Dietary n-3 long chain PUFA supplementation promotes a pro-resolving oxylipin profile in the brain

The brain is highly enriched in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) that display immunomodulatory properties in the brain. At the periphery, the modulation of inflammation by LC-PUFAs occurs through lipid mediators called oxylipins which have anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving activities when derived from n-3 LC-PUFAs and pro-inflammatory activities when derived from n-6 LC-PUFAs. However, whether a diet rich in LC-PUFAs modulates oxylipins and neuroinflammation in the brain has been poorly investigated. In this study, the effect of a dietary n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation on oxylipin profile and neuroinflammation in the brain was analyzed. Mice were given diets deficient or supplemented in n-3 LC-PUFAs for a 2-month period starting at post-natal day 21, followed by a peripheral administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at adulthood. We first showed that dietary n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation induced n-3 LC-PUFA enrichment in the hippocampus and subsequently an increase in n-3 PUFA-derived oxylipins and a decrease in n-6 PUFA-derived oxylipins. In response to LPS, n-3 LC-PUFA deficient mice presented a pro-inflammatory oxylipin profile whereas n-3 LC-PUFA supplemented mice displayed an anti-inflammatory oxylipin profile in the hippocampus. Accordingly, the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipoxygenase, the enzymes implicated in pro- and anti-inflammatory oxylipin synthesis, was induced by LPS in both diets. In addition, LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine increase was reduced by dietary n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation. These results indicate that brain n-3 LC-PUFAs increase by dietary means and promote the synthesis of anti-inflammatory derived bioactive oxylipins. As neuroinflammation plays a key role in all brain injuries and many neurodegenerative disorders, the present data suggest that dietary habits may be an important regulator of brain cytokine production in these contexts.     

Attenuated Novel SARS Coronavirus 2 Infection in an Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patient on Ruxolitinib

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) has a high death rate in patients with comorbidities or in an immunocompromised state. We report a mild and attenuated SARS CoV-2 infection in a patient who is 17 months post stem cell transplantation and maintained on the JAK/STAT inhibitor ruxolitinib, a proposed novel therapy for SARS CoV-2 pneumonia.     

Novel β-Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): Current and future aspects of pharmacological treatments

The novel coronavirus outbreak has reported to be rapidly spreading across the countries and becomes a foremost community health alarm. At present, no vaccine or specific drug is on hand for the treatment of this infectious disease. This review investigates the drugs, which are being evaluated and found to be effective against nCOVID-19 infection. A thorough literature search was performedon the recently published research papers in between January 2020 to May 2020, through various databases like “Science Direct”, “Google Scholar”, “PubMed”,“Medline”, “Web of Science”, and “World Health Organization (WHO)”. We reviewed and documented the information related with the current and future aspects for the management and cure of COVID-19. As of 21st July 2020 a total of 14,562,550 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 607,781 deaths have been reported world-wide. The main clinical feature of COVID-19 ranges from asymptomatic disease to mild lower respiratory tract illness to severe pneumonia, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple organ dysfunction, and death. The drugs at present used in COVID-19 patients and ongoing clinical trials focusing on drug repurposing of various therapeutic classes of drug e.g. antiviral, anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory drugs along with adjuvant/supportive care. Many drugs on clinical trials shows effective results on preliminary scale and now used currently in patients. Adjuvant/supportive care therapy are used in patients to get the best results in order to minimize the short and long-term complications. However, further studies and clinical trials are needed on large scale of population to reach any firm conclusion in terms of its efficacy and safety.     

The Geriatrician: The Frontline Specialist in the Treatment of COVID-19 Patients

On February 20, 2020, a man living in the north of Italy was admitted to the emergency room with an atypical pneumonia that later proved to be COVID-19. This was the trigger of one of the most serious clusters of COVID-19 in the world, outside of China. Despite aggressive restraint and inhibition efforts, COVID-19 continues to increase, and the total number of infected patients in Italy is growing daily. After 6 weeks, the total number of patients reached 128,948 cases (April 5, 2020), with the higher case-fatality rate (15,887 deaths) dominated by old and very old patients.This sudden health emergency severely challenged the Italian Health System, in particular acute care hospitals and intensive care units. In 1 hospital, geriatric observation units were created, the experience of which can be extremely useful for European countries, the United States, and all countries that in the coming days will face a similar situation.     

Medical masks’ and respirators’ pattern of use,adverse effects and errors among Portuguese health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundDuring COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage of surgical masks (Mask) and respirators (Resp) was experienced worldwide. We aimed to assess its pattern of use, adverse effects and user errors by Portuguese health care professionals (HCP).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted through snowball convenience sample, collected by email/ social media to health care organizations. Participants answered an online anonymous survey in March 2021.ResultsMean age of 3052 respondents was 42.1 years old, 83.6% were female and 77.8% provided direct health care to COVID-19 patients. Mean time of use per shift was 6-8 hours in 40.8% of the participants. 28.0% reported never changing it during their shift. Resp use (vs Mask) was more associated with discomfort (58.2% vs 26.8%), affecting task performance (41.5 vs 18.9%) and communication (55.0 vs 40.9%), dyspnea (36.0 vs 14.4%), skin rash (37.5 vs 19.4%) and headache (37.5 vs 19.4%). Frequent user errors included touching the front while in use (70.1% Mask vs 66.3% Resp) and omitting hand hygiene before (61.8% Mask vs 55.0% Resp) or after use (61.3% Mask vs 57.0% Resp). Average number of errors was higher for Mask (4.3), than for Resp (3.2) (all: P < .001).ConclusionsMost HCP admitted an extended use of Mask/ Resp. Resp were more prone to adverse effects and Mask more prone to errors. Strategies to reinforce good practices should be considered.     

老年难治性胃食管反流病患者食管动力学特征和反流特点分析

目的 分析老年难治性胃食管反流病（rGERD）患者食管动力学特征和反流特点。方法 以我院2017 年2 月～2019 年12 月收治的100 例rGERD 患者为观察对象。按照年龄分为老年组（年龄≥60 岁）42 例和非老年组（年龄＜60 岁）58 例。比较两组基线资料、临床表现特征、食管动力学特征、反流特点。结果 老年组与非老年组在性别、BMI 指数、吸烟及饮酒方面比较，差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。老年组胸痛、上腹部不适及慢性咳嗽发生率均高于非老年组，差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。老年组LESP 及LEPP 水平均低于非老年组，差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。老年组酸反流、弱酸反流、非酸反流、气体反流、气液混合反流次数均高于非老年组，差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 老年rGERD 患者存在明显的食管动力学异常，且该类患者的反流主要是弱酸反流、非酸反流、气体反流、气液混合反流。     

膀胱癌的~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像诊断价值研究

目的研究~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像对膀胱癌的诊断价值。方法选取我院核医学科2013年3月-2015年2月收治的34例可疑膀胱癌患者,术前分别采用增强CT和~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像进行诊断,通过参考手术病理结果回顾性分析~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像诊断的效果。结果该34例经手术病理观察均确诊为移行细胞癌,增强CT、~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像诊断准确度分别为91.18%、94.12%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术中共有11例膀胱肿瘤出现盆腔淋巴结或邻近组织转移、浸润,~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像诊断准确度为72.73%,明显高于增强CT(27.27%),具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 ~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像和增强CT均是临床诊断膀胱癌的有效方法,但~(18)F-FDG PETCT显像在观察膀胱肿瘤病灶的转移和对邻近组织的浸润效果较好,对指导临床诊断和了解肿瘤病变具有重要参考价值。