Propolis effects in periodontal disease seem to affect coronavirus disease: a meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of propolis on the severity of coronavirus disease symptoms by reducing periodontal disease. PubMed, EMBASE, SciELO, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases were systematically searched. Studies have been conducted analyzing propolis's effects on COVID-19 and periodontitis. The study was conducted according to the PRISMA statement and registered in PROSPERO. Risk of Bias (RoB) assessment and meta-analysis of clinical studies were performed (Review Manager 5, Cochrane). The certainty of the evidence was assessed using GradePro (GDT). Studies have shown propolis flavonoids inhibit viral replication in several DNA and RNA viruses, including coronaviruses. Propolis components have an aminopeptidase inhibitor activity that can inhibit the main proteases of SARS viruses and seem to inhibit protein spikes, which are sites of most mutations in SARS-CoV strains. The meta-analysis showed favorable results with the use of propolis on probing depth (95%CI: 0.92; p < 0.001), clinical attachment level (95%CI: 1.48; p < 0.001), gingival index (95%CI: 0.14; p = 0.03), plaque index (95%CI: 0.11; p = 0.23), and blending on probing (95%CI: 0.39; p < 0.001). The antibacterial activity of propolis could be mediated through its direct action on microorganisms or the stimulation of the immune system, activating natural defenses. Thus, propolis inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 as well as its bacterial activity. Treatment with propolis improves general health and facilitates the activation of the immune system against coronavirus.

Assessment of Psychosocial Factors in Brazilian Dentists Facing Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Public and Private Sectors.

Dentists are at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their close proximity to patients. Thus, the fear of contamination or spreading the virus to family members, coupled with financial need, can lead professionals to experience significant overload and psychological suffering. We investigated the perceptions of dental professionals in the public and private sectors regarding fear and anxiety related to patient care and the risk of infection in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the previous literature, we interviewed 302 dentists online using sociodemographic and professional questions. Among the professionals evaluated, 80.8% had suspended their activities for some time, 74.8% were afraid of infection at work, 86.1% feared transmitting the virus to their families, 30.1% had already been infected, 54% felt afraid when they heard the news of death caused by SARS-CoV-2, and 63.9% reported having the protective knowledge necessary to avoid infection. Dentists who worked only in the public sector and those who worked in both sectors were more afraid of being infected than professionals who worked only in private offices. Our results highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emotional health in dentists. This study highlights the need for more support in the psychosocial field to enable dentists to overcome difficulties and maintain the provision of good dental care for the population. Continuing education should update professions with the requisite scientific and clinical knowledge to face the pandemic and achieve greater reflection on their role within this new context to improve their professional and emotional performance.

Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the risk of obesity for critically illness and ICU admitted: Meta-analysis of the epidemiological evidence.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and obesity in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, LILACS, and Web of Science for studies published up to April 27, 2020. The outcome of interest was composite poor outcome, comprising mortality and severe COVID-19. We used a standardized data extraction form to collect information from published reports of eligible studies. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using I2 statistic and funnel plots, respectively. RESULTS: Nine studies including 6577 patients were selected for evaluation. The COVID-19 patients were 59.80% male and had comorbidities such as hypertension (51.51%), diabetes (30.3%), cardiovascular disease (16.66%), lung disease (15.99%), renal disease (7.49%), cancer (5.07%), and immunosuppression (1.8%). For patients with severe complications, the overall pooled event rates were 56.2% (random; 95% CI: 35.3-75.1; p = 0.015; I2 = 71.461) for obesity, 23.6% (random; 95% CI: 17.9-30.5; p = 0.000; I2 = 87.705) for type 2 diabetes, 45.9% (random; 95% CI: 38.0-53.9; p = 0.000; I2 = 90.152) for hypertension, 20.0% (random; 95% CI: 7.9-42.0; p = 0.000; I2 = 94.577) for smoking, 21.6% (random; 95% CI: 14.1-31.4%; p = 0.000, I2 = 92.983) for lung diseases, and 20.6% (random; 95% CI: 15.2-27.5; p = 0.000, I2 = 85.735) for cardiovascular diseases. DISCUSSION: This systematic review indicated the relationship between obesity, ICU admission, severe COVID-19, and disease progression in patients with COVID-19. Obese patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, smoking habit, lung disease, and/or cardiovascular disease should be cared for with increased attention.