China's policies: post-COVID-19 challenges for the older population.

On 7 December 2022, the State Council of China released 'Measures to Further Optimize the Implementation of the Prevention and Control of the New Coronavirus Epidemic'. The previous three-year dynamic zero epidemic prevention policy was then replaced with a full liberalization policy. On 5 May 2023, the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 no longer constituted a 'public health emergency of international concern.' However, given the ongoing prevalence of coronavirus, emerging mutations, and the liberalization of restrictions, there are increased risks of vulnerable people contracting new variants. Low vaccination coverage among older people with compromised immune systems, puts them at further risk. The policy shift will increase pressure on already stretched health infrastructure and medical resources. This short article adds to the current debate arguing that the Chinese government should take commensurate preventive measures, including strengthening medical facilities and equipment and targeting ongoing vaccination in older people.

Paper ContextThe COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected older people.This short paper discusses the consequences of China's liberalization policy on the older population.It suggests that the Chinese government should have taken targeted measures to mitigate health risks occurring under the changed circumstances.

Prone positioning in awake patients without ventilatory support does not alter major clinical outcomes in severe COVID-19: results from a retrospective observational cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: During the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, clinicians recommended awake-prone positioning (APP) to avoid the worst outcomes. The objectives of this study were to investigate if APP reduces intubation, death rates, and hospital length of stay (HLOS) in acute COVID-19. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort with non-mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in a reference center in Manaus, Brazil, 2020. Participants were stratified into APP and awake-not-prone positioning (ANPP) groups. Also, we conducted a systematic review and performed a meta-analysis to understand if this intervention had different outcomes in resource-limited settings (PROSPERO CRD42023422452). RESULTS: A total of 115 participants were allocated into the groups. There was no statistical difference between both groups regarding time to intubation (HR: 0.861; 95CI: 0.474-1.1562; p=0.622) and time to death (HR: 1.666; 95CI: 0.939-2.951; p=0.081). APP was not significantly associated with reduced HLOS. A total of 86 articles were included in the systematic review, of which 76 (88,3%) show similar findings after APP. Also, low/middle, and high-income countries were similar regarding such outcomes. CONCLUSION: APP in COVID-19 does not present clinical improvement that affects mortality, intubation rate and HLOS. The lack of a prone position protocol, obtained through a controlled study, is necessary. After 3 years, APP benefits are still inconclusive.

Analysis and interpretation of Coronavirus infection children's incidence, contributing factors, risks of complications and their relationship.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study and investigate the incidence of Coronavirus infection in children, the course of the disease, the risks of complications and their interrelationships. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: Study included the analysis and observation of children (n=55, aged 14.36±3.62 years) with confirmed Coronerovirus infection, who were observed in the CNE ≪CMCH≫ in Uzhgorod in outpatient conditions. A study of clinical presentations, a clinical and laboratory examination followed by a mathematical analysis of the symptoms data in children with an identified Coronavirus infection and in the dynamics up to week 30 (with survey intervals in 3 weeks) from the diagnosis verification was carried out. RESULTS: Results: A dynamic analysis of the clinical manifestation of symptoms in children with an identified Corona virus infection and within 30 weeks (with survey intervals of 3 weeks) from the beginning of the diagnosis verification was carried out. Complaints from the respiratory system were prevailed. The most long-lasting complaint was observed ≪changes in the sense of taste and smell≫ (from 35(63.6%) to 6(10.9%) up to 18 weeks inclusive. Other complaints ≪Cough, Rhinitis, Shortness of breath, Pain in the chest≫ was observed for 6 weeks. Sore throat, muscular and joint pain were persisted for 3 weeks. Fever was not identified at week 3. Illness with other viral respiratory diseases started at week 9 and was observed until week 30 (from 10(18.2%) to 19(34.5%)) with varying levels. A decrease in cases of IgM identification was observed within 6 weeks (from 55, 100% to 20, 36, 4%). On the 9th week, the presence of IgM was not established. There is also an increase in the number of cases of detection of IgG in patients with a level maximum of 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: There is a positive effect of the CRP level on the occurrence of symptoms of cough, rhinitis, shortness of breath, chest pain, change in taste and smell, muscle and joint pain (r=0.33-0.55), with the most significant data for the symptom of pain in chest (p=0.00001). Ferritin level interactions mostly had a negative direction (r=-0.35-0.48, p=0.02-0.00001) on the development of symptoms, with the exception of rhinorrhea (r=0.48, p=0.00002) and chest pains (r=0.39, 0.003). According to multiple logistic regression analysis the chance of the symptom of a change in taste and smell increases due to an increasing in the level of Procalcitonin in 1.48 times. The chance of the symptom of shortness of breath increased due to an increasing in the Ferritin level in 1.025 times.

