Administration of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of COVID-19: A review of available evidence.

Since December 31, 2019, unknown causes of pneumonia have been reported in Wuhan, China. This special pneumonia associated with a novel coronavirus was named 2019-nCoV by the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2020. From the beginning of this infectious disease, clinicians and researchers have been endeavoring to discover an effective and suitable treatment for affected patients. To date, there is no definitive and specific treatments for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection while drugs introduced are still in the clinical trial phase. Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) is a biological product prepared from the serum and an optional treatment for patients with antibody deficiencies. In many countries, much attention has been paid to the use of IVIG in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Due to the therapeutic importance of IVIG in virus infections, in the current study, we reviewed the possible effect of IVIG in viral infections and potential evidence of IVIG therapy in patients with COVID-19 virus.

Relationship Between Selenium Trace and Patient Outcome After Open-Heart Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute stress response to heart surgery can cause major morbidity in patients. The trace of selenium is useful for preventing heart damage. Although the trend of selenium changes is of high importance for body balance, the usefulness of routine use and effectiveness of this element for patients under open-heart surgery is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at assessing serum selenium level before and after open-heart surgery and the relationship between selenium trace and patient outcome. METHODS: This prospective analytical study was performed on 100 patients undergoing open-heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In all patients, the serum level was measured at a predetermined time (before surgery and one and two days after surgery). Then, the relationship between serum selenium and patient outcome was assessed. RESULTS: The mean serum selenium level in patients on admission was 72.90 ± 14.62 µg/L, one day after surgery was 71.20 ± 15.84 µg/L, and two days after surgery was 71.54 ± 15.97 µg/L. Serum selenium levels were inversely and significantly associated with age (r = -0.183; P = 0.034, 013) duration of surgery (r = -221 and P = 0.014), duration of intensive care unit stay (r = 0.204, P = 0.021), and duration of CPB (r = 0.223, P = 013). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study's results, a low level of selenium can affect patients' outcomes after open-heart surgery.

Tocilizumab for treatment patients with COVID-19: Recommended medication for novel disease.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus has spread all over the world. Scientists are trying to discover drugs as effective treatment for patients with COVID-19. So far about 30 drugs have been introduced that one of them is Tocilizumab. Recently Tocilizumab has been introduced to treat patients with COVID-19 and researchers are investigating further the efficacy of this drug for different are patients. In Iran and China, some reports showed a positive effect of Tocilizumab on Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen (SPO2) but results of CT scan in patients in different. In some patients, CT scan showed reduced infiltration, however in other no change was observed. Unfortunately, until now there has been no definitive and effective treatment for patients with COVID-19. Although Tocilizumab has been accepted by China Health Commission to treat infected patients, its positive effects still cannot be predicted in all patients. Based on evidence of the Tocilizumab's effect on the SARS COV 2, researchers hope this drug will make effective and promising treatment to improve lung tissue inflammation in patients with the fatal COVID-19 virus. The present study provides an overview of respiratory inflammation with COVID-19 and probable effect of Tocilizumab on SARS-COV 2.

Dose Ginger Have Preventative Effects on PONV-Related Eye Surgery? A Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is considered a common complication of anesthesia, which, particularly in eye surgery, may exert pressure on stitches and open or leak the surgical wound, leading to bleeding. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the effect of ginger on PONV and changes in vital signs after eye surgery. METHODS: In this triple-blind randomized controlled trial, 120 candidate patients for eye surgery were divided into group A (n = 40) and group B (n = 40). Patients in group A received the capsules of ginger 1 g while patients in group B received a placebo one hour before the procedure with 30 mL water. The incidence of nausea and the frequency of vomiting were evaluated at 0, 15, 30 minutes, and 2 hours after the operation. Also, the vital signs of the participants were recorded at certain times. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the frequency of nausea between group A and group B (P < 0.05). The severity of nausea was lower in group A than in group B immediately and 2 hours after recovery (P < 0.05). The incidence of vomiting was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P < 0.05). The vital signs were not significantly different between group A and group B (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ginger was effective in the prevention of PONV after eye surgery but had no impact on vital signs. Hence, ginger is proposed to use as a low-cost, prophylactic measure for PONV reduction.

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Aqueous Extract of Echium amoenum for Patients with General Anxiety Disorder.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of the aqueous extract of Echium amoenum in combination with SSRIs in patients with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The study was an 8-week double-blind randomized clinical trial. Thirty-seven adult outpatients who met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for GAD based on the structured clinical interview participated in the trial. In this study, patients were randomly assigned to receive the aqueous extract (500 mg) plus fluoxetine or fluoxetine (20 mg/day) plus placebo. The results showed significant difference between the two groups in the treatment of GAD. Moreover, there was not any significant difference between the two groups in terms of observed side effects. E. amoenum is effective on anxiety disorder, especially in higher dosage, without any serious side effects.