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d'Arqom A, Nasution MZ, Kadir SZSA, Yusof J, Govindaraju K. Practice and knowledge of dietary supplement consumption among Indonesian adults post-delta wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. F1000Res 2023; 12:3. [PMID: 37469719 PMCID: PMC10352623 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.129045.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Increasing dietary supplement (DS) consumption was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including during the post-Delta wave period. This study aimed to measure the practice of DS consumption and respondents' knowledge of DS. Methods: An internet-based survey was distributed from October-December 2021 and obtained 541 valid and completed responses. Descriptive analysis was performed to present the practice of DS consumption, including frequency, duration, aim, preferable dosage form etc. Level of knowledge on DS principles, side effects and regulation were also measured. Inferential analyses were conducted to determine the predictors of the respondents' DS practice and level of knowledge. Results: Data from 541 valid responses showed that 77.63% of respondents consumed DS in the last 3 months, with only 59.52% reporting also consuming DS before the COVID-19 pandemic. One half of the respondents had good knowledge about DS; however, some knowledge regarding side effects and possible drug-supplement interaction needed improvement. Their DS consumption practice was affected by their economic status and history of contracting COVID-19. Nevertheless, the level of knowledge was not affected by the sociodemographic factors and DS supplement experience. Conclusions: Taken together, the practice of self-consumption of DS in Indonesia is increasing; hence, knowledge of DS is necessary to avoid detrimental effects that might occur in the future. Increasing access to information on better labelling and educating consumers about DS are important actions to consider.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette d'Arqom
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics Research Group, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, 60131, Indonesia
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, 60131, Indonesia
| | - Mhd Zamal Nasution
- Postgraduate School, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, 60286, Indonesia
| | | | - Junaidah Yusof
- School of Human Resource Development & Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, 81310, Malaysia
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Effects of Different Corticosteroid Doses in Elderly Unvaccinated Patients with Severe to Critical COVID-19. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12111924. [PMID: 36431059 PMCID: PMC9697502 DOI: 10.3390/life12111924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce a broad range of clinical symptoms, and the most severe cases are characterized by an uncontrolled inflammatory response with the overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-1B, and interleukin-6 have become key signatures of severe COVID-19. For this reason, the use of 6 mg of dexamethasone has become a standard of care, although this regime may not be optimal. Even though various glucocorticoid doses have been proposed, it is still unclear which dose should be used to prevent adverse effects while at the same time reducing the inflammatory response. Here, we compared two different doses of corticosteroids in 52 elderly hospitalized patients with severe to critical COVID-19 to assess efficacy and safety. We showed that in patients receiving a higher dose of prednisone, the time to negative swab was significantly longer. Furthermore, although neither dose was correlated with the risk of death, patients receiving the high dose were more likely to have adverse events such as hyperglycemia, leukocytosis, an increase in systemic blood pressure, and others. Finally, the BMI, WBC number, and NLR value were directly related to death. In conclusion, although the optimal glucocorticoid dose is still undefined, our retrospective study supports the absence of beneficial effects in the utilization of higher doses of corticosteroids in elderly patients with severe to critical COVID-19.
