Search Results (72)

Mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, have become increasingly prevalent among elite athletes, exacerbated by factors such as competitive pressure and the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study analyzes trends in the use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and cannabinoids (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD)) among Italian athletes from 2011 to the first half of 2023 (FH2023), referring to anti-doping reports published by the Italian Ministry of Health. Data from 13,079 athletes were examined, with a focus on non-prohibited medications, banned substances, and regulatory impacts, including threshold adjustments for THC since 2013 and the legalization of CBD. The results show fluctuating use of antidepressants/anxiolytics, with peaks in 2021 and the FH2023, coinciding with post-pandemic awareness. Positive THC cases rose following regulatory changes, reflecting socio-cultural trends. Gender disparities emerged, with THC use predominantly among males (e.g., nine males vs. one female in 2013), though female athletes were underrepresented in testing. This study highlights the need for personalized, evidence-based strategies that balance therapeutic efficacy and anti-doping compliance. Clinicians should carefully consider prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines to address depression and anxiety and should monitor the risks of CBD contamination. Future research should adopt longitudinal, gender-sensitive approaches to refining guidelines and combating stigma in professional sports. Full article

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, significantly impacting global health, economies, and social stability. In February 2020, the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals were documented, highlighting the potential risks posed by regular human–animal interactions in facilitating viral transmission. In consequence, it is essential to validate surveillance methods for SARS-CoV-2 in animals. In the present study, 101 sera from different animal species (36 cats, 41 dogs, 4 ferrets, 10 wild boar, 6 domestic goats, and 4 lions) were tested using three different ELISA kits to evaluate humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2. ELISA results were compared and correlated with a pseudovirus neutralization test (pVNT), considered as the reference assay. ELISA-1, targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) of SARS-CoV-2, exhibited the highest diagnostic performance, and proved to be a reliable tool for initial screenings in high-throughput animal studies. In contrast, ELISA-2 (also targeting RBD nAbs) and ELISA-3 (targeting nucleoprotein antibodies) demonstrated lower sensitivity for detecting seropositive animals. Full article

Background: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic profoundly impacted education, causing uncertainty and constant changes for teachers, including new teaching modalities, increased workloads, and limited rest periods. Global studies have reported mental health issues such as anxiety and depression among educators during and after the pandemic, primarily in Asia, Europe, and North America. However, these existing studies often show increased anxiety and depression rather than considering school-based predictors that may contribute to increasing rates. Aims: Despite these global findings, there are few investigations of the impact of COVID-19 on teachers in Latin America and Spain. To address these notable global and regional research gaps, this study examined the prevalence and predictors of depression and anxiety symptoms among teachers in Latin America and Spain. Method: An online survey collected data on demographics, work-related characteristics, COVID-19 experiences, and measures of mental health from teachers in 19 Latin American countries and Spain using a snowball sampling approach. The sample comprised 2004 teachers, with 81.8% female participants and a mean age of 44.46 years (SD = 9.8). Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple linear regressions were conducted with depression and anxiety as outcome variables. Results: Consistent predictors of increased anxiety and depression symptomology included being female or transgender, being younger, having lower socioeconomic status, having pre-existing mental health conditions or chronic illness, having increased workload during the pandemic, being dissatisfied with teaching resources, and having negative changes in relationships with students, parents, or colleagues. The predictors collectively explained 16.4% of the variance in depression and 17.5% of the variance in anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: The significant mental health needs of teachers in Latin America and Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the pressing necessity of prioritizing the mental health needs of educators to improve their psychological health and children’s educational environments. These results also suggest the practical need to provide teachers with additional school-based supports and resources for future transitions to online learning or disruptions to traditional instruction. Full article

