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The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused global pandemic and drastically affected the humankind. Mitochondrial mutations have been found to be associated with several respiratory diseases. Missense mutation and pathogenic mitochondrial variants might unveil the potential involvement of the mitochondrial genome in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathogenesis. The present study aims to elucidate the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, mitochondrial haplogroup, and energy metabolism in disease severity. The study was performed on 58 subjects comprising COVID-19-positive (n = 42) and negative (n = 16) individuals. COVID-19-positive subjects were further categorized into severe deceased (SD), severe recovered (SR), moderate (Mo), and mild (Mi) patients, while COVID-19-negative subjects were healthy control (HC) for the study. High throughput next-generation sequencing was done to investigate mtDNA mutations and haplogroups. The computational approach was applied to study the effect of mtDNA mutations on protein secondary structure. Real time polymerase chain reaction was used for mtDNA copy number determination and mitochondrial function parameters were also analyzed. We found 15 mtDNA mutations in MT-ND5, MT-ND4, MT-ND2, and MT-COI genes uniquely associated with COVID-19 severity affecting the secondary structure of proteins in COVID-19-positive subjects. Haplogroup analysis suggests that mtDNA haplogroups M3d1a and W3a1b might be potentially associated with COVID-19 pathophysiology. The mitochondrial function parameters were significantly altered in severe patients (SD and SR; p < 0.05). No significant relationship was found between mtDNA mutations and oxidative stress markers (p > 0.05). The study highlights the importance of mitochondrial reprogramming in COVID-19 patients and may provide a feasible approach toward finding a path for therapeutic interventions to COVID-19 disease., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel viral disease that spread as a global pandemic in 2020 by infecting millions of people across the world. Its clinical prognosis is dependent on various coagulatory parameters since thrombotic events are frequently associated with infection severity., Methods: A total of 383 COVID-19 patients enrolled in Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi, India, were included in the present retrospective study. Patients were divided into three categories, severe (n = 141), moderate (n = 138), and mild (n = 104) based on infection severity. Various thrombotic parameters and anticoagulant levels were measured in 70 patients and further analyzed., Results: Coagulopathy is seen in COVID-19 patients (n = 70) with a significant increase in fibrinogen, D-dimer levels, and prothrombin time in patients with severe and moderate disease compared to patients with a mild infection. Approximately, 70% of patients with severe and moderate disease demonstrated fibrinogen levels higher than the standard reference range. 60.41% of patients with severe disease showed significantly higher D-dimer levels. Thrombotic parameters were notably elevated in the nonsurvivors group compared to COVID-19 survivors. Nearly, 91% of patients with severe infection had anticoagulant protein S levels below the reference range., Conclusion: COVID-19 infection severely impacts the blood coagulation cascade, which might lead to the manifestation of severe symptoms and increased mortality in patients., (© 2022 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmits from person to person mainly through respiratory droplets and coughing. Infection severity ranges from asymptomatic and mild infection to those with moderate and severe symptoms which may lead to multiple organ failure and mortality. Infection severity largely depends on individual's immune response, age and co-morbidities. Present study categorized COVID-19 infected patients based on their infection severity and linked COVID-19 severity with age, gender and ABO blood group types. Clinical details of 383 COVID-19 patients were collected from Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty hospital (RGSSH), India; divided into three groups; mild, moderate and severe patients, based on their symptoms. Present analysis revealed that age plays major role in infection severity, as the symptoms are more severe in patients above 45 years. Infection rate was higher in males compared to females. Most patients with A(+ve) and B(+ve) blood group were severely affected compared to those of blood group type O(+ve) and AB(+ve). O(+ve) blood group was least represented in severe patients. Present findings could be helpful in generating awareness amongst the population regarding susceptibility towards the COVID-19 infection. This supportive information would help clinicians and health workers to propose new strategies and tactical solution against COVID-19 infection., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The study aimed at exploring biology learning loss among high school students of Raipur district of Chhattisgarh during COVID 19 induced school closures, through biology teachers practices, issues raised, action taken and their endeavours to support learning in students. Data was collected from 30 biology teachers (25 female, 5 male) selected through non probability targeted sampling technique from 20 private and 10 Government schools. Data was analysed using inductive coding process. Findings revealed learning loss due to differences in instructional delivery pertaining to inequalities among the schools and students socio economic status. Lack of motivation in students, limited methods to teach practical aspects and parental attitude accounted for biology learning loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS COV 2) and its linked coronavirus disease has troubled the entire world community led to a serious public health concerns. Despite the various efforts to stop the spread of this disease globally, the outbreak is still on the rise because of the community spread pattern of this disease. This is believed to have originated in bats pangolins initially later it got transmitted to humans. Once it comes in the human body, this corona virus remains abundantly present in nasopharyngeal and salivary secretions of affected patients. Its spreading nature is mainly through the respiratory droplet spread / aerosol infection. Dental professionals, including Orthodontists ,Oral Surgeons, Periodontists, Endodontists and Prosthodontists are all at high risk, since they may encounter patients with suspected or confirmed SARS COV 2 infection will have to act accordingly not only to provide care but at the same time prevent nosocomial spread of infection. Thus, the aim of this article is to provide a brief detailing of the cause, sign symptoms and different routes of transmission of this infection. In addition specific recommendations for dental practice are suggested for patient screening, infection control strategies and patient management protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Coagulation parameters such should be checked at the time of admission of COVID-19 patient. • Measurement of these parameters should continue at regular intervals during entire treatment. • Prophylactic anticoagulation therapy, with LMWH or unfractionated heparin is recommended. • Anticoagulation therapy is strongly recommended patients at high-risk for coagulopathy. • Dose and duration of anti-coagulation therapy should be decided on case to case basis. Recent reports on outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) have shown its association with abnormal blood clots. The viral infection initiates inflammatory responses leading to endothelial damage and coagulation cascade dysfnction. Spread of COVID-19 has been associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and subsequent coagulopathy. Initially coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients result in significant elevation of D-dimer, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), and abnormalities in coagulatory parameters, which resulting in formation of thrombus and eventually death. Present report intends to summarize the information of the research reports available so far on the complications of formation of unusal blood clots (thrombosis) during COVID-19 infection and its therapeutic strategies. Extensive web search was done for various reports associating COVID-19 infection with increased coagulopathy and abnormal coagulatory parameters such as PT, PTT, and platelet counts; along with increased D-dimer and fibrinogen levels. Findings of these research reports were summarized to recommend cautions for clinicians while treating COVID-19 patient. Screening of coagulatory parameters upon admission and during entire course of treatment is recommended, especially those who are at increased risk of thrombosis. Also, anticoagulant treatment can be used as thromboprophylaxis measure. Dose and duration of anticoagulation treatment requirement may vary and thus regular monitoring is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]