Atrial fibrillation and COVID-19: an analysis of the ambulatory database.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in clinical practice. It worsens the quality of life of patients, leads to an increase in the mortality rate because of its association with a high risk of thromboembolic complications. The current pandemic of a new coronavirus infection, which began in March 2020, was marked by an increase in cardiovascular diseases, including an increase in the number of patients with AF. That is why it is extremely relevant to find answers to questions about the association and mutual influence of AF and coronavirus infection to reduce the risk of vascular complications. However, most research in this area has focused on hospital patients. In this study, an electronic database of outpatients with AF, including patients with a history of COVID-19 infection was analyzed in order to assess the most significant risk factors for complications.

Factors influencing cardiovascular system-related post-COVID-19 sequelae: A single-center cohort study.

Background: COVID-19 sequelae are long-term symptoms of COVID-19. Cardiovascular disease is not only a risk factor for the occurrence of COVID-19 sequelae but also a potential result directly or indirectly caused by COVID-19 infection. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the cardiovascular system-related symptoms of outpatients and inpatients of the Cardiovascular Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine after recovery from novel coronavirus infection, analyze the influencing factors, and symptom characteristics of related symptoms, and thereby provide a basis for further formulating a reasonable diagnosis and treatment plan. Materials and methods: From January 15, 2023 to February 15, 2023, 452 recovered patients with novel coronavirus infection who were admitted to the Cardiovascular Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine due to symptoms of the cardiovascular system (complaints of chest pain and palpitations) were involved in this study. A unified questionnaire was used to record the general information, past medical history, characteristics of chest pain or palpitations, and other COVID-19-related sequelae of the selected patients. All data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 26.0 statistical software. Results: A total of 226 patients with cardiovascular symptoms and 226 patients without cardiovascular symptoms were included in this study. After univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, women (OR 2.081, 95% CI = 1.358-3.189) and young people (OR 2.557, 95% CI = 1.44-4.54) had a higher risk of cardiovascular symptoms; prehypertension (OR 1.905, 95% CI = 1.091-3.329) and hypertension (OR 2.287, 95% CI = 1.433-3.649) increased the risk of cardiovascular symptoms; patients with history of previous cardiovascular disease (OR 1.862, 95% CI = 1.16-2.988) and history of diabetes (OR 2.138, 95% CI = 1.058-4.319) had a higher risk of developing cardiovascular symptoms. The main symptoms related to COVID-19 sequelae reported by all 452 patients were fatigue (76.8%), shortness of breath (54.2%), dry mouth and bitter mouth (46.0%), gastrointestinal symptoms (42.7%), sleep disturbances (37.4%), sweating (31.9%), chills (29%), dizziness (25.7%), confusion of brain fog (25.2%), and tinnitus (14.6%). Compared with patients without cardiovascular symptoms, patients with cardiovascular symptoms were more likely to have shortness of breath (OR 3.521, 95% CI = 2.226-5.472), gastrointestinal symptoms (OR 2.039, 95% CI = 1.226-3.393), and dry mouth and bitter mouth (OR 1.918, 95% CI = 1.229-2.992). The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In this new coronavirus infection, women, young people, the elderly, people with prehypertension, hypertension, and patients with a history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular symptoms, and patients with cardiovascular symptoms are more likely to develop other COVID-19 sequelae.

