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Use of online food retail platforms throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and associated diet-related chronic disease risk factors: A systematic review of emerging evidence.
Jia, SS, Raeside, R, Sainsbury, E, Wardak, S, Phongsavan, P, Redfern, J, Allman-Farinelli, M, Fernandez, MA, Partridge, SR, Gibson, AA
Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. 2024
Abstract
Food accessibility was considerably impacted by restrictions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, leading to growth in the online food retail sector, which offered contact-free delivery. This systematic review aimed to assess the change in use of online food retail platforms during COVID-19. The secondary aim was to identify diet-related chronic disease risk factors including dietary intake, eating behaviors, and/or weight status associated with the use of online food retail platforms during the pandemic. The review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42022320498) and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Nine electronic databases were searched between January 2020 and October 2023. Studies that reported the frequency or change in use of online groceries, meal delivery applications, and/or meal-kit delivery services before and during the pandemic were included. A total of 53 studies were identified, including 46 cross-sectional studies, 4 qualitative studies, 2 longitudinal cohort studies, and 1 mixed-methods study. Overall, 96% (43/45) of outcomes showed an increase in the use of online groceries during COVID-19, while 55% (22/40) of outcomes showed a decrease in meal delivery applications. Eight of nine outcomes associated the use of online food retail with weight gain and emotional eating. Further research is needed to investigate the links between online food retail and obesity.
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Possible Role of Cannabis in the Management of Neuroinflammation in Patients with Post-COVID Condition.
Cárdenas-Rodríguez, N, Ignacio-Mejía, I, Correa-Basurto, J, Carrasco-Vargas, H, Vargas-Hernández, MA, Albores-Méndez, EM, Mayen-Quinto, RD, De La Paz-Valente, R, Bandala, C
International journal of molecular sciences. 2024;(7)
Abstract
The post-COVID condition (PCC) is a pathology stemming from COVID-19, and studying its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment is crucial. Neuroinflammation causes the most common manifestations of this disease including headaches, fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, among others. Currently, there are no specific management proposals; however, given that the inflammatory component involves cytokines and free radicals, these conditions must be treated to reduce the current symptoms and provide neuroprotection to reduce the risk of a long-term neurodegenerative disease. It has been shown that cannabis has compounds with immunomodulatory and antioxidant functions in other pathologies. Therefore, exploring this approach could provide a viable therapeutic option for PCC, which is the purpose of this review. This review involved an exhaustive search in specialized databases including PubMed, PubChem, ProQuest, EBSCO, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Clinical Trials. Phytocannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), exhibit significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and have been shown to be an effective treatment for neuroinflammatory conditions. These compounds could be promising adjuvants for PCC alone or in combination with other antioxidants or therapies. PCC presents significant challenges to neurological health, and neuroinflammation and oxidative stress play central roles in its pathogenesis. Antioxidant therapy and cannabinoid-based approaches represent promising areas of research and treatment for mitigating adverse effects, but further studies are needed.
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Apathetic Graves' disease with severe hepatic and renal dysfunction induced by COVID-19 infection: Case report and literature review.
Deng, L, Zhang, Y, Sun, H
Medicine. 2024;(11):e37456
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Abstract
RATIONALE A rare and intractable case of apathetic Graves' disease (GD) with severe liver and kidney damage induced by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) carries a certain risk of missing diagnosis and delayed treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. PATIENT CONCERN A 60-year-old female patient developed anorexia, exhaustion, jaundice, nausea, and vomiting 10 days after COVID-19 infection. She was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department because of recurring symptoms for more than a month. DIAGNOSIS Based on the patient's epidemiological history, clinical symptoms, and prior history, she was preliminarily diagnosed with GD induced by COVID-19 with severe hyperthyroid-related liver injury and chronic kidney disease stage 4. Drug-induced and radiation-induced liver injuries occurred sequentially throughout the therapy. INTERVENTION Methimazole (MMI) (10 mg/d) was administered for 1 week, and the patient's symptoms, thyroid function, and liver and kidney function improved. Nevertheless, the aforementioned symptoms and liver and kidney function deteriorated 20 days after increasing the MMI dose (20 mg/d). Therefore, in the presence of an artificial liver, hemodialysis, and other medical conditions, the treatment schedule was adjusted to individualized 131I anti-hyperthyroidism therapy. OUTCOME After 131I treatment, the patient's liver function returned to almost normal levels after a month, but worsened when the hepatoprotective drugs were stopped. Renal function did not deteriorate significantly and returned to baseline after 3 months. Thyroid function was restored to normal approximately 4 months later. CONCLUSION COVID-19 may induce GD. Multidisciplinary collaboration can be initiated as early as possible. Individualized 131I therapy or long-term low-dose MMI (10 mg/d) can be considered to manage hyperthyroidism in GD patients with liver and kidney dysfunction and to prolong liver protection therapy appropriately.
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Effectiveness of Drug Repurposing and Natural Products Against SARS-CoV-2: A Comprehensive Review.
