Symptomatic and functional recovery after transurethral resection of bladder tumor: Data from ecological momentary symptom assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively describe the nature, severity, and duration of symptoms and functional impairment during recovery from transurethral resection of bladder tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients scheduled for transurethral resection were approached for enrollment in a text-message based ecological momentary symptom assessment platform. Nine patients reported outcomes were measured 7 days before surgery and on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 using a 5-point Likert scale. Self-reported degree of hematuria was collected using a visual scale. Clinical data was collected via retrospective chart review. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients were analyzed. Postoperative symptoms were overall mild, with the largest differences from baseline to postoperative day 1 seen in dysuria (median 0/5 vs. 3/5) and ability to work (median 5/5 vs. 4/5). Recovery was generally rapid, with 76% of patients reporting ≥4/5 agreement with the statement "I feel recovered from surgery" by postoperative day 2, although 15% of patients reported persistently lower levels of agreement on postoperative day 10 or 14. Patients undergoing larger resections (≥2cm) did take longer to return to baseline in multiple symptom domains, but the difference of medians vs. those undergoing smaller resections was less than 1 day across all domains. Multivariable analysis suggested that receiving perioperative intravesical chemotherapy was associated with longer time to recovery. 84% of patients reported clear yellow urine by postoperative day 3. CONCLUSION: In this population, hematuria and negative effects on quality of life resulting from transurethral resection of bladder tumors were generally mild and short-lived, although a small number of patients experienced longer recoveries.

Creative Arts Therapy Among Children With Cancer: Symptom Assessment Reveals Reduced Anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Symptom distress is related to decreased quality of life (QOL) among children with cancer, with high levels of pain, nausea, and anxiety reported. Creative arts therapy (CAT) has been related to improved QOL and symptoms in pediatric oncology, but the quality of evidence is mixed. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to examine the QOL symptom subscales in relation to CAT over time in children during the first year of cancer treatment. METHODS: A secondary analysis of prospective data was performed with linear mixed modeling on 267 observations with predictors of 2 groups: No CAT (n = 18) vs CAT (n = 65). The covariate of time (6 months) was used to explore the CAT relationship with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) symptom subscales (pain and hurt, nausea, procedural anxiety, treatment anxiety, worry, cognitive problems, perceived physical appearance, and communication). RESULTS: Children (n = 83) were between 3 and 17 years old (M = 6), 51.2% female, and 32% minority. All tumor types were represented: liquid (37.3%), solid (24.1%), and central nervous system (38.6%). Reduced child report of procedural anxiety was significantly related to receiving CAT with a medium magnitude of association (adjusted effect size = 0.58, P = .01). CONCLUSION: Creative arts interventions were associated with a longitudinal improvement in anxiety in children with cancer. Further work is needed to target interventions to the appropriate specific burdensome symptoms. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Pediatric oncology nurses can advocate for CAT as an effective intervention to ameliorate the burdensome procedural anxiety experienced by patients.

"A Pain Deep in Your Soul (Being) that is Not Physical:" Assessing Spiritual Pain in Integrative Oncology Consultations.

CONTEXT: Spiritual pain contributes to the suffering of cancer patients. However, it is unclear whether patients seen outside of palliative care report spiritual pain and its relationship with symptom burden. OBJECTIVES: Characteristics of patients reporting spiritual pain were examined, as well as the association of spiritual pain with symptom burden and how spiritual pain affected the factor structure of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of integrative oncology patients who completed the PROMIS10 and a modified ESAS (ESAS-FS) including financial distress and spiritual pain (pain deep in your soul/being that is not physical). Multiple logistic regression was used to assess associations between demographics and spiritual pain. T-tests compared ESAS-FS symptoms and global health for patients endorsing spiritual pain (0 vs. ≥1). Principal component analyses (oblique rotation) were also used to determine ESAS-FS symptom clusters. RESULTS: The sample (N = 1662) was mostly women (65%) and 39% endorsed spiritual pain at least ≥one. Men and older individuals were less likely to endorse spiritual pain (ps < 0.05). Presence of spiritual pain was associated with worse symptoms on the ESAS-FS and global health (ps < 0.001). The ESAS-FS had two symptom clusters, with the psychological factor including depression, anxiety, wellbeing, sleep, financial distress, and spiritual pain (Cronbach's alpha 0.78). CONCLUSION: Assessing spiritual pain and understanding the effects of its presence or absence in the context of other physical and psychosocial symptoms may provide additional opportunities for preventing exacerbation of symptoms, improving quality of life, and enhancing overall experience of care.

