The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.

The present study provides an overview of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak which has rapidly extended globally within a short period. COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2). SARS-CoV-2 is different from usual coronaviruses responsible for mild sickness such as common cold among human beings. It is crucial to understand the impact and outcome of this pandemic. We therefore overview the changes in the curves of COVID-19 confirmed cases and fatality rate in China and outside of China from 31st of December 2019 to 25th of March 2020. We also aimed to assess the temporal developments and death rate of COVID-19 in China and worldwide. More than 414,179 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 197 countries, including 81,848 cases in China and 332,331 outside of China. Furthermore, 18,440 infected patients died from COVID-19 infection; 3,287 cases were from China and 15,153 fatalities were reported worldwide. Among the worldwide infected cases, 113,802 patients have been recovered and discharged from different hospitals. Effective prevention and control measures should be taken to control the disease. The presented Chinese model (protocol) of disease prevention and control could be utilized in order to curb the pandemic situation.

Lipid profile in children with coronary artery disease in Sindh, Pakistan.

AIM: To evaluate lipid profile in children with coronary artery disease (CAD) in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. METHODS: The study included 100 children (6-15 years), of which 43 were children of young parents (one or both) with recognized CAD, while the other 57 were children with no evidence of CAD (controls). All were evaluated for fasting blood lipid profile. Blood samples were collected from patients with CAD and healthy controls and analysis of the levels of lipid profile were carried out using a kit method on Microlab 300. RESULTS: Children with CAD had significantly higher levels of total serum cholesterol and triglycerides and decreased levels of high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein compared to children in the control group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher, without any significant difference. CONCLUSION: CAD risk factors are significant regarding abnormal lipid levels. Genetic tendency seems to be important in the development of CAD in children.