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The first incidence of corona virus was reported in China in December of 2019, and the virus quickly spread over the world, eventually being designated a pandemic in March of 2020. It has had a disastrous impact on the global healthcare system. Virus has claimed the lives of 5,298,933 people through December 2021. As a result of the pandemic, there was a boost of research into diagnostic and therapeutic methods to infection. Gradually, the world has discovered new vaccine candidates and medicinal repurposing strategies that have a significant influence on mortality, by which there has been a drop-in death rates over the world since July, 2021. Many patients, particularly those who have been hospitalized due to a viral infection, experience complications beyond discharge that have a significant influence on their lives. Post COVID-19 complications are problems that last longer than 3-4 weeks following a viral infection. There is currently no specific treatment accessible for post COVID-19 problems because whatever medications are available or repurposed are limited to disease prophylaxis and therapeutics. As a result, we're looking for a remedy employing natural substances using the In-Silico technique (molecular docking) and recent research from reputable journals. Allicin, Berberine, Epigallocatechin, Rosmarinic acid and Withaferin-A were docked against ACE (PDB ID: 1O8A), IL-6 (PDB ID: 1ALU), NADPH Oxidase (PDB ID: 2CDU) and TNF-a (PDB ID: 2AZ5) using Autodock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total number of cumulative cases and deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is still increasing worldwide. Although many countries have actively implemented vaccination strategies to curb the epidemic, there is no specific efficient therapeutic drug for this virus to effectively reduce deaths. Therefore, the underappreciated macromolecular compounds have become the spotlight of research. Furthermore, the medicinal compounds in plants that provide myriad possibilities to treat human diseases have become of utmost importance. Experience indicates that Traditional Chinese medicine effectively treats SARS and has been used for treating patients with COVID-19 in China. As one of the world's oldest herbal remedies, licorice is used for treating patients with all stages of COVID-19. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), the main active compound in licorice, has been proven effective in killing the SARS virus. Meanwhile, as a natural plant molecule, GA can also directly target important protein structures of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we summarized the immune synergy of GA and its potential role in treating COVID-19 complications. Besides, we reviewed its anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system and its positive effects in cooperation with various drugs to fight against COVID-19 and its comorbidities. The purpose of this review is to elucidate and suggest that GA can be used as a potential drug during COVID-19 treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with immunocompromise were suspected to encounter a high risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on early period; however, data is lacking nowadays and immune response remain unclear. Methods: In this retrospective study, internet questionnaire survey and medical records were acquired in pediatric hematology oncology patients. Clinical severity, immunological characteristics, and outcomes were analyzed from December 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023 at the 3rd year of pandemic in China. Results: A total of 306 patients were included, with 21 patients (6.9%) asymptomatic, 262 (85.6%) mild severity, 17 (5.6%) moderate severity, 5 (1.6%) severe severity, and 1 (0.3%) critical severity. Seventy-eight (25.5%) patients were on intensive chemotherapy, and 32.0% children were on maintenance chemotherapy. Delays in cancer therapy occurred in 86.7% patients. Univariable analysis revealed active chemotherapy (P < 0.0001), long duration of symptom (P < 0.0001), low lymphocytes count (P = 0.095), low CD3 + and CD8 + T cell count (P = 0.013, P = 0.022), high percentage of CD4 + TCM (P = 0.016), and low percentage of transitional B cells (P = 0.045) were high risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection. Cox regression model showed that the absolute lymphocytes count (P = 0.027) and long duration of symptom (P = 0.002) were the independent factors for severity. Patients with CD8 + dominant and B cell depletion subtype wasn't related with severity, but had higher percentage of CD8 + effector memory T cells (TEM) and terminally differentiated effector memory T cells (TEMRA) (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), and a longer COVID-19 duration (P = 0.045). Conclusion: The severity was relatively mild in children with immunodeficiencies in the third year of COVID-19 pandemic. Low lymphocyte count and long duration of symptom were the independent risk factors with COVID-19 severity. Delays in cancer care remain a major concern and the long outcome is pending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causes acute respiratory syndrome, it became widespread in China at 0irst in December 2019, and then was spread in other countries. Pregnant women are considered to be more susceptible to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) complications. We report a case of a neonate born with COVID-19, believed to be due to a vertical transmission from mother to her baby. The case also reports a preterm labour which may be related to COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2022, the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) became dominant in China due to its high infectivity and lower mortality rate. The risk of critical illness and mortality among patients with hematologic malignancies who contracted SARS-CoV-2 was particularly high. The aim of this study was to draft a consensus to facilitate effective treatments for these patients based on the type and severity of the disease. Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China, a steering committee consisting of experienced hematologists was formed by the Specialized Committee of Oncology and Microecology of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association. The expert group drafted a consensus on the management and intervention measures for different types of hematologic malignancies based on the clinical characteristics of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, along with relevant guidelines and literature. The expert group drafted independent recommendations on several important aspects based on the epidemiology of the Omicron variant in China and the unique vulnerability of patients with hematologic malignancies. These included prophylactic vaccinations for those with hematologic malignancies, the use of plasma from blood donors who recovered from the novel coronavirus infection, the establishment of negative pressure wards, the use of steady-state mobilization of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells, the provision of psychological support for patients and medical staff, and a focus on maintaining a healthy intestinal microecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from insulin secretion defects or insulin resistance. The global incidence of DM has been gradually increasing due to improvements in living standards and changes in dietary habits, making it a major non-communicable disease that poses a significant threat to human health and life. The pathogenesis of DM remains incompletely understood till now, and current pharmacotherapeutic interventions are largely inadequate, resulting in relapses and severe adverse reactions. Although DM is not explicitly mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and clinical practice, it is often classified as "Xiaoke" due to similarities in etiology, pathogenesis, and symptoms. With its overall regulation, multiple targets, and personalized medication approach, TCM treatment can effectively alleviate the clinical manifestations of DM and prevent or treat its complications. Furthermore, TCM exhibits desirable therapeutic effects with minimal side effects and a favorable safety profile. This paper provides a comprehensive comparison and contrast of Xiaoke and DM by examining the involvement of TCM in their etiology, pathogenesis, treatment guidelines, and other relevant aspects based on classical literature and research reports. The current TCM experimental research on the treatment of DM by lowering blood glucose levels also be generalized. This innovative focus not only illuminates the role of TCM in DM treatment, but also underscores the potential of TCM in DM management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) first emerged in 2019 in China and has resulted in millions of human morbidities and mortalities across the globe. Evidence has been provided that this novel virus originated in animals, mutated, and made the cross-species jump to humans. At the time of this communication, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may be on its way to an endemic form; however, the threat of the virus is more for susceptible (older and immunocompromised) people. The human body has millions of bacterial cells that influence health and disease. As a consequence, the bacteriomes in the human body substantially influence human health and disease. The bacteriomes in the body and the immune system seem to be in constant association during bacterial and viral infections. In this review, we identify various bacterial spp. In major bacteriomes (oral, nasal, lung, and gut) of the body in healthy humans and compare them with dysbiotic bacteriomes of COVID-19 patients. We try to identify key bacterial spp. That have a positive effect on the functionality of the immune system and human health. These select bacterial spp. Could be used as potential probiotics to counter or prevent COVID-19 infections. In addition, we try to identify key metabolites produced by probiotic bacterial spp. That could have potential anti-viral effects against SARS-CoV-2. These metabolites could be subject to future therapeutic trials to determine their anti-viral efficacies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To understand Baduanjin rehabilitation therapy in mild COVID‐19 patients. Design: A narrative review. Methods: A literature search for COVID‐19 and Baduanjin treatments was conducted on Chinese and English electronic databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Ebscohost, SPORTDiscus and ProQuest. Results: Twelve studies on the Baduanjin rehabilitation for COVID‐19 