Associations between symptoms with healthcare utilization and death in advanced cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited data about assessments that are associated with increased utilization of medical services among advanced oncology patients (AOPs). We aimed to identify factors related to healthcare utilization and death in AOP. METHODS: AOPs at a comprehensive cancer center were enrolled in a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation program. Participants completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) scale. We examined factors associated with palliative care (PC), acute care (AC), emergency room (ER), hospital admissions (HA), and death. RESULTS: In all, 817 AOPs were included in these analyses with a median age of 69. They were generally female (58.7%), white (61.4%), stage IV (51.6%), and represented common cancers (31.5% GI, 25.2% thoracic, 14.3% gynecologic). ESAS pain, anxiety, and total score were related to more PC visits (B=0.31, 95% CI [0.21, 0.40], p<0.001; B=0.24 [0.12, 0.36], p<0.001; and B=0.038 [0.02, 0.06], p=0.001, respectively). Total FACT-G score and physical subscale were related to total PC visits (B=-0.021 [-0.037, -0.006], p=0.008 and B=-0.181 [-0.246, -0.117], p<0.001, respectively). Lower FACT-G social subscale scores were related to more ER visits (B=-0.03 [-0.53, -0.004], p=0.024), while increased tiredness was associated with fewer AC visits (B=-0.039 [-0.073, -0.006], p=0.023). Higher total ESAS scores were related to death within 30 days (OR=0.87 [0.76, 0.98], p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: The ESAS and FACT-G assessments were linked to PC and AC visits and death. These assessments may be useful for identifying AOPs that would benefit from routine PC.

Leveraging a Joint learning Model to Extract Mixture Symptom Mentions from Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Notes.

This paper addresses the mixture symptom mention problem which appears in the structuring of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We accomplished this by disassembling mixture symptom mentions with entity relation extraction. Over 2,200 clinical notes were annotated to construct the training set. Then, an end-to-end joint learning model was established to extract the entity relations. A joint model leveraging a multihead mechanism was proposed to deal with the problem of relation overlapping. A pretrained transformer encoder was adopted to capture context information. Compared with the entity extraction pipeline, the constructed joint learning model was superior in recall, precision, and F1 measures, at 0.822, 0.825, and 0.818, respectively, 14% higher than the baseline model. The joint learning model could automatically extract features without any extra natural language processing tools. This is efficient in the disassembling of mixture symptom mentions. Furthermore, this superior performance at identifying overlapping relations could benefit the reassembling of separated symptom entities downstream.

Efficacy and Safety of Light Therapy as a Home Treatment for Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Non-visual effects of the retina have been increasingly confirmed in developing Parkinson disease (PD). Light therapy (LT) has been proven to be an effective non-pharmacotherapy for improving the prognosis of PD, but the pathway of action is unclear, and there is a lack of a unified and standardized LT regimen. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of various LT measures in improving motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with idiopathic PD via a meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, and PubMed were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of LT for PD. Cochrane's Risk of bias tool and the GRADE approach were used to assess evidence quality. A meta-analysis and subgroup analyses evaluated the differences in efficacy produced by the different LT protocols. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) verified the analyses outcome and quantified the statistical relevance of the data.[color=#0e101a] [/color] RESULTS Patients receiving LT had significantly better scores for motor function (MD=-4.68, 95% Cl -8.25 to -1.12, P=0.01) compared with the control group exposed to dim-red light. In addition, in terms of non-motor symptoms, depression (SMD=-0.27, 95% Cl -0.52 to -0.02, P=0.04) and sleep disturbance-related scores (MD=3.45, 95% Cl 0.12 to 6.78, P=0.04) similarly showed significant optimization after receiving LT. CONCLUSIONS The results of this meta-analysis show strong evidence that LT has significant efficacy on motor and non-motor function in PD patients.

