An update on the status of COVID-19: a comprehensive review

Global Gene Expression and Docking Profiling of COVID-19 Infection

Coronavirus is an enclosed positive-sense RNA virus with club-like spikes protruding from its surface that causes acute respiratory infections in humans. Because it is considered a member of the complex pathogen group, it has been found to infect different host species and cause a variety of diseases. So far, it has been discovered that it may affect the immune, infection, and inflammatory systems, leading to the hypothesis that the immune and inflammatory systems (signaling pathways and components) fail to control infection, opening the door to look for potential targets primarily in these systems. The study’s main purpose is to identify highly overexpressed genes and their functional implications as a result of COVID-19 infection, as well as to investigate probable infections, inflammation, and immune systems to better understand the impact of coronavirus infection. We explored the genes and pathways mostly linked with infection, inflammation, and the immune systems using the datasets available for COVID-19 infection gene expression compendium. NFKBIA, FN1, FAP, KANK4, COMP, FAM101B, COL1A2, ANKRD1, TAGLN, SPARC, ADAM19, OLFM4, CXCL10/11, OASL, FOS, APOBEC3A, IFI44L, IFI27, IFIT1, RSAD2, NDUFS1, SRSF6, HECTD1, CBX3, and DDX17 are among the genes that may be impacted by infection, according to our findings. The functional changes are mainly associated with these pathways TNF, cytokine, NF—kB, TLR, TCR, BCR, Foxo, and TGF signaling pathways are among them and there are additional pathways such as hippo signaling, apoptosis, estrogen signaling, regulating pluropotency of stem cells, ErbB, Wnt, p53, cAMP, MAPK, PI3K—AKT, oxidative phosphorylation, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, prolactin signaling, adipocytokine, neurotrophine signaling, and longevity regulating pathways. Moreover, we have also explored the potential herbal drug (apigenin, quercetin, and resveratrol) targets for the top-rated genes based on the overall analysis where we observe that quercetin and resveratrol as most effective.

Every breath you take: Impacts of environmental dust exposure on intestinal barrier function-from the gut-lung axis to COVID-19

As countries continue to industrialize, major cities experience diminished air quality, whereas rural populations also experience poor air quality from sources such as agricultural operations. These exposures to environmental pollution from both rural and populated/industrialized sources have adverse effects on human health. Although respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are the most commonly reported following long-term exposure to particulate matter and hazardous chemicals, gastrointestinal complications have also been associated with the increased risk of lung disease from inhalation of polluted air. The interconnectedness of these organ systems has offered valuable insights into the roles of the immune system and the micro/mycobiota as mediators of communication between the lung and the gut during disease states. A topical example of this relationship is provided by reports of multiple gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), whereas the rapid transmission and increased risk of COVID-19 has been linked to poor air quality and high levels of particulate matter. In this review, we focus on the mechanistic effects of environmental pollution on disease progression with special emphasis on the gut-lung axis.

A Rare Case of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Survival in an Elderly Patient With Atheroembolic Renal Disease

Atheroembolic renal disease (AERD) is a life-threatening illness. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a high mortality rate in older patients with comorbidities. We report the case of severe-type COVID-19 in an 82-year-old female with AERD. She was treated with hydroxychloroquine-based therapy and overcame COVID-19. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with AERD and COVID-19 pneumonia who overcame the infection and remains alive and well nine months following infection.

COVID-19 and dermatology

Background/aim

Sars-CoV-2 virus infection (COVID-19) was observed in China in the last months of 2019. In the period following, this infection spread all over the world. In March 2020 the World Health Organization announced the existence of a pandemic. The aim of this manuscript is to investigate skin diseases associated with COVID-19 under three main headings: skin problems related to personal protective equipment and personal hygiene measures, skin findings observed in SARS-CoV-2 virus infections, and skin findings due to COVID-19 treatment agents.

Materials and methods

In PubMed, Google Scholar databases, skin lesions related to personal protective equipment and personal hygiene measures, skin findings observed in SARS-CoV-2 virus infections and skin findings due to COVID-19 treatment agents subjects are searched in detail.

Results

Pressure injury, contact dermatitis, itching, pressure urticaria, exacerbation of preexisting skin diseases, and new skin lesion occurrence/new skin disease occurrence may be due to personal protective equipment. Skin problems related to personal hygiene measures could include itching, dryness, and contact dermatitis. Skin findings may also be observed in SARS-CoV-2 virus infections. The incidence of skin lesions due to COVID-19 was reported to be between 0.2% and 29%. Many skin lesions including maculopapular, urticarial, vesicular, chilblain-like, thrombotic/ischemic, etc. are observed in COVID-19 patients. Some authors have stated that there is an absence of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection-specific skin findings. However, in asymptomatic or presymptomatic COVID-19 patients in particular, skin lesions can lead to the diagnosis of COVID-19. In addition, skin lesions may occur due to COVID-19 treatment agents.

Conclusion

Many skin lesions may appear as a result of COVID-19. Even in the absence of a COVID-19 diagnosis, skin findings should be evaluated carefully in this pandemic period.

COVID-19: Can the symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection affect the homeostasis of the gut-brain-microbiota axis?

COVID-19 is associated with acute and lethal pneumonia, causing the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which is not confined to the respiratory tract, as demonstrated by clinical evidence of the involvement of multiple organs, including the central nervous system (CNS). In this context, we hypothesized that both oligosymptomatic and symptomatic patients present an imbalance in the microbiota-gut (immune system) and nervous system axis, worsening the clinical picture. The brain constantly receives a direct and indirect influence from the intestine, more specifically from the immune system and intestinal microbiota. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the intestine and CNS, can contribute to both neurological disorders and gut immune system imbalance, events potentialized by an intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, aggravating the patient's condition and causing more prolonged harmful effects.

