Predicting Late-Term Pregnancy: The Role of Corrected Fetal Adrenal Gland Volume in Low-Risk Pregnants.

Late-term pregnancy is commonly seen in obstetrics and is linked to adverse outcomes. Corrected fetal adrenal gland volume (cAGV) is an ultrasound marker that was used to predict preterm labor. The objective was to determine whether cAGV, in conjunction with other maternal risk factors, could predict late-term pregnancy among low-risk pregnant women in order to improve obstetric care.

The potential therapeutic effect of metformin in type 2 diabetic patients with severe COVID-19.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is regarded as a chief risk factor for(coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) owing to dysregulation of the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and chronic low-grade inflammatory disorders. Metformin, an insulin-sensitizing agent for managing T2DM, has pleiotropic anti-inflammatory and oxidant potentials, which may lessen the risk of diabetic complications. So, we aimed to reveal the potential role of metformin monotherapy in treating T2DM patients with COVID-19.

Insights on Covid-19 with superimposed pulmonary histoplasmosis: The possible nexus.

A novel coronavirus (CoV) known as severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV type 2 is the causative agent for the development of CoV disease 2019 (Covid-19). Covid-19 may increase the risk of developing pulmonary histoplasmosis due to immune dysregulation. In addition, Covid-19 may enhance the propagation of acute pulmonary histoplasmosis due to lung injury and inflammation, and using corticosteroids in severely affected Covid-19 patients may reactivate latent pulmonary histoplasmosis.

Possible role of LCZ696 in atherosclerosis: new inroads and perspective.

LCZ696 blocks both angiotensin receptor type 1 (ATR1) and neprilysin (NEP), which are intricate in the degradation of natriuretic peptides (NPs) and other endogenous peptides. It has been shown NEP inhibitors and LCZ696 could be effectively in the management of atherosclerosis (AS). However, the underlying mechanism of LCZ696 in AS is needed to be clarified entirely.

Metformin role in Parkinson's disease: a double-sword effect.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease developed due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. There is no single effective treatment in the management of PD. Therefore, repurposing effective and approved drugs like metformin could be an effective strategy for managing PD.

Potential role of tirzepatide towards Covid-19 infection in diabetic patients: a perspective approach.

In Covid-19, variations in fasting blood glucose are considered a distinct risk element for a bad prognosis and outcome in Covid-19 patients. Tirazepatide (TZT), a dual glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist may be effective in managing Covid-19-induced hyperglycemia in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The beneficial effect of TZT in T2DM and obesity is related to direct activation of GIP and GLP-1 receptors with subsequent improvement of insulin sensitivity and reduction of body weight.

The Potential Effect of Dapsone on the Inflammatory Reactions in COVID-19: Staggering View.

Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is linked with an overstated immune response with the succeeding release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and progression of the cytokine storm. In addition, severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with the development of oxidative stress and coagulopathy. Dapsone (DPS) is a bacteriostatic antibiotic that has a potent anti-inflammatory effect.

SARS-COV-2 infection and Parkinson's disease: Possible links and perspectives.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The hallmarks are the presence of Lewy bodies composed mainly of aggregated α-synuclein and immune activation and inflammation in the brain. The neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2 with induction of cytokine storm and neuroinflammation can contribute to the development of PD.

Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Metformin Alone and in Combination with Sitagliptin in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Patients with COVID-19.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a potential risk factor for the development of COVID-19 and is associated with higher severity and mortality rates. T2DM patients are commonly treated with metformin monotherapy or metformin plus sitagliptin. In the present case-control, single-center cohort study, a total number of 112 T2DM patients suffering from COVID-19 and aged 44−62 years old were compared with 78 T2DM patients without COVID-19 and aged 42−56 years old.

COVID-19 and Diabetes: will Novel Drugs for Diabetes Help in COVID-19?

COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has afflicted more than 245.37 million individuals worldwide and resulted in more than 4.9 million deaths as of today, with a mortality rate of 2.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and C1-Esterase Inhibitor: Camouflage Pattern and New Perspective.

In Covid-19, the pathological effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection is arbitrated through direct viral toxicity, unusual immune response, endothelial dysfunction, deregulated renin-angiotensin system [RAS], and thrombo-inflammation, leading to acute lung injury (ALI), with a succession of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in critical conditions. C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH) is a protease inhibitor that inhibits the spontaneous activation of complement and contact systems and kinin pathway, clotting, and fibrinolytic systems. Therefore, targeting the complement system through activation of C1INH might be a novel therapeutic modality in the treatment of Covid-19.