EULAR points to consider for the management of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop evidence-based European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) points to consider (PtCs) for the management of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T RA). METHODS: An EULAR Task Force was established comprising 34 individuals: 26 rheumatologists, patient partners and rheumatology experienced health professionals. Two systematic literature reviews addressed clinical questions around diagnostic challenges, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies in D2T RA. PtCs were formulated based on the identified evidence and expert opinion. Strength of recommendations (SoR, scale A-D: A typically consistent level 1 studies and D level 5 evidence or inconsistent studies) and level of agreement (LoA, scale 0-10: 0 completely disagree and 10 completely agree) of the PtCs were determined by the Task Force members. RESULTS: Two overarching principles and 11 PtCs were defined concerning diagnostic confirmation of RA, evaluation of inflammatory disease activity, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, treatment adherence, functional disability, pain, fatigue, goal setting and self-efficacy and the impact of comorbidities. The SoR varied from level C to level D. The mean LoA with the overarching principles and PtCs was generally high (8.4-9.6). CONCLUSIONS: These PtCs for D2T RA can serve as a clinical roadmap to support healthcare professionals and patients to deliver holistic management and more personalised pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies. High-quality evidence was scarce. A research agenda was created to guide future research.

Follow Your Nose: A Key Clue to Understanding and Treating COVID-19.

This paper suggests that ATP release induced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus plays a key role in the genesis of the major symptoms and complications of COVID-19. Infection of specific cells which contain the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor results in a loss of protection of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor (MR). Local activation by cortisol stimulates the release of ATP initially into the basolateral compartment and then by lysosomal exocytosis from the cell surface. This then acts on adjacent cells. In the nose ATP acts as a nociceptive stimulus which results in anosmia. It is suggested that a similar paracrine mechanism is responsible for the loss of taste. In the lung ATP release from type 2 alveolar cells produces the non-productive cough by acting on purinergic receptors on adjacent neuroepithelial cells and activating, via the vagus, the cough reflex. Infection of endothelial cells results in the exocytosis of WeibelPalade bodies. These contain the Von Willebrand Factor responsible for micro-clotting and angiopoietin-2 which increases vascular permeability and plays a key role in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. To test this hypothesis this paper reports proof of concept studies in which MR blockade using spironolactone and low dose dexamethasone (SpiDex) was given to PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients. In 80 patients with moderate to severe respiratory failure 40 were given SpiDex and 40 conventional treatment with high dose dexamethasone (HiDex). There was 1 death in the HiDex group and none in the SpiDex. As judged by clinical, biochemical and radiological parameters there were clear statistically significant benefits of SpiDex in comparison to HiDex. A further 20 outpatients with COVID-19 were given SpiDex. There was no control group and the aim was to demonstrate safety. No adverse effects were noted and no patient became hyperkalaemic. 90% were asymptomatic at 10 days. The very positive results suggest that blockade of the MR can produce major benefit in COVID19 patients. Further larger controlled studies of inpatients and outpatients are required not only for SARS-CoV-2 infection per se but also to determine if this treatment affects the incidence of Long COVID.

Associations of vascular and bone status in arthritis patients.

Cardiovascular (CV) disease and osteoporosis (OP) have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Bone and vascular biomarkers and parameters along with the effect of 1-year anti-TNF therapy on these markers were assessed in order to determine correlations between vascular pathophysiology and bone metabolism in RA and AS. Thirty-six patients treated with etanercept or certolizumab pegol and 17 AS patients treated with ETN were included in a 12-month follow-up study. Bone and vascular markers were previously assessed by ELISA. Bone density was measured by DXA and quantitative CT (QCT). Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and pulse-wave velocity (PWV) were assessed by ultrasound. Multiple correlation analyses indicated associations between bone and vascular markers. Osteoprotegerin, sclerostin and cathepsin K were significantly associated with FMD, IMT and PWV, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, total and trabecular BMD determined by QCT inversely correlated with IMT (p < 0.05). On the other hand, among vascular parameters, platelet-derived growth factor BB and IMT correlated with DXA femoral and QCT total BMD, respectively (p < 0.05). In the RM-ANOVA analysis, anti-TNF treatment together with baseline osteocalcin, procollagen 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) or vitamin D3 levels determined one-year changes in IMT (p < 0.05). In the MANOVA analysis, baseline disease activity indices (DAS28, BASDAI), the one-year changes in these indices, as well as CRP exerted effects on multiple correlations between bone and vascular markers (p < 0.05). As the pattern of interactions between bone and vascular biomarkers differed between baseline and after 12 months, anti-TNF therapy influenced these associations. We found a great number of correlations in our RA and AS patients undergoing anti-TNF therapy. Some of the bone markers have been associated with vascular pathophysiology, while some vascular markers correlated with bone status. In arthritis, systemic inflammation and disease activity may drive both vascular and bone disease.

Favorable outcomes with reduced steroid use in juvenile dermatomyositis.

