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Introduction: Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), a natural sulfated glycosaminoglycan with an affinity for proangiogenic factors, is produced by chemical or enzymatic depolymerization of unfractionated heparin (UFH). Known for its anticoagulant effects, LMWH has recently been reported to have a strong anti-inflammatory effect on colitis, myocarditis, and airway inflammation. However, as a newly-developed drug, its anti-inflammatory mechanism in upper respiratory tract inflammation has not been well-studied. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group was established by building an acute nasal sinusitis model with expansion sponges mixed with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Then the experimental group rats were subcutaneously injected with different concentrations of LMWH. After seven consecutive days of injection, some rats were sacrificed, and blood and nasal mucosa samples were taken to determine their inflammation status. The remaining acute sinusitis rats were randomly selected for a week of nasal irrigation with normal saline or saline mixed with different concentrations of LMWH. One week later, rats were sacrificed, and samples of blood and nasal mucosa were taken to determine the inflammation status. Results: Rat nasal mucosa in the model group had obvious inflammation. The degree of nasal mucosa inflammation damage in the experimental group was lower than in the experimental control group, proving that LMWH has a protective effect on the nasal mucosa and that the effect correlates with dosage. Irrigation of the nose with saline mixed with LMWH can improve the anti-inflammatory effect. Protein related to the TLR4-MyD88-NF-B signaling pathway was activated in the acute sinusitis rat model, and LMWH can significantly inhibit its expression. Conclusion: This is the first report of the anti-inflammatory effect of LMWH in acute upper respiratory tract inflammation, together with an explanation of its anti-inflammatory mechanism. The findings contribute a theoretical basis for its potential anti-tumor effect.
Low Molecular Weight Heparin Improves the Inflammatory State of Acute Sinusitis Rats Through Inhibiting the TLR4-MyD88-NF-B Signaling Pathway
Mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) protein mediates innate antiviral responses, including responses to certain coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). We have previously shown that ultraviolet-A (UVA) therapy can prevent virus-induced cell death in human ciliated tracheal epithelial cells (HTEpC) infected with coronavirus-229E (CoV-229E), and results in increased intracellular levels of MAVS. In this study, we explored the mechanisms by which UVA light can activate MAVS, and whether local UVA light application can activate MAVS at locations distant from the light source (e.g. via cell-to-cell communication). MAVS levels were compared in HTEpC exposed to 2 mW/cm(2) narrow band (NB)-UVA for 20 min and in unexposed controls at 30C40% and at 100% confluency, and in unexposed HTEpC treated with supernatants or lysates from UVA-exposed cells or from unexposed controls. MAVS was also assessed in different sections of confluent monolayer plates where only one section was exposed to NB-UVA. Our results showed that UVA increases the expression of MAVS protein. Further, cells in a confluent monolayer exposed to UVA conferred an elevation in MAVS in cells adjacent to the exposed section, and also in cells in the most distant sections which were not exposed to UVA. In this study, human ciliated tracheal epithelial cells exposed to UVA demonstrate increased MAVS protein, and also appear to transmit this influence to confluent cells not exposed to UVA, likely via cell-cell signaling.
