COVID-19 and Rheumatoid Arthritis Crosstalk: Emerging Association, Therapeutic Options and Challenges.

Hyperactivation of immune responses resulting in excessive release of pro-inflammatory mediators in alveoli/lung structures is the principal pathological feature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The cytokine hyperactivation in COVID-19 appears to be similar to those seen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease. Emerging evidence conferred the severity and risk of COVID-19 to RA patients. Amid the evidence of musculoskeletal manifestations involving immune-inflammation-dependent mechanisms and cases of arthralgia and/or myalgia in COVID-19, crosstalk between COVID-19 and RA is often debated. The present article sheds light on the pathological crosstalk between COVID-19 and RA, the risk of RA patients in acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in RA development. We also conferred whether RA can exacerbate COVID-19 outcomes based on available clinical readouts. The mechanistic overlapping in immune-inflammatory features in both COVID-19 and RA was discussed. We showed the emerging links of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-dependent and macrophage-mediated pathways in both diseases. Moreover, a detailed review of immediate challenges and key recommendations for anti-rheumatic drugs in the COVID-19 setting was presented for better clinical monitoring and management of RA patients. Taken together, the present article summarizes available knowledge on the emerging COVID-19 and RA crosstalk and their mechanistic overlaps, challenges, and therapeutic options.

The Potential Role of Cytokines and Growth Factors in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prominent neurodegenerative diseases, which impairs cognitive function in afflicted individuals. AD results in gradual decay of neuronal function as a consequence of diverse degenerating events. Several neuroimmune players (such as cytokines and growth factors that are key players in maintaining CNS homeostasis) turn aberrant during crosstalk between the innate and adaptive immunities. This aberrance underlies neuroinflammation and drives neuronal cells toward apoptotic decline. Neuroinflammation involves microglial activation and has been shown to exacerbate AD. This review attempted to elucidate the role of cytokines, growth factors, and associated mechanisms implicated in the course of AD, especially with neuroinflammation. We also evaluated the propensities and specific mechanism(s) of cytokines and growth factors impacting neuron upon apoptotic decline and further shed light on the availability and accessibility of cytokines across the blood-brain barrier and choroid plexus in AD pathophysiology. The pathogenic and the protective roles of macrophage migration and inhibitory factors, neurotrophic factors, hematopoietic-related growth factors, TAU phosphorylation, advanced glycation end products, complement system, and glial cells in AD and neuropsychiatric pathology were also discussed. Taken together, the emerging roles of these factors in AD pathology emphasize the importance of building novel strategies for an effective therapeutic/neuropsychiatric management of AD in clinics.

Evaluation of drug utilization in cardiovascular disease at a teaching and referral hospital in Northern Telangana.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death globally despite the advanced health-care facilities. Extensive disparity exists in pharmacotherapy pattern among CVD patients where rational drug use plays a pivotal role in promoting safety and efficacy. The study focused to evaluate drug utilization using the World Health Organization (WHO) prescribing indicators and defined daily dose (DDD) in patients admitted to a teaching/referral hospital in Northern Telangana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1120 medical records were analyzed for drug utilization for a period of 7 months. Prescription pattern was assessed using the WHO prescribing indicators and DDD to measure individual drug utilization categorized under anatomical-therapeutic-chemical classification. RESULTS: Of the total admissions, 58.57% (55.19 ± 15.19 years) were male and 41.43% (56.64 ± 15.28 years) were female where coronary artery disease was the most common cause of admission followed by cardiomyopathy. Among prescribing indicators, percentage of drugs with generic names was least accounted with 26.86% and 18.95% during hospitalization and discharge, respectively. A mean of 11.55 (hospitalization) and 6.55 (discharge) drugs were prescribed per prescription. Antiplatelet (72.86%) and statin (80.62%) use was predominate during complete therapy. The DDD of furosemide (109.33) was found to be high, followed by atorvastatin (64.6), enalapril (58.44), aspirin (58.14) and clopidogrel (53.2). CONCLUSION: Polypharmacy and least use of generic name were observed in the study which may affect the rationality. The use of antiplatelets, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitors was appropriate, but furosemide overuse is of major concern. Therefore, appropriate prescription writing improvises treatment compliance in the patients, which results in rationality.

High Prevalence of Asymptomatic Anterior Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome in Toddy Tappers of South India: A Case Series of 21 Participants.

Background Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome (ATTS) is an uncommon entrapment neuropathy which occurs due to the compression of deep peroneal nerve under the inferior extensor retinaculum at the ankle. We observed a frequent occurrence of this syndrome in toddy palm tappers and hence, planned to study the association between the two. Materials and Methods We studied the prevalence of isolated deep peroneal neuropathy at the ankle among the asymptomatic toddy tappers enrolled over a period of 3 months. Results In our case series, 81% (17/21) of the study participants had ATTS of which 43% (9/21) had unilateral and 38% (8/21) had bilateral involvement. There was a strong inverse association (p < 0.001) of "duration of toddy tapping in years" with peroneal (extensor digitorum brevis) amplitudes on both the sides. Conclusion Our study confirms "palm tree climbing" to be an occupational etiology of ATTS.