Targeting and Modulation of the Natriuretic Peptide System in Covid-19: A Single or Double-Edged Effect?

Natriuretic peptide system (NPS) is a group of peptide hormones or paracrine factors, including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and natriuretic peptide precursor C (NPC), that are structurally related. The physiological effects of NPS include natriuresis, increased glomerular filtration rate, inhibition release of renin, vasopressin, and aldosterone, sympathetic inhibition, vasodilatations, and prevents cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling. ANP has immunological effects, as it is produced locally from immune cells; it regulates innate and adaptive immune responses.

Calprotectin: The Link Between Acute Lung Injury and Gastrointestinal Injury in Covid-19: Ban or Boon.

The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is related to the direct cytopathic effect and associated hyper-inflammation due to exaggerated immune response. Different experimental and clinical studies revealed that many biomarkers could be used to determine the Covid-19 severity, such as Ddimer, procalcitonin, C-reaction protein (CRP), IL-6, and ferritin. Calprotectin (CP) is associated with intestinal inflammation, intestinal injury, and different respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

The Prospective Effect of Allopurinol on the Oxidative Stress Index and Endothelial Dysfunction in Covid-19.

SARS-CoV-2 by the direct cytopathic effect or indirectly through the propagation of pro-inflammatory cytokines could cause endothelial dysfunction (ED) and oxidative stress (OS). It has been reported that OS is triggered by various types of viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2. Into the bargain, allopurinol is regarded as a potent antioxidant that acts through inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO), which is an essential enzyme of purine metabolism.

Alpha-1antitrypsin in pre-eclampsia; from a clinical perspective.

Objective: To assess serum Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) levels in women with pre-ecclampsia and correlate them with other parameters of pre-eclampsia.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, Baghdad from February 2019 to February 2020. Included were 85 pregnant women with 32-34 weeks of gestation.

The Rise of SARS-CoV-2 Variants and the Role of Convalescent Plasma Therapy for Management of Infections.

Novel therapies for the treatment of COVID-19 are continuing to emerge as the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic progresses. PCR remains the standard benchmark for initial diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, while advances in immunological profiling are guiding clinical treatment. The SARS-Cov-2 virus has undergone multiple mutations since its emergence in 2019, resulting in changes in virulence that have impacted on disease severity globally.

COVID-19 and Risk of Acute Ischemic Stroke and Acute Lung Injury in Patients With Type II Diabetes Mellitus: The Anti-inflammatory Role of Metformin.

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is regarded as an independent risk factor for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to the induction of endothelial dysfunction, coagulopathy, cytokine storm, and plaque instability. In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 42 COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who presented with AIS within 1 week of displaying COVID-19 symptoms were recruited. According to the current anti-DM pharmacotherapy, patients were divided into two groups: a Metformin group of T2DM patients with COVID-19 and AIS on metformin therapy (850 mg, 3 times daily ( = 22), and a Non-metformin group of T2DM patients with COVID-19 and AIS under another anti-DM pharmacotherapy like glibenclamide and pioglitazone ( = 20).

COVID-19 and Phosphodiesterase Enzyme Type 5 Inhibitors.

COVID-19 pathology is mainly associated to a pulmonary disease which sometimes might result in an uncontrollable storm related to inflammatory diseases which could be fatal. It is well known that phosphodiesterase enzyme type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is), such as sildenafil, have been successfully developed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension; interestingly, more recently, it was shown that PDE5Is might be also anti-inflammatory. Therefore, it would be of interest to question about the use of PDE5Is to overcome the COVID-19 storm, as much as PDE5 is mainly present in the lung tissues and vessels.

Increased mean carotid intima media thickness in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with non-blood pressure component metabolic syndrome: A preliminary report.

Aims: Patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus have greater carotid intima media thickness and they are at risk for generalized atherosclerosis. This study aimed to compare the thickness of carotid artery intima media in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without nonblood pressure component metabolic syndrome.

Settings And Design: This was a comparative observational study conducted in the Departments of Pharmacology and Physiology in the College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriyia University in cooperation with Baghdad Teaching Hospital.

Significant measurement of mean carotid intima-media thickness in sustained essential hypertension.

Objective: To assess the significant association of atherosclerosis quantified by screening intima media thickness of bilateral common and internal carotid arteries in patients with asymptomatic and persistent hypertension with and without ischemic stroke.

Methods: Subjects in this investigation were recruited from the vascular Doppler unit at Baghdad Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq during 2005. A total number of 119 (61 females and 58 males), with ages ranging from 40-70 years, were able to comply with the observational comparative study protocol.