Strongreed0346

Addressing the world's injustices in all forms is the only way to breathe life into the "health for all" principle and aspiration expressed so eloquently in the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration. The first of these injustices is more evident than it was 41 years ago the international economic order has concentrated vast wealth in ever-fewer pockets, while half the world's people go without essential health services . . . and most certainly without the economic, social, political and cultural conditions and empowerment needed to otherwise thrive.The COVID-19 pandemic represents the greatest global public health crisis since the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918. We are facing a new virus, so several antiviral agents previously used to treat other coronavirus infections such as SARS and MERS are being considered as the first potential candidates to treat COVID-19. Thus, several agents have been used by the beginning of the current outbreak in China first and all over the word successively, as reported in several different guidelines and therapeutic recommendations. At the same time, a great number of clinical trials have been launched to investigate the potential efficacy therapies for COVID-19 highlighting the urgent need to get as quickly as possible high-quality evidence. Through PubMed, we explored the relevant articles published on treatment of COVID-19 and on trials ongoing up to April 15, 2020.The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is now officially declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. As of now, there is no known effective pharmaceutical agent against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, several precautionary measures have been prescribed to prevent further spread of the virus, which include avoidance of social gatherings, proper handwashing, frequently disinfecting of used items and surfaces and so on. More recent studies have highlighted the possibility of treating patients infected with the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus with chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, of which mechanism of action is not completely understood. We seek to draw the attention of the scientific community to the possibility of drastically reducing the effects of the virus on the affected patients and improving clinical trials outcome through the synergistic action of zinc and chloroquine in patients suffering from the coronavirus disease.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, is rapidly spreading across the world. As the number of infections increases, those of infected pregnant women and children will rise as well. Controversy exists whether COVID-19 can be transmitted in utero and lead to disease in the newborn. As this chance cannot be ruled out, strict instructions for the management of mothers and newborn infants are mandatory. This perspective aims to be a practical support tool for the planning of delivery and neonatal resuscitation of infants born by mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. © 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.INTRODUCTION Metabolic dysfunction is now recognized as a pivotal component of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common dementia worldwide. However, the precise molecular mechanisms linking metabolic dysfunction to AD remain elusive. OBJECTIVE Here we investigated the direct impact of soluble oligomeric amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides, the main molecular hallmark of AD, on leptin system, a major component of central energy metabolism regulation. METHODS We developed a new Time-Resolved Fluorescence Energy Transfer (TR-FRET)-based Aβ binding assay for the leptin receptor (LepR) and studied the effect of Aβ on LepR function in several in vitro assays. The in vivo effect of Aβ on LepR function was studied in an Aβ-specific AD mouse model and in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. RESULTS We revealed specific and high affinity (Ki=0.1nM) binding of Aβ to LepR. Pharmacological characterization of this interaction showed that Aβ binds allosterically to the extracellular domain (ECD) of LepR and negatively affects receptor function. Negative allosteric modulation of LepR by Aβ was detected at the level of signaling pathways (STAT-3, AKT and ERK) in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, the leptin-induced response of POMC neurons, key players in the regulation of metabolic function, was completely abolished in the presence of Aβ. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that Aβ is a negative allosteric modulator (NAM) of LepR, resulting in impaired leptin action, and qualify LepR as a new and direct target of Aβ oligomers. Preventing the interaction of Aβ with LepR might improve both the metabolic and cognitive dysfunctions in AD condition. © 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.Purpose To compare the management outcome of endophthalmitis with and without the usage of topical antibiotics Methods Retrospective comparative chart review of two cohorts of endophthalmitis (other than those associated with open-globe injury, keratitis or wound site infection), one managed with (TA) and one without topical antibiotics (NTA). Results The study included a total of 270 eyes of 270 patients. Of these, 169 eyes were in the TA group and 101 eyes were in the NTA group. Males accounted for 56.8% and 53.8% respectively, p=0.59. Post cataract surgery was the commonest etiology accounting for 81.06% and 78.2% cases respectively, p=0.57. Favorable functional outcome at the last visit was seen in 37.5% and 39.6% eyes, p=0.73, respectively. Favorable anatomic outcome was noted in 61.2% and 49.5% eyes, p=0.06, respectively. Median follow up was 3.5 months and 9 months respectively, p less then 0.0001. Susceptibilities to common antibiotics used (vancomycin, ceftazidime and amikacin were comparable except for imipenem where the susceptibility noted was 95% and 66% respectively, p=0.01. Culture positivity in the TA group was seen in 72/169 (42.6%), while in the NTA was seen in 98/101 (97.02%) p less then 0.0001. learn more Conclusion Topical antibiotics do not give any added advantage in the management of endophthalmitis otherwise being treated with intravitreal antibiotics and standard vitrectomy techniques. © 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.