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Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is by far the most world-altering pandemic to ever hit modern humanity. Three years after the very first case emerged in December 2019, the virus continues to bring upon global disarray in the acute phase of the infection as well as months afterwards, causing the virus’s morbidity and mortality to further skyrocket. This systematic literature review was conducted up till December 2022, comprising all the case reports that thoroughly discuss a myriad of non-Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children (non-MIS-C) post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC) in the paediatric population, also known as Long COVID Syndrome. In this review, we aimed to highlight the prevalent time interval between COVID-19 infection and the development of various non-MISC post-infectious sequalae (PIS). Methods: We conducted a holistic literature search on PubMed, Google Scholar, Google Search, and Scopus. Data bases were searched for studies that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The systematic review was performed on all case reports containing relevant outcome parameters such as age, sex, the interval between COVID-19 infection and subsequent PASC and, lastly, the need for hospitalization during the course of the disease. Results: We collected a total of 78 case reports discussing the various post-infectious immune sequalae following COVID-19 infection in the paediatric population, consisting of a total of 109 patients. The final screening revealed an equal sex distribution, whereas the two commonest age intervals were school-aged children and adolescents, with 38% of the patients having been older than six years. Interestingly, hospital admission throughout the course of COVID-19 wasn’t a predictor of the subsequent PASC; forty-nine patients (44.9%) were hospitalized while sixty patients (55.1%) were not hospitalized. More importantly, the most predominant time interval between COVID-19 infection and the developing PASC was observed to be within 14 days since the start of COVID-19 infection, accounting for 61% of the cases. Conclusion: These findings suggest a crucial link is slowly but surely unfolding between COVID-19 and an abundance of systemic post-infectious immune sequalae in the paediatric population, especially amongst children older than six years. Accordingly, meticulous follow-up and prompt management is largely encouraged for the paediatric population in case of unusual symptoms and signs following COVID-19 infection, regardless of COVID-19’s severity.

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is by far the most world-altering pandemic to ever hit modern humanity. Three years after the very first case emerged in December 2019, the virus continues to bring upon global disarray in the acute phase of the infection as well as months afterwards, causing the virus’s morbidity and mortality to further skyrocket. This systematic literature review was conducted up till December 2022, comprising all the case reports that thoroughly discuss a myriad of non-Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children (non-MIS-C) post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC) in the paediatric population, also known as Long COVID Syndrome. In this review, we aimed to highlight the prevalent time interval between COVID-19 infection and the development of various non-MISC post-infectious sequalae (PIS). Methods: We conducted a holistic literature search on PubMed, Google Scholar, Google Search, and Scopus. Data bases were searched for studies that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The systematic review was performed on all case reports containing relevant outcome parameters such as age, sex, the interval between COVID-19 infection and subsequent PASC and, lastly, the need for hospitalization during the course of the disease. Results: We collected a total of 78 case reports discussing the various post-infectious immune sequalae following COVID-19 infection in the paediatric population, consisting of a total of 109 patients. The final screening revealed an equal sex distribution, whereas the two commonest age intervals were school-aged children and adolescents, with 38% of the patients having been older than six years. Interestingly, hospital admission throughout the course of COVID-19 wasn’t a predictor of the subsequent PASC; forty-nine patients (44.9%) were hospitalized while sixty patients (55.1%) were not hospitalized. More importantly, the most predominant time interval between COVID-19 infection and the developing PASC was observed to be within 14 days since the start of COVID-19 infection, accounting for 61% of the cases. Conclusion: These findings suggest a crucial link is slowly but surely unfolding between COVID-19 and an abundance of systemic post-infectious immune sequalae in the paediatric population, especially amongst children older than six years. Accordingly, meticulous follow-up and prompt management is largely encouraged for the paediatric population in case of unusual symptoms and signs following COVID-19 infection, regardless of COVID-19’s severity.

Endothelial dysfunction with subsequent degeneration and vasoocclusive remodeling is the hallmark of many cardiovascular disorders including pulmonary vascular disease (PVD). To date, the available treatments slows disease progression but does not prevent deterioration. Reversing such pathologies would spare many patients risky surgeries and long waiting lists for a possible organ donor. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists were first introduced as sole insulin sensitizers, however, there is increasing body of evidence that they have different actions on DNA which might help reverse vascular degeneration. This effect appears to be mainly achieved through enhancement of DNA damage responses (DDR). The aforementioned effect could offer new insights about repurposing drugs for achieving organ or tissue regeneration, an understudied field named drug-induced regenerative medicine.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the largest outbreak to strike the world since the Spanish flu in 1918. Visual examination of the world map shows a wide variation of death tolls between countries. The main goal of our series is to determine the best predictors of such discrepancy. Methods This is a retrospective study in which the rate of COVID-19 deaths was correlated with each of the following independent variables: total tests per 1 million population, gross domestic product (GDP), average temperatures per country, ultraviolet index, median age, average BMI per country, food supply, Bacille Calmette-Guerin compulsory status, and passenger traffic. Results BMI per country proved to be the second best predictor of death rate with an R value of 0.43, and GDP being the best predictor with R = 0.65. Conclusion This article shows a tight correlation between average BMI, food supply per country, and COVID-19-related deaths. Such predisposing factors might operate by upregulating the inflammation pathway in heavily struck countries, leading to easier triggering of the infamous cytokine storm syndrome. Obesity also increases cardiovascular and respiratory morbidities, which are coupled to increased ICU demand and deaths among infected cases. Video abstract: http://links.lww.com/CAEN/A25.

