Right-left digit ratios, a novel form of asymmetry: Patterns of instability in children and relationships to platelet counts and hospitalization in adults with COVID-19.

High right minus left (R-L) asymmetry of digit ratios has been reported to be linked to hospitalization for COVID-19. Here we examined the developmental patterns of this novel form of asymmetry in children and further explored their relationships to platelet counts and hospitalization for COVID-19 in adult patients. We considered ratios calculated from four digits (2D, 3D, 4D, 5D) in: (i) a sample of healthy participants aged 2 years to 18 years (n = 680, 340 males) and (ii) 96 adult patients (42 males) hospitalized for COVID-19 and 100 controls (53 males). The protocol for (ii) included a questionnaire and laboratory test results. In sample (i) of the six unsigned digit ratio asymmetries, those which included 5D had the highest mean asymmetry with the greatest between-individual variation and they were unstable over the age range of 2 years to 18 years. In sample (ii) patients showed higher asymmetries than controls in four ratios (2D:4D, 2D:5D, 3D:5D, 4D:5D) and a sum of asymmetries of the two independent ratios (2D:4D+3D:5D) correlated positively with platelet counts and hospitalization. Conclusion: Means and SDs of digit ratio asymmetry that include the 5th digit are high and age-unstable. Digit ratio asymmetry, particularly 5th digit ratio asymmetry and a composite measure of 2D:4D + 3D:5D asymmetry, may be positively linked to high platelet counts in COVID-19 patients and to an elevated risk of hospitalization.

When Body Art Goes Awry-Severe Systemic Allergic Reaction to Red Ink Tattoo Requiring Surgical Treatment.

The aim of this report is to present a case of a patient who developed unusual systemic hypersensitivity reaction to a red-pigmented tattoo and to discuss diagnostic difficulties in case of systemic reactions to tattoo ink. The patient reported erythroderma on his arms and chest accompanied by plaque elevation of red parts of his most recently performed forearm tattoo as his primary symptoms. His health condition entailed a prolonged topical and intravenous immunosuppressive therapy, which proved ineffective. Over a year after emergence of initial symptoms, he presented to the Plastic Surgery Clinic with generalized erythroderma, systemic lymphadenopathy, elevation and granuloma formation in red tattoos on his forearm and complaints of fatigue and inability to participate fully in work-related and social activities. The patient underwent six staged excisions with direct closures, flap plasties and full-thickness skin grafts. Following completion of each surgical resection, the patient's symptoms gradually subsided. We find this case illustrative of a clinical challenge that delayed hypersensitivity reactions to red tattoos may pose. Furthermore, we provide insights on management of hypersensitivity reactions. This report underlines the importance of social awareness of and public health approach to tattoo complications as key to successful prevention, identification and treatment of adverse reactions to tattoos.

The Influence of Faith and Religion on Family Interactions and Interest in Health Issues during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Study among Polish Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has dominated health, economic, and geopolitical issues for many months, but it also has great influence on individuals and families. The aim of this study was to verify whether the pandemic of COVID-19 changed religious practices and how religiosity moderated the influence of the pandemic on family interactions and attitudes towards health issues in adolescents. METHODS: The study groups included 561 adolescent high school students (314 females and 247 males) from two kinds of high schools: public and Catholic. RESULTS: Most Catholic school students have not changed their religious practices during the pandemic or just changed the form of attendance to TV or internet (59.7%). Moreover, 8.6% of them stopped the practices, in comparison with 12.9% of public school students, most of whom had not attended a mass before and during the pandemic. The results showed that in adolescents' opinions the pandemic caused family relations to be stronger, however this effect was modified by religiosity. CONCLUSION: Attending Catholic school and being a practicing believer influenced some aspects of faith and family relations during the pandemic, but in most aspects, they did not influence attitudes toward health issues. The results of the study highlight the need to secure, especially for non-believing adolescents, family support during the pandemic, while in believers faith may provide such support.