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of dermal filler hypersensitivity post-COVID-19 illness and review the literature.

METHODS: A literature review was performed. Data were extracted from the articles: the author, year of publication, age and sex of the patient, filler substance, injection site, symptoms and signs, onset time, diagnostic results, treatment, and prognosis.

RESULTS: Six cases from six literatures were included in the review. All of them were female and were confirmed infected with COVID-19. Five of them received hyaluronic acid injection and one patient received polyacrylamide. Time after injection ranged from 8 months to 9 years. Onset of symptoms ranged from two to four weeks post-infection. The clinical manifestations included swelling, edema, induration, erythema, and tenderness. The site where the symptoms appeared was the injection site, and symptoms appeared at each injection site at the same time, including cheeks, periocular area, and lips.

CONCLUSION: Dermal filler hypersensitivity may occur post-COVID-19 illness. A detailed history and clinical examination can help confirm the diagnosis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .}, } @article {pmid38057579, year = {2023}, author = {Celik, IH and Tanacan, A and Canpolat, FE}, title = {Neonatal outcomes of maternal prenatal coronavirus infection.}, journal = {Pediatric research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38057579}, issn = {1530-0447}, abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to significant changes in life and healthcare all over the world. Pregnant women and their newborns require extra attention due to the increased risk of adverse outcomes. Adverse pregnancy outcomes include intensive care unit (ICU) admission, pulmonary, cardiac, and renal impairment leading to mortality. Immaturity and variations of the neonatal immune system may be advantageous in responding to the virus. Neonates are at risk of vertical transmission and in-utero infection. Impaired intrauterine growth, prematurity, vertical transmission, and neonatal ICU admission are the most concerning issues. Data on maternal and neonatal outcomes should be interpreted cautiously due to study designs, patient characteristics, clinical variables, the effects of variants, and vaccination beyond the pandemic. Cesarean section, immediate separation of mother-infant dyads, isolation of neonates, and avoidance of breast milk were performed to reduce transmission risk at the beginning of the pandemic in the era of insufficient knowledge. Vertical transmission was found to be low with favorable short-term outcomes. Serious fetal and neonatal outcomes are not expected, according to growing evidence. Long-term effects may be associated with fetal programming. Knowledge and lessons from COVID-19 will be helpful for the next pandemic if it occurs. IMPACT: Prenatal infection with SARS-CoV-2 is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Our review includes the effects of COVID-19 on the fetus and neonates, transmission routes, placental effects, fetal and neonatal outcomes, and long-term effects on neonates. There is a growing body of data and evidence about the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowledge and lessons from the pandemic will be helpful for the next pandemic if it happens.}, } @article {pmid38057315, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, X and Xiong, W and Ye, M and Lu, T and Yuan, K and Chang, S and Han, Y and Wang, Y and Lu, L and Bao, Y}, title = {Non-coding RNAs expression in SARS-CoV-2 infection: pathogenesis, clinical significance, and therapeutic targets.}, journal = {Signal transduction and targeted therapy}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {441}, pmid = {38057315}, issn = {2059-3635}, abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been looming globally for three years, yet the diagnostic and treatment methods for COVID-19 are still undergoing extensive exploration, which holds paramount importance in mitigating future epidemics. Host non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) display aberrations in the context of COVID-19. Specifically, microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) exhibit a close association with viral infection and disease progression. In this comprehensive review, an overview was presented of the expression profiles of host ncRNAs following SARS-CoV-2 invasion and of the potential functions in COVID-19 development, encompassing viral invasion, replication, immune response, and multiorgan deficits which include respiratory system, cardiac system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system as well as long COVID. Furthermore, we provide an overview of several promising host ncRNA biomarkers for diverse clinical scenarios related to COVID-19, such as stratification biomarkers, prognostic biomarkers, and predictive biomarkers for treatment response. In addition, we also discuss the therapeutic potential of ncRNAs for COVID-19, presenting ncRNA-based strategies to facilitate the development of novel treatments. Through an in-depth analysis of the interplay between ncRNA and COVID-19 combined with our bioinformatic analysis, we hope to offer valuable insights into the stratification, prognosis, and treatment of COVID-19.}, } @article {pmid38057207, year = {2023}, author = {Madni, SA and Sharma, AJ and Zauche, LH and Waters, AV and Nahabedian, JF and Johnson, T and Olson, CK and , }, title = {CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry: Design, data collection, response rates, and cohort description.}, journal = {Vaccine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.11.061}, pmid = {38057207}, issn = {1873-2518}, abstract = {The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed and implemented the CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry (C19VPR) to monitor vaccine safety. Potential participants who received a COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy or up to 30 days prior to their pregnancy-associated last menstrual period were eligible to participate in the registry, which monitored health outcomes of participants and their infants through phone interviews and review of available medical records. Data for select outcomes, including birth defects, were reviewed by clinicians. In certain cases, medical records were used to confirm and add detail to participant-reported health conditions. This paper serves as a description of CDC C19VPR protocol. We describe the development and implementation for each data collection aspect of the registry (i.e., participant phone interviews, clinical review, and medical record abstraction), data management, and strengths and limitations. We also describe the demographics and vaccinations received among eligible and enrolled participants. There were 123,609 potential participants 18-54 years of age identified from January 2021 through mid-June 2021; 23,339 were eligible and enrolled into the registry. Among these, 85.3 % consented to medical record review for themselves and/or their infants. Participants were majority non-Hispanic White (79.1 %), residents of urban areas (93.3 %), and 48.3 % were between 30 and 34 years of age. Most participants completed the primary series of vaccination by the end of pregnancy (89.7 %). Many participants were healthcare personnel (44.8 %), possibly due to the phased roll-out of the vaccination program. The registry continues to provide important information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant people, a population with higher risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19 who were not included in pre-authorization clinical trials. Lessons learned from the registry may guide development and implementation of future vaccine safety monitoring efforts for pregnant people and their infants.}, } @article {pmid38056315, year = {2023}, author = {Kumar Barik, A and Mathew, C and Sanoop, PM and John, RV and Adigal, SS and Bhat, S and Pai, KM and Bhandary, SV and Devasia, T and Upadhya, R and Kartha, VB and Chidangil, S}, title = {Protein profile pattern analysis: A multifarious, in vitro diagnosis technique for universal screening.}, journal = {Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences}, volume = {1232}, number = {}, pages = {123944}, doi = {10.1016/j.jchromb.2023.123944}, pmid = {38056315}, issn = {1873-376X}, abstract = {Universal health care is attracting increased attention nowadays, because of the large increase in population all over the world, and a similar increase in life expectancy, leading to an increase in the incidence of non-communicable (various cancers, coronary diseases, neurological and old-age-related diseases) and communicable diseases/pandemics like SARS-COVID 19. This has led to an immediate need for a healthcare technology that should be cost-effective and accessible to all. A technology being considered as a possible one at present is liquid biopsy, which looks for markers in readily available samples like body fluids which can be accessed non- or minimally- invasive manner. Two approaches are being tried now towards this objective. The first involves the identification of suitable, specific markers for each condition, using established methods like various Mass Spectroscopy techniques (Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectroscopy (SELDI-MS), Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI-MS), etc., immunoassays (Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay (ELISA), Proximity Extension Assays, etc.) and separation methods like 2-Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (2-D PAGE), Sodium Dodecyl-Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Capillary Electrophoresis (CE), etc. In the second approach, no attempt is made the identification of specific markers; rather an efficient separation method like High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/ Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC/UPLC) is used to separate the protein markers, and a profile of the protein pattern is recorded, which is analysed by Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (MI) methods to derive characteristic patterns and use them for identifying the disease condition. The present report gives a summary of the current status of these two approaches and compares the two in the use of their suitability for universal healthcare.}, } @article {pmid38056300, year = {2023}, author = {Li, W and Ding, T and Chang, H and Peng, Y and Li, J and Liang, X and Ma, H and Li, F and Ren, M and Wang, W}, title = {Plant-derived strategies to fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.}, journal = {European journal of medicinal chemistry}, volume = {264}, number = {}, pages = {116000}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116000}, pmid = {38056300}, issn = {1768-3254}, abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented crisis, which has been exacerbated because specific drugs and treatments have not yet been developed. In the post-pandemic era, humans and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will remain in equilibrium for a long time. Therefore, we still need to be vigilant against mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants and other emerging human viruses. Plant-derived products are increasingly important in the fight against the pandemic, but a comprehensive review is lacking. This review describes plant-based strategies centered on key biological processes, such as SARS-CoV-2 transmission, entry, replication, and immune interference. We highlight the mechanisms and effects of these plant-derived products and their feasibility and limitations for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. The development of emerging technologies is driving plants to become production platforms for various antiviral products, improving their medicinal potential. We believe that plant-based strategies will be an important part of the solutions for future pandemics.}, } @article {pmid38055146, year = {2023}, author = {Rittmannsberger, H and Barth, M and Lamprecht, B and Malik, P and Yazdi-Zorn, K}, title = {[Interaction of somatic findings and psychiatric symptoms in COVID-19. A scoping review].}, journal = {Neuropsychiatrie : Klinik, Diagnostik, Therapie und Rehabilitation : Organ der Gesellschaft Osterreichischer Nervenarzte und Psychiater}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38055146}, issn = {2194-1327}, abstract = {An infection with SARS-CoV‑2 can affect the central nervous system, leading to neurological as well as psychiatric symptoms. In this respect, mechanisms of inflammation seem to be of much greater importance than the virus itself. This paper deals with the possible contributions of organic changes to psychiatric symptomatology and deals especially with delirium, cognitive symptoms, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder and psychosis. Processes of neuroinflammation with infection of capillary endothelial cells and activation of microglia and astrocytes releasing high amounts of cytokines seem to be of key importance in all kinds of disturbances. They can lead to damage in grey and white matter, impairment of cerebral metabolism and loss of connectivity. Such neuroimmunological processes have been described as a organic basis for many psychiatric disorders, as affective disorders, psychoses and dementia. As the activation of the glia cells can persist for a long time after the offending agent has been cleared, this can contribute to long term sequalae of the infection.}, } @article {pmid38055113, year = {2023}, author = {Rayner, DG and Wang, E and Su, C and Patel, OD and Aleluya, S and Giglia, A and Zhu, E and Siddique, M}, title = {Risk factors for long COVID in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {World journal of pediatrics : WJP}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38055113}, issn = {1867-0687}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The long-term sequelae of COVID-19 in children and adolescents remain poorly understood and characterized. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to summarize the risk factors for long COVID in the pediatric population.

METHODS: We searched six databases from January 2020 to May 2023 for observational studies reporting on risk factors for long COVID or persistent symptoms those were present 12 or more weeks post-infection using multivariable regression analyses. Trial registries, reference lists of included studies, and preprint servers were hand-searched for relevant studies. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to pool odds ratios for each risk factor. Individual study risk of bias was rated using QUIPS, and the GRADE framework was used to assess the certainty of evidence for each unique factor.

RESULTS: Sixteen observational studies (N = 46,262) were included, and 19 risk factors were amenable to meta-analysis. With moderate certainty in the evidence, age (per 2-year increase), allergic rhinitis, obesity, previous respiratory diseases, hospitalization, severe acute COVID-19, and symptomatic acute COVID-19 are probably associated with an increased risk of long COVID. Female sex, asthma, comorbidity, and heart diseases may be associated with an increased risk of long COVID, and Asian and Black races may be associated with a decreased risk of long COVID. We did not observe any credible subgroup effects for any risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS: The current body of literature presents several compelling risk factors for the development of long COVID in the pediatric population. Further research is necessary to elucidate the pathophysiology of long COVID.}, } @article {pmid38054903, year = {2023}, author = {Melocchi, L and Mengoli, MC and Bogina, G and Facchetti, M and Migliorati, F and Gandolfi, L and Rossi, G}, title = {COVID-19 and lung cancer.}, journal = {Pathologica}, volume = {115}, number = {5}, pages = {284-291}, pmid = {38054903}, issn = {1591-951X}, mesh = {Humans ; *Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Pandemics ; }, abstract = {COVID-19 pandemic had affected health services around the world, also reducing the diagnosis of lung cancer. On the other hand, examination of surgical specimens in patients with lung cancer and SARS-CoV-2 gave the opportunity to evidence early histologic features related to this emerging pandemic. Different prioritization of health organizations during COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant decline of lung cancer screening (up to 56%), delayed diagnosis (up to 30-40%) and higher advanced stage, with some exceptions (i.e., Canada). Increased use of stereotactic radiation treatments in stage I-IIA have been noticed in better-organized health systems. Surgical specimens performed for lung cancer in patients with incipient SARS-CoV-2 permitted to appreciate early histologic findings of COVID-19 with hyperplastic pneumocytes with/without fibrin exudate, alveolar macrophages/myeloid cells, perivascular T-lymphocytic infiltrate and lack of hyaline membrane. While the COVID-19 pandemic has declined the rate of lung cancer diagnosis worldwide, some institutions have significantly limited detrimental effects. Histology related to early SARS-CoV-2 infection in surgical samples for lung cancer revealed specific histologic changes.}, } @article {pmid38054902, year = {2023}, author = {Olteanu, GE and Pezzuto, F and Lunardi, F and Fortarezza, F and Dubini, A and Calabrese, F}, title = {Exploring the pathologist's role in understanding COVID-19: from pneumonia to long-COVID lung sequelae.}, journal = {Pathologica}, volume = {115}, number = {5}, pages = {275-283}, pmid = {38054902}, issn = {1591-951X}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Artificial Intelligence ; Pathologists ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Pneumonia ; Lung/diagnostic imaging ; }, abstract = {The crucial role of pathologists in enhancing our understanding of SARS-CoV-2-related disease, from initial pneumonia manifestations to persistent long COVID lung symptoms, is the focus of this review. Pathological explorations have offered unprecedented insights into the early stages of severe COVID-19, shedding light on the interplay between the virus and subsequent complications, thereby shaping clinical approaches. Growing interest is directed to residual lung abnormalities of COVID-19 survivors. Although various radiological studies reported long-lasting pulmonary changes (e.g., ground glass opacities, reticulations, and bronchiectasis), the true incidence of pulmonary fibrosis and corresponding pathological findings in these patients remains largely unknown. There are a few high-impact and knowledgeable works on late complications in COVID-19 survivors, several coming from explant or autopsy cases, and rare cases from in vivo sampling. The study of biopsy samples has further deepened our knowledge of the aftermath of COVID-19 on lung tissue, uncovering alterations at the cellular level and shifts in vascular and epithelial dynamics. Despite the substantial progress made, future research is needed to devise a uniform strategy for interpreting lung biopsies, with a focus on leveraging advanced tools such as molecular and digital pathology techniques, along with artificial intelligence.}, } @article {pmid38053050, year = {2023}, author = {Hanson-DeFusco, J and Shi, M and Du, Z and Zounon, O and Hounnouvi, FM and DeFusco, A}, title = {Systems analysis of the effects of the 2014-16 Ebola crisis on WHO-reporting nations' policy adaptations and 2020-21 COVID-19 response: a systematized review.}, journal = {Globalization and health}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {96}, pmid = {38053050}, issn = {1744-8603}, mesh = {Humans ; *Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/epidemiology/prevention & control ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & control ; Pandemics/prevention & control ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control ; World Health Organization ; Systems Analysis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Recent case studies indicate that the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, one of the worst pre-2020 global biological catastrophes in modern history, helped some nations to better prepared their responses for the COVID-19 pandemic. While such national case studies explore how specific nations applied EVD-related policies in their domestic battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no known study that assesses how many WHO nations learned from the West African crisis and to what scale.

OBJECTIVE: Applying the policy legacies analytical framework and a systematized literature review, this research examines how prior policy experiences with the 2014-16 EVD crisis as a large-scale emergent outbreak helped to inform and to condition WHO nations to proactively prepare their national policies and health systems for future threats, including ultimately COVID-19.

METHODS: A systematized literature review of 803 evaluated sources assesses to what extent Ebola-affected and non-affected nations directly modified governmental health systems in relation to this warning. The study further evaluates how nations with documented Ebola-related changes fared during COVID-19 compared to nations that did not. We present a categorical theoretical framework that allows for classifying different types of national response activities (termed conditioned learning).

RESULTS: Ten (90.9%) of 11 nations that were affected by 2014-16 Ebola crisis have documented evidence of repurposing their EVD-related policies to fight COVID-19. 164 (70.0%) of 234 non-EVD-affected nations had documented evidence of specifically adapting national systems to incorporate policy recommendations developed from the 2014-16 crisis, which informed their COVID-19 responses in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS: The shock of 2014-16 EVD outbreak affected most nations around the world, whether they experienced Ebola cases. We further develop a categorical framework that helps characterised nations previous experiences with this biological catastrophe, providing a means to analyse to what extent that individual nations learned and how these EVD-related changes helped inform their COVID-19 response. Nations that demonstrated EVD-related conditioned learning nations tended to have more stringent COVID-19 responses before April 2020 and utilized documented response mechanisms developed out of the West African crisis.}, } @article {pmid38052219, year = {2023}, author = {Le, NH and Hillus, D and Tober-Lau, P and Sander, LE}, title = {[Vaccinations as a key to pandemic management - Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic].}, journal = {Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)}, volume = {148}, number = {24-25}, pages = {1557-1563}, doi = {10.1055/a-2124-2366}, pmid = {38052219}, issn = {1439-4413}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Pandemics/prevention & control ; COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use ; Disease Outbreaks ; Vaccination ; }, abstract = {Pandemics and epidemic outbreaks caused by emerging pathogens can usually only be curbed in the longterm through establishment of protective population-wide immunity. With the unprecedented rapid development and supply of highly effective vaccines against COVID-19, science and industry delivered the critical medical breakthrough for the successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic. By May 2023, WHO could end the public health emergency. Nevertheless, the pandemic and its consequences for medicine, science, and society continue to reverberate. This article reviews at the development and implementation of COVID-19 vaccines, focusing on the situation in Germany, and seeks to draw lessons from the past three years to improve our readiness to combat future outbreaks and pandemics more effectively.}, } @article {pmid38051964, year = {2023}, author = {Lavoie, T and Appaneal, HJ and LaPlante, KL}, title = {Advancements in Novel Live Biotherapeutic Products for Clostridioides difficile Infection Prevention.}, journal = {Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America}, volume = {77}, number = {Supplement_6}, pages = {S447-S454}, doi = {10.1093/cid/ciad639}, pmid = {38051964}, issn = {1537-6591}, support = {//Seres and Ferring/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Dysbiosis/therapy ; *Clostridioides difficile ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ; *Clostridium Infections/prevention & control/drug therapy ; Feces/microbiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {The profound impact of the human microbiome on health and disease has captivated the interest of clinical and scientific communities. The human body hosts a vast array of microorganisms collectively forming the human microbiome, which significantly influences various physiological processes and profoundly shapes overall well-being. Notably, the gut stands out as an exceptional reservoir, harboring the most significant concentration of microorganisms, akin to an organ in itself. The gut microbiome's composition and function are influenced by genetics, environment, age, underlying conditions, and antibiotic usage, leading to dysbiosis and pathogenesis, such as Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Conventional CDI treatment, involving antibiotics like oral vancomycin and fidaxomicin, fails to address dysbiosis and may further disrupt gut microbial communities. Consequently, emerging therapeutic strategies are focused on targeting dysbiosis and restoring gut microbiota to advance CDI therapeutics. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating recurrent CDI by transferring processed stool from a healthy donor to a recipient, restoring gut dysbiosis and enhancing bacterial diversity. Moreover, 2 newer Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved live biotherapeutic products (LBP), namely, Fecal Microbiota Live-JSLM and Fecal Microbiota Spores Live-BRPK, have shown promise in preventing CDI recurrence. This review explores the role of the gut microbiota in preventing and treating CDI, with an emphasis on gut-based interventions like FMT and fecal microbiota-based products that hold potential for gut restoration and prevention of CDI recurrence. Understanding the microbiome's impact on CDI prevention and treatment offers valuable insights for advancing future CDI therapeutics.}, } @article {pmid38054901, year = {2023}, author = {Tedesco, I and Zito Marino, F and Ronchi, A and Duarte Neto, AN and Dolhnikoff, M and Municinò, M and Campobasso, CP and Pannone, G and Franco, R}, title = {COVID-19: detection methods in post-mortem samples.}, journal = {Pathologica}, volume = {115}, number = {5}, pages = {263-274}, doi = {10.32074/1591-951X-933}, pmid = {38054901}, issn = {1591-951X}, abstract = {COVID-19 identification is routinely performed on fresh samples, such as nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, even if, the detection of the virus in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) autopsy tissues could help to underlie mechanisms of the pathogenesis that are not well understood. The gold standard for COVID-19 detection in FFPE samples remains the qRT-PCR as in swab samples, contextually other methods have been developed, including immunohistochemistry (IHC), and in situ hybridization (ISH). In this manuscript, we summarize the main data regarding the methods of COVID-19 detection in pulmonary and extra-pulmonary post-mortem samples, and especially the sensitivity and specificity of these assays will be discussed.}, } @article {pmid38054900, year = {2023}, author = {Riefolo, M and Ambrosi, F and De Palma, A and Gallo, C and Damiani, S}, title = {Management of post-mortem examination in SARS-CoV-19 infections.}, journal = {Pathologica}, volume = {115}, number = {5}, pages = {257-262}, doi = {10.32074/1591-951X-921}, pmid = {38054900}, issn = {1591-951X}, abstract = {A brief overview on the management of autopsies during the SARS-CoV-19 epidemic is proposed. In particular, the point is made of the Italian laws on the subject, the characteristics required for the autopsy room and the sampling suggested for the histological examination.}, } @article {pmid38054899, year = {2023}, author = {Chilosi, M and Doglioni, C and Ravaglia, C and Piciucchi, S and Dubini, A and Stefanizzi, L and Poletti, V}, title = {COVID-19. Biology, pathophysiology, and immunology: a pathologist view.}, journal = {Pathologica}, volume = {115}, number = {5}, pages = {248-256}, doi = {10.32074/1591-951X-954}, pmid = {38054899}, issn = {1591-951X}, abstract = {Even if the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been declared over, several risks and clinical problems remain to be faced, including long-COVID sequelae and possible outbreaks of pathogenic variants. Intense research on COVID-19 has provided in these few years a striking amount of data covering different fields and disciplines, which can help to provide a knowledge shield against new potential infective spreads, and may also potentially be applied to other fields of medicine, including oncology and neurology. Nevertheless, areas of uncertainty still remain regarding the pathogenic mechanisms that subtend the multifaceted manifestations of the disease. To better clarify the pathogenesis of the disease, a systematic multidisciplinary evaluation of the many mechanisms involved in COVID-19 is mandatory, including clinical, physiological, radiological, immunological and pathological studies. In COVID-19 syndrome the pathological studies have been mainly performed on autopsy cases, and only a few studies are available on biopsies. Nevertheless, these studies have provided relevant information that can substantially contribute to decipher the complex scenario characterizing the different forms of COVID-19 and long-COVID-19. In this review the data provided by pathological investigations are recapitulated and discussed, in the light of different hypothesis and data provided by clinical, physiological and immunological data.}, } @article {pmid38054651, year = {2023}, author = {Fernandes, S and Cassani, M and Cavalieri, F and Forte, G and Caruso, F}, title = {Emerging Strategies for Immunotherapy of Solid Tumors Using Lipid-Based Nanoparticles.}, journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e2305769}, doi = {10.1002/advs.202305769}, pmid = {38054651}, issn = {2198-3844}, support = {872233//Horizon 2020/ ; 860715//Horizon 2020/ ; 101070546//Horizon 2020/ ; GNT2016732//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; //Fondazione per la Ricerca sul Cancro/ ; 800924//Marie Skłodowska-Curie/ ; 101031744//Marie Curie H2020-MSCA-IF-2020 MSCA-IF-GF/ ; NU23J-08-00035//Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic/ ; RE/18/2/34213//King's BHF Centre of Research Excellence/ ; }, abstract = {The application of lipid-based nanoparticles for COVID-19 vaccines and transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis treatment have highlighted their potential for translation to cancer therapy. However, their use in delivering drugs to solid tumors is limited by ineffective targeting, heterogeneous organ distribution, systemic inflammatory responses, and insufficient drug accumulation at the tumor. Instead, the use of lipid-based nanoparticles to remotely activate immune system responses is an emerging effective strategy. Despite this approach showing potential for treating hematological cancers, its application to treat solid tumors is hampered by the selection of eligible targets, tumor heterogeneity, and ineffective penetration of activated T cells within the tumor. Notwithstanding, the use of lipid-based nanoparticles for immunotherapy is projected to revolutionize cancer therapy, with the ultimate goal of rendering cancer a chronic disease. However, the translational success is likely to depend on the use of predictive tumor models in preclinical studies, simulating the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (e.g., the fibrotic extracellular matrix that impairs therapeutic outcomes) and stimulating tumor progression. This review compiles recent advances in the field of antitumor lipid-based nanoparticles and highlights emerging therapeutic approaches (e.g., mechanotherapy) to modulate tumor stiffness and improve T cell infiltration, and the use of organoids to better guide therapeutic outcomes.}, } @article {pmid38054135, year = {2023}, author = {Ntchana, A and Shrestha, S and Pippin, M}, title = {Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19: A Scoping Review of Evidence.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {11}, pages = {e48275}, pmid = {38054135}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {This scoping review sought to identify the nature and extent of clinical evidence regarding the acute and long-term cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19. Forty-nine studies published between 2020 and 2023 were selected for review. The studies were divided into two groups. The referential group included 22 studies. The second group of 27 studies was used for a detailed review to assess the strength of the evidence. The aggregate evidence indicates that the most common cardiac complications associated with COVID-19 include but are not limited to acute pericarditis, acute myocardial injury, acute myocarditis, various arrhythmias, microvascular angiopathy, left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, acute cardiac injury, and acute coronary syndrome. Clinical and epidemiological implications of the findings are investigated, and future research recommendations are proposed.}, } @article {pmid38053867, year = {2023}, author = {Torabi, F and Li, G and Mole, C and Nicholson, G and Rowlingson, B and Smith, CR and Jersakova, R and Diggle, PJ and Blangiardo, M}, title = {Wastewater-based surveillance models for COVID-19: A focused review on spatio-temporal models.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {9}, number = {11}, pages = {e21734}, pmid = {38053867}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {The evident shedding of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA particles from infected individuals into the wastewater opened up a tantalizing array of possibilities for prediction of COVID-19 prevalence prior to symptomatic case identification through community testing. Many countries have therefore explored the use of wastewater metrics as a surveillance tool, replacing traditional direct measurement of prevalence with cost-effective approaches based on SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater samples. Two important aspects in building prediction models are: time over which the prediction occurs and space for which the predicted case numbers is shown. In this review, our main focus was on finding mathematical models which take into the account both the time-varying and spatial nature of wastewater-based metrics into account. We used six main characteristics as our assessment criteria: i) modelling approach; ii) temporal coverage; iii) spatial coverage; iv) sample size; v) wastewater sampling method; and vi) covariates included in the modelling. The majority of studies in the early phases of the pandemic recognized the temporal association of SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration level in wastewater with the number of COVID-19 cases, ignoring their spatial context. We examined 15 studies up to April 2023, focusing on models considering both temporal and spatial aspects of wastewater metrics. Most early studies correlated temporal SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels with COVID-19 cases but overlooked spatial factors. Linear regression and SEIR models were commonly used (n = 10, 66.6 % of studies), along with machine learning (n = 1, 6.6 %) and Bayesian approaches (n = 1, 6.6 %) in some cases. Three studies employed spatio-temporal modelling approach (n = 3, 20.0 %). We conclude that the development, validation and calibration of further spatio-temporally explicit models should be done in parallel with the advancement of wastewater metrics before the potential of wastewater as a surveillance tool can be fully realised.}, } @article {pmid38053835, year = {2023}, author = {Downard, KM}, title = {25 Years Responding to Respiratory and Other Viruses with Mass Spectrometry.}, journal = {Mass spectrometry (Tokyo, Japan)}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {A0136}, pmid = {38053835}, issn = {2187-137X}, abstract = {This review article presents the development and application of mass spectrometry (MS) approaches, developed in the author's laboratory over the past 25 years, to detect; characterise, type and subtype; and distinguish major variants and subvariants of respiratory viruses such as influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). All features make use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) mass maps, recorded for individual viral proteins or whole virus digests. A MALDI-based immunoassay in which antibody-peptide complexes were preserved on conventional MALDI targets without their immobilisation led to an approach that enabled their indirect detection. The site of binding, and thus the molecular antigenicity of viruses, could be determined. The same approach was employed to study antivirals bound to their target viral protein, the nature of the binding residues, and relative binding affinities. The benefits of high-resolution MS were exploited to detect sequence-conserved signature peptides of unique mass within whole virus and single protein digests. These enabled viruses to be typed, subtyped, their lineage determined, and variants and subvariants to be distinguished. Their detection using selected ion monitoring improved analytical sensitivity limits to aid the identification of viruses in clinical specimens. The same high-resolution mass map data, for a wide range of viral strains, were input into a purpose-built algorithm (MassTree) in order to both chart and interrogate viral evolution. Without the need for gene or protein sequences, or any sequence alignment, this phylonumerics approach also determines and displays single-point mutations associated with viral protein evolution in a single-tree building step.}, } @article {pmid38053810, year = {2023}, author = {}, title = {Tozinameran+riltozinameran and tozinameran+famtozinameran for prevention of COVID-19.}, journal = {Australian prescriber}, volume = {46}, number = {3}, pages = {66-67}, pmid = {38053810}, issn = {0312-8008}, } @article {pmid38053809, year = {2023}, author = {Sharma, K and Li-Kim-Moy, J}, title = {COVID-19 vaccines in 2023.}, journal = {Australian prescriber}, volume = {46}, number = {3}, pages = {60-63}, pmid = {38053809}, issn = {0312-8008}, abstract = {Most Australian adults now have hybrid immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, referring to a combination of protection from previous vaccine doses and past infection. Protection from both vaccination and past infection wanes over time. Booster doses are recommended to ensure that those who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 remain protected. The optimal timing of future booster doses to maintain adequate protection against severe illness is not yet known. Older age remains the most important risk factor for severe COVID-19, including in the current Omicron variant era. The original COVID-19 vaccines are monovalent vaccines based on the ancestral strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Bivalent vaccines have been developed based on earlier Omicron subvariants (BA.1 or BA.4-5) and the ancestral strain. These provide enhanced protection against severe illness from Omicron compared with the original monovalent vaccines. Updated monovalent vaccines based on a more recent Omicron subvariant (XBB.1.5) have been developed. COVID-19 vaccines have an excellent safety record, and serious adverse events are extremely rare.}, } @article {pmid38053808, year = {2023}, author = {}, title = {Elasomeran+davesomeran for prevention of COVID-19.}, journal = {Australian prescriber}, volume = {46}, number = {3}, pages = {65}, pmid = {38053808}, issn = {0312-8008}, } @article {pmid38053664, year = {2023}, author = {Meumann, EM and Robson, JM}, title = {Testing for COVID-19: a 2023 update.}, journal = {Australian prescriber}, volume = {46}, number = {1}, pages = {13-17}, pmid = {38053664}, issn = {0312-8008}, abstract = {Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, are more sensitive for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 than rapid antigen tests (RATS), and are the gold standard for diagnosis of acute COVID-19. However NAATs can remain positive for weeks following infection due to low-level shedding of non-viable viral fragments. RATs (in particular self-testing) are the mainstay of COVID-19 diagnosis due to their convenience, speed and high specificity. The sensitivity of RATs is highest within seven days of symptom onset. A negative RAT result may warrant a NAAT or repeat RAT for confirmation. The presence of spike antibodies is consistent with either vaccination or infection. Nucleocapsid antibodies suggest a previous infection. Serological tests measuring neutralising antibodies that infer immunity are not readily available.}, } @article {pmid38053640, year = {2023}, author = {Gammon, RR and Dubey, R and Gupta, GK and Hinrichsen, C and Jindal, A and Lamba, DS and Mangwana, S and Radhakrishnan Nair, A and Nalezinski, S and Bocquet, C}, title = {Patient Blood Management and Its Role in Supporting Blood Supply.}, journal = {Journal of blood medicine}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {595-611}, pmid = {38053640}, issn = {1179-2736}, abstract = {Blood donors and voluntary blood donations are essential for ensuring the blood supply that can be maintained by good patient blood management (PBM) practices. This review article explores the role of blood donation in PBM and highlights the importance of donor screening and selection processes in different regions worldwide. The donor health questionnaires and the focused physical examination guidelines have changed in the last decade to increase donor and recipient safety. This article also discusses the status of transfusion practices, including the challenges of ensuring a safe blood supply. Significant among these are the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the blood supply chain and the impact of an aging donor population, especially. Promoting autologous donations and other blood conservation strategies are suggested to mitigate these issues. The role of replacement donors and the upper age limit for voluntary blood donation may be decided based on the demography and donor pool. The involvement of C-suite executives is also critical in implementing and running a successful PBM program. The review highlights how these different aspects of blood donation are integral to a successful PBM program and the safety of patients who receive blood transfusions.}, } @article {pmid38053188, year = {2023}, author = {Than, J and Sim, PY and Muttuvelu, D and Ferraz, D and Koh, V and Kang, S and Huemer, J}, title = {Teleophthalmology and retina: a review of current tools, pathways and services.}, journal = {International journal of retina and vitreous}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {76}, pmid = {38053188}, issn = {2056-9920}, abstract = {Telemedicine, the use of telecommunication and information technology to deliver healthcare remotely, has evolved beyond recognition since its inception in the 1970s. Advances in telecommunication infrastructure, the advent of the Internet, exponential growth in computing power and associated computer-aided diagnosis, and medical imaging developments have created an environment where telemedicine is more accessible and capable than ever before, particularly in the field of ophthalmology. Ever-increasing global demand for ophthalmic services due to population growth and ageing together with insufficient supply of ophthalmologists requires new models of healthcare provision integrating telemedicine to meet present day challenges, with the recent COVID-19 pandemic providing the catalyst for the widespread adoption and acceptance of teleophthalmology. In this review we discuss the history, present and future application of telemedicine within the field of ophthalmology, and specifically retinal disease. We consider the strengths and limitations of teleophthalmology, its role in screening, community and hospital management of retinal disease, patient and clinician attitudes, and barriers to its adoption.}, } @article {pmid38052326, year = {2023}, author = {Chaturvedi, M and Patel, M and Tiwari, A and Dwivedi, N and Mondal, DP and Srivastava, AK and Dhand, C}, title = {An insight to the recent advancements in detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using biosensors: A systematic review.}, journal = {Progress in biophysics and molecular biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.10.003}, pmid = {38052326}, issn = {1873-1732}, abstract = {Since ancient times, Tuberculosis (TB) has been a severe invasive illness that has been prevalent for thousands of years and is also known as "consumption" or phthisis. TB is the most common chronic lung bacterial illness in the world, killing over 2 million people each year, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). As per the reports of WHO, in spite of technology advancements, the average rate of decline in global TB infections from 2000-2018 was only 1.6% per year, and the worldwide reduction in TB deaths was only 11%. In addition, COVID-19 pandemic has reversed years of global progress in tackling TB with fewer diagnosed cases. The majority of undiagnosed patients of TB are found in low- and middle-income countries where the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay and sputum smear microscopy have been approved by the WHO as reference procedures for quickly detecting TB. Biosensors, like other cutting-edge technologies, have piqued researchers' interest since they offer a quick and accurate way to identify MTB. Modern integrated technologies allow for the rapid, low-cost, and highly precise detection of analytes in extremely little amounts of sample by biosensors. Here in this review, we outlined the severity of tuberculosis (TB) and the most recent developments in the biosensors sector, as well as their various kinds and benefits for TB detection. The review also emphasizes how widespread TB is and how it needs accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.}, } @article {pmid38052279, year = {2023}, author = {Moudgil, G and Chadha, J and Khullar, L and Chhibber, S and Harjai, K}, title = {Lumpy skin disease: Insights into current status and geographical expansion of a transboundary viral disease.}, journal = {Microbial pathogenesis}, volume = {186}, number = {}, pages = {106485}, doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106485}, pmid = {38052279}, issn = {1096-1208}, abstract = {Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging transboundary viral disease of livestock animals which was first reported in 1929 in Zambia. Although LSD is a neglected disease of economic importance, it extends a direct impact on the international trade and economy in livestock-dependent countries. Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) has been endemic in African countries, where several outbreaks have been reported previously. However, the virus has spread rapidly across the Middle East in the past two decades, reaching Russia and, recently, the Asian subcontinent. With unprecedented cluster outbreaks being reported across Asian countries like India, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, LSDV is certainly undergoing an epidemiological shift and expanding its geographical footprint worldwide. Due to high mortality among livestock animals, the recent LSD outbreaks have gained attention from global regulatory authorities and raised serious concerns among epidemiologists and veterinary researchers. Despite networked global surveillance of the disease, recurrent LSD cases pose a threat to the livestock industry. Hence, this review provides recent insights into the LSDV biology by augmenting the latest literature associated with its pathogenesis, transmission, current intervention strategies, and economic implications. The review critically examines the changing epidemiological footprint of LSDV globally, especially in relation to developing countries of the Asian subcontinent. We also speculate the possible reasons contributing to the ongoing LSD outbreaks, including illegal animal trade, climate change, genetic recombination events between wild-type and vaccine strains, reversion of vaccine strains to virulent phenotype, and deficiencies in active monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic.}, } @article {pmid38051339, year = {2023}, author = {Lahmer, T and Stock, K and Rasch, S and Porubsky, S and Jeske, S and Schustetter, C and Protzer, U and Heemann, U and Schmid, R and Weichert, W and Weirich, G and Slotta-Huspenina, J}, title = {[Interdisciplinary ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive autopsy in COVID-19-deceased patients in the intensive care unit of a university hospital : A proof-of-concept study].}, journal = {Pathologie (Heidelberg, Germany)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38051339}, issn = {2731-7196}, abstract = {In this feasibility study, we carried out in an interdisciplinary team standardised, ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive autopsy (US-MIA) directly at the bedside of patients who died of COVID-19 in the intensive care unit of the Rechts der Isar Hospital of the Technical University Munich (TUM). The aim of the study was to verify the feasibility, time efficiency and infection hygiene aspects of the process, as well as the quality of the tissue samples. Our results show that bedside US-MIA is suitable for obtaining tissue samples before the onset of postmortem autolysis, and that it can also be carried out quickly and safely. The potential of US-MIA, which has gained little recognition so far, deserves special attention in the context of postmortem diagnosis, research and quality assurance. In the future, these strengths of US-MIA could help to lead postmortem diagnosis into the modern age of pathological deep analytics ("omics").}, } @article {pmid38050938, year = {2023}, author = {Pillai, L and Srivastava, S and Ajin, A and Rana, SS and Mathkor, DM and Haque, S and M Tambuwala, M and Ahmad, F}, title = {Etiology and incidence of postpartum depression among birthing women in the scenario of pandemics, geopolitical conflicts and natural disasters: a systematic review.}, journal = {Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology}, volume = {44}, number = {1}, pages = {2278016}, doi = {10.1080/0167482X.2023.2278016}, pmid = {38050938}, issn = {1743-8942}, abstract = {Postpartum depression (PPD) is classified under postpartum psychiatric disorders and initiates soon after birthing, eliciting neuropsychological and behavioral deficits in mothers and offspring. Globally, PPD is estimated to be associated with 130-190 per 1000 birthing. The severity and incidences of PPD have aggravated in the recent years due to the several unfavorable environmental and geopolitical circumstances. The purpose of this systematic review hence is to explore the contributions of recent circumstances on the pathogenesis and incidence of PPD. The search, selection and retrieval of the articles published during the last three years were systematically performed. The results from the primary studies indicate that unfavorable contemporary socio-geopolitical and environmental circumstances (e.g. Covid-19 pandemic, political conflicts/wars, and natural calamities; such as floods and earthquakes) detrimentally affect PPD etiology. A combination of socio-economic and psychological factors, including perceived lack of support and anxiousness about the future may contribute to drastic aggravation of PPD incidences. Finally, we outline some of the potential treatment regimens (e.g. inter-personal psycho- and art-based therapies) that may prove to be effective in amelioration of PPD-linked symptoms in birthing women, either alone or in complementation with traditional pharmacological interventions. We propose these psychological and art-based intervention strategies may beneficially counteract the negative influences of the unfortunate recent events across multiple cultures, societies and geographical regions.}, } @article {pmid38050506, year = {2023}, author = {Athe, R and Dwivedi, R and Singh, K and Babusab Hulmani, S and Karadi, N and Boraiah, C and Vasu, S}, title = {Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers and Job Loss From a Gender Perspective in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {11}, pages = {e48219}, pmid = {38050506}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant stress and anxiety among the general population and healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. India is one of the countries severely impacted by the pandemic. This review explores the gender perspective of mental health conditions among HCWs and job loss during the pandemic in India. Electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for articles published till March 2021. Studies that reported the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and worry among HCWs in India during the pandemic and job loss in both males and females due to COVID-19 were included. We used a random-effects model to estimate pooled prevalence rates with 95% CIs. We assessed heterogeneity using the I[2] statistic. The meta-analysis included 11 studies; the pooled prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and worry among HCWs was 34.9% (95%CI 27.33, 42.47), 35.4% (95%CI 24.46, 46.33), 32.9% (95%CI 25.43, 40.37), and 42.87% (95%CI 25.83, 59.91), respectively. The pooled prevalence of job loss due to COVID-19 was 16.6% (95%CI 8.34, 19.66). We employed meta-regression and Egger's regression for publication bias. The meta-analysis findings suggest that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and worry among HCWs in India during COVID-19 was high. Furthermore, job loss due to COVID-19 has also been prevalent in India. These findings emphasize the need for mental health support for HCWs and those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. It is essential to prioritize mental health and job creation policies in India to support individuals affected by COVID-19.}, } @article {pmid38050487, year = {2023}, author = {Azova, S and Liu, E and Wolfsdorf, J}, title = {Increased Use of Hyperosmolar Therapy for Suspected Clinically Apparent Brain Injury in Pediatric Patients with Diabetic Ketoacidosis during the Peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic.}, journal = {Pediatric diabetes}, volume = {2023}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38050487}, issn = {1399-5448}, support = {T32 DK007699/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Child ; *Diabetic Ketoacidosis/etiology/complications ; Pandemics ; *Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma/diagnosis ; *COVID-19/complications/epidemiology ; Hospitalization ; *Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {The incidence of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) increased during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to investigate whether rates of hyperosmolar therapy administration for suspected clinically apparent brain injury (CABI) complicating DKA also increased during this period as compared to the three years immediately preceding the pandemic and to compare the characteristics of patients with suspected CABI before the pandemic, patients with suspected CABI during the peak of the pandemic, and those with DKA but without suspected CABI during the pandemic. Patients aged ≤18 years presenting with DKA before (March 11, 2017-March 10, 2020) and during the peak of the pandemic (March 11, 2020-March 10, 2021) were identified through a rigorous search of two databases. Predefined criteria were used to diagnose suspected CABI. Biochemical, clinical, and sociodemographic data were collected from a comprehensive review of the electronic medical record. The proportion of patients with DKA who received hyperosmolar therapy was significantly higher (P = 0.014) during the pandemic compared to the prepandemic period; however, this was only significant among patients with newly diagnosed diabetes. Both groups with suspected CABI had more severe acidosis, lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores, and longer hospital admissions (P< 0.001 for all) than cases without suspected CABI. During the pandemic, the blood urea nitrogen concentration was significantly higher in patients with suspected CABI than those without suspected CABI, suggesting they were more severely dehydrated. The clinical, biochemical, and sociodemographic characteristics of patients with suspected CABI were indistinguishable before and during the pandemic. In conclusion, administration of hyperosmolar therapy for suspected CABI was more common during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly a result of delayed presentation, highlighting the need for increased awareness and early recognition of the signs and symptoms of diabetes and DKA, especially during future surges of highly transmissible infections.}, } @article {pmid38050409, year = {2023}, author = {Accoe, K and Criel, B and Ag Ahmed, MA and Buitrago, VT and Marchal, B}, title = {Conditions for health system resilience in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mauritania.}, journal = {BMJ global health}, volume = {8}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {38050409}, issn = {2059-7908}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Mauritania/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; Delivery of Health Care ; Government Programs ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: A country's ability to manage a crisis depends on its level of resilience. Efforts are made to clarify the concept of health system resilience, but its operationalisation remains little studied. In the present research, we described the capacity of the local healthcare system in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, in West Africa, to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: We used a single case study with two health districts as units of analysis. A context analysis, a literature review and 33 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using a resilience conceptual framework.

