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Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of maternal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccination on preventing severe complications of COVID‐19 in pregnant women. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in pregnant women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) during pregnancy and/or for up to 6 weeks postpartum between September 1, 2021, to January 30, 2022. The data was retrieved from a national database. The pregnant women were divided into two groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated. The proposed outcomes (the need for hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and mechanical ventilation and products of conception complications) were compared between the two groups. Results: Approximately 90 000 pregnant women infected with COVID‐19 were included in the study. The data of the vaccinated (19 922) and unvaccinated (70 147) groups were analyzed and compared. Pregnant patients in the vaccinated group had a significantly lower rate of hospitalization (21.2% vs 29.4%) (odds ratio [OR], 0.648 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.625–0.673], P = 0.0001) and intensive care unit admission (3.7% vs 7.8%) (OR, 0.453 [95% CI, 0.382–0.535], P = 0.0001). The need for mechanical ventilation was also lower, although not statistically significant, in the vaccinated group than in the unvaccinated group (30 of 155 [19.4%] vs 418 of 1597 [26.2%]) (OR, 0.677 [95% CI, 0.448–1.024], P = 0.063). Cesarean section (54.3% vs 58.1%) (OR, 0.856 [95% CI, 0.751–0.977], P = 0.021) and stillbirth (0.4% vs 3.6%) (OR, 0.097 [95% CI, 0.026–0.252], P = 0.0001) were also significantly lower in the vaccinated patients. Most pregnant women in the vaccinated group (18 484–96.14%) received Sinopharm BIBP COVID‐19 inactivated vaccine. No significant differences were seen in the effect of different types of COVID‐19 vaccines on reducing COVID‐19 complications in infected pregnant patients. Conclusion: Maternal COVID‐19 immunization is effective in reducing COVID‐19 complications in infected pregnant women. Synopsis: Maternal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) immunization is effective in reducing COVID‐19 complications in infected pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The failure of the hepatic and prerenal segments of the inferior vena cava (IVC) to merge during embryological development, leading to the persistence of either the azygous or hemiazygous vein, results in the rare condition "infrahepatic interruption of the IVC with azygos continuation" (0.6% prevalence). This anomaly is predisposed to IVC thrombosis due to restricted blood flow, resulting in venous hypertension, stasis, and thrombosis. Notably, hypercoagulability is a concern in COVID-19 patients. Here, we present a case of extensive post-COVID venous thrombosis in a 25-year-old male with infrahepatic interruption of the IVC and azygos continuation, following COVID-19 infection. The patient reported back pain and abdominal discomfort, with an MRI of the lumbar spine revealing extensive venous thrombosis in the IVC and iliofemoral veins, along with multiple venous collaterals. Subsequent contrast-enhanced CT imaging confirmed severe IVC stenosis or interruption, iliofemoral venous thrombosis, and azygous and hemiazygous connections. Radiologists must maintain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse congenital IVC anomalies to prevent diagnostic inaccuracies, and this knowledge proves equally crucial for surgeons and cardiologists in the context of preoperative planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niels Kaj Jerne has proposed the "immune network theory" of interactions among anti‐idiotypic antibodies, able to interfere with humoral responses to certain antigens. After the occurrence of the primary generation of antibodies, against an antigenic epitope, idiotypes of these antibodies induce anti‐idiotypic antibodies that modulate the intensity of the first response, and so on. Adverse effects following SARS‐COV‐2 COVID‐19 vaccines are occasionally similar to the symptoms of COVID‐19 infection. Rare events linked to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines also resemble some rarely reported COVID‐19 complications. Safety data from product information by European Medicines Agency suggest that spectra do overlap for four main vaccines. The proposition is that vaccine events and COVID‐19 complications are related to anti‐idiotypic antibodies whose spatial shape can lead to interactions with ACE2 molecules, in individuals with a prolonged Spike protein synthesis. The vaccines target cells by their affinity to the vaccine vector, or to engulf lipid nanoparticles. Anti‐idiotypic antibodies shaped similarly to the Spike protein possibly interact with ACE2 molecules and cause diverse signs and symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for coronavirus infection in hospitalized patients. Our study examined the association between BMI and complications and the survival rate among COVID-19 patients. This retrospective analysis used data from a tertiary hospital in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia during two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 600 participants, with the majority being between 41 and 60 years old (41.3%) and men comprising 63.5% of the sample. Approximately 42.5% of patients were obese, and 31.3% were overweight. The results showed that BMI was significantly linked to respiratory diseases (p = 0.013); end-stage renal disease (p = 0.021); and cardiovascular disease (p = 0.003) but not diabetes mellitus (p = 0.064). Death occurred in 10.8% of patients; 33.8% were admitted to the ICU; 13.8% needed mechanical ventilation; and 60.7% had lung infiltration. Obese patients with oxygen saturation levels below 93% were 2.45 times more likely to require mechanical ventilation than those in the normal-weight group. Overweight and obese patients were also more likely to require mechanical ventilation than normal-weight patients, with odds ratios of 3.66 and 2.81, respectively. The