The Effects of Vitamin Therapy on ASD and ADHD: A Narrative Review.

The effects of a sufficient amount of vitamins and nutrients on the proper function of the nervous system have always been regarded by scientists. In recent years, many studies have been done on controlling or improving the symptoms of neurological and behavioral disorders created by changes in the level of vitamins and other nutrition, such as omega-3 and iron supplements. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that disrupts individual communication, especially in social interactions. Its symptoms include anxiety, violence, depression, self-injury, trouble with social contact and pervasive, stereotyped, and repetitive behavior. ASD is most noticeable in early childhood. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a lasting pattern of inattention with or without hyperactivity that causes functional disruption in daily life. ADHD symptoms included; impulsivity, hyperactivity, inattention, restlessness, talkativeness, excessive fidgeting in situations such as sitting, meetings, lectures, or at the movies, boredom, inability to make decisions, and procrastination. The exact etiology of ADHD has not yet been found, but several observations have assumed the reduced function of the brain leads to deficits in motor planning and cognitive processing. It has been shown that Pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress biomarkers could be increased in both ASD and ADHD. Several studies have been done to illustrate if vitamins and other dietary supplements are effective in treating and preventing ASD and ADHD. In this review, we aim to evaluate the effects of vitamins and other dietary supplements (e.g., melatonin, zinc supplements, magnesium supplements) on ASD and ADHD.

Effects of the aroma of lemone verbena (Aloysia citriodora Paláu) essential oil on anxiety and the hemodynamic profile before cesarean section: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Aromatherapy is a noninvasive method used for alleviating anxiety. Lemon verbena (Aloysia citriodora Paláu, LV) has been frequently used in traditional medicine as an anxiolytic agent due to its pharmacological ingredients. Objective: This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of inhaling essential oil of LV on the level of anxiety and subsequent hemodynamic changes before cesarean section. Methods: The recent study was a randomized single-blind trial. Participants (n = 84) were randomly divided into two groups: LV essential oil (group A) and placebo (group B). The intervention group underwent aromatherapy using three drops of LV essential oil at a distance of 10 cm for 30 min. The placebo group received aromatherapy in a similar fashion. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory of Spielberger questionnaire was administered before and 5 min after aroma inhalation. Vital signs were recorded before and after aromatherapy. Likewise, pain severity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale and vital signs were recorded. Data were analyzed using t-test, χ 2, and the Kolmogrov-Smirnov test through SPSS21 software. Results: Anxiety level was significantly attenuated in group A after aromatherapy. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure decreased after inhalation; but no significant variation of pain scores was observed after inhalation in both groups. Conclusion: We concluded that LV decreased preoperative anxiety in this recent study, therefore, aromatherapy with LV essential oil as a preemptive adjuvant to relieve anxiety before cesarean section is recommended by us; although more studies are required to endorse the results.

Antiviral Potential of Melissa officinalis L.: A Literature Review.

The use of synthetic drugs has increased in recent years; however, herbal medicine is yet more trusted among a huge population worldwide; This could be due to minimal side effects, affordable prices, and traditional beliefs. Lemongrass (Melissa officinalis) has been widely used for reducing stress and anxiety, increasing appetite and sleep, reducing pain, healing wounds, and treating poisonous insect bites and bee stings for a long time. Today, research has shown that this plant can also fight viruses including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through various mechanisms such as inhibiting HSV-1 from binding to host cell, inhibiting HSV-1 replication during the post-adsorption or inhibiting main protease and spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, furthermore, be effective in treating related diseases. This Review investigated the antiviral properties of Melissa officinalis and its effect on viral diseases. More in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to determine Melissa officinaliss underlying mechanism, and more randomized controlled trials should be done to identify its effect in humans. Also, due to the usefulness and lack of side effects, it can be used more as a complementary medicine.

The importance of myocarditis in Covid-19.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of Covid-19 is a real threat to public health. It causes cardiovascular complications such as acute myocardial injury and myocarditis. Symptoms of myocarditis vary from chest pain, tachycardia, or chest tightness. Inotropes and/or vasopressors and mechanical ventilation are the protocols for cardiogenic shock in patients with myocarditis. Some previous studies stated that the mechanism of cardiac injury is not well defined but, it can be due to direct myocardial infection, respiratory failure or hypoxemia, and indirect injury from systemic inflammatory response separately or all three factors together. The pathologic processes included direct myocardial injury by virus binding to ACE2, systemic inflammation, altered myocardial demand-supply ratio, and plaque and coronary thrombosis. There are disagreements on the usage of corticosteroids in active-infection myocarditis. As everyday new complications of Covid-19 appear, there is a need for further research to overcome them. AIMS: This narrative study aimed to assess the effect of Covid-19 on myocarditis.

Mechanisms of COVID-19-induced cerebellitis.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV2 has raised several important health concerns, not least increased mortality and morbidity. SARS-CoV2 can infect the central nervous system via hematogenous or transneuronal routes, acting through different receptors including ACE2, DPP4, and neuropilin 1 and cause several issues, including the focus here, cerebellitis. The cerebellum is an essential part of the CNS located adjacent to the brainstem with a complex micro and macroscopic structure. The cerebellum plays several physiological roles, such as coordination, cognition, and executive functioning. Damage to the cerebellum can lead to incoordination and ataxia. In our narrative review, we searched different databases from 2021 to 2022 with the keywords cerebellum and COVID-19; 247 studies were identified and reviewed, focusing on clinical studies and excluding non-clinical studies; 56 studies were finally included for analysis. SARS-CoV2 infection of the cerebellum can be seen to be assessed through many methods such as MRI, PET, CT, postmortem studies, and histological findings. These methodological studies have demonstrated that cerebellar infection with COVID-19 can bring about several sequelae: thrombosis, microbleed, hemorrhage, stroke, autoantibody production, ataxia, and widespread inflammation in the cerebellum. Such central effects are likely to exacerbate the known multiorgan effects of SARS-CoV2 and should also be considered as part of disease prognosis.

The Importance of Happy Hypoxemia in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its complications are one of the main concerns of the world. One of the most severe complications of COVID-19 is hypoxemia. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the importance of happy hypoxemia in COVID-19. METHODS: We systematically searched web of science, PubMed, and Google scholar databases to find articles related to COVID-19 and happy hypoxemia. RESULTS: COVID-19 causes a type of hypoxemia named silent (happy) hypoxemia, which has an atypical clinical presentation. This type of hypoxemia has not been noted before in viral pneumonia, and there is no specific treatment for this serious complication. Patients with silent hypoxemia may develop severe hypoxemia without dyspnea and with near-normal lung compliance. These patients are awake, calm, and responsive. Although their lungs are not oxygenated efficiently, they are alert and cooperative. Their condition may be deteriorated rapidly without warning and causes death. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings, paying attention to happy hypoxemia is important for improving the health status of COVID-19 patients.