Role of Antiviral Drugs in Management of Mild and Moderate Coronavirus Disease-19: A Systematic Review

This study was conducted to determine the objective role of antiviral drugs such as arbidol, lopinavir/ritonavir, and others in improving clinical symptoms, decreasing duration of hospitalization, and decreasing duration of viral shedding in patients with mild and moderate COVID-19 infection. A systematic literature search was carried out on Google Scholar and PubMed databases, using the keywords “COVID-19”, “Antiviral”, “Treatment”, and “Symptomatic” in various combinations. Observational studies, cohort and case control studies, and clinical trials published in English with full-text available were included in the study. Data extraction was carried out from selected studies, and all statistical analysis for the study was carried out using Microsoft Excel. The key outcomes studied were time to negative PCR, duration of clinical stay, time to clinical improvement, and occurrence of adverse events. Seven studies were selected for final review after rigorous selection process. Data of total 4734 participants was analyzed, the majority of which were females (n=2810, 59.3%). The majority of participants had mild disease (n=4197, 88.65%). Average time for negative RT-PCR in the included treatment groups was 13.5 days, whereas the average duration of hospitalization was 14.9 days for the treatment groups. Adverse reactions such as ECG changes, gastrointestinal symptoms, secondary bacterial infections, and hepatic and renal dysfunction were scarcely reported in the included studies. There is no clear benefit in terms of duration of hospitalization and time to negative PCR with the use of various antiviral regimens in mild disease; however, these drugs did play a role in limiting disease progression in the participant population. Pending further evidence, the use of these drugs for the management of COVID-19 is not recommend in patients with mild disease

The effect of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) on inflammatory markers (total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count and tumor necrosis factor-alpha)

Background: Inflammation is involved in pathogenesis of many diseases. Antiinflammatory chemicals can be used to treat such illness,especially if they are derived from plant sources as they will have fewer side effects. Objective:to find out  the outcome of ethanolic extract of syzygium aromaticum flower buds on markers of inflammation in albino rats.Material and method: Antiinflammatory activity was investigated in albino rats using a experimental model of  inflammation, the “formalin test” (injecting 5 % formalin into subplantar surface of right hind paw). Ninety rats were uniformly divided into three groups designates as control A,experimental B and refrence C. Intraperitoneal  injection of normal saline, syzygium aromaticum flower bud extract and  indomethacin was used. In these rats, foot edema was measured by Vernier caliper. Blood sampling was done through cardiac punture under anaesthesia to determine total and differential leukocyte counts and serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels. Results: The clove extract  produced significant (p=0.00) decrease  in inflammatory response initiated by 5% formalin. The extract significantly decreased (p=0.009) serum TNF-α. However, its effect on the total and differential leukocyte counts was non-significant (p˃0.05).Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of syzygium aromaticum  possesses potent  anti-inflammatory effects

{'en_US': 'Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Weight Lifters With or Without Supervision ? '}

Background: People nowadays have developed a new passion of weightlifting. Weightlifting focuses on vigorous muscle development. But injuries are also common in weightlifting. This study aims to compare the injury rates among supervised and non-supervised weightlifters. Methods: A group of 138 weight lifters was divided into two groups i.e. who did training under supervision and the other who did training without any supervision. Injuries related to musculoskeletal system were identified using Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Chi square test was used to see the association of musculoskeletal pain among weightlifters with or without supervision. Results: Significant association found between musculoskeletal injuries and supervision. Injuries lesser in number among supervised weightlifters as compared to unsupervised weightlifters. Mean age of weight lifters under supervision and without supervision was 21.99 (SD 3.81) and 24.64 (SD 5.01) respectively. Mean workout days /week among weight lifters under supervision was almost same i.e. 5.67 (SD .63) and was 5.62 (SD .81). Out of 51 participants who work-out for 46-60 min, 30 were not under supervision while 31 weightlifters who work-out for 61-90 min were working out under supervision. Injury rate was more in the region of shoulder in both groups supervised and unsupervised groups while hip/thigh region was less involved in both supervised and unsupervised groups. Conclusion: Overall results showed significant association between musculoskeletal injuries and supervision. Injury rate was more among weightlifters who work without supervision as compared to those who work under supervision. Care should be taken and weight lifting and exercises must be performed under expert’s supervision