BMI categorized was not associated with survival rate in COVID-19-hospitalized patients using Kaplan-Meier survival plots (p = 0.061). However, the BMI categorized was associated with survival rate in COVID-19 ICU patients (p < 0.001). In addition, the overweight showed a statistically significant higher hazard ratio of 2.22 (p = 0.01) compared to normal-weight patients using a Cox regression model. A high BMI was identified as an independent risk factor for reduced oxygen saturation (<93%), the need for mechanical ventilation, lung infiltration, mortality, and longer ICU stays in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal venous thrombosis is a rare condition that can be iatrogenic or occur due to viral infections or genetic mutations. Thromboembolic complications are also commonly observed as a result of SARS-CoV-2 infections. They can affect pediatric patients, especially the ones suffering from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates (MIS-N). The question remains whether the maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy can lead to thromboembolic complications in fetuses and neonates. We report on a patient born with an embolism in the arterial duct, left pulmonary artery, and pulmonary trunk, who presented several characteristic features of MIS-N, suspecting that the cause might have been the maternal SARS-CoV2 infection in late pregnancy. Multiple genetic and laboratory tests were performed. The neonate presented only with a positive result of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. He was treated with low molecular weight heparin. Subsequent echocardiographic tests showed that the embolism dissolved. More research is necessary to evaluate the possible neonatal complications of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a life-threatening complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which manifests as a hyper inflammatory process with multiorgan involvement in predominantly healthy children in the weeks following mild or asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, host monogenic predisposing factors to MIS-C remain elusive. Methods: Herein, we used whole exome sequencing (WES) on 16 MIS-C Brazilian patients to identify single nucleotide/InDels variants as predisposition factors associated with MIS-C. Results: We identified ten very rare variants in eight genes (FREM1, MPO, POLG, C6, C9, ABCA4, ABCC6, and BSCL2) as the most promising candidates to be related to a higher risk of MIS-C development. These variants may propitiate a less effective immune response to infection or trigger the inflammatory response or yet a delayed hyperimmune response to SARS-CoV-2. Protein–Protein Interactions (PPIs) among the products of the mutated genes revealed an integrated network, enriched for immune and inflammatory response mechanisms with some of the direct partners representing gene products previously associated with MIS-C and Kawasaki disease (KD). In addition, the PPIs direct partners are also enriched for COVID-19-related gene sets. HLA alleles prediction from WES data allowed the identification of at least one risk allele in 100% of the MIS-C patients. Conclusions: This study is the first to explore host MIS-C-associated variants in a Latin American admixed population. Besides expanding the spectrum of MIS-C-associated variants, our findings highlight the relevance of using WES for characterising the genetic interindividual variability associated with COVID-19 complications and ratify the presence of overlapping/convergent mechanisms among MIS-C, KD and COVID-19, crucial for future therapeutic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is an increasing number of COVID-19-related Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM), especially from India. Objectives: To evaluate the demographic, clinical, radiological, and outcome of the COVID-19-related ROCM cases in a single center. Materials and Methods: The medical records of the patients with COVID-19-related ROCM were retrospectively reviewed. The study covered 22 months duration from March 2020 to December 2021 in Imam Hussain Medical City, Karbala city, Iraq. Results: Of the 14 patients with COVID-19-related ROCM, there were 71.4% males with a male-to-female ratio of 2.5:1. The median age was 61 years (age range: 27-80 years). There were 42.9% of patients with a history of being a current smoker. All patients had a history of DM, and 57.1% of patients had a history of hypertension. All patients were without a history of the previous episode of COVID-19 or taking the vaccine. The median duration from the COVID-19 diagnosis to the diagnosis of ROCM was 19 days (duration range of 10-40 days). Most of the cases were of severe type (57.1%). All of the patients were taking corticosteroid and oxygen therapy. Nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, cheek swelling, and necrotic tissue were clinical features in all patients. The majority of the cases were on the left side (71.4%). Stage 3 was found in 42.9%. Amphotericin B was used for all patients and surgical debridement in 13 cases. Five patients have died (35.7%). Conclusion: COVID-19-related ROCM is an aggressive disease associated with a high mortality rate of 35.7%. Early diagnosis and on-time initiation of treatment are recommended to get the best outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular mimicry between viral antigens and host proteins can produce cross-reacting antibodies leading to autoimmunity. The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19, a disease curiously resulting in varied symptoms and outcomes, ranging from asymptomatic to fatal. Autoimmunity due to cross-reacting antibodies resulting from molecular mimicry between viral antigens and host proteins may provide an explanation. Thus, we computationally investigated molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 Spike and known epitopes. We discovered molecular mimicry hotspots in Spike and highlight two examples with tentative high autoimmune potential and implications for understanding COVID-19 complications. We show that a TQLPP motif in Spike and