Search

The inflammatory protease caspase-1 is associated with the release of cytokines. An excessive number of cytokines (a "cytokine storm") is a dangerous consequence of COVID-19 infection and has been indicated as being among the causes of death by COVID-19. The anti-inflammatory drug colchicine (which is reported in the literature to be a caspase-1 inhibitor) and the corticosteroid drugs, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone, are among the most effective active compounds for COVID-19 treatment. The SERM raloxifene has also been used as a repurposed drug in COVID-19 therapy. In this study, inhibition of caspase-1 by these four compounds was analyzed using computational methods. Our aim was to see if the inhibition of caspase-1, an important biomolecule in the inflammatory response that triggers cytokine release, could shed light on how these drugs help to alleviate excessive cytokine production. We also measured the antioxidant activities of dexamethasone and colchicine when scavenging the superoxide radical using cyclic voltammetry methods. The experimental findings are associated with caspase-1 active site affinity towards these compounds. In evaluating our computational and experimental results, we here formulate a mechanism for caspase-1 inhibition by these drugs, which involves the active site amino acid Cys285 residue and is mediated by a transfer of protons, involving His237 and Ser339. It is proposed that the molecular moiety targeted by all of these drugs is a carbonyl group which establishes a S(Cys285)-C(carbonyl) covalent bond.

Introduction: Traumatic injuries are a major public health problem, being one of the main causes of death, the subsequent decline in the quality of life of the patients involved, as well as the costs of hospitalization in the health system. Material and Method: We conducted a 5-year retrospective study on 798 hospitalized patients with traumatic injuries, by collecting a series of general, clinical, imaging and biological parameters. Results: The results showed a higher proportion of male patients, the main lesion mechanism being represented by road accidents, followed by falls from another level. The most common traumatic intraabdominal parenchymal lesions were splenic, followed by hepatic and renal lesions. In addition to intraabdominal trauma, the lesion balance also included thoracic, spinal cord, head and limb injuries. A total of 288 patients underwent emergency surgery, but there were also cases of delayed surgical procedures or reoperations. We had 67 deceased patients. Conclusions: Trauma is a major public health problem, both socially and economically, being responsible for a significant number of deaths, but also in terms of the significant number of hospitalizations and the subsequent impact on the quality of life of those involved., (Celsius.)

SARS-CoV-2 is a new betacoronavirus that was first reported in the Hubei province, China, in December 2019. The virus is likely transmitted through air droplets. However, there are reported cases where SARS-CoV-2-RNA was found in other samples, such as blood or stool. Nonetheless, there is limited information concerning the presence of viral RNA in pregnancy-related samples, specifically breast milk. However unlikely, there is still uncertainty regarding the possibility of vertical transmission from mother to infant through breastfeeding. This review aims to synthetize the literature written so far on this topic. Despite not being extensively researched, vertical transmission through breast milk seems unlikely. Case series showed that milk samples from mothers with COVID-19 were almost entirely negative. So far, there have been only 9 recorded cases of viral shedding in milk samples, uncertain however of the viability of the particles. Furthermore, WHO and UNICEF strongly encourage commencing breastfeeding after parturition, underlining the benefits of lactation. Moreover, some studies have proven the existence of IgG and IgA anti-SARS-CoV-2-antibodies in the maternal milk that could possibly play an important part in the neonate's protection against the virus. Vertical transmission through lactation seems unlikely, most studies pointing towards the safety of breastfeeding. However, further larger-scale studies need to be performed in order to clarify a yet uncertain matter., Competing Interests: Conflict of interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021, Florea RM et al., Applied Systems and Discoveries Journals.)