Acute ischemic stroke thrombolysis with tenecteplase: An institutional experience from South India.

OBJECTIVE: Outcome assessment of intravenous (IV) thrombolysis with tenecteplase in acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We consecutively enrolled acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent IV thrombolysis with tenecteplase from October 2016 to May 2017. Primary clinical efficacy outcome was defined as an improvement in the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥4 points at 24 h (h). Secondary clinical efficacy outcome was the favorable outcome on modified Rankin scale at 90 days defined as a score of 0 or 1. The safety endpoints were death rate at 90 days and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH). RESULTS: Mean NIHSS scores at baseline and 24 h were 13 (±3.81) and 9.29 (±5.74), respectively, the difference being statistically significant (P = 0.016). In this study, nine patients (64%) met the primary clinical efficacy outcome and eleven (78.5%) patients met the secondary clinical efficacy outcome. Only 1 (7%) patient developed SICH and additionally, aspiration pneumonia with subsequent death. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the efficacy and safety of tenecteplase for stroke thrombolysis in our clinical setting. Tenecteplase appears to be a suitable option for stroke thrombolysis in resource-limited settings, considering its cost-effectiveness, and ease of administration.

Objectif: Évaluation de la thrombolyse intraveineuse (IV) par la tenecteplase lors d'un AVC ischémique aigu. Matériel et Méthodes: Nous avons inclus consécutivement les patients AVC ischémiques ayant subi une thrombolyse intraveineuse avec tenecteplase d'octobre 2016 à mai 2017. Le critère d'efficacité clinique primaire a été défini comme une amélioration du score NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) de 24 h (h). Le résultat d'efficacité clinique secondaire était le résultat favorable sur l'échelle de Rankin modifiée à 90 jours définie comme un score de 0 ou 1. Les critères de tolérance étaient le taux de mortalité à 90 jours et l'hémorragie intracrânienne symptomatique (SICH). Résultats: Les scores NIHSS moyens au départ et 24 h étaient respectivement de 13 (± 3,81) et de 9,29 (± 5,74), la différence étant statistiquement significative (P = 0,016). Dans cette étude, neuf patients (64%) ont atteint le critère principal d'efficacité clinique et onze patients (78,5%) ont atteint le critère d'efficacité clinique secondaire. Seulement 1 patient (7%) a développé un SICH et, en outre, une pneumonie d'aspiration avec décès ultérieur. Conclusion: Cette étude confirme l'efficacité et l'innocuité de la tenecteplase pour la thrombolyse par AVC dans notre contexte clinique. La ténectéplase semble être une option appropriée pour la thrombolyse d'accident vasculaire cérébral dans les milieux à ressources limitées, compte tenu de son rapport coût-efficacité et de sa facilité d'administration. Mots-clés: AVC ischémique aigu, alteplase, tenecteplase, thrombolyse.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in chronic and subacute low back pain patients in India: a triple-arm controlled study.

Vitamin D is vital for musculoskeletal health and may be associated with subacute and chronic low back pain. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among chronic low back pain (CLBP) and subacute low back pain (SLBP), and compare the same with healthy controls. This study was designed as triple-arm case-control study comprising of CLBP, SLBP, and controls. SLBP and CLBP cases were consecutively enrolled over 3 months of winter season from November 2016 to January 2017. Serum 25- (OH) vitamin D was estimated for the study subjects and categorical comparison of severity of vitamin D deficiency was done for the cases and controls. A total of 250 CLBP, 177 SLBP cases, and 248 controls were included in the study. Mean (± SD) serum vitamin D levels among CLBP, SLBP, and controls were 20.36 (± 12.56), 21.42 (± 13.20), and 20.84 (± 6.93) ng/ml respectively, the difference being statistically insignificant. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among CLBP, SLBP, and controls which was 53.6, 50.8, and 51.6% respectively, in the three arms. However, the categorical analysis revealed that CLBP and SLBP cases had a significantly higher prevalence of worse categories of vitamin D deficiency. Cases had significantly larger frequency (CLBP vs. controls, 43.6 vs 20.1%, P<0.001; SLBP vs. controls, 43.5 vs 20.1%, P = 0.001) of individuals with vitamin D levels ≤ 16 ng/ml (moderate deficiency upper threshold level). Thus, the severe forms of vitamin D deficiency may be causally associated with CLBP and SLBP. The results of the present study revealed that increasing severity of vitamin D deficiency may have a pathogenetic association with chronic low back pain and subacute low back pain. These results may prove to be of significance in framing of future management guidelines for the above clinical conditions.