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) underwent significant mutations, resulting in the Omicron variant. Methods: In this study, we analyzed blood samples from 98 patients with acute coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) hospitalized during the initial SARS-CoV-2 wave and the onset of Omicron in 2021. High-resolution melting (HRM) analysis of PCR products was used to analyze RNA extracted from clinical samples collected in July and November 2021 from patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Results: HRM analysis revealed a characteristic deletion in the N protein RNA of the virus isolated in November 2021, associated with the Omicron variant. Elevated levels of inflammatory markers and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed in both waves of COVID-19. Complement levels and IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected more often during the second wave. An increase in hemagglutinin-inhibiting (HI) antibodies against influenza viruses was observed in paired blood specimens from moderate to severe COVID-19 patients during both outbreaks. Conclusions: Patients admitted during both waves of COVID-19 showed a significant rise in inflammatory markers, suggesting that Omicron triggers inflammatory responses. The rapid formation of IgM and IgG in Omicron may indicate a faster immune response. Seasonal flu may negatively impact the clinical course of coronavirus infections. Full article

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted the circulation patterns of respiratory viruses worldwide. To better understand viral circulation patterns during the transition from pandemic to endemic phase, we conducted comprehensive respiratory virus surveillance in Mie Prefecture, Japan, during 2021–2023, coinciding with the Delta-to-Omicron transition of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We collected respiratory specimens from acute respiratory infection patients in medical institutions, detecting 19 respiratory viruses using real-time PCR in 1573 valid samples out of 1605 specimens. Demographic and clinical data were available for some specimens. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strains showed a peak positivity of 15–25% during the epidemic, while respiratory syncytial virus and human rhinovirus/enterovirus exhibited one to two annual epidemic peaks up to 57%, and human adenovirus maintained a positivity rate of 5–20% throughout the year. Age-dependent analysis revealed the significant detection of multiple viruses, particularly in children under 2 years, with up to six viruses detected simultaneously in those under 5 years. Our findings demonstrate varied respiratory virus prevalence patterns, with some viruses remaining active during the Omicron epidemic, suggesting its limited impact on other viruses. This comprehensive approach should enhance the understanding of respiratory virus epidemic dynamics and inform public health strategies. Full article

Background: Nationwide studies described a reduction in preterm birth (PTB) during the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, but this was not confirmed in others. Very few data are available on the trend of PTBs over a longer period, including the post-pandemic period, and on potential risk factors, especially those associated with social disparities. Objective: To investigate the trend in PTB rates and the influence of maternal risk factors in Italy from January 2018 to December 2022, based on 12 Regional Birth Registries covering 86.1% of Italian births. Methods: PTB trend was investigated by an interrupted time series analysis. We assessed the associations of potential risk factors with PTB (Poisson regressions) and calculated their population impact fractions (PIFs). Results: We studied 1,762,422 births; 7.25% were PTB. Before the pandemic, we observed a monthly decrease in PTB rate [−0.2% (95% CI: −0.3; −0.1)]; from July 2020 onwards, the average monthly level of PTBs was 5% lower than before (95% CI: −7.3; −2.7), with a flat trend until December 2022 [−0.02% (95% CI: −0.5; 0.5)]. Socio-economic maternal risk factors (low education, unemployment) and foreign nationality, whose risk ratios were 1.14 (95% CI: 1.04; 1.24), 1.08 (1.05; 1.12), and 1.17 (1.14; 1.21), respectively, showed a decreasing trend after pandemic; their impact on the decrease in PTBs was modest (PIFs between −2.4‰ and −4.2‰). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic changed the pattern of PTB rates in Italy, lowering their average frequency and interrupting a previous decreasing trend. Changes in the trend of socio-economic maternal risk factors marginally explained this pattern. Full article

