SARS-CoV-2, Endothelial Dysfunction, and the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS): A Potentially Dangerous Triad for the Development of Pre-Eclampsia

SARS-CoV-2 represents the greatest epidemiological, clinical, and social challenge the human being has had to face in this century. SARS-CoV-2 is not merely a respiratory virus, as its target cells range from upper airway respiratory cells to pulmonary cells but also and above all to the cardiovascular cells, such as pericytes and endothelial cells. Indeed, the pathology related to SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, may be defined as a thromboinflammatory syndrome in its most severe form, characterized by sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), which is prevalent in individuals already presenting a chronic level of inflammation (e.g., obese individuals, elderly) and hypertension. Pregnancy is not only an inflammatory-prone condition but is characterized by a consistent rearrangement of the blood circulation and coagulation profile. Cardiac output increases while arterial systolic and diastolic pressure decrease, regardless of the activation of the RAS system. ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor into the host cells, which transforms Ang II in Ang 1–7, is highly expressed in endothelial, smooth muscle cells and pericytes of placental villi, regulating blood pressure and fetal development. Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by hypertension and low levels of ACE2, endothelial dysfunction, and a high production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, resembling COVID-19 manifestations. Whereas pre-eclampsia and COVID-19 have overlapping clinical features, a role for SARS-CoV-2 as a leading cause of pre-eclampsia in COVID-19 positive pregnant women has not been clarified yet. In this mini-review, we will explore the possibility of the existence of such a link, focusing on the role of endothelial dysfunction and RAS in both pre-eclampsia and SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19 pathogenesis

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Da produção como totalidade

Pretendemos analisar a abordagem materialista da categoria de totalidade desenvolvida por Marx, nomeadamente a sua aplicação teórica na interpretação dialéctica do conceito de produção no sistema económico capitalista.We intend to analyse the materialistic approach to the category of totality developed by Marx, namely in its theoretical application to the dialectical interpretation of the concept of production in the capitalist economic system.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implementation of Technology in Nursing Homes to Combat Psychosocial Effects of COVID-19

Because nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, it is essential to implement significant isolation measures in nursing homes to reduce chances of exposure. While isolation is the best way to keep these individuals safe, there is evidence of negative social and psychological effects. We examine the ethical considerations revolving the decision to isolate nursing home residents, explore the negative social and psychological effects, and propose various technologies that combat these effects. The use of interactive software and video-calling technology proves effective in reducing negative psychosocial symptoms and improves the quality of life for nursing home residents