RESULTS: The analysis indicates a certain capacity to manage the crisis, but significant gaps and challenges remain. The management of many uncertainties is largely dependent on the quality of the alignment of decision-makers at district level with the national level. Local management of COVID-19 in the context of Mauritania's fragile healthcare system has been skewed to awareness-raising and a surveillance system. Three other elements appear to be particularly important in building a resilient healthcare system: leadership capacity, community dynamics and the existence of a learning culture.

CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has put a great deal of pressure on healthcare systems. Our study has shown the relevance of an in-depth contextual analysis to better identify the enabling environment and the capacities required to develop a certain level of resilience. The translation into practice of the skills required to build a resilient healthcare system remains to be further developed.}, } @article {pmid38050298, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, G and Du, C and Du, W and You, D}, title = {The clinical features of severe COVID-19 with respiratory failure: A Chinese single-center retrospective study.}, journal = {Medicine}, volume = {102}, number = {48}, pages = {e36110}, pmid = {38050298}, issn = {1536-5964}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Retrospective Studies ; Pandemics ; *Respiratory Insufficiency/etiology ; Observational Studies as Topic ; }, abstract = {The global pandemic of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in widespread alterations to public health measures worldwide. This observational study aimed to assess the clinical features and results of respiratory failure in patients with severe COVID-19. A single-center observational study was performed at a Chinese hospital between November 1, 2022, and February 31, 2023. All 182 enrolled patients were diagnosed with respiratory failure, 84 patients were infected with COVID-19, and the other 98 patients were not infected. A review of available medical records at admission and discharge, including neuroimaging, laboratory values at admission, mortality, length of hospitalization, and hospital costs, was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. All 182 eligible patients completed the follow-up. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between respiratory failure combined with COVID-19 (P > .05). Respiratory failure combined with COVID-19 infection may lead to higher 30-day mortality (16.36% vs 7.14%, P = .005), longer hospital stays (22.5 ± 5.9 vs 12.8 ± 4.2, P < .001), larger hospitalization costs (P < .001), and increased hospitalization complications, such as pulmonary embolism (10.30% vs 4.76%, P = .039), deep vein thrombosis (33.33% vs 18.57%, P = .001), incidence of 7-day delirium (69.70% vs 46.19%, P < .001), and respiratory failure (38.18% vs 24.77%, P = .005). If respiratory failure occurs while the patient is infected with COVID-19, treatment and prognosis worsen. Our understanding of COVID-19 and the care we provide to patients with respiratory failure is crucial to better prepare for a potential pandemic.}, } @article {pmid38049949, year = {2023}, author = {Devagiri, B and Ariyasena, ADK and Siriwardhana, DD and Sumanasena, S}, title = {Telehealth services for children with neuro-developmental disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region: A systematic review.}, journal = {Child: care, health and development}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/cch.13192}, pmid = {38049949}, issn = {1365-2214}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: In recent years telehealth became a popular and a rational health service delivery approach, especially amidst multiple challenges posed while providing health care interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: We synthesized available evidence on telehealth for managing children with NDDs in the Asia-Pacific region with the aim of identifying successful methods.

METHODOLOGY: We systematically reviewed six electronic databases: MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and (CINAHL plus) using the keywords and database-specific subject headings from their inception to 25th August 2021. Review findings were synthesized narratively, and harvest plots were used to demonstrate the effect of interventions. The protocol and reporting the findings of this review adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PROSPERO registration: CRD 340690.

RESULTS: We harvested 30,823 records; 17,563 duplicates were removed, and 196 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. 16 studies with multiple research designs were included in the review. Eight were from the Pacific region and eight represented Asia. The interventions targeted families and children with a variety of NDDs (autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cleft lip and palate, hearing impairment, cerebral palsy etc.) via telehealth. Telehealth packages consisted of direct and indirect methods of synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid approaches. All studies used parent-led intervention strategies. Telehealth reported a positive effect in 7/16 studies while five showed a neutral effect.

CONCLUSIONS: According to published evidence telehealth for children with NDDs is an evolving, evidence-based service facilitation modality in the Asia-Pacific region, with only a few published randomized controlled trials. The systematic review shows promising telehealth practices emerging across the region despite the diversity in NDDs studied.}, } @article {pmid38049820, year = {2023}, author = {Yassin, Z and Farid, A and Ahmadi, S and Emamikhah, M and Motamedi, O and Jafari, M and Goodarzi, A}, title = {Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated brain abscesses caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus: two case and a review of the literature.}, journal = {Journal of medical case reports}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {520}, pmid = {38049820}, issn = {1752-1947}, mesh = {Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Iran ; *COVID-19/complications ; *Brain Abscess/diagnostic imaging/drug therapy ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Bacterial and fungal superinfections are commonly reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report the first case of brain and intramedullary abscesses caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a rare case of brain abscesses caused by Aspergillus fumigatus in two post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients. The first patient-34-year-old Iranian woman-presented with weakness of the left upper limb, headaches, and lower limb paresthesia. She had a history of undiagnosed diabetes and had received corticosteroid therapy. The second patient-45-year-old Iranian man-presented with right-sided weakness and had a history of intensive care unit admission. Both patients passed away despite appropriate medical therapy.

CONCLUSION: The immune dysregulation induced by coronavirus disease 2019 and its' treatments can predispose patients, especially immunosuppressed ones, to bacterial and fungal infections with unusual and opportunistic pathogens in the central nervous system. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus should be considered as potential causes of brain infection in any coronavirus disease 2019 patient presenting with neurological symptoms and evidence of brain abscess in imaging, regardless of sinonasal involvement. These patients should get started on appropriate antimicrobial therapy as soon as possible, as any delay in diagnosis or treatment can be associated with adverse outcomes.}, } @article {pmid38049702, year = {2023}, author = {Wanguyun, AP and Oishi, W and Sano, D}, title = {Sensitivity Evaluation of Enveloped and Non-enveloped Viruses to Ethanol Using Machine Learning: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Food and environmental virology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38049702}, issn = {1867-0342}, support = {JP21H04570//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, abstract = {Viral diseases are a severe public health issue worldwide. During the coronavirus pandemic, the use of alcohol-based sanitizers was recommended by WHO. Enveloped viruses are sensitive to ethanol, whereas non-enveloped viruses are considerably less sensitive. However, no quantitative analysis has been conducted to determine virus ethanol sensitivity and the important variables influencing the inactivation of viruses to ethanol. This study aimed to determine viruses' sensitivity to ethanol and the most important variables influencing the inactivation of viruses exposed to ethanol based on machine learning. We examined 37 peer-reviewed articles through a systematic search. Quantitative analysis was employed using a decision tree and random forest algorithms. Based on the decision tree, enveloped viruses required around ≥ 35% ethanol with an average contact time of at least 1 min, which reduced the average viral load by 4 log10. In non-enveloped viruses with and without organic matter, ≥ 77.50% and ≥ 65% ethanol with an extended contact time of ≥ 2 min were required for a 4 log10 viral reduction, respectively. Important variables were assessed using a random forest based on the percentage increases in mean square error (%IncMSE) and node purity (%IncNodePurity). Ethanol concentration was a more important variable with a higher %IncMSE and %IncNodePurity than contact time for the inactivation of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses with the available organic matter. Because specific guidelines for virus inactivation by ethanol are lacking, data analysis using machine learning is essential to gain insight from certain datasets. We provide new knowledge for determining guideline values related to the selection of ethanol concentration and contact time that effectively inactivate viruses.}, } @article {pmid38049610, year = {2023}, author = {Meinhardt, J and Streit, S and Dittmayer, C and Manitius, RV and Radbruch, H and Heppner, FL}, title = {The neurobiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Neuroscience}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38049610}, issn = {1471-0048}, abstract = {Worldwide, over 694 million people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, with an estimated 55-60% of those infected developing COVID-19. Since the beginning of the pandemic in December 2019, different variants of concern have appeared and continue to occur. With the emergence of different variants, an increasing rate of vaccination and previous infections, the acute neurological symptomatology of COVID-19 changed. Moreover, 10-45% of individuals with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection experience symptoms even 3 months after disease onset, a condition that has been defined as 'post-COVID-19' by the World Health Organization and that occurs independently of the virus variant. The pathomechanisms of COVID-19-related neurological complaints have become clearer during the past 3 years. To date, there is no overt - that is, truly convincing - evidence for SARS-CoV-2 particles in the brain. In this Review, we put special emphasis on discussing the methodological difficulties of viral detection in CNS tissue and discuss immune-based (systemic and central) effects contributing to COVID-19-related CNS affection. We sequentially review the reported changes to CNS cells in COVID-19, starting with the blood-brain barrier and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier - as systemic factors from the periphery appear to primarily influence barriers and conduits - before we describe changes in brain parenchymal cells, including microglia, astrocytes, neurons and oligodendrocytes as well as cerebral lymphocytes. These findings are critical to understanding CNS affection in acute COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 in order to translate these findings into treatment options, which are still very limited.}, } @article {pmid37976132, year = {2023}, author = {Li, G and Zhang, R and Song, B and Wang, C and Shen, Q and He, X and Cao, Y}, title = {Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Sperm Quality: Systematic Review.}, journal = {JMIR public health and surveillance}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {e48511}, doi = {10.2196/48511}, pmid = {37976132}, issn = {2369-2960}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has triggered a global public health crisis of unprecedented proportions. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is a highly effective strategy for preventing infections and severe COVID-19 outcomes. Although several studies have concluded that COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to affect fertility, concerns have arisen regarding adverse events, including the potential impact on fertility; these concerns are plagued by limited and inconsistent evidence.

OBJECTIVE: This review aims to provide a recent assessment of the literature on the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on male sperm quality. The possible impact of COVID-19 vaccines on fertility potential was also examined to draw a clearer picture and to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on male reproductive health.

METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from their inception to October 2023. Eligible studies included articles reporting SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and human semen quality and fertility, as well as the impact of vaccination on assisted reproductive technology treatment outcomes. The quality of cohort studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and the quality of cross-sectional studies was assessed using the quality evaluation criteria recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The systematic review followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.

RESULTS: The initial literature search yielded 4691 records by searching 5 peer-reviewed databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane). Finally, 24 relevant studies were selected for our study. There were evident research inequalities at the regional level, with the United States and Western European countries contributing 38% (9/24) of the studies, Middle Eastern countries contributing 38% (9/24), China accounting for 21% (5/24), and Africa and South America accounting for none. Nonetheless, the overall quality of the included studies was generally good. Our results demonstrated that serious side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are extremely rare, and men experience few problems with sperm parameters or reproductive potential after vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the studies published so far, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for male reproductive health. Obviously, vaccination is a wise option rather than experience serious adverse symptoms of viral infections. These instances of evidence may help reduce vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination coverage, particularly among reproductive-age couples. As new controlled trials and prospective cohort studies with larger sample sizes emerge, the possibility of a negative effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on sperm quality must be further clarified.}, } @article {pmid37931380, year = {2023}, author = {Hu, X and Liao, M and Ding, K and Wang, J and Xu, H and Tao, K and Zhou, F and Lu, JR}, title = {Neutron reflection and scattering in characterising peptide assemblies.}, journal = {Advances in colloid and interface science}, volume = {322}, number = {}, pages = {103033}, doi = {10.1016/j.cis.2023.103033}, pmid = {37931380}, issn = {1873-3727}, mesh = {*Peptides/chemistry ; *Proteins/chemistry ; Neutrons ; Scattering, Small Angle ; }, abstract = {Self-assemblies of de novo designed short peptides at interface and in bulk solution provide potential platforms for developing applications in many medical and technological areas. However, characterising how bioinspired supramolecular nanostructures evolve with dynamic self-assembling processes and respond to different stimuli remains challenging. Neutron scattering technologies including small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron reflection (NR) can be advantageous and complementary to other state-of-the-art techniques in tracing structural changes under different conditions. With more neutron sources now available, SANS and NR are becoming increasingly popular in studying self-assembling processes of diverse peptide and protein systems, but the difficulty in experimental manipulation and data analysis can deter beginners. This review will introduce the basic theory, general experimental setup and data analysis of SANS and NR, followed by provision of their applications in characterising interfacial and solution self-assemblies of representative peptides and proteins. SANS and NR are remarkably effective in determining the morphological features self-assembled short peptides, especially size and shape transitions as a result of either sequence changes or in response to environmental stimuli, demonstrating the unique capability of NR and SANS in unravelling the interactive processes. These examples highlight the potential of NR and SANS in supporting the development of novel short peptides and proteins as biopharmaceutical candidates in the fight against many diseases and infections that share common features of membrane interactive processes.}, } @article {pmid37874316, year = {2023}, author = {Jantarabenjakul, W and Chantasrisawad, N and Nantanee, R and Ganguli, S and Puthanakit, T}, title = {Global COVID-19 Vaccination in Infants and Children: Effectiveness, Safety, and Challenges.}, journal = {Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology}, volume = {41}, number = {4}, pages = {292-303}, doi = {10.12932/AP-300423-1596}, pmid = {37874316}, issn = {0125-877X}, mesh = {Humans ; Child ; Infant ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects ; *COVID-19/prevention & control ; Vaccination ; Hospitalization ; }, abstract = {COVID-19 Vaccines, which include mRNA and inactivated vaccines, have been proven effective and safe for infants and children aged more than six months in reducing the severity of the disease, hospitalization, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and death. Nonetheless, the real-world effectiveness of these vaccines in preventing infection is generally lower than in clinical trials due to the emergence of variants of concern, especially the Omicron strains. Despite the availability of vaccines for children, their uptake remains low globally, particularly among parents who are hesitant to vaccinate their children. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy from clinical trials and the current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for infants and children aged 6 months to < 12 years for 2023-2024, discuss the progress made in vaccine implementation and real-world effectiveness, and address the knowledge gap and future directions.}, } @article {pmid37775358, year = {2023}, author = {Ersal, T and Özkocaman, V and Yalçın, C and Orhan, B and Candar, Ö and Çubukçu, S and Koca, TG and Pınar, İE and Hunutlu, FÇ and Özkalemkaş, F}, title = {The effect of cryopreservation on engraftment kinetics in fully matched allogeneic stem cell transplantation: Real-life data and literature review.}, journal = {Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis}, volume = {62}, number = {6}, pages = {103821}, doi = {10.1016/j.transci.2023.103821}, pmid = {37775358}, issn = {1473-0502}, mesh = {Humans ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Pandemics ; Transplantation, Homologous ; *Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods ; *Graft vs Host Disease/etiology ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Cryopreservation ; Transplantation Conditioning/methods ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The standard approach for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is to administer donor cells on the same day as a fresh product to a patient who has been given a preparative regimen. The difficulty in collecting and transporting donor cells, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has made it essential to collect and cryopreserve the grafts before the recipient begins the transplant preparation regimen. However, the short- and long-term impacts of cryopreservation on transplant outcomes remain controversial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 93 patients who underwent allo-SCT between January 2012 and August 2022 at the Stem Cell Transplant Unit of Bursa Uludag University Faculty of Medicine using frozen and fresh products of peripheral blood stem cells from a fully matched sibling donor. The effect of cryopreservation of donor grafts on engraftment kinetics was investigated.

RESULTS: Frozen and fresh products were used in 37 and 56 patients, respectively. The majority of patients had acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The median age at transplantation was 41 years. Neutrophil engraftment time was similar between the two groups (median: 14 vs. 16 days, p = 0.393). Platelet engraftment time was longer in the frozen product group (median: 12 vs. 15 days, p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between freezing time and viability. The acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) rate was 37.8 % in the frozen product group and 28.6 % in the fresh product group (p = 0.349). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of primary and secondary graft failure, chronic GVHD, 30-day chimerism, relapse, overall survival, progression-free survival, and nonrelapse mortality.

