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Effects of Probiotics in Conditions or Infections Similar to COVID-19 on Health Outcomes: An Evidence Analysis Center Scoping Review.
Rozga, M, Cheng, FW, Handu, D
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2021;(9):1841-1854
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Abstract
Probiotics have been suggested as a potential intervention for improving outcomes, particularly ventilatory-associated pneumonia, in patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, with the rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is little direct evidence available in infected patients. The objective of this scoping review is to examine the availability and nature of literature describing the effect of probiotics in adults with conditions or infections similar to COVID-19 infection on related health outcomes. MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Databases were searched for studies published from 1999 to May 1, 2020, examining the effect of probiotics in conditions applicable to individuals infected with COVID-19, including, but not limited to, other forms of coronavirus, critical illness, and mechanical ventilation. The databases search identified 1925 unique articles, 77 full-text articles were reviewed, and 48 studies were included in this scoping review, including 31 primary studies and 17 systematic reviews. Primary studies examined a range of interventions that varied by probiotic diversity and types, including 8 studies that focused on synbiotics, which include both pre- and probiotics. Several systematic reviews examined the effect of probiotics on ventilator-associated pneumonia and other infections. Although most systematic reviews concluded probiotics may improve these outcomes, most systematic review authors concluded that the evidence was low in quality and high in heterogeneity. In the absence of direct evidence with patients infected with COVID-19, studies in comparable populations are currently the best resource to guide probiotics interventions in conjunction with clinical expertise and multidisciplinary health care planning.
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Traditional herbal medicines to overcome stress, anxiety and improve mental health in outbreaks of human coronaviruses.
Shahrajabian, MH, Sun, W, Soleymani, A, Cheng, Q
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2021;(3):1237-1247
Abstract
Mental health condition is including depression and anxiety, and they may impact wellbeing, personal relationships and productivity of both genders. Herbal medicines have been used to treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms for centuries. SARS, MERS and COVID-19 are related to coronavirus types. SARS (sever acute respiratory syndrome, China, 2002), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome, Saudi Arabia, 2012), and SARS-CoV-2 (2019-2020) are the main coronavirus outbreaks. Both anxiety and depression are more serious to be considered and improved for all general public during fight with these diseases. In this mini-review article, we have mentioned the key role some of the most important plants and herbs for treatment of stress and anxiety and improve mental health against SARS and SARS-CoV-2 on the basis of traditional Asian medicine, especially traditional Chinese and Persian medicine.
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Telemedicine for diabetes care in India during COVID19 pandemic and national lockdown period: Guidelines for physicians.
Ghosh, A, Gupta, R, Misra, A
Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. 2020;(4):273-276
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In view of restrictions on mobility of patients because of COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face consultations are difficult. We sought to study the feasibility of telemedicine in this scenario. METHODS PubMed and Google Scholar search engines were searched using the key terms 'telemedicine', 'diabetes', 'COVID-19 up to 31st March 2020. In addition, existing guidelines including those by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India, were accessed. RESULTS We discuss evidence and general guidelines regarding role of telemedicine in patients with diabetes along with its utility and limitations. CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine is a useful tool for managing patients of diabetes during this lockdown period. However, there is limited data and further research is required.
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ACE2 receptor polymorphism: Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, hypertension, multi-organ failure, and COVID-19 disease outcome.
Devaux, CA, Rolain, JM, Raoult, D
Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi. 2020;(3):425-435
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emerged in Chinese people in December 2019 and has currently spread worldwide causing the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 150,000 deaths. In order for a SARS-CoV like virus circulating in wild life for a very long time to infect the index case-patient, a number of conditions must be met, foremost among which is the encounter with humans and the presence in homo sapiens of a cellular receptor allowing the virus to bind. Recently it was shown that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, binds to the human angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This molecule is a peptidase expressed at the surface of lung epithelial cells and other tissues, that regulates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Humans are not equal with respect to the expression levels of the cellular ACE2. Moreover, ACE2 polymorphisms were recently described in human populations. Here we review the most recent evidence that ACE2 expression and/or polymorphism could influence both the susceptibility of people to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the outcome of the COVID-19 disease. Further exploration of the relationship between the virus, the peptidase function of ACE2 and the levels of angiotensin II in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients should help to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease and the multi-organ failures observed in severe COVID-19 cases, particularly heart failure.