[The personnel maintenance of primary health care physicians in condition of challenges from menaces to population health].

In condition of challenges from menaces to health due to COVID-19 the role of primary health care physicians increases that requires development of management decisions at the regional level. The purpose of the study. On the basis of analysis of medical demographic indicators and data concerning provision of primary health care personnel in the Russian Federation, proposals were made related to reforming of primary health care system in conditions of implementation of general medical practice with purpose to counteract menaces to population health. The analytical and statistical methods were applied. The official statistics data from the Minzdrav of the Russian Federation and Rosstat, results of original researches with content analysis and interpretation were used. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted population health. The indicator of newly detected morbidity in the Russian Federation in 2020 decreased as compared to 2019 from 78024.3 to 75989.7‰oo (by 2.6%). This is the result of decreasing of dispensary and preventive activities among population. In next COVID-19 year (2021), as compared to 2020, indicator of primary morbidity increased to 85531.6‰oo that 12.6% higher than in 2020. The increase occurred in all classes of diseases that caused necessity of rehabilitation of these patients. The COVID-19 morbidity increased up to 2.4 times i.e. from 3391.1 in 2020 to 8085.7‰oo in 2021. The provision of physicians in the Russian Federation was 37.7‰o in 2021. Across the Federal Okrugs differences in indicators made up to 1.3 times and in subjects of the Russian Federation - up to 2.7 times. In conditions of COVID-19 significance of menaces to population health worsened. The situation requires both enhancement of primary health care and implementation of physicians of new formation - general practitioners responsible for patient health. The general practice (GP) widely developed in Russia in the 1990s during last ten years loses its significance in most subjects of the Russian Federation. In 2021, provision of general practitioners in the Russian Federation made up to 0.67‰o. In the Federal Okrugs, difference between indicators made up to 5.6 times. In the subjects of the Russian Federation the difference is enormous - 141.5 times. The article presents and scientifically substantiates prospective functional organizational models of general practice. The established situation with COVID-19 infection requires development of management decisions and measures at the regional level concerning improvement of organization of primary health care and implementation of general practice in conditions of counteracting risks of menaces to population health and health preservation.

Subdural effusion associated with COVID-19 encephalopathy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The precise mechanism by which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) impacts the central nervous system remains unclear, with manifestations spanning from mild symptoms (e.g., olfactory and gustatory deficits, hallucinations, and headache) to severe complications (e.g., stroke, seizures, encephalitis, and neurally demyelinating lesions). The occurrence of single-pass subdural effusion, as described below, is extremely rare. CASE SUMMARY: A 56-year-old male patient presented with left-sided limb weakness and slurred speech as predominant clinical symptoms. Through comprehensive imaging and diagnostic assessments, he was diagnosed with cerebral infarction complicated by hemorrhagic transformation affecting the right frontal, temporal, and parietal regions. In addition, an intracranial infection with SARS-CoV-2 was identified during the rehabilitation process; consequently, an idiopathic subdural effusion developed. Remarkably, the subdural effusion underwent absorption within 6 d, with no recurrence observed during the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Subdural effusion is a potentially rare intracranial complication associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Long-Term Growth and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Neonates Infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 Pandemic at 18-24 Months Corrected Age: A Prospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: During the early coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, researchers cautioned about the potential neuroinvasive capability of the virus and long-term neurological consequences. Although a few preliminary studies have found delayed communication, fine motor, and problem-solving skills in infants after COVID-19 infection, there continues to be a paucity of data on long-term development of neonates diagnosed with COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 20 neonates who acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during the first wave of the pandemic (April-July 2020). At 18-24 months corrected age, we assessed neurodevelopment by Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, the third edition (BSID-III), along with growth, hearing, and vision evaluation. RESULTS: The mean corrected age at assessment was 21 months 11 days ± 1 month 28 days. We found developmental delay in nearly half of the children with scores below one standard deviation in either of the BSID-III domains. Mild delay in either motor, cognitive, or language domains was found in 9 (45%) children and moderate delay in 2 (10%). Expressive language, fine motor, and receptive language were predominantly affected. None of the children had hearing impairment, blindness, or significant growth faltering including clinically severe microcephaly. The mean composite cognitive, language, and motor scores were significantly lower in those with neurodevelopmental delay (p value - 0.02, 0.000, and 0.03, respectively) without any differences in their disease characteristics. CONCLUSION: Neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2 have an increased risk of developmental delays in expressive language, fine motor, and receptive language skills at 18-24 months of age. The severity of delays is predominantly mild.