CONCLUSION: Having donor cells ready before transplantation significantly prevents donor-induced adverse events and provides confidence and practicality to both the clinician and the recipient. Allo-SCT with frozen products is a successful method that can be safely applied, especially when disruptions in donor-derived cell collection or transportation are foreseen.}, } @article {pmid37669740, year = {2023}, author = {Han, SA and Kim, JK and Cho, DY and Patel, ZM and Rhee, CS}, title = {The Olfactory System: Basic Anatomy and Physiology for General Otorhinolaryngologists.}, journal = {Clinical and experimental otorhinolaryngology}, volume = {16}, number = {4}, pages = {308-316}, doi = {10.21053/ceo.2023.00185}, pmid = {37669740}, issn = {1976-8710}, support = {K08AI146220//National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious disease/ ; 1R21AI168894-01//National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious disease/ ; CHO20A0-KB//Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Olfaction is one of the five basic human senses, and it is known to be one of the most primitive senses. The sense of olfaction may have been critical for human survival in prehistoric society, and although many believe its importance has diminished over time, it continues to have an impact on human interaction, bonding, and propagation of the species. Even if we are unaware of it, the sense of smell greatly affects our lives and is closely related to overall quality of life and health. Nonetheless, olfaction has been neglected from a scientific perspective compared to other senses. However, olfaction has recently received substantial attention since the loss of smell and taste has been noted as a key symptom of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Studies investigating olfaction loss in association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have revealed that olfactory dysfunction can be both conductive and sensorineural, possibly causing structural changes in the brain. Olfactory training is an effective treatment for olfactory dysfunction, suggesting the reorganization of neural associations. A reduced ability to smell may also alert suspicion for neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorders. Here, we summarize the basic knowledge that we, as otorhinolaryngologists, should have about the sense of smell and the peripheral and central olfactory pathways for managing and helping patients with olfactory dysfunction.}, } @article {pmid38051997, year = {2021}, author = {Ishack, S and Lipner, SR}, title = {Use of 3D printing to support COVID-19 medical supply shortages: a review.}, journal = {Journal of 3D printing in medicine}, volume = {5}, number = {2}, pages = {83-95}, pmid = {38051997}, issn = {2059-4763}, abstract = {The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, created a pandemic with significant mortality and morbidity which poses challenges for patients and healthcare workers. The global spread of COVID-19 has resulted in shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) leaving frontline health workers unprotected and overwhelming the healthcare system. 3D printing is well suited to address shortages of masks, face shields, testing kits and ventilators. In this article, we review 3D printing and suggest potential applications for creating PPE for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed with keywords "Coronavirus disease 2019", "COVID-19", "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2", "SARS-CoV-2", "supply shortages", "N95 respirator masks", "personal protective equipment", "PPE", "ventilators", "three-dimensional model", "three-dimensional printing" "3D printing" and "ventilator". A summary of important studies relevant to the development of 3D-printed clinical applications for COVID-19 is presented. 3D technology has great potential to revolutionize healthcare through accessibility, affordably and personalization.}, } @article {pmid38051991, year = {2021}, author = {Abbas, MZ}, title = {Industrial applications of 3D printing to scale-up production of COVID-19-related medical equipment.}, journal = {Journal of 3D printing in medicine}, volume = {5}, number = {2}, pages = {97-110}, pmid = {38051991}, issn = {2059-4763}, abstract = {Additive manufacturing or 3D printing allows the rapid conversion of information from digital 3D models into physical objects. The current COVID-19 crisis underscored the value of 3D-printing technology in addressing critical shortages in the medical product supply chain. This article provides a review of the significant role of additive manufacturing technologies in addressing the COVID-19 situation. This article concludes that 3D printing has an important role in global public health because of its potential to adapt to emerging situations far more easily and quickly as compared with conventional manufacturing methods. There is a need for further research to improve the technology to mass produce better quality products more economically. Currently, the 3D-printing industry is concentrated in the US and Western Europe. Policy efforts are needed to tap all markets across the globe in order to be better prepared for a future pandemic.}, } @article {pmid38048854, year = {2023}, author = {Bilal, MI and Gajjar, R and Bobba, A and Zabel, KM and Davis, MG and Nasrullah, A and Gangu, K and Sheikh, AB and Yadav, N}, title = {Assessing 30-Day Readmissions and Outcomes in Acute Heart Failure Patients with Concurrent COVID-19: A Nationwide Study during the 2020 Pandemic.}, journal = {Current problems in cardiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {102246}, doi = {10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102246}, pmid = {38048854}, issn = {1535-6280}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Acute heart failure (HF) is a significant cause of readmission and mortality, particularly within 30 days post-discharge. The interplay between COVID-19 and HF is still being studied.

METHODS: This retrospective study utilized The National Readmission Database to examine outcomes and predictors among patients with COVID-19 and concomitant acute HF between January 1, 2020, and November 31, 2020. 53,336 index hospitalizations and 8,158 readmissions were included. The primary outcome was the 30-day all-cause readmission rate. Predictor variables included patient demographics, medical comorbidities and discharge disposition.

RESULTS: The primary outcome was 21.2%. COVID-19 infection was the most predominant all-cause reason for acute HF readmission (24.7%). Hypertensive heart disease with chronic kidney disease was the most prevalent cardiac cause (7.7%). Mortality rate during index hospitalization was significantly higher compared to readmission.

CONCLUSIONS: The highlighted prevalent complications, comorbidities, and demographics driving readmissions offer valuable insights to improve outcomes in this population.}, } @article {pmid38048696, year = {2023}, author = {Tian, L and Qiang, T and Yang, X and Gao, Y and Zhai, X and Kang, K and Du, C and Lu, Q and Gao, H and Zhang, D and Xie, X and Liang, C}, title = {Development of de-novo coronavirus 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL[pro]) inhibitors since COVID-19 outbreak: A strategy to tackle challenges of persistent virus infection.}, journal = {European journal of medicinal chemistry}, volume = {264}, number = {}, pages = {115979}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115979}, pmid = {38048696}, issn = {1768-3254}, abstract = {Although no longer a public health emergency of international concern, COVID-19 remains a persistent and critical health concern. The development of effective antiviral drugs could serve as the ultimate piece of the puzzle to curbing this global crisis. 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL[pro]), with its substrate specificity mirroring that of the main picornavirus 3C protease and conserved across various coronaviruses, emerges as an ideal candidate for broad-spectrum antiviral drug development. Moreover, it holds the potential as a reliable contingency option to combat emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. In this light, the approved drugs, promising candidates, and de-novo small molecule therapeutics targeting 3CL[pro] since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 are discussed. Emphasizing the significance of diverse structural characteristics in inhibitors, be they peptidomimetic or nonpeptidic, with a shared mission to minimize the risk of cross-resistance. Moreover, the authors propose an innovative optimization strategy for 3CL[pro] reversible covalent PROTACs, optimizing pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics to better prepare for potential future viral outbreaks.}, } @article {pmid38048155, year = {2023}, author = {Masel, J and Petrie, JIM and Bay, J and Ebbers, W and Sharan, A and Leibrand, SM and Gebhard, A and Zimmerman, S}, title = {Combatting SARS-CoV-2 With Digital Contact Tracing and Notification: Navigating Six Points of Failure.}, journal = {JMIR public health and surveillance}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {e49560}, doi = {10.2196/49560}, pmid = {38048155}, issn = {2369-2960}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention & control ; Contact Tracing ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Basic Reproduction Number ; Privacy ; }, abstract = {Digital contact tracing and notification were initially hailed as promising strategies to combat SARS-CoV-2; however, in most jurisdictions, they did not live up to their promise. To avert a given transmission event, both parties must have adopted the technology, it must detect the contact, the primary case must be promptly diagnosed, notifications must be triggered, and the secondary case must change their behavior to avoid the focal tertiary transmission event. If we approximate these as independent events, achieving a 26% reduction in the effective reproduction number Rt would require an 80% success rate at each of these 6 points of failure. Here, we review the 6 failure rates experienced by a variety of digital contact tracing and contact notification schemes, including Singapore's TraceTogether, India's Aarogya Setu, and leading implementations of the Google Apple Exposure Notification system. This leads to a number of recommendations, for example, that the narrative be framed in terms of user autonomy rather than user privacy, and that tracing/notification apps be multifunctional and integrated with testing, manual contact tracing, and the gathering of critical scientific data.}, } @article {pmid38048149, year = {2023}, author = {Killela, M and Biddell, C and Keim-Malpass, J and Schwartz, TA and Soto, S and Williams, J and Santacroce, S}, title = {The Use of Medical Crowdfunding to Mitigate the Personal Costs of Serious Chronic Illness: Scoping Review.}, journal = {Journal of medical Internet research}, volume = {25}, number = {}, pages = {e44530}, doi = {10.2196/44530}, pmid = {38048149}, issn = {1438-8871}, mesh = {Child ; Humans ; *Medical Tourism ; Pandemics ; Quality of Life ; Health Expenditures ; Chronic Disease ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Persons diagnosed with serious chronic illnesses and their caretakers experience multiple types of financial costs that strain their income and generate financial distress. Many turn to medical crowdfunding (MCF) to mitigate the harms of these costs on their health and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to summarize the research on MCF for persons diagnosed with serious chronic illness regarding study designs and methods; the responsible conduct of research practices; and study foci as they relate to stress, stress appraisals, and the coping processes.

METHODS: This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Eligible studies were conducted in countries designated as high income by the World Bank and focused on beneficiaries diagnosed with serious chronic illness. The findings of the included studies were summarized as they related to the key concepts in a conceptual framework derived from an established stress, appraisal, and coping framework and a conceptual model of financial toxicity in pediatric oncology.

RESULTS: Overall, 26 studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. The main findings included a lack of integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches and the inconsistent reporting of the responsible conduct of research practices. The included studies focused on financial stressors that contributed to financial burden, such as out-of-pocket payments of medical bills, basic living expenses, medical travel expenses, and lost income owing to illness-related work disruptions. Few studies addressed stress appraisals as threatening or the adequacy of available financial resources. When mentioned, appraisals related to the global financial struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic or the capacity of social network members to donate funds. The consequences of MCF included the receipt of 3 forms of social support (tangible, informational, and emotional), privacy loss, embarrassment, and the propagation of scientifically unsupported information. Studies found that friends and family tended to manage MCF campaigns. Although most of the studies (21/26, 81%) focused on monetary outcomes, a few (5/26, 19%) concentrated on peoples' experiences with MCF.

CONCLUSIONS: The identified methodological gaps highlight the need for more robust and reproducible approaches to using the copious data available on public MCF platforms. The integration of quantitative and qualitative methods will allow for nuanced explorations of the MCF experience. A more consistent elaboration of strategies to promote the responsible conduct of research is warranted to minimize risk to populations that are vulnerable and express concerns regarding the loss of privacy. Finally, an examination of the unanticipated consequences of MCF is critical for the development of future interventions to optimize existing supports while providing needed supports, financial and nonfinancial, that are lacking.}, } @article {pmid38047762, year = {2023}, author = {Tessier, E and Litt, D and Ribeiro, S and Abdul Aziz, N and Campbell, H and Amirthalingam, G and Fry, NK and Andrews, N}, title = {Mixture modelling of Bordetella pertussis serology samples to evaluate anti-pertussis toxin immunoglobulin G titre thresholds for positivity: England 2008-2022.}, journal = {Journal of medical microbiology}, volume = {72}, number = {12}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1099/jmm.0.001774}, pmid = {38047762}, issn = {1473-5644}, mesh = {Humans ; *Bordetella pertussis ; Pertussis Toxin ; *Cough ; England/epidemiology ; Immunoglobulin G ; }, abstract = {Introduction. Antibody testing for evidence of a recent Bordetella pertussis infection by estimating anti-pertussis toxin immunoglobulin G (anti-PT-IgG) titres by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays is often recommended for those with a cough lasting more than 14 days. Interpreting results varies, with studies recommending different anti-PT-IgG titre thresholds for assigning positivity. In England, early work looking at antibody titre distributions for samples submitted from April 2010 to July 2012 found an optimal threshold of greater than 70 IU ml[-1] for good sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value.Aim. The aim of this study is to use the same mixture modelling technique to determine if the 70 IU ml[-1] threshold remains appropriate when assessing data before, during and after the outbreak of pertussis in 2011-2012.Methods. We reviewed titres for all serology-tested samples in England between 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2022. IgG titres were used to calculate the positivity based on the current threshold of 70 IU ml[-1], the median duration of cough for individuals who tested positive and, through mixture modelling, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of assay thresholds.Results. Positivity rates increased from 21.7 % prior to the outbreak to 30.3 % during the outbreak and dropped to 25.1 % post-outbreak; similar to estimates from the mixture model of 20.5, 33.3 and 28.7 %, respectively. Although the estimated sensitivity dropped during and after the outbreak when applying the 70 IU ml[-1] threshold, the PPV remained high and therefore no change to this threshold is warranted.Conclusion. Mixture modelling is a useful tool to establish thresholds, but reassessment should also be done when there have been changes to prevalence and/or testing regimes to determine whether there have been any changes in sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV and whether the threshold should be revised.}, } @article {pmid38046558, year = {2023}, author = {Monye, IN and Makinde, MT and Oseni, TIA and Adelowo, AB and Nyirenda, S}, title = {Covid-19 and Pre-Morbid Lifestyle-Related Risk Factors-A Review.}, journal = {Health services insights}, volume = {16}, number = {}, pages = {11786329231215049}, pmid = {38046558}, issn = {1178-6329}, abstract = {Since its outbreak in December 2019 in China, COVID-19 has spread like wild fire to affect many communities of the world. The high infectivity and case fatality rates of the disease among the general population and the severely ill patients respectively drew the attention of the global community. Our review showed that socio-demographic and lifestyle-related risk factors and underlying comorbid diseases were directly and indirectly associated with increased susceptibility and severity of COVID-19. These factors included older age (⩾60 years), male gender, and ethnic minority groups (especially blacks), smoking, low serum level of vitamin D, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity (with poor exposure to sunlight), overweight/obesity, high blood pressure/hypertension, high blood cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases (like stroke and coronary heart disease), diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, and some cancers (like leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma). The literature further revealed that the clinical progression of the majority of these associated risk factors can be modified through effective and comprehensive risk reduction through healthy living and lifestyle modification. COVID-19 preventive and treatment guidelines that give adequate attention to risk reduction and healthy lifestyle among people-either in the pre-, peri-, or post-COVID-19 stage, should be developed by public health policymakers and clinicians. This will play a significant role in the global effort to combat the pandemic, and reduce its negative impact on the life expectancy and socio-economic development of the world particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).}, } @article {pmid38046477, year = {2023}, author = {Thaker, R and Faraci, J and Derti, S and Schiavone, JF}, title = {Myocarditis in SARS-CoV-2: A Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e48059}, pmid = {38046477}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {There has been a rise in cardiovascular events following the onset of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, a strain that caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although rare, there has been an increase in reports of myocarditis secondary to both individuals infected by the strain and those who received the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. The focus of this study is to determine the risk of myocarditis associated with the COVID-19 vaccine and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Relevant literature was collected using the search engines PubMed, Google Scholar, and the WHO Global Literature on Coronavirus Disease. Randomized controlled clinical trials and cohort studies reporting the risk of myocarditis induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccines were used. A meta-analysis was conducted using the inverse variance method using RevMan application software. A meta-analysis of the compiled data showed a mean risk ratio of 4.74 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.40 to 9.36; p < 0.0000100), which indicates there is a significant difference in the risk of COVID-19-induced myocarditis in those with unspecified vaccination status compared to the non-infected population. A meta-analysis of the selected data found a mean risk ratio of 5.01 (95% CI = 4.14 to 6.08; p < 0.0000100), indicating a significant difference in the risk of COVID-19-induced myocarditis between those who are unvaccinated and the non-infected population. Upon a meta-analysis of the selected data set, a mean risk ratio of 2.55 (95% CI = 0.840 to 7.74; p = 0.100) was found, indicating no significant difference in the risk of vaccine-induced myocarditis between those with a vaccinated vaccination status and that of the non-infected population. The result of this meta-analysis showed that infection with SARS-CoV-2 in unvaccinated patients carries a statistically significant increased risk of acquiring myocarditis while those receiving the vaccination do not share this same risk.}, } @article {pmid38046158, year = {2023}, author = {Khan, NA and El-Menyar, A and Asim, M and Abdurahiman, S and Al Musleh, AA and Al-Thani, H}, title = {Academic and healthcare efforts from Cessation to complete resumption of professional football tournaments during COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative review.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {9}, number = {12}, pages = {e22519}, pmid = {38046158}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to over 626 million infections and 6.5 million deaths worldwide and forced to cancel or postpone several sporting events. Effective control techniques are therefore urgently required to avoid COVID-19 spread at these local and global events. This narrative review addressed the healthcare and research efforts on the intersections between COVID-19 and major professional sports leagues worldwide, with special reference to the FIFA World Cup football 2022. This explained how the broader transformation of COVID-19 from being a potential risk to an urgent pandemic public health emergency, caused the world of Football to halt between February and March 2020. This review could add to the growing literature on the importance of scientific research in understanding the relationship between mass sports events and COVID-19 trajectory, concerning studies conducted globally and particularly for the recommencement of major professional football competitions. The information outlined in the article may help sports organizations understand the risks associated with sports and their settings and improve their preparedness for future events under unprecedented circumstances. There were tremendous global healthcare and research efforts to deal with this unprecedented pandemic. The successful FIFA World Cup football tournament was an indicator of the success of these efforts.}, } @article {pmid38046026, year = {2023}, author = {Granata, S and Stallone, G and Zaza, G}, title = {mRNA as a medicine in nephrology: the future is now.}, journal = {Clinical kidney journal}, volume = {16}, number = {12}, pages = {2349-2356}, pmid = {38046026}, issn = {2048-8505}, abstract = {The successful employment of messenger RNA (mRNA) as vaccine therapy for the prevention of COVID-19 infection has spotlighted the attention of scientific community onto the potential clinical application of these molecules as innovative and alternative therapeutic approaches in different fields of medicine. As therapy, mRNAs may be advantageous due to their unique biological properties of targeting almost any genetic component within the cell, many of which may be unreachable using other pharmacological/therapeutic approaches, and encoding any proteins and peptides without the need for their transport into the nuclei of the target cells. Additionally, these molecules may be rapidly designed/produced and clinically tested. Once the chemistry of the RNA and its delivery system are optimized, the cost of developing novel variants of these medications for new selected clinical disorders is significantly reduced. However, although potentially useful as new therapeutic weapons against several kidney diseases, the complex architecture of kidney and the inability of nanoparticles that accommodate oligonucleotides to cross the integral glomerular filtration barrier have largely decreased their potential employment in nephrology. However, in the next few years, the technical improvements in mRNA that increase translational efficiency, modulate innate and adaptive immunogenicity, and increase their delivery at the site of action will overcome these limitations. Therefore, this review has the scope of summarizing the key strengths of these RNA-based therapies and illustrating potential future directions and challenges of this promising technology for widespread therapeutic use in nephrology.}, } @article {pmid38045130, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, H and Hu, J and Tan, BK and Wong, KH and Huang, JJ and Cheung, PCK and Lin, S}, title = {Lesson learned from COVID-19 pandemic for the future of food industry.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {9}, number = {11}, pages = {e22479}, pmid = {38045130}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {With WHO announcing COVID-19 no longer as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on May 5, 2023, coupled with the fact that the majority of the countries of the world have dropped strict city lockdown or border closure, this perhaps signals the end of the COVID-19 crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in far-reaching effects affecting nearly every aspect of our lives and society. Notably, the food industry including agriculture, food manufacturers, food logistics, distributors and retailers have all felt the profound impact and had experienced significant stress during the pandemic. Therefore, it is essential to retrospect the lessons that can be learned from this pandemic for the food industry. This short review aims to address the food safety issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on its foodborne transmission potential, innovations of virus detection strategies suitable for food industry; development of phathogenicaidal methods and devices to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 virus (particularly in industrial scale); and the set-up of related food regulations and guidelines as preventive and control measures for preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus through the food supply chain during the pandemic. This article may provide useful references for the food industry to minimize the food safety impact of COVID-19 (as well as other respiratory virus) and allows them to better prepare for similar future challenges.}, } @article {pmid38045081, year = {2023}, author = {Rojas, D and Tailor, J and Fournier, K and Cheung, JJ and Rangel, C}, title = {Zoomification of medical education: can the rapid online educational responses to COVID-19 prepare us for another educational disruption? A scoping review.}, journal = {Canadian medical education journal}, volume = {14}, number = {5}, pages = {33-48}, pmid = {38045081}, issn = {1923-1202}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Education, Distance ; Pandemics/prevention & control ; *Education, Medical ; Software ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, educators have increasingly shifted delivery of medical education to online/distance learning. Given the rapid and heterogeneous nature of adaptations; it is unclear what interventions have been developed, which strategies and technologies have been leveraged, or, more importantly, the rationales given for designs. Capturing the content and skills that were shifted to online, the type of platforms used for the adaptations, as well as the pedagogies, theories, or conceptual frameworks used to inform the adapted educational deliveries can bolster continued improvement and sustainability of distance/online education while preparing medical education for future large-scale disruptions.

METHODS: We conducted a scoping review to map the rapid medical educational interventions that have been adapted or transitioned to online between December 2019 and August 2020. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Education Source, CINAHL, and Web of Science for articles pertaining to COVID-19, online (distance) learning, and education for medical students, residents, and staff. We included primary research articles and reports describing adaptations of previous educational content to online learning.

RESULTS: From an initial 980 articles, we identified 208 studies for full-text screening and 100 articles for data extraction. The majority of the reported scholarship came from Western Countries and was published in clinical science journals. Cognitive content was the main type of content adapted (over psychomotor, or affective). More than half of the articles used a video-conferencing software as the platform to pivot their educational intervention into virtual. Unfortunately, most of the reported work did not disclose their rationale for choosing a platform. Of those that did, the majority chose technological solutions based on availability within their institutions. Similarly, most of the articles did not report the use of any pedagogy, theory, or framework to inform the educational adaptations.}, } @article {pmid38044089, year = {2023}, author = {Harashima, H}, title = {Innovative System for Delivering Nucleic Acids/Genes Based on Controlled Intracellular Trafficking as Well as Controlled Biodistribution for Nanomedicines.}, journal = {Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin}, volume = {46}, number = {12}, pages = {1648-1660}, doi = {10.1248/bpb.b23-00634}, pmid = {38044089}, issn = {1347-5215}, mesh = {*Nanomedicine ; Tissue Distribution ; *DNA ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Lipids ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; }, abstract = {This review paper summarizes progress that has been made in the new field of "Controlled Intracellular Trafficking." This involves the development of new systems for delivering plasmid DNA (pDNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), mRNA, proteins, their escape from endosomes, the mechanism for how they enter the nucleus, how they enter mithochondria and how materials subsequently function within a cell. In addition, strategies for delivering these materials to a selective tissue after intravenous administration was also intensively investigated not only to the liver but also to tumors, lungs, adipose tissue and the spleen. In 2020, a new mRNA vaccine was developed against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), where ionizable cationic lipids were used as a delivery system. Our strategy to identify an efficient ionizable cationic lipids (iCL) based on a lipid library as well as their applications concerning the delivery of siRNA/mRNA/pDNA is also described.}, } @article {pmid37996291, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, B and McDonough, J and Chen, G and Ong, JJ and Marshall, H}, title = {Sociodemographic factors and attitudes associated with Australian parental acceptance of paediatric COVID-19 vaccination.}, journal = {Vaccine}, volume = {41}, number = {51}, pages = {7608-7617}, doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.11.024}, pmid = {37996291}, issn = {1873-2518}, mesh = {Child ; Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines ; Australia ; Sociodemographic Factors ; *COVID-19/prevention & control ; Parents ; Vaccination ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 vaccine coverage among children in countries where COVID-19 vaccines are recommended has been suboptimal. Conflicting information in the media leads to parental anxiety and confusion around COVID-19 vaccination in children. The scepticism expressed by certain experts regarding the importance of COVID-19 vaccines in children has also had a negative impact on parental attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to understand parental concerns and preferences for paediatric COVID-19 vaccination, and identify potential vaccination promotion ("nudge") interventions to optimise paediatric COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

METHODS: Mixed methods including Focus Group Discussions and a Discrete Choice Experiment survey were used. The Discrete Choice Experiment survey design was based on a literature review and the findings of Focus Group Discussions. The study was conducted on a nationally representative sample of parents in Australia.

RESULTS: In total, 1039 parents participated in the study. Parents showed strong preferences for a COVID-19 vaccine with lower risk of serious side effects and longer protection duration, followed by higher vaccine effectiveness and delivery via oral tablets. Promotion strategies were similarly preferred by parents. Latent class logit analysis identified three groups, interpretable as COVID-19 vaccine "accepters (35.3%)", "deliberators (31.7%)", and "rejecters (33.1%)". The "deliberators" composed of more parents, residing in metropolitan areas, having concerns about vaccine effectiveness, and believing that disease risks outweigh vaccine benefits than the "accepters". The "rejecters" were more likely to not be vaccinated themselves, and generally have less trust in vaccines than the "accepters". The "deliberators" and "rejecters" were less likely to be parents aged ≥25 years and complete final year of high school than the "accepters".

CONCLUSIONS: Parents' sociodemographic factors and vaccine perceptions were associated with different levels of acceptance toward paediatric COVID-19 vaccination, which may help to better understand how to "nudge" vaccine hesitancy.}, } @article {pmid37918175, year = {2023}, author = {Vieux, N and Perrier, Q and Bedouch, P and Epaulard, O}, title = {Much ado about nothing? Discrepancy between the available data on the antiviral effect of hydroxychloroquine in March 2020 and its inclusion in COVID-19 clinical trials and outpatient prescriptions.}, journal = {Public health}, volume = {225}, number = {}, pages = {35-44}, doi = {10.1016/j.puhe.2023.09.018}, pmid = {37918175}, issn = {1476-5616}, mesh = {Humans ; *Hydroxychloroquine/therapeutic use/pharmacology ; *COVID-19 ; Outpatients ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Many of the 2020 COVID-19 clinical trials included an (hydroxy)chloroquine ((H)CQ) arm. We aimed to juxtapose the state of science before April 2020 regarding the benefits of (H)CQ for viral infections with the number and size of the clinical trials studying (H)CQ and the volume of (H)CQ dispensed in France.

STUDY DESIGN: We identified and analysed published scientific material regarding the antiviral activity of (H)CQ and publicly available data regarding clinical trials and drug dispensation in France.

METHODS: We conducted a review of scientific publications available before April 2020 and a systematic analysis of COVID-19 clinical trials featuring (H)CQ registered on clinicaltrials.gov.

RESULTS: Before April 2020, 894 scientific publications mentioning (H)CQ for viruses other than coronaviruses were available, including 35 in vitro studies (reporting an inconstant inhibition of viral replication), 11 preclinical studies (reporting no or disputable positive effects), and 32 clinical trials (reporting no or disputable positive effects). Moreover, 67 publications on (H)CQ and coronavirus infections were available, including 12 in vitro studies (reporting an inconstant inhibition of viral replication), two preclinical studies (reporting contradictory results), and no clinical trials. Meanwhile, 253 therapeutic clinical trials featuring an HCQ arm were registered in 2020, intending to enrol 246,623 patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The number and size of (H)CQ clinical trials for COVID-19 launched in 2020 were not supported by the literature published before April 2020.}, } @article {pmid37581371, year = {2023}, author = {Almoznino, G and Gleicher, D and Kharouba, J and Blumer, S}, title = {Olfactory and gustatory disorders associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adults: a topic review.}, journal = {Quintessence international (Berlin, Germany : 1985)}, volume = {54}, number = {10}, pages = {852-866}, doi = {10.3290/j.qi.b4313291}, pmid = {37581371}, issn = {1936-7163}, mesh = {Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; *COVID-19/complications ; Dentists ; *Olfaction Disorders/etiology/diagnosis ; Professional Role ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Taste Disorders/complications ; }, abstract = {This paper is aimed at comprehensively reviewing olfactory and gustatory disorders caused by SARS-CoV-2 in children and adults. An electronic and manual search was done on three databases: MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria included publications written in English, involving humans in the age range of 0 to 99 years that were captured by a controlled vocabulary of thesaurus terms. Olfactory and gustatory disorders rates in COVID-19 ranged from 22% to 71.9% in adults and 16.6% to 25.8% in children. Olfactory and gustatory disorders might appear as the first symptom, and in adults might even be the only symptom (4.8% to 10%). Anosmia is the most common olfactory disorder and hypogeusia is the most common gustatory disorder. In 33% to 89% of cases, olfactory and gustatory disorders resolve spontaneously within a few weeks, coinciding with the resolution of other COVID-19 symptoms, both in adults and children. However, in some patients, olfactory and gustatory disorders persist beyond the resolution of other symptoms. Notably, children generally experience a swifter and more favorable recovery compared to adults. The precise pathogenesis underlying olfactory and gustatory disorders in the context of COVID-19 remains unclear and is likely multifactorial. Presently, no established treatment protocol exists for olfactory and gustatory disorders and current treatments reviewed lack robust evidence and are not readily available for clinical use. Olfactory training represents the only therapy currently recommended by international authorities. Pediatric practitioners and general dental practitioners should be aware of olfactory and gustatory disorders in both pediatric and adult populations, including their biologic mechanisms, treatment options, and recovery rates.}, } @article {pmid37166245, year = {2023}, author = {Espí Forcén, F and Freudenreich, O}, title = {Coping With Pandemics: A Historical Perspective About Society's Tools to Deal With Global Infectious Diseases.}, journal = {The Journal of nervous and mental disease}, volume = {211}, number = {12}, pages = {927-933}, doi = {10.1097/NMD.0000000000001668}, pmid = {37166245}, issn = {1539-736X}, mesh = {Humans ; Adaptation, Psychological ; *Communicable Diseases ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; History, 20th Century ; *Influenza Pandemic, 1918-1919 ; Pandemics/history ; *Plague/history ; }, abstract = {Throughout history, society has dealt with several devastating pandemics. Our objective is to analyze society's coping mechanisms to deal with pandemic-related stress in history congruent with the values of the time. For that purpose, we have carefully selected some of the most significant pandemics based on their impact and the available psychosocial literature. After a brief introduction, society's coping tools are reviewed and analyzed for the Antonine Plague, the second bubonic plague, the third cholera pandemic, the Spanish flu, the HIV pandemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite occurring at different times in history, parallels can be established in the study of society's psychological reactions among different pandemics. Magical thinking, political skepticism, fake accusations, and discrimination of minorities are recurrent reactions in society among different pandemics in history.}, } @article {pmid38044176, year = {2023}, author = {Petranović Ovčariček, P and Görges, R and Giovanella, L}, title = {Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases.}, journal = {Seminars in nuclear medicine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2023.11.002}, pmid = {38044176}, issn = {1558-4623}, abstract = {Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) include a wide spectrum of thyroid diseases affecting more commonly women than men. The most frequent forms are Graves' Disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis / Autoimmune Thyroiditis (AIT), but there are also other immunogenic destructive forms of thyroiditis, that is, silent and postpartum thyroiditis. In the last decade, AITDs and other inflammatory thyroid diseases related to anti-tumor molecular drugs are more frequently seen due to the widespread use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs). Autoimmune thyroiditis related to SARS-CoV-2 infection has been a novel entity in recent years. Graves' Disease and AIT may shift from hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism, which may complicate the differential diagnosis and further treatment strategy. Moreover, all AITDs may manifest with thyrotoxicosis (a clinical condition marked with high serum levels of thyroid hormones) which has to be distinguished from hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid hormone production and secretion as a result of hyperfunctioning thyroid gland) due to different therapeutic approaches. Nuclear medicine techniques, such as radioiodine uptake (RAIU) and thyroid scintigraphy, using [99m]Tc- pertechnetate (Na[[99m]Tc]TcO4) or 123-Iodine (Na[[123]I]I), have a crucial role in the differential diagnosis. Measurement of thyroid antibodies, e.g. thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO) and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb), as well as thyroid ultrasound, are complementary methods in the evaluation of thyroid disorders.}, } @article {pmid38044003, year = {2023}, author = {Adedinsewo, D and Eberly, L and Sokumbi, O and Rodriguez, JA and Patten, CA and Brewer, LC}, title = {Health Disparities, Clinical Trials, and the Digital Divide.}, journal = {Mayo Clinic proceedings}, volume = {98}, number = {12}, pages = {1875-1887}, doi = {10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.05.003}, pmid = {38044003}, issn = {1942-5546}, abstract = {In the past few years, there have been rapid advances in technology and the use of digital tools in health care and clinical research. Although these innovations have immense potential to improve health care delivery and outcomes, there are genuine concerns related to inadvertent widening of the digital gap consequentially exacerbating health disparities. As such, it is important that we critically evaluate the impact of expansive digital transformation in medicine and clinical research on health equity. For digital solutions to truly improve the landscape of health care and clinical trial participation for all persons in an equitable way, targeted interventions to address historic injustices, structural racism, and social and digital determinants of health are essential. The urgent need to focus on interventions to promote health equity was made abundantly clear with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which magnified long-standing social and racial health disparities. Novel digital technologies present a unique opportunity to embed equity ideals into the ecosystem of health care and clinical research. In this review, we examine racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials, historic instances of unethical research practices in biomedical research and its impact on clinical trial participation, and the digital divide in health care and clinical research, and we propose suggestions to achieve digital health equity in clinical trials. We also highlight key digital health opportunities in cardiovascular medicine and dermatology as exemplars, and we offer future directions for development and adoption of patient-centric interventions aimed at narrowing the digital divide and mitigating health inequities.}, } @article {pmid38043812, year = {2023}, author = {Zhao, B and Rehati, P and Yang, Z and Cai, Z and Guo, C and Li, Y}, title = {The potential toxicity of microplastics on human health.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {168946}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168946}, pmid = {38043812}, issn = {1879-1026}, abstract = {Microplastics are plastic particles, films, and fibers with a diameter of <5 mm. Given their long-standing existence in the environment and terrible increase in annual emissions, concerns were raised about the potential health risk of microplastics on human beings. In particular, the increased consumption of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased human contact with microplastics. To date, the emergence of microplastics in the human body, such as feces, blood, placenta, lower airway, and lungs, has been reported. Related toxicological investigations of microplastics were gradually increased. To comprehensively illuminate the interplay of microplastic exposure and human health, we systematically reviewed the updated toxicological data of microplastics and summarized their mode of action, adverse effects, and toxic mechanisms. The emerging critical issues in the current toxicological investigations were proposed and discussed. Our work would facilitate a better understanding of MPs-induced health hazards for toxicological evaluation and provide helpful information for regulatory decisions.}, } @article {pmid38043758, year = {2023}, author = {Kayla, KA and Bédard-Matteau, J and Rousseau, S and Tabrizchi, R and Noriko, D}, title = {Sex differences in vascular endothelial function related to acute and long COVID-19.}, journal = {Vascular pharmacology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {107250}, doi = {10.1016/j.vph.2023.107250}, pmid = {38043758}, issn = {1879-3649}, abstract = {The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has been at the forefront of health sciences research since its emergence in China in 2019 that quickly led to a global pandemic. As a result of this research, and the large numbers of infected patients globally, there were rapid enhancements made in our understanding of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathology, including its role in the development of uncontrolled immune responses and its link to the development of endotheliitis and endothelial dysfunction. There were also some noted differences in the rate and severity of infection between males and females with acute COVID. Some individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 also experience long-COVID, an important hallmark symptom of this being Myalgic Encephalomyelitis-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME-CFS), also experienced differently between males and females. The purpose of this review is to discuss the impact of sex on the vasculature during acute and long COVID-19, present any link between ME-CFS and endothelial dysfunction, and provide evidence for the relationship between ME-CFS and the immune system. We also will delineate biological sex differences observed in other post viral infections and, assess if sex differences exist in how the immune system responds to viral infection causing ME-CFS.}, } @article {pmid38043148, year = {2023}, author = {Nolte, J and Hanoch, Y}, title = {Adult age differences in risk perception and risk taking.}, journal = {Current opinion in psychology}, volume = {55}, number = {}, pages = {101746}, doi = {10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101746}, pmid = {38043148}, issn = {2352-2518}, abstract = {Research on self-reported risk perception and risk taking suggests age-related decrements in risk preference, with older adults less likely to engage in general and domain-specific risk taking (i.e., in financial, health-related, ethical, career, and leisure contexts). Data relating to social risks, however, are inconsistent. With respect to behavioral risk-taking tasks, age-related differences vary depending on task characteristics and older adults' cognitive capacities. Specifically, older adults are less good at learning to take advantageous risks and take fewer risks when faced with gains, especially financial and mortality-based ones. We contextualize these trends by referencing relevant theoretical frameworks (see Frey et al., 2021 [1]) and by drawing on the COVID-19 pandemic to illustrate recent examples of age-related differences in real-life risk responses.}, } @article {pmid38043077, year = {2023}, author = {Lisiecka-Biełanowicz, M and Molenda, B and Biechowska, D}, title = {Operation of Mental Health Centres (CZP) in Poland during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.}, journal = {Psychiatria polska}, volume = {57}, number = {3}, pages = {637-645}, doi = {10.12740/PP/156731}, pmid = {38043077}, issn = {2391-5854}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to characterise the changes in the operation of the Mental Health Centers (CZPs) in Poland during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