Ultraviolet-A light increases mitochondrial anti-viral signaling protein in confluent human tracheal cells via cell-cell signaling
This study aims to examine differences in students' attitudes about online teaching, more precisely on the use of the Google classroom platform during a pandemic and their opinions on the quality of such teaching concerning classic teaching The questionnaire was conducted to the third-grade university students divided into two groups: preschool teachers (n=65) and primary school teachers (n=64) A student attitude survey contained 15 items on a 7-point Likert-type scale with two open-ended questions regarding their problems and difficulties in online learning during the coronavirus pandemic in the Republic of Serbia and their opinion about advantages and disadvantages of distance over the classic learning Results revealed that there are statistically significant differences among two groups of students (preschool teachers and primary school teachers), at the level of significance at 005 at the total result at the questionnaire Students reported that one of the advantages of distance learning was that they had additional knowledge and skills on the use of technology and that they can choose the time and place for solving the tasks of the classes As the disadvantage of distance learning is that human contact is lost and they do not get feedback instantly, comparing to classical education
The Differences in Students' Attitudes about Online Teaching during Covid-19 Pandemic
BACKGROUND: There are scarce published data in differentiated thyroid cancer patients about new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID\19) disease outcomes and mortality. Here, we evaluated COVID\19 infection outcomes and mortality in thyroid cancer patients with COVID\19 infection. DESIGN AND METHODS: We included a cohort of patients with thyroid cancer with PCR\confirmed COVID\19 disease from 11 March to 30 May 2020 from the Turkish Ministry of Health database in our nationwide, retrospective study. We compared the mortality and morbidity of COVID patients with or without thyroid cancer. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the independent factors for mortality, length of hospital stay and intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation. We also analysed the effect of radioiodine treatment on severity and death rate of COVID\19 disease. RESULTS: We evaluated 388 COVID\19 patients with thyroid cancer [median age: 54 years, interquartile range (IQR) 18 years, males: 23%] and age and gender\matched 388 COVID\19 patients without thyroid cancer. Patients with thyroid cancer had a similar mortality ratio compared with the non\cancer group. Among patients with thyroid cancer, age, presence of diabetes mellitus, asthma/COPD, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, prior coronary artery disease, RAS blocker usage and low lymphocyte count were associated with mortality. Radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment and cumulative radioactive iodine dosage did not negatively affect the severity and mortality of COVID\19 disease in our patient group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that history of thyroid cancer did not have an increased risk of mortality or morbidity in COVID\19 disease. Besides, RAI therapy history and doses of radioactive iodine did not affect mortality or outcome.
The clinical outcomes of COVID\19 infection in patients with a history of thyroid cancer: A nationwide study
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread from its origins to the world and become a pandemic since late 2019. It predominantly damages the lungs and causes diffuse alveolar injury with edema, cellular fibroblasts and hyaline membrane formation, resulting in acute respiratory insufficiency, respiratory failure, sepsis, acute heart injury, heart failure and other severe complications. It is also reported that moxibustion can effectively modify the negative emotions and relieve the symptoms of chest distress and impaired appetite for the patient with COVID-19. The main objective of current research is to make an assessment for effectiveness and safety of the moxibustion as an important complementary and alternative therapeutic method for COVID-19. Methods: and analysis Articles for the systematic literature will be located at the MEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, CNKI, CBM, NTR, Chi CTR databases. With no restriction about language, manual search will be conducted for potential eligible articles as supplements. Any randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with any moxibustion interventions issued by the therapeutic regimen on all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 will be included. We will include the published studies with no restriction about language. All study records of the title and abstract identified by the search strategies will be directly imported and assessed based on the eligibility criteria. Risk of individual studies for the methodological quality of eligible RCTs will be assessed with the tool from the Cochrane Collaborations risk of bias tool. Discussion: The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of moxibustion as a complementary and alternative treatment for COVID-19.No studies have investigated whether moxibustion will relieve clinical symptoms and shorten the length of hospitalization time.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis program designed to update the currently available evidence. Despite the fact of controversial views in using moxibustion, if this study confirms its efficacy and safety, it could provide a better guide for clinical practice around the world. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42020176572.
