Microvascular injuries, secondary edema, and inconsistencies in lung vascularization between affected and nonaffected pulmonary segments of non-critically ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients presenting with clinical deterioration.

Purpose: We aimed to better understand the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in non-critically ill hospitalized patients secondarily presenting with clinical deterioration and increase in oxygen requirement without any identified worsening factors.

Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients without clinical or biological evidence for superinfection, without left ventricular dysfunction and for whom a pulmonary embolism was discarded by computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography. We investigated lung ventilation and perfusion (LVP) by LVP scintigraphy, and, 24 h later, left and right ventricular function by Tc-99m-labeled albumin-gated blood-pool scintigraphy with late (60 mn) tomographic albumin images on the lungs to evaluate lung albumin retention that could indicate microvascular injuries with secondary edema.

Effects of thymidylate synthase polymorphisms on toxicities associated with high-dose methotrexate in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: High-dose methotrexate (HD- MTX) is the cornerstone of chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and one of its target enzymes is Thymidylate Synthase (TYMS). We hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms of TYMS gene would be associated with MTX toxicity in ALL children.

Methods: 64 children with ALL were included in this study.

COVID-19 pneumonia: relationship between inflammation assessed by whole-body FDG PET/CT and short-term clinical outcome.

Purpose: [18F]-2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET/CT (FDG PET/CT) is a sensitive and quantitative technic for detecting inflammatory process. Glucose uptake is correlated with an increased anaerobic glycolysis seen in activated inflammatory cells such as monocytes, lymphocytes, and granulocytes. The aim of the study was to assess the inflammatory status at the presumed peak of the inflammatory phase in non-critically ill patients requiring admission for COVID-19.

Comparative efficacy of honey 12.5% and chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthwashes on the oropharyngeal bacterial colonization in mechanically-ventilated patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of honey mouthwash 12.5% and chlorhexidine solution 0.2% to reduce the rate of oropharyngeal bacterial colonization in mechanically-ventilated patients.

Folate pathway genetic polymorphisms modulate methotrexate-induced toxicity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the major malignancies affecting children in Jordan. Methotrexate (MTX) is the cornerstone of chemotherapy for ALL, and works by targeting enzymes involved in the folate pathway. We hypothesize that genetic polymorphisms of the folate pathway are associated with MTX toxicity in children with ALL.