The influence of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on Parkinson’s disease: An updated systematic review

Background: COVID-19 has affected global communities with multiple neurological complications in addition to other critical medical issues. COVID-19 binds to the host\u27s angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, which are expressed in the neurons and glial cells, acting as an entry port to the central nervous system (CNS). ACE2 receptors are abundantly expressed on dopamine neurons, which may worsen the prognosis of motor symptoms in Parkinson\u27s disease (PD). SARS-CoV-2 may lead to an indirect response via immune-mediated cytokine storms and propagate through the CNS leading to damage. In this systematic review, we aim to provide thorough analyses of associations between COVID-19 and neurological outcomes for patients with PD.Methods: Using PRISMA statement 2020, a systematic review was conducted to isolate confirmed COVID-19 patients and analyze the PD-associated neurological outcomes using the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases. The following keywords were used COVID19, SARS-CoV-2, Parkinson\u27s disease, Pandemic, Mortality. A modified Delphi process was employed.Results: Of the 355 studies located during the initial round of screening, 16 were included in the final synthesis. Of PD patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, worsening motor symptoms and other viral-associated symptoms were reported. These symptoms included bradykinesia, tremors, gait disturbances, delirium and dementia, and severe spasms of arms and legs. Encephalopathy was presented in 2 of the included studies. Increased mortality rates were identified for hospitalized patients due to COVID-19 and PD as compared to other patient groups.Conclusion: Patients with PD may experience substantial worsening of symptoms due to COVID 19. Given the novelty of neurological-viral associations, clinical studies in the future ought to explore the disease severity and neurological outcomes in COVID-19 positive patients with PD as compared to non-PD patients, in addition to understanding the role of ACE2 in increased vulnerability to contracting the infection and as a treatment modality

A Scoping Review of Emerging and Established Surgical Robotic Platforms With Applications in Urologic Surgery

Objectives: Since the introduction of the first master–slave robotic platform for surgical procedures, there have been ongoing modifications and development of new platforms, but there is still a paucity of commercially available systems. Our study aims to identify all master–slave robotic surgical platforms currently commercially available or in development around the world with applications in urologic surgery. Methods: A scoping literature search was performed using PRISMA methodology to identify all relevant publications in English in PubMed, PubMed Central, and Embase, with additional information being obtained from official company websites. Results: Ten robotic platforms with either proven or potential application in urologic surgery were identified: the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive), Senhance surgical system (Transentrix), Versius Surgical (CMR Ltd), Enos surgical system (Titan Medical), Revo –I (Meere Company), MiroSurge (DLR), Avatera System (Avatera Medical), Hugo Surgical Robot (Medtronic), Ottava (J&J, Ethicon, Areus), and Hinotori (Medicaroid Corporation). Conclusions: This review highlights the distinct features of emerging master–slave robotic platforms with applications in urologic surgery. Research and development are now focused on finding wider applications, improving outcomes, increasing availability, and reducing cost. Additional research is required comparing newly developed master–slave robotic platforms with those already well established

A Descriptive Review of Epidemiology of COVID–19 in Smokers

Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by SARS Cov 2, gains entry to bronchial epithelial cells by binding of the viral spike protein to angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors. We conducted a non - systematic review of databases with (English articles only), PubMed, Google Scholar using keywords like “COVID-19,” “SARS-CoV-2,” “novel coronavirus,” smoking,” “smokers,” “nicotine.” A total of 33 articles were reviewed. Smokers were 1.4 times more likely to have severe COVID-19 (RR=1.4 95% CI: 0.98-2.00), and 2.4 times more likely to require an ICU admission (RR= 2.4 CI: 1.43-4.04) when compared to non-smokers (n=926). Current smokers were less likely to experience an adverse outcome (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.24–0.74), compared to former smokers.  22% of current smokers and 46% of former smokers had more severe complications. Current smokers had a case fatality rate of 38.5% (n=1790) and higher odds of mortality (OR= 1.25) especially males >65 years (OR=2.51). Public education about smoking cessation should be implemented along with standard guidelines to prevent disease progression

Analysis of COVID-19 and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An in-depth literature review

