A Time Frame for Testing Negative for SARS-COV2 in People with Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a major risk factor for becoming seriously ill with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). One difficulty faced by clinicians and by patients is the unknown time frame of hospitalization until discharge of symptomatic patients. METHODS: We followed 34 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection who recovered fromthe infection. All diagnoses were given using semi-quantitative RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs. Envelope protein gene (E), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene (RdRP), and nucleocapsid gene (N) were measured by RT-PCR. Weight was measured and height was self-reported. RESULTS: Mean ± SD age was 51.8 ± 16.7 years. Mean ± SD body mass index (BMI) was 27.4 ± 4.7 kg/m2. 26% (9/34) had obesity, with BMI above 30 kg/m2. Fifteen patients had BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2. The mean length of hospital stay was longer for those with a BMI >25 kg/m2 (n = 24) than for those with a normal BMI (19.2 vs. 16.0 days, p = 0.08). Comparing people with obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2 or above) to those without obesity, the difference was larger (20.6 vs. 16.0 days, p = 0.06). A trend for correlation between body weight and the time to negative detection of RdRp gene was found (r = 0.33, p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the need for priority of early detection and testing, and early therapy for people with obesity and COVID-19 infections.

The influence of infantile thiamine deficiency on primary dentition.

OBJECTIVES: The present study explored the histological and chemical effects of infantile thiamine deficiency (ITD) on enamel development through the examination of exfoliated deciduous teeth from a patient who had been fed during his first year of life with a thiamine-deficient milk substitute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ground sections derived from six exfoliated primary teeth were examined. Slices from a light microscope were photographed for histological analysis. We calculated the time when the amelogenesis insults occurred, and the data were cross-examined with the patient's medical history. We then measured the enamel content of calcium, phosphate, oxygen, carbon, and magnesium on two lines from the dentino-enamel junction (DEJ) to the outer surface using an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. RESULTS: Carbon (organic matter) concentration in postnatal enamel was 2.37 times higher in ITD, phosphate levels were lower, and magnesium and calcium levels tended to be higher in ITD teeth. CONCLUSION: Chemical and histological analysis enabled us to confirm that thiamine deficiency in infancy impaired postnatal amelogenesis and resulted in less calcified enamel with a higher level of organic matter. Higher postnatal enamel carbon and magnesium concentration found in ITD may derive from either impaired mineralization caused by disturbed cellular metabolism or indirect damage to the ameloblasts due to the physical condition. Ca/P mean ratio in ITD teeth was higher than the mean ratio in the control displaying a damaged mineralization process. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is probably the first description of infantile thiamine deficiency effect on amelogenesis resulting in less calcified enamel.