New Translational Trends in Personalized Medicine: Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cells and Plasma for COVID-19 Patient.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), still remains a severe threat. At the time of writing this paper, the second infectious wave has caused more than 280,000 deaths all over the world. Italy was one of the first countries involved, with more than 200,000 people reported as infected and 30,000 deaths. There are no specific treatments for COVID-19 and the vaccine still remains somehow inconclusive. The world health community is trying to define and share therapeutic protocols in early and advanced clinical stages. However, numbers remain critical with a serious disease rate of 14%, ending with sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple organ failure (MOF) and vascular and thromboembolic findings. The mortality rate was estimated within 2-3%, and more than double that for individuals over 65 years old; almost one patient in three dies in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Efforts for effective solutions are underway with multiple lines of investigations, and health authorities have reported success treating infected patients with donated plasma from survivors of the illness, the proposed benefit being protective antibodies formed by the survivors. Plasma transfusion, blood and stem cells, either autologous or allograft transplantation, are not novel therapies, and in this short paper, we propose therapeutic autologous plasma and peripheral blood stem cells as a possible treatment for fulminant COVID-19 infection.

The Anti-Viral Activity of Stem Cells: A Rational Explanation for their Use in Clinical Application.

It is well established the importance of stem cells (SCs) in tissue growth, regeneration and repair, given their ability to self-renew and differentiate into mature cells. Stem cells are present in all individuals and are potentially active to the end of life. However, less is known about their unique function within the immune system as immune regulators and their important task in viral protection. Antiviral resistance is a common mechanism in all cells though stem cells utilize an antiviral RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism, while adult cells react by using the interferondependent repression pathway via interferon-associated protein-based response to induce an antiviral response. Therefore, the idea behind this review is to highlight the mechanisms of viral evasion of host defense, which would then allow us to highlight the rationale use of autologous stem cells and their biochemical and immunological ability to reset the subverted immune responses. Recently, scientists have highlighted their use in the field of immune-therapy, establishing the possibilities of using them outside the conventional protocol with the advancement in manipulating these cells in such a way that specific body activity can be restored. This paper describes the remarkable SCs profile and discusses some ideas regarding their promising use in vivo.

"GONE WITH THE WIND": The Transitory Effects of COVID-19 on the Gynecological System.

The coronavirus disease no longer seems to represent an insurmountable global problem. This is thanks to the advent of coronavirus vaccines, which have alleviated the most serious symptoms associated with this disease. On the other hand, there are still many extrapulmonary symptoms of COVID-19, and among these also those of a gynecological nature. At the moment, there are several questions in this field, one above all concerns the causal link between COVID-19, vaccines and gynecological alterations. Furthermore, another important aspect is represented by the clinical impact of post-COVID-19 gynecological alterations on the female population which, to date, would seem to be mainly due to their duration, even if the extent of these symptoms is still poorly understood. Furthermore, it is not possible to foresee eventual long-term aggravations, or more serious symptoms caused by other viral variants that may arrive in the future. In this review, we focus on this theme and attempt to reorganize the different pieces of a puzzle which, to date, does not seem to have shown us its complete picture.

Application of the Extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in Endodontics and Oral Medicine: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: The main purpose of endodontic treatment is to eliminate the bacteria that are responsible for the contamination and infection of the internal surfaces in order to resolve any pulp or periapical pathology. In fact, some bacteria, such as Enterococcus faecalis, can escape the action of root canal irrigants by aggregating into a biofilm and penetrating deeply into the dentinal tubules. Uncaria tomentosa is a plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family and also commonly known as cat's claw due to the shape and position of the spines; it is a traditional Peruvian medicinal plant of Amazonian origin. Applications in the dental field have been described both in the prevention and treatment of stomatitis and as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent; it has also been investigated as an additive in irrigants and specifically as gels in endodontic cements. The aim of this scoping review is to summarize all the scientific evidence on the possible applications of Uncaria tomentosa extracts in endodontics and, more generally, in oral medicine, in order to understand whether the active ingredients extracted from Uncaria tomentosa can bring a real advantage in endodontics, in the reduction of endodontic failures and in the onset of recurrent endodontic lesions. METHODS: The scoping review was carried out strictly following the PRISMA-ScR checklist; the search was carried out on five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, EBSCO and Web of Science) and a register (Cochrane library). RESULTS: The research produced a number of bibliographic sources totaling 2104. With the removal of duplicates, 670 were obtained; potentially eligible articles amounted to 23, of which only seven in vitro studies (four microbiological studies), five clinical studies (three randomized trials) and a case report were included. CONCLUSIONS: From the data in the literature, it can be stated that the active ingredients present in Uncaria tomentosa could represent an interesting product to be used in the endodontic field, both in endocanalary cements and as a gel.

