Case Studies in Physiology: Temporal Variations of the Lung Parenchyma and Vasculature in Asymptomatic COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Multi-Spectral CT Assessment

This study reports systematic longitudinal pathophysiology of lung parenchymal and vascular effects of asymptomatic COVID-19 pneumonia in a young, healthy never-smoking male. Inspiratory and Expiratory non-contrast along with contrast Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) scans of the chest were performed at baseline on the day of acute COVID-19 diagnosis (Day 0), and across a 90 day period. Despite normal vital signs and pulmonary function tests on the day of diagnosis, the CT scans and corresponding quantification metrics detected abnormalities in parenchymal expansion based on image registration, ground glass (GGO) texture (inflammation) as well as DECT-derived pulmonary blood volume (PBV). Follow-up scans on Day 30 showed improvement in the lung parenchymal mechanics as well as reduced GGO and improved PBV distribution. Improvements in lung PBV continued until Day 90. However, the heterogeneity of parenchymal mechanics and texture-derived GGO increased on Days 60 and 90. We highlight that even asymptomatic COVID-19 infection with unremarkable vital signs and pulmonary function tests can have measurable effects on lung parenchymal mechanics and vascular pathophysiology, which may follow apparently different clinical courses. For this asymptomatic subject, post COVID-19 regional mechanics demonstrated persistent increased heterogeneity concomitant with return of elevated GGOs, despite early improvements in vascular derangement.

Virucidals Control the Presence of Covid in Mouth/Saliva

Summary: This pilot study evaluated the effects of some virucidals in vivo (RT-PCR swab test) to define the presence of COVID in the mouth saliva. With this model, if an asymptomatic subject is positive (in the mouth saliva, the first incubating medium), virucidals may be used and the positivity can re-evaluated to define their viral killing power. Results: A progressive decrease in positivity in the swab samples was observed. Virucidals’ produced disappearance of positivity in most subjects at 3 days. All virucidals used in this pilot registry resulted effective. The pharmaceutical form seems to be important to assure persisting traces of the virucidal in the mouth. Phyrorelief possibly produced the longest action (>3 hours) due to its slower release. These observations indicate a significant effect of virucidals on the viral contamination of the mouth with a simple, cost-effective model. The lower presence of a virus charge may reduce contagiousness of most patients and possibly, the spread of viral material from the mouth. The effects on the evolution of COVID-19 on single patients is, unknown but virucidals may assume a significant community value in controlling spreading

Virucidals Control the Presence of Covid in Mouth/Saliva

Summary: This pilot study evaluated the effects of some virucidals in vivo (RT-PCR swab test) to define the presence of COVID in the mouth saliva. With this model, if an asymptomatic subject is positive (in the mouth saliva, the first incubating medium), virucidals may be used and the positivity can re-evaluated to define their viral killing power. Results: A progressive decrease in positivity in the swab samples was observed. Virucidals’ produced disappearance of positivity in most subjects at 3 days. All virucidals used in this pilot registry resulted effective. The pharmaceutical form seems to be important to assure persisting traces of the virucidal in the mouth. Phyrorelief possibly produced the longest action (>3 hours) due to its slower release. These observations indicate a significant effect of virucidals on the viral contamination of the mouth with a simple, cost-effective model. The lower presence of a virus charge may reduce contagiousness of most patients and possibly, the spread of viral material from the mouth. The effects on the evolution of COVID-19 on single patients is, unknown but virucidals may assume a significant community value in controlling spreading.

Decrease in Covid-19 Contagiousness: Virucidals Control the Presence of Covid in Saliva and Salivary Glands

Summary: This pilot study evaluated the effects of some virucidals in vivo (using the RT-PCR swab test) to evaluate the presence of COVID in the mouth saliva. With this model, if an asymptomatic subject is positive (in the mouth saliva, the first incubating medium), virucidals can be used, i.e., for a week, and the positivity re-evaluated to define the direct killing power of the virucidal.Results: A progressive decrease in positivity in the swab samples was observed. Virucidals produced disappearance of positivity in most subjects at 3 and 7 days. All virucidals used in this pilot registry resulted effective. The pharmaceutical form seems to be important to assure persisting traces of the virucidal in the mouth. The gummy Phyrorelief CC possibly produced the longest action (>3 hours) due to its slower release. These preliminary observations indicate a significant effect of virucidals on the viral contamination of the mouth (the first incubator) with a relatively simple, cost-effective model. The lower presence of a virus charge or its decrease may significantly reduce contagiousness of most of these patients and possibly, the spread of viral material. The effects on the evolution of COVID-19 on single patients is, unpredictable with this model but virucidals may assume a significant community value in preventing and controlling spreading.

Adding Technology to Diagnostic Methods

Adding modern technology to clinical diagnostic methods instead of replacing them, represents an improvement in patient care, because objective bio-physiologic measurements enhance the information obtained from the patient report of symptoms and the clinical observations made during a patient examination. Combining multiple tests has universally been acknowledged to enhance diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. The increased objectivity of bio-physiologic measurements that represent quantifiable data for diagnostic purposes also adds value to treatment monitoring and/or outcome assessments. The most recent evidence suggests that the emotional aspects of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), are more the result of pain and dysfunction than the cause. This chapter discusses several dental technologies that are now available that provide objective bio-physiologic measurements of masticatory functions. Bio-physiologic measurements have the capacity to provide detailed, objective analysis. Each diagnostic technology is illustrated with an example of its output data, recorded from both an asymptomatic subject, as well as a patient with masticatory dysfunction. Of significance when considering employing these instruments is that a dentist can use these technologies to improve the initial diagnostic accuracy, and also to verify the degree of success after rendered treatment. Finally, recommendations are provided that dental medicine should accept the use of modern digital technology as an indispensable part of modern clinical practice, and that resistance to its implementation should no longer inhibit its widespread clinical use.