METHODS: Changing the concept of psychiatric care and moving towards a community model under the CZPs is, inter alia, no need to present and implement strictly defined schedules by service providers, which allows to respond to the current needs of patients and allows for the adaptation of the conditions and methods of providing psychiatric care services in Poland during pandemic.

RESULTS: On the basis of the experiences from the pandemic period, recommendations were presented the aim of which is improving work organisation of the CZPs in Poland.

CONCLUSIONS: A new map of mental health services' organisation following the peak of the pandemic in Poland is urgently needed. Well-functioning community care fosters good understanding of patients' needs, which means that even in a situation of, for instance, there is no element of surprise and there are known channels and methods of reacting to an emergency situation. The pilot CZPs quickly and easily adapted their response methods to the changing or new needs/new circumstances. As part of the activities in the field of psychiatric care reforms in Poland, it seems appropriate, at the present stage, to use all observations and information on the operation and organisation of work of entities that were included during pandemic in the CZP pilot programme in order to continuously improve the functioning of a new model of mental healthcare.}, } @article {pmid38042758, year = {2023}, author = {You, M}, title = {Role of Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Influenza: A Review.}, journal = {Sports medicine - open}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {115}, pmid = {38042758}, issn = {2199-1170}, support = {12022472//PhD research startup foundation of Jiangxi Normal University/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Many concerns regarding respiratory diseases, including influenza, emerged during the epidemic of COVID-19. There were relevant research findings and suggestions for influenza prevention and treatment through physical activity, but little report about the total efficiency. So, this review was to summarize the role of physical activity in influenza prevention and treatment.

MAIN BODY: The databases Web of Science, Google Scholar, EBSCO, PubMed, CNKI, and Science Direct were used to search the related literatures. The first search ran from July to October, 2021, and the second search was conducted in September, 2023. Those publications that reported the effects of physical activity, exercise, and sport on influenza, flu, and cold were included. It found that long-term adherence to moderate physical activity is beneficial in enhancing the body's ability to resist influenza viruses. However, high-intensity endurance physical activity can cause an open window in the human immune system, which increases the risk of infection by influenza viruses. The patients with influenza infections can participate in moderate physical activity during the pre-onset period, but some of the researchers do not recommend physical activity for patients with influenza, avoiding the transmission of influenza viruses to others through human contact of physical activity. Moreover, animal studies have shown that physical activity may worsen influenza disease. While studies found that moderate physical activity is beneficial for preventing influenza, as most experimental studies were conducted on animals, the mechanisms in human with physical activity are still unclear. No study has yet suggested exercise prescriptions to prevent and control influenza, and there is currently no way to prevent or control influenza just through physical activity. The follow-up research is needed to increase human clinical experiments, elucidate the effect of physical activity on influenza, develop exercise prescriptions and gradually promote physical activity as a practical means for preventing and treating influenza.

SHORT CONCLUSIONS: Overall, participating in moderate physical activity regularly should be beneficial in influenza prevention, alleviating the patients' symptoms and increasing the recovery efficiency, but this needs more testing in clinical human trials.}, } @article {pmid38042608, year = {2023}, author = {Sharma, S and Guleria, K}, title = {A comprehensive review on federated learning based models for healthcare applications.}, journal = {Artificial intelligence in medicine}, volume = {146}, number = {}, pages = {102691}, doi = {10.1016/j.artmed.2023.102691}, pmid = {38042608}, issn = {1873-2860}, mesh = {Humans ; *Alzheimer Disease ; Biopsy ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Lung Neoplasms ; *Physicians ; }, abstract = {A disease is an abnormal condition that negatively impacts the functioning of the human body. Pathology determines the causes behind the disease and identifies its development mechanism and functional consequences. Each disease has different identification methods, including X-ray scans for pneumonia, covid-19, and lung cancer, whereas biopsy and CT-scan can identify the presence of skin cancer and Alzheimer's disease, respectively. Early disease detection leads to effective treatment and avoids abiding complications. Deep learning has provided a vast number of applications in medical sectors resulting in accurate and reliable early disease predictions. These models are utilized in the healthcare industry to provide supplementary assistance to doctors in identifying the presence of diseases. Majorly, these models are trained through secondary data sources since healthcare institutions refrain from sharing patients' private data to ensure confidentiality, which limits the effectiveness of deep learning models due to the requirement of extensive datasets for training to achieve optimal results. Federated learning deals with the data in such a way that it doesn't exploit the privacy of a patient's data. In this work, a wide variety of disease detection models trained through federated learning have been rigorously reviewed. This meta-analysis provides an in-depth review of the federated learning architectures, federated learning types, hyperparameters, dataset utilization details, aggregation techniques, performance measures, and augmentation methods applied in the existing models during the development phase. The review also highlights various open challenges associated with the disease detection models trained through federated learning for future research.}, } @article {pmid38041988, year = {2023}, author = {Nokso-Koivisto, J and Ehrlich, GD and Enoksson, F and Komatsu, K and Mason, K and Melhus, Å and Patel, JA and Vijayasekaran, S and Ryan, A}, title = {Otitis media: Interactions between host and environment, immune and inflammatory responses.}, journal = {International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology}, volume = {176}, number = {}, pages = {111798}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111798}, pmid = {38041988}, issn = {1872-8464}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To review and highlight progress in otitis media (OM) research in the areas of immunology, inflammation, environmental influences and host-pathogen responses from 2019 to 2023. Opportunities for innovative future research were also identified.

DATA SOURCES: PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine.

REVIEW METHODS: Key topics were assigned to each panel member for detailed review. Search of the literature was from June 2019 until February 2023. Draft reviews were collated, circulated, and discussed among panel members at the 22nd International Symposium on Recent Advances in Otitis Media in June 2023. The final manuscript was prepared and approved by all the panel members.

CONCLUSIONS: Important advances were identified in: environmental influences that enhance OM susceptibility; polymicrobial middle ear (ME) infections; the role of adaptive immunity defects in otitis-proneness; additional genes linked to OM; leukocyte contributions to OM pathogenesis and recovery; and novel interventions in OM based on host responses to infection. Innovative areas of research included: identification of novel bacterial genes and pathways important for OM persistence, bacterial adaptations and evolution that enhance chronicity; animal and human ME gene expression, including at the single-cell level; and Sars-CoV-2 infection of the ME and Eustachian tube.}, } @article {pmid38041066, year = {2023}, author = {McQuide, PA and Brown, AN and Diallo, K and Siyam, A}, title = {The transition of human resources for health information systems from the MDGs into the SDGs and the post-pandemic era: reviewing the evidence from 2000 to 2022.}, journal = {Human resources for health}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {93}, pmid = {38041066}, issn = {1478-4491}, mesh = {Humans ; *Health Information Systems ; Pandemics ; Sustainable Development ; Emergencies ; Workforce ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: This review paper offers a policy-tracing trend analysis of national experiences among low- and middle-income countries in strengthening human resources for health information systems (HRHIS). This paper draws on evidence from the last two decades and applies a modified Bardach's policy analysis framework. A timely review of the evidence on HRHIS and underlying data systems is needed now more than ever, given the halfway mark of the Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030 and the protracted COVID-19 pandemic and other global health emergencies, over and above the increasing need for health and care workers to provide essential health services.

MAIN TEXT: Considering World Health Assembly resolutions and HRH-related global developments between 2000 and 2022, we targeted peer-reviewed and gray literature covering the inception, impact, bottlenecks, and gaps of HRHIS. We also considered results from a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded project that assessed HRH data systems in 21 countries and the use of HRH data and information for policy, planning, and management. Aligned with the National Health Workforce Accounts (NHWA), we identify priority themes related to digital priorities for HRHIS and governance/leadership and present case studies of five countries that pursued different pathways to successfully develop their HRHIS. Over the last two decades, considerable progress has been achieved through a scaled-up implementation of HRHIS combined with the skills needed to analyze and use data, sustain systems functionality, and make systematic improvements over time. Global health development aid investments and technical innovations have led to advancements in HRHIS, district health information software (DHIS2), and partner collaborations during the HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19 crises. Although the progressive implementation of NHWA continues to steer country-level efforts through standardized indicators and regular reporting, traditional challenges remain, such as data systems fragmentation, lack of interoperability between systems, and underutilization of reported data. Encouragingly, some countries demonstrate strong governance and leadership capacities and others strong HRHIS digital capacities. Both HRH and health service data are needed to inform on-demand decisions during times of emergencies and pandemics as well as during routine essential health services delivery. Evidence-based examples from distinctive countries demonstrate that reliable HRHIS is achievable for better planning and management of the health and care workforce.}, } @article {pmid38003998, year = {2023}, author = {Sperotto, R and Ceccarelli, L and Tereshko, Y and Merlino, G and Gigli, GL and Valente, M}, title = {The Possible Precipitating Role of SARS-CoV-2 in a Case of Late-Onset Hemichorea Due to a Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State: Case Report and Brief Literature Review.}, journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)}, volume = {59}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38003998}, issn = {1648-9144}, mesh = {Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; *Chorea/complications ; *COVID-19/complications ; *Diabetes Mellitus ; *Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma/complications/diagnosis ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Tetrabenazine ; }, abstract = {Case report: An 83-year-old Italian female developed postural instability and gait disturbance associated with a concomitant hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. Brain CT and MRI scans detected a lesion in the right putamen due to metabolic derangement. A month later, the patient started suffering from choreic movements along the left side of the body with brachio-crural distribution, approximately three weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. She was treated with tetrabenazine with complete resolution of the aberrant movements. Any attempt to reduce tetrabenazine caused a relapse of the symptoms. Discussion: In diabetic patients, choreic syndrome should be considered a rare event with a benign prognosis and favorable response to treatment. It is the result of a condition known as "diabetic striatopathy". The association of new-onset choreic movements, an episode of hyperglycemia, and a basal ganglia lesion is suggestive of this condition. Its pathophysiology remains unclear, and a lot of hypotheses are still debated. SARS-CoV-2 might have played a role in triggering the patient's motor symptoms. Conclusions: Our case report agrees with the general features of those reported in the literature about movement disorders in diabetic patients. The late onset of symptoms and the poor response to treatment seem to be atypical characteristics of the syndrome. Although speculative, we cannot exclude the role of SARS-CoV-2. This case can be added to the literature for further studies and reviews.}, } @article {pmid37996288, year = {2023}, author = {Hughes, SD and France, CL and West-Mitchell, KA and Pina, T and McElfresh, D and Sayers, M and Bryant, BJ and , }, title = {Advancing Understandings of Blood Donation Motivation and Behavior.}, journal = {Transfusion medicine reviews}, volume = {37}, number = {4}, pages = {150780}, doi = {10.1016/j.tmrv.2023.150780}, pmid = {37996288}, issn = {1532-9496}, mesh = {Humans ; *Motivation ; *Blood Donation ; Pandemics ; Blood Donors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; }, abstract = {In this review, we provide critical analysis of social science research into blood donation motivation and behavior. We first share an understanding of the existing literature and recommendations for future research collectively developed by members of the Working Group on Blood Donors and the Supply: Diversifying while Maintaining the Donor Pool, Donor Selection, and Optimizing Blood Availability and Safety, as part of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's 2022 State of the Science in Transfusion Medicine symposium. Then, rather than aim for a comprehensive treatment, we review 4 newer manuscripts that exemplify aspects of the group's recommendations and report results from countries where the blood supply is based on voluntary, nonremunerated donations. From the substantial existing literature, we selected: (1) a study that employed motivational interviewing techniques, thematic analysis, and surveys to link donation motivations and barriers reported by diverse young donors in the United States to actual donation behavior over a year of subsequent eligibility; (2) a survey regarding donation motivations and barriers and monetary amounts associated with willingness to participate in whole blood, plasma, or platelet collection; (3) a survey-based assessment of various emotional states reported by donors at 2 time points during donation and the relationship between emotional experience and subsequent vasovagal reactions; and (4) an interpretive discourse analysis of blood collection agency messaging to donors and the public in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We close by noting several challenges posed by the structure of the United States blood system and the current funding environment to conducting rigorous research and translating findings into practice.}, } @article {pmid37995358, year = {2023}, author = {Ashmore, P and Sherwood, E}, title = {An overview of COVID-19 global epidemiology and discussion of potential drivers of variable global pandemic impacts.}, journal = {The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy}, volume = {78}, number = {Supplement_2}, pages = {ii2-ii11}, pmid = {37995358}, issn = {1460-2091}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Models, Theoretical ; Pandemics ; }, abstract = {With a WHO-estimated excess mortality burden of 14.9 million over the course of 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major human impact so far. It has also affected a range of disciplines, systems and practices from mathematical modelling to behavioural sciences, pharmaceutical development to health system management. This article explores these developments and, to set the scene, this paper summarizes the global epidemiology of COVID-19 from January 2020 to June 2021 and considers some potential drivers of variation.}, } @article {pmid37992102, year = {2023}, author = {Ali Mahesar, R and Latif, M and Abbas, S and Rehman Abro, M and Ali, M and Aslam Rao, M and Ventriglio, A}, title = {NEWSPAPER-REPORTING ON SUICIDES DURING THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN IN PAKISTAN: A CONTENT ANALYSIS.}, journal = {Psychiatria Danubina}, volume = {35}, number = {4}, pages = {572-577}, doi = {10.24869/psyd.2023.572}, pmid = {37992102}, issn = {0353-5053}, mesh = {Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult ; Communicable Disease Control ; *COVID-19 ; Pakistan/epidemiology ; Public Opinion ; *Suicide ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Suicide is a social relevant issue and a leading cause of deaths in the world; it has been reported that COVID-19 has significantly increased the rate of suicide worldwide. This study aimed to review media reporting on suicide cases occurred in Pakistan during the COVID-19 lockdown.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A content analysis has been performed considering the electronic version of the daily Kawish newspaper reporting suicide cases from March to August 2020 in Pakistan.

RESULTS: A total of 213 news regarding suicide in Pakistan during the lockdown period were identified. Suicide committers reported age ranging 19-30 years old, and the majority of them were males (74%). Suicide methods ranged as following: harmful practices (79%) > hanging (37%) > self-poisoning (28%). Factors associated to the risk of suicide were: familial discords (36%), poverty (21%) and joblessness (14%).

CONCLUSION: Findings of this study have shown that pandemic lockdown in Pakistan have increased the number of factors, such as family issues, unemployment and poverty, leading to suicide especially in young males. The report of suicides may have an impact on the public general opinion and a responsible news-reporting is needed by press agencies and media.}, } @article {pmid37673982, year = {2023}, author = {Worel, N and Ljungman, P and Verheggen, ICM and Hoogenboom, JD and Knelange, NS and Eikema, DJ and Sánchez-Ortega, I and Riillo, C and Centorrino, I and Averbuch, D and Chabannon, C and de la Camara, R and Kuball, J and Ruggeri, A}, title = {Fresh or frozen grafts for allogeneic stem cell transplantation: conceptual considerations and a survey on the practice during the COVID-19 pandemic from the EBMT Infectious Diseases Working Party (IDWP) and Cellular Therapy & Immunobiology Working Party (CTIWP).}, journal = {Bone marrow transplantation}, volume = {58}, number = {12}, pages = {1348-1356}, pmid = {37673982}, issn = {1476-5365}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; *Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods ; Bone Marrow Transplantation/methods ; *Communicable Diseases ; }, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on medical practices, including the delivery of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In response, transplant centers have made changes to their procedures, including an increased use of cryopreservation for allogeneic haematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) grafts. The use of cryopreserved grafts for allogeneic HCT has been reviewed and analysed in terms of potential benefits and drawbacks based on existing data on impact on cell subsets, hematological recovery, and clinical outcomes of approximately 2000 patients from different studies. A survey of European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation centers was also conducted to assess changes in practice during the pandemic and any unnecessary burdens on HPC donors. Before the pandemic, only 7.4% of transplant centers were routinely cryopreserving HPC products, but this percentage increased to 90% during the pandemic. The results of this review and survey suggest that cryopreservation of HPC grafts is a viable option for allogeneic HCT in certain situations, but further research is needed to determine long-term effects and ethical discussions are required to balance the needs of donors and patients when using frozen allografts.}, } @article {pmid37647929, year = {2023}, author = {Pankiewicz, K and Chotkowska, E and Nowakowska, B and Gos, M and Issat, T}, title = {COVID-19-related premature ovarian insufficiency: case report and literature review.}, journal = {Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society}, volume = {26}, number = {6}, pages = {601-604}, doi = {10.1080/13697137.2023.2246878}, pmid = {37647929}, issn = {1473-0804}, mesh = {Humans ; Pregnancy ; Child ; Female ; Adult ; *COVID-19/complications ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/etiology/diagnosis ; Reproduction ; *Menopause, Premature ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to present the case report of a 36-year-old woman developing premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) after COVID-19 and review the literature referring to the possible impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on female reproduction.

METHODS: A 36-year-old nulligravida with normal menstrual cycles, non-smoker, with a normal body mass index and no pelvic surgery or oncological treatment in her medical history presented to the Infertility Center of the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw after a year of unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant. During diagnostic process she was affected by COVID-19 with a mild manifestation and thereafter she presented amenorrhea with intense hot flushes. Further diagnostic confirmed the diagnosis of POI.

RESULTS: There is a strong molecular basis for a possible effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the female reproductive system; however, the results of available research are conflicting. All of these aspects are discussed in detail.

CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause serious complications that cast a long shadow on a patient's future life and health. Further research is needed to assess the real impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on female reproductive health, as well as potential preventive and therapeutic strategies for women affected with COVID-19.}, } @article {pmid37287226, year = {2023}, author = {McCourt, AD and White, SA and Green, VR and McGinty, EE}, title = {Medicare Changes in Response to COVID-19: Unintended Effects for Beneficiaries With Mental Illness or Substance Use Disorders.}, journal = {Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)}, volume = {74}, number = {12}, pages = {1285-1288}, doi = {10.1176/appi.ps.20220502}, pmid = {37287226}, issn = {1557-9700}, mesh = {Aged ; Humans ; United States/epidemiology ; Medicare ; Pandemics/prevention & control ; *COVID-19/prevention & control ; *Mental Disorders/epidemiology/therapy ; *Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology/therapy/psychology ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The authors explored potential unintended consequences of Medicare policy changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for beneficiaries with behavioral health care needs.

METHODS: The authors collected policies relevant to mental health and substance use care. Informed by a literature review conducted in spring 2022, the authors convened a modified Delphi panel with 13 experts in June 2022. The authors assessed expert consensus through panelist surveys conducted before and after the panel convened.

RESULTS: Two policies that had a risk for unintended consequences for those with behavioral health care needs were identified. Panelists identified a discharge planning waiver as likely to decrease care access, care quality, and desirable outcomes and HIPAA enforcement discretion as likely to increase access to care and desirable outcomes (with some mixed effects on other outcomes) for Medicare beneficiaries with mental illness or substance use disorders.

CONCLUSIONS: Policies implemented quickly during the pandemic did not always account for unintended consequences for beneficiaries with behavioral health care needs.}, } @article {pmid36794329, year = {2023}, author = {Campbell, J and Nathoo, A and Chard, S and Messenger, D and Walker, M and Bartels, SA}, title = {Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and or queer patient experiences in Canadian primary care and emergency departments: a literature review.}, journal = {Culture, health & sexuality}, volume = {25}, number = {12}, pages = {1707-1724}, doi = {10.1080/13691058.2023.2176548}, pmid = {36794329}, issn = {1464-5351}, mesh = {Female ; Humans ; *Transgender Persons ; Pandemics ; Canada ; *Sexual and Gender Minorities ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Patient Outcome Assessment ; Primary Health Care ; }, abstract = {This literature review synthesises existing evidence and offers a thematic analysis of primary care and emergency department experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or any other sexual or gender minority (LGBTQ+) individuals in Canada. Articles detailing first-person primary or emergency care experiences of LGBTQ + patients were included from EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and CINHAL. Studies published before 2011, focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, unavailable in English, non-Canadian, specific to other healthcare settings, and/or only discussing healthcare provider experiences were excluded. Critical appraisal was performed following title/abstract screening and full-text review by three reviewers. Of sixteen articles, half were classified as general LGBTQ + experiences and half as trans-specific experiences. Three overarching themes were identified: discomfort/disclosure concerns, lack of positive space signalling, and lack of healthcare provider knowledge. Heteronormative assumptions were a key theme among general LGBTQ + experiences. Trans-specific themes included barriers to accessing care, the need for self-advocacy, care avoidance, and disrespectful communication. Only one study reported positive interactions. LGBTQ + patients continue to have negative experiences within Canadian primary and emergency care - at the provider level and due to system constraints. Increasing culturally competent care, healthcare provider knowledge, positive space signals, and decreasing barriers to care can improve LGBTQ + experiences.}, } @article {pmid38041435, year = {2021}, author = {Rajkumar, E and Mitra, J and Yadav, R and Hareesh, PV and Gangadharan, A and Gopika, MC and Christa, AB and George, AJ and Gopi, A and John, R and Arya, S and Abraham, J and Rajashekaran, L}, title = {Family violence during COVID-19 and its impact on mental health of children: A systematic review.}, journal = {Journal of child and adolescent mental health}, volume = {33}, number = {1-3}, pages = {75-89}, doi = {10.2989/17280583.2023.2261992}, pmid = {38041435}, issn = {1728-0591}, abstract = {Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unanticipated challenges that could impact how the family system operates across the world. Restrictions imposed to control the rapid spread of the virus substantially increased violence in families. The current study aims to review violence in the family and its impact on the mental health of children during the pandemic.Method: A systematic search was conducted using keywords in the electronic databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, and a manual search was conducted on Google Scholar for articles from January 2020 to January 2021. Of the 50 records identified, seven studies that met eligibility criteria were selected for final analysis.Results: Results revealed that family violence during the pandemic has escalated the mental health problems of children, including aggressive and self-harming behaviours. Lockdown restrictions, social detachment, financial instability, fear of infection, and unemployment led to increased parental stress. Parents with a higher level of stress were more likely to maltreat their children.Conclusions: Exposure to short and long-term family violence can adversely impact the mental health of children and can negatively affect a child's present and future life. Recommendations for researchers, mental health practitioners, public health authorities, and other service providers are also outlined.}, } @article {pmid38040914, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, X}, title = {Passive antibody therapy in emerging infectious diseases.}, journal = {Frontiers of medicine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38040914}, issn = {2095-0225}, abstract = {The epidemic of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 and its variants of concern (VOCs) has been ongoing for over 3 years. Antibody therapies encompassing convalescent plasma, hyperimmunoglobulin, and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) applied in passive immunotherapy have yielded positive outcomes and played a crucial role in the early COVID-19 treatment. In this review, the development path, action mechanism, clinical research results, challenges, and safety profile associated with the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma, hyperimmunoglobulin, and mAbs were summarized. In addition, the prospects of applying antibody therapy against VOCs was assessed, offering insights into the coping strategies for facing new infectious disease outbreaks.}, } @article {pmid38039956, year = {2023}, author = {Farka, Z and Brandmeier, JC and Mickert, MJ and Pastucha, M and Lacina, K and Skládal, P and Soukka, T and Gorris, HH}, title = {Nanoparticle-Based Bioaffinity Assays:From the research laboratory to the market.}, journal = {Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e2307653}, doi = {10.1002/adma.202307653}, pmid = {38039956}, issn = {1521-4095}, abstract = {Advances in the development of new biorecognition elements, nanoparticle-based labels as well as instrumentation have inspired the design of new bioaffinity assays. This review critically discusses the potential of nanoparticles to replace current enzymatic or molecular labels in immunoassays and other bioaffinity assays. We highlight successful implementations of nanoparticles in commercial assays and the need for rapid tests incorporating nanoparticles in different roles such as capture support, signal generation elements and signal amplification systems. The limited number of nanoparticles applied in current commercial assays can be explained by challenges associated with the analysis of real samples (e.g., blood, urine, or nasal swabs) that have been difficult to resolve, particularly if the same performance can be achieved more easily by conventional labels. Lateral flow assays that are based on the visual detection of the red-colored line formed by colloidal gold are a notable exception, exemplified by SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests that have moved from initial laboratory testing to widespread market adaption in less than two years. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.}, } @article {pmid38039729, year = {2023}, author = {Madadelahi, M and Agarwal, R and Martinez-Chapa, SO and Madou, MJ}, title = {A roadmap to high-speed polymerase chain reaction (PCR): COVID-19 as a technology accelerator.}, journal = {Biosensors & bioelectronics}, volume = {246}, number = {}, pages = {115830}, doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2023.115830}, pmid = {38039729}, issn = {1873-4235}, abstract = {The limit of detection (LOD), speed, and cost of crucial COVID-19 diagnostic tools, including lateral flow assays (LFA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and polymerase chain reactions (PCR), have all improved because of the financial and governmental support for the epidemic. The most notable improvement in overall efficiency among them has been seen with PCR. Its significance for human health increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it emerged as the commonly used approach for identifying the virus. However, because of problems with speed, complexity, and expense, PCR deployment in point-of-care settings continues to be difficult. Microfluidic platforms offer a promising solution by enabling the development of smaller, more affordable, and faster PCR systems. In this review, we delve into the engineering challenges associated with the advancement of high-speed microfluidic PCR equipment. We introduce criteria that facilitate the evaluation and comparison of factors such as speed, LOD, cycling efficiency, and multiplexing capacity, considering sample volume, fluidics, PCR reactor geometry and materials, as well as heating/cooling methods. We also provide a comprehensive list of commercially available PCR devices and conclude with projections and a discussion regarding the current obstacles that need to be addressed in order to progress further in this field.}, } @article {pmid38038801, year = {2023}, author = {Carvalho-Barbosa, N and Zeidler, JD and Savio, LEB and Coutinho-Silva, R}, title = {Purinergic signaling in the battlefield of viral infections.}, journal = {Purinergic signalling}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38038801}, issn = {1573-9546}, abstract = {Purinergic signaling has been associated with immune defenses against pathogens such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses, acting as a sentinel system that signals to the cells when a threat is present. This review focuses on the roles of purinergic signaling and its therapeutic potential for viral infections. In this context, the purinergic system may play potent antiviral roles by boosting interferon signaling. In other cases, though, it can contribute to a hyperinflammatory response and disease severity, resulting in poor outcomes, such as during flu and potentially COVID-19. Lastly, a third situation may occur since viruses are obligatory intracellular parasites that hijack the host cell machinery for their infection and replication. Viruses such as HIV-1 use the purinergic system to favor their infection and persistence within the host cell. Therefore, understanding the particular nuances of purinergic signaling in each viral infection may contribute to designing proper therapeutic strategies to treat viral diseases.}, } @article {pmid38038800, year = {2023}, author = {Bajgain, B and Rabi, S and Ahmed, S and Kiryanova, V and Fairie, P and Santana, MJ}, title = {Patient-reported experiences and outcomes of virtual care during COVID-19: a systematic review.}, journal = {Journal of patient-reported outcomes}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {126}, pmid = {38038800}, issn = {2509-8020}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The onset of COVID-19 has caused an international upheaval of traditional in-person approaches to care delivery. Rapid system-level transitions to virtual care provision restrict the ability of healthcare professionals to evaluate care quality from the patient's perspective. This poses challenges to ensuring that patient-centered care is upheld within virtual environments. To address this, the study's objective was to review how virtual care has impacted patient experiences and outcomes during COVID-19, through the use of patient-reported experience and outcome measures (PREMs and PROMs), respectively.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines to evaluate patient responsiveness to virtual care during COVID-19. Using an exhaustive search strategy, relevant peer-reviewed articles published between January 2020 and 2022 were pulled from MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsychInfo databases. Study quality was independently assessed by two reviewers using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A patient partner was consulted throughout the study to provide feedback and co-conduct the review.