Velásquez, PA, Hernandez, JC, Galeano, E, Hincapié-García, J, Rugeles, MT, Zapata-Builes, W
Clinical pharmacology : advances and applications. 2024;:1-25
Abstract
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a betacoronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, causing respiratory disorders, and even death in some individuals, if not appropriately treated in time. To face the pandemic, preventive measures have been taken against contagions and the application of vaccines to prevent severe disease and death cases. For the COVID-19 treatment, antiviral, antiparasitic, anticoagulant and other drugs have been reused due to limited specific medicaments for the disease. Drug repurposing is an emerging strategy with therapies that have already tested safe in humans. One promising alternative for systematic experimental screening of a vast pool of compounds is computational drug repurposing (in silico assay). Using these tools, new uses for approved drugs such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, zidovudine, ribavirin, lamivudine, remdesivir, lopinavir and tenofovir/emtricitabine have been conducted, showing effectiveness in vitro and in silico against SARS-CoV-2 and some of these, also in clinical trials. Additionally, therapeutic options have been sought in natural products (terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins and phenolics) with promising in vitro and in silico results for use in COVID-19 disease. Among these, the most studied are resveratrol, quercetin, hesperidin, curcumin, myricetin and betulinic acid, which were proposed as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. Among the drugs reused to control the SARS-CoV2, better results have been observed for remdesivir in hospitalized patients and outpatients. Regarding natural products, resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin have demonstrated in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and in vivo, a nebulized formulation has demonstrated to alleviate the respiratory symptoms of COVID-19. This review shows the evidence of drug repurposing efficacy and the potential use of natural products as a treatment for COVID-19. For this, a search was carried out in PubMed, SciELO and ScienceDirect databases for articles about drugs approved or under study and natural compounds recognized for their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2.
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Current status of diabetes mellitus care and management in the Philippines.
Cando, LFT, Quebral, EPB, Ong, EP, Catral, CDM, Relador, RJL, Velasco, AJD, Alcazar, RMU, Reyes, NAL, Pilotin, EJB, Ornos, EDB, et al
Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. 2024;(2):102951
Abstract
AIMS: In this paper, we discuss the existing data on the burden of diabetes in the Philippines and present the status of management, prevention, and control of diabetes in the country. METHODS A review of literature was conducted to synthesize the status of diabetes mellitus in the Philippines. RESULTS An estimated 4.3 million Filipinos were diagnosed with diabetes, while 2.8 million remained undiagnosed in 2021. Diabetic retinopathy is a top cause of preventable blindness in Region 3, Philippines. Diabetic nephropathy contributes to 38% of renal disease cases in the Philippines. The 2021 Philippine Guidelines on Periodic Health Examination (PhEX) advocate for the utilization of fasting blood sugar (FBS) as a screening measure for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in healthy adults aged 40 years and older or in those with specified risk factors. The alternative option of hemoglobin A1c is (HbA1c) deemed appropriate but comes with a conditional recommendation due to its uneven accessibility across different regions of the country. Treatment guidelines align between the Philippines and the US. Initial medical nutrition therapy involves healthy habits, progressing to pharmacologic treatment if necessary. Financial constraints, seen in limited insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs, impede care, amplifying disease impact. The complex diabetes care, encompassing pharmacotherapy, nutrition, exercise, and monitoring, faced challenges during COVID-19 quarantines. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the paper outlines diabetes care principles-screening, diagnostics, and multidisciplinary care-alongside economic implications. Local and national initiatives are discussed to mitigate diabetes trends and reduce its burden in the Philippines.
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Reporting of equity in observational epidemiology: A methodological review.
Dewidar, O, Al-Zubaidi, A, Bondok, M, Abdelrazeq, L, Huang, J, Jearvis, A, Barker, LC, Elmestekawy, N, Goghomu, E, Rader, T, et al
Journal of global health. 2024;:04046
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational studies can inform how we understand and address persisting health inequities through the collection, reporting and analysis of health equity factors. However, the extent to which the analysis and reporting of equity-relevant aspects in observational research are generally unknown. Thus, we aimed to systematically evaluate how equity-relevant observational studies reported equity considerations in the study design and analyses. METHODS We searched MEDLINE for health equity-relevant observational studies from January 2020 to March 2022, resulting in 16 828 articles. We randomly selected 320 studies, ensuring a balance in focus on populations experiencing inequities, country income settings, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) topic. We extracted information on study design and analysis methods. RESULTS The bulk of the studies were conducted in North America (n = 95, 30%), followed by Europe and Central Asia (n = 55, 17%). Half of the studies (n = 171, 53%) addressed general health and well-being, while 49 (15%) focused on mental health conditions. Two-thirds of the studies (n = 220, 69%) were cross-sectional. Eight (3%) engaged with populations experiencing inequities, while 22 (29%) adapted recruitment methods to reach these populations. Further, 67 studies (21%) examined interaction effects primarily related to race or ethnicity (48%). Two-thirds of the studies (72%) adjusted for characteristics associated with inequities, and 18 studies (6%) used flow diagrams to depict how populations experiencing inequities progressed throughout the studies. CONCLUSIONS Despite over 80% of the equity-focused observational studies providing a rationale for a focus on health equity, reporting of study design features relevant to health equity ranged from 0-95%, with over half of the items reported by less than one-quarter of studies. This methodological study is a baseline assessment to inform the development of an equity-focussed reporting guideline for observational studies as an extension of the well-known Strengthening Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guideline.