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), has resulted in dramatic changes in human lifestyles and the geographic distribution of populations. However, despite the unequal impact of COVID-19 across urban spaces, research on the association between socioeconomic disparities in the usage of various types of urban amenities during the pandemic is limited. Thus, this study utilized mobile phone data and land use/land cover (LULC) data to investigate COVID-19-induced changes in the hot spots of the daytime and nighttime populations of two districts in Seoul, South Korea: Gangnam (a high-income community) and Gangbuk (a low-income community). First, the differences between Gangnam and Gangbuk in the LULC and mobile phone data, before and during the pandemic, were statistically analyzed by age. Second, the areas with significantly increased mobile phone-based populations during COVID-19 were identified using a hot spot analysis method and Welch’s t-test. This study identified that there were significant disparities in the use of green spaces during the pandemic, with a higher percentage of the mobile phone-based population in Gangnam than Gangbuk. Youths and adults in Gangnam were more likely to visit schools and enjoy physical activities in forests and open spaces during the pandemic, whereas there was no such increase in Gangbuk. The findings contribute to the understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on human behaviors and socioeconomic disparities in the quality of urban life. Full article

The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on the global healthcare system. As the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for this pandemic, continues to spread and develop mutations in its genetic material, new variants of interest (VOIs) and variants of concern (VOCs) are emerging. These outbreaks lead to a decrease in the efficacy of existing treatments such as vaccines or drugs, highlighting the urgency of new therapies for COVID-19. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify potential SARS-CoV-2 antivirals using a virtual screening protocol and molecular dynamics simulations. These techniques allowed us to predict the binding affinity of a database of compounds with the virus M^pro protein. This in silico approach enabled us to identify twenty-two chemical structures from a public database (QSAR Toolbox Ver 4.5 ) and ten promising molecules from our in-house database. The latter molecules possess advantageous qualities, such as two-step synthesis, cost-effectiveness, and long-lasting physical and chemical stability. Consequently, these molecules can be considered as promising alternatives to combat emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Full article

Background: In the wake of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, affecting healthcare systems globally, urgent research is needed to understand its potential repercussions on the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disorders. This emphasises the importance of detecting coronary artery anomalies (CAAs), rare conditions that can range from benign to potentially life-threatening manifestations. We aimed to retrospectively assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the detection of various coronary anomalies using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) within a regional tertiary cardiology unit in north-eastern Romania, focusing on perceived occurrence in the population under study, types, and related demographic and clinical factors. Methods: We analysed CCTA scans and investigated the trends in CAA detection among cardiology patients over a decade. We compared pre-COVID-19 and pandemic-era data to assess the impact of healthcare utilisation, patient behaviour, and diagnostic approaches on anomaly detection. Results: Our analysis revealed a higher detection rate of CAAs during the pandemic (3.9% versus 2.2%), possibly highlighting differences in patient clinical profile and addressability changes presentation compared to the previous period. Origination and course anomalies, often linked to severe symptoms, were significantly higher pre-COVID-19 (64.1% versus 51.3%). Conversely, intrinsic CAAs, typically asymptomatic or manifesting later in life, notably increased during the pandemic (49.0% versus 61.4%; p = 0.020). Conclusions: Our study underscores a significant rise in CAA detection during the COVID-19 era, potentially linked to changes in cardiovascular and respiratory clinical patterns, with advanced imaging modalities like CCTA offering accuracy in identification. Full article

Background: The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a pandemic infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), had a deep global influence on morbidity and mortality profiles. Comorbidities, especially cardiovascular diseases, were identified to strongly modify the clinical course of COVID-19. However, the prognostic role of incident or prevalent atrial fibrillation has not been fully explained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between atrial fibrillation and outcomes following hospitalization in patients with severe COVID-19. Methods: We analyzed 199 patients (72 female, median age 70 years) with severe COVID-19 hospitalized between November 2020 and February 2021, due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study cohort included 68 patients with a history of AF (34 patients with paroxysmal AF, 19 with permanent AF, 15 patients with persistent AF), and 51 patients presented with AF during hospitalization. Results: Overall mortality during 90 days from the admission to hospital was 41% (n = 82). Non-survivors were older, had significantly elevated inflammation markers (CRP, WBC, procalcitonin, IL-6), NT-proBNP and D-dimer on the first day of hospitalization, lower left ventricular ejection fraction and worse kidney function, as compared to those who stayed alive during the follow-up. Among the hospitalized patients with COVID-19, a history of AF and the presence of AF during hospitalization contributed to higher mortality. Patients with permanent and persistent AF were at the highest risk of death. Different presentations of AF (any history of AF, the subtypes of AF—paroxysmal, permanent, persistent—and the presence of AF during hospitalization) were included in multivariate analysis, aiming to identify independent risk factors of death in the study period. We found that AF was related to worse prognosis, and persistent or permanent forms represented an independent predictor of mortality. Conclusions: Different clinical presentations of AF have varying impacts on survival in severe COVID-19. Mortality in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 was higher among patients with a history of AF, especially with persistent and permanent types of AF, and with AF present during hospitalization. Full article