RESULTS: After removing duplicates, 6048 articles underwent title and abstract review, from which 644 studies were included in the full-text review stage. Following this, 102 articles were included in the study. Studies were published in 20 different countries, were predominantly cross-sectional, and reported on the delivery of virtual care in specialized adult outpatient settings. This review identified 29 validated PREMs and 43 PROMs. Several advantages to virtual care were identified, with patients citing greater convenience, (such as saving travel time and cost, less waiting experienced to see care providers) and increased protection from viral spread. Some studies also reported challenges patients and caregivers faced with virtual care, including feeling rushed during the virtual care appointment, lack of physical contact or examination presenting barriers, difficulty with communicating symptoms, and technology issues.

CONCLUSION: This review provides supportive evidence of virtual care experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic from patient and caregiver perspectives. This research provides a comprehensive overview of what patient-reported measures can be used to record virtual care quality amid and following the pandemic. Further research into healthcare professionals' perspectives would offer a supportive lens toward a strong person-centered healthcare system.}, } @article {pmid38036580, year = {2023}, author = {Pfeifer, BA and Beitelshees, M and Hill, A and Bassett, J and Jones, CH}, title = {Harnessing synthetic biology for advancing RNA therapeutics and vaccine design.}, journal = {NPJ systems biology and applications}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {60}, pmid = {38036580}, issn = {2056-7189}, abstract = {Recent global events have drawn into focus the diversity of options for combatting disease across a spectrum of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. The recent success of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines has paved the way for RNA-based treatments to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry. However, historical treatment options are continuously updated and reimagined in the context of novel technical developments, such as those facilitated through the application of synthetic biology. When it comes to the development of genetic forms of therapies and vaccines, synthetic biology offers diverse tools and approaches to influence the content, dosage, and breadth of treatment with the prospect of economic advantage provided in time and cost benefits. This can be achieved by utilizing the broad tools within this discipline to enhance the functionality and efficacy of pharmaceutical agent sequences. This review will describe how synthetic biology principles can augment RNA-based treatments through optimizing not only the vaccine antigen, therapeutic construct, therapeutic activity, and delivery vector. The enhancement of RNA vaccine technology through implementing synthetic biology has the potential to shape the next generation of vaccines and therapeutics.}, } @article {pmid38036339, year = {2023}, author = {Rodler, S and Ramacciotti, LS and Maas, M and Mokhtar, D and Hershenhouse, J and De Castro Abreu, AL and Fuchs, G and Stief, CG and Gill, IS and Cacciamani, GE}, title = {The Impact of Telemedicine in Reducing the Carbon Footprint in Health Care: A Systematic Review and Cumulative Analysis of 68 Million Clinical Consultations.}, journal = {European urology focus}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.euf.2023.11.013}, pmid = {38036339}, issn = {2405-4569}, abstract = {CONTEXT: Carbon footprint (CF) has emerged as an important factor when assessing health care interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reduction in CF for patients utilizing telemedicine.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were queried for studies describing telemedicine consultation and reporting on carbon emissions saved and the carbon emissions of telemedicine devices as primary outcomes, and travel distance and time and cost savings and safety as secondary outcomes. Outcomes were tabulated and calculated per consultation. Carbon emissions and travel distances were also calculated for each total study cohort. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and the Oxford level of evidence was determined.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 48 studies met the inclusion criteria, covering 68 465 481 telemedicine consultations and savings of 691 825 tons of CO2 emissions and 3 318 464 047 km of travel distance. Carbon assessment was mostly reported as the estimated distance saved using a conversion factor. Medical specialties used telemedicine to connect specialists with patients at home (n = 25) or at a local center (n = 6). Surgical specialties used telemedicine for virtual preoperative assessment (n = 9), follow-up (n = 4), and general consultation (n = 4). The savings per consultation were 21.9-632.17 min and $1.85-$325. More studies focused on the COVID-19 time frame (n = 33) than before the pandemic (n = 15). The studies are limited by calculations, mostly for the travel distance for carbon savings, and appropriate follow-up to analyze the real impact on travel and appointments.

CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine reduces the CF of the health care sector. Expanding the use of telemedicine and educating providers and patients could further decrease CO2 emissions and save both money and time.

PATIENT SUMMARY: We reviewed 48 studies on the use of telemedicine. We found that people used their cars less and saved time and money, as well as CO2 emissions, if they used teleconsultations. Some studies only looked at how much CO2 from driving was saved, so there might be more to learn about the benefits of teleconsultations. The use of online doctor appointments is not only good for our planet but also helps patients in saving time and money. This review is registered on the PROSPERO database for systematic reviews (CRD42023456839).}, } @article {pmid38036132, year = {2023}, author = {Huang, Z and Yu, X and Liu, Q and Maki, T and Alam, K and Wang, Y and Xue, F and Tang, S and Du, P and Dong, Q and Wang, D and Huang, J}, title = {Bioaerosols in the atmosphere: A comprehensive review on detection methods, concentration and influencing factors.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {168818}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168818}, pmid = {38036132}, issn = {1879-1026}, abstract = {In the past few decades, especially since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the effects of atmospheric bioaerosols on human health, the environment, and climate have received great attention. To evaluate the impacts of bioaerosols quantitatively, it is crucial to determine the types of bioaerosols in the atmosphere and their spatial-temporal distribution. We provide a concise summary of the online and offline observation strategies employed by the global research community to sample and analyze atmospheric bioaerosols. In addition, the quantitative distribution of bioaerosols is described by considering the atmospheric bioaerosols concentrations at various time scales (daily and seasonal changes, for example), under various weather, and different underlying surfaces. Finally, a comprehensive summary of the reasons for the spatiotemporal distribution of bioaerosols is discussed, including differences in emission sources, the impact process of meteorological factors and environmental factors. This review of information on the latest research progress contributes to the emergence of further observation strategies that determine the quantitative dynamics of public health and ecological effects of bioaerosols.}, } @article {pmid38035734, year = {2023}, author = {Park, SP and Lee, HJ and Yu, Y and Lee, EYJ and Park, YS}, title = {Designing the global vaccine supply chain: balancing intellectual property rights with post COVID-19 vaccine equity.}, journal = {BMJ global health}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {38035734}, issn = {2059-7908}, abstract = {This article aims to propose practical solutions that coordinate the conflicting interests between the global community and the pharmaceutical industry on the intellectual property (IP) waiver for COVID-19 vaccines and facilitate a more equitable vaccine supply chain in the post-COVID-19 world. We critically conducted a narrative literature review to identify procedural and practical issues in the current vaccine supply chain. The search was conducted across various academic disciplines, including biomedical science, life science, law and social science, using resources such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Westlaw. After screening 731 articles, 55 studies were selected for review. The narrative review revealed several critical barriers that hinder vaccine supply in less-developed countries (LDCs) as follows: (1) WTO Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) waiver requests may not be granted due to its stringent consensus rule; (2) the current compulsory license system may not work due to the complexity of IP rights covering COVID-19 vaccine technologies; (3) only a few LDCs have domestic companies capable of manufacturing vaccines, and (4) political and economic tensions among countries exacerbate existing barriers to vaccine distribution in LDCs. Based on these findings, we proposed a comprehensive compulsory license system, which combines TRIPS's compulsory license system with the third-party beneficiary mechanism under Common Law. This integrated approach offers a balanced solution that ensures fair compensation for vaccine developers while facilitating broader vaccine access.}, } @article {pmid38035095, year = {2023}, author = {Kaufmann, SHE}, title = {Vaccine development against tuberculosis before and after Covid-19.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1273938}, pmid = {38035095}, issn = {1664-3224}, abstract = {Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has not only shaped awareness of the impact of infectious diseases on global health. It has also provided instructive lessons for better prevention strategies against new and current infectious diseases of major importance. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major current health threat caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) which has claimed more lives than any other pathogen over the last few centuries. Hence, better intervention measures, notably novel vaccines, are urgently needed to accomplish the goal of the World Health Organization to end TB by 2030. This article describes how the research and development of TB vaccines can benefit from recent developments in the Covid-19 vaccine pipeline from research to clinical development and outlines how the field of TB research can pursue its own approaches. It begins with a brief discussion of major vaccine platforms in general terms followed by a short description of the most widely applied Covid-19 vaccines. Next, different vaccination regimes and particular hurdles for TB vaccine research and development are described. This specifically considers the complex immune mechanisms underlying protection and pathology in TB which involve innate as well as acquired immune mechanisms and strongly depend on fine tuning the response. A brief description of the TB vaccine candidates that have entered clinical trials follows. Finally, it discusses how experiences from Covid-19 vaccine research, development, and rollout can and have been applied to the TB vaccine pipeline, emphasizing similarities and dissimilarities.}, } @article {pmid38035086, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, X and Chang, Z and Zhao, T and Zhong, W and Shi, J and Wang, G and Xu, X}, title = {The role of post-transcriptional regulation in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenicity.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1256574}, pmid = {38035086}, issn = {1664-3224}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has had a significant impact on global social and economic stability. To combat this, researchers have turned to omics approaches, particularly epitranscriptomics, to limit infection and develop effective therapeutic strategies. Multi-omics can provide the host response dynamics during multiple disease phases to reveal the molecular and cellular landscapes. Epitranscriptomics focuses on the mechanisms of gene transcription in cells and tissues and the relationship between genetic material and epigenetic regulation. This review highlights the role of post-transcriptional regulation in SARS-CoV-2, which affect various processes such as virus infection, replication, immunogenicity, and pathogenicity. The review also explains the formation mechanism of post-transcriptional modifications and how they can be regulated to combat viral infection and pathogenicity.}, } @article {pmid38034541, year = {2023}, author = {Palomo, M and Moreno-Castaño, AB and Salas, MQ and Escribano-Serrat, S and Rovira, M and Guillen-Olmos, E and Fernandez, S and Ventosa-Capell, H and Youssef, L and Crispi, F and Nomdedeu, M and Martinez-Sanchez, J and De Moner, B and Diaz-Ricart, M}, title = {Endothelial activation and damage as a common pathological substrate in different pathologies and cell therapy complications.}, journal = {Frontiers in medicine}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1285898}, pmid = {38034541}, issn = {2296-858X}, abstract = {The endothelium is a biologically active interface with multiple functions, some of them common throughout the vascular tree, and others that depend on its anatomical location. Endothelial cells are continually exposed to cellular and humoral factors, and to all those elements (biological, chemical, or hemodynamic) that circulate in blood at a certain time. It can adapt to different stimuli but this capability may be lost if the stimuli are strong enough and/or persistent in time. If the endothelium loses its adaptability it may become dysfunctional, becoming a potential real danger to the host. Endothelial dysfunction is present in multiple clinical conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, obesity, major depression, pregnancy-related complications, septic syndromes, COVID-19, and thrombotic microangiopathies, among other pathologies, but also in association with cell therapies, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and treatment with chimeric antigen receptor T cells. In these diverse conditions, evidence suggests that the presence and severity of endothelial dysfunction correlate with the severity of the associated disease. More importantly, endothelial dysfunction has a strong diagnostic and prognostic value for the development of critical complications that, although may differ according to the underlying disease, have a vascular background in common. Our multidisciplinary team of women has devoted many years to exploring the role of the endothelium in association with the mentioned diseases and conditions. Our research group has characterized some of the mechanisms and also proposed biomarkers of endothelial damage. A better knowledge would provide therapeutic strategies either to prevent or to treat endothelial dysfunction.}, } @article {pmid38034508, year = {2023}, author = {Mishyiev, V and Mykhaylov, B and Grinevich, E and Omelyanovich, V and Kaafarani, A}, title = {The COVID-19 pandemic: new challenges for the mental health protection system.}, journal = {Postepy psychiatrii neurologii}, volume = {32}, number = {3}, pages = {138-146}, pmid = {38034508}, issn = {2720-5371}, abstract = {PURPOSE: The comparative investigation of the scientific research materials and systematization of the latest data on the epidemiological state, pathogenetic mechanisms, clinical manifestations, risk factors, and psychopathological consequences of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the population is needed for the further targeted development of treatment and rehabilitation measures.

VIEWS: The COVID-19 pandemic has been increasingly viewed through the lens of serious global mental health issues. This article analyzes the results of original research and publications data on the etiopathogenesis, neuropsychiatric features, and risk factors of mental disorders associated with the pandemic. The study was carried out within the scope of the scientific research work of the Department of General, Children's Forensic Psychiatry, and Narcology of the Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine. Its title was "Development of a multimodal system of restorative therapy and medical and psychological rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19, based on the study of leading pathogenetic mechanisms" (state registration number 0121U114707).

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the recent rapid increase in the number of sources in the literature devoted to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, several questions remain unresolved. This especially applies to disorders in the mental sphere, concerning clinical phenomenology, features of emotional and cognitive disturbances, personal response, levels of social functioning and the quality of life of patients who have suffered from COVID-19. The data obtained can serve as the basis for the further development of a multimodal model of hierarchical structural-functional pathogenetic links of mental disorders, as well as a target-oriented system of restorative therapy and medical-psychological rehabilitation of patients who have suffered from COVID-19.}, } @article {pmid38034388, year = {2023}, author = {Abdelouahed, M and Yateem, D and Fredericks, S}, title = {FcγRIIa - dependent platelet activation identified in COVID-19 vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia-, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, streptokinase- and anisoylated plasminogen-streptokinase activator complex-induced platelet activation.}, journal = {Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1282637}, pmid = {38034388}, issn = {2297-055X}, abstract = {Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was caused by the coronavirus - severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was globally responsible for remarkable morbidity and mortality. Several highly effective vaccines for COVID-19 were developed and disseminated worldwide within an unprecedented timescale. Rare but dangerous clotting and thrombocytopenia events, and subsequent coagulation abnormalities, have been reported after massive vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Soon after their global rollout, reports of a morbid clinical syndrome following vaccination with adenovirus-DNA-based vaccines appeared. In the spring of 2021, reports of a novel, rare and morbid clinical syndrome, with clinically devastating and fatal complication after vaccination with adenovirus-based coronavirus vaccines (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson and Astra-Zeneca vaccines) led to a brief suspension of their use by several countries. Those complications were associated with unusual cerebral and splanchnic venous thrombosis, and circulating autoantibodies directed against anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4), a protein secreted from platelets, leading to the designation: Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT). The reported VITT incidence remains very low and does not affect the overall benefit of immunization, however, if left untreated, VITT can be debilitating or even fatal. VITT resembled specific adverse drugs' reactions that also involved the production of autoantibodies and subsequent abnormal platelet activation through platelet FcγRIIa. These unusual but well-documented drug reactions were heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), streptokinase- (SK), and anisoylated plasminogen-streptokinase activator complex- (APSAC) associated with platelet-activating antibodies. There was considerable overlapping of clinical features between VITT, COVID-19 and these adverse drugs' reactions. We review the phenomenon of VITT against the backdrop of shared and common mechanisms that underlie HIT-, SK-, and APSAC-platelet FcγRIIa-dependent platelet activation. An understanding of VITT's pathogenesis may be achieved by comparing and contrasting VITT-, HIT-, SK- and APSAC-induced platelet activation mechanisms, their respective physiopathology and similarities. Discussing these conditions in parallel provides insight into complex immunological disorders and diseases associated with abnormal hemostasis and thrombosis in particular.}, } @article {pmid38034236, year = {2023}, author = {Haq, M and Deshpande, SV}, title = {Effects of Antibodies in the Serum After the Administration of COVID Vaccines and Their Hematological and Cardiovascular Complications.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e47984}, pmid = {38034236}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {The outbreak of COVID-19 was seen first in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019. Following this, the virus has emerged, mutated, and spread to all parts of the world, taking many lives. Scientists and healthcare workers all over the world have been involved in developing vaccines and drugs to prevent the deadly virus from spreading. In this review article, we focus on how the human body responds to immune responses by producing antibodies against our immune system and serum levels in different age groups. Few studies are being considered, which include data collected from adults in the UK community, health workers from Oxfordshire, studies from the UK, healthcare workers at a university healthcare center in Turkey, and lastly, non-seropositive and seronegative healthcare workers in the USA children's hospital, respectively, and their responses to the goal. In addition to focusing on this study and its results, we also discuss the role of different vaccines and their development and antibody responses in the body due to natural and post-vaccine infections that include both doses in humans. We focus mainly on immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in the serum produced by plasma cells, as they are involved in the first line of defense against the disease. With the development of effective vaccines and their production, trial, and market distribution to needy people, there are certain prospects for slowing down the progression of the virus, reducing mortality, and preventing re-infection in humans. However impactful and beneficial these vaccines have proven, they also carry a certain amount of danger to the people taking them. We also discuss in this article certain infrequent hematological and cardiovascular complications of the vaccine and their effect on the population.}, } @article {pmid38033741, year = {2023}, author = {Donkor, KN and Jang, H and Sail, R}, title = {A Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Managing Pulmonary Toxicities Caused by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Quality of Treatment Recommendations and Differences in Management Strategies Between Guidelines.}, journal = {Clinical Medicine Insights. Oncology}, volume = {17}, number = {}, pages = {11795549231203153}, pmid = {38033741}, issn = {1179-5549}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Pulmonary toxicities caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors are a prominent concern for clinicians. Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are critical for managing these toxicities.

METHODS: A systematic search of CPGs on checkpoint-associated pulmonary toxicities (ca-PT) was conducted in October 2022. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched. AGREE II and AGREE-REX were used to appraise CPGs and recommendations quality, respectively. Descriptive statistics, intraclass correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis (H) test, and Spearman's correlation were used for analyses. P-values < .05 were considered statistically significant. Matrices were used to determine recommendation differences between CPGs. The study's design was based on the PRISMA 2020 checklist for systematic reviews. Protocol registration number: CRD42022358435.

RESULTS: Eight CPGs (two high-quality, three moderate-quality, and three low-quality) were identified. All CPGs covered pneumonitis. One CPG covered pleural effusions and pneumonitis/SARs-CoV-2-infection. Three CPGs covered sarcoidosis-like-reactions. CPGs for pulmonary fibrosis, airway disease, bronchiolitis, and diffuse alveolar damage, were unavailable. No CPG recommendation was based on a prospective study, and none were appraised as high-quality. Also, recommendations were not specific to histopathologic subtypes. AGREE II's "rigor of development," the domain that evaluates a guideline's methodological approach and strategies in gathering scientific evidence, correlated strongly with AGREE-REX's "overall quality" pneumonitis recommendations, r = .952; P < .01. Approximately 73% of recommendations on pneumonitis were similar between high-quality CPGs. About 16% to 74% of low-quality CPGs were similar to those recommended by high-quality CPGs.

CONCLUSION: Prospectively designed research projects focusing on all types of ca-PT and their histopathologic subtypes are urgently needed. Due to the lack of high-quality recommendations in available CPGs, the disparities in treatment recommendations between high-quality CPGs, and the similarities in recommendations that exists between high-quality and low-quality CPGs, clinicians should thoroughly assess and responsibly appraise all available CPG recommendations in formulating treatment strategies for ca-PT.}, } @article {pmid38031302, year = {2024}, author = {Tam, D and Norman, H and Chen, LL}, title = {An Integrative Review: Evaluating the Risks, Benefits, and Efficacy of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in Treating ARDS Secondary to COVID-19.}, journal = {Critical care nursing quarterly}, volume = {47}, number = {1}, pages = {2-8}, doi = {10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000485}, pmid = {38031302}, issn = {1550-5111}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications ; *Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/methods ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Respiratory Distress Syndrome/etiology/therapy ; }, abstract = {The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); however, there are ongoing concerns about its associated risks and benefits, making a comprehensive understanding vital for clinical decision-making. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy, risks, and practical implications of ECMO as a therapeutic intervention in severe ARDS secondary to COVID-19. The results indicate that ECMO is a key therapeutic intervention for managing severe COVID-19, but due to its associated risks and resource constraints, its application needs careful consideration. Nurse practitioners need to acquire specialized skills to manage ECMO and stay updated with ongoing research and revised protocols. Given the potential for future virus mutations or pandemics, and finite resources, a multidisciplinary approach to ECMO therapy is necessary. Careful patient selection, strategic resource allocation, and continuous education are pivotal elements for improved patient outcomes.}, } @article {pmid38031272, year = {2023}, author = {Woodward, A and Rivers, C}, title = {Building Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Programs in US State and Local Health Departments: A Conceptual Framework.}, journal = {Disaster medicine and public health preparedness}, volume = {17}, number = {}, pages = {e540}, doi = {10.1017/dmp.2023.205}, pmid = {38031272}, issn = {1938-744X}, mesh = {Humans ; *Contact Tracing ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Public Health ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to this day, US state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments lacked comprehensive case investigation and contact tracing (CI/CT) guidelines that clearly define the capabilities and capacities of CI/CT programs and how to scale up these programs to respond to outbreaks. This research aims to identify the capabilities and capacities of CI/CT programs and to develop a conceptual framework that represents the relationships between these program components.

METHODS: This study conducted a narrative literature review and qualitative interviews with 10 US state and local health departments and 4 public health experts to identify and characterize the capacities and capabilities of CI/CT programs.

RESULTS: This research resulted in the first comprehensive analysis of the capabilities and capacities of CI/CT programs and a conceptual framework that illustrates the interrelationships between the capacities, capabilities, outcomes, and impacts of CI/CT programs.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the need for further guidance to assist jurisdictional health departments in shifting CI/CT program goals as outbreaks evolve. Training the public health workforce on making decisions around CI/CT program implementation during outbreaks is critical to ensure readiness for a variety of outbreak scenarios.}, } @article {pmid38031010, year = {2023}, author = {Zhou, J and Yang, X and Yang, Y and Wei, Y and Lu, D and Xie, Y and Liang, H and Cui, P and Ye, L and Huang, J}, title = {Human microbiota dysbiosis after SARS-CoV-2 infection have the potential to predict disease prognosis.}, journal = {BMC infectious diseases}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {841}, pmid = {38031010}, issn = {1471-2334}, support = {No. YCBZ2022098//Innovation Project of Guangxi Graduate Education/ ; 82002134//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31970167//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82060366//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dysbiosis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Prognosis ; *Microbiota ; Prevotella ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The studies on SARS-CoV-2 and human microbiota have yielded inconsistent results regarding microbiota α-diversity and key microbiota. To address these issues and explore the predictive ability of human microbiota for the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we conducted a reanalysis of existing studies.

METHODS: We reviewed the existing studies on SARS-CoV-2 and human microbiota in the Pubmed and Bioproject databases (from inception through October 29, 2021) and extracted the available raw 16S rRNA sequencing data of human microbiota. Firstly, we used meta-analysis and bioinformatics methods to reanalyze the raw data and evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on human microbial α-diversity. Secondly, machine learning (ML) was employed to assess the ability of microbiota to predict the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finally, we aimed to identify the key microbiota associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RESULTS: A total of 20 studies related to SARS-CoV-2 and human microbiota were included, involving gut (n = 9), respiratory (n = 11), oral (n = 3), and skin (n = 1) microbiota. Meta-analysis showed that in gut studies, when limiting factors were studies ruled out the effect of antibiotics, cross-sectional and case-control studies, Chinese studies, American studies, and Illumina MiSeq sequencing studies, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with down-regulation of microbiota α-diversity (P < 0.05). In respiratory studies, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with down-regulation of α-diversity when the limiting factor was V4 sequencing region (P < 0.05). Additionally, the α-diversity of skin microbiota was down-regulated at multiple time points following SARS-CoV-2 infection (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in oral microbiota α-diversity was observed after SARS-CoV-2 infection. ML models based on baseline respiratory (oropharynx) microbiota profiles exhibited the ability to predict outcomes (survival and death, Random Forest, AUC = 0.847, Sensitivity = 0.833, Specificity = 0.750) after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The shared differential Prevotella and Streptococcus in the gut, respiratory tract, and oral cavity was associated with the severity and recovery of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 infection was related to the down-regulation of α-diversity in the human gut and respiratory microbiota. The respiratory microbiota had the potential to predict the prognosis of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Prevotella and Streptococcus might be key microbiota in SARS-CoV-2 infection.}, } @article {pmid38025703, year = {2023}, author = {Ijaz, MK and Sattar, SA and Nims, RW and Boone, SA and McKinney, J and Gerba, CP}, title = {Environmental dissemination of respiratory viruses: dynamic interdependencies of respiratory droplets, aerosols, aerial particulates, environmental surfaces, and contribution of viral re-aerosolization.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e16420}, pmid = {38025703}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {United States ; Humans ; *Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Fomites ; Dust ; }, abstract = {During the recent pandemic of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), influential public health agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have favored the view that SARS CoV-2 spreads predominantly via droplets. Many experts in aerobiology have openly opposed that stance, forcing a vigorous debate on the topic. In this review, we discuss the various proposed modes of viral transmission, stressing the interdependencies between droplet, aerosol, and fomite spread. Relative humidity and temperature prevailing determine the rates at which respiratory aerosols and droplets emitted from an expiratory event (sneezing, coughing, etc.) evaporate to form smaller droplets or aerosols, or experience hygroscopic growth. Gravitational settling of droplets may result in contamination of environmental surfaces (fomites). Depending upon human, animal and mechanical activities in the occupied space indoors, viruses deposited on environmental surfaces may be re-aerosolized (re-suspended) to contribute to aerosols, and can be conveyed on aerial particulate matter such as dust and allergens. The transmission of respiratory viruses may then best be viewed as resulting from dynamic virus spread from infected individuals to susceptible individuals by various physical states of active respiratory emissions, instead of the current paradigm that emphasizes separate dissemination by respiratory droplets, aerosols or by contaminated fomites. To achieve the optimum outcome in terms of risk mitigation and infection prevention and control (IPAC) during seasonal infection peaks, outbreaks, and pandemics, this holistic view emphasizes the importance of dealing with all interdependent transmission modalities, rather than focusing on one modality.}, } @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 & control ; Emergencies ; Program Evaluation ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & 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 {pmid38033388, year = {2023}, author = {Le, K and Kannappan, S and Kim, T and Lee, JH and Lee, HR and Kim, KK}, title = {Structural understanding of SARS-CoV-2 virus entry to host cells.}, journal = {Frontiers in molecular biosciences}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1288686}, doi = {10.3389/fmolb.2023.1288686}, pmid = {38033388}, issn = {2296-889X}, abstract = {Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a major global health concern associated with millions of fatalities worldwide. Mutant variants of the virus have further exacerbated COVID-19 mortality and infection rates, emphasizing the urgent need for effective preventive strategies. Understanding the viral infection mechanism is crucial for developing therapeutics and vaccines. The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells is a key step in the infection pathway and has been targeted for drug development. Despite numerous reviews of COVID-19 and the virus, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews focusing on the structural aspects of viral entry. In this review, we analyze structural changes in Spike proteins during the entry process, dividing the entry process into prebinding, receptor binding, proteolytic cleavage, and membrane fusion steps. By understanding the atomic-scale details of viral entry, we can better target the entry step for intervention strategies. We also examine the impacts of mutations in Spike proteins, including the Omicron variant, on viral entry. Structural information provides insights into the effects of mutations and can guide the development of therapeutics and vaccines. Finally, we discuss available structure-based approaches for the development of therapeutics and vaccines. Overall, this review provides a detailed analysis of the structural aspects of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry, highlighting its significance in the development of therapeutics and vaccines against COVID-19. Therefore, our review emphasizes the importance of structural information in combating SARS-CoV-2 infection.}, } @article {pmid38032861, year = {2023}, author = {Grieve, R and Yang, Y and Abbott, S and Babu, GR and Bhattacharyya, M and Dean, N and Evans, S and Jewell, N and Langan, SM and Lee, W and Molenberghs, G and Smeeth, L and Williamson, E and Mukherjee, B}, title = {The importance of investing in data, models, experiments, team science, and public trust to help policymakers prepare for the next pandemic.}, journal = {PLOS global public health}, volume = {3}, number = {11}, pages = {e0002601}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pgph.0002601}, pmid = {38032861}, issn = {2767-3375}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about valuable insights regarding models, data, and experiments. In this narrative review, we summarised the existing literature on these three themes, exploring the challenges of providing forecasts, the requirement for real-time linkage of health-related datasets, and the role of 'experimentation' in evaluating interventions. This literature review encourages us to broaden our perspective for the future, acknowledging the significance of investing in models, data, and experimentation, but also to invest in areas that are conceptually more abstract: the value of 'team science', the need for public trust in science, and in establishing processes for using science in policy. Policy-makers rely on model forecasts early in a pandemic when there is little data, and it is vital to communicate the assumptions, limitations, and uncertainties (theme 1). Linked routine data can provide critical information, for example, in establishing risk factors for adverse outcomes but are often not available quickly enough to make a real-time impact. The interoperability of data resources internationally is required to facilitate sharing across jurisdictions (theme 2). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) provided timely evidence on the efficacy and safety of vaccinations and pharmaceuticals but were largely conducted in higher income countries, restricting generalisability to low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Trials for non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were almost non-existent which was a missed opportunity (theme 3). Building on these themes from the narrative review, we underscore the importance of three other areas that need investment for effective evidence-driven policy-making. The COVID-19 response relied on strong multidisciplinary research infrastructures, but funders and academic institutions need to do more to incentivise team science (4). To enhance public trust in the use of scientific evidence for policy, researchers and policy-makers must work together to clearly communicate uncertainties in current evidence and any need to change policy as evidence evolves (5). Timely policy decisions require an established two-way process between scientists and policy makers to make the best use of evidence (6). For effective preparedness against future pandemics, it is essential to establish models, data, and experiments as fundamental pillars, complemented by efforts in planning and investment towards team science, public trust, and evidence-based policy-making across international communities. The paper concludes with a 'call to actions' for both policy-makers and researchers.}, } @article {pmid38032537, year = {2023}, author = {Yerlikaya, S and Broger, T and Isaacs, C and Bell, D and Holtgrewe, L and Gupta-Wright, A and Nahid, P and Cattamanchi, A and Denkinger, CM}, title = {Blazing the trail for innovative tuberculosis diagnostics.}, journal = {Infection}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38032537}, issn = {1439-0973}, support = {U01AI152087/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic brought diagnostics into the spotlight in an unprecedented way not only for case management but also for population health, surveillance, and monitoring. The industry saw notable levels of investment and accelerated research which sparked a wave of innovation. Simple non-invasive sampling methods such as nasal swabs have become widely used in settings ranging from tertiary hospitals to the community. Self-testing has also been adopted as standard practice using not only conventional lateral flow tests but novel and affordable point-of-care molecular diagnostics. The use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence-based diagnostics, have rapidly expanded in the clinical setting. The capacity for next-generation sequencing and acceptance of digital health has significantly increased. However, 4 years after the pandemic started, the market for SARS-CoV-2 tests is saturated, and developers may benefit from leveraging their innovations for other diseases; tuberculosis (TB) is a worthwhile portfolio expansion for diagnostics developers given the extremely high disease burden, supportive environment from not-for-profit initiatives and governments, and the urgent need to overcome the long-standing dearth of innovation in the TB diagnostics field. In exchange, the current challenges in TB detection may be resolved by adopting enhanced swab-based molecular methods, instrument-based, higher sensitivity antigen detection technologies, and/or artificial intelligence-based digital health technologies developed for COVID-19. The aim of this article is to review how such innovative approaches for COVID-19 diagnosis can be applied to TB to have a comparable impact.}, } @article {pmid38032192, year = {2023}, author = {Suman, SK and Chandrasekaran, N and Priya Doss, CG}, title = {Micro-nanoemulsion and nanoparticle-assisted drug delivery against drug-resistant tuberculosis: recent developments.}, journal = {Clinical microbiology reviews}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e0008823}, doi = {10.1128/cmr.00088-23}, pmid = {38032192}, issn = {1098-6618}, abstract = {SUMMARYTuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem and the second most prevalent infectious killer after COVID-19. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and has become increasingly challenging to treat due to drug resistance. The World Health Organization declared TB a global health emergency in 1993. Drug resistance in TB is driven by mutations in the bacterial genome that can be influenced by prolonged drug exposure and poor patient adherence. The development of drug-resistant forms of TB, such as multidrug resistant, extensively drug resistant, and totally drug resistant, poses significant therapeutic challenges. Researchers are exploring new drugs and novel drug delivery systems, such as nanotechnology-based therapies, to combat drug resistance. Nanodrug delivery offers targeted and precise drug delivery, improves treatment efficacy, and reduces adverse effects. Along with nanoscale drug delivery, a new generation of antibiotics with potent therapeutic efficacy, drug repurposing, and new treatment regimens (combinations) that can tackle the problem of drug resistance in a shorter duration could be promising therapies in clinical settings. However, the clinical translation of nanomedicines faces challenges such as safety, large-scale production, regulatory frameworks, and intellectual property issues. In this review, we present the current status, most recent findings, challenges, and limiting barriers to the use of emulsions and nanoparticles against drug-resistant TB.}, } @article {pmid38032183, year = {2023}, author = {Cuomo, A and Barillà, G and Serafini, G and Aguglia, A and Amerio, A and Cattolico, M and Carmellini, P and Spiti, A and Fagiolini, A}, title = {Drug-drug interactions between COVID-19 therapeutics and psychotropic medications.}, journal = {Expert opinion on drug metabolism & toxicology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1080/17425255.2023.2288681}, pmid = {38032183}, issn = {1744-7607}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to as well as exacerbated mental health disorders, leading to increased use of psychotropic medications. Co-administration of COVID-19 and psychotropic medications may result in drug-drug interactions (DDIs), that may compromise both the safety and efficacy of both medications.