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of the Moxibustion for the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Physical inactivity is one of the non-communicable disease risk factors. This study discusses how the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has increased the leisure time including among youth. The health promotion to improve the physical activities of youth is needed. This study aimed to analyze the level of compliance among Indonesian people particularly the young adults towards health protocol during exercise and conduct an intervention accordingly. This study used an action research design with consecutive sampling. Respondents were Indonesian young adults who exercise outside of their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 361 Indonesian young adults aged 18-25 years old who exercise during the pandemic inside and/or outside the home and willing to answer the questionnaire completed the online questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed from the six health protocols criteria from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. Data analysis used chi-squared tests. Furthermore, a short video was developed according to the main research findings and published on Instagram TV as a health intervention to the respondents. The results showed that the level of compliance among Indonesian young adults toward health protocol during exercise was low (24.1%). Moreover only 35.3% of respondents applied physical distancing and 48.7% of respondents wore masks during at low-moderate intensity exercise. There was no significant association between gender exercise intensity and perception of the health protocol and the compliance of health protocol during exercise. In addition, the audience response toward the video campaign about health protocol during exercise was good with more than 1000 views 166 likes and 50 comments. This study concluded that health promotion media that were developed based on the needs assessment results were effective to reach the target audiences.
Barrier to health protocol adherence during exercise among youth in the COVID-19 pandemic era
The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) has been followed by the rapid development of antibody tests. To assess the utility of the tests for clinical use and seroepidemiologic studies, we examined the sensitivity of commercial antibody tests from Roche, Abbott, Novatec, Virotech Siemens, Euroimmun, and Mediagnost in a prospective diagnostic study. The tests were evaluated with 73 sera from SARS CoV-2 RNA positive individuals with mild to moderate disease or asymptomatic infection. Sera were obtained at 2-3 weeks (Na?=a?25) or > 4 weeks (Na?=a?48) after symptom onset and viral RNA test. The overall sensitivity of the tests ranged from 64.4-93.2%. The most sensitive assays recognized 95.8-100 % of the sera obtained after 4 weeks or later. Sera drawn at 2-3 weeks were recognized with lower sensitivity indicating that the optimal time point for serologic testing is later than 3 weeks after onset of the disease. Nucleoprotein- and glycoproteinbased assays had similar sensitivity indicating that tests with both antigens are suitable for serological diagnostics. Breakdown of the test results showed that nucleoprotein- and glycoprotein-based tests of comparable sensitivity reacted with different sets of sera. The observation indicates that a combination of nucleoprotein- and glycoprotein-based tests would increase the percentage of positive results.
Comparison of the diagnostic sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein and glycoprotein-based antibody tests
This study suggests that tampon\based coronal pulpotomy using a calcium silicateCbased biomaterial can be a reliable approach for the treatment of vital primary molars with irreversible pulpitis.
Management of primary molars with irreversible pulpitis employing tampon pulpotomy: Report of three cases with 34\month mean follow\up
This paper explores the relationship between human desire, technology, and imagination, emphasizing (1) the phenomenology of this relationship, and (2) its ontological and ecological ramifications. Drawing on the work of Bion and Winnicott, the paper will develop a psychoanalytic container for attitudes contributing to our current climate-based crisis, paying special attention to the problematic effect technology has had on our sense of time and place. Many of our technologies stunt sensuous engagement, collapse psychic space, diminish our capacity to tolerate frustration, and blind us to our dependence on worlds beyond the human. In short, our technologies trouble our relationship to our bodies and other bodies. The paper argues that omnipotent fantasies organizing our relationship to technology, to each other, and to the nonhuman world, have cocooned us in a kind of virtual reality that devastates a sense of deep obligation to the environment.
Bound by Infinities: Technology, Immediacy and Our Environmental Crisis
Barringtonia augusta methanol extract (Ba-ME) is a folk medicine found in the wetlands of Thailand that acts through an anti-inflammatory mechanism that is not understood fully. Here, we examine how the methanol extract of Barringtonia augusta (B. augusta) can suppress the activator protein 1 (AP-1) signaling pathway and study the activities of Ba-ME in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 macrophage cell line and an LPS-induced peritonitis mouse model. Non-toxic concentrations of Ba-ME downregulated the mRNA expression of cytokines, such as cyclooxygenase and chemokine ligand 12, in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Transfection experiments with the AP-1-Luc construct, HEK293T cells, and luciferase assays were used to assess whether Ba-ME suppressed the AP-1 functional activation. A Western blot assay confirmed that C-Jun N-terminal kinase is a direct pharmacological target of Ba-ME action. The anti-inflammatory effect of Ba-ME, which functions by ?-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) inhibition, was confirmed by using an overexpression strategy and a cellular thermal shift assay. In vivo experiments in a mouse model of LPS-induced peritonitis showed the anti-inflammatory effect of Ba-ME on LPS-stimulated macrophages and acute inflammatory mouse models. We conclude that Ba-ME is a promising anti-inflammatory drug targeting TAK1 in the AP-1 pathway.
