Current update on the neurological manifestations of long COVID: more questions than answers.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a global surge in patients presenting with prolonged or late-onset debilitating sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, colloquially termed long COVID. This narrative review provides an updated synthesis of the latest evidence on the neurological manifestations of long COVID, discussing its clinical phenotypes, underlying pathophysiology, while also presenting the current state of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Approximately one-third of COVID-19 survivors experience prolonged neurological sequelae that persist for at least 12-months post-infection, adversely affecting patients' quality of life.

The Effect of Activity Tracking Apps on Physical Activity and Glycemic Control in People with Prediabetes Compared to Normoglycemic Individuals: A Pilot Study.

Unlabelled: Introduction-Aim: Adopting a lifestyle that incorporates regular physical activity confers substantial benefits to both physical and mental health and is recommended for prediabetic individuals. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of activity tracking apps on increasing physical activity and its effect on glycemic control in people with prediabetes.

Materials And Methods: This pilot study included 37 participants, 18 in the prediabetic group and 19 in the normoglycemic group matched for age and gender (mean age 53 years, 40% males).

Viruses and psychiatric disorders: We have not crossed the borderline from hypothesis to proof yet (Review).

Most psychiatric disorders are heterogeneous and are attributed to the synergistic action of a multitude of factors. It is generally accepted that psychiatric disorders are the outcome of interactions between genetic predisposition and environmental perturbations, which involve psychosocial stress, or alterations in the physiological state of the organism. A number of hypotheses have been presented on such environmental influences that may include direct insults such as injury, malnutrition and hostile living conditions, or indirect sequelae following infection from viruses such as influenza, arboviruses, enteroviruses and several herpesviruses, or the differential expression of human endogenous retroviruses.

Effect of Different Dietary Patterns on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

Background/objectives: Lifestyle interventions such as dietary changes have been proposed to control the cardiometabolic risk factors and thus prevent cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD). We performed an umbrella review to investigate whether different dietary patterns affect CV risk in individuals with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor (hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome) but not established CVD.

Methods: We systematically searched the PubMed and Scopus databases (up to August 2024) for the systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Fertilizers and Human Health-A Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Evidence.

Background: Fertilizers are widely used to supply nutrients to crops, thereby increasing yields and soil fertility. However, the effects of their production and application on human health through occupational, residential, and environmental exposure remain unclear.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of epidemiological studies on the association between exposure to fertilizers and health-related outcomes.

Evaluation of gastroenterology training curriculum in Greece.

Resident Survey of Gastroenterology Training in Greece.

The effect of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP1 receptor agonists on arterial stiffness: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are indices used to assess arterial stiffness. We evaluated the effect of sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) on arterial stiffness indices.

Methods: We searched PubMed (up to January 2024) for RCTs assessing the effect of SGLT2i or GLP1-RA on arterial stiffness with reporting outcomes PWV and AIx.

Beau's Lines and COVID-19; A Systematic Review on Their Association.

Background: Beau's lines are transverse grooves in the nail plate that result from transient interruption of the growth of the proximal nail matrix after severe disease. The aim of this study is to systematically report all evidence on the association of Beau's lines with COVID-19 infection or vaccination against COVID-19.

Methods: PubMed and Scopus databases were searched up to January 2024 for articles reporting Beau's lines associated with COVID-19 infection or vaccination for COVID-19.

Unravelling Beau's Lines as a Potential Indicator of Severe Immune Response in Covid-19 and Reinfection.

Background: Beau's lines are transverse grooves in the nail plate that result from transient interruption of the growth of the proximal nail matrix. These rare nail disorders can be triggered mostly by infections or systemic diseases.

Case Description: We describe a 65-year-old man who presented with nail changes on all fingernails.

Predominance of Recombinant Norovirus Strains in Greece, 2016-2018.

GII.4 noroviruses have caused the overwhelming majority of norovirus-related gastroenteritis cases during the past two decades. However, a trend towards the emergence of new genotypes and novel GII.

Evaluation of Quality of Life and Emotional Disturbances in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy.