thrombopoietin shares similar antibody binding properties. Antibodies cross-reacting with thrombopoietin may induce thrombocytopenia, a condition observed in COVID-19 patients. Another motif, ELDKY, is shared in multiple human proteins, such as PRKG1 involved in platelet activation and calcium regulation, and tropomyosin, which is linked to cardiac disease. Antibodies cross-reacting with PRKG1 and tropomyosin may cause known COVID-19 complications such as blood-clotting disorders and cardiac disease, respectively. Our findings illuminate COVID-19 pathogenesis and highlight the importance of considering autoimmune potential when developing therapeutic interventions to reduce adverse reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 pandemic has changed clinical practice significantly. Trying to avoid airway manipulation to reduce viral transmission favoured regional anaesthesia techniques over general anaesthesia when feasible. In this case report, we share the anaesthetic care of a 45-year-old male with a history of intensive care unit admission due to COVID, positive pressure ventilation, and ECMO support. The patient was diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome, and his treatment was successfully applied as surgical release under infraclavicular block. This case is discussed in relation to recent trends in anaesthesiology, regarding patients with COVID-19 history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elderly are more prone to mortality from COVID-19 infection, as they are susceptible to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). For COVID-19 patients with ARDS caused by sepsis or septic shock, high-dose parenteral vitamin B12 appears to be a potential new treatment option. Vitamin B12 may play a substantial impact in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality reduction owing to its function in DNA synthesis, cellular control, improvement of anti-inflammatory immune responses, and decrease of pro-inflammatory responses. This review aims to assess the functional role of Vitamin B12 in COVID-19 in terms of its immunomodulatory effect, role in cellular and humoral immunity and maintaining the gut microbe homeostasis. From data inception to June 2021, accessible electronic databases were searched for research/review articles reporting on the function of Vitamin B12 in COVID-19. Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, WHO worldwide research on COVID-19 and the clinical trials registration "https://clinicaltrials.gov/" were used to conduct the systematic search by using keywords: "COVID-19 and "Vitamin B12". Also, based on these outcomes, it can be concluded that Vitamin B12 may have a potential role in preventing COVID-19 complications. Further, studies evaluating the role of Vitamin B12 in COVID-19 may open a new array of ideas on the optimal and the well-tolerated dose and timing of its administration in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is a severe infectious disease that has claimed >150,000 lives and infected millions in the United States thus far, especially the elderly population. Emerging evidence has shown the virus to cause hemorrhagic and immunologic responses, which impact all organs, including lungs, kidneys, and the brain, as well as extremities. SARS-CoV-2 also affects patients', families', and society's mental health at large. There is growing evidence of re-infection in some patients. The goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of SARS-CoV-2-induced disease, its mechanism of infection, diagnostics, therapeutics, and treatment strategies, while also focusing on less attended aspects by previous studies, including nutritional support, psychological, and rehabilitation of the pandemic and its management. We performed a systematic review of >1,000 articles and included 425 references from online databases, including, PubMed, Google Scholar, and California Baptist University's library. COVID-19 patients go through acute respiratory distress syndrome, cytokine storm, acute hypercoagulable state, and autonomic dysfunction, which must be managed by a multidisciplinary team including nursing, nutrition, and rehabilitation. The elderly population and those who are suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia related illnesses seem to be at the higher risk. There are 28 vaccines under development, and new treatment strategies/protocols are being investigated. The future management for COVID-19 should include B-cell and T-cell immunotherapy in combination with emerging prophylaxis. The mental health and illness aspect of COVID-19 are among the most important side effects of this pandemic which requires a national plan for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential scope of the coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is focused on developing effective treatments and vaccines for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. There is also a critical need to develop interventions to prevent the complications of COVID-19, which occur with an alarming frequency in older adults. Since severe pathologic effects of infection occur with increasing age, COVID-19 falls under the geroscience concept that all diseases in older adults have a common and major underlying cause of declining function and resilience. Geroscience posits that manipulation of aging will simultaneously delay the appearance or severity of major diseases because they share the same risk factor: aging and the multiple processes involved in aging. Drug combinations that target multiple aging processes and the cytokine networks associated with them would not necessarily limit SARS-CoV-2 infection rates but would prevent severe pathologic consequences of the disease in older adults by maintaining a more youthful-like resilience to infection-related complications. A drug cocktail aimed at controlling cytokine actions would complement current clinical treatments and vaccine effectiveness for COVID-19 and serve as a prototype for future age-related infectious disease pandemics wherein the elderly population is especially vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because the COVID-19 infection correlated with the immediate postoperative period and the epithelium in the fellow eye showed an unhealthy epithelium after the infection, we think COVID-19 should be considered as a possible cause of the delayed epithelial healing. Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 complications; COVID-19 PKP complications; eye complications of COVID-19; PKP; SARS-CoV-2 EN COVID-19 COVID-19 complications COVID-19 PKP complications eye complications of COVID-19 PKP SARS-CoV-2 3724 3725 2 10/13/22 20221001 NES 221001 COVID-19 disease is an infection caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus. COVID-19, COVID-19 PKP complications, eye complications of COVID-19, PKP, COVID-19 complications, SARS-CoV-2. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction. COVID-19 pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2 and it has an important but often overlooked impact on surgical current activity. The reports about its implications in obstetrical and gynecological surgical side are accumulating. The purpose of our study was to reveal the surgical challenges during pandemic period. Methodology. We reviewed the main medical databases, such as PubMed, Medline and Web of Science, searching for publications about SARS-CoV-2 in surgery and we focused on reports about the challenges that medical staff had to endure during patients’ care. Results. Our research revealed more than 4500 publications about SARS-CoV-2 and medical staff. At onset, there was a lack of information. The virus spread so fast, and the medical professional providers had different challenges. At the beginning, everybody was discussing about the way of transmission among individuals. The deficit of equipment was a major reason of concern. The instructions of using correctly the PPE were contradictory. All the medical staff was stressed, and they must face more stressed patients with different pathologies. In time, the reasons of concern changed so that that surgical procedures can be performed in safety conditions for both surgeon and patient. The characteristic of each pandemic wave raised peculiar discussions. Conclusions. COVID-19 in gynecologic operating room represents a challenge because the physician has to perform usual surgical steps in special conditions. The literature experience and the personal one in COVID-19 hospital represent the subject of this report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current studies suggest that cariogenic bacteria in dental plaque influence the severity of COVID-19 complications since the oral cavity is a reservoir for respiratory pathogens potentially responsible for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia. This article focuses on the association between dental plaque and COVID-19 concerning the influence of altered oral biofilm on the risk of increased severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, it concentrates on the usefulness of propolis, with its apitherapeutic antibacterial properties, for treating oral bacterial infections co-occurring with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A review of the literature on PubMed, Cochrane Library and Medline between 2000 and 2021 revealed 56 published articles indicating that a link between dental plaque and COVID-19 complications was probable. Furthermore, they indicated that propolis may minimize COVID-19 severity by reducing dental plaque accumulation. The possibility that improved oral health could reduce the risk of COVID-19 complications should be of interest to scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imaging plays an important role in the detection of coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia in both managing the disease and evaluating the complications. Imaging with chest computed tomography (CT) can also have a potential predictive and prognostic role in COVID-19 patient outcomes. The aim of this pictorial review is to describe the role of imaging with chest X-ray (CXR), lung ultrasound (LUS), and CT in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 pneumonia, the current indications, the scores proposed for each modality, the advantages/limitations of each modality and their role in detecting complications, and the histopathological correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2(severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2) pandemic, a race to develop a vaccine has been initiated, considering the massive and rather significant economic and healthcare hits that this virus has caused. The pathophysiology occurring following COVID-19(coronavirus disease-2019) infection has given hints regarding the supportive and symptomatic treatments to establish for patients, as no specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 is available yet. Patient symptoms vary greatly and range from mild symptoms to severe fatal complications. Supportive treatments include antipyretics, antiviral therapies, different combinations of broad-spectrum antibiotics, hydroxychloroquine and plasma transfusion. Unfortunately, cancer patients are at higher risk of viral infection and more likely to develop serious complications due to their immunocompromised state, the fact that they are already administering multiple medications, as well as combined comorbidity compared to the general population. It may seem impossible to find a drug that possesses both potent antiviral and anticancer effects specifically against COVID-19 infection and its complications and the existing malignancy, respectively. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the most pharmacologically active ingredient in Nigella sativa seeds (black seeds); it is reported to have anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in various settings. In this review, we will discuss the multiple effects of TQ specifically against COVID-19, its beneficial effects against COVID-19 pathophysiology and multiple-organ complications, its use as an adjuvant for supportive COVID-19 therapy and cancer therapy, and finally, its anticancer effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]