Association between Vaccination Status for COVID-19 and the Risk of Severe Symptoms during the Endemic Phase of the Disease.

The global health emergency caused by COVID-19 concluded in May 2023, marking the beginning of an endemic phase. This study aimed to evaluate the association between vaccination status and other patient characteristics and the risk of severe disease during this new endemic period. A nationwide cohort study was conducted in Mexico, where we analyzed data from 646 adults who had received positive confirmation of COVID-19 through PCR testing from May to August 2023. The overall risk of severe symptoms in the study sample was 5.3%. The average time elapsed from the last vaccine shot to symptom onset was over six months in all the immunized groups (1, 2 or 3 vaccine doses). Compared to unvaccinated patients, those with three vaccine doses showed an elevated risk of severe symptoms. Advancing age and various chronic comorbidities (specifically cardiovascular, kidney, and obstructive pulmonary conditions) were associated with a heightened risk of severe COVID-19 manifestations. These findings underscore the ongoing seriousness of COVID-19, even in an endemic phase, underscoring the urgent need for tailored interventions aimed at high-risk patients.

Survival Analysis and Contributing Factors among PCR-Confirmed Adult Inpatients during the Endemic Phase of COVID-19.

In May 2023, the global health emergency status of COVID-19 concluded, marking the onset of an endemic era. This study assessed survival rates among PCR-confirmed adult inpatients during this phase and determined contributing factors. Employing a survival analysis approach, this investigation utilized a nationwide Mexican cohort encompassing 152 adult inpatients. Survival rates were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and a proportional Cox model identified mortality risk factors. Survival rates remained above 65% on day 14 after admission. Vaccination status, including the number of doses administered, was not significantly associated with fatal outcomes. Chronic kidney disease or a history of immunosuppression (due to any cause) increased mortality risk. Our findings underscore the persistent severity of COVID-19 beyond the global health emergency, emphasizing the necessity for tailored interventions for vulnerable patients.

Effectiveness of Nitrate Intake on Recovery from Exercise-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Recovery between efforts is critical to achieving optimal physical and sports performance. In this sense, many nutritional supplements that have been proven to improve recovery and physical and physiological performance are widely used. Supplements such as nitrates (NO3-), including organic foods such as beets, promote muscle recovery and relieve fatigue. This study aimed to comprehensively summarise the available literature on the effect of NO3- consumption on exercise-related fatigue and muscle damage. METHODS: A systematic search was carried out based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) using electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). From a total of 1634 studies identified, 15 studies were included in this review. RESULTS: Based on the review, NO3- intake provokes physiological and metabolic responses that could potentially boost exercise-related recovery. NO3- could improve recovery indicators related to strength, pain, inflammation, and muscle damage. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the relative proven effectiveness of NO3- on recovery after aerobic and anaerobic efforts, based on the heterogeneity of the procedures (e.g., dosage, chronic vs. acute intake, participants' characteristics, variables and outcomes), it could be premature to suggest its extended use in sports.

Alterations in blink and masseter reflex latencies in older adults with neurocognitive disorder and/or diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Blink and masseter reflexes provide reliable, quantifiable data on the function of the central nervous system: Delayed latencies have been found in patients with neurocognitive disorder (ND) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but this has not been studied in patients with both pathologies. AIM: To investigate if older adults with ND plus T2DM have prolonged latencies of blink and masseter-reflex and if they were associated with disease progression. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 227 older adults (> 60 years) from Colima, Mexico. Neurocognitive disorder was identified by a neuropsychological battery test, and T2DM identified by medical history, fasting glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin. Latencies in the early reflex (R1), ipsilateral late (R2), and contralateral late (R2c) components of the blink reflex were analyzed for all subjects, and 183 subjects were analyzed for latency of the masseter reflex. RESULTS: In 20.7% of participants, ND was detected. In 37%, T2DM was detected. Latencies in R1, R2, and R2c were significantly prolonged for groups with ND plus T2DM, ND, and T2DM, compared with the control group (P < 0.0001). The masseter reflex was only prolonged in older adults (regardless of T2DM status) with ND vs controls (P = 0.030). In older adults with ND and without T2DM, the more the cognitive impairment progressed, the more prolonged latencies in R2 and R2c presented (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that blink and masseter reflexes could be used to evaluate possible changes in brainstem circuits in older adults with ND and T2DM.