patients have been included. We acknowledged the considerable published research and current clinical practice using Baduanjin for COVID‐19 treatment in the following areas: anxiety, depression, insomnia, lung function rehabilitation, immunity and activity endurance. Conclusion: The use of Baduanjin as adjuvant therapy for COVID‐19 patients' rehabilitation is still limited, therefore, more clinical studies are needed to confirm its efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We conducted a systematic and comprehensive bibliometric analysis of COVID-19-related medical imaging to determine the current status and indicate possible future directions. Methods: This research provides an analysis of Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) indexed articles on COVID-19 and medical imaging published between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2022, using the search terms "COVID-19" and medical imaging terms (such as "X-ray" or "CT"). Publications based solely on COVID-19 themes or medical image themes were excluded. CiteSpace was used to identify the predominant topics and generate a visual map of countries, institutions, authors, and keyword networks. Results: The search included 4444 publications. The journal with the most publications was European Radiology, and the most co-cited journal was Radiology. China was the most frequently cited country in terms of co-authorship, with the Huazhong University of Science and Technology being the institution contributing with the highest number of relevant co-authorships. Research trends and leading topics included: assessment of initial COVID-19-related clinical imaging features, differential diagnosis using artificial intelligence (AI) technology and model interpretability, diagnosis systems construction, COVID-19 vaccination, complications, and predicting prognosis. Conclusions: This bibliometric analysis of COVID-19-related medical imaging helps clarify the current research situation and developmental trends. Subsequent trends in COVID-19 imaging are likely to shift from lung structure to function, from lung tissue to other related organs, and from COVID-19 to the impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis and treatment of other diseases. Key Points • We conducted a systematic and comprehensive bibliometric analysis of COVID-19-related medical imaging from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2022. • Research trends and leading topics included assessment of initial COVID-19-related clinical imaging features, differential diagnosis using AI technology and model interpretability, diagnosis systems construction, COVID-19 vaccination, complications, and predicting prognosis. • Future trends in COVID-19-related imaging are likely to involve a shift from lung structure to function, from lung tissue to other related organs, and from COVID-19 to the impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis and treatment of other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since 2020, novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has posed serious threats to health systems and led to tremendous economic decline worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is considered a promising treatment strategy for COVID-19 in China and is increasingly recognized as a key participant in the battle against COVID-19. Clinicians also need accurate evidence regarding the effectiveness of TCM treatments for COVID-19. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed with COVID-19 by collected from the electronic medical records of the hospitals in Henan Province from January 19, 2020, to March 2, 2020. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, frequency analysis of Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), Chinese medicine injections (CMIs), evaluation of baseline symptom scores, nucleic acid negative conversion, length of hospitalization, and mortality rates were studied. Results: Between 15 January 2020 and 2 March 2020, 131 hospitals with 1245 patients were included. Survey response Chinese herbal decoction, CPMs, and CMIs combined with conventional Western medicine (CWM) used for the treatment of COVID-19. The top 8 CPMs were Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Shuanghuanglian oral liquid, Pudilan Xiaoyan oral liquid, Banlangen granules, Lanqin oral liquid, compound licorice tablets, Bailing capsules, montmorillonite powder. The most frequently used CMIs were Xuebijing, Tanreqing, Reduning, Xiyanping and Yanhuning. TCM combined with CWM improved the patients' symptom scores for fever, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Nucleic acid negative conversion occurred at11.55 ± 5.91 d and the average length of hospitalization was 14.92 ± 6.15 d. The mortality rate was approximately 1.76%, which is a reduction in patient mortality. Conclusions: TCM combined with CWM improved clinical symptoms and reduced hospitalization and mortality rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Countries around the world are facing enormous challenges in their economic and social development as COVID‐19 continues to spread, resulting in slower economic recovery in the post‐pandemic era. Considering the impact of economic growth on future sustainable development in this new era, green economic recovery (GER) can achieve a win‐win situation between economic