Inflammatory biomarkers and cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients

Nrf2 mediated signaling axis in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy: potential Pharmacological receptor

BACKGROUND

Sepsis has emerged as the most pressing health concerns globally in emergency and intensive care unit. Sepsis-Induced Cardiomyopathy (SIC) represents an acute cardiac insufficiency syndrome secondary to sepsis, characterized by a high incidence and a significant increase in mortality among sepsis patients. To date, no specific treatment exists for this condition. In recent years, mounting evidence has indicated that Nrf2 plays a critical protective role in SIC and may represent a potential therapeutic target.

METHODS

Pubmed database literature was searched for studies pertaining to the role of Nrf2 in sepsis, from the inception of the database to October 1, 2024. Biorender software was performed to draw the corresponding mechanism diagram.

RESULTS

Using the keywords "Nrf2 and Sepsis", we initially identified 454 articles. To refine our search, we employed "Nrf2 and Sepsis and Cardiac" as keywords, yielding 63 articles. Upon reviewing the full texts, we selected 26 studies for inclusion in our review. Nrf2 is implicated in various protective aspects against cardiomyocyte injury stemming from sepsis, including its inhibitory effects on inflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. 23 natural compounds under investigation for this application were identified.

CONCLUSION

The Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway plays a critical role in sepsis-induced myocardial injury. Given the complex, systemic, and multifactorial nature of sepsis, these natural compounds should be regarded as adjunctive therapeutic options for scholarly investigation rather than standalone therapeutic interventions. Substantial future research will still be required to validate their clinical efficacy and mechanistic roles.

Association of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation With All-Cause Mortality in COVID-19 Patients

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented global health challenges, with its impact extending beyond respiratory manifestations to encompass cardiovascular complications, including arrhythmias. Dysrhythmias in COVID-19 are multifactorial, ranging from direct myocardial insult due to the cytokine storm to metabolic derangements. Objective In this study, we aim to examine the incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation and to study its association with all-cause mortality of COVID-19. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Cabell Huntington Hospital, West Virginia, utilizing electronic medical records of COVID-19 patients from 2020 to 2021. Inclusion criteria comprised patients aged >18 years with COVID-19 diagnosis and cardiac arrhythmias during hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between demographic and clinical variables and in-hospital mortality. Results Of the 264 eligible patients, those aged >66 years had lower odds of in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001), while gender, ejection fraction, and diabetes mellitus did not significantly predict mortality. Atrial fibrillation (p = 0.011) and heart failure (p = 0.030) were associated with increased odds of mortality, while hypertension showed no significant predictive power (p = 0.791). Conclusion This study highlights the significance of atrial fibrillation and heart failure as predictors of in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients. Our findings underscore the importance of recognizing and managing arrhythmias in COVID-19 and call for further research on the mechanisms and long-term effects of these cardiac complications in the context of the pandemic. These insights can guide clinical practice and interventions to optimize patient outcomes.

Exploring the potential impact of group identity on post-traumatic growth in the aftermath of Corona outbreak: function of social-emotional competence as a mediator

Background

This research endeavors to examine the potential effects of human and societal interactions on individuals' post-traumatic growth in the aftermath of the Corona outbreak. To achieve the aforementioned objective, the current research investigates the correlations between post-traumatic growth and group identity, while also examining the potential mediating function of social-emotional competence.

Methods

A cross-sectional design included a representative sample of 2,637 high school students located in the capital territory of Pakistan using convenience sampling method. To explore the associations, correlation and mediation analyzes utilizing the group identification scale, the social-emotional competence scale, and the post-traumatic growth scale was performed with SPSS PROCESS 4 macro and AMOS.

Results

The findings demonstrated that group identification emerged as a substantial predictor substantially associated with post-traumatic growth. Moreover, the relationship linking group identification and post-traumatic growth was found to be partially moderated by social-emotional competence.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of group identification can exert influence on post-traumatic growth through both direct and mediating pathways, with the latter being essentially mediated by social-emotional competence. The aforementioned outcomes possess significant academic and practical implications concerning the promotion of post-traumatic growth and the improvement of psychological well-being after the Corona outbreak.