AREAS COVERED: This review provides an update of the current evidence on DDIs between COVID-19 and psychotropic medications. The interactions are categorized into pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, serotonin syndrome, QT interval prolongation, and other relevant types. A thorough literature search was conducted using electronic databases to identify relevant studies, with data extracted and synthesized narratively to highlight potential DDIs, clinical implications, and management strategies.

EXPERT OPINION: Understanding and managing potential DDIs between COVID-19 and psychotropic medications is paramount to ensuring safe and effective treatment of patients with COVID-19 and mental illness. Awareness of the diverse spectrum of DDIs, vigilant monitoring, and judicious dose modifications, while choosing pharmacotherapeutic options with low risk of interaction whenever possible, are necessary. Ongoing and future investigations should continue to review and assess the dynamic landscape of COVID-19 therapeutic modalities and carefully elucidate their interactions with psychotropic medications. This ongoing commitment to research is critical to providing clinicians with contemporaneous insights, thereby enabling them to skillfully navigate the complexities of managing individuals struggling with mental health disorders in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.}, } @article {pmid38032024, year = {2023}, author = {Reis, S and Metzendorf, MI and Kuehn, R and Popp, M and Gagyor, I and Kranke, P and Meybohm, P and Skoetz, N and Weibel, S}, title = {Nirmatrelvir combined with ritonavir for preventing and treating COVID-19.}, journal = {The Cochrane database of systematic reviews}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {CD015395}, pmid = {38032024}, issn = {1469-493X}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Oral nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) aims to avoid severe COVID-19 in asymptomatic people or those with mild symptoms, thereby decreasing hospitalization and death. It remains to be evaluated for which indications and patient populations the drug is suitable.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir plus standard of care (SoC) compared to SoC with or without placebo, or any other intervention for treating COVID-19 or preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. To explore equity aspects in subgroup analyses. To keep up to date with the evolving evidence base using a living systematic review (LSR) approach and make new relevant studies available to readers in-between publication of review updates.

SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, Scopus, and World Health Organization COVID-19 Research Database, identifying completed and ongoing studies without language restrictions and incorporating studies up to 15 May 2023. This is a LSR. We conduct update searches every two months and make them publicly available on the open science framework (OSF) platform.

SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing nirmatrelvir/ritonavir plus SoC to SoC with or without placebo, or any other intervention for treatment of people with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, irrespective of disease severity or treatment setting, and for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We screened all studies for research integrity. Studies were ineligible if they had been retracted, or if they were not prospectively registered including appropriate ethics approval.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We followed standard Cochrane methodology and used the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. We rated the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach for the following outcomes: 1. to treat outpatients with mild COVID-19; 2. to treat inpatients with moderate to severe COVID-19: mortality, clinical worsening or improvement, quality of life, (serious) adverse events, and viral clearance; 3. to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in postexposure prophylaxis (PEP); and 4. pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) scenarios: SARS-CoV-2 infection, development of COVID-19 symptoms, mortality, admission to hospital, quality of life, and (serious) adverse events. We explored inequity by subgroup analysis for elderly people, socially-disadvantaged people with comorbidities, populations from low-income countries and low- to middle-income countries, and people from different ethnic and racial backgrounds.

MAIN RESULTS: As of 15 May 2023, we included two RCTs with 2510 participants with mild and mild to moderate symptomatic COVID-19 in outpatient and inpatient settings comparing nirmatrelvir/ritonavir plus SoC to SoC with or without placebo. All trial participants were without previous confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and at high risk for progression to severe disease. Randomization coincided with the Delta wave for outpatients and Omicron wave for inpatients. Outpatient trial participants and 73% of inpatients were unvaccinated. Symptom onset in outpatients was no more than five days before randomisation and prior or concomitant therapies including medications highly dependent on CYP3A4 were not allowed. We excluded two studies due to concerns with research integrity. We identified 13 ongoing studies. Three studies are currently awaiting classification. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for treating people with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 in outpatient settings Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir plus SoC compared to SoC plus placebo may reduce all-cause mortality at 28 days (risk ratio (RR) 0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00 to 0.68; 1 study, 2224 participants; low-certainty evidence) and admission to hospital or death within 28 days (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.27; 1 study, 2224 participants; low-certainty evidence). Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir plus SoC may reduce serious adverse events during the study period compared to SoC plus placebo (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.41; 1 study, 2224 participants; low-certainty evidence). Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir plus SoC probably has little or no effect on treatment-emergent adverse events (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.10; 1 study, 2224 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), and probably increases treatment-related adverse events such as dysgeusia and diarrhoea during the study period compared to SoC plus placebo (RR 2.06, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.95; 1 study, 2224 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir plus SoC probably decreases discontinuation of study drug due to adverse events compared to SoC plus placebo (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.80; 1 study, 2224 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). No studies reported improvement of clinical status, quality of life, or viral clearance. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for treating people with moderate to severe COVID-19 in inpatient settings We are uncertain whether nirmatrelvir/ritonavir plus SoC compared to SoC reduces all-cause mortality at 28 days (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.86; 1 study, 264 participants; very low-certainty evidence), or increases viral clearance at seven days (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.58; 1 study, 264 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and 14 days (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.20; 1 study, 264 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No studies reported improvement or worsening of clinical status and quality of life. We did not include data for safety outcomes due to insufficient and inconsistent information. Subgroup analyses for equity For outpatients, the outcome 'admission to hospital or death' was investigated for equity regarding age (less than 65 years versus 65 years or greater) and ethnicity. There were no subgroup differences for age or ethnicity. For inpatients, the outcome 'all-cause mortality' was investigated for equity regarding age (65 years or less versus greater than 65 years). There was no difference between subgroups of age. No further equity-related subgroups were reported, and no subgroups were reported for other outcomes. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection (PrEP and PEP) No studies available.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Low-certainty evidence suggests nirmatrelvir/ritonavir reduces the risk of all-cause mortality and hospital admission or death in high-risk, unvaccinated COVID-19 outpatients infected with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. There is low- to moderate-certainty evidence of the safety of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Very low-certainty evidence exists regarding the effects of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir on all-cause mortality and viral clearance in mildly to moderately affected, mostly unvaccinated COVID-19 inpatients infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Insufficient and inconsistent information prevents the assessment of safety outcomes. No reliable differences in effect size and direction were found regarding equity aspects. There is no available evidence supporting the use of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. We are continually updating our search and making search results available on the OSF platform.}, } @article {pmid38031604, year = {2023}, author = {Singh, M and Lo, SH and Dubey, R and Kumar, S and Chaubey, KK and Kumar, S}, title = {Plant-Derived Natural Compounds as an Emerging Antiviral in Combating COVID-19.}, journal = {Indian journal of microbiology}, volume = {63}, number = {4}, pages = {429-446}, pmid = {38031604}, issn = {0046-8991}, abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a human virus that burst at Wuhan in China and spread quickly over the world, leading to millions of deaths globally. The journey of this deadly virus to different mutant strains is still ongoing. The plethora of drugs and vaccines have been tested to cope up this pandemic. The herbal plants and different spices have received great attention during pandemic, because of their anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties in treating viruses and their symptoms. Also, it has been shown that nano-formulation of phytochemicals has potential therapeutic effect against COVID-19. Furthermore, the plant derived compound nano-formulation specifically increases its antiviral property by enhancing its bioavailability, solubility, and target-specific delivery system. This review highlights the potentiality of herbal plants and their phytochemical against SARS-CoV-2 utilizing different mechanisms such as blocking the ACE-2 receptors, inhibiting the main proteases, binding spike proteins and reducing the cytokine storms.}, } @article {pmid38030893, year = {2023}, author = {Dorgalaleh, A and Shabannezhad, A and Hassani, S}, title = {COVID-19 vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia: pathophysiology and diagnosis.}, journal = {Annals of hematology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38030893}, issn = {1432-0584}, abstract = {Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare but serious clinical condition with high mortality rate in apparently healthy individuals without noticeable risk factors. VITT typically arises due to the administration of vaccines that possess recombinant adenoviral vectors, including ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (AstraZeneca) and Ad26 COV2.S (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen). Thrombosis frequently occurs at atypical sites, such as the cerebral or splanchnic circulations, in this particular pathological state. Similar to heparin-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (HITT), it seems that the cause of VITT is the misdirection of anti-platelet factor 4 antibodies (anti-PF4 Abs), an ancient antimicrobial mechanism. Anti-PF4 Abs in patients with VITT activates the coagulation system, leading to thrombosis. This process occurs through the stimulation of platelets (Plts) and neutrophils and subsequently release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Due to the potentially fatal consequences of VITT, early diagnosis is mandatory. In addition to thrombocytopenia, thrombosis, and the presence of anti-PF4 Abs, the day of symptoms onset and the elevation of D-dimer are also required for definitive diagnosis of VITT. The absence of one or more criteria can result in the exclusion of definitive VITT and lead to the diagnosis of probable, possible, or unlikely VITT.}, } @article {pmid38029836, year = {2023}, author = {Khurshid, R and Schulz, JM and Hu, J and Snowden, TS and Reynolds, RC and Schürer, SC}, title = {Targeted degrader technologies as prospective SARS-CoV-2 therapies.}, journal = {Drug discovery today}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {103847}, doi = {10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103847}, pmid = {38029836}, issn = {1878-5832}, abstract = {COVID-19 remains a severe public health threat despite the WHO declaring an end to the public health emergency in May 2023. Continual development of SARS-CoV-2 variants with resistance to vaccine-induced or natural immunity necessitates constant vigilance as well as new vaccines and therapeutics. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) remains relatively untapped in antiviral drug discovery and holds the promise of attenuating viral resistance development. From a unique structural design perspective, this review covers antiviral degrader merits and challenges by highlighting key coronavirus protein targets and their co-crystal structures, specifically illustrating how TPD strategies can refine existing SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitors to potentially produce superior protease-degrading agents.}, } @article {pmid38029252, year = {2023}, author = {Schami, A and Islam, MN and Belisle, JT and Torrelles, JB}, title = {Drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: cell envelope profiles and interactions with the host.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1274175}, pmid = {38029252}, issn = {2235-2988}, abstract = {In the past few decades, drug-resistant (DR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), have become increasingly prevalent and pose a threat to worldwide public health. These strains range from multi (MDR) to extensively (XDR) drug-resistant, making them very difficult to treat. Further, the current and future impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the development of DR-TB is still unknown. Although exhaustive studies have been conducted depicting the uniqueness of the M.tb cell envelope, little is known about how its composition changes in relation to drug resistance acquisition. This knowledge is critical to understanding the capacity of DR-M.tb strains to resist anti-TB drugs, and to inform us on the future design of anti-TB drugs to combat these difficult-to-treat strains. In this review, we discuss the complexities of the M.tb cell envelope along with recent studies investigating how M.tb structurally and biochemically changes in relation to drug resistance. Further, we will describe what is currently known about the influence of M.tb drug resistance on infection outcomes, focusing on its impact on fitness, persister-bacteria, and subclinical TB.}, } @article {pmid38029150, year = {2023}, author = {Song, Y and Yao, L and Li, S and Zhou, J}, title = {Psoriasis comorbidity management in the COVID era: a pressing challenge.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1294056}, pmid = {38029150}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The global COVID-19 pandemic has presented a significant, ongoing challenge since its emergence in late 2019. Today, the Omicron strain, which is less lethal but more contagious than the original outbreak strain, continues to pose substantial health risks. In this background, the management of psoriatic comorbidities has become even more complex, particularly for patients with underlying inflammatory, metabolic, or cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to summarize current research on comorbid COVID-19 and psoriasis, and provide insights into the development of evidence-based management strategies. By providing appropriate patient instruction, implementing protective measures, and re-evaluating medication prescriptions based on each patient's unique situation, healthcare professionals can effectively address the challenges faced by patients with comorbid psoriasis in the COVID-19 era.}, } @article {pmid38028660, year = {2023}, author = {Farhat, F and Sohail, SS and Alam, MT and Ubaid, S and Shakil, and Ashhad, M and Madsen, DØ}, title = {COVID-19 and beyond: leveraging artificial intelligence for enhanced outbreak control.}, journal = {Frontiers in artificial intelligence}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {1266560}, pmid = {38028660}, issn = {2624-8212}, abstract = {COVID-19 has brought significant changes to our political, social, and technological landscape. This paper explores the emergence and global spread of the disease and focuses on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in containing its transmission. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no scientific presentation of the early pictorial representation of the disease's spread. Additionally, we outline various domains where AI has made a significant impact during the pandemic. Our methodology involves searching relevant articles on COVID-19 and AI in leading databases such as PubMed and Scopus to identify the ways AI has addressed pandemic-related challenges and its potential for further assistance. While research suggests that AI has not fully realized its potential against COVID-19, likely due to data quality and diversity limitations, we review and identify key areas where AI has been crucial in preparing the fight against any sudden outbreak of the pandemic. We also propose ways to maximize the utilization of AI's capabilities in this regard.}, } @article {pmid38028641, year = {2023}, author = {Koulenti, D and Karvouniaris, M and Paramythiotou, E and Koliakos, N and Markou, N and Paranos, P and Meletiadis, J and Blot, S}, title = {Severe Candida infections in critically ill patients with COVID-19.}, journal = {Journal of intensive medicine}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {291-297}, pmid = {38028641}, issn = {2667-100X}, abstract = {The frequency of co-infections with bacterial or fungal pathogens has constantly increased among critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the pandemic. Candidemia was the most frequently reported invasive fungal co-infection. The onset of candidemia in COVID-19 patients was often delayed compared to non-COVID-19 patients. Additionally, Candida invasive infections in COVID-19 patients were more often linked to invasive procedures (e.g., invasive mechanical ventilation or renal replacement therapy) during the intensive care stay and the severity of illness rather than more "classic" risk factors present in patients without COVID-19 (e.g., underlying diseases and prior hospitalization). Moreover, apart from the increased incidence of candidemia during the pandemic, a worrying rise in fluconazole-resistant strains was reported, including a rise in the multidrug-resistant Candida auris. Regarding outcomes, the development of invasive Candida co-infection had a negative impact, increasing morbidity and mortality compared to non-co-infected COVID-19 patients. In this narrative review, we present and critically discuss information on the diagnosis and management of invasive fungal infections caused by Candida spp. in critically ill COVID-19 patients.}, } @article {pmid38028171, year = {2023}, author = {Bahl, S and Khanal, S and Sangal, L and Tabassum, S and Ungchusak, K and Andrus, J}, title = {Measles and rubella elimination: protecting children through immunization in South-East Asia Region (SEAR).}, journal = {The Lancet regional health. Southeast Asia}, volume = {18}, number = {}, pages = {100303}, pmid = {38028171}, issn = {2772-3682}, abstract = {The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) adopted the goal of "measles and rubella elimination by 2023". The goal was revised in 2019 to 'measles and rubella elimination by 2023' The strategies adopted to reach the goal included achieving ≥95% coverage with 2 doses of measles- and rubella-containing vaccine (MCV2; RCV2); establishing effective case-based surveillance supported by an accredited laboratory network; and implementing rapid response measures to control measles outbreaks. Of the 11 countries in the Region, to date five countries have eliminated measles and rubella and two more have controlled rubella. An estimated 242 million cases and 4.7 million deaths due to measles were averted between 2014 and 2022. The high-level political commitment, programmatic infrastructure and partnerships developed for the elimination of polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus played a critical role in this achievement. WHO, supported by key partners, provided technical support and strategic guidance for programmatic improvements, generated evidence to guide policy and strategic shifts, strengthened capacity of health workforce and conducted periodic programmatic reviews. However, unexpected occurrence of COVID-19 pandemic impacted vaccine coverage and quality of surveillance, thereby delaying achievement of the goal, and necessitating a revision of the target date of elimination.}, } @article {pmid38028168, year = {2023}, author = {Dhillon, I and Jhalani, M and Thamarangsi, T and Siyam, A and Singh, PK}, title = {Advancing Universal Health Coverage in the WHO South-East Asia Region with a focus on Human Resources for Health.}, journal = {The Lancet regional health. Southeast Asia}, volume = {18}, number = {}, pages = {100313}, pmid = {38028168}, issn = {2772-3682}, abstract = {The identification in 2014 of Universal Health Coverage, including focus on human resources for health, as a flagship priority for the WHO South-East Asia Region marked critical departure from the prior period of the Millennium Development Goals. The last decade witnessed strong political commitment and action to advance UHC across the Region. At regional level, UHC service coverage index improved from 47 in 2010 to 62 in 2021. Improved availability of human resources for health has been an important contributor, with the regional average of doctors, nurses and midwives increasing by approximately a third between 2014 and 2020. Progress on financial protection has been mixed: proportion of population impoverished declined significantly but catastrophic expenditure did not reduce. Despite important gains, progress is insufficient to achieve UHC targets by 2030. Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent economic challenges have created further urgency to accelerate progress towards UHC, with attention to strengthening primary health care.}, } @article {pmid38028166, year = {2023}, author = {Bhatia, V and Rijal, S and Sharma, M and Islam, A and Vassall, A and Bhargava, A and Thida, A and Basri, C and Onozaki, I and Pai, M and Rezwan, MK and Arinaminpathy, N and Chandrashekhar, P and Sarin, R and Mandal, S and Raviglione, M}, title = {Ending TB in South-East Asia: flagship priority and response transformation.}, journal = {The Lancet regional health. Southeast Asia}, volume = {18}, number = {}, pages = {100301}, pmid = {38028166}, issn = {2772-3682}, abstract = {Over the decades, the global tuberculosis (TB) response has evolved from sanatoria-based treatment to DOTS (Directly Observed Therapy Shortcourse) strategy and the more recent End TB Strategy. The WHO South-East Asia Region, which accounted for 45% of new TB patients and 50% of deaths globally in 2021, is pivotal to the global fight against TB. "Accelerate Efforts to End TB" by 2030 was adopted as a South-East Asia Regional Flagship Priority (RFP) in 2017. This article illustrates intensified and transformed approaches to address the disease burden following the adoption of RFP and new challenges that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. TB case notifications improved by 25% and treatment success rates improved by 6% between 2016 and 2019 due to interventions ranging from galvanising political commitments to empowering and engaging communities. Cumulative TB programme budget allocations in 2022 reached US$ 1.4 billion, about two and a half times the budget in 2016. An ambitious Regional Strategic Plan towards ending TB, 2021-2025, identifies priority interventions that will need investments of up to US$ 3 billion a year to fully implement them. Moving forward, countries in the Region need to leverage RFP and take up intensified, people-centred, holistic interventions for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of TB with commensurate investments and cross-ministerial and multi-sectoral coordination.}, } @article {pmid38028162, year = {2023}, author = {Sihombing, B and Bhatia, R and Srivastava, R and Aditama, TY and Laxminarayan, R and Rijal, S}, title = {Response to antimicrobial resistance in South-East Asia Region.}, journal = {The Lancet regional health. Southeast Asia}, volume = {18}, number = {}, pages = {100306}, pmid = {38028162}, issn = {2772-3682}, abstract = {Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) inflicts significant mortality, morbidity and economic loss in the 11 countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR). With technical assistance and advocacy from WHO, all countries have developed their respective National Action Plans on AMR that are aligned with the Global Action Plan. Historically, the WHO Regional Office has been proactive in advocacy at the highest political level. The past decade has seen an enhancement of the country's capacity to combat AMR through national efforts catalyzed and supported through several WHO initiatives at all levels-global, regional and country levels. Several countries including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand have observed a worrying trend of increasing drug resistance, despite heightened awareness and actions. Recent AMR data generated by the countries are indicative of fragmented progress. Lack of technical capacity, financial resources, weak regulatory apparatus, slow behavioural changes at all levels of the antimicrobial stewardship landscape and the COVID-19 pandemic have prevented the effective application of several interventions to minimize the impact of AMR.}, } @article {pmid38027878, year = {2023}, author = {Nursetiawati, S and Siregar, JS and Josua, DP}, title = {Understanding adaptability in the family environment in facing COVID-19: A review.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {9}, number = {11}, pages = {e20618}, pmid = {38027878}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {Adaptation is a research field that is trending in the face of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in various parts of the country. The ability to adapt is one way for individuals to survive in uncertain situations. This article reviews the adaptation process in a family environment focusing on finding models from various literatures on family institution adaptations and then mapping them into adaptations that families can implement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study showed that family resilience in dealing with changes in various areas of life was performed through family adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as: (a) the ability of family members to be more open and respect privacy when communicating during all activities at home, (b) culture and values applied in the family are the determining factors for individuals to be able to adapt to new habits, (c) the resources owned by the family determine the attitudes and ways in which the family develops its potential in dealing with limitations and negative emotions, (d) the adaptive power of men as husbands or fathers with women as wives or mothers is driven by different factors, where men are driven generally due to external factors, while women due to internal factors. Families with different environments produce different adaptability, depending on the social capital and support received by the family.}, } @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 {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.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the methods of recovery treatment, used at different rehabilitation stages of patients suffered from COVID-19.

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.

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 {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//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Cardiorespiratory Fitness ; *COVID-19 ; Physical Fitness ; }, } @article {pmid38027704, year = {2023}, author = {Abuejheisheh, AJ and Alshraideh, JA and Amro, N and Bani Hani, S and Darawad, MW}, title = {Effectiveness of blended learning basic life support module on knowledge and skills: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {9}, number = {11}, pages = {e21680}, doi = {10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21680}, pmid = {38027704}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {AIM: To examine the effectiveness of the BLS blended learning module on knowledge and skills of BLS compared to the traditional module.

METHOD: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were utilized using key words to searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for the studies published between January 2018 to May 2022. The risk of bias was assessed utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Two reviewers separately extracted data from the included trials using a standardized data extraction form.

RESULTS: From 400 articles retrieved by the initial search, 11 studies were found to be eligible. Most studies' participants were laypersons (80.9 %), and the rest were either nursing (12.6 %) or medical students (6.5 %). The review shows superiority of utilizing the blended strategy in applying the BLS module in skills and knowledge retention, rather than using the traditional learning, which could improve the quality and outcomes of patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Blended learning is effective in teaching BLS like the traditional face-to-face method, but more advantages of the blended learning module include improvement in retaining knowledge, skills acquisition, patient outcomes, and cost saving. The COVID-19 pandemic made blended learning crucial and using this method in BLS was effective and efficient. Future research to assess the effectiveness of blended learning on patient outcomes is recommended.}, } @article {pmid38027416, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, L and Nicols, A and Turtle, L and Richter, A and Duncan, CJ and Dunachie, SJ and Klenerman, P and Payne, RP}, title = {T cell immune memory after covid-19 and vaccination.}, journal = {BMJ medicine}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {e000468}, doi = {10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000468}, pmid = {38027416}, issn = {2754-0413}, abstract = {The T cell memory response is a crucial component of adaptive immunity responsible for limiting or preventing viral reinfection. T cell memory after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or vaccination is broad, and spans multiple viral proteins and epitopes, about 20 in each individual. So far the T cell memory response is long lasting and provides a high level of cross reactivity and hence resistance to viral escape by variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as the omicron variant. All current vaccine regimens tested produce robust T cell memory responses, and heterologous regimens will probably enhance protective responses through increased breadth. T cell memory could have a major role in protecting against severe covid-19 disease through rapid viral clearance and early presentation of epitopes, and the presence of cross reactive T cells might enhance this protection. T cell memory is likely to provide ongoing protection against admission to hospital and death, and the development of a pan-coronovirus vaccine might future proof against new pandemic strains.}, } @article {pmid38027048, year = {2023}, author = {Blanta, M and Karathanasi, A and Tzonichaki, I}, title = {The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's occupations.}, journal = {Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOT}, volume = {36}, number = {2}, pages = {69-83}, doi = {10.1177/15691861231204905}, pmid = {38027048}, issn = {1876-4398}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic changed the daily lives and limited everyday activities of children worldwide.

OBJECTIVES: To document the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's occupations, the associated factors, and the impact on children's health, wellbeing, and development.

METHODS: A narrative review was conducted by searching four databases (Scopus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews).

RESULTS: A total of 35 articles met the inclusion criteria. Out of the 34 articles, 23 were relevant to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupations related to leisure (n = 17), productivity (n = 11), and self-care (n = 9). Ten articles highlighted specific factors that had been linked to changes in occupational engagement and child behavior. Ten articles focused on the impact of occupational disruption during COVID-19 on health, wellbeing, and general development.

CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have had a negative impact on children's occupations, while the restrictions were still in effect. Further research is needed to establish reliable conclusions.}, } @article {pmid38026971, year = {2023}, author = {Mundy, C and Bush, J and Cheriyan, J and Lorch, U and Stringer, S and Taubel, J and Wydenbach, K and Hardman, TC}, title = {Association for Human Pharmacology in the Pharmaceutical Industry conference 2022: impending change, innovations and future challenges.}, journal = {Frontiers in pharmacology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1219591}, doi = {10.3389/fphar.2023.1219591}, pmid = {38026971}, issn = {1663-9812}, abstract = {The Association for Human Pharmacology in the Pharmaceutical Industry's annual meeting focused on current and impending challenges facing the United Kingdom's (UK) pharmaceutical industry and how these opportunities can inspire innovation and best practice. The UK pharmaceutical landscape is still evolving following Brexit and learnings from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As such, the UK's clinical community is in a unique position to steer innovation in a meaningful direction. With the continuation of remote forms of working, further opportunities have arisen to support novel practices away from the clinic. The keynote speaker reflected on clinical development over the past 40 years and how the industry must continue to concentrate on patient welfare. The future of drug development was discussed regarding challenges associated with developing translational gene therapies, and the status of investment markets analyzed from a business strategy and consulting perspective. The patient viewpoint was a core theme throughout the conference with patient-centric blood sampling and decentralized clinical trials providing suggestions for how the industry can save costs and increase efficiency. Moreover, the patient perspective was central to a debate over whether ethics requirements should be the same for oncology patients taking part in first-in-human studies as those for healthy subjects. Discussions continued around the changing roles of the Qualified Person and Principal Investigators which underpins how sponsors may want to run future trials in the UK. Lessons learned from conducting challenge trials in healthy volunteers and patients were discussed following a presentation from the serving Chair of the COVID-19 challenge ethics committee. The current state of interactions with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency were also explored. It was considered how the immediate future for the UK clinical trials community is inevitably still linked with Europe; the newly implemented European Medicines Agency Clinical Trials Information System has been met with lukewarm responses, providing a promising opportunity to ensure UK Phase I units continue to play a vital role in global research.}, } @article {pmid38026413, year = {2023}, author = {Adam, D and Berschick, J and Schiele, JK and Bogdanski, M and Schröter, M and Steinmetz, M and Koch, AK and Sehouli, J and Reschke, S and Stritter, W and Kessler, CS and Seifert, G}, title = {Interventions to reduce stress and prevent burnout in healthcare professionals supported by digital applications: a scoping review.}, journal = {Frontiers in public health}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1231266}, doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2023.1231266}, pmid = {38026413}, issn = {2296-2565}, abstract = {AIM: Healthcare professionals are at increased risk of burnout, primarily due to workplace-related stressors. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased this risk. Different interventions exist with varying degrees of effectiveness; little is reported on the content and implementation of such programs. This review fills this gap, with attention to recent programs using digital components.

