scholarly journals A REVIEW ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC A GLOBAL THREAT-CURRENT STATUS AND CHALLENGES AND PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES

Author(s):  
SUNITHA SUKUMARAN ◽  
S. SATHIANARAYANAN

Covid19 (Coronavirus) is a life-threatening virus that mainly affects our respiratory system, kidney, and GIT tract. People with a low immune system in their body fall prey to it. This virus (2019-nCoV) spreads easily from one person to another. As there is no treatment to kill the virus, the only way to stop this pandemic is through precautions and reduce the viral load in the body. This review reveals the main types of coronaviruses, history, pathophysiology, current treatment, drawbacks of current treatment, targets for drug development against Covid-19, vaccines discovered for covid-19, side effects of the currently available vaccines, and current status of this situation. The main mechanism of action of the virus easily enters to bind with the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the human body cells. Management of the virus several approaches will be taken mainly isolation of the patients and contacts the contacts, oxygen therapy for respiratory failure patients based on the severity Remdesivir, Lopinavir/ritonavir, Chloroquine, and Hydroxychloroquine, Alpha-interferon and plasma therapy can be used to control the infections. In India, AYUSH is also recommended to enhance the immune system through herbal-based products, Vaccination is also recommended by most of the countries, but many side effects and drug-drug interactions were reported for the above treatments. So that in future a new way of approach should be developed by our health organization as soon as possible.

Author(s):  
Mukhtar H. Ahmed ◽  
Arez Hassan ◽  
Judit Molnár

AbstractThe World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus, named as SARS-CoV-2, as a global pandemic in early 2020 after the disease spread to more than 180 countries leading to tens of thousands of cases and many deaths within a couple of months. Consequently, this paper aims to summarize the evidence for the relationships between nutrition and the boosting of the immune system in the fight against the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. This review, in particular, assesses the impact of vitamin and mineral supplements on the body’s defence mechanisms against SARS-CoV-2. The results revealed that there is a strong relationship between the ingestion of biological ingredients like vitamins C–E, and minerals such as zinc, and a reduction in the effects of coronavirus infection. These can be received from either nutrition rich food sources or from vitamin supplements. Furthermore, these macromolecules might have roles to play in boosting the immune response, in the healing process and the recovery time. Hence, we recommend that eating healthy foods rich in vitamins C–E with zinc and flavonoids could boost the immune system and consequently protect the body from serious infections. Graphical Abstract


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan W Buikema ◽  
Folkert W Asselbergs ◽  
Janneke Tekstra

Abstract Background COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infected patients have increased risk for thrombotic events, which initially may have been under recognized. The existence of cardiovascular emboli can be directly life threatening when obstructing the blood flow to vital organs such as the brain or other parts of the body. The exact mechanism for this hypercoagulable state in COVID-19 patients yet remains to be elucidated. Case summary A 72-year-old man critically ill with COVID-19 was diagnosed with a free-floating and mural thrombus in the thoracic aorta. Subsequent distal embolization to the limbs led to ischaemia and necrosis of the right foot. Treatment with heparin and anticoagulants reduced thrombus load in the ascending and thoracic aorta. Discussion One-third of COVID-19 patients show major thrombotic events, mostly pulmonary emboli. The endothelial expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptors makes it feasible that in patients with viraemia direct viral-toxicity to the endothelium of also the large arteries results in local thrombus formation. Up to date, prophylactic anticoagulants are recommended in all patients that are hospitalized with COVID-19 infections to prevent venous and arterial thrombotic complications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4042
Author(s):  
Vanessa Arato ◽  
Maria Michelina Raso ◽  
Gianmarco Gasperini ◽  
Francesco Berlanda Scorza ◽  
Francesca Micoli

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is an opportunistic pathogen and the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections, mostly affecting subjects with compromised immune systems or suffering from concurrent bacterial infections. However, the dramatic increase in hypervirulent strains and the emergence of new multidrug-resistant clones resulted in Kp occurrence among previously healthy people and in increased morbidity and mortality, including neonatal sepsis and death across low- and middle-income countries. As a consequence, carbapenem-resistant and extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Kp have been prioritized as a critical anti-microbial resistance threat by the World Health Organization and this has renewed the interest of the scientific community in developing a vaccine as well as treatments alternative to the now ineffective antibiotics. Capsule polysaccharide is the most important virulence factor of Kp and plays major roles in the pathogenesis but its high variability (more than 100 different types have been reported) makes the identification of a universal treatment or prevention strategy very challenging. However, less variable virulence factors such as the O-Antigen, outer membrane proteins as fimbriae and siderophores might also be key players in the fight against Kp infections. Here, we review elements of the current status of the epidemiology and the molecular pathogenesis of Kp and explore specific bacterial antigens as potential targets for both prophylactic and therapeutic solutions.