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Azimirad M, Noori M, Raeisi H, Yadegar A, Shahrokh S, Asadzadeh Aghdaei H, Bentivegna E, Martelletti P, Petrosillo N, Zali MR. How Does COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Incidence of Clostridioides difficile Infection and Exacerbation of Its Gastrointestinal Symptoms? Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:775063. [PMID: 34966759 PMCID: PMC8710593 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.775063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread all over the world with a very high rate of mortality. Different symptoms developed by COVID-19 infection and its impacts on various organs of the human body have highlighted the importance of both coinfections and superinfections with other pathogens. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is vulnerable to infection with COVID-19 and can be exploited as an alternative transmission route and target for virus entry and pathogenesis. The GI manifestations of COVID-19 disease are associated with severe disease outcomes and death in all age groups, in particular, elderly patients. Empiric antibiotic treatments for microbial infections in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in addition to experimental antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs may increase the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Alterations of gut microbiota are associated with depletion of beneficial commensals and enrichment of opportunistic pathogens such as C. difficile. Hence, the main purpose of this review is to explain the likely risk factors contributing to higher incidence of CDI in patients with COVID-19. In addition to lung involvement, common symptoms observed in COVID-19 and CDI such as diarrhea, highlight the significance of bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients. In particular, hospitalized elderly patients who are receiving antibiotics might be more prone to CDI. Indeed, widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as clindamycin, cephalosporins, penicillin, and fluoroquinolones can affect the composition and function of the gut microbiota of patients with COVID-19, leading to reduced colonization resistance capacity against opportunistic pathogens such as C. difficile, and subsequently develop CDI. Moreover, patients with CDI possibly may have facilitated the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in their feces for approximately one month, even though the nasopharyngeal test turned negative. This coinfection may increase the potential transmissibility of both SARS-CoV-2 and C. difficile by fecal materials. Also, CDI can complicate the outcome of COVID-19 patients, especially in the presence of comorbidities or for those patients with prior exposure to the healthcare setting. Finally, physicians should remain vigilant for possible SARS-CoV-2 and CDI coinfection during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the excessive use of antimicrobials and biocides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Azimirad
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Noori
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamideh Raeisi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Yadegar
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shabnam Shahrokh
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Enrico Bentivegna
- Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, St'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Martelletti
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrosillo
- Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Esposito CM, D'Agostino A, Dell Osso B, Fiorentini A, Prunas C, Callari A, Oldani L, Fontana E, Gargano G, Viscardi B, Giordano B, D'Angelo S, Wiedenmann F, Macellaro M, Giorgetti F, Turtulici N, Gambini O, Brambilla P. Impact of the first Covid-19 pandemic wave on first episode psychosis in Milan, italy. Psychiatry Res 2021; 298:113802. [PMID: 33592401 PMCID: PMC7874958 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic appears to increase risk for mental illness, either directly due to inflammation caused by the virus or indirectly due to related psychosocial stress, resulting in the development of both anxious-depressive and psychotic symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to assess the frequency and characteristics of all patients with First Episodes Psychosis (FEP) without COVID-19 infection hospitalized in the first four months since lockdown in Milan. We recruited sixty-two patients hospitalized between March 8 to July 8, 2020 versus those first hospitalized in the same period in 2019. The two subgroups were compared for sociodemographic variables and clinical characteristics of the episodes. Patients with FEP in 2020 were significantly older than patients with FEP in 2021, and presented with significantly less substances abuse. Interestingly, patients presenting with FEP in 2020 were significantly older than patients with FEP in 2019. These data are compatible with the greater vulnerability to stressful factors during the pandemic, as well as with the greater concern regarding a possible COVID-19 infection producing brain damage causing the FEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Esposito
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - A D'Agostino
- Department of Mental Health, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy
| | - B Dell Osso
- Department of Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche 'Luigi Sacco', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Bipolar Disorders Clinic, Stanford Medical School, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - A Fiorentini
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - C Prunas
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - A Callari
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - L Oldani
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - E Fontana
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - G Gargano
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - B Viscardi
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - B Giordano
- Department of Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche 'Luigi Sacco', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - S D'Angelo
- Department of Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche 'Luigi Sacco', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - F Wiedenmann
- Department of Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche 'Luigi Sacco', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - M Macellaro
- Department of Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche 'Luigi Sacco', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - F Giorgetti
- Department of Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche 'Luigi Sacco', Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ne Turtulici
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - O Gambini
- Department of Mental Health, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy
- CRC "Aldo Ravelli" for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, University of Milan Medical School, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - P Brambilla
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Libertini G, Corbi G, Nicola F. Importance and Meaning of TERRA Sequences for Aging Mechanisms. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 85:1505-1517. [PMID: 33705290 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297920120044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Any theory suggesting an adaptive meaning for aging implicitly postulates the existence of specific mechanisms, genetically determined and modulated, causing progressive decline of an organism. According to the subtelomere-telomere theory, each telomere is covered by a hood formed in the first cell of an organism having a size preserved at each subsequent duplication. Telomere shortening, which is quantitatively different for each cell type according to the telomerase regulation, causes the hood to slide on the subtelomere repressing it by the telomeric position effect. At this point, the theory postulates existence of subtelomeric regulatory sequences, whose progressive transcriptional repression by the hood should cause cellular alterations that would be the likely determinant of aging manifestations. However, sequences with characteristics of these hypothetical sequences have already been described and documented. They are the [sub]TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) sequences. The repression of TERRA sequences causes progressively: (i) down- or up-regulation of many other regulatory sequences; (ii) increase in the probability of activation of cell senescence program (blockage of the ability to replicate and very significant alterations of the cellular functions). When cell senescence program has not been triggered and the repression is partial, there is a partial alteration of the cellular functions that is easily reversible by telomerase activation. Location of the extremely important sequences in chromosomal parts that are most vulnerable to repression by the telomeric hood is evolutionarily unjustifiable if aging is not considered adaptive: this location must be necessarily adaptive with the specific function of determining aging of the cell and consequently of the whole organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Libertini
- Independent researcher, member of the Italian Society for Evolutionary Biology, Asti, 14100, Italy.