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Micronutrients at Supplemental Levels, Tight Junctions and Epithelial Barrier Function: A Narrative Review.
DiGuilio, KM, Del Rio, EA, Harty, RN, Mullin, JM
International journal of molecular sciences. 2024;(6)
Abstract
Disease modifiers, whether from cancer, sepsis, systemic inflammation, or microbial pathogens, all appear to induce epithelial barrier leak, with induced changes of the Tight Junctional (TJ) complex being pivotal to the process. This leak-and the ensuant breakdown of compartmentation-plays a central role in disease morbidity on many levels. Accumulation of lung water in the luminal compartment of airways was a major driver of morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 and is an excellent example of the phenomenon. Increasing awareness of the ability of micronutrients to improve basal barrier function and reduce barrier compromise in pathophysiology may prove to be a low-cost, safe, and easily administered prophylactic and/or therapeutic option amenable to large populations. The growing appreciation of the clinical utility of supplemental doses of Vitamin D in COVID-19 is but one example. This narrative review is intended to propose a general theory on how and why micronutrients-at levels above normal dietary intake-successfully remodel TJs and improve barrier function. It discusses the key difference between dietary/Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) levels of micronutrients versus supplemental levels, and why the latter are needed in disease situations. It advances a hypothesis for why signal transduction regulation of barrier function may require these higher supplemental doses to achieve the TJ remodeling and other barrier element changes that are clinically beneficial.
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Diabetes Mellitus, Energy Metabolism, and COVID-19.
Conte, C, Cipponeri, E, Roden, M
Endocrine reviews. 2024;(2):281-308
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Abstract
Obesity, diabetes mellitus (mostly type 2), and COVID-19 show mutual interactions because they are not only risk factors for both acute and chronic COVID-19 manifestations, but also because COVID-19 alters energy metabolism. Such metabolic alterations can lead to dysglycemia and long-lasting effects. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential for a further rise of the diabetes pandemic. This review outlines how preexisting metabolic alterations spanning from excess visceral adipose tissue to hyperglycemia and overt diabetes may exacerbate COVID-19 severity. We also summarize the different effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the key organs and tissues orchestrating energy metabolism, including adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, and pancreas. Last, we provide an integrative view of the metabolic derangements that occur during COVID-19. Altogether, this review allows for better understanding of the metabolic derangements occurring when a fire starts from a small flame, and thereby help reducing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Pediatric mucormycosis associated with COVID-19: A systematic review of clinical cases.
Amaral, LB, Carlesse, F, Rossato, L
Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.). 2024
Abstract
The occurrence of mucormycosis has been observed in individuals with COVID-19. However, there is limited information on the epidemiological factors, presentation, diagnostic certainty, and outcome of this infection in children. PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, LitCovid, and back-references of the identified manuscripts were systematically searched from December 2019 to March 2023. We have identified 14 cases of pediatric mucormycosis in patients with COVID-19. The median age of patients was 10.7 years. Among these cases, 10 were associated with active COVID-19. In 7 cases, the patients had pre-existing diabetes mellitus and concomitant diabetic ketoacidosis. Corticosteroids were administered to treat COVID-19 in 7 of the patients. The most common clinical presentation of the disease was rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis. Seven patients died (50%). Given the high mortality rate, clinicians should maintain a high level of clinical suspicion of mucormycosis in pediatric patients with COVID-19.
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[Analysis of prognostic factors in patients with COVID-19 infection].
Gao, HB, Zhang, J
Zhonghua jie he he hu xi za zhi = Zhonghua jiehe he huxi zazhi = Chinese journal of tuberculosis and respiratory diseases. 2024;(3):296-300
Abstract
The peak of COVID-19 infections in China has just passed, and symptomatic manifestations in patients vary widely, with a minority experiencing severe morbidity and mortality. Early detection of adverse outcomes remains critical for clinical governance and prognosis in COVID-19. This review synthesized both national and international studies relevant to the prognostic evaluation of COVID-19 and summarized the prognostic implications of demographics (age and gender), specific laboratory parameters, adjunctive examination results, complications, and comorbidities in COVID-19 patients. Pertinent laboratory parameters chiefly included markers of inflammation, coagulation function, and electrolytic balance. Adjunctive examinations included thoracic CT and electrocardiographic evaluations. Major complications and comorbid conditions included thrombotic episodes, co-infections, secondary infections, chronic pulmonary disorders, cardiovascular diseases, acute and chronic renal diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular accidents. Moreover, this article discussed how these elements affected the prognosis of patients with COVID-19. By summarizing the information, it aimed to inform preventive and therapeutic strategies against COVID-19 infections in the forthcoming period.