Manifestations of coronavirus infection disease-19 in anterior eye segment: An up-to-date review.

Coronavirus infection disease-19 (COVID-19) is a worldwide catastrophic emergency that first appeared in late 2019, in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 is a multitropism disease that first affects lung tissue. However, extrapulmonary manifestations have been suspected from the first COVID-19 cases. The ocular signs and symptoms were from the early changes that occur during the course of the disease. Changes in the anterior eye segment have a relatively higher incidence than the posterior eye segment. Of which, conjunctivitis, COVID-19 pharyngioceratoconjuctivitis, iridocyclitis, corneal punctate epitheliopathy, and pathomorphological changes in the physio-anatomy of the anterior eye segment. The potential pathogenesis includes direct penetration of the virus into the eye (conjunctiva, lumbus, and cornea) or due to a systemic pathway through viremia, as well as due to autoimmune antibodies against the ocular structure (immune privilege). The presence of ocular manifestations of the external anterior fibrous layer suggests a mild course of the disease.

Coronavirus infection and systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The purpose of this study was a clinical approbation of the Kometad drug (international non-proprietary name sodium colistimethate), an antibiotic from the polymyxin group in patients with severe course of confirmed сoronavirus infection in the intensive care unit of the Branch of the I. Zhekenova Municipal Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital.. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The methodology is based on both theoretical and empirical methods of scientific cognition. During the study, the features of the Coronavirus infection and the inflammatory reaction syndrome were considered, which became quite a big problem during the pandemic. RESULTS: Results: The main indications for the tested drug and the consequences of its use for one age group were also determined. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The conclusion was made about the positive dynamics of the patients' health status, and recommendations were given for further research in this area. The practical significance of this study lies in the first clinical approbation of the Kometad drug, which can be used in medicine to reduce the severity of the systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome and improve the patient's health as a result of the disease of Coronavirus infection, after further clinical trials of the drug with different age groups of patients.

Safety Assessment: a Comparative Analysis of Quantitative Content of Bacterial Endotoxins and Evaluation of Pyrogenicity of the Kazakhstan Vaccine QazCovid-in® against COVID-19.

We measured the levels of bacterial endotoxins in the bulk vaccine product (BVP) and finished vaccine QazCovid-in® and evaluated the effect of aluminum hydroxide (adjuvant) on the results of LAL test and pyrogenicity of samples in vivo (in rabbits receiving intravenous injection into the marginal ear vein). Administration of BVP with LPS resulted in a dose-dependent increase in body temperature in rabbits similar to that caused by LPS alone, which suggests that aluminum hydroxide in the vaccine did not affect the pyrogenic response in rabbits. Moreover, the LAL test showed that the aluminum hydroxide did not hinder LPS activity after serial dilution of samples.

Current Situation and Mental Health of Pregnant Women During the Prevention and Control of Novel Coronavirus Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Investigation of Influencing Factors.

