Search

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia have a genetic basis, but environmental factors also play a significant role in their etiopathogenesis. One of them may be an infectious disease in the mother during pregnancy. This is indicated mainly by the epidemiological studies, in which a prenatal infection has been shown to increase under certain circumstances the risk of ASD and schizophrenia in the offspring. Animal experiments indicate that the immune response of the mother plays a key role here, especially in the form of a cytokine storm. However, the resulting effect of the prenatal infection depends on several risk and protective factors on the side of the mother and the fetus, as well as on the characteristics of the infections. In case of COVID-19, due to the shortness of time, such studies are absent, however, due to its infectious nature, and predominantly its high prevalence rates, it is reasonable to consider this disease as a potential risk. The objective of our paper was to summarize results of epidemiological and animal studies in respect to other infections and, based on that, to analyse whether COVID-19 during pregnancy represents a risk for the development of ASD or schizophrenia in the offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes of the usual procedures in the clinical trials conduct, as well as to modifications of the relevant study documentation, which also aff ected regular quality assurance activities ensuring the safety of clinical trial participants, compliance with good clinical practice, and the integrity and validity of the clinical trial data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper deals with the ethical guidelines and legal regulations that govern the conduct of clinical trials and discusses the ethical implications that arose from the forced adjustments of routine processes and procedures in the clinical trial conduct during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The paper also reflects on the ethical consequences of conducting clinical trials during the public health emergency, as well as on means of performing quality assurance activities and a regular oversight of clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Smell disorders are frequent symptoms of COVID-19 disease. This systematic review covers the pathophysiology, diagnostics, prognostic significance, and treatment of COVID-19 related smell disorders. Methods: The articles were selected in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria were: 1. peer-reviewed publications; 2. studies on human subjects; 3. studies published in English or Czech; and 4. used filters: meta-analysis/systematic review/randomized controlled trial. The exclusion criteria were: 1. abstracts from conferences; 2. commentaries; and 3. inclusion of subjects younger than 18 years. The databases PubMed and Web of Science were searched. Using the search term “anosmia OR smell loss OR smell disorders OR dysosmia OR parosmia AND COVID-19”, 157 papers were selected for analysis, with 109 being ruled out based on the exclusion criteria. The full texts and their references were obtained and studied, and the references meeting the inclusion criteria were also included in this review, leading to a total of 68 papers selected for the review. Results: Approximately 60% of patients with COVID-19 disease present with smell disorders. Most studies agree anosmia appears more frequently in the mild course of the disease. The inflammation and demyelination of the olfactory nerve fibres probably play a key role in the pathogenesis. Damage to the supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium may also play an important role. Olfactory disorder may persist over a varying period of time after the resolution of the acute phase of COVID-19. Olfactory training seems to be beneficial in the treatment. The data regarding the effi cacy of topical corticosteroids are inconsistent. No other drugs have yet demonstrated a clinical effect. Conclusion: Loss of smell is a common accompanying symptom in mostly mild forms of COVID-19. Olfactory training seems to be effective in treating this dysfunction. Pharmacotherapy (including local and systemic corticosteroids) has not yet proven eff ective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The paper presents the results of a qualitative study focused on the Czech libraries' situation during the Covid-19 pandemic, namely in the spring and autumn of 2020, supplemented by an overview of anti-epidemic measures concerning the libraries. It also briefly summarizes the Czech and foreign literature on the topic published so far. Design/Methodology/Approach -- Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with the aim to find out how the anti-epidemic measures influenced library services, including a comparison of the spring and autumn waves. The questions concerned print and electronic holdings and related services, educational activities, community role and library promotion. Information on anti-epidemic measures was obtained through an analysis of government documents and the electronic archive of the e-mail conference „Knihovna”. Results -- For libraries, the spring closure meant a shock, and the subsequent loosening of measures meant chaos and rapid changes, it was necessary to improvise, especially in lending services; antiepidemic measures also greatly affected the organization of educational and community events, which partially moved online. Libraries had to cope with the need for a different work organization, and at the time of closure they had to find alternative activities. The number of physical loans decreased, while the use of electronic resources increased, although this was not always a significant increase. Some positives were mentioned including the importance of libraries, the interest of readers, changes in thinking that led to the reassessment of certain processes, the development of digital services or verification of the response and adaptation to a crisis. Originality/Value -- Although articles on Czech libraries during the pandemic have been already published, mainly in the form of case studies on individual libraries or regions, but also containing the results of partial questionnaire surveys, a qualitative study of libraries has not yet appeared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide pandemic caused by the novel acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has resulted in a new lethal disease termed coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19). Although there is an association between cardiovascular disease and covid-19, the majority of patients who require cardiovascular care for the management of ischemic heart disease may not be infected with this novel coronavirus. Cardiovascular manifestations of covid-19 are complex with patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis simulating an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), stress cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary spasm, or nonspecific myocardial injury. This paper deals with the care of predominantly STEMI patients during the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on a) incidence of acute coronary syndromes; b) treatment of STEMI patients - primary percutaneous coronary intervention and fibrinolysis based strategy; c) appropriate personal protection; and d) burden for healthcare providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]