Author(s):  
Bhavani J ◽  
Ravichandran S ◽  
Satheesh Kumar D ◽  
Chandrasekaran A R ◽  
Saraladevi V ◽  
...  

The process of inflammation and the arthritis was induced due to the immune system problems in elderly patients. They are encountering problems with the immune system which identifies the own body as a foreign system and acts against it. This causes inflammation in the joints and therefore causing pain and swelling in the joints. This immunity lowering drugs are the major classes of drugs that will affect the human body by lowering the immunity, and the side effects are caused by the opportunistic infections that occur when the body has low immunity. These effects are now dangerous, and the drugs that treat arthritis are now considered deadly, and their use is minimized too. In this respect, the herbs are found to be the best sources of the treatment of arthritis that produce the chemical constituents that target and cure inflammation that causes arthritis. The plant extract was used to incorporate into the ointment, and this was investigated for the anti-arthritic activity. This was compared to the activity of the extract and standard drug. The ointment that was prepared showed a significantly better activity compared with the standard drug.


Author(s):  
Saniyah Saleem Khan

Obesity is a medical metabolic condition where a person accumulates excess body fat that might affect their health. Obesity is a prevalent global health problem linked with other life-threatening chronic diseases like cardiovascular, certain types of cancer, diabetes, renal, cerebrovascular, bone, and muscle-related diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is the fifth foremost cause of global deaths. Many allopathic drugs and surgical treatments for managing obesity are available in the market. However, these conventional methods have adverse side effects and chances of recurrence. For more than 2,000 years, herbal medicines have been used for the treatment of many diseases efficiently. This chapter addresses the current progress in the effectiveness of several herbal medications used for the treatment of obesity without causing side effects. The possible effects and mechanisms of using these herbaceous plants in the treatment of obese and overweight humans and animals are covered extensively.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (06) ◽  
pp. 1315-1330
Author(s):  
Tian-Tian Fan ◽  
Bao-Li Cheng ◽  
Xiang-Ming Fang ◽  
Yong-Can Chen ◽  
Fan Su

Critical care medicine is a medical specialty engaging the diagnosis and treatment of critically ill patients who have or are likely to have life-threatening organ failure. Sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises when the body responds to infection, is currently the major cause of death in intensive care units (ICU). Although progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of sepsis, many drawbacks in sepsis treatment remains unresolved. For example, antimicrobial resistance, controversial of glucocorticoids use, prolonged duration of ICU care and the subsequent high cost of the treatment. Recent years have witnessed a growing trend of applying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in sepsis management. The TCM application emphasizes use of herbal formulation to balance immune responses to infection, which include clearing heat and toxin, promoting blood circulation and removing its stasis, enhancing gastrointestinal function, and strengthening body resistance. In this paper, we will provide an overview of the current status of Chinese herbal formulations, single herbs, and isolated compounds, as an add-on therapy to the standard Western treatment in the sepsis management. With the current trajectory of worldwide pandemic eruption of newly identified Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), the adjuvant TCM therapy can be used in the ICU to treat critically ill patients infected with the novel coronavirus.