Background: COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which became a global public health crisis. In the past 3 years, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic increase in the occurrence of psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and stress in global populations. Therefore, it is important to help pregnant women cope with major public emergencies and improve their physical and mental health. Objective: To investigate the status and influencing factors of anxiety, insomnia, and psychological stress disorder in pregnant women with COVID-19 to provide a theoretical basis for psychological intervention in pregnant women in the case of public health emergency events. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 435 pregnant women from multiple tertiary hospitals in Zhengzhou from November 6 to December 6, 2022. The questionnaire contents included the general information of pregnant women, insomnia scale, generalized anxiety scale, and the revised version of the Accident Impact Scale. Results: There are 251 pregnant women with anxiety (57.7%, 95% CI: (53.0%-62.4%).There are 166 pregnant women with insomnia.(38.2%, 95% CI: 33.6%-42.7%), There are 314 pregnant women with stress disorder.(72.2%, 95% CI: 68.0%-76.4%). During the epidemic prevention and control period, whether pregnant women had a history of adverse pregnancy had a statistically significant difference in anxiety, insomnia and stress disorders. Conclusion and Recommendation: During the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women appeared to generally have anxiety, insomnia, and stress disorders. Poor pregnancy history is a protective factor for pregnant women with anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In the case of similar public health emergencies, attention bias modification (ABM) may be a potential intervention measure to provide potentially new ideas for alleviating the psychological disorders of pregnant women during this special period.

[Clinical and laboratory parameters and pathomorphological features of the lungs in patients who have had COVID-19 viral pneumonia]. / Kliniko-laboratornye pokazateli i patomorfologicheskie osobennosti legkikh u patsientov, perenesshikh virusnuyu pnevmoniyu COVID-19.

Post-Covid syndrome is characterized by general somatic manifestations, changes in the psycho-emotional sphere, cognitive disorders, disorders of the cardiovascular, respiratory systems and excretory function. However, there is little information in the literature about the mechanisms of thanatogenesis in patients who have had COVID-19. An analysis of clinical and laboratory parameters and pathomorphological changes was carried out in 9 autopsy cases of patients who had previously suffered a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The age of the deceased ranged from 80 to 96 years. At the time of hospitalization, the concentration of IgG varied from 32.61 to 1013.5 RLU, IgM - from 0.29 to 16.98 U/ml. The period from clinical diagnosis to death ranged from 12 to 46 days, and the time from clinical recovery (negative polymerase chain reaction) to death ranged from 2 to 30 days. In all cases, unresolved viral pneumonia and diffuse alveolar damage (exudative-proliferative phase) were diagnosed.

Clinical characteristics of 13 cases of Coronavirus infection complicated with severe central nervous system lesions in Shanxi children's hospital.

BACKGROUND: The new coronavirus Omicron variant strain spread rapidly worldwide and is currently the primary mutant strain prevalent in the world. OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features of severe central nervous system lesions in children infected with novel coronavirus Omicron mutant strain, so as to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 13 children diagnosed with novel coronavirus Omicron variant strain complicated with severe central nervous system infection from December 13, 2022, to January 31, 2023, in the Children's Intensive Care Medicine Department of Shanxi Children's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 13 children, there were 9 males (69%) and 4 females (31%); the ages ranged from 1-year-old 16 days to 13 years old, with a median age of 9 years old, and most of them were school-age children (84.6%). The 13 children were usually healthy, but this time they were all positive for the new coronavirus nucleic acid test. The 13 children had obvious signs of the abnormal nervous system when they were admitted to the hospital, among which 12 cases (92.3%) showed convulsions, 11 children had obvious disturbance of consciousness (84.6%) when they were admitted to the hospital, and 5 children had circulatory disorders (38.4%). Among the 13 children, 2 were cured (15.3%), 5 children had serious sequelae (38.4%) when they were discharged from the hospital, and 6 children died of severe illness (46.3%). CONCLUSION: This study illuminates the clinical characteristics of severe central nervous system complications in children with coronavirus variant infection, highlighting rapid onset, swift progression, relatively poor prognosis, and notable symptoms such as high fever, convulsions, altered consciousness, elevated interleukin-6 levels, increased cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels, and early imaging changes.

