Post-COVID syndrome: pulmonary complications

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions of people worlwide and caused a pandemic that is still ongoing. The virus can cause a disease named as COVID-19, which is composed of multi systemic manifestations with a pulmonary system predominance. As the time passes, we are dealing more and more with a wide variety of effects and complications of the disease in survivors as far as with concerns about the clinical outcome and the timeline of symptoms in different patients. Since the lungs are the most involved organs and the post-COVID prolonged and persistent effects are mainly related to the pulmonary system, it is crucial to define and predict the outcome and to determine the individuals that can progress to fibrosis and loss of function of lungs. This review summarizes the current literature regarding the pulmonary complications in post-COVID syndrome and the management of these conditions.     

Antioxidant activity of the organotellurium compound 3-[4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzenetellurenyl]propanesulfonic acid against oxidative stress in synaptosomal membrane systems and neuronal cultures

Antioxidant activities of 3-[4-(N,N-dimethylamino) benzenetellurenyl]propanesulfonic acid sodium salt (NDBT) were evaluated in solution, red blood cells, synaptosomal membranes, and cultured hippocampal neuronal cells after exposure to peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) and hydroxyl radicals. The organotellurium compound NDBT possesses significant activity towards hydrogen peroxide and/or the hydroxyl radical in solution, demonstrated by inhibition of hydroxylation of terephthalic acid. In addition, the compound displayed great antioxidant abilities as shown by: reduction of ONOO(-)-induced 2,7-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence in synaptosomes; complete prevention of lipid peroxidation in synaptosomes caused by OH radicals (TBARS), and significant prevention of protein oxidation caused by ONOO(-) and OH, indexed by the levels of protein carbonyls in synaptosomes and neuronal cells. The presence of the compound abolished neuronal cell death caused by ONOO(-). Further, the compound was effective in preventing the oxidative changes in synaptosomal membrane protein conformation and crosslinking (EPR spin labeling). Finally, the organotellurium molecule attenuated peroxynitrite-induced, luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in red blood cells--an index of cellular oxidation. These findings demonstrate the great potential of the antioxidant and are consistent with the notion that NDBT may have a role to play in modulating oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.     

Tuberculosis infection and incidence rates in children as an index of total tuberculosis epidemiological situation in Russia

The paper summarizes the results of the multidisciplinary epidemiological survey made in the past decade in the Russian Federation. Reasons for the higher incidence of tuberculosis among children and the influence of different factors on epidemiological indices were established. The paper clearly shows how the incidence and infection rates of tuberculosis in children are indicative of its total epidemiological situation in the general population in the country. Against this background, the pattern of new-onset tuberculosis mainly confirms the quality of work of general therapeutical and tuberculosis controlling services on active detection and prevention of the disease.     

Measurement of family impact of skin disease: further validation of the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI)

Aim To adapt the Impact on Family scale (IOF), originally developed for families of children with chronic illnesses, for use in families of adult patients and to examine the convergent validity of the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) by comparing it with the adapted version of the IOF scale. Methods Adult family members of patients with different skin diseases attending the out‐patients clinic of a secondary referral centre completed the FDLQI and the adapted version of the IOF scale, whereas patients completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results A total of 50 patients and 50 family members/partners participated in the study. The mean scores for the three instruments were as follows: FDLQI = 6.0 (SD = 6.4, median = 4); IOF scale = 27.9 (SD = 8.2, median = 29); DLQI = 5.4 (SD = 5.6, median = 3). There was no difference between male and female participants in the mean scores of any of the three instruments. The FDLQI demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91). Factor analysis revealed the presence of one factor structure underlying the items of the FDLQI, which explained 55.8% of the total variance. The IOF scale also showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.89). The results of factor analysis revealed one dominant factor and three weaker factors, which together explained 72% of the total variance. The convergent validity of the FDLQI was demonstrated by a highly significant positive correlation between the mean FDLQI and the IOF scale scores (r_s = 0.61, P < 0.0001). All the items of the FDLQI also had significant correlations with the mean total IOF scale scores (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of this study have demonstrated that with minor modifications IOF scale, which was originally developed for families of children suffering from chronic illnesses, can also be used in families of adult dermatology patients. The study has also provided further evidence of the validity of the newly developed FDLQI.     

THE ‘VASOVAGAL EFFECT’ OF NITRATES: AN UNDER-RECOGNISED COMPLICATION OF NITRATE USE

SUMMARY Nitrates are useful drugs in cardiovascular medicine. They have a presumed vasovagal effect, which is a rare but often under-recognised complication that is partly caused by central inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system. However, no consistent variable associated with the presumed vasovagal effects following nitrate administration can be identified, and there are only limited reports of the phenomenon in the literature. In fact, the true prevalence of such a complication is unknown, because no data from observational studies exist, although it would seem likely to be a rare event. A greater awareness and recognition of this unusual effect of nitrate use is necessary in view of the increasing use of nitrates. Fortunately, recovery is generally the rule with supportive management.     

Endoscopic and morphological characteristics of the bronchi and lungs in asbestosis and dust-induced bronchitis in asbestos-textile industry workers

A bronchofibroscopy study of cases with histologic investigation of the bronchi and pulmonary mucous biopsy of 29 asbestos-textile workers, revealed diffuse bilateral endo-bronchitis (DBE) with concomitant tracheitis at different stages. No correlation was found between the endoscopy pictures and the clinical manifestations of asbestosis and dust bronchitis. The asbestosis diseased patients displayed pulmonary fibrosis++ without granulomatous inflammation in the asbestos dusts zone. In some cases, bronchial epithelium diffuse metaplasia was diagnosed with some dysplasia elements, as well as papillomatosis and malignant tumours in the lungs. Dust bronchitis++ and asbestosis can perform precancerous conditions in the lungs, what should be taken into account in cancer prevention measures for asbestos industry workers.