As the need for effective antiviral treatment intensifies, such as with the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection, it is crucial to understand that while the mechanisms of action of these drugs or compounds seem apparent, they might also interact with unexplored targets, such as cell membrane ion channels in diverse cell types. In this review paper, we demonstrate that many different drugs or compounds, in addition to their known interference with viral infections, may also directly influence various types of ionic currents on the surface membrane of the host cell. These agents include artemisinin, cannabidiol, memantine, mitoxantrone, molnupiravir, remdesivir, SM-102, and sorafenib. If achievable at low concentrations, these regulatory effects on ion channels are highly likely to synergize with the identified initial mechanisms of viral replication interference. Additionally, the immediate regulatory impact of these agents on the ion-channel function may potentially result in unintended adverse effects, including changes in cardiac electrical activity and the prolongation of the QTc interval. Therefore, it is essential for patients receiving these related agents to exercise additional caution to prevent unnecessary complications. Full article

Vaccines prevent a significant number of deaths annually. However, certain populations do not respond adequately to vaccination due to impaired immune systems. Cirrhosis, a condition marked by a profound disruption of immunity, impairs the normal immunization process. Critical vaccines for cirrhotic patients, such as the hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), influenza, pneumococcal, and coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), often elicit suboptimal responses in these individuals. The humoral response, essential for immunization, is less effective in cirrhosis due to a decline in B memory cells and an increase in plasma blasts, which interfere with the creation of a long-lasting response to antigen vaccination. Additionally, some T cell subtypes exhibit reduced activation in cirrhosis. Nonetheless, the persistence of memory T cell activity, while not preventing infections, may help to attenuate the severity of diseases in these patients. Alongside that, the impairment of innate immunity, particularly in dendritic cells (DCs), prevents the normal priming of adaptive immunity, interrupting the immunization process at its onset. Furthermore, cirrhosis disrupts the gut–liver axis balance, causing dysbiosis, reduced production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), increased intestinal permeability, and bacterial translocation. Undermining the physiological activity of the immune system, these alterations could impact the vaccine response. Enhancing the understanding of the molecular and cellular factors contributing to impaired vaccination responses in cirrhotic patients is crucial for improving vaccine efficacy in this population and developing better prevention strategies. Full article

Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) has been a major pandemic impacting a huge population worldwide, and it continues to present serious health threats, necessitating the development of novel protective nutraceuticals. Biobran/MGN-3, an arabinoxylan rice bran, is a potent immunomodulator for both humans and animals that has recently been demonstrated to protect against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in vitro. We here investigate Biobran/MGN-3′s potential to enhance an antiviral immune response in humans. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from eight subjects taking Biobran/MGN-3 (age 55–65 years) and eight age-matched control subjects were stimulated with irradiated SARS-CoV-2 virus and then subjected to immuno-phenotyping and multiplex cytokine/chemokine assays. Results showed that PBMCs from subjects supplemented with Biobran/MGN-3 had significantly increased activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) coupled with increased IFN-α secretion. We also observed higher baseline expression of HLA-DR (human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype) on dendritic cells (DCs) and increased secretion of chemokines and cytokines, as well as a substantial increase in cytotoxic T cell generation for subjects taking Biobran/MGN-3. Our results suggest that Biobran/MGN-3 primes immunity and therefore may be used for boosting immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 infections and other diseases, particularly in high-risk populations such as the elderly. Full article