Efficacy and safety of azvudine in symptomatic adult COVID-19 participants who are at increased risk of progressing to critical illness: a study protocol for a multicentre randomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase III trial.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 will coexist with humans for a long time, and it is therefore important to develop effective treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Recent studies have demonstrated that antiviral therapy is a key factor in preventing patients from progressing to severe disease, even death. Effective and affordable antiviral medications are essential for disease treatment and are urgently needed. Azvudine, a nucleoside analogue, is a potential low-cost candidate with few drug interactions. However, validation of high-quality clinical studies is still limited. METHODS: This is a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial involving 1096 adult patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms of COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19. Patients will be randomized to (1) receive azvudine tablets 5 mg daily for a maximum of 7 days or (2) receive placebo five tablets daily. All participants will be permitted to use a standard treatment strategy except antiviral therapy beyond the investigational medications. The primary outcome will be the ratio of COVID-19-related critical illness and all-cause mortality among the two groups within 28 days. DISCUSSION: The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine whether azvudine can prevent patients at risk of severe disease from progressing to critical illness and death, and the results will identify whether azvudine is an effective and affordable antiviral treatment option for COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05689034. Registered on 18 January 2023.

SARS-CoV-2 egress from Vero cells: a morphological approach.

Despite being extensively studied because of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) interactions with mammalian cells are still poorly understood. Furthermore, little is known about this coronavirus cycle within the host cells, particularly the steps that lead to viral egress. This study aimed to shed light on the morphological features of SARS-CoV-2 egress by utilizing transmission and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, along with serial electron tomography, to describe the route of nascent virions towards the extracellular medium. Electron microscopy revealed that the clusters of viruses in the paracellular space did not seem to result from collective virus release. Instead, virus accumulation was observed on incurved areas of the cell surface, with egress primarily occurring through individual vesicles. Additionally, our findings showed that the emission of long membrane projections, which could facilitate virus surfing in Vero cells infected with SARS-CoV-2, was also observed in non-infected cultures, suggesting that these are constitutive events in this cell lineage.

Alternative therapies for viral infections caused by SARS-Cov-2 / Terapias alternativas para infecções virais causadas pelo SARS-Cov-2

Abstract Introduction The relevance of the studied topic lies in the complexity of the treatment of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2. Objective To discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of alternative treatments compared to conventional medical approaches, and to highlight the importance of collaborative communication between patients and healthcare providers in making informed decisions about alternative treatments of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Methods The research methodology employed literature analysis methods, including bibliographic and bibliosemantic approaches. The study used theoretical, systematic, and statistical methods, including analysis, synthesis, generalization, interpretation, classification, and meta-analysis to explore alternative treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infections, their interrelationships, and statistical trends in incidence. Results The study identifies diverse alternative therapies for treating SARS-CoV-2 infections, highlighting herbal medicine, acupuncture, reflexology, biohacking, homoeopathy, and magnetotherapy. It underscores the potential benefits of herbal remedies like garlic, ginger, chamomile, and honeysuckle, as well as vitamins (C, D, B12) and minerals (zinc, selenium) in managing COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusion While of-fering holistic benefits, these therapies warrant cautious consideration due to limited scientific backing and potential interactions. Cultural understanding, patient-provider dialogue, and informed choices are key in harnessing the potential of alternative medicine along-side conventional approaches for managing COVID-19 challenges.