Potential impacts of Russo-Ukraine conflict and its psychological consequences among Ukrainian adults: the post-COVID-19 era

Background

Since February 2022, the nation of Ukraine has become entangled in an escalating conflict that erupted after coronavirus outbreak fostering a situation of indeterminacy and precariousness, which adversely affected several facets, especially psychological well-being. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence on the psychological well-being of Ukrainians during the Russo-Ukraine war, as well as their coping strategies in response to the war's repercussions. Consequently, this investigation endeavors to explore the prevalence of symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia and to correlate these symptoms with Ukrainians' effective coping mechanisms during the ongoing war.

Methods

An online survey was administered in Ukraine from June to August 2022 due to the ongoing Russo-Ukraine conflict. The survey employed a quota sampling technique, targeting 2,664 individuals (≥18 years). Out of the total sample, 1,833 valid responses were obtained, yielding a response rate of 68. 81%. Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 (DASS-21), while the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was utilized to evaluate insomnia symptoms. In addition, Brief-COPE was adopted to evaluate the coping mechanisms of the selected study participants.

Results

Of 1,833 Ukrainian adults, 60.5% had symptoms of stress; 62.4% of them reported symptoms of anxiety; and 58.2% reported symptoms of depression. Symptom criteria for insomnia were found in about 21.8% of the study sample. The factors of sex, living area, area occupied by Russian forces, and having older adults and children in the house were statistically significant with symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. The productive coping strategies of self-distraction, using instrumental support, planning, and behavioral disengagement, were observed as statistically significant with four psychological constructs.

Conclusion

The study outcomes highlight a substantial prevalence of symptoms related to depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia attributed to the accumulated consequences of ongoing conflict and the COVID-19 outbreak. The aforementioned findings emphasize the imperative of providing healthcare services and facilitating effective coping strategies among Ukrainians amid the ongoing war.

Potential determinants of vaccine hesitancy among celiac disease patients: a single cohort analysis

Introduction

Though researchers and scholars have greatly emphasized addressing the influencing factors of vaccination hesitancy, little attention has been paid to patients with celiac disease. Addressing the variables hampering attitudes might help direct appropriate patient advocacy and doctor-patient communication endeavors to encourage vaccination among celiac disease patients. The present investigation seeks to explore the coverage against vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccination attitudes, and related possible factors among celiac disease patients in the Pakistani setting.

Methods

A self-reported online survey was conducted in Islamabad, Pakistan, for celiac disease patients aged 18 and above. The questionnaire was completed by 226 participants, with a response rate of 43.8%. The influencing variables for vaccination hesitancy were examined, and 95% confidence intervals for the crude and adjusted odds ratios were computed.

Results

Among the study population, the majority were females, with a ratio of 75.66%. A prominent proportion of 69.03% was observed for influenza vaccination, while 39.82% were unable to recall all of the vaccinations they had previously received. Only 7% of the patients were considered to have a negative attitude toward vaccination, compared to an estimated 76% who were in favor of it. The significantly positive influencing factors observed toward vaccination were being well-educated (graduate, master, or above), possible recurrence of vaccine-preventable diseases with declining vaccination coverage (adjusted OR: 13.36), and increased confidence in vaccines from health care experts compared to electronic media (adjusted OR: 8.41). Contrarily, practicing complementary and alternative medicines (adjusted OR: 5.59), willingness to get vaccinated again in the future (adjusted OR: 15.59), and prior negative perspectives (adjusted OR: 1.01) were the determinants with a significant negative association.

Discussion

In conclusion, the outcomes of the current work raise the possibility that health practitioners may be accountable for inappropriately prescribing vaccines to this demographic since 77% of the participants had a favorable attitude toward vaccination. These findings could serve as a springboard for creating targeted immunization efforts to raise vaccination coverage against vaccine-preventive diseases among celiac disease patients.