TAK1/AP-1-Targeted Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Barringtonia augusta Methanol Extract
Simian hemorrhagic fever virus is an arterivirus that naturally infects species of African nonhuman primates causing acute or persistent asymptomatic infections. Although it was previously estimated that 1% of baboons are SHFV-positive, more than 10% of wild-caught and captive-bred baboons tested were SHFV positive and the infections persisted for more than 10 years with detectable virus in the blood (100C1000 genomes/ml). The sequences of two baboon SHFV isolates that were amplified by a single passage in primary macaque macrophages showed a very high degree of identity to each other as well as to the genome of SHFV-LVR, a laboratory strain isolated in the 1960s. Infection of Japanese macaques with 100 PFU of a baboon isolate consistently produced high level viremia, pro-inflammatory cytokines, elevated tissue factor levels and clinical signs indicating coagulation defects. The baboon virus isolate provides a reliable BSL2 model of viral hemorrhagic fever disease in macaques.
A simian hemorrhagic fever virus isolate from persistently infected baboons efficiently induces hemorrhagic fever disease in Japanese macaques
Abstract This paper reviews the impact of infections on the onset and clinical course of bronchial asthma. A just emphasis is given to the role viral infections, particularly rhinovirus infections, play in exacerbations, and that played by respiratory syncytial virus, suspected of triggering the asthmatic syndrome. The mechanisms of the immune response to virus attacks are explained, highlighting the asthmatic and allergic patient's weakened response, particularly in the perinatal period. Further stressed is a potentiating effect of viral aggression on the allergic response. The hygiene hypothesis and its lack of scientific consistency is detailed, at least as far as the role it seeks to confer on an unproven antagonism of the Th1 and Th2 lymphocyte responses. The current importance of research not into bacteria, but into bacterial products, including endotoxins, on the modulation of asthma and allergy is noted. Studies which, along these lines, show an environmental impact on genetic secretion in the phenotype are underlined. Also discussed in passing are several mechanisms which go towards explaining neutrophilic asthma C for many a contradiction, given eosinophilia's stranglehold on asthmatic inflammation.
The role of infection in asthma
Emotional intelligence (EI), empathy, and prosocial behavior (PB) are widely studied in the early stages of life, up to adolescence. However, there have been few studies in older adults. Using a multivariate methodology, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied with structural equation models (SEM) in 271 older adults in Colombia, along with a Spanish sample made up of 139 adults over 60 years of age, for a total sample of 411 older adults. The results confirmed that EI, as measured with the WLEIS, scale is the best predictor of PB, with excellent adjustment criteria (GFI = 0.99; CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.064; PCLOSE = 0.28; SRMR = 0.023; AIC = 57.30). It is concluded that the path model yielded a reliable predictive explanation of PB, including EI as a key variable that explains prosocial tendencies.