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The perils of COVID-19 in Nepal: Implications for population health and nutritional status.
Singh, DR, Sunuwar, DR, Adhikari, B, Szabo, S, Padmadas, SS
Journal of global health. 2020;(1):010378
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[Gastrointestinal symptoms revealing COVID-19 in Malian breast cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy].
Sidibe, FM, Bathily, M, Diarra, B, Kone, AS, Diabate, K, Konate, M, Cisse, HL, Guindo, I, Kone, AA, Kone, J, et al
Bulletin du cancer. 2020;(10):1019-1023
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Abstract
In this review, we report a case of a bone's metastatic breast cancer in Malian patient treated by chemotherapy in whom SRAS-COV-2's diagnosis was made 9days after the onset gastrointestinal symptoms. Patient quickly died before any COVID-19's treatment. According to the poor outcomes of cancer patients with COVID-19, authors emphasize to an intensive attention to such patients in order to find the best therapeutic balance between the two pathologies during this pandemic.
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Understanding the COVID-19 pandemic from a gender perspective.
Chang, WH
Taiwanese journal of obstetrics & gynecology. 2020;(6):801-807
Abstract
Under the threat of the new coronavirus pandemic, women have been uniquely impacted financially, economically, and socially. However, in terms of disease incidence and lethality, women perform better than men. The main reason is that, in addition to women's own hormonal protection, women's immune systems are superior to those of men. Women also exhibit more protective behavior (e.g., hand-washing) and more closely follow protection guidelines, which greatly reduces the chance of infection. In the future, more studies that adopt a gender perspective are needed to understand the various dilemmas faced by women in infectious diseases and pandemics; only then can women demonstrate better outcomes.
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Manifestaciones extrapulmonares de la infección por SARS-CoV-2.
Carrillo-Esper, R, Melgar-Bieberach, RE, Tapia-Salazar, M, Jacinto-Flores, SA, Campa-Mendoza, ÁN, Pérez-Calatayud, ÁA, Porres-Aguilar, M, Carrillo-Córdova, JR, Bracho-Olvera, HR, Carrillo-Córdova, DM
Cirugia y cirujanos. 2020;(5):654-663
Abstract
The disease caused by a new coronavirus, which started in 2019, was named COVID-19 and declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020 by the World Health Organization. Although it is true that the first reports emphasized the respiratory manifestations of this disease as an initial clinical presentation, little by little cases with different initial manifestations began to appear, involving other systems. In cases where central nervous system involvement was identified, the most frequent findings were dizziness, headache, and alteration of alertness. Regarding the cardiovascular system, elevation of cardiac biomarkers and myocarditis are one of the most frequent findings. The main gastrointestinal symptoms described so far are: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and/or discomfort. Venous thromboembolism is a frequent complication and a public health problem. Skin manifestations remain a field of investigation. Maculopapular rashes, reticular livedo, acral gangrene, among others, have been identified. Health personnel must be updated on new clinical findings and the forms of presentation of this partially known disease, which will make it possible to make more accurate and timely diagnoses, thus impacting the prognosis of these patients.
