Clinical display, diagnostics and genetic implication of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.

COVID-19 pandemic can cause irreparable damage to the involved society. This study aimed to provide a summary of the up-to-dated clinical display, diagnostics, molecular and genetic implications for COVID-19 infected patients. In this review, 73 research articles published before 25 March 2020 were analyzed to better understand the clinical characteristics of patients and to introduce the available serological, hematology and molecular diagnostic methods. Apart from articles extracted from PubMed and Google Scholar, WHO (https://www.who.int/), NHC (National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (http://www.nhc.gov.cn/), NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, https://www.nice.org.uk/), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/), and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (http://www.satcm.gov.cn/) were also accessed to search for eligible studies. Papers published between January 1, 2020, and 25 March 2020 were searched in English and the terms "2019-nCoV, Covid-19, Clinical Characteristics OR manifestation, method of detection, COVID-19 Genome and molecular test" were used. As the pandemic continues to evolve, there have been reports about the possibility of asymptomatic transmission of this newly emerged pneumonia virus. We highlighted the role of HLA haplotype in virus infection as HLA typing will provide susceptibility information for personalized prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in future studies. All the data in this article will assist researchers and clinicians to develop their clinical views regarding infected patients and to emphasize the origin of SARS-CoV-2 for diagnostics.

The influence of Positional Release Therapy on the myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle in computer users.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of Positional Release Therapy (PRT) in computer users via latent trigger points (LTrPs) of the upper trapezius muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight women with the upper trapezius MTrPs participated in this study. Subjects were randomly classified into two groups (14 in each group): the subjects in the Group 1 received PRT in shortened position while those in the group 2 received sham control in the neutral position of the upper trapezius muscle. They received three therapy sessions every other day for one week. The local pain intensity and Pressure pain threshold (PPT) were measured via Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and algometry, respectively, before interventions and repeated 5 min after the first and third treatment sessions in each group. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis. After treatment, between groups comparison revealed that for PPT and VAS, there were significant differences between the two groups (VAS and PPT; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both groups (PRT and sham control) showed alleviation of pain and increase in PPT during three sessions of therapy although PRT showed to be more effective in these patients.

Effect of chronic L-Arginine supplementation on aortic fatty streak formation and serum nitric oxide concentration in normal and high-cholesterol fed rabbits.

Several reports indicated the beneficial effects of short-term L-Arginine (L-Arg) administration on atherosclerosis processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic L-Arg supplementation on serum lipid profile, aortic Fatty Streak (FS) formation, and serum Nitric oxide (NO) concentration in Normal Diet (ND) and High-Cholesterol Diet (HCD) fed rabbits. 24 male rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n=6 in each group) (i): ND for seven months; (ii): ND for 1 month plus ND + L-Arg for six months; (iii): HCD (1%) for 1 month plus HCD (0.5%) for six months; (iv): HCD (1%) for 1 month plus HCD (0.5%) + L-Arg for six months. At the end of the study, histological evaluation of aortic FS formation was performed. Blood samples were taken for serum lipid profile and NO concentrations. L-Arg did not change serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and LDL/HDL ratio in normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits (p>0.05). Histological examination of thoracic aortae revealed that the HCD group had higher FS formation compared to the ND group (2.1 ± 0.16 vs. 0 ± 0; respectively; p<0.05) and L-Arg supplementation did not attenuate FS formation in the HCD group (1.93 ± 0.17 compare to 2.1 ± 0.16; p>0.05). Serum NO level in the HCD group was higher than ND groups (p<0.05). Chronic L-Arg supplementation did not alter serum NO concentration either in the hypercholesterolemic or in the ND group (p>0.05). It seems that chronic L-Arg supplementation does not have beneficial effects on aortic fatty streak formation, serum lipids and NO concentrations in this model of experimental hypercholesterolemia.

Effect of n-3 supplementation on hyperactivity, oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with difficulties in learning, behaviour and psychosocial adjustment that persist into adulthood. Decreased omega-3 fatty acids and increased inflammation or oxidative stress may contribute to neuro-developmental and psychiatric disorders such as ADHD. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of n-3 supplementation on hyperactivity, oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in children with ADHD. METHODS: In this double blind study, 103 children (6-12 years) with ADHD receiving maintenance therapy were assigned randomly into two groups. The n-3 group received n-3 fatty acids (635 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 195 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), and the placebo group received olive oil capsules which were visually similar to the n-3 capsules. The duration of supplementation was 8 weeks. Plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the activity of glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined before and after the intervention. Likewise the Conners' Abbreviated Questionnaires (ASQ-P) was applied. RESULTS: After 8-week intervention, a significant reduction was observed in the levels of CRP ( P < 0.05, 95% CI = 0.72-2.02) and IL-6 (P < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.93-24.33) in the n-3 group. There was also a significant increase in activity of SOD and GR (P < 0.001). A significant improvement was seen in the ASQ-P scores in the n-3 group (P < 005). CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of EPA and DHA supplementation decreased plasma inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in the children with ADHD. These results suggest that n-3 fatty acid supplementation may offer a safe and efficacious treatment for children with ADHD.

Dermabrasion using CO2 dry ice.

BACKGROUND: The cosmetic dermatologic surgeon can improve facial scars by using a variety of techniques. Chemical peels, lasers, and dermabrasion are among the most common modalities used. In recent years, laser resurfacing has enjoyed great popularity; however, there is still a role for the time-honored and effective technique of dermabrasion. The recent withdrawal of Freon from the market has made dermabrasion more difficult. OBJECTIVE: To introduce a novel technique of using solid carbon dioxide (CO2) to freeze the skin before dermabrasion. METHOD: Twenty-five consecutive patients with facial acne scars underwent a combination of procedures including chemical peeling and CO2 laser resurfacing, followed by freeze-dermabrasion. Compressed CO2 was then used to make a solid ball of dry ice. The ice was used to freeze the skin prior to dermabrasion. After the application of the dry ice ball to the skin for about 4 seconds, the scares were dermabraded with the large mushroom wheel. As the tissue defrosted, the operator started at the outer edge of the freeze and planed into the center. This procedure was repeated until the desired improvement was achieved. RESULTS: With dry ice, a good skin turgor was achieved. This provided a good foundation for the sanding of the acne scars. The patients were pleased with the results and complications were minimal. CONCLUSION: "Home-made" dry ice works as well as Freon in providing skin turgor for dermabrasion. CO2 dry ice has the added benefits of being inexpensive and environmentally friendly.