METHODS: PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar were searched between January 24th and 28th, 2022, limited to the last 5 years (≥2017). Articles were included if they (1) focused on stress reduction or burnout prevention for nurses and medical doctors within workplace health promotion for nurses or medical doctors, (2) included a digital program component, (3) were conducted in high-income country contexts, and (4) were clinical studies published in English or German. Data was extracted using a priori designed spreadsheets. A group of at least 2 authors at each stage carried out the screening, selection, and data extraction.

RESULTS: The search strategy identified 153 articles, all except 7 were excluded. Two studies were conducted in the USA, two in Spain, one in the Netherlands, Poland, and Korea each. Four studies used a randomized study design, all but one had a control group. A wide range of outcome measures was used. The types of interventions included an adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction program combined with aspects of behavioral therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy, or acceptance and commitment therapy. The digital components used were apps (4 studies), a digital platform, blended learning, and a web-based intervention (1 study each). Six studies focused on individual interventions, one included organizational interventions.

CONCLUSION: Despite an acute burnout crisis in the healthcare sector, only seven recent interventions were found that integrated digital components. Several problems emerged during the implementation of the interventions that made it clear that organizational support is urgently needed for successful implementation. Although interventions for stress reduction and burnout prevention should combine individual and organizational measures to be as successful as possible, this was only partially the case in one of the intervention programs. The results of this scoping review can be used to further develop or optimize stress and burnout prevention programs.}, } @article {pmid38026398, year = {2023}, author = {Qi, M and Ren, J}, title = {An overview and visual analysis of research on government regulation in healthcare.}, journal = {Frontiers in public health}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1272572}, doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2023.1272572}, pmid = {38026398}, issn = {2296-2565}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: During the period of COVID-19, government regulation (GR) played an important role in healthcare. This study examines the current research situation of GR in healthcare, discusses the research hotspots, the most productive authors and countries, and the most common journals, and analyzes the changes in GR in healthcare before and after the outbreak of COVID-19.

METHODS: This study followed PRISMA guidelines to collect literature on GR in healthcare. And the VOSviewer software was used to perform a quantitative analysis of these documents to obtain a visual map, including year, country, institution, journal, author, and research topic.

RESULTS: A total of 1,830 papers that involved 976 academic journals, 3,178 institutions, and 133 countries were identified from 1985 to 2023. The United States was the country with the highest production (n = 613), followed by the United Kingdom (n = 289). The institution with the largest number of publications was the University of London in the UK (n = 103); In the author collaboration network, the biggest cluster is Bomhoff M, Bouwman R, Friele R, et al. The top five journals in terms of the number of articles were BMC Health Services Research (n = 70), Plos One (n = 35), Health Policy (n = 33), Social Science & Medicine (n = 29), Health Policy and Planning (n = 29), and Frontiers in Public Health (n = 27). The existing literature mainly focused on "health policy," "public health," "China," "mental health," "India," "qualitative research," "legislation," and "governance," et al. Since 2020, research on "COVID-19" has also become a priority in the domain of healthcare.

CONCLUSION: This study reveals the overall performance of the literature on GR published in healthcare. Healthcare needs GR, especially in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, which has played an irreplaceable role. The outbreak of COVID-19 not only tested the health systems of various countries, but also changed GR in healthcare. With the end of COVID-19, whether these changes will end remains to be further studied.}, } @article {pmid38025914, year = {2023}, author = {Suhaimi, SNAA and Zaki, IAH and Noordin, ZM and Hussin, NSM and Ming, LC and Zulkifly, HH}, title = {COVID-19 vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia: a review.}, journal = {Clinical and experimental vaccine research}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {265-290}, doi = {10.7774/cevr.2023.12.4.265}, pmid = {38025914}, issn = {2287-3651}, abstract = {Rare but serious thrombotic incidents in relation to thrombocytopenia, termed vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), have been observed since the vaccine rollout, particularly among replication-defective adenoviral vector-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine recipients. Herein, we comprehensively reviewed and summarized reported studies of VITT following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination to determine its prevalence, clinical characteristics, as well as its management. A literature search up to October 1, 2021 using PubMed and SCOPUS identified a combined total of 720 articles. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guideline, after screening the titles and abstracts based on the eligibility criteria, the remaining 47 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 29 studies were included. Findings revealed that VITT cases are strongly related to viral vector-based vaccines, which are the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (95%) and the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (4%), with much rarer reports involving messenger RNA-based vaccines such as the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (0.2%) and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (0.2%). The most severe manifestation of VITT is cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with 317 cases (70.4%) and the earliest primary symptom in the majority of cases is headache. Intravenous immunoglobulin and non-heparin anticoagulant are the main therapeutic options for managing immune responses and thrombosis, respectively. As there is emerging knowledge on and refinement of the published guidelines regarding VITT, this review may assist the medical communities in early VITT recognition, understanding the clinical presentations, diagnostic criteria as well as its management, offering a window of opportunity to VITT patients. Further larger sample size trials could further elucidate the link and safety profile.}, } @article {pmid38025114, year = {2023}, author = {Islam Bhuiyan, MR and Azam, S and Montaha, S and Jim, RI and Karim, A and Khan, IU and Brady, M and Hasan, MZ and De Boer, F and Mukta, MSH}, title = {Deep learning-based analysis of COVID-19 X-ray images: Incorporating clinical significance and assessing misinterpretation.}, journal = {Digital health}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {20552076231215915}, doi = {10.1177/20552076231215915}, pmid = {38025114}, issn = {2055-2076}, abstract = {COVID-19, pneumonia, and tuberculosis have had a significant effect on recent global health. Since 2019, COVID-19 has been a major factor underlying the increase in respiratory-related terminal illness. Early-stage interpretation and identification of these diseases from X-ray images is essential to aid medical specialists in diagnosis. In this study, (COV-X-net19) a convolutional neural network model is developed and customized with a soft attention mechanism to classify lung diseases into four classes: normal, COVID-19, pneumonia, and tuberculosis using chest X-ray images. Image preprocessing is carried out by adjusting optimal parameters to preprocess the images before undertaking training of the classification models. Moreover, the proposed model is optimized by experimenting with different architectural structures and hyperparameters to further boost performance. The performance of the proposed model is compared with eight state-of-the-art transfer learning models for a comparative evaluation. Results suggest that the COV-X-net19 outperforms other models with a testing accuracy of 95.19%, precision of 96.49% and F1-score of 95.13%. Another novel approach of this study is to find out the probable reason behind image misclassification by analyzing the handcrafted imaging features with statistical evaluation. A statistical analysis known as analysis of variance test is performed, to identify at which point the model can identify a class accurately, and at which point the model cannot identify the class. The potential features responsible for the misclassification are also found. Moreover, Random Forest Feature importance technique and Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance technique are also explored. The methods and findings of this study can benefit in the clinical perspective in early detection and enable a better understanding of the cause of misclassification.}, } @article {pmid38024943, year = {2023}, author = {Ramasamy, S and Galhotra, A and Agrawal, S}, title = {Adverse reactions after Covid-19 vaccination in persons affected by leprosy: A scoping review.}, journal = {Journal of family medicine and primary care}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {1771-1774}, doi = {10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_635_23}, pmid = {38024943}, issn = {2249-4863}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Leprosy reactions are the main pathway leading to severe nerve damage and disability. These reactions can occur at any time. The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic led to a catastrophic loss of human life and has had a devastating impact on persons affected by leprosy.

OBJECTIVE: To achieve deep insight into the subject of adverse reactions acquired after Covid vaccinations in persons affected by leprosy through a literature review.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A scoping review was conducted in the studies published between July 2021 and June 2022 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist.

RESULTS: Using the search strategy, a total of 130 articles were found, of which five were relevant to the study. The adverse reactions were acquired mostly in males [9 (81.8%)]; the majority of them belong to borderline tuberculoid [4 (36.4%)], and most of them were released from treatment (multi-drug therapy) [7 (63.6%)].

CONCLUSION: Surveillance and management of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) are essential; even minor AEFI should be reported and documented in a line list.}, } @article {pmid38024921, year = {2023}, author = {Zumbro, C and Davidson, S and Daley, WP and Camacho, SM}, title = {Henoch-Schönlein purpura in the setting of COVID-19 infection: Two pediatrics cases and review of the literature.}, journal = {Journal of family medicine and primary care}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {1790-1795}, doi = {10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_26_23}, pmid = {38024921}, issn = {2249-4863}, abstract = {Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis in children, often following a viral infection. Various types of rashes attributed to COVID-19 infection have been described in the literature; however, HSP has rarely been reported. We report two children with HSP associated with acute COVID-19 infection with a review of the available literature. We highlight the clinical presentation, medical management, outcome and age-related difference of reported patients. A limitation of this article is the retrospective nature, limiting full patient history and associated conditions. The findings of this review show that HSP in the setting of COVID-19 is more common in children than adults, with a male predominance, involving various body systems creating a constellation of presentations. Given that HSP can have long-term morbidity from renal disease if untreated, this review may help guide the practitioner's approach to HSP and recognition in the setting of COVID-19 infection.}, } @article {pmid38024874, year = {2023}, author = {Vamshidhar, IS and Rani, SSS and Kalpana, M and Gaur, A and Umesh, M and Ganji, V and Saluja, R and Taranikanti, M and John, NA}, title = {Impact of COVID-19 on thyroid gland functions with reference to Graves' disease: A systematic review.}, journal = {Journal of family medicine and primary care}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {1784-1789}, doi = {10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2246_22}, pmid = {38024874}, issn = {2249-4863}, abstract = {Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Both immediate and long-term adverse effects arise out of this disease's aftermath. It involves various organs, which include endocrine glands, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and other organs. The long-term outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 infection are influenced by preexisting comorbidities. Genetic, environmental, and immunological factors contribute to the development of various autoimmune diseases, which include Graves' disease (GD). The growing mystery surrounding this virus is exacerbated by auto-inflammatory diseases, such as pediatric inflammatory multisystemic syndrome (PIMS) or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which raises concerns about the nature of the virus' connection to the autoimmune and auto-inflammatory sequelae. There is a need to understand the underlying mechanisms of developing GD in post-COVID-19 patients. There are limited data regarding the pathogenesis involved in post-COVID-19 GD. Our goal was to understand the various mechanisms involved in post-COVID-19 GD among patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for 2020, a literature search of medical databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus) from February 2021 to February 2022 was performed by five authors. The keywords used were "Post COVID-19," "Grave's disease," "Cytokine storm," "Autoimmunity," and "Molecular mimicry." This review revealed three underlying mechanisms that resulted in post-COVID GD, which included cytokine storm, molecular mimicry, ACE2 receptor concentration, and cell-mediated immunity. The full spectrum of the effects of COVID-19 needs to be researched.}, } @article {pmid38024151, year = {2023}, author = {Pandya, VS and Morsy, MSM and Hassan, AAA and Alshawkani, HA and Sindi, AS and Mattoo, KA and Mehta, V and Mathur, A and Meto, A}, title = {Ultraviolet disinfection (UV-D) robots: bridging the gaps in dentistry.}, journal = {Frontiers in oral health}, volume = {4}, number = {}, pages = {1270959}, doi = {10.3389/froh.2023.1270959}, pmid = {38024151}, issn = {2673-4842}, abstract = {Maintaining a microbe-free environment in healthcare facilities has become increasingly crucial for minimizing virus transmission, especially in the wake of recent epidemics like COVID-19. To meet the urgent need for ongoing sterilization, autonomous ultraviolet disinfection (UV-D) robots have emerged as vital tools. These robots are gaining popularity due to their automated nature, cost advantages, and ability to instantly disinfect rooms and workspaces without relying on human labor. Integrating disinfection robots into medical facilities reduces infection risk, lowers conventional cleaning costs, and instills greater confidence in patient safety. However, UV-D robots should complement rather than replace routine manual cleaning. To optimize the functionality of UV-D robots in medical settings, additional hospital and device design modifications are necessary to address visibility challenges. Achieving seamless integration requires more technical advancements and clinical investigations across various institutions. This mini-review presents an overview of advanced applications that demand disinfection, highlighting their limitations and challenges. Despite their potential, little comprehensive research has been conducted on the sterilizing impact of disinfection robots in the dental industry. By serving as a starting point for future research, this review aims to bridge the gaps in knowledge and identify unresolved issues. Our objective is to provide an extensive guide to UV-D robots, encompassing design requirements, technological breakthroughs, and in-depth use in healthcare and dentistry facilities. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of UV-D robots will aid in harnessing their potential to revolutionize infection control practices in the medical and dental fields.}, } @article {pmid38024037, year = {2023}, author = {Hulscher, N and Procter, BC and Wynn, C and McCullough, PA}, title = {Clinical Approach to Post-acute Sequelae After COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {11}, pages = {e49204}, doi = {10.7759/cureus.49204}, pmid = {38024037}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 has been found to exhibit pathogenic characteristics and be a possible cause of post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines utilize a modified, stabilized prefusion spike protein that may share similar toxic effects with its viral counterpart. The aim of this study is to investigate possible mechanisms of harm to biological systems from SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and vaccine-encoded spike protein and to propose possible mitigation strategies. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and 'grey literature' to find studies that (1) investigated the effects of the spike protein on biological systems, (2) helped differentiate between viral and vaccine-generated spike proteins, and (3) identified possible spike protein detoxification protocols and compounds that had signals of benefit and acceptable safety profiles. We found abundant evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may cause damage in the cardiovascular, hematological, neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and immunological systems. Viral and vaccine-encoded spike proteins have been shown to play a direct role in cardiovascular and thrombotic injuries from both SARS-CoV-2 and vaccination. Detection of spike protein for at least 6-15 months after vaccination and infection in those with post-acute sequelae indicates spike protein as a possible primary contributing factor to long COVID. We rationalized that these findings give support to the potential benefit of spike protein detoxification protocols in those with long-term post-infection and/or vaccine-induced complications. We propose a base spike detoxification protocol, composed of oral nattokinase, bromelain, and curcumin. This approach holds immense promise as a base of clinical care, upon which additional therapeutic agents are applied with the goal of aiding in the resolution of post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. Large-scale, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are warranted in order to determine the relative risks and benefits of the base spike detoxification protocol.}, } @article {pmid38023992, year = {2023}, author = {Ocanto, A and Mielgo-Rubio, X and Luna Tirado, J and Linares Mesa, N and López Valcárcel, M and Pedraza, S and Barragan, VV and Nieto, PV and Martín, JZ and Couñago, F}, title = {Coronavirus disease 2019 and lung cancer: where are we?.}, journal = {Exploration of targeted anti-tumor therapy}, volume = {4}, number = {5}, pages = {1082-1094}, doi = {10.37349/etat.2023.00182}, pmid = {38023992}, issn = {2692-3114}, abstract = {Oncology patients are more susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to hospital contact and an immunological system that can be compromised by antineoplastic therapy and supportive treatments. Certain similarities have been described in the physiopathology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and lung cancer (LC) that may explain the higher probability of these patients of developing a more serious disease with more frequent hospitalizations and even death, especially with the addition of smoking, cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities, old age and corticosteroids use. Pre-existing lesions and cancer therapies change the normal architecture of the lungs, so diagnostic scales such as COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) are of vital importance for a correct diagnosis and patient homogenization, with a high inter-observer correlation. Moreover, anticancer treatments have required an adaptation to reduce the number of visits to the hospital [hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT), larger intervals between chemotherapy cycles, delay in follow-up tests, among others]. In a way, this has also caused a delay in the diagnosis of new cancers. On the other hand, vaccination has had a positive impact on the mortality of these patients, who maintain a similar seroprevalence to the rest of the population, with a similar impact in mortality.}, } @article {pmid38023988, year = {2023}, author = {Sokouti, B}, title = {A review on in silico virtual screening methods in COVID-19 using anticancer drugs and other natural/chemical inhibitors.}, journal = {Exploration of targeted anti-tumor therapy}, volume = {4}, number = {5}, pages = {994-1026}, doi = {10.37349/etat.2023.00177}, pmid = {38023988}, issn = {2692-3114}, abstract = {The present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic scenario has posed a difficulty for cancer treatment. Even under ideal conditions, malignancies like small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are challenging to treat because of their fast development and early metastases. The treatment of these patients must not be jeopardized, and they must be protected as much as possible from the continuous spread of the COVID-19 infection. Initially identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the contagious coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Finding inhibitors against the druggable targets of SARS-CoV-2 has been a significant focus of research efforts across the globe. The primary motivation for using molecular modeling tools against SARS-CoV-2 was to identify candidates for use as therapeutic targets from a pharmacological database. In the published study, scientists used a combination of medication repurposing and virtual drug screening methodologies to target many structures of SARS-CoV-2. This virus plays an essential part in the maturation and replication of other viruses. In addition, the total binding free energy and molecular dynamics (MD) modeling findings showed that the dynamics of various medications and substances were stable; some of them have been tested experimentally against SARS-CoV-2. Different virtual screening (VS) methods have been discussed as potential means by which the evaluated medications that show strong binding to the active site might be repurposed for use against SARS-CoV-2.}, } @article {pmid38023778, year = {2023}, author = {Aldzhyan, V and Tamamian, C and Tabibian, JH}, title = {Leveraging telemedicine in gastroenterology and hepatology: a narrative review.}, journal = {mHealth}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {36}, doi = {10.21037/mhealth-23-27}, pmid = {38023778}, issn = {2306-9740}, abstract = {BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Over the years, telemedicine has played a prominent role in delivering healthcare to patients. Due to its flexibility and many benefits, telemedicine confers physicians the ability to guide and promote medical care remotely. The advent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the landscape of medicine and has accelerated the usage of digital and remote healthcare systems for clinical care. Herein, we provide an overview of telemedicine, its applications in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease (CD), and liver diseases, its advantages and limitations, and its use in educating the next generation of gastroenterologists.

METHODS: We conducted a review of scientific articles published in PubMed and Google Scholar. Articles were selected based on the search terms included in the search strategy summary. The language of the articles was restricted to English only.

KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: We report that telemedicine has the potential to streamline and improve patient care in gastroenterology (GI) and hepatology while also limiting health care expenses. Additionally, we noted the importance of tele-education for training the next generation of physicians who intend on practicing in rural settings. Furthermore, we identified barriers to telemedicine care that exacerbate health inequities and potential solutions to achieving digital health equity. Lastly, we briefly discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in remote patient monitoring.

CONCLUSIONS: Although telemedicine has existed for many decades, over the past decade there have been many advancements in telemedicine applications in GI and hepatology. Despite its broad benefits, further research needs to be done to alleviate barriers to telemedicine care.}, } @article {pmid38023098, year = {2023}, author = {Sharma, S and Rawal, R and Shah, D}, title = {Addressing the challenges of AI-based telemedicine: Best practices and lessons learned.}, journal = {Journal of education and health promotion}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {338}, doi = {10.4103/jehp.jehp_402_23}, pmid = {38023098}, issn = {2277-9531}, abstract = {Telemedicine is the use of technology to provide healthcare services and information remotely, without requiring physical proximity between patients and healthcare providers. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated the rapid growth of telemedicine worldwide. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into telemedicine has the potential to enhance and expand its capabilities in addressing various healthcare needs, such as patient monitoring, healthcare information technology (IT), intelligent diagnosis, and assistance. Despite the potential benefits, implementing AI in telemedicine presents challenges that can be overcome with physician-guided implementation. AI can assist physicians in decision-making, improve healthcare delivery, and automate administrative tasks. To ensure optimal effectiveness, AI-powered telemedicine should comply with existing clinical practices and adhere to a framework adaptable to various technologies. It should also consider technical and scientific factors, including trustworthiness, reproducibility, usability, availability, and cost. Education and training are crucial for the appropriate use of new healthcare technologies such as AI-enabled telemedicine. This article examines the benefits and limitations of AI-based telemedicine in various medical domains and underscores the importance of physician-guided implementation, compliance with existing clinical practices, and appropriate education and training for healthcare providers.}, } @article {pmid38023081, year = {2023}, author = {Narasimhan, G and Victor, A}, title = {Analysis of computational intelligence approaches for predicting disease severity in humans: Challenges and research guidelines.}, journal = {Journal of education and health promotion}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {334}, doi = {10.4103/jehp.jehp_298_23}, pmid = {38023081}, issn = {2277-9531}, abstract = {The word disease is a common word and there are many diseases like heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, COVID-19, and kidney disease that threaten humans. Data-mining methods are proving to be increasingly beneficial in the present day, especially in the field of medical applications; through the use of machine-learning methods, that are used to extract valuable information from healthcare data, which can then be used to predict and treat diseases early, reducing the risk of human life. Machine-learning techniques are useful especially in the field of health care in extracting information from healthcare data. These data are very much helpful in predicting the disease early and treating the patients to reduce the risk of human life. For classification and decision-making, data mining is very much suitable. In this paper, a comprehensive study on several diseases and diverse machine-learning approaches that are functional to predict those diseases and also the different datasets used in prediction and making decisions are discussed in detail. The drawbacks of the models from various research papers have been observed and reveal countless computational intelligence approaches. Naïve Bayes, logistic regression (LR), SVM, and random forest are able to produce the best accuracy. With further optimization algorithms like genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization, and ant colony optimization combined with machine learning, better performance can be achieved in terms of accuracy, specificity, precision, recall, and specificity.}, } @article {pmid38022818, year = {2023}, author = {Treeza M, M and Augustine, S and Mathew, AA and Kanthlal, SK and Panonummal, R}, title = {Targeting Viral ORF3a Protein: A New Approach to Mitigate COVID-19 Induced Immune Cell Apoptosis and Associated Respiratory Complications.}, journal = {Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {678-687}, doi = {10.34172/apb.2023.069}, pmid = {38022818}, issn = {2228-5881}, abstract = {Infection with SARS-CoV-2 is a growing concern to the global well-being of the public at present. Different amino acid mutations alter the biological and epidemiological characteristics, as well as immune resistance of SARS-CoV-2. The virus-induced pulmonary impairment and inflammatory cytokine storm are directly related to its clinical manifestations. But, the fundamental mechanisms of inflammatory responses are found to be the reason for the death of immune cells which render the host immune system failure. Apoptosis of immune cells is one of the most common forms of programmed cell death induced by the virus for its survival and virulence property. ORF3a, a SARS-CoV-2 accessory viral protein, induces apoptosis in host cells and suppress the defense mechanism. This suggests, inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a protein is a good therapeutic strategy for the treatment in COVID-19 infection by promoting the host immune defense mechanism.}, } @article {pmid38022808, year = {2023}, author = {Faghihi, H and Mottaghi-Dastjerdi, N and Sharifzadeh, M and Rahimi Kakavandi, N}, title = {ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome among Adults: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {723-735}, doi = {10.34172/apb.2023.081}, pmid = {38022808}, issn = {2228-5881}, abstract = {Several vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome (VITTS) cases have been reported after the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination. The current study systematically reviewed the reported post-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination thrombotic thrombocytopenia cases. Their laboratory and clinical features, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic measures, were investigated. Online databases were searched until 25 August 2021. Studies reporting post-ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) were included. Overall, 167 cases (21-77 years old) from 53 publications were included showing a female dominance of 1.75 times. About 85% of the cases exhibited the primary symptoms within the first two weeks post-vaccination. Headache was the most common initial symptom (>44.2%), and hemorrhage/thrombotic problems (22.46%), as well as discoordination/weakness/numbness/ hemiparesis/cyanotic toes (19.6%), were the most prevalent uncommon initial symptoms. Prothrombin time (PT), D-dimers, and C-reactive protein were the most remarkable increased laboratory parameters in 50.6%, 99.1%, and 55.6% of cases, respectively. In comparison, platelet and fibrinogen were the most remarkable decreased laboratory parameters in 92.7% and 50.5% of cases, respectively. Most VITT cases presented with cerebral venous thrombosis/cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, supraventricular tachycardia, transverse sinus/cerebral thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and cerebral hemorrhage. Anti-PF4 antibody measurement through immunoassays and functional assays were positive in 86.2% and 73% of cases, respectively. About 31% of the cases died. Early diagnosis and proper therapeutic measures are important in ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine-induced VITTS patients. Therefore, experts are recommended to know the corresponding clinical and laboratory features, as well as diagnostic methods. Elucidation of the pathophysiologic mechanism of ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine-induced TTS deserves further investigation.}, } @article {pmid38022767, year = {2023}, author = {Poteko, K and Coakley, J and Doupona, M}, title = {Elite athletes: what lessons for the future can be learned from their responses to the social disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic?.}, journal = {Frontiers in sports and active living}, volume = {5}, number = {}, pages = {1260797}, doi = {10.3389/fspor.2023.1260797}, pmid = {38022767}, issn = {2624-9367}, abstract = {In mid-March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic was declared, disrupting established routines and impacting every aspect of our lives. Sport as a social phenomenon was no exception. On the one hand, with the suspension and postponement of competitions and the various restrictions, the pandemic seemed to stop time, destroying the previously familiar ways of functioning of the sports sector, and forcing it to constantly reinvent, restructure and adapt. On the other hand, the changed situation highlighted the problems and inequalities that sport had faced long before and that the pandemic had mostly exacerbated, but not caused. In this review article, we identify the lessons and insights the pandemic has brought, especially for elite athletes. Because many scientific articles have emerged in connection with the pandemic, we select and review them according to our focus on elite athletes and summarise their findings. We then use those findings to derive guidelines that can serve top athletes as a tool in potentially similar situations in the future. Our proposed guidelines are divided into macro-, meso-, and micro-social levels, encompassing national and international, organizational and individual perspectives.}, } @article {pmid38022638, year = {2023}, author = {Maiese, K}, title = {The impact of aging and oxidative stress in metabolic and nervous system disorders: programmed cell death and molecular signal transduction crosstalk.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1273570}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2023.1273570}, pmid = {38022638}, issn = {1664-3224}, abstract = {Life expectancy is increasing throughout the world and coincides with a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially for metabolic disease that includes diabetes mellitus (DM) and neurodegenerative disorders. The debilitating effects of metabolic disorders influence the entire body and significantly affect the nervous system impacting greater than one billion people with disability in the peripheral nervous system as well as with cognitive loss, now the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. Metabolic disorders, such as DM, and neurologic disease remain a significant challenge for the treatment and care of individuals since present therapies may limit symptoms but do not halt overall disease progression. These clinical challenges to address the interplay between metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders warrant innovative strategies that can focus upon the underlying mechanisms of aging-related disorders, oxidative stress, cell senescence, and cell death. Programmed cell death pathways that involve autophagy, apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis can play a critical role in metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders and oversee processes that include insulin resistance, β-cell function, mitochondrial integrity, reactive oxygen species release, and inflammatory cell activation. The silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SIRT1), AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), and Wnt1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) are novel targets that can oversee programmed cell death pathways tied to β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD[+]), nicotinamide, apolipoprotein E (APOE), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) exposure with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and trophic factors, such as erythropoietin (EPO). The pathways of programmed cell death, SIRT1, AMPK, and WISP1 offer exciting prospects for maintaining metabolic homeostasis and nervous system function that can be compromised during aging-related disorders and lead to cognitive impairment, but these pathways have dual roles in determining the ultimate fate of cells and organ systems that warrant thoughtful insight into complex autofeedback mechanisms.}, } @article {pmid38022593, year = {2023}, author = {Murished, GM and Dandachi, I and Aljabr, W}, title = {Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in the middle eastern population.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1270187}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2023.1270187}, pmid = {38022593}, issn = {1664-3224}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe worldwide health concerns since its first description as the SARS-COV-2 virus in December 2019. The wide dissemination of this virus, together with the lack of treatment, prompted vaccine development within a short period of time to elicit a protective immunity against COVID-19. Due to their rapid development, potential subsequent side effects of COVID-19 vaccines were overlooked, which might lead to many health concerns. This is especially true for patients at a greater risk of harm from COVID-19, such as pregnant women, children, and patients with pre-existing chronic diseases. In this review, we provide a summary of common to rare side effects of administrated COVID-19 vaccines in a Middle Eastern population. We have found that the distinction between side effects from COVID-19 vaccines in terms of frequency and severity is attributed to the differences in study populations, gender, and age. Pain at the injection site, fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain were the most common reported side effects. Vaccinated subjects with previous COVID-19 infection exhibited an equivalent neutralizing response after just one dose compared to two doses of vaccine. Consequently, individuals who experienced more side effects had significantly higher antibody levels. This indicates that having better immunity correlates with higher antibody levels, leading to a higher frequency of vaccine side effects. Individuals with underlying comorbidities, particularly having known allergies and with illnesses such as diabetes and cancer, might be more prone to post-vaccination side effects. Studies of a high-risk population in Middle Eastern countries are limited. Future studies should be considered to determine long-term side effects, side effects after booster doses, and side effect differences in cases of heterologous and homologous vaccination for better understanding and proper handling of high-risk populations and patients who experience these side effects.}, } @article {pmid38022276, year = {2023}, author = {Sivaprakasam, DR and Ohiri, HO and Asif, MS and Jahangir, MS and Khan, MKG and Nabeel, MA and Abdullah, RM}, title = {COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Relation to New-Onset Diabetes: A Narrative Review.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e47056}, doi = {10.7759/cureus.47056}, pmid = {38022276}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {The COVID-19 vaccination has been effective in preventing a lot of complications caused by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Meanwhile, diabetes mellitus, one of the root causes of many co-morbidities, exhibited itself during the COVID-19 pandemic and after COVID-19 vaccination. Diabetes mellitus introduced itself in a new perspective, leading to a variety of presentations and causing a significant number of emergency admissions. Many of the pre-diabetes patients with no prior history of diabetes developed fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) after the COVID-19 vaccination. Some cases of conversion of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) into T1DM were reported. Some prediabetes/diabetes patients presented with the development of diabetic ketoacidosis after COVID-19 vaccination, whereas some previously healthy people with no relation to diabetes also developed acute exacerbations of new-onset T1DM or T2DM along with lethal ketoacidosis. The purpose of writing this review was to explore what kind of people are more prone to develop new-onset diabetes or diabetic complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis, the typical presentation of these patients, possible mechanisms that lead to these complications occurring after the COVID-19 vaccination, how they can be managed, and whether there is a good prognosis after management or not.}, } @article {pmid38022120, year = {2023}, author = {Gupta, PP and Bankar, NJ and Mishra, VH and Sanghavi, S and Badge, AK}, title = {The Efficient Disposal of Biomedical Waste Is Critical to Public Health: Insights from the Central Pollution Control Board Guidelines in India.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e47303}, doi = {10.7759/cureus.47303}, pmid = {38022120}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {Biomedical waste (BMW), encompassing hazardous medical materials, poses environmental and public health risks if not correctly managed. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India is a statutory organization that oversees BMW disposal standards, aimed at mitigating these hazards. BMW mismanagement is a major problem and potentially poses threats to the environment as well as public health. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical equipment was witnessed which led to a marked raised BMW generation. To ensure proper and optimized BMW management, CPCB established guidelines and rules to be followed by the medical facilities as well as the common BMW treatment facilities (CBWTFs). The challenges in implementing proper waste management practices were lack of awareness and inadequate infrastructure. Strategies for better BMW management were proposed, including color-coded bins, improved infrastructure, advanced technology, and awareness campaigns. Highlighting CPCB's vital role, this emphasizes healthcare facilities' proactive role in implementing and evolving regulations for sustainable BMW disposal, ensuring both public health and environmental well-being through compliance and responsible waste management partnerships.}, } @article {pmid38021871, year = {2023}, author = {Wali, R}, title = {Integration of Telehealth in Routine Perinatal Care: A Model of Care for Primary Healthcare Clinics in Saudi Arabia.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e47295}, doi = {10.7759/cureus.47295}, pmid = {38021871}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {This study aims to introduce a new model of antenatal/postnatal care that integrates virtual clinics with the current model of care, including a discussion on the current model, pre-existing barriers, and prenatal framework, and the need for transition to telehealth beyond the pandemic. In antenatal primary health care centers, such as King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), low-risk antenatal/postnatal care receives clinical care through complete physical attendance in antenatal/postnatal clinics in primary care clinics for pregnancy follow-up and in tertiary hospitals for fetal ultrasound and invasive procedures if needed. Pregnancy is confirmed through a regular family medicine (FM) clinic where risk assessment through history, physical examination, and investigations are carried out. If the pregnant woman is at low risk, she will be started on folic acid, 1 mg or 5 mg based on the risk assessment (if it was not received before). Pregnant women will be given a telehealth appointment for the lab results. Concomitantly, the pregnant women will receive an appointment in the antenatal clinics, which board-certified family physicians run. High-risk patients will be referred to the hospital for further care. Current postnatal care is delivered through regular booking with the FM clinic through physical attendance sometimes, and virtual care is provided upon physican/patient request. Current care meets the past quality care and patient expectations. However, with the current Saudi Vision 2030 and after the experience with virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic, the current services need to move a step forward to meet the rapidly developing medical care/needs in Saudi Arabia. Various challenges must be addressed, and new models must be included in clinical care for pregnant and postnatal women. Introducing virtual antenatal/postnatal care to the current care could be a new era in maternity primary health care; this model will move the clinical care provided to pregnant/postnatal women a step forward that meets the excellence of high-quality, evidence-based medical care.}, } @article {pmid38021738, year = {2023}, author = {Jordan, HR and Sahni, S and Ahmed, MM and Fares, JE and Desai, BV and Lenchur, CN and Jermyn, RT}, title = {A Comprehensive Literature Review of Digital Health Interventions in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder With Special Focus on Mobile Applications.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e47639}, doi = {10.7759/cureus.47639}, pmid = {38021738}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {COVID-19 quarantine showed an increase in opioid-related deaths partially due to the limited capacity of clinics and treatment centers. Digital health interventions (DHIs) such as telehealth have improved access to treatment, reduced psychosocial barriers, and helped patients with substance use disorder (SUD). An in-depth literature review was conducted to gauge the efficacy and usefulness of DHIs on substance use disorder. PubMed was used with string search terms to identify studies analyzing telehealth for substance use disorders. Studies were eligible and selected if they used health interventions (HIs) and reported outcomes on the efficacy of DHIs, benefits of DHIs, and limitations of DHIs. The Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was used to analyze the impact of DHIs on SUD. Lastly, Apple's App Store was used to identify the current DHI available. The analysis indicated that mobile phone apps were the most appropriate sources to use for patients with substance use disorders. The search also found 36 mobile applications available on the market for patients, containing mainly pain medication diaries and trackers. The study did not find any apps for clinical usage that met the standards necessary for adequate healthcare in the opioid crisis, largely due to a lack of clinician involvement in using applications. Developing adequate DHIs has the potential to improve outcomes in patients with SUD and aid in recovery time. The research concluded that physicians looking to develop DHIs should take into consideration the mode of delivery of DHI, the aim to produce specific health outcomes as opposed to multiple outcomes, and clinician involvement in DHI development. DHIs can become a vital tool for medical professionals, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, as the use of healthcare technology has limited in-person contact, maintained current doctor-patient relationships, and allowed for contact tracing of the disease.}, } @article {pmid38021562, year = {2023}, author = {Antony, MA and Patel, S and Verma, V and Kant, R}, title = {The Role of Gut Microbiome Supplementation in COVID-19 Management.}, journal = {Cureus}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e46960}, doi = {10.7759/cureus.46960}, pmid = {38021562}, issn = {2168-8184}, abstract = {COVID-19, which is caused by the RNA virus, SARS-CoV-2, mainly affects the respiratory system and has a varied clinical presentation. However, several studies have shown that COVID-19 can also affect the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Patients can experience various GI symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea, and the virus has been detected in the stool samples of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. There have also been rare reports of COVID-19 presenting with isolated GI symptoms and lack of respiratory symptoms, and the virus has also been detected for prolonged periods in the fecal samples of COVID-19 patients. Major alterations in the gut microbiome in the form of depletion of beneficial organisms and an abundance of pathogenic organisms have been reported in the fecal samples of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Although the US FDA has approved several drugs to manage COVID-19, their efficacy remains modest. So, there is a constant ongoing effort to investigate novel treatment options for COVID-19. Health supplements like probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics have been popularly known for their various health benefits. In this review, we have summarized the current literature, which shows the potential benefit of these health supplements to mitigate and/or prevent the clinical presentation of COVID-19.}, } @article {pmid38021418, year = {2023}, author = {Potestio, L and Megna, M and Villani, A and Cacciapuoti, S and Scalvenzi, M and Martora, F}, title = {Herpes Zoster and COVID-19 Vaccination: A Narrative Review.}, journal = {Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology}, volume = {16}, number = {}, pages = {3323-3331}, doi = {10.2147/CCID.S441898}, pmid = {38021418}, issn = {1178-7015}, abstract = {COVID-19 was a worldwide emergency, leading to a global health crisis, which completely revolutionized every aspect of human life. Several strategies were adopted to limit the spreading of the infection such as testing and contact tracing, quarantine and isolation, use of face mask, social distancing, lockdowns, travel restrictions, etc. Of these, vaccines were the most important measures to reduce the transmission of the virus and the severity of the infection, in order to overcome the pandemic. Fortunately, vaccination campaign was a success, showing to be efficient in controlling and preventing the COVID-19, reducing the risk of disease progression, hospitalization, and mortality. Monitoring and addressing vaccine-related adverse events have been essential for maintaining public confidence. Indeed, with the increasing number of vaccines administered, various cutaneous reactions have been reported, making dermatologists key players in their recognition and treatment. Particularly, several cutaneous diseases and cutaneous findings have been reported. Of note, also viral reactivations have been described following COVID-19 vaccination. Among these, varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation has been collected. Globally, an early diagnosis and an accurate treatment of herpes zoster (HZ) is mandatory to reduce possible complications. In this context, we conducted a review of the current literature investigating cases HZ following COVID-19 vaccination with the aim of understanding the possible causal correlation and underlying pathogenetic mechanisms to offer clinicians a wide perspective on VZV reactivation and COVID-19 vaccines.}, } @article {pmid38021335, year = {2023}, author = {Skidmore, KL and Rajabi, A and Nguyen, A and Imani, F and Kaye, AD}, title = {Veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Anesthetic Considerations in Clinical Practice.}, journal = {Anesthesiology and pain medicine}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {e136524}, doi = {10.5812/aapm-136524}, pmid = {38021335}, issn = {2228-7531}, abstract = {CONTEXT: After the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple reviews have documented the success of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Patients who experience hypoxemia but have normal contractility may be switched to veno-venous-ECMO (VV-ECMO).

