Articles: pandemics.
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With confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases surpassing the 18 million mark around the globe, there is an imperative need to gain comprehensive understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although the main clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are associated with respiratory or intestinal symptoms, reports of neurological signs and symptoms are increasing. The etiology of these neurological manifestations remains obscure, and probably involves several direct pathways, not excluding the direct entry of the virus to the central nervous system (CNS) through the olfactory epithelium, circumventricular organs, or disrupted blood-brain barrier. ⋯ A growing body of evidence shows that astrocytes and microglia have a major role in neuroinflammation, responding to local CNS inflammation and/or to disbalanced peripheral inflammation. This is another potential mechanism for SARS-CoV-2 damage to the CNS. In this comprehensive review, we will summarize the known neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV; explore the potential role for astrocytes and microglia in the infection and neuroinflammation; and compare them with the previously described human and animal CoV that showed neurotropism to propose possible underlying mechanisms.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Temporal changes of CT findings between non-severe and severe cases of COVID-19 pneumonia: a multi-center, retrospective, longitudinal Study.
Background and aim: To perform a longitudinal analysis of serial CT findings over time in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: From February 5 to March 8, 2020, 73 patients (male to female, ratio of 43:30; mean age, 51 years) with COVID-19 pneumonia were retrospectively enrolled and followed up until discharge from three institutions in China. The patients were divided into the severe and non-severe groups according to treatment option. ⋯ The consolidation pattern peaked in week 2, with 9 (32%) and 19 (73%) in the non-severe and severe groups, respectively; the reticular pattern became dominant from week 4 (both group >40%). Conclusion: The extent of CT abnormalities in the severe and non-severe groups peaked in disease week 2. The temporal changes of CT manifestations followed a specific pattern, which might indicate disease progression and recovery.
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This is an analysis of clinical characteristics, images findings, laboratory variables and respiratory mechanics in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the first month of the pandemic outbreak in Buenos Aires. In this descriptive case study of a single-centre, we included all confirmed cases of COVID-19 hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU). All cases were confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ⋯ According to imaging examination, 71.4% showed interstitial opacities and one patient bilateral consolidation. Five patients required invasive mechanical ventilation and multiple prone sessions. None of them died during hospitalization, although three still remain in the ICU.
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The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and evolved into a global problem in a short period. The pandemic has led to many social and health-care challenges. In this context, surgery is an area that is facing the need for many adaptations. ⋯ On the basis of the current literature, we concluded that any surgery that can be delayed should be postponed. COVID-19 screening is strongly recommended for all surgical cases. Moreover, surgical staff should be reduced to the essential members and provided with institutional psychological support.
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Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) · Jan 2020
ReviewThe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on levels of physical fitness.
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by infections from a novel human coronavirus, has been reported since December 2019 in China but was only made official in March 2020. Since then, it has had an impact worldwide, both due to its aggressiveness and its fast propagation. Society has been facing this pandemic by following the recommendations and determinations of the WHO and the strategies deployed by governmental institutions. Among these, social isolation has been shown to be the most important, because when isolating, society tends to move less, with a consequent increase in physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, affecting its levels of physical fitness. The objectives of this review were: to review the most important effects of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior on the physical fitness levels of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ The role of a regular practice of activities on the levels of physical fitness is fundamental to define the balance of quality of life during a COVID-19.