| | - G Corbi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, 86100, Italy.,Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (SIGG), Firenze, 50129, Italy
| | - F Nicola
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, 80131, Italy.,Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SPA - Società Benefit, IRCCS, Telese Terme, BN, 82037, Italy
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Leso V, Fontana L, Iavicoli I. Susceptibility to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Occupational Settings: The Complex Interplay between Individual and Workplace Factors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:1030. [PMID: 33503829 PMCID: PMC7908348 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the definition of risk factors for susceptibility to adverse outcomes seems essential to support public and occupational health policies. Some specific issues need to be addressed to understand vulnerability in occupational settings. Among these, individual factors, e.g., age, sex, and preexisting comorbidities (hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, cancer), that can predispose individuals to more severe outcomes and post-COVID-19 symptoms that may represent conditions of acquired susceptibility, possibly impacting the return to-and fitness for-work. Additionally, the risk of contracting COVID-19 through work should be addressed, considering the probability of being in contact with infected people, physical proximity to others, and social aggregation during work. Occupational health settings may represent appropriate scenarios for the early identification of vulnerable subjects, with the final aim to guide risk assessment and management procedures. These should include the systematic surveillance of work-related risk factors, collective preventive policies, stringent actions for specific groups of workers, decisions on occupational placement of employees, and health promotion activities. Concerted actions of general practitioners, hospital specialists, occupational physicians, and all the stakeholders involved in the occupational health and safety management should be focused on planning suitable preventive measures for susceptible subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.L.); (L.F.)
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Mollica M, Aronne L, Paoli G, Flora M, Mazzeo G, Tartaglione S, Polito R, Tranfa C, Ceparano M, Komici K, Mazzarella G, Iadevaia C. Elderly with COPD: comoborbitidies and systemic consequences. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS 2020. [DOI: 10.36150/2499-6564-434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Perrotta F, Corbi G, Mazzeo G, Boccia M, Aronne L, D'Agnano V, Komici K, Mazzarella G, Parrella R, Bianco A. COVID-19 and the elderly: insights into pathogenesis and clinical decision-making. Aging Clin Exp Res 2020; 32:1599-1608. [PMID: 32557332 PMCID: PMC7298699 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-020-01631-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The elderly may represent a specific cluster of high-risk patients for developing COVID-19 with rapidly progressive clinical deterioration. Indeed, in older individuals, immunosenescence and comorbid disorders are more likely to promote viral-induced cytokine storm resulting in life-threatening respiratory failure and multisystemic involvement. Early diagnosis and individualized therapeutic management should be developed for elderly subjects based on personal medical history and polypharmacotherapy. Our review examines the pathogenesis and clinical implications of ageing in COVID-19 patients; finally, we discuss the evidence and controversies in the management in the long-stay residential care homes and aspects of end-of-life care for elderly patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Perrotta
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100, Campobasso, Italy.
| | - Graziamaria Corbi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
- Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (SIGG), Florence, Italy
| | - Grazia Mazzeo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli"/Hosp. Monaldi, 80131, Naples, Italy
- COVID-19 Unit, Infectious Disease Department, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Matilde Boccia
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli"/Hosp. Monaldi, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Aronne
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli"/Hosp. Monaldi, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Vito D'Agnano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli"/Hosp. Monaldi, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Klara Komici
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
- Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (SIGG), Florence, Italy
| | - Gennaro Mazzarella
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli"/Hosp. Monaldi, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Parrella
- COVID Unit D, Department of Infectious Diseases, Cotugno Hospital, A.O.R.N. dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Bianco
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli"/Hosp. Monaldi, 80131, Naples, Italy
- COVID-19 Unit, Infectious Disease Department, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80131, Naples, Italy
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