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Inhalational Ethanol Therapy in COVID-19 Treatment and Prevention
Ali Amoushahi,
Elham Moazam,
Pietro Salvatori
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, December 2023
Pages:
22-28
Received:
16 March 2023
Accepted:
21 April 2023
Published:
13 July 2023
Abstract: Background: Considering the proven anti coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and immunomodulatory effects of the ethanol, the efficacy of its administration was evaluated in this research. Because of respiratory tract entrance of virus and pulmonary involvement in COVID-19, this study was done by inhalation of nebulized ethanol. Methods: Ninety-nine symptomatic and positive SARS-CoV-2-PCR patients who had been admitted at a respiratory clinic to receive Remdesivir-Dexamethasone were included in this triple-blind trial study. Patients were randomly assigned to the control (placebo, distilled water spray) and intervention (35% ethanol spray) group. Both groups were instructed to inhale 3 puffs of spray (nebulizer) and breathe through the nose and mouth via a face mask, every six hours for a week. Global symptomatic score (GSS), clinical status scale (CSS) based on a 7-point ordinal scale ranging from death (category 1) to complete recovery (category 7), percentage of blood oxygen (with pulse oximeter), and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) level at the first visit and days 3, 7, 14 were measured and compared between the two groups. Results: GSS at the beginning of the study in the intervention group was similar to the control group (6.72±2.07 vs 6.67±2.09 respectively, P=0.91). Based on the analysis of repeated measures, the GSS decreased more and faster in the intervention group (ethanol) (1.4±1.4 vs 2.3±1.7, P=0.035) two weeks after starting intervention. On day 14, the odds of intervention group to have better clinical status was 5.715 times (95% CI, 2.47 to 13.19) than of control group a statistically significant effect, Wald χ2 (1) =16.67, P =0.001. Blood oxygen saturation also improved earlier in the ethanol group than in the control group, although the difference did not reach its statistical significance level (95.95%±2 vs 94.46%±1.8, P=0.097). The readmission rate after the complete period of treatment was lower in the intervention group (zero vs 10.9%, P=0.02). There was no need for intensive care unit hospitalization in both groups. The mortality rate was zero in both groups. Conclusion: Looking at the efficacy of the inhaled nebulized ethanol, its use seems to be effective in general rapid improvement, mitigating clinical symptoms and reducing the need to repeat treatment. Considering the low cost, availability and no significant adverse events of ethanol, research and additional efforts are recommended to evaluate its curative and preventive effects in the early stages of COVID-19.
Abstract: Background: Considering the proven anti coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and immunomodulatory effects of the ethanol, the efficacy of its administration was evaluated in this research. Because of respiratory tract entrance of virus and pulmonary involvement in COVID-19, this study was done by inhalation of nebulized ethanol. Methods: Ninety-nine symptomati...
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Dilemma in the Management of Concurrent Colonic Adenocarcinoma, Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Intestinal Tuberculosis: A Case Report
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, December 2023
Pages:
29-31
Received:
21 March 2023
Accepted:
27 April 2023
Published:
5 August 2023
Abstract: Tuberculosis usually affect respiratory system. However, up to 5% can present with abdominal manifestation and one of the common locations is in the ileocecal region. Ileocaecal tuberculosis and caecal tumour can be masquerading each other in term of their clinical presentations, endoscopic features and the appearances in CT scan. There are many reported cases where intestinal tuberculosis was misdiagnosed for a colon carcinoma and vice versa. The final diagnosis is usually either one of these and in almost all the cases, the diagnosis was confirmed post operatively based of histopathology report of the surgical specimen. With a single diagnosis, the management will be more straightforward. Management dilemma will arise when multiple pathology ie; caecal tumour, pulmonary tuberculosis and ileocaecal tuberculosis, diagnosed simultaneously in a patient with colonic symptoms that need early treatment. A structured management plan will be needed to treat all these conditions affectively and safely. We are presenting a challenging case of a concurrent colon carcinoma, pulmonary tuberculosis and intestinal tuberculosis which were diagnose in a single setting. With the involvement of multidisciplinary team, an ideal treatment strategy was structured and patient was managed successfully with a combination of surgical and medical treatment.
Abstract: Tuberculosis usually affect respiratory system. However, up to 5% can present with abdominal manifestation and one of the common locations is in the ileocecal region. Ileocaecal tuberculosis and caecal tumour can be masquerading each other in term of their clinical presentations, endoscopic features and the appearances in CT scan. There are many re...
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Research Article
Study on Prp-Induced Chondrogenesis of Adipose Stem Cells
Lun Liu,
Bin Yang,
Bin Xu
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, December 2023
Pages:
32-35
Received:
27 September 2023
Accepted:
13 October 2023
Published:
28 October 2023
Abstract: Background: In the field of repair and reconstruction surgery, the use of cartilage is large, but the source of cartilage is small; adipose stem cells come from a wide range of sources and can be induced to differentiate into a variety of cells under specific circumstances. By using platelet-rich plasma to induce differentiation of adipose stem cells into chondrocytes, tissue engineering construction of cartilage will become possible. Objective: The optimal culture conditions for PRP-induced differentiation of adipose stem cells into chondrocytes were screened, and REAL-TIME PCR detection of aggrecan and sox-9 were used to confirm that adipose stem cells can be induced by PRP to differentiate into chondrocytes. Methods: After isolating and culturing adipose stem cells, use DMEM culture medium containing 0, 5% and 10% PRP to subculture the cells to induce differentiation. The CCK8 kit detects cell proliferation; use DMEM culture medium containing 5% PRP to culture adipose stem cells. Cells were collected on days 3, 7, 14 and 21 of culture, and Real-Time PCR were performed to detect specific antigens aggrecan and sox-9. Results: In the DMEM culture medium containing 5% PRP, adipose stem cells grow well and are not prone to aggregation reactions. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st days of differentiation induced by 5% PRP, Real-Time PCR tests found that aggrecan and sox-9 were continuously expressed, and their expression was found to be progressively enhanced. Conclusion: DMEM medium containing 5% PRP is a suitable medium for inducing the differentiation of adipose stem cells into chondrocytes. Adipose stem cells can be used as seed cells to differentiate into chondrocytes after being induced by PRP and have the characteristic antigen expression of chondrocytes.
Abstract: Background: In the field of repair and reconstruction surgery, the use of cartilage is large, but the source of cartilage is small; adipose stem cells come from a wide range of sources and can be induced to differentiate into a variety of cells under specific circumstances. By using platelet-rich plasma to induce differentiation of adipose stem cel...
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