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Objective The study investigates the association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and assess whether women with PCOS are at a higher susceptibility and risk for COVID-19 complications. Methods This review analyzes articles indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library, focusing on the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 1, 2019, until November 1, 2022. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the NIH quality assessment tool. The study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023371956) on January 12, 2023. Results A total of 11 observational studies were identified, totaling 22,155 PCOS patients. Despite the heterogeneity of the included studies, the findings of most of the studies were similar in terms of increased susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 infection in PCOS patients. PCOS patients were reported to have a 51% higher risk of COVID-19 infection than non-PCOS women (HR =1.51). Many causes have been identified to play a role, most notably the overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and elevated levels of RAS-associated proteins, decreased serum levels of neuropilin-1 (sNRP1), elevated serum biomarkers such as platelet degranulation and coagulation cascade markers increased acute phase response, and lower levels of vitamin D could render PCOS patients susceptible to a chronic inflammatory state, which can also lead to difficulties and severe consequences, when impacted by COVID-19. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic also influenced psychological well-being, with an increase in the incidence and severity of depression and anxiety among PCOS patients in the COVID-19 pandemic era compared to healthy individuals. Conclusions Patients with PCOS are more likely to get infected with COVID-19 and display a higher affinity to severe infections and complications due to overlapping and confounding factors. These findings suggest that PCOS patients may need more medical attention when infected with COVID-19.

Objective The study investigates the association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and assess whether women with PCOS are at a higher susceptibility and risk for COVID-19 complications. Methods This review analyzes articles indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library, focusing on the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 1, 2019, until November 1, 2022. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the NIH quality assessment tool. The study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023371956) on January 12, 2023. Results A total of 11 observational studies were identified, totaling 22,155 PCOS patients. Despite the heterogeneity of the included studies, the findings of most of the studies were similar in terms of increased susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 infection in PCOS patients. PCOS patients were reported to have a 51% higher risk of COVID-19 infection than non-PCOS women (HR =1.51). Many causes have been identified to play a role, most notably the overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and elevated levels of RAS-associated proteins, decreased serum levels of neuropilin-1 (sNRP1), elevated serum biomarkers such as platelet degranulation and coagulation cascade markers increased acute phase response, and lower levels of vitamin D could render PCOS patients susceptible to a chronic inflammatory state, which can also lead to difficulties and severe consequences, when impacted by COVID-19. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic also influenced psychological well-being, with an increase in the incidence and severity of depression and anxiety among PCOS patients in the COVID-19 pandemic era compared to healthy individuals. Conclusions Patients with PCOS are more likely to get infected with COVID-19 and display a higher affinity to severe infections and complications due to overlapping and confounding factors. These findings suggest that PCOS patients may need more medical attention when infected with COVID-19.

Background Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects approximately 10–15% of children and adolescents. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the main treatment options. Escitalopram, an SSRI for adult anxiety, is being studied for pediatric use. Predicting the treatment response could optimize interventions. This systematic review aimed to understand the safety and efficacy of escitalopram in the treatment of pediatric GAD and to determine potential treatment response indicators. Methods Searches for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on escitalopram’s effectiveness in pediatric GAD were conducted across six databases. Two reviewers selected the trials, extracted data, and evaluated the trial quality independently. A third reviewer resolved the discrepancies. Outcomes were presented as mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), while the Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to gauge evidence quality. Results Five RCTs including 401 patients were analyzed. Escitalopram showed a greater reduction in The Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale PARS score than placebo (MD -6.1, 95% CI [-8.75 to -3.44] (P = 0.09, I2 = 65%)). Multiple methods have been used to predict escitalopram treatment responses, such as reaction time changes, executive functions, and Amygdala Functional Connectivity, including the CYP2C19 metabolizer phenotype. The data indicated that neuroimaging was the most effective predictor of the treatment response. Conclusion Escitalopram notably reduced PARS scores in pediatric patients with GAD. Neuroimaging, as a biomarker, is a valuable predictor of treatment response and provides insights into the neurological aspects of anxiety disorders, offering the potential for groundbreaking treatment advancements.

This study examined the flexural and impact responses of sandwich panels with honeycomb core and hybrid fiber-reinforced composite skins. The influence of laminate composition and thickness on these mechanical properties was investigated. Carbon, glass, and Kevlar fibers were employed in various combinations to fabricate the composite skins. The findings revealed a general trend of increasing flexural strength, modulus, and toughness with rising laminate thickness. However, the laminate configuration exerted a significant influence. Configurations with a higher carbon fiber content exhibited superior strength but reduced strain (ductility). Conversely, configurations incorporating glass or Kevlar fibers demonstrated enhanced ductility at the expense of strength. Overall, configurations utilizing dry carbon fabric skins achieved the highest flexural strength and toughness, while the combination of carbon and glass fibers offered a desirable compromise between strength and ductility. Regarding impact resistance, configurations with solely carbon fibers initially showed the best performance. However, configurations employing a combination of carbon and glass fibers exhibited a noteworthy increase in impact strength with increasing laminate thickness. This observation suggests that the inclusion of glass fibers alongside carbon fibers provides a well-balanced combination of strength and energy absorption capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABO and Rh blood grouping systems are two of the non-modifiable risk factors that play an important role in the susceptibility, severity and outcomes of COVID-19 infection. This review explores these associations all over the world, in an attempt to conclude a clear idea for future reference in clinical practice. In the present review, a link has been drawn between blood groups and COVID-19 transmission, course and prognosis, as literature suggests that blood group O plays a protective role against the infection, while blood group A exhibits a higher risk of exacerbation. In contrast with Rh negative individuals, Rh positive individuals are prone to more severe infection and complications, despite the fact that the underlying mechanisms of this association remain understudied. Nevertheless, the connection remains subject to controversy; since some studies report doubts about it. Thus, this association requires further investigation.

Viral pandemics often take the world by storm, urging the medical community to prioritize the most evident systemic manifestations, often causing ocular manifestations to go unnoticed. This literature review highlights the ocular complications of the Monkeypox, SARS-CoV-2, MERS, Ebola, H1N1, and Zika viruses as the most recent viral pandemics. Research into the effects of these pandemics began immediately. Moreover, it also discusses the ocular complications of the vaccines and treatments that were used in the scope of the viral pandemics. Additionally, this review discusses the role of the eye as an important route of viral transmission, and thereafter, the International recommendations to reduce the incidence of viral transmission were mentioned. Lastly, this paper wants to lay out a platform for researchers who want to learn more about how viruses show up in the eye.