Resumo Introdução A relevância do tema estudado reside na comple-xidade do tratamento da infeção causada pelo SARS-CoV-2. Objetivo Discutir as potenciais vantagens e desvantagens dos tratamentos alternativos em comparação com as abordagens médicas convencionais e realçar a importância da comunicação colaborativa entre os doentes e os prestadores de cuidados de saúde na tomada de decisões informadas sobre os tratamentos alternativos do vírus SARS-CoV-2. Métodos A metodologia de investigação utilizou métodos de análise da literatura, incluindo abordagens bibliográficas e bibliosemânticas. O estudo utilizou métodos teóricos, sistemáticos e estatísticos, incluindo análise, síntese, generalização, interpretação, classificação e meta-aná-lise para explorar tratamentos alternativos para as infecções por SARS-CoV-2, suas inter-relações e tendências estatísticas da incidência. Resultados O estudo identifica diversas terapias alternativas para o tratamento das infecções por SARS-CoV-2, destacando a fitoterapia, a acupunctura, a reflexologia, o biohacking, a homeopatia e a magnetoterapia. Sublinha os potenciais benefícios dos remédios à base de plantas como o alho, o gengibre, a camomila e a madressilva, bem como das vitaminas (C, D, B12) e dos minerais (zinco, selénio) na gestão dos sintomas da COVID-19. Conclusão Embora ofereçam benefícios holísticos, estas terapias devem ser consideradas com cautela devido ao apoio científico limitado e às potenciais interações. A compreensão cultural, o diálogo paciente-prove-dor e as escolhas informadas são fundamentais para aproveitar o potencial da medicina alternativa juntamente às abordagens convencionais para gerir os desafios da COVID-19.

[Post-Covid osteomyelitis of the facial bones]. / Postkovidnyi osteomielit litsevykh kostei.

The pandemic of coronavirus infection existed from 2019 to 2023. The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced on May 5, 2023 that the pandemic had ended. However, it does not cease to have an adverse effect on the health of the world population. Necrotic lesions of the bones of the facial skeleton are now a characteristic sign of a severe coronavirus infection. We conducted a review of scientific publications that reflected the relationship between coronavirus and necrotic processes of the skull bones, methods of treatment, prevention and the latest developments in this direction. The purpose of this article is to review existing studies on Post-Covid osteomyelitis of facial bones, its impact, features of the clinical picture of this disease, analysis of methods and means of treatment of this group of patients. Analysis of literature data has shown that the search for an ideal dressing material continues, especially the developments of native developers stand emphasized. The advantages of modern materials over traditional ones have become unquestionable, but further research in this direction is required.

Coronavirus infection and ABO blood grouping: Correlation or coincidence?

Background: Association between the ABO blood group and patient outcomes in COVID-19 patients is still unexplored. A known association may help to understand possible risks in advance to the management of such COVID-19 patients. The present study was designed to test such association if there is any, between the ABO blood group and the severity of COVID-19 patients. Methods: The present hospital-based observational study was conducted at a COVID-19 dedicated tertiary care hospital in North India over a period of six months during the first wave of the pandemic in the country. Five hundred consecutive patients, who tested positive for COVID-19 using RT-PCR on oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swabs, admitted to the hospital were included in the study. ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood grouping was done on leftover hematology blood samples using gel column agglutination technology. Required clinical details of patients including age, gender, clinical symptoms, comorbidities, outcomes, etc., were obtained from the patient's case sheets. Results: The most common blood group was 'B' (42.8%) followed by 'O' (23.4%), and 'A' (22.4%) while the least common was 'AB' (11.4%). Rh positive was seen in 96.2% while 3.8% were negative. Baseline characteristics were comparable including length of hospital stay, duration of symptoms, and associated comorbid illnesses. The need for intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (P = 0.05) and intubations (P = 0.20) was similar across all four blood groups. Differences in the severity of COVID-19 disease and mortalities among the groups were non-significant. Conclusion: There was no observed association found between the ABO blood group and COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalization, ICU admission, intubation, and outcomes. However, there was a higher proportion of breathlessness and the presence of at least one comorbidity in blood group O as compared to others.

[Olfactory, gustatory and auditory disorders associated with COVID-19. A systematic review of their distribution and pathogenesis]. / Obonyatel'nye, vkusovye i slukhovye narusheniya, assotsiirovannye s COVID-19. Sistematicheskii obzor ikh rasprostraneniya i patogeneza.

The presented systematic review contains basic information about the frequency, characteristic features of the course and pathogenesis of olfactory, gustatory and auditory disorders that occur with COVID-19, with which an otorhinolaryngologist meets in his practice. These disorders are often the first, and sometimes the only, manifestations of the underlying disease, which determines their role in early diagnosis and timely detection of the underlying disease. The article includes original articles, clinical case reports and literary reviews.