recovery and environmental improvement and bring forth environmentally sustainable economic growth. This research first lists related COVID‐19 literature surveys and GER policies in the post‐pandemic era in China. Based on a comparative study of the international experience of GER policy practices, this paper then analyzes the opportunities and challenges China faces for GER and puts forward countermeasures and suggestions on how to promote its sustainable development in the post‐epidemic era. We believe our research presents useful enlightenments for sustainable economic and social development in the post‐epidemic era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current COVID-19 pandemic emerged in December 2019, in China, affecting millions of people worldwide. COVID-19 is mainly a disease of the respiratory system, yet systematic complications have also been reported among SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Thrombotic complications are one of the severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19, especially among critically ill patients, and are associated with poor prognosis. To date, many studies have concluded that COVID-19 increases the incidence of thrombotic events and coagulopathies; however, the exact mechanism behind such a disease outcome is not well known. Various pathophysiological mechanisms for thrombotic events in COVID-19 have been proposed, these include virus-induced endothelial cell damage, inflammation, and excess production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. As a result, most critically diseased COVID-19 patients are managed with prophylactic anticoagulant, yet some still develop thrombotic episodes. Therefore, better understanding of the mechanisms behind the thrombotic complications is needed to develop treatments that specifically target such pathways, which may aid in better disease management and improve the prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐Cov‐2), responsible for the coronavirus disease COVID‐19, was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Diabetes, as well as other cardiovascular comorbidities, has been recognized as a major risk factor for outcomes and mortality in adults with COVID‐19, particularly in the elderly with type 2 diabetes. Based on these conclusions, COVID‐19 data on adults have been generalized to youth with diabetes. Nevertheless, experience from pediatric diabetes practices in China (Wuhan), Italy, Spain (Catalonia), and the United States (San Francisco Bay Area) consistently report only a single severe case of COVID‐19 in a 20‐year‐old female youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) that was hospitalized for bilateral pneumonia and was subsequently discharged without complications. In Italy, information on COVID‐19 in all children with diabetes is collected on a weekly basis and those with positive swab test or infection‐related symptoms reported to a dedicated national registry. Of a total of 15 500 children tested, 11 subjects with T1D (age 8‐17y) tested positive for COVID‐19; 6/11 were asymptomatic and the rest presented with mild symptoms. In the rest of locations, youths with T1D diagnosed with COVID‐19 were based on clinical suspicion and a confirmatory PCR test (Wuhan:0; Catalonia‐HSJD:3; California‐Stanford:2). All of them were asymptomatic or had a mild course. We suggest that COVID‐19 data from adults should not be generalized to children, adolescents, and youth with diabetes as their outcomes and prognosis seem to be similar to their non‐diabetic‐peers and consistently milder than adults with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 strain, was first identified in late 2019 in China. The outcomes of patients affected by the virus can worsen, developing acute respiratory failure and other serious complications, especially in older individuals and people with obesity and comorbidities. Thus, obese patients tend to have a more severe course of COVID-19. Thus, this review aims to synthesize the evidence in the literature that associates COVID-19 and the severity of clinical outcomes in infected obese patients. Methods: This protocol was designed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols Statement. Scientific and gray literature will be systematically selected from PubMed/MEDLINE, Latin American Literature in Health Sciences, Online Scientific Electronic Library, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane. The selection of articles will be limited to studies published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish from December 2019 onwards. The main clinical outcomes will be clinical severity in obese patients with COVID-19 as tachypnea (respiratory rate, ≥ 30 breaths per minute), hypoxemia (oxygen saturation, ≤ 93%), the ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (< 300), lung infiltrate (> 50% of the lung field involved within 24–48 h), diagnosis of the severe acute respiratory syndrome, need of invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. Selection bias will be minimized by excluding studies published before December 2019. Conflicts will be resolved through a third reviewer and consensus-building. Moreover, findings will be reported using narrative synthesis and tabulation of the summaries. Discussion: Given the need for early detection of the possible implications and treatment for