BACKGROUND: High-intensity glucocorticoid regimens are commonly used to induce and maintain remission in Juvenile Dermatomyositis but are associated with several adverse side-effects. Evidence-based treatment guidelines from North American and European pediatric rheumatology research societies both advocate induction with intravenous pulse steroids followed by high dose oral steroids (2 mg/kg/day), which are then tapered. This study reports the time to disease control with reduced glucocorticoid dosing. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records at a single tertiary-care children's hospital of patients diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis between 2000 and 2014 who had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. The primary outcome measure was time to control of muscle and skin disease. Additional outcome measures included glucocorticoid dosing, effect of treatment on height, frequency of calcinosis, and complications from treatment. RESULTS: Of the 69 patients followed during the study period, 31 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Median length of follow-up was 4.58 years, (IQR 3-7.5). Myositis control was achieved in a median of 7.1 months (IQR 0.9-63.4). Cutaneous disease control was achieved in a median of 16.7 months (IQR 4.3-89.5). The median starting dose of glucocorticoids was 0.85 mg/kg/day, (IQR 0.5-1.74). The median duration of steroid treatment was 9.1 months, (IQR 4.7-17.4), while the median duration of any pharmacotherapy was 29.2 months (IQR 10.4 to 121.3). Sustained disease control off medications was achieved in 21/31 (68%) patients by the end of review. Persistent calcinosis was identified in only one patient (3%). CONCLUSION: Current accepted treatment paradigms for Juvenile Dermatomyositis include oral glucocorticoids beginning at 2 mg/kg/day and reduced over a prolonged time period. However, our results suggest that treatment using reduced doses and duration with early use of steroid-sparing agents is comparably effective in achieving favorable outcomes in Juvenile Dermatomyositis.

Early risk stratification of patients with suspected chronic mesenteric ischaemia using a symptom and mesenteric artery calcium score based score chart.

BACKGROUND: The mesenteric artery calcium score (MACS) identifies patients with possible chronic mesenteric ischaemia (CMI) using standard computed tomography (CT) imaging. The MACS does not necessitate a dedicated computed tomography angiography (CTA) which is required for evaluation of mesenteric artery patency. This study aimed to test the use of a symptom and MACS based score chart to facilitate the selection of patients with a low probability of CMI, in whom further diagnostic workup can be omitted, and to validate the CTA-based score chart proposed by van Dijk et al. which guides treatment decisions in patients with suspected CMI. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with suspected CMI. The Agatston definition was used to calculate the MACS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to create a MACS score chart, which was applied in all patients to determine its discriminative ability. The score chart by van Dijk et al. was validated in this independent external patient series. RESULTS: Hundred-ninety-two patients were included, of whom 49 had CMI. The MACS score chart composed of the variables weight loss, postprandial abdominal pain, history of cardiovascular disease, and MACS, showed an excellent discriminative ability (area under the curve [AUC] 0.87). CMI risks were 2.1% in the low-risk group (0-4 points) and 39.1% in the increased risk group (5-10 points); sensitivity (97.8%) and negative predictive value (NPV; 97.9%) were high. The CTA-based score chart by van Dijk et al. showed an excellent discriminative ability (AUC 0.89). CONCLUSION: The MACS score chart shows promise for early risk stratification of patients with suspected CMI based on a near-perfect NPV. It is complementary to the CTA-based score chart by van Dijk et al., which showed excellent external validity and is well suited to guide subsequent (invasive) treatment decisions in patients with suspected CMI.

