Introduction
The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), a metabolic cascade regulating pressure and circulating blood volume, has been considered the main system involved in the pathogenesis of severe lung injury and organs decline in COVID-19 patients. The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (
ACE1
), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (
ACE2
), angiotensinogen (AGT) and receptors angiotensin II receptor type 1 (
AGTR1
) are key factors for SARS-CoV-2 entering in the cells, sodium and water retention with an increase blood pressure, promotion of fibrotic and inflammatory phenomena resulting in a cytokine storm.
Methods
In this pilot study, the frequencies of six polymorphisms in the
ACE1, ACE2, AGT
and
AGTR1
genes were analysed in symptomatic patients affected by COVID-19 and compared with the results obtained from asymptomatic subjects.
Results
Thus, we have identified that rs2074192 (
ACE2
), rs1799752 (
ACE1
) and rs699 (
AGT
) SNPs could potentially be a valuable tool for predicting the clinical outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. A genetic predisposition may be prospected for severe internal organ damages and poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19 disease, as observed in symptomatic vs asymptomatic.
Conclusion
This study provides evidence that analysis of RAAS polymorphisms could be considered the key point in understanding and predicting the SARS-CoV-2 course infection.
The public health measures imposed in many countries to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could have negative effects on children's physical and mental health. The authors describe four cases of acquired concomitant acute esotropia likely caused from excessive application of near vision during the COVID-19 lockdown. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57:e88-e91.]
CASE REPORTS
Case 1A 4-year-old girl presented to the Eye Clinic of the Policlinico San Martino (Genoa, Italy) with acute onset of diplopia. Two days before presentation, her parents noted crossed eyes when she woke up. She had no history of recent infections or physical or psychological stress. In the past 2 months, she used a tablet approximately 8 hours a day. Her best
Patients undergoing intravitreal injection of 0.05 ml of bevacizumab can be exposed to intraocular pressure increases correlated to ocular axial length.
The latest developments in precision medicine allow the modulation of therapeutic approaches in different pathologies on the basis of the specific molecular characterization of the patient. This review of the literature coupled with in silico analysis was to provide a selected screening of interactions between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and drugs (repurposed, investigational, and biological agents) showing efficacy and toxicityin counteracting Covid-19 infection. In silico analysis of genetic variants related to each drug was performed on such databases as PharmGKB, Ensembl Genome Browser, www.drugs.com, and SNPedia, with an extensive literature review of papers (to May 10, 2020) on Covid-19 treatments using Medline, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, PharmGKB, and Google Scholar. The clinical relevance of SNPs, known as both drug targets and markers, considering genetic variations with known drug responses, and the therapeutic consequences are discussed. In the context of clinical treatment of Covid-19, including infection prevention, control measures, and supportive care, this review highlights the importance of a personalized approach in the final selection of therapy, which is probably essential in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic.
To report closure rate, Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), Retinal Sensitivity (RS) and Fixation Stability (FS) of idiopathic Macular Holes (MH) randomized to Cover Group (CG) or Fill Group (FG) of the Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane (ILM) flap surgical procedure. Twenty-eight patients were randomized (1:1) to receive a vitrectomy with either Cover or Fill ILM flap technique. All patients underwent BCVA, RS and FS assessment at baseline, 1-month and 3-months after surgery. MH closed in all patients. BCVA rose from 20/100 (baseline) to 20/33 (1-month) in both groups, to 20/28 in CG versus 20/33 in FG (3-months) (p < 0.05). The central 4° RS rose from 11.5 and 12 dB to 19 and 19.5 dB (1-month) and to 22 and 20 dB (3-months), respectively, in CG and FG (p < 0.001). The central 10° RS rose from 11 and 15 dB to 22 and 20 dB (1-month) and to 23 and 20 dB (3-months), respectively, in CG and FG (p < 0.001). FS increased significantly more in CG. CG improved significantly more than FG in terms of BCVA, RS and FS. The average MH diameter was relatively small (397 µm); larger MHs may behave differently.
Trial registration: Trial Registry: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Identifier: NCT04135638. Registration date 22/10/2019.
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