Neurological Involvements in COVID-19: A hospital-based study

ObjectivesThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is the most challenging crisis in the contemporary world. Besides severe pulmonary involvement, the disease also has several extrapulmonary manifestations, and new signs and symptoms are associated with it every dayThe present study aimed to inquire about the frequency of neurological manifestations and risk factors of COVID-19. Materials & MethodsThis retrospective, descriptive study included patients with neurological involvement admitted to the Alborz University of Medical Sciences academic hospitals from March 2020 to July 2020 with confirmed COVID-19 infection. The data included in the analysis were the patient’s demographic information, underlying diseases, neurological manifestations, and laboratory findings.   ResultsThe study included ninety-five patients with a mean age of fiftynine. Neurological symptoms and signs were observed in 91.6% and 10.5% of the patients, respectively. The most frequently associated neurological symptoms of COVID-19 were fatigue (49.5%), headache (47.4%), and dizziness (45.3%). Furthermore, the most common neurological involvements included gait disorders (6.3%), cerebellar dysfunction (4.2%), and cerebrovascular accidents (3.15%). Positive troponin was shown to be the strongest predictor of neurological signs (OR=21, P=0.017), followed by WBC≥15,000 (OR = 20.75, P=0.018) and a history of respiratory disease (OR=7.42, P=0.007)

DNA Methylation in Cancer: Epigenetic View of Dietary and Lifestyle Factors

Background: Alterations in DNA methylation play an important role in cancer development and progression. Dietary nutrients and lifestyle behaviors can influence DNA methylation patterns and thereby modulate cancer risk. Introduction: To comprehensively review available evidence on how dietary and lifestyle factors impact DNA methylation and contribute to carcinogenesis through epigenetic mechanisms. Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed to identify relevant studies published between 2005 and 2022 that examined relationships between dietary/lifestyle factors and DNA methylation in cancer. Studies investigating the effects of dietary components (eg, micronutrients, phytochemicals), physical activity, smoking, and obesity on global and gene-specific DNA methylation changes in animal and human cancer models were included. Data on specific dietary/lifestyle exposures, cancer types, DNA methylation targets and underlying mechanisms were extracted. Results: Multiple dietary and lifestyle factors were found to influence DNA methylation patterns through effects on DNA methyltransferase activity, methyl donor availability, and generation of oxidative stress. Altered methylation of specific genes regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation were linked to cancer development and progression. Conclusion: Dietary and lifestyle interventions aimed at modulating DNA methylation have potential for both cancer prevention and treatment through epigenetic mechanisms. Further research is needed to identify actionable targets for nutrition and lifestyle-based epigenetic therapies

Case report of intestinal pseudo obstruction: a rare presentation of hypothyroidism

Background and Objective: It is now well known that thyroid disorders can affect the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract. Hypothyroidism is associated with a wide range of intestinal symptoms, including constipation, bloating, flatulence, atrophic gastritis, ileus, atony, and dilatation of the esophagus stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, and colon. In uncontrolled and severe cases, the disease can lead to intestinal pseudo obstruction, paralytic ileus, and megacolon. In this case report, we presented a patient suffering from intestinal pseudo obstruction secondary to severe hypothyroidism. Case Presentation: The patient was an 83-year-old woman who was hospitalized due to abdominal pain. The patient had uncontrolled hypothyroidism and complained of intestinal obstruction with the main symptom of no gas and fecal excretion. Abdominal CT scan shows dilated small and large bowel down to the rectum especially more dilated rectum, more suggestive of bowel ileus without mechanical obstruction. With the proper replacement of thyroid hormones, the patient's obstruction was resolved and she was discharged from the hospital in good general condition. Conclusions: Since hypothyroidism can rarely lead to intestinal pseudo obstruction, we recommend that hypothyroidism be considered as an underlying cause in patients with uncontrolled hypothyroidism and obstruction of the small intestine without any mechanical obstruction.  &nbsp