Efficacy and safety of ReDuNing injection as a treatment for COVID-19 and its inhibitory effect against SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: Although the rapid emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a considerable threat to global public health, no specific treatment is available for COVID-19. ReDuNing injection (RDN) is a traditional Chinese medicine known to exert antibacterial, antiviral, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, RDN has been recommended in the diagnosis and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-associated pneumonia by the National Health Council and the National Administration of Chinese Medicine. However, there is no information regarding its efficacy against COVID-19. AIM OF STUDY: This study was designed to determine the clinical efficacy of RDN in patients with COVID-19 and characterize its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 adults with COVID-19 were included in this study, and the primary endpoint was recovery from clinical symptoms following 14 days of treatment. General improvements were defined as the disappearance of the major symptoms of infection including fever, fatigue, and cough. The secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients who achieved clinical symptom amelioration on days 7 and 10, time to clinical recovery, time to a negative nucleic acid test result, duration of hospitalization, and time to defervescence. Plaque reduction and cytopathic effect assays were also performed in vitro, and reverse-transcription quantitative PCR was performed to evaluate the expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IP-10, MCP-1, IL-6, IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-2 and CCL-5) during SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: The RDN group exhibited a shorter median time for the resolution of clinical symptoms (120 vs. 220 h, P < 0.0001), less time to a negative PCR test result (215 vs. 310 h, P = 0.0017), shorter hospitalization (14.8 vs. 18.5 days, P = 0.0002), and lower timeframe for defervescence (24.5 vs. 75 h, P = 0.0001) than the control group. In addition, time to improved imaging was also shorter in the RDN group than in the control group (6 vs.8.9 days, P = 0.0273); symptom resolution rates were higher in the RDN group than in the control group at 7 (96.30% vs. 39.13%, P < 0.0001) and 10 days (96.30% vs. 56.52%, P = 0.0008). No allergic reactions or anaphylactic responses were reported in this trial. RDN markedly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 proliferation and viral plaque formation in vitro. In addition, RDN significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine production in infected cells. CONCLUSIONS: RDN relieves clinical symptoms in patients with COVID-19 and reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection by regulating inflammatory cytokine-related disorders, suggestion that this medication might be a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19.

Magnetic seizure therapy for treatment-resistant depression.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is a potential alternative to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Reports to date on use of MST for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) are limited. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of MST in comparison with sham-MST, antidepressant, and other forms of electric or magnetic treatment for adults with TRD. SEARCH METHODS: In March 2020, we searched a wide range of international electronic sources for published, unpublished, and ongoing studies. We handsearched the reference lists of all included studies and relevant systematic reviews and conference proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP), the Annual Scientific Convention and Meeting, and the Annual Meeting of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised clinical trials (RCTs) focused on MST for adults with TRD. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors extracted data independently. For binary outcomes, we calculated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). For continuous data, we estimated mean differences (MDs) between groups and 95% CIs. We employed a random-effects model for analyses. We assessed risk of bias for included studies and created a 'Summary of findings' table using the GRADE approach. Our main outcomes of interest were symptom severity, cognitive function, suicide, quality of life, social functioning, dropout for any reason, serious adverse events, and adverse events that led to discontinuation of treatment. MAIN RESULTS: We included three studies (65 participants) comparing MST with ECT. Two studies reported depressive symptoms with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). However, in one study, the data were skewed and there was an imbalance in baseline characteristics. Analysis of these two studies showed no clear differences in depressive symptoms between treatment groups (MD 0.71, 95% CI -2.23 to 3.65; 2 studies, 40 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Two studies investigated multiple domains of cognitive function. However most of the outcomes were not measured by validated neuropsychological tests, and many of the data suffered from unbalanced baseline and skewed distribution. Analysis of immediate memory performance measured by the Wechsler Memory Scale showed no clear differences between treatment groups (MD 0.40, 95% CI -4.16 to 4.96; 1 study, 20 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Analysis of delayed memory performance measured by the Wechsler Memory Scale also showed no clear differences between treatment groups (MD 2.57, 95% CI -2.39 to 7.53; 1 study, 20 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Only one study reported quality of life, but the data were skewed and baseline data were unbalanced across groups. Analysis of quality of life showed no clear differences between treatment groups (MD 14.86, 95% CI -42.26 to 71.98; 1 study, 20 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Only one study reported dropout and adverse events that led to discontinuation of treatment. Analysis of reported data showed no clear differences between treatment groups for this outcome (RR 1.38, 95% CI 0.28 to 6.91; 1 study, 25 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Adverse events occurred in only two participants who received ECT (worsening of preexisting coronary heart disease and a cognitive adverse effect). None of the included studies reported outcomes on suicide and social functioning. No RCTs comparing MST with other treatments were identified. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Evidence regarding effects of MST on patients with TRD is currently insufficient. Our analyses of available data did not reveal clearly different effects between MST and ECT. We are uncertain about these findings because of risk of bias and imprecision of estimates. Large, long, well-designed, and well-reported trials are needed to further examine the effects of MST.

["Long-haul COVID": An opportunity to address the complexity of post-infectious functional syndromes]. / « COVID long ¼ : une opportunité pour approcher la complexité des syndromes fonctionnels post-infectieux.