This is a multicentric investigation involving two Italian centers that examined the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients receiving biological therapy targeting type 2 inflammation and those not receiving biologicals. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the management of respiratory and allergic disorders and the potential impact of biological therapy in the most severe forms has been a point of uncertainty. Our multicentric investigation aimed to compare the clinical course of COVID-19 and the impact of vaccination in an Italian cohort of patients with atopic disorders caused by a type 2 inflammation, such as eosinophilic asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), atopic dermatitis (AD), and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). A questionnaire was given to patients coming to our outpatient clinic for the first evaluation or follow-up visit, asking for the clinical characteristics of the infection, the ongoing therapy during the infection, any relevant change, and the patient’s vaccination status. We enrolled 132 atopic patients from two Italian centers; 62 patients were on biological therapy at the time of infection (omalizumab 31%, mepolizumab 26%, benralizumab 19%, and dupilumab 24%). The median age was 56 (IQR 22.8) for patients on biologicals and 48 (IQR 26.5) for those not on biologicals (p = 0.028). The two groups were comparable in terms of sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, and systemic oral corticosteroid use (OCS). There were no significant differences in non-biological therapy and comorbidity between the two groups. The patients not on biological therapy had a prevalence of 87% for asthma, 52% for CRSwNP, 10% for CSU, and 6% for AD. The patients on biologicals had a prevalence of 93% for asthma, 17% for CRSwNP, and 10% for CSU. In our work, we observed that mAbs targeting type 2 inflammation in patients with COVID-19 appeared to be safe, with no worsening of symptoms, prolongation of infection, or increase in hospitalizations. Between the two groups, there were no significant differences in the duration of swab positivity (p = 0.45) and duration of symptoms (p = 0.38). During COVID-19, patients on biologicals experienced a significant increase in common cold-like symptoms (p = 0.038), dyspnea (p = 0.016), and more, but not significant, asthma exacerbations, with no significant differences between the different biologicals. Regarding the vaccination status, we observed that there was an increased number of hospitalizations among unvaccinated patients in both groups, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. No patients on biologicals reported safety issues or adverse effects associated with the use of biological treatments during COVID-19. Our investigation showed that mAbs against type 2 inflammation given during Coronavirus Disease 2019 are safe and do not impact the clinical course or main outcomes. Therefore, we found no signals suggesting that anti-Th2 biological therapy should be discontinued during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Controlled studies and analysis, including data from registries and real-life studies, are required to draw firm conclusions regarding the safety or possible advantages that anti-type 2 mAbs could offer in particular clinical contexts, such as infections. Full article

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected millions worldwide since its outbreak in the winter of 2019. While extensive research has primarily focused on the deleterious respiratory effects of SARS-CoV-2 in recent years, its pan-tropism has become evident. Among the vital organs susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection is the kidney. Post SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients have developed coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), with reported incidences of COVID-19 patients developing acute kidney injury (AKI). Given COVID-19’s multisystemic manifestation, our review focuses on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection within the renal system with an emphasis on the current hypotheses regarding the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Emerging studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect the kidney, whereas EVs are involved in the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 particles to other neighboring cells. Once the viral particles are within the kidney system, many proinflammatory signaling pathways are shown to be activated, resulting in AKI. Hence, clinical investigation of urinary proinflammatory components and total urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) with viral particles have been used to assess the severity of AKI in patients with COVID-19. Remarkedly, new emerging studies have shown the potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) and ACE2-containing EVs as a hopeful therapeutic tool to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 RNA replication and block viral entry, respectively. Overall, understanding EVs’ physiological role is crucial and hopefully will rejuvenate our therapeutic approach towards COVID-19 patients with AKI. Full article