Neurological complications are very relevant in the current pandemic scenario. The virus has the Spike protein, which binds to the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2), receptor present in the body, triggering the infection. This enzyme is present in abundance in the respiratory epithelium, which explains the predominance of respiratory symptoms; however it is still found in neurons and glial cells, making the Central Nervous System (CNS), a possible target of the pathogen. The objective is to highlight the main neurological complications resulting from infection by the coronavirus agent of acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Thus, we conducted a literature search based on the descriptors “Covid 19”, “Neurological disease” and “Complications”, with publication period between 2020 and 2021 on the MEDLINE, PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Science Sciences platforms (LILACS), UpToDate and World Health Organization. The most persistent neurological complications found were: aphasia, dysgeusia, cerebrovascular diseases and encephalopathies. The neurological manifestations arising from COVID-19 are a reality and very complex , so further studies are needed to further evaluation and analysis of the consequences caused by this virus infection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-411
Author(s):  
Sandesh Arun Patil ◽  
Kajal Sunil Shinde ◽  
Heena Bholaram Choudhary ◽  
Rohan Rajkumar Patekar ◽  
Sachin Devidas Rede

Cancer is a mutagenic disorder which causes uncontrollable growth of cells in the body. This uncontrolled growth further produces the tumor. This action stimulates the immune system which can prevent or promote tumor growth. Novel strategies for treatment of cancer are also to target this immune system. Many conventional treatments are restricted for the particular organ tumor. So, these therapies are no more in use. Cancer is the second most fatal disorder worldwide. Therefore, there is always a great need for research for the treatment strategies for cancer. Treatment of cancer is a serious topic to be discussed worldwide. Our study shows the novel treatments (e.g., target therapy, Immunotherapy, Hormones therapy) for different categories of cancer. Very first we discussed the description of different types of cancer and then its treatment strategies. We also discussed the Novel therapy systems for cancer that are in view of more definite comprehension over the tumor science depending on most recent new innovation and are expected to improve the current treatment result for patients with disease. However, a significant number of these methodologies still have one normal and basic issue, being restricted for tumor cells.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (25) ◽  
pp. 2697-2715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pran Kishore Deb ◽  
Satyendra Deka ◽  
Pobitra Borah ◽  
Sara N. Abed ◽  
Karl-Norbert Klotz

Adenosine is a purine nucleoside, responsible for the regulation of a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological conditions by binding with four G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), namely A1, A2A, A2B and A3 adenosine receptors (ARs). In particular, A1 AR is ubiquitously present, mediating a variety of physiological processes throughout the body, thus represents a promising drug target for the management of various pathological conditions. Agonists of A1 AR are found to be useful for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia, angina, type-2 diabetes, glaucoma, neuropathic pain, epilepsy, depression and Huntington’s disease, whereas antagonists are being investigated for the treatment of diuresis, congestive heart failure, asthma, COPD, anxiety and dementia. However, treatment with full A1 AR agonists has been associated with numerous challenges like cardiovascular side effects, off-target activation as well as desensitization of A1 AR leading to tachyphylaxis. In this regard, partial agonists of A1 AR have been found to be beneficial in enhancing insulin sensitivity and subsequently reducing blood glucose level, while avoiding severe CVS side effects and tachyphylaxis. Allosteric enhancer of A1 AR is found to be potent for the treatment of neuropathic pain, culminating the side effects related to off-target tissue activation of A1 AR. This review provides an overview of the medicinal chemistry and therapeutic potential of various agonists/partial agonists, antagonists and allosteric modulators of A1 AR, with a particular emphasis on their current status and future perspectives in clinical settings.


Author(s):  
Amir Khodavirdipour ◽  
Mahsa Asadimanesh ◽  
Seyed Alireza Masoumi

AbstractNonsegmented positive-sense RNA enveloped RNA severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus can result in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This virus is from β-coronaviridae family of viruses. The common signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include pyrexia, cough, dyspnea, fatigue, myalgia, cephalgia, diarrhea, and nausea. Physicians and dentists around the world could directly link the COVID-19 and oral diseases such as ageusia and anosmia. After time passes, different aspects of symptoms of the diseases have been discovered. Research suggests that the oral cavity is the most vulnerable region for the virus because of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor abundance in the mouth. In this case report (no. of patients = 6), we would like to report significant findings in patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 reported to our clinic during May 2021 complaining about the oral manifestation of it such as xerostomia, gingival inflammation, and cracked teeth. All patients are younger than 40 years with no history of dental complaints and oral diseases. Fortunately, these symptoms are not life threatening and treatable/manageable by current treatment options. To date, there is no clear proof of how and via which pathway, SARS-CoV-2 genomic blueprint causes the oral manifestation of COVID-19 beside ACE2 receptor which is the only known biopathway for such incidents.


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