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Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of metformin in complication improvement of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial that involved 189 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Patients in the intervention group received metformin-500 mg twice daily. Patients who received metformin before admission were excluded from the control group. Patients who were discharged before taking at least 2000 mg of metformin were excluded from the study. Primary outcomes were vital signs, need for ICU admission, need for intubation, and mortality. Results: Data showed that patients with diabetes with previous metformin in their regimen had lower percentages of ICU admission and death in comparison with patients without diabetes (11.3% vs. 26.1% (P=0.014) and 4.9% vs. 23.9% (P≤0.001), respectively). Admission time characteristics were the same for both groups except for diabetes and hyperlipidemia, which were significantly different between the two groups. Observations of naproxen consumption on endpoints, duration of hospitalization, and the levels of spO2 did not show any significant differences between the intervention and the control group. The adjusted OR for intubation in the intervention group versus the control group was 0.21 [95% CI, 0.04-0.99 (P=0.047)]. Conclusion: In this trial, metformin consumption had no effect on mortality and ICU admission rates in non-diabetic patients. However, metformin improved COVID-19 complications in diabetic patients who had been receiving metformin prior to COVID-19 infection, and it significantly lowered the intubation rates.

Background: Polymeric materials are widely known as versatile materials, particularly for biomedical applications. The bioavailability, low toxicity, solubility, and permeability of this material play an essential role in biomedical implants, such as joint replacements, bone plates, ligaments, vascular grafts, intraocular lenses, heart valves, sutures, and dental implants. These materials can be formed as either biodegradable or other naturally bioactive polymers, which are composed of nano-sized particles in the composition of other materials. For example, PCL-P (HEMA-NIPAAm) is a thermosensitive, biodegradable, and biocompatible hydrogel for biomedical applications. In this study, we aimed to create a VEGF-loaded PCL-P (HEMA-NIPAAm) hybrid copolymer and analyze VEGF gene expression in human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) that adhere to the copolymer. Methods: VEGF (0.1 Â g/mL) was loaded onto synthesized PCL-P (HEMA-NIPAAm), and hDPSCs were seeded into the scaffolds. To describe the hDPSC changes, VEGF mRNA, VEGF protein, and calcific deposition were examined. Results: VEGF-loaded PCL-P (HEMA-NIPAAm) increased VEGF mRNA and protein expression in hDPSCs compared to PCL-P (HEMA-NIPAAm) and cells with any scaffold (P>0.05). After 21 days of culture, the color intensity of alizarin red was significantly higher in VEGF-loaded PCL-P (HEMA-NIPAAm) cells than in those with any scaffold (P

Abstract Reinfection with COVID‐19 is possible after exposure to a high dose of the virus. Due to immunity acquired during the previous infection, light symptoms are expected. The finding indicates importance of continuous protection in healthcare workers.