Update on COVID-19 and Effectiveness of a Vaccination Campaign in a Global Context.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 remains a significant issue for global health, the economy, and society. When SARS-CoV-2 began to spread, the most recent serious infectious disease of this century around the world, with its high morbidity and mortality rates, it is understandable why such infections have generally been spread in the past, mainly from international travel movements. This perspective review aimed to provide an update for clinicians on the recent developments related to the microbiological perspectives in pandemics, diagnostics, prevention (such as the spread of a virus), vaccination campaigns, treatment options, and health consequences for COVID-19 based on the current literature. In this way, the authors attempt to raise awareness on the transversal nature of these challenges by identifying the main risk/vulnerability factors that the scientific community must face including our current knowledge on the virus capacity of the mechanism of entry into the cells, the current classifications of viral variants, the knowledge of the mathematical model on the spread of viruses (the possible routes of transmission), and the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns in a global context of pandemic, particularly from COVID-19, with a look at new or future vaccines.

New Trends in Biosciences

Potential topics included, but were not limited to, translational research, bioengineering types, clinical engineering, system modeling, biosignal processing, stem cells, bioscaffolds, biomedical devices, health informatics, bioinformatics, biotechnology, biomechanics, computational mechanobiology, microbiota, and the role of oral health and disease in contributing to general health and systemic conditions. Because glycogen storage disease (GSD) represents a group of twenty-three types of metabolic disorders which damage the capacity of the body to store glucose classified based on the enzyme deficiency involved and affected patients could present some oro-facial alterations, Romano et al. conducted a systematic review of the literature among different search engines using PICOS criteria, to catalog and characterize oral manifestations in these patients [18]. [...]the steroid-refractory relapsed MS on FTY, however serious, can be treated with DFPP;second, given the good clinical improvement due to the DFPP-induced neuroinflammatory components removal, this clinical condition can be associated with a Lucchinetti pattern II of demyelination [20]. Since early 2020, COVID-19, a consequence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly affected millions of people worldwide. Currently, little published research exists evaluating the stability of commercial vitamin A products during storage. [...]in a further study, Yang et al. aimed to determine the storage stability of five commercial sources of vitamin A in premix, and provide a guideline for product formulation and application [23].

The 15-Months Clinical Experience of SARS-CoV-2: A Literature Review of Therapies and Adjuvants.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) that emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread worldwide, with a daily increase in confirmed cases and infection-related deaths. The World Health Organization declared a pandemic on the 11th of March 2020. COVID-19 presents flu-like symptoms that become severe in high-risk medically compromised subjects. The aim of this study was to perform an updated overview of the treatments and adjuvant protocols for COVID-19. METHODS: A systematic literature search of databases was performed (MEDLINE PubMed, Google Scholar, UpToDate, Embase, and Web of Science) using the keywords: "COVID-19", "2019-nCoV", "coronavirus" and "SARS-CoV-2" (date range: 1 January 2019 to 31st October 2020), focused on clinical features and treatments. RESULTS: The main treatments retrieved were antivirals, antimalarials, convalescent plasma, immunomodulators, corticosteroids, anticoagulants, and mesenchymal stem cells. Most of the described treatments may provide benefits to COVID-19 subjects, but no one protocol has definitively proven its efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: While many efforts are being spent worldwide in research aimed at identifying early diagnostic methods and evidence-based effective treatments, mass vaccination is thought to be the best option against this disease in the near future.

SARS-CoV-2 Disease Adjuvant Therapies and Supplements Breakthrough for the Infection Prevention.

The SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is a high-risk viral agent involved in the recent pandemic stated worldwide by the World Health Organization. The infection is correlated to a severe systemic and respiratory disease in many cases, which is clinically treated with a multi-drug pharmacological approach. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate through a literature overview the effect of adjuvant therapies and supplements for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The research has analyzed the advantage of the EK1C4, by also assessing the studies on the resveratrol, vitamin D, and melatonin as adjuvant supplements for long hauler patients' prognosis. The evaluated substances reported important benefits for the improvement of the immune system and as a potential inhibitor molecules against SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the use of sartans as therapy. The adjuvant supplements seem to create an advantage for the healing of the long hauler patients affected by chronic symptoms of constant chest and heart pain, intestinal disorders, headache, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and tachycardia.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells: The Secret Children’s Weapons against the SARS-CoV-2 Lethal Infection

Due to the promising effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of various diseases, this commentary aimed to focus on the auxiliary role of MSCs to reduce inflammatory processes of acute respiratory infections caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Since early in 2020, COVID-19, a consequence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly affected millions of people world-wide. The SARS-CoV-2 infection in children appears to be an unusual event. Despite the high number of affected adult and elderly, children and adolescents remained low in amounts, and marginally touched. Based on the promising role of cell therapy and regenerative medicine approaches in the treatment of several life-threatening diseases, it seems that applying MSCs cell-based approaches can also be a hopeful strategy for improving subjects with severe acute respiratory infections caused by COVID-19.

What we have learned for the future about COVID-19 and healthcare management of it?