Unlabelled: Diabetes has detrimental effects on many organs, including the kidneys, heart, and the central nervous system, with ophthalmic involvement and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), specifically, being among the most severe and prominent consequences. Diabetic Retinopathy and especially advanced stages of the disease, have a crucial impact on patients' quality of life and emotional status. In this context, emotional imbalance, psychological side effects and comorbidities, like anxiety disorders, could emerge, deteriorating the patients' condition further.

Links between trauma and psychosis (Review).

The relationship between trauma and psychosis is complex and multifaceted, with evidence suggesting that trauma can be both a risk factor for the development of psychosis and a consequence of psychotic experiences. The present review aimed to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the relationship between trauma and psychosis, including historical and conceptual considerations, as well as epidemiological evidence. The potential explanation of the link between trauma and psychosis is provided through available models and similarities in their neurobiological associations.

The effect of SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP1 agonists, and their sequential combination on cardiometabolic parameters: A randomized, prospective, intervention study.

Background: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are indices used to assess arterial stiffness. We aim to compare the effect of empagliflozin, liraglutide and their sequential combination on arterial stiffness indices in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: This was a randomized single blind study evaluating the effect of empagliflozin vs liraglutide in adult patients with T2D.

Difference on Glucose Profile From Continuous Glucose Monitoring in People With Prediabetes vs. Normoglycemic Individuals: A Matched-Pair Analysis.

Introduction: Comprehensive characteristics of the glycemic profile for prediabetes derived by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) are unknown. We evaluate the difference of CGM profiles between individuals with prediabetes and normoglycemic individuals, including the response to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Methods: Individuals with prediabetes matched for age, sex, and BMI with normoglycemic individuals were instructed to use professional CGM for 1 week.

Investigating predictors of well-being in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: the role of undiagnosed depression.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common metabolic disorder with various medical and psychological adverse effects. Well-being in patients with T2DM is often compromised. The aim of the present study was to investigate clinicodemographic predictors of well-being in patients with T2DM with no known psychiatric history and explore the mediatory role of undiagnosed anxiety and depression.

The impact of the first UK COVID-19 lockdown on presentations with psychosis to mental health services for older adults: An electronic health records study in South London.

Objectives: Social distancing restrictions in the COVID-19 pandemic may have had adverse effects on older adults' mental health. Whereby the impact on mood is well-described, less is known about psychotic symptoms. The aim of this study was to compare characteristics associated with psychotic symptoms during the first UK lockdown and a pre-pandemic comparison period.

New‑onset neuropsychiatric sequelae and 'long‑COVID' syndrome (Review).

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a widespread impact on individuals' mental health through indirect psychological and social mechanisms, related to factors such as fear of infection or death, social isolation, lack of social support and financial instability. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has also been associated with the development or recurrence of neuropsychiatric symptoms, both during the acute phase, as well as during the post-acute 'long-COVID' phase. In addition to the COVID-19 survivors with a mental health history that are at a high risk of experiencing a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms following resolution of acute COVID-19, there is accumulating evidence that a diagnosis of COVID-19 may also be associated with new-onset neuropsychiatric morbidity among survivors without pre-existing mental health disorders.

Gut Microbiome: A Brief Review on Its Role in Schizophrenia and First Episode of Psychosis.

There is a growing body of evidence highlighting the role of gut microbiota as a biological basis of psychiatric disorders. The existing literature suggest that cognitive and emotional activities can be influenced by microbes through the microbiota-gut-brain axis and implies an association between alterations in the gut microbiome and several psychiatric conditions, such as autism, depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis. The aim of this review is to summarise recent findings and provide concise updates on the latest progress of the role of gut microbiota in the development and maintenance of psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenia and the first episode of psychosis.

Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth Can Form an Indigenous Proinflammatory Environment in the Duodenum: A Prospective Study.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) contributes to the formation of an inflammatory environment in various intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. Cytokines that participate in these mechanisms are yet to be examined. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with duodenal aspiration was performed in 224 patients.