patients with obesity diagnosed with COVID-19, the scoping review will be useful to capture the state of the current literature, identify the gaps, and make recommendations for future research for directing the conduct and optimization of therapies in these patients by the multiprofessional teams. Systematic review registration: Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/xrkec [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies from China on COVID‐19 revealed that nonsurvivors had cytokine storm with high IL‐6 and hyperferritinemia. Iron liberated from necrotic cells may catalyze free radical production and amplify lipid peroxidation causing membrane dysfunction and multiorgan failure. Consequently, iron chelators have been successfully utilized in various experimental and clinical models of cytokine storm and multiorgan damage, such as in ischemia‐reperfusion injury, sepsis, and infections. Since viral replication may be influenced by iron accumulation, iron chelation has been proven beneficial in a variety of viral infections, such as HIV‐1, hepatitis B virus, Mengovirus, Marburg hemorrhagic fever, Enterovirus 71, and West Nile virus. In this commentary, we elaborate on the idea of considering iron chelation as a therapeutic modality in patients with severe COVID‐19 infection. For critically ill patients in the ICU, intravenous deferoxamine would provide sufficient and rapid iron chelation to ameliorate cytokine storm, whereas in less severe cases an oral chelator could prevent the development of excessive inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In late December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases due to a novel betacoronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 was reported in China. The so-called COVID 19 is responsible not only for respiratory symptoms, from mild up to pneumonia and even acute respiratory distress syndrome, but also for extrapulmonary involvement.Cases Presentation: Here we present two cases of spontaneous muscle hematoma in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, both on therapeutic LMWH for atrial fibrillation: the first one was an 86-year-old Caucasian female with a history of hypertensive cardiomyopathy and the second one was an 81-year-old Caucasian male with a history of hypertension, diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Blood tests revealed a considerable drop of hemoglobin and alterations of coagulation system. In both cases, embolization of femoral artery was performed. A few other cases of bleeding manifestations are reported in literature, while a lot has been published about the hypercoagulability related to COVID-19.Conclusions: Our reports and literature review highlight the need of active surveillance for possible hemorrhagic complications in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2019, an outbreak of pandemic severe respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) initially occurred in China, has spread the world resulted in serious threats to human public health. Uncommon neurological manifestations with pathophysiological symptoms were observed in infected patients including headache, seizures, and neuroimmunological disorders. Regardless of whether these neurological symptoms are direct or indirect casual infection relationship, this novel viral infection has a relevant impact on the neuroimmune system that requires a neurologist's careful assessment. Recently, the use of immunotherapy has been emerged in fighting against COVID-19 infection despite the uncertain efficiency in managing COVID-19 related disorders or even its proven failure by increasing its severity. Herein, the author is addressing the first approaches in using immunotherapies in controlling COVID-19 viral impact on the brain by highlighting their role in decreasing or increasing infection risks among subjects. This point of view review article supports the use of immunotherapies in managing COVID-19 neurological disorders but in optimal timing and duration to ensure the maximum therapeutic outcome by reducing morbidity and mortality rate. Based on recently published data, the current review article highlights the beneficial effects and drawbacks of using immunotherapies to combat COVID-19 and its neurological symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In late December 2019, China reported cases of respiratory illness in humans that involved a novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2. On March 20, 2020, the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in Brazil was diagnosed, and by now, we present the report on the first case of COVID among transplant recipients in our country. A liver and kidney transplant patient with SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia without respiratory failure was treated in a clinical multimodal strategy consisting of symptomatic support therapy, immunosuppression reduction, use of anti‐coronavirus drugs and heparin leading to a progressive improvement of patient symptoms till discharge. The authors also present a comprehensive review of published cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic spread of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection in China first, and all over the world at present, has become a global health emergency due to the rapidly increasing number of affected