Emotional Intelligence as a Predictor of Prosocial Behaviors in Spanish and Colombian Older Adults Based on Path Models
BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) or Hay fever is a chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa induced by IgE-mediated hypersensitivity due to exposure of various allergens. AR occurs as a response against these inhaled allergens that cause inflammation of nasal mucosal membranes. In this study, a reliable treatment for allergic rhinitis with maximum effectiveness and minimal side effects was assessed. This study compared the effectiveness of intranasal Fluticasone propionate (FUP) and intranasal Budesonide (BUD) in reducing the eosinophil count and in improving the nasal and ocular symptoms. This prospective study was conducted on 62 cases of allergic rhinitis and patients with mild-to-moderate allergic rhinitis were selected for the study. They were randomly divided into two groups; group I consists of 30 patients who received intranasal Fluticasone propionate aqueous spray, total daily dose of 200 g (50 g/spray) as 2 sprays in each nostril administered once daily, whereas the group II consists of 32 patients who received intranasal Budesonide aqueous spray, total daily dose of 400 g/day (100 g/spray) as 1 spray in each nostril administered twice daily. RESULTS: Analysis on patient-based symptom scores revealed that both the groups showed statistically significant reduction in symptoms. Fluticasone propionate was found to be significantly more effective (P < 0.05) than Budesonide in reducing sneezing, nasal itching and majority of symptoms of individual symptom scores. Budesonide showed somewhat similar effect in reducing nasal blockage at 4 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSION: Clinically, both the drugs showed statistically significant improvement when compared to baseline, but Fluticasone propionate was superior at reducing nasal symptoms, ocular symptom and eosinophil count.
Efficacy of intranasal fluticasone propionate and budesonide in management of allergic rhinitisa prospective comparative study
Although it is an ancient pathogen, tuberculosis (TB) remains a major infectious cause of death globally, transiently displaced by COVID-19 [...]
Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents: Progress and Perseverance
The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has created havoc on the socio-economic aspect of the world. With billions of lives affected by this wrecking pandemic, global fertility services were also not left untouched by its impact. The possibility of sexual transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus, its impact on male and female fertility, pregnancy, its potential teratogenic effect, and handling of gametes in the clinical laboratories were major concerns among reproductive medicine specialists which led down all the reproductive health services including IUI, IVF/ICSI in most of the countries. Even the people did not intend to conceive during the pandemic crisis and were hesitant to avail such services. Discrete evidence regarding the pathophysiology of COVID-19 infection and its impact on the human reproductive system is not very clear. In this review article, we intend to incorporate all the evidence related to the COVID-19 infection and its impact on human reproduction available to date. It's our responsibility to provide rightful information and to keep our patients familiar with the existing lack of clear evidence. In this COVID-19 era, it's important that the fertility management be prioritized in sub-fertile couples with diminished fertility reserve, and high-risk conditions like malignancies, that may affect their long-term fertility prospects.
State of ART in the COVID-19 era and consequences on human reproductive system
As the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 19) pandemic spreads worldwide, the massive numbers of COVID-19 patients have created a considerable healthcare burden for every country. The clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection is broad, ranging from asymptomatic to mild, moderate, severe, and critical. Most COVID-19 patients present with no or mild symptoms, but nearly one-fifth of all patients develop severe or life-threatening complications. In addition to localized respiratory manifestations, severe COVID-19 cases also show extra-pulmonary complications or induce multiorgan failure. Identifying, triaging, and treating patients at risk early is essential and urgent. This article reviews the potential prognostic value of various biomarkers at different clinical spectrum stages of COVID-19 infection and includes information on fundamental prognostic mechanisms as well as potential clinical implications. Biomarkers are measurable biochemical substances used to recognize and indicate disease severity or response to therapeutic interventions. The information they provide is objective and suitable for delivering healthcare providers with a means of stratifying disease state in COVID-19 patients. This, in turn, can be used to help select and guide intervention efforts as well as gauge the efficacy of therapeutic approaches. Here, we review a number of potential biomarkers that may be used to guide treatment, monitor treatment efficacy, and form individualized therapeutic guidance based on patient response. Implementation of the COVID-19 biomarkers discussed here may lead to significantly improved quality of care and patient outcomes for those infected with SARS-CoV-2 worldwide.