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: COVID-19 is a current global pandemic. However, comprehensive global data analyses for its healthcare management are lacking. METHODS: In this study we have researched through published scientific articles and international health care  guidelines to find out actually about our knowledge for this new pandemic from SARS-CoV-2 and related COVID-19 disease that emerged from December 2019 in China in order to better manage this health emergency. RESULTS: The pathogens represented by microorganisms (bacteria, mycetes or viruses) show their effect after days and are responsible for epidemics/pandemics as dangerous as the greater their possibility of transmission, especially by inhalation, and therefore their infectivity. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of new pathogenic viruses for humans such as the COVID -19, which previously were found only in the animal world occurs through the spillover (is the third documented of an animal coronavirus to humans), it is thought that it could also be the same also for the origin of this virus. Furthermore, the trend of this pandemic in one of the countries most affected by Italy after China was also considered.

Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic: Future Challenges for Dental Practitioners.

In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic, the medical system has been subjected to many changes. Face-to-face treatments have been suspended for a period of time. After the lockdown, dentists have to be aware of the modalities to protect themselves and their patients in order not to get infected. Dental practitioners are potentially exposed to a high degree of contamination with SARS-CoV-2 while performing dental procedures that produce aerosols. It should also be noted that the airways, namely the oral cavity and nostrils, are the access pathways for SARS-CoV-2. In order to protect themselves and their patients, they have to use full personal protective equipment. Relevant data regarding this pandemic are under evaluation and are still under test. In this article, we made a synthesis about the way in which SARS-CoV-2 spreads, how to diagnose a novel corona virus infection, what the possible treatments are, and which protective personal equipment we can use to stop its spreading.

The Human Respiratory System and its Microbiome at a Glimpse.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic promoted efforts to better understand the organization of the respiratory microbiome and its evolution from birth to adulthood and how it interacts with external pathogens and the host immune system. This review aims to deepen understanding of the essential physiological functions of the resident microbiome of the respiratory system on human health and diseases. First, the general characteristics of the normal microbiota in the different anatomical sites of the airways have been reported in relation to some factors such as the effect of age, diet and others on its composition and stability. Second, we analyze in detail the functions and composition and the correct functionality of the microbiome in the light of current knowledge. Several studies suggest the importance of preserving the micro-ecosystem of commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microbes of the respiratory system, and, more recently, its relationship with the intestinal microbiome, and how it also leads to the maintenance of human health, has become better understood.

Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic: Future Challenges for Dental Practitioners

In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic, the medical system has been subjected to many changes. Face-to-face treatments have been suspended for a period of time. After the lockdown, dentists have to be aware of the modalities to protect themselves and their patients in order not to get infected. Dental practitioners are potentially exposed to a high degree of contamination with SARS-CoV-2 while performing dental procedures that produce aerosols. It should also be noted that the airways, namely the oral cavity and nostrils, are the access pathways for SARS-CoV-2. In order to protect themselves and their patients, they have to use full personal protective equipment. Relevant data regarding this pandemic are under evaluation and are still under test. In this article, we made a synthesis about the way in which SARS-CoV-2 spreads, how to diagnose a novel corona virus infection, what the possible treatments are, and which protective personal equipment we can use to stop its spreading.

Environmental Issues and Neurological Manifestations Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic: New Aspects of the Disease?

Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China in December 2019 and rapidly caused a global health pandemic. Current evidence seems to suggest a possible link with ecosystem disequilibrium and even air pollution. The primary manifestations affect respiratory and circulatory systems, but neurological features are also being reported through case reports and case series. We summarize neurological symptoms and complications associated with COVID-19. We have searched for original articles published in PubMed/Medline, PubMed Central and Google Scholar using the following keywords: "COVID-19", "Coronavirus", "pandemic", "SARS-COV-2", "neurology", "neurological", "complications" and "manifestations". We found around 1000 publications addressing the issue of neurological conditions associated with COVID-19 infection. Amongst those, headache and dizziness are the most common reported symptoms followed by encephalopathy and delirium, while the most frequent complications are cerebrovascular accidents, Guillain-Barré syndrome, acute transverse myelitis, and acute encephalitis. Specific symptoms affecting the peripheral nervous system such as hyposmia and dysgeusia are the most common manifestations recorded in the selected studies. Interestingly, it was noted that these kinds of neurological symptoms might precede the typical features, such as fever and cough, in COVID patients. Neurological symptoms and complications associated with COVID-19 should be considered as a part of the clinical features of this novel global pandemic.

Special features of SARS-CoV-2 in daily practice.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (commonly known as SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus (designated as 2019-nCoV), which was isolated for the first time after the Chinese health authorities reported a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Optimal management of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 disease is evolving quickly and treatment guidelines, based on scientific evidence and experts' opinions with clinical experience, are constantly being updated. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak as a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern". The total lack of immune protection brought about a severe spread of the contagion all over the world. For this reason, diagnostic tools, patient management and therapeutic approaches have been tested along the way, in the desperate race to break free from the widespread infection and its fatal respiratory complications. Current medical knowledge and research on severe and critical patients' management and experimental treatments are still evolving, but several protocols on minimizing risk of infection among the general population, patients and healthcare workers have been approved and diffused by International Health Authorities.