patients. Currently, a clear relationship between COVID‐19 infection incidence and/or complications due to chronic or occasional treatments for other pathologies is still not clear, albeit the COVID‐19 pandemic may condition the treatment strategy of complex disorders, such as osteoarthritis (OA). Importantly, OA is the most common age‐related joint disease, affecting more than 80% of people older than the age of 55, an age burden also shared with the highest severity in COVID‐19 patients. OA patients often show a large array of concomitant pathologies, such as diabetes, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases that are again shared with COVID‐19 patients and may therefore increase complications. Moreover, different OA treatments, such as NSAIDs, paracetamol, corticosteroids, opioids, or other molecules have a wide array of iatrogenic effects, potentially increasing COVID‐19 secondary infection incidence or complications. In this review we critically analyze the evidence on either negative or positive effects of drugs commonly used to manage OA in this particular scenario. This would provide orthopedic surgeons in particular, and physicians, pharmacologists, and clinicians in general, a comprehensive description about the safety of the current pharmacological approaches and a decision‐making tool to treat their OA patients as the coronavirus pandemic continues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with cancer have a higher risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than noncancer patients. The authors conducted a multicenter retrospective study to investigate the clinical manifestations and outcomes of patients with cancer who are diagnosed with COVID-19.Methods: The authors reviewed the medical records of hospitalized patients who were treated at 5 hospitals in Wuhan City, China, between January 5 and March 18, 2020. Clinical parameters relating to cancer history (type and treatment) and COVID-19 were collected. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary analyses were the association between clinical factors and severe COVID-19 and OS.Results: A total of 107 patients with cancer were diagnosed with COVID-19, with a median age of 66 years (range, 37-98 years). Lung (21 patients; 19.6%), gastrointestinal (20 patients; 18.7%), and genitourinary (20 patients; 18.7%) cancers were the most common cancer diagnoses. A total of 37 patients (34.6%) were receiving active anticancer treatment when diagnosed with COVID-19, whereas 70 patients (65.4%) were on follow-up. Overall, 52.3% of patients (56 patients) developed severe COVID-19; this rate was found to be higher among patients receiving anticancer treatment than those on follow-up (64.9% vs 45.7%), which corresponded to an inferior OS in the former subgroup of patients (hazard ratio, 3.365; 95% CI, 1.455-7.782 [P = .005]). The detrimental effect of anticancer treatment on OS was found to be independent of exposure to systemic therapy (case fatality rate of 33.3% [systemic therapy] vs 43.8% [nonsystemic therapy]).Conclusions: The results of the current study demonstrated that >50.0% of infected patients with cancer are susceptible to severe COVID-19. This risk is aggravated by simultaneous anticancer treatment and portends for a worse survival, despite treatment for COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) emerged early in the course of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as a possible drug with potential therapeutic and prophylactic benefits. It was quickly adopted in China, Europe, and the USA. We systematically reviewed the existing clinical evidence of HCQ use for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Methods: We screened for clinical studies describing HCQ administration to treat or prevent COVID-19 in PubMed. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized comparative cohorts, and case series studies that had all undergone peer review. Results: A total of 623 studies were screened; 17 studies evaluating HCQ treatment were included. A total of 13 were observational studies, and 4 were RCTs. In terms of effect on mortality rates, observational studies provided conflicting results. As a whole, RCTs, including one large British RCT that has not yet been published, showed no significant effect of HCQ on mortality rates, clinical cure, and virologic response. The use of HCQ as a post-exposure prophylactic agent was found to be ineffective in one RCT. Conclusion: There is no evidence supporting HCQ for prophylaxis or treatment of COVID-19. Many observational trials were methodologically flawed. Scientific efforts have been disappointingly fragmented, and well-conducted trials have only recently been completed, more than 7 months and 600,000 deaths into the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19 disease was initially described in the Hubei Province of China and has since spread to more than 200 countries and territories of the world. Severe cases of the disease are characterised by release of high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in a process characterised as a cytokine storm. These inflammatory mediators are associated with pathological leukocyte activation states with tissue damage. Here, we review these effects with a focus on their potential use in diagnosis, patient stratification and prognosis, as well as new drug targets.