Introduction Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the commonest myocardial response to chronic kidney disease (CKD); this response has been regarded detrimental as it impairs the blood flow to the deepest layers of the myocardium causing progressive myocardial dysfunction. The aim of these series is to assess the determinants of LVH in CKD patients and its impact on subendocardial function in such patients. Methods This study has been conducted on 40 CKD patients (Group 1) and 40 age-matched controls, both groups were assessed by transmural echocardiography to determine the subepicardial and subendocardial global longitudinal strain (GLS) as an expression of the systolic function of each of those layers. LVH was assessed by calculation of left ventricle mass index (LVMI). Both groups underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Group 1 was assessed as regards lipid profile and insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results HOMA-IR proved to be a more important determinant of LV hypertrophy than SBP and DBP with a P of 0.01. Moreover subendocardial GLS was negatively correlated with LVMI with r = 0.69 and P < 0.01 denoting the negative effect. LVH plays on subendocardial function probably by impairing myocardial perfusion. Conclusion This study points toward the importance of insulin resistance in aggravation of myocardial remodeling in CKD patients; more studies are warranted to examine the role of insulin Sensitizers in reversing such remodeling and restoring subendocardial function in such important systemic disorder.

Purpose To evaluate the role and cost-effectiveness of preoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients having cataract surgery. Setting Fondation Opthalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France. Design Retrospective case series. Methods All patients who had cataract surgery had macular and retinal nerve fiber layer SD-OCT preoperatively. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed, including corrected near (CNVA) and corrected distance visual acuities, intraocular pressure (IOP), and a fundus examination. Results The study comprised 245 patients (401 eyes) with a mean age of 73.5 years ± 9.81 and a mean IOP of 15.6 ± 3.04 mm Hg. Of 107 eyes (26.7%) with abnormal macular SD-OCT, 70 eyes were judged normal on fundus examination. The most frequent anomalies were age-related macular degeneration and epiretinal membrane. Age over 70 years and CNVA worse than Parinaud 2 were associated with higher rate of abnormal macular SD-OCT (odds ratio, 2.76 and 2.28, respectively). Fifty-seven eyes (14.2%) had abnormal retinal nerve fiber layer SD-OCT, 30% of them with no history of glaucoma and no detected anomaly on fundus examination. Age over 70 years and a history of glaucoma were associated with a higher rate of retinal nerve fiber layer anomalies. Conclusions Preoperative SD-OCT scanning was significantly more effective in detecting anomalies in patients having cataract surgery than fundus examination. Older age and CNVA worse than Parinaud 2 were associated with higher rates of abnormal macular SD-OCT. Older age and a history of glaucoma were associated with higher abnormal retinal nerve fiber layer anomaly rates.

To assess the anatomical and functional outcomes in addition to complications for endoillumination-assisted modified scleral buckling surgery using a noncontact Oculus BIOM wide-angle viewing system in patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.This is an interventional prospective noncomparative case series. Consecutive patients listed for scleral buckle surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were enrolled over an 18-month period and followed up for 1 year. The study cohort consisted of 25 patients (25 eyes) of which 23 patients (23 eyes) completed the 1-year follow-up. Scleral buckling surgery was done with a 23-gauge endoillumination probe, which was inserted through a pars plana sclerotomy. The primary outcome measure was anatomical success rate with one surgery assessed at the 6-month and the 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcome measures included final visual acuity, number of surgeries required, and complication rates such as entry site break, posterior vitreous detachment, endophthalmitis, and cataract.At 1 year, anatomical success with one surgery was achieved in 20 patients (87%). One patient required two additional vitreoretinal surgeries and 2 patients required three additional surgeries. All patients had a flat retina at 1 year with silicone oil present in one eye. Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved by six ETDRS lines, from 1.03 ± 0.83 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/200) preoperatively to 0.40 ± 0.47 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/50) at 1 year. No entry site breaks were detected, and posterior vitreous detachment developed in six patients (26%). No cases of endophthalmitis or cataract progression were reported.Endoillumination-assisted modified scleral buckling surgery combined with a noncontact wide-angle viewing system can provide good anatomical and functional outcomes with many advantages and a low complication rate.