Galectin-3 as a Novel Biomarker for Predicting Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Galectin-3 has been shown to play a key pathophysiological role in pulmonary associated inflammatory response and lung fibrosis in COVID-19 and is a mediator for viral adhesion. However, there is limited data about its potential role in severity and prognosis of COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of serum galectin-3 concentrations in the severe clinical outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients: the severity of pneumonia, in-hospital mortality, and the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. METHODS: This single-center study included 68 patients with laboratory- and radiologically-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to our emergency department. The study population was divided into patients with primary clinical out-comes (n = 32) and those without (n = 36). The need for ICU admission and/or in-hospital mortality were the primary clinical endpoints. The study group was also classified based on pneumonia severity: severe or mild/moderate. Blood samples were collected within 48 hours of admission to estimate serum galectin-3 concentrations. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analysis showed that lower concentrations of galectin-3 and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) were independently associated with the primary clinical outcomes (OR = 0.951, p = 0.035; OR = 0.862, p = 0.017, respectively); increased concentrations of galectin-3 were an independent predictor of severe pneumonia (OR = 1.087, p = 0.016). In the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, serum galectin-3 concentrations at hospital admission predicted pneumonia severity with 52.1% sensitivity and 90% specificity with a cutoff of 38.76 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating galectin-3 at hospital admission could be a useful biomarker for identifying COVID-19 patients at high risk for severe pneumonia.

Mother’s knowledge regarding oral health practices and risk factors with respect to their children in the twin cities of Pakistan

Objective: To analyze the way mothers perceive oral health in their children, the importance of oral health amongst children, so that preventive advice and regime can be tailored accordingly and reinforced during the pandemic. Study Design: Questionnaire base survey. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the various sectors of the twin cities of Pakistan, from May to Sep 2020. Methodology: This study was a questionnaire-based study in which survey forms were distributed online as well as in person among mothers above 18 years of age. A questionnaire was formulated and distributed amongst different areas and sectors of the twin cities in Pakistan. The data was analyzed quantitatively and entered in SPSS version 23 for analysis. Results: Mothers from various socioeconomic backgrounds had dissimilar knowledge with regards to oral health. There was a greater gap in the knowledge of mothers from low and high socioeconomic status as compared to middle and high. Conclusion: It is imperative that knowledge regarding oral health practices, preventive measures, risk factors of oral diseases should be imparted equally in the various socioeconomic areas of the country. Also, a widespread oral health plan to indoctrinate preventive knowledge as well as basic knowledge of oral health practices is strongly recommended. © 2021, Army Medical College. All rights reserved.