An Exit Strategy for Resuming Nonemergency Neurosurgery after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A United Kingdom Perspective

INTRODUCTION

Substantial healthcare resources have been diverted to manage the effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, and nonemergency neurosurgery has been effectively closed. As we begin to emerge from the crisis, we will need to manage the backlog of nonemergency neurosurgical patients whose treatment has been delayed and remain responsive to further possible surges of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

METHODS

In the present study, we aimed to identify the core themes and challenges that will limit resumption of a normal neurosurgical service after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to provide pragmatic advice and solutions that could be of utility to clinicians seeking to resume nonemergency neurosurgical care. We reviewed the relevant international policies, a wide range of journalistic and media sources, and expert opinion documents to address the stated aims.

RESULTS

We have presented and discussed a range of factors that could become potential barriers to resuming full elective neurosurgical provision and important steps that must be completed to achieve pre-SARS-CoV-2 surgical capacity. We also explored how these challenges can be overcome and outlined the key requirements for a successful neurosurgical exit strategy from the pandemic.

CONCLUSION

The performance of nonemergency neurosurgery can start once minimum criteria have been fulfilled: 1) a structured prioritization of surgical cases; 2) virus infection incidence decreased sufficiently to release previously diverted healthcare resources; 3) adequate safety criteria met for patients and staff, including sufficient personal protective equipment and robust testing availability; and 4) maintenance of systems for rapid communication at organizational and individual levels.

Symptoms in Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Epidemic. A Cross-Sectional Survey

In March–April 2020, the Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic suddenly hit Italian healthcare facilities and in some of them many staff members became infected. In this work 595 health care workers from a public company were tested for Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (82 positive) and asked to complete a questionnaire on early COVID-19 symptoms. Respiratory symptoms were present in 56.1% of cases. Anosmia and dysgeusia in COVID-19 cases were found to have an odds ratio (OR) = 100.7 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 26.5–382.6) and an OR = 51.8 (95%CI 16.6–161.9), respectively. About one in three of the cases (29.3%) never manifested symptoms. Anxiety was reported by 16.6% of COVID-19 cases and depression by 20.3%, with a significant increase in the estimated risk (OR = 4.3; 95%CI = 2.4–7.4 for anxiety, OR = 3.5; 95%CI = 2.0–6.0 for depression). In cases, sleep was a significant moderating factor in the relationship between occupational stress, or organizational justice, and anxiety. The early diagnosis of COVID-19 in health care workers, must consider, in addition to respiratory disorders and fever, anosmia, dysgeusia, exhaustion, myalgias and enteric disorders. The frequency of anxiety and depression disorders in the population examined was not higher than that commonly recorded in the same company during periodic checks in the years preceding the epidemic. In COVID-19 cases there was a significant risk of anxiety, especially in those who had low sleep quality. Mental health support and improvement interventions must mainly concern workers with positive tests and should also tend to improve sleep quality.

Preparedness of Our Emergency Department During the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak from the Nurses' Perspectives: A Qualitative Research Study

Introduction

This study explores the preparedness of our emergency department during the COVID-19 outbreak from the nurses’ perspectives, providing a reference and basis for our emergency department’s response to public health emergencies.

Methods

Using qualitative research methods, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 emergency nurses who met the inclusion criteria, and Colaizzi analysis was used for data analysis, summary, and induction.

Results

A cluster of 4 themes that involved preparedness of the emergency department during the COVID-19 outbreak was extracted: organizational preparedness, personal preparedness, patient and family preparedness, and deficiencies and challenges.

Discussion

Organizations, individuals, patients, and family members were actively prepared to respond to novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak in the emergency department. The emergency nurses said that the trusted organization guaranteed personal preparedness, and the active cooperation from patients and families was a motivator for personal preparedness. In addition, our study showed that there were deficiencies in both multidisciplinary collaboration efforts and efforts to rapidly diagnose and treat patients with fever in critical condition.

Class A G Protein-Coupled Receptor Antagonist Famotidine as a Therapeutic Alternative Against SARS-CoV2: An In Silico Analysis

The pandemic associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV2) and its disease named COVID-19 challenged the scientific community to discover effective therapeutic solutions in a short period. Repurposing existing drugs is one viable approach that emphasizes speed during these urgent times. Famotidine, a class A G protein-coupled receptor antagonist used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux was recently identified in an in silico screening. Additionally, a recent retrospective clinical report showed that the treatment with famotidine provided a good outcome in patients infected with SARS-CoV2. A clinical trial testing effectiveness of famotidine in combination with hydroxychloroquine is currently ongoing in the United States (US). In the 1990s, famotidine was described as an antiviral agent against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Interestingly, some HIV protease inhibitors are presently being used against SARS-CoV2. However, it is not clear if famotidine could be effective against SARS-CoV2. Thus, by using a computational analysis, we aimed to examine if the antiviral effect of famotidine could be related to the inhibition of proteases involved in the virus replication. Our results showed that famotidine could interact within the catalytic site of the three proteases associated with SARS-CoV2 replication. However, weak binding affinity of famotidine to these proteases suggests that a successful famotidine therapy could likely be achieved only in combination with other antiviral drugs. Finally, analysis of famotidine's pharmacokinetic parameters indicated that its effect against SARS-CoV2 infection could be reached only upon intravenous administration. This work will contribute to the pharmacological knowledge of famotidine as an antiviral agent against SARS-CoV2.