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.     

Low serum concentrations of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in women with uterine fibromatosis.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is the most commonly used plasticizer in flexible polyvinylchloride formulations, and is a widespread ubiquitous environmental contaminant. A potential role of exposure to DEHP and its primary metabolite, monoethylhexylphthalate (MEHP), on women's reproductive function is suggested in the current study. The aim of the study was to test serum concentrations of DEHP and/or MEHP in women with uterine fibromatosis. Two groups of women were enrolled in the study: (i) women with uterine fibromatosis undergoing surgical menopause (n = 15) and (ii) healthy women (n = 20). Serum DEHP and MEHP concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Serum MEHP distribution was found to be non-Gaussian (p = 0.001) while serum DEHP distribution was compatible with a normal curve (p = 0.141). Patients with uterine fibromatosis showed significantly lower serum MEHP concentrations (median [interquartile range]: 0 [0-0] microg/ml, range: 0-0.57 microg/ml) than controls (0.42 [0-0.51] microg/ml, range: 0-1.20 microg/ml, z = -2.93, p = 0.0034). Likewise, serum DEHP concentrations in women with fibromatosis were found to be significantly lower than in controls (patients: 0.27 +/- 0.096 microg/ml (mean +/- standard deviation (SD)), range: 0.14-0.59 microg/ml vs. controls: 0.30 +/- 0.14 microg/ml (mean +/- SD), range: 0-0.63 microg/ml; t = 3.212, df = 33, difference: -0.325 (95% confidence interval: -0.5309, -0.1191), p = 0.0029). In conclusion, the present findings indicate for the first time that serum DEHP and MEHP concentration are lower in women with uterine fibromatosis, suggesting a possible correlation between phthalate esters and fibromatosis pathology.     

Effects of dopexamine hydrochloride,a beta-adrenergic and dopaminergic agonist,on vascular resistances,and flow distribution between cutaneous and skeletal muscle vasculatures

Local i.a. infusions of the dopaminergic and β₂ adrenoceptor agonist dopexamine HCL (DPX) into collateral-free, innervated canine forelimbs perfused at constant flow produced dose-dependent decreases in perfusion pressure, evidence of a vasodilator response in the forelimb vasculature. DPX produced vasodilation in both the skin (cutaneous) and skeletal muscle vasculature of the canine forelimb, as evidenced by the dose-dependent decrease in total skin and total skeletal muscle vascular resistances. DPX produced comparable dilation of the skin and skeletal muscle vasculatures, as evidenced by the failure of this agent to produce a significant shift in blood flow between the brachial and cephalic venous outflows, that is, between the skin and skeletal muscle vasculatures. In the cutaneous (skin) vascular circuit, DPX failed to affect vascular resistances in the large artery and large vein segments, but produced a dose-dependent decrease in vascular resistance in the small vessel segment, presumably reflecting primarily arteriolar vasodilation. The vascular smooth muscle relaxation produced by DPX was inhibited by treatment with propranolol, suggesting that the vasodilation primarily results from direct stimulation of forelimb vascular β₂ adrenoceptors by DPX.     

Nystagmus reactions among patients with asymptomatic cerebrovascular diseases: results and analysis of investigation of 228 persons

The aim of this investigation was to view characteristics of vestibular nystagmus (spontaneous, latent, and positional) through Frenzel's spectacles in patients with asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease (ACVD), with the intent of providing an early diagnosis and appropriate prophylaxis. We examined a total of 228 men (mean age, 48.04 +/- 7.8 years), a mean group of 150 men with proven asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease, and 78 clinically healthy men. Vestibular nystagmus was investigated through Frenzel's spectacles. The following characteristics (qualitative and quantitative) were studied: degree and direction form, association, continuity, frequency, and amplitude. It was found that in patients with proven ACVD, latent nystagmus is prevalent. The symptom of positional nystagmus is much more frequent than that of spontaneous nystagmus and is often the first objective symptom of initial disturbances of the cerebral blood flow in the region of the vertebrobasilar system. The vestibular system is mainly labyrinthine in origin, becoming later of central origin.     

Anterior uveitis in seronegative spondylarthropathies

PURPOSE: To study the implication of seronegatives spondylarthropaties in anterior uveitis ethiology. We analyzed 51 patients with rheumatologic disease related uveitis hospitalized in our clinic in last 4 years. We discussed sex and age group repartition of patients, type of rheumatologic disease, recurrencies, complications and patients evolutions under treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Seronegatives spondylarthtropaties related uveitis represent 26% from 208 patients with uveitis household in our clinic in period mentioned above. They have a slow evolution with multiples recurrences and complications, requiring long period of treatment and follow-up. Visual prognosis is reserved because of multiples recurrences which accentuate morfofunctional deficit every time.