Biomarkers during COVID-19: Mechanisms of Change and Implications for Patient Outcomes
BACKGROUND Patients with a dementia diagnosis and COVID-19 sometimes manifest an atypical clinical picture. However, differences between elderly COVID-19 patients having dementia and those not having dementia have not been described yet. The in-hospital mortality and out-of-hospital mortality from both groups has not been reported. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study is to determine if there is a significant difference in-hospital and out-of-hospital mortality in the elderly patients admitted for COVID-19, comparing those with dementia and those without dementia. A secondary aim is to determine whether there are significant clinical and laboratory differences between elderly COVID-19 patients with dementia and without dementia. METHODS Data collection of hospitalizations of elderly patients aged 70 years old or older admitted for COVID-19 in 2020 at the Hospital de San Juan de Alicante. RESULTS In-hospital mortality in a context of admission for COVID-19 is significantly higher in patients with out dementia. However, post-discharge out-of-hospital mortality is significantly higher in patients with dementia. CONCLUSION The out-of-hospital mortality of elderly patients with dementia appears to be significantly higher than those who do not. Therefore, the importance of caring for elderly patients with dementia after being discharged from hospital should be emphasized.
Elderly People with Dementia Admitted for COVID-19: How Different are They?
AimsTo set up an online peer-led medical education programme for core psychiatry trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic.To determine trainees views regarding the role of peer-led education in psychiatry.MethodA peer-led education programme was set up for psychiatry trainees in their third year of core training, held over an online video-conferencing platform. The weekly sessions were organised and led by trainees. Each week a trainee either presented a journal article or a particular psychiatric topic, with a group discussion afterwards.An online survey was sent to psychiatry trainees that had participated in the programme to determine their views. Close-ended questions were asked as well as open-ended questions for more qualitative responses.ResultThere were 9 peer-led sessions in total, with 11 trainees (out of 18 invited) attending at least one session, and an average of 5 trainees at each session.Five core trainee psychiatrists responded to the survey following the sessions. All of the respondents found the sessions either very or fairly useful. 80% stated that there should be more peer teaching opportunities as part of normal psychiatry training. All respondents found engaging with online teaching either easy or OK.Open-ended questions showed that respondents found the sessions were useful for: 1) connecting with peers during a difficult time 2) free discussion due to being around peers 3) wide interest and variety of topics. Improvements that could have been made were: 1) more sessions 2) advance knowledge of journal articles being presented.ConclusionPeer-led sessions are a useful form of medical education for core psychiatry trainees. During the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic they are a way to connect with colleagues during an isolating time. They are easy to organise and access;and can take pressure off medical institutions, whilst having the advantages of allowing trainees to feel they can discuss topics in a more open manner and can follow their own interests.
Peer-led medication education in the time of COVID-19
Introduction: The countries all over the world are experiencing COVID-19 pandemic This has led to a change in the operational guidelines in all trauma centres Lockdown, limiting vehicle traffic, has affected trauma patterns everywhere Aim: To study the effect of lockdown on orthopaedic trauma in hilly areas of Northern India Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional retrospectively study collected the data of patients admitted in the emergency trauma ward like age, gender, mechanism of injury, fracture type, number of emergency admissions, and number of surgeries pertaining to the complete lockdown period (25th March to 3rd May 2020 i e , 40 days) at our hospital situated in the hilly areas of North India This was compared with the trauma cases dealt during the same time period last year (2019) Results: More than 50% decrease in the outpatient load did not parallel to decrease in admissions in emergency department (164 in 2019 vs 169 in 2020) However, operated trauma cases did decline from 62 in 2019 to 51 in 2020 Some injuries like fracture proximal tibia, cut injuries of hand with sharp object increased while incidence of fragility fractures has remained the same Conclusion: The trauma pattern in and around the hilly places in our area of Northern India portrays a unique picture where one does not see a foreseeable decline in trauma despite the lockdown With the lockdown in effect, some patterns have emerged which may prove to be useful adjuncts in our efforts to improve public health and the trauma burden
Change in trauma patterns in hilly areas of northern india during nationwide lockdown: A cross-sectional study