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#StayHomeStayFit: UNIMI's approach to online healthy lifestyle promotion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lucini, D, Gandolfi, CE, Antonucci, C, Cavagna, A, Valzano, E, Botta, E, Chiari, M, Mameli, L, Nahum, M, Brambilla, MM, et al
Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis. 2020;(3):e2020037
Abstract
The COVID-19 lockdown imposed radical changes in the lifestyles of the population through isolation measures, with considerable health, social, psychological and economic consequences. Lockdown measures may have exacerbated negative population behaviors regarding exercise and nutrition, with risk of weight gain and obesity, collectively predisposing to increased cardiometabolic risk and mortality. At particular risk of deleterious consequences were patients such as those affected by chronic non communicable diseases (CNCD). The benefits of regular exercise are evident at several levels of CNCD prevention, however, from a public health standpoint, it is important to consider they are also related to improved stress management, work/academic performance, and reduced illegal behavior, isolation and depression. Therefore, during enforced isolation, a primary goal for all individuals is to maintain energy balance. During lockdown, several lifestyle interventions were posted online, with the internet playing a major role in exercise and fitness promotion. Among these one must recognize the ambitious "#StayHomeStayFit" project by the University of Milan, providing useful general information and trustworthy advice regarding nutrition, physical activity, and psychological support, for the general population in a time of need. Data showed a total of 21224 views on various social media and webpages during the reference period, with a mean time of 4' 17'' spent per page/video. Given the health risks associated with population physical inactivity and unhealthy lifestyle, policymakers should evaluate the benefits of projects such as #StayHomeStayFit and consider how to maximize population perception and reach. After all, additional COVID-19 lockdowns might be implemented in the future.
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Strengthening national nutrition research: rationale and options for a new coordinated federal research effort and authority.
Fleischhacker, SE, Woteki, CE, Coates, PM, Hubbard, VS, Flaherty, GE, Glickman, DR, Harkin, TR, Kessler, D, Li, WW, Loscalzo, J, et al
The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2020;(3):721-769
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The US faces remarkable food and nutrition challenges. A new federal effort to strengthen and coordinate nutrition research could rapidly generate the evidence base needed to address these multiple national challenges. However, the relevant characteristics of such an effort have been uncertain. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to provide an objective, informative summary of 1) the mounting diet-related health burdens facing our nation and corresponding economic, health equity, national security, and sustainability implications; 2) the current federal nutrition research landscape and existing mechanisms for its coordination; 3) the opportunities for and potential impact of new fundamental, clinical, public health, food and agricultural, and translational scientific discoveries; and 4) the various options for further strengthening and coordinating federal nutrition research, including corresponding advantages, disadvantages, and potential executive and legislative considerations. METHODS We reviewed government and other published documents on federal nutrition research; held various discussions with expert groups, advocacy organizations, and scientific societies; and held in-person or phone meetings with >50 federal staff in executive and legislative roles, as well as with a variety of other stakeholders in academic, industry, and nongovernment organizations. RESULTS Stark national nutrition challenges were identified. More Americans are sick than are healthy, largely from rising diet-related illnesses. These conditions create tremendous strains on productivity, health care costs, health disparities, government budgets, US economic competitiveness, and military readiness. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has further laid bare these strains, including food insecurity, major diet-related comorbidities for poor outcomes from COVID-19 such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, and insufficient surveillance on and coordination of our food system. More than 10 federal departments and agencies currently invest in critical nutrition research, yet with relatively flat investments over several decades. Coordination also remains suboptimal, documented by multiple governmental reports over 50 years. Greater harmonization and expansion of federal investment in nutrition science, not a silo-ing or rearrangement of existing investments, has tremendous potential to generate new discoveries to improve and sustain the health of all Americans. Two identified key strategies to achieve this were as follows: 1) a new authority for robust cross-governmental coordination of nutrition research and other nutrition-related policy and 2) strengthened authority, investment, and coordination for nutrition research within the NIH. These strategies were found to be complementary, together catalyzing important new science, partnerships, coordination, and returns on investment. Additional complementary actions to accelerate federal nutrition research were identified at the USDA. CONCLUSIONS The need and opportunities for strengthened federal nutrition research are clear, with specific identified options to help create the new leadership, strategic planning, coordination, and investment the nation requires to address the multiple nutrition-related challenges and grasp the opportunities before us.