Introduction: The world is experiencing some of the most complex consequences of the pandemic, with an accelerated growth of cases and deaths and a huge burden for the health systems, especially in immunocompromised individuals. In the healthcare system, the extent of impact of COVID-19 in patients with chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) need its scientific attention. Methods: An extensive literature search was done using ‘COVID – 19’, ‘SARS-CoV-2’, ‘IBD’ using google scholar, clinical trials.gov, and PubMed indexed journals. Results: SARS-CoV-2 has been isolated in the duodenum and rectum, and a higher concentration of fecal calprotectin, a known inflammatory marker, has been found in infected patients with diarrhea compared with those without diarrhea (123.2 vs 17.3 ?g/g; P < .001), suggesting that viral gut tropism could worsen inflammatory status and symptoms of IBD patient. In gist, symptoms experienced by IBD patients with COVID-19 are similar to those occurring in the general population, except for a higher percentage of diarrhea. Conclusions: The aim of our study is to compare the incidence and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with IBD to the general population by using literature review. With increased risk of acquisition of COVID-19 in IBD patients, these patients can be asymptomatic or can present with typical symptoms of sore throat, fever, cough, dyspnea, sputum production, myalgia, fatigue, and headache

Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on Immunocompromised Patients: A Detailed Review

Background:  The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been stressful for everyone across the globe and even more so for the immunocompromised population, bringing with it an enormous emotional impact on their lives. Fear and anxiety regarding this novel disease created a state of panic among the public. The aim was to review published cases of COVID-19 and to discuss pandemic related anxiety and stress in immunocompromised populations and describe their presentations, diagnostic processes, clinical characteristics and outcomes. Methods: Using specific keywords, a review of scientific literature was conducted in databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar including systematic reviews, meta-analysis, case series, and case reports. Of 35 articles, 22 studies were reviewed. Results: Of the 22 studies involved, a few of the studies had significant data. Among 603 ovarian cancer patients, 88.6% were worried, 51.4% anxious, and 26.5% depressed due to COVID-19 related delay in care. Among 167 people living with HIV patients, 25% reported generalized anxiety disorder. In another cross-sectional study with 500 respondents, anxiety (aOR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.25–2.40, p-value = 0.001), depression and anxiety (aOR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.28–2.53, p-value <0.001), and mental health deterioration (aOR = 1.94; 95% CI, 1.48–2.55, p-value <0.001) on basis of fear of the COVID pandemic was noted. Conclusion: As a conclusion, these articles demonstrated that patients with immunocompromised states had more symptoms of anxiety and fear as compared to the immunocompetent patients. Most of the patients had concerns of fear about future health implications, concern over social implications, and possible financial difficulties encountered and remained infectious for a longer duration with severe anxiety symptoms

A systematic, methodological review of the study designs and reported outcomes of sacral neuromodulation for non-obstructive urinary retention.

This systematic, methodological review intends to analyze how research is reported concerning the use of sacral neuromodulation for non-obstructive urinary retention, in both neurologic and non-neurologic populations. The main objective is to review which definitions of "efficacy" of the treatment are used to assess the success of the treatment. Secondary objectives include the comparison of the type of studies which use each definition of efficacy, to bring out potential biases. We also intend to compare the rate of success according to the definition of efficacy which is used, which data is reported in the studies, and which quality of life and symptoms questionnaires are used. The long-term goal of this review is to develop a consensus on how research about sacral neuromodulation and non-obstructive retention should be reported, in order to facilitate future meta-analyses and guidelines

Surging Role of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Refractory ARDS Due COVID-19 and In-depth Review of Existing Applications

Introduction: Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a device applied to maintain cardiopulmonary support in patients in whom there is a failure of the cardiopulmonary function to maintain perfusion to vital organs. Previously, ECMO was used in pulmonary embolism, cardiogenic shock, myocarditis, and heart failure cases. Its use in refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has increased, but the data regarding its safety, efficacy, and mortality benefit remains unclear. The focus of our review is to further expand on these areas and outline the indication, techniques, and complications associated with its use. Methods: We did an extensive search of various databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, and Jama Network and studied 41 papers, including free full articles such as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials published within the past five years. Results: Implementation of ECMO is advantageous when the PaO2/FiO2 is in the range of 100 to 150 mmHg. For COVID-19 patients, the most appropriate approach is to drain from a femoral venous cannula and thread it to the inferior vena cava just 1-2cm below the cavoatrial junction.  It was seen that the most common complication of ECMO use is coagulopathy. Limb ischemia had a variable incidence from 10 to 70% and is more common in venous-arterial ECMO. Conclusion: ECMO is lifesaving in a highly selected group of patients to prolong survival, reduce complications and provide a good prognosis in terms of mortality. To prevent circuit thrombosis, anticoagulation is key, and understanding feasible intra-atrial communication sites, such as a patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defects, is beneficial to mitigate the risk of stroke and cutting down consequences of thromboembolism