In this work, we address the issue of prolonged symptoms following an infection by SARS-CoV-2, labeled "long COVID". This clinically unspecific syndrome must be put in perspective with the post-infectious syndromes known for a long time but ultimately poorly understood and little studied, qualified, for lack of convincing arguments for a unambiguous pathophysiology and better terms, as functional somatic syndromes. The clinical implications for clinical care ("holistic" work-up and care of patients), for research (need for truly "bio-psycho-social" investigations), and the social implications of "long COVID" (social construction of the syndrome through the experiences of patients exposed on social networks, inequalities in the face of the disease and its socioeconomic consequences) are considered. "Long COVID" must be view, because of its expected prevalence, as an opportunity to address the complexity of post-infectious (functional) syndromes, their risk factors, and the biological, psychological and social mechanisms underlying them.

Novel treatment of dihydrogen sulfide inhalation using hyperbaric oxygen during mass casualty.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gas produced via breakdown of organic matter. Hydrogen sulfide exposure can cause symptoms ranging in severity from mild effects (dizziness, headache, nausea) to severe lactic acidosis, respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrhythmias and death. Treatment modalities include oral countermeasures and 100% FiO2 with supportive therapy. However, case studies utilizing hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy have been reported with general benefit seen in severe cases of toxicity. In this report, cases of mild to moderate H2S toxicity occurred aboard a U.S. Navy ship, resulting in a mass casualty incident of more than 30 patients. Patient symptoms included dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and one patient with altered mental status. Most patients' symptoms resolved after several hours of supportive therapy, but six patients had symptoms refractory to 100% FiO2 at 1 atm. These six patients received HBO2 therapy with a USN Treatment Table 9 after consultation with the local emergency room and hyperbaric assets. Four separate chambers were utilized, including two chambers onboard USN ships and the local explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) chamber. Complete resolution of symptoms in all six patients was achieved within the first breathing period. Patients were monitored after treatment aboard the USN ship medical department. No patients required emergency department care. These cases demonstrate an expanded use of HBO2 to include moderate cases of H2S toxicity refractory to first-line therapy.

Efficacy of a probiotic supplement in patients with atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial long-standing inflammatory skin disease with a high incidence worldwide in both adults and children. According to the recognized correlation between skin and intestine-the so-called "gut-skin axis"-gut unbalances can affect skin by inducing systemic inflammation and triggering dermatological diseases such as AD. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of a food supplement containing selected strains of probiotics in ameliorating AD symptoms and skin conditions in adult volunteers. MATERIALS & METHODS: Eighty adult subjects showing mild-to-severe AD, skin dryness, desquamation, erythema and itching were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial to receive, for 56 days, a placebo or a mixture of lactobacilli (L. plantarum PBS067, L. reuteri PBS072 and L. rhamnosus LRH020). The latter was chosen according to the patients' production of post-biotic metabolites and B-group vitamins, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant capacity and anti-microbial activity. Clinical and instrumental dermatological evaluation was performed at T0d, T28d and T56d, and then at T84d (after a one-month wash-out). Inflammatory cytokine levels from skin tape stripping, sampled close to AD lesions at T0d and T56d, were also measured. RESULTS: Subjects receiving the probiotic mixture showed an improvement in skin smoothness, skin moisturization, self-perception, and a decrease in SCORAD index as well as in the levels of inflammatory markers associated with AD at T28d, with a positive trend up to T56d which was maintained at T84d. CONCLUSION: Administration of selected probiotic strains resulted in a fast and sustained improvement in AD-related symptoms and skin conditions.

Antimonium Tartaricum as a Possible Homeopathic Prophylactic Remedy in the COVID-19 Epidemic.

The current COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) epidemic has proved challenging due to its high impact on physical and mental health. According to Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, in an epidemic the most severe symptoms of the clinical condition presented by the population in question should be the basis for selecting the medication that is as similar as possible to them, and which should be administered to individuals who have been exposed to the disease but have not yet developed it. This medicine is called the genus epidemicus. This study aims to demonstrate the reasoning used to propose the homeopathic medicine Antimonium tartaricum (Ant-t) as a genus epidemicus in the COVID-19 epidemic. It was decided to develop the reasoning based on the respiratory symptoms described in the epidemiological bulletins presented by the Health Surveillance Secretariat of the Ministry of Health of Brazil, as these symptoms are the most serious of the disease. After repertorization, it was confirmed in the Materia Medica that Ant-t has a high degree of similarity with these respiratory symptoms, including the most serious situations, of COVID-19. Homeopathic Ant-t is thus a possible prophylactic genus epidemicus in the COVID-19 epidemic; further studies are needed to test this conclusion.