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected over 8 million people worldwide. We underscore the potential benefits of conducting a randomized open-label unblinded clinical trial to evaluate the role of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the treatment of COVID-19. Some COVID-19 patients are characterized with cytokine storm syndrome that can cause severe and irreversible damage to organs leading to multi-organ failure and death. Therefore, it is critical to control both programmed cell death (apoptosis) and the hyper-immune inflammatory response in COVID-19 patients to reduce the rising morbidity and mortality. UDCA is an existing drug with proven safety profiles that can reduce inflammation and prevent cell death. National Geographic reported that, "China Promotes Bear Bile as Coronavirus Treatment". Bear bile is rich in UDCA, comprising up to 40–50% of the total bile acid. UDCA is a logical and attainable replacement for bear bile that is available in pill form and merits clinical trial consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Given the high prevalence of hypertension among Chinese adults, this population is at a significantly increased risk of severe COVID-19 complications. The purpose of this study is to assess the willingness of Chinese hypertensive adults to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and to identify the diverse factors that shape their vaccination decisions., Methods: Sampling was conducted utilizing multistage stratified random sampling, and ultimately, a total of 886 adult hypertensive patients from Luzhou City in Southwest China were included in this study. The questionnaire design was based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour and was used to investigate their willingness to be vaccinated with COVID-19. Structural equation modeling was employed for data analysis., Results: The results showed that 75.6% of hypertensive individuals were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccination. The structural equation modeling revealed that Subjective Norms (path coefficient = 0.361, CR = 8.049, P < 0.001) and Attitudes (path coefficient = 0.253, CR = 4.447, P < 0.001) had positive effects on vaccination willingness, while Perceived Behavioral Control (path coefficient=-0.004, CR=-0.127, P = 0.899) had no significant impact on Behavioral Attitudes. Mediation analysis indicated that Knowledge (indirect path coefficient = 0.032, LLCI = 0.014, ULCI = 0.058), Risk Perception (indirect path coefficient = 0.077, LLCI = 0.038, ULCI = 0.124), and Subjective Norms (indirect path coefficient = 0.044, LLCI = 0.019, ULCI = 0.087) significantly influenced vaccination willingness through Attitudes as a mediating factor., Conclusion: The willingness of hypertensive individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccination is not satisfactory. The Theory of Planned Behavior provides valuable insights into understanding their vaccination intentions. Efforts should be concentrated on enhancing the subjective norms, attitudes, and knowledge about vaccination of hypertensive patients., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Data with fine granularity about COVID-19-related outcomes and risk factors were still limited in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) population. This study aimed to investigate clinical factors associated with hospitalized and severe COVID-19 in patients with IIMs, particularly those gauged by myositis-specific antibodies., Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Renji IIM cohort in Shanghai, China, under an upsurge of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infections from December 2022 to January 2023. Clinical data were collected and analyzed by multivariable logistic regression to determine risk factors. High-dimensional flow cytometry analysis was performed to outline the immunological features., Results: Among 463 infected patients in the eligible cohort (n=613), 65 (14.0%) were hospitalized, 19 (4.1%) suffered severe COVID-19, and 10 (2.2%) died. Older age (OR=1.59/decade, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.16, p=0.003), requiring family oxygen supplement (2.62, 1.11 to 6.19, 0.028), patients with anti-synthetase syndrome (ASyS) (2.88, 1.12 to 7.34, 0.027, vs. other dermatomyositis), higher IIM disease activity, and prednisone intake >10mg/day (5.59, 2.70 to 11.57, <0.001) were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization. Conversely, 3-dose inactivated vaccination reduced the risk of hospitalization (0.10, 0.02 to 0.40, 0.001, vs. incomplete vaccination). Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) pre-exposure significantly reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients (0.16, 0.04 to 0.74, 0.019, vs. csDMARDs). ASyS patients with severe COVID-19 had significantly reduced peripheral CD4+ T cells, lower CD4/CD8 ratio, and fewer naive B cells but more class-switched memory B cells compared with controls., Conclusion: ASyS and family oxygen supplement were first identified as risk factors for COVID-19-related hospitalization in patients with IIMs. JAKi pre-exposure might protect IIM patients against severe COVID-19 complications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision, (Copyright © 2024 Wu, Wang, Xie, Chen, Teng, Sun, Xu, Fu, Ma, Xu, Lyu, Ye, Li, Zhang, Shen, Wang, Ye and Fu.)