PURPOSE: In this review, we present three protocols for anesthesiologists. Firstly, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) aids in cannulation and weaning off inotropes and fluids. Our main objective is to assist in patient selection for the Avalon Elite single catheter, which is inserted into the right internal jugular vein and terminates in the right atrium. Secondly, we propose appropriate anticoagulant doses. We outline day-to-day monitoring protocols to prevent heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or resistance. Once the effects of neuromuscular paralysis subside, sedation should be reduced. Therefore, we describe techniques that may prevent delirium from progressing into permanent cognitive decline.

METHODS: We conducted a PubMed search using the keywords VV-ECMO, TEE, Avalon Elite (Maquet, Germany), and quetiapine. We combined these findings with interviews conducted with nurses and anesthesiologists from two academic ECMO centers, focusing on anticoagulation and sedation.

RESULTS: Our qualitative evidence synthesis reveals how TEE confirms cannulation while avoiding right atrial rupture or low flows. Additionally, we discovered that typically, after initial heparinization, activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is drawn every 1 to 2 hours or every 6 to 8 hours once stable. Daily thromboelastograms, along with platelet counts and antithrombin III levels, may detect HIT or resistance, respectively. These side effects can be prevented by discontinuing heparin on day two and initiating argatroban at a dose of 1 μg/kg/min while maintaining PTT between 61 - 80 seconds. The argatroban dose is adjusted by 10 - 20% if PTT is between 40 - 60 or 80 - 90 seconds. Perfusionists assist in establishing protocols following manufacturer guidelines. Lastly, we describe the replacement of narcotics and benzodiazepines with dexmedetomidine at a dose of 0.5 to 1 μg/kg/hour, limited by bradycardia, and the use of quetiapine starting at 25 mg per day and gradually increasing up to 200 mg twice a day, limited by prolonged QT interval.

CONCLUSIONS: The limitation of this review is that it necessarily covers a broad range of ECMO decisions faced by an anesthesiologist. However, its main advantage lies in the identification of straightforward argatroban protocols through interviews, as well as the discovery, via PubMed, of the usefulness of TEE in determining cannula position and contractility estimates for transitioning from VA-ECMO to VV-ECMO. Additionally, we emphasize the benefits in terms of morbidity and mortality of a seldom-discussed sedation supplement, quetiapine, to dexmedetomidine.}, } @article {pmid38021188, year = {2022}, author = {Mbim, EN and Edet, UO and Okoroiwu, HU and Nwaokorie, FO and Edet, AE and Owolabi, A and I, MC}, title = {Arbovirus and its potential to lead the next global pandemic from sub-Saharan Africa: What lessons have we learned from COVID-19?.}, journal = {Germs}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {538-547}, doi = {10.18683/germs.2022.1358}, pmid = {38021188}, issn = {2248-2997}, abstract = {Risk and predisposing factors for viral zoonoses abound in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region with significant public health implications. For several decades, there have been several reports on the emergence and re-emergence of arbovirus infections. The lifetime burden of arboviral diseases in developing countries is still poorly understood. Studies indicate significant healthcare disruptions and economic losses attributed to the viruses in resource-poor communities marked by impairment in the performance of daily activities. Arboviruses have reportedly evolved survival strategies to aid their proliferation in favorable niches, further magnifying their public health relevance. However, there is poor knowledge about the viruses in the region. Thus, this review presents a survey of zoonotic arboviruses in SSA, the burden associated with their diseases, management of diseases as well as their prevention and control, mobility and determinants of infections, their vectors, and co-infection with various microorganisms. Lessons learned from the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic coupled with routine surveillance of zoonotic hosts for these viruses will improve our understanding of their evolution, their potential to cause a pandemic, control and prevention measures, and vaccine development.}, } @article {pmid38020846, year = {2023}, author = {Goko, C and Forster, E and Mason, M and Zimmerman, PA}, title = {Effectiveness of fit testing versus fit checking for healthcare workers respiratory protective equipment: A systematic review.}, journal = {International journal of nursing sciences}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {568-578}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijnss.2023.09.011}, pmid = {38020846}, issn = {2352-0132}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Respiratory protection is critical in healthcare to minimise the risk of airborne infections for healthcare workers (HCWs). It emphasizes the use of proper fitting of particulate filter respirators and equivalent respiratory protective equipment (RPE) to ensure a good facial seal. The systematic review aimed to compare the effectiveness of fit testing and fit checking for HCWs' respiratory protective equipment.

METHODS: A systematic review of the literature exploring RPE for HCWs to determine the effectiveness of fit-testing versus fit-checking from January 2003 to April 2022 was identified using CINAHL Complete via EBSCO Host, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, and MEDLINE via Ovid electronic databases, and grey literature. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020213968).

RESULTS: Of the 561 articles identified in the search, 25 articles (22 quantitative studies and three guidelines) were included in this review. Overall, these studies suggest fit-testing as a method that is more effective, widely adopted, and reliable in assessing the effectiveness of RPE; however, a respiratory program should include both fit-testing and fit-checking to maximise effectiveness of the RPE. The COVID-19 epidemic highlighted a lack of knowledge among HCWs regarding fit-checking and fit-testing, and relevant education increased the effectiveness of respiratory equipment protection.

CONCLUSION: It is imperative that both fit-testing and fit-checking is implemented in order to ensure HCW safety. It is recommended to integrate education, fit-testing and fit-checking into a comprehensive respiratory protective program run by trained fit-testers. There is also a need for practical testing methods that incorporate the clinical environment.}, } @article {pmid38020797, year = {2023}, author = {SeyedAlinaghi, S and Afsahi, AM and Shahidi, R and Afzalian, A and Mirzapour, P and Eslami, M and Ahmadi, S and Matini, P and Yarmohammadi, S and Saeed Tamehri Zadeh, S and Asili, P and Paranjkhoo, P and Ramezani, M and Nooralioghli Parikhani, S and Sanaati, F and Amiri Fard, I and Emamgholizade Baboli, E and Mansouri, S and Pashaei, A and Mehraeen, E and Hackett, D}, title = {Social stigma during COVID-19: A systematic review.}, journal = {SAGE open medicine}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {20503121231208273}, doi = {10.1177/20503121231208273}, pmid = {38020797}, issn = {2050-3121}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Stigmatization was reported throughout the COVID pandemic for COVID-19 patients and close contacts. The aim of this systematic review was to comprehensively examine the prevalence and impact of stigmatization during COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: English articles were searched using online databases that included PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science up to 24 August 2022. A two-step screening and selection process was followed utilizing an inclusion and exclusion criteria and then data was extracted from eligible articles. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist was followed, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS: Seventy-six studies were eligible for inclusion. Twenty-two studies reported the prevalence of social stigma due to COVID-19 infection with social isolation being the most commonly reported stigma. There were 20 studies that reported the majority of participants experienced stigma due to COVID-19 infection, which was as high as 100% of participants in two studies. Participants in 16 studies reported blaming from others as the second most common type of stigma, with various other types reported such as psychological pressure, verbal violence, avoidance, and labeling. The most common effect of the stigma was anxiety followed by depression, and then reduction of socialization.

CONCLUSION: Findings from the present review have identified that COVID-19-related stigma studies have generally focused on its prevalence, type, and outcome. Greater awareness of this topic may assist with improving public education during pandemics such as COVID-19 as well as access to support services for individuals impacted by stigmatization.}, } @article {pmid38020714, year = {2023}, author = {Wu, J and Yang, H and Yu, D and Yang, X}, title = {Blood-derived product therapies for SARS-CoV-2 infection and long COVID.}, journal = {MedComm}, volume = {4}, number = {6}, pages = {e426}, doi = {10.1002/mco2.426}, pmid = {38020714}, issn = {2688-2663}, abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is capable of large-scale transmission and has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Patients with COVID-19 may experience persistent long-term health issues, known as long COVID. Both acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and long COVID have resulted in persistent negative impacts on global public health. The effective application and development of blood-derived products are important strategies to combat the serious damage caused by COVID-19. Since the emergence of COVID-19, various blood-derived products that target or do not target SARS-CoV-2 have been investigated for therapeutic applications. SARS-CoV-2-targeting blood-derived products, including COVID-19 convalescent plasma, COVID-19 hyperimmune globulin, and recombinant anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing immunoglobulin G, are virus-targeting and can provide immediate control of viral infection in the short term. Non-SARS-CoV-2-targeting blood-derived products, including intravenous immunoglobulin and human serum albumin exhibit anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anticoagulatory properties. Rational use of these products can be beneficial to patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection or long COVID. With evidence accumulated since the pandemic began, we here summarize the progress of blood-derived product therapies for COVID-19, discuss the effective methods and scenarios regarding these therapies, and provide guidance and suggestions for clinical treatment.}, } @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}, doi = {10.3389/fmed.2023.1292452}, 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}, doi = {10.1002/iid3.1063}, pmid = {38018599}, issn = {2050-4527}, 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.

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 (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.

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.

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}, doi = {10.1002/iid3.1100}, pmid = {38018575}, issn = {2050-4527}, support = {//This work was supported by the University of Witten-Herdecke Germany./ ; }, 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).

AIMS: This review aimed to reveal the association between P4 and Covid-19.

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 naïve 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 γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) so it may reduce neuropsychiatric manifestations and dysautonomia in COVID-19 patients.

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.

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.

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-α, interferon γ 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 {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 = {R01AG075719/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; R00AG062749/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; }, 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.

METHODS: We searched for studies examining long-term cardiac complications of COVID-19 that persisted for 4 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.

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 = 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.

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}, 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 & 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.

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.

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 {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}, doi = {10.2196/43572}, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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‒Ottawa Scale (NOS). An evidence gap map was built considering the reported biomarkers and NOS results.

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 = 27 studies, 77%, and n = 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 < 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.

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 {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.

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.

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.

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&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 {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 & control ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & 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.

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.

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.

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 {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.

RECENT FINDINGS: New data from countries where information on the epidemiology of giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis and Behçet 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.

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.

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.

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 β-tubulin gene as A. quadrilineatus. Using the CLSI M38-A3 broth microdilution methodology, the in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing demonstrated 0.032 μg/mL MIC for posaconazole, caspofungin, and anidulafungin and 8 μg/mL against amphotericin B. A combination of intravenous liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin therapy for 8 days did not improve the patient's condition. The patient gradually continued to deteriorate and expired.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first COVID-19-associated cerebral aspergillosis due to A. 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 {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 {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.

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.

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 São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Paraná, 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 {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.

METHODS: With a trained medical librarian, searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were conducted for all articles in the last 10 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).

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.

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 {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 {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}, 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.

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.

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 & 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.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the following databases for inception: 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.

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. (β = -0.132, P < 0.001; β = 0.098, P < 0.001; β = 0.075, P = 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.

RESULTS: Conclusion: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 {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 & control ; *COVID-19/prevention & 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 {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 {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 {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 & 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 {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 {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}, 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}, 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.

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 = 78) and dental hygienists (n = 57).

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.

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 = {}, 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.

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.

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.

FINDINGS: Four clusters of challenges and opportunities were identified: healthcare delivery, healthcare infrastructure/building, community health, and public administration.

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, MÁ 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 & 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 = {}, doi = {10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012988}, 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 {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 {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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/nu15224818}, 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 {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.

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.

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.

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.

FUNDING: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Charity.}, } @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 & control ; *Medical Countermeasures ; Pandemics/prevention & 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.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a brief overview of the advances in preventative and therapeutic medical countermeasure development for COVID-19.

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.

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.

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 {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 & 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'.

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.

FINDINGS: Adoption rate for TraceTogether was high, with 93.3% of cases having a registered device. There was a 9.8 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 days (range, 12-511 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.

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 & development (R&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 {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?

SUMMARY ANSWER: Mild or asymptomatic Covid-19 infection does not appear to affect clinical or ongoing pregnancy rate after IVF.

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.

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.

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.

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 % CI = 0.67 to1.21; I[2] = 29 %). Similarly, there was no significant effect on implantation rate (RR 0.92, 95 % CI = 0.68 to1.23; I[2] = 31 %) and ongoing pregnancy rate (RR 0.96, 95 % CI = 0.79 to 1.15;I[2] = 21 %). The mean number of the oocyte retrieved per patient was not significantly different in both the groups (mean difference 0.52, 95 % CI = -1.45 to 2.49; I[2] = 75 %). The certainty of the evidence was low.

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.

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.

REGISTRATION: The review protocol has been registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42022314515).}, } @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//Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível 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}, 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}, 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}, 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/ ; }, 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/ ; }, 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}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/microorganisms11112618}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/life13112137}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/life13112121}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/life13112113}, 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.

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".

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.

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 {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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/nu15224734}, pmid = {38004128}, issn = {2072-6643}, support = {z047-02//The national key clinical specialist construction programs of China/ ; }, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/nu15224719}, pmid = {38004113}, issn = {2072-6643}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/medicina59112027}, pmid = {38004076}, issn = {1648-9144}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/medicina59111961}, pmid = {38004010}, issn = {1648-9144}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/pathogens12111354}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/pathogens12111320}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242216421}, pmid = {38003610}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {23-14-00313//Russian Science Foundation/ ; }, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242216299}, pmid = {38003488}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {Publish not Perish institutional program//Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy/ ; }, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242216139}, pmid = {38003329}, issn = {1422-0067}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242216078}, 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)/ ; }, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242216040}, pmid = {38003230}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {097826/z/11/z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/jcm12227120}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/jcm12227028}, 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.

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.

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%).

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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/jcm12226989}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/biom13111585}, pmid = {38002267}, issn = {2218-273X}, support = {PAPIIT UNAM IV200121//Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México/ ; PAPIIT UNAM IN206622//Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México/ ; AU-0042-20030616//Welch Foundation/ ; }, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/biom13111565}, pmid = {38002247}, issn = {2218-273X}, 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 {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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/biomedicines11113068}, 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.

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.

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] μg/kg/min, p = 0.028).

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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/biomedicines11113002}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/antiox12111942}, 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/ ; }, 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.

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.

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.

DATA SOURCES: Medline (PubMed), Embase, and the Cochrane Library.

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.

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 %) and 3 or 4 in the remaining 53 studies (82.8 %) 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.

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 & 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.

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.

RESULTS: We estimated the pooled POTS rate of 107.75 (95 % CI: 9.73 to 273.52) and 3.94 (95 % CI: 0 to 16.39) cases per 10,000 (i.e., 1.08 % and 0.039 %) in infected and vaccinated individuals based on 5 and 2 studies, respectively. Meta-regression revealed age as a significant variable influencing 86.2 % variance of the pooled POTS rate in infected population (P < 0.05). Moreover, POTS was 2.12-fold more likely to occur in infected than uninfected individuals (RR = 2.12, 95 % CI: 1.71 to 2.62, P < 0.001). Meta-analyzed demographics for cases of post-infection (n = 43) and post-vaccination (n = 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 < 0.05).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/ ; }, 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}, 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}, 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}, 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}, 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}, 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 {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}, 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}, 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}, 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 {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.

RECENT FINDINGS: ω-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 ω-3 PUFAs. Supplementation of ω-3 PUFAs improved the respiratory and clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients. ω-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 ω-3 PUFAs are extensively reviewed and summarized. Further, the importance of a balanced ω-6 to ω-3 PUFA ratio has been emphasized besides stating the diverse sources of ω-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 & research. Clinical endocrinology & 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 {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}, 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 & 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.

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≥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.

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.

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}, 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.

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.

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 m·s[-1]) (HR 3.55, 95% CI 1.72-7.36, p<0.001) and gait speed (per 1.0 m·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 m·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.

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 {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.

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.

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 12 959 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.

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 {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.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review including all consecutive cases with EE following confirmed COVID-19 disease from July 2020 to June 2021.

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.

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 & 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 & 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.

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.

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.

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 & 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 & 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.

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.

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.

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%).

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).

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.

DESIGN: Whittemore and Knafl's Integrative Review method and the PRISMA 2020 Checklist were utilized in this integrative review.

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.

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.

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.

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 {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 & 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 {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 & 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 {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 & 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 & 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 {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.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of early tracheostomy compared to late tracheostomy in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

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.

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.

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.

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 (≤ 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 (≤ 10 days) as a median value, which we could not include in the meta-analyses. We are uncertain whether early tracheostomy (≤ 10 days) increases or decreases the ICU length of stay, because we graded the certainty of evidence as very low.

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.

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'.

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 = 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.

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 {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.

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.

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 {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 = {}, 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.

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.

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 & behavior}, volume = {}, 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 hours. 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, É 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 & 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 {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 & 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.

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.

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.

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 {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.

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.

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.

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 {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.

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.

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.

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 {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.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine the epidemiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) pre- and post-COVID-19 SIP.

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.

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 = 0.003). Patients were less likely to be Hispanic (27.2% vs. 21.7% pre- to post-SIP, respectively, p = 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 = 0.003).

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 & 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.

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.

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.

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.

METHODS: In this study, we reviewed all reports of EEG patterns seen in pediatric patients with presentations attributed to COVID-19 infection.

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.

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.

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.

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 & 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 & 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 & 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 {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.

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.

RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included in the analyses. The proportion of COVID-19 positive pwMS with relapse was 7.71 per 100 cases (95 % confidence interval, CI: 4.41-13.89, I[2]=96 %). 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 %CI: 0.44-1.29, I[2]= 54 %). 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 %CI: 0.72-1.38, I[2]=34 %) 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 {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/ ; }, 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.

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-Müllerian 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.

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 months of follow-up, serum AMH levels remained within the normal reserve range (>1.1 ng/dl) throughout the study period.

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).

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.

RESULTS: 228 studies met the criteria. XAI publications are increasing, targeting MRI (n = 73), radiography (n = 47), CT (n = 46). Lung (n = 82) and brain (n = 74) pathologies, Covid-19 (n = 48), Alzheimer's disease (n = 25), brain tumors (n = 15) are the main pathologies explained. Explanations are presented visually (n = 186), numerically (n = 67), rule-based (n = 11), textually (n = 11), and example-based (n = 6). Commonly explained tasks include classification (n = 89), prediction (n = 47), diagnosis (n = 39), detection (n = 29), segmentation (n = 13), and image quality improvement (n = 6). The most frequently provided explanations were local (78.1 %), 5.7 % were global, and 16.2 % combined both local and global approaches. Post-hoc approaches were predominantly employed. The used terminology varied, sometimes indistinctively using explainable (n = 207), interpretable (n = 187), understandable (n = 112), transparent (n = 61), reliable (n = 31), and intelligible (n = 3).

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}, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 & 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 & 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 {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/ ; }, 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}, 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 = {}, 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}, 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 {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).

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, Ó 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}, 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.

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).

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.

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 = {}, 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.

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 two weeks to several months.

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 & 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 {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 & control ; Singapore/epidemiology ; Delivery of Health Care/methods ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control ; Pandemics/prevention & 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.

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.

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.

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 & 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.

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].

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‑RADS, Coronary Artery Calcium Data & 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).

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.

AIM: To determine the effectiveness of interventions in increasing seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 = {}, 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.

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.

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.

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 {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 & control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Directly Observed Therapy ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Tuberculosis/epidemiology/prevention & 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 {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.

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.

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).

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 = 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 = 0.841) and the first visits to our cancer center and SCC (6.1 vs. 5.29 months after myGOC; P = 0.689). Patients seen after myGOC had significantly lower ESAS symptom scores, better performance status (2 [1-2] vs. 2 [1-3]; P = 0.018], and more ACP notes composed by medical oncology teams (25.5% vs. 4.5%; P < 0.001).

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 {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 {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}, 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}, doi = {10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e371}, pmid = {37967881}, issn = {1598-6357}, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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}, 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 {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 & community health}, volume = {47}, number = {1}, pages = {80-94}, doi = {10.1097/FCH.0000000000000367}, pmid = {37681938}, issn = {1550-5057}, mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/epidemiology ; Physical Distancing ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics/prevention & 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 & 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.

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.

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 {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}, 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.

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.

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 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.

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 {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.

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&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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 & 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'Università 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.

OBJECTIVE: We summarized the evidence on the effectiveness of mHealth interventions on pain and disability for individuals with chronic low back pain.

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.

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.

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 {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 & control ; Anticoagulants/adverse effects ; *Thrombosis/epidemiology/etiology/prevention & 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.

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.

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%).

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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/s23218764}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/jcm12216823}, 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, ÓM}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/jcm12216700}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242115995}, 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 {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 & 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 {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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242115805}, pmid = {37958788}, issn = {1422-0067}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242115747}, pmid = {37958730}, issn = {1422-0067}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242115738}, 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/ ; }, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242115631}, pmid = {37958618}, issn = {1422-0067}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242115605}, pmid = {37958586}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {21-75-10097//Russian Science Foundation/ ; }, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242115518}, pmid = {37958503}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {CHS Scholarship//University of KwaZulu-Natal/ ; }, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/diagnostics13213368}, 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 = {}, doi = {10.3390/healthcare11212902}, 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 {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/ ; }, 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.

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.

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 {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.

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.

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 ≥ 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 ≥ 15 medications (p < 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%.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 {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 & 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}, doi = {10.1080/14756366.2023.2279906}, pmid = {37955299}, issn = {1475-6374}, 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}, 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}, 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.

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 & 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 & behavior : E&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.

METHODS: This systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting in Systematic Review & 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.

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.

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 & 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.

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.

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 - 566.61 times). The 242 authors of these HCPs were from 159 Indian organizations, and the articles were published in 60 journals. 29 % and 59 % 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.

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.

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 {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 {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.

AIM: To determine if living with HIV and use of antiretroviral therapy increases susceptibility to, and severity of, COVID-19.

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.

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.

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 {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.

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.

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.

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 {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 {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 & 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//Marató/ ; }, mesh = {Aged ; Humans ; Anti-Infective Agents ; COVID-19/complications/prevention & 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 {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 = {}, doi = {10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013572}, pmid = {37949477}, issn = {2059-7908}, 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 {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.

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 {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 {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 {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.

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.

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.

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 & 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 {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.

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.

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.

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 & 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 {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 {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 & control ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Ergonomics/methods ; *Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology/prevention & 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 & 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 {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 & 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.

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 ≥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.

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.

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 & 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}, 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 {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.

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.

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∼". "Corona stress" decreased sharply among children, especially elementary school students, while it increased slightly in 20s, 30s, and "80s∼". The physical condition was closely